"General, Richeng is ahead of us. I'm going to report on the horses. No traces of imperial troops or Japanese people have been found near Richeng." A deputy general entered Dongfang Zhong's commander's tent to report the military situation.
Dongfang Zhong moved his body, and the injuries on his body were already healed. He asked, "Then where did they go? Go check it out immediately. Also, what's going on in the direction of Jicheng?"
"There is news from Jicheng that we have contacted the gangs in various parts of Donglu, but I don't know if these gangs are still willing to follow you..." the deputy general reported truthfully.
Dongfang Zhong snorted and smiled: "Whoever wins, they will help, let's ignore them for now. Find the soldiers and horses that Yi Xiaodao left here, annihilate them all, and guide the Dong Japanese into Dong Lu."
The lieutenant general said hesitantly: "General, if the Dong Japanese are like Dong Lu, will they..."
"Definitely. Hey, what kind of good people can the Eastern Japanese be? But I can't care much about it now. Once the imperial soldiers and horses are driven away, I will go back and deal with them. If Yang Sixiao is not against me everywhere, what use will I have? You have to provoke those dwarves." Dongfang Zhong said bitterly.
"The imperial court only sent five thousand Yulin troops, who were pieced together by Yi Xiaodao, but now I have lost even Jicheng. When I join forces with the Dongbo people and fight back to Donglu, Donglu will I'll help Wangfeng Lieng, pack up Yi Xiaodao, and then turn the gun to kill the Dong Japanese. Dong Lu will definitely be in my bag!" Dongfang Zhong said with a sinister smile.
When the lieutenant heard Dongfang Zhong's overall plan, he was a little relieved. He was originally from Donglu. In fact, it didn't matter to him whether Donglu surrendered to the imperial court. Following Dongfang Zhong was just a chance to gain wealth. But if he lured the Dong Japanese people into the house and occupied Dong Lu, he still couldn't do it.
After the deputy general left, Dongfang Zhong looked at the Daqi map behind him and murmured to himself: "Sichuan and Sichuan control Xigui, Chu Xiang controls Nanhuai, and as for Donglu...ha, hahahaha..."
In Jicheng, various scouts came to the city one after another to report. Gangs from various places in Donglu, especially in the direction of Southeast Qucheng, heard the order from Confucius and watched for the wind to return. In Jicheng, a Jianghu gang team of approximately ten thousand people soon gathered. In addition, Yi Xiaodao brought his own Yulin Army and Shangwu Camp's 10,000 troops, as well as the 3,000 Jicheng Army that Yang Sixiao persuaded to surrender. There are now more than 23,000 soldiers available, just a lot more.
There are more than 23,000 people in Jicheng and more than 15,000 people in Richeng, which is close to 40,000 people. Moreover, gangs come from all over the country every day, and even many common people hear the news and come to join the army. Yi Xiaodao was confident that he would have 50,000 troops in his hands during the decisive battle with Dongfang Zhong.
"Master Yi, Duke Zhongyi from Richeng has sent someone to deliver the news." Now that Wei Youming is away, all the affairs of the army are managed by Wang Xuan. Originally, Yi Xiaodao was worried that Wang Xuan had never been involved in military affairs and would not be competent. Unexpectedly, Wang Xuan was well organized. Even if he didn't understand something, he would ask for advice humbly. When talking to officials and generals, he would act like a commoner and never be arrogant.
Yang Sixiao praised Wang Xuan behind his back and called him a genius. Yi Xiaodao also smiled and said he had found a treasure.
"Okay, please come in." Yi Xiaodao put down his hand and said "Siqing" and sat down on the main seat of the court.
The visitor entered the court and was about to bow down. Yi Xiaodao raised his hand to stop him: "Forget it. What's the news about Duke Zhongyi?"
The visitor reported: "Dong Zhongyi and his wife repelled seven attacks by the Japanese in Richeng. The Japanese invaded Richeng to no avail, and turned to the north. Duke Zhongyi then led his troops along the coast to the northeast. Fang left, vowing to stop the Japanese Japanese!"
"Hahaha, it's rare that he has such a strong temper. I'm afraid he was influenced by Xiang Lian'er. So where are they now?" Yi Xiaodao asked.
"When the villain comes, Duke Zhongyi will come to the island city."
Yi Xiaodao nodded and said, "Okay, you go down to collect the reward and rest first."
After the messenger left, Wang Xuan walked in: "Master Yi, what are your next plans?"
"Li Dingxing and the others blocked the Eastern Japanese on the road, and now they have arrived at the island city. Soldiers and horses from all over the country have gathered, and Dongfang Zhong has disappeared. I guess he must be going to join the Eastern Japanese. If this is the case, Li Dingxing and the others will attack from both inside and outside. It's very dangerous. Without further ado, I will immediately lead my troops to the island city." Yi Xiaodao said.
"But Kongmen sent a message back, saying that there are still many soldiers and horses on the way. Why don't you wait a little longer?" Wang Xuan asked.
Yi Xiaodao waved his hand: "No more waiting, let Master Yang stay in Jicheng, and wait for the remaining troops to gather together. It will not be too late for reinforcements to be led by Master Yang or other generals."
After hearing this, Wang Xuan felt that it was reasonable and stopped insisting.
Outside the east gate of Jicheng, 20,000 soldiers and horses have been stationed. There are thousands of people, and the view is boundless. Standing on the city wall and looking down, the momentum is also very scary.
"Master Yang, you will leave Jicheng's three thousand soldiers and horses to garrison Jicheng. If anyone comes to call the city gate again, you have to see clearly." Yi Xiaodao smiled at Yang Sixiao and teased the old man with a white beard.
"Master Yi, you are so old and shameless... Hahaha, don't worry, sir. After suffering a loss, I have to be on guard against him." Yang Sixiao knew that Yi Xiaodao had no ill intentions and replied with a smile.
Yi Xiaodao patted Yang Sixiao's shoulder familiarly: "Okay, then I'll leave everything to Master Yang in Jicheng!"
When Yang Sixiao saw Yi Xiaodao's way of greeting Yi Xiaodao like a street gangster, he didn't know what to say, so he could only hold up his hands and smile bitterly.
Yi Xiaodao was wearing armor, grabbed a cloak, tied it around his neck, and walked out of the city. Outside the city, the Yulin army went to the military camp, and various gangs and factions waited for a long time.
"Gentlemen and heroes, I've been waiting for a long time." Yi Xiaodao said lightly, stood outside the gate of Jicheng, bowed to the 20,000 soldiers and horses, and without further ado, mounted his horse and set off.
"Master Yi, won't you say a few more words?" Wang Xuan trotted to Yi Xiaodao's horse and asked.
Yi Xiaodao grinned: "No need, everyone has their own purpose here. After what happened with the Huquan Gang, I finally understand. Don't use people who are suspicious, and don't be suspicious when you employ people."
"Then the Huquan Gang is still in the city, how about..." There was a hint of fierceness in Wang Xuan's eyes.
Yi Xiaodao looked back at Yang Sixiao. Yang Sixiao cupped his hands and said lightly: "Don't worry, sir."
"Okay, then I'm relieved, let's go!" Yi Xiaodao turned the horse's head and set off first. Wang Xuan wanted to persuade him again, but Xue Mang stopped him and shook his head, so he had to give up.
"Master Yi, wait a moment!" Another team of five or six hundred people came not far away, with five leaders, each riding a white horse, quite impressive.
Yi Xiaodao looked around and saw that the person coming was the fifth son of the Kong family.
"Kong Ren, Kong Yi, Kong Li, Kong Zhi, and Kong Xin, under the order of the master of the sect, have led five hundred disciples of the Confucian sect, and are here to help!" The five people approached, dismounted, stood in a row, and saluted Yi Xiaodao with their hands raised.
Yi Xiaodao also dismounted and returned the courtesy: "Five young masters, Master Confucius has already helped you a lot. Is it too much to ask five of you to come together now?" Yi Xiaodao felt a little confused. This was not a spring outing to enjoy the scenery, but a battle. , with these young masters of the Confucius family, how could Confucius just let it go if it happened?
"I dare not disobey the order of the sect master. We are willing to obey Master Yi. We only hope to wipe out the traitors as soon as possible and restore stability to Donglu." The five people said in unison.
Yi Xiaodao swept across the faces of the five people one by one. Even Kong Li and Kong Zhi, who had had some minor quarrels before, were extremely respectful and showed no trace of impatience. It seemed that the Kong family had a very strict family tradition.
"So, I'm here to help you, five gentlemen." Yi Xiaodao saluted the five of them. Just as he stood up, Yi Xiaodao's eyebrows twitched and he felt something was wrong behind him. Turning around, he saw Qin Changqian walking over with a long spear in his hand.
"If you want to move, don't act recklessly!" Yi Xiaodao shouted in a low voice.
Qin Changqian paused for a moment, and after a moment, he continued walking towards the five people.
Yi Xiaodao stretched out his hand and touched "Si Qing" on his waist. Not to mention that the five people opposite him were Kong Cai's biological sons. Even if they were ordinary people, he could not allow Qin Changqian to cause chaos on such a day when he left the army.
The five sons of the Kong family were on guard at the same time. They were here to help fight, not to die. Not to mention that Kong Li and Kong Zhi would not sit back and wait for death, even the other three would not watch their brothers die inexplicably in Jicheng.
Qin Changqian did not take action, but slowly walked up to Kong Zhi: "Master Kong Si, have you ever forgotten what you said on the wall of Qucheng?"
Kong Zhi was a little confused, but now that the brothers were here and Yi Xiaodao was standing opposite, it was estimated that Qin Changqian would not mess around, so he replied: "I wonder what brother Qin said?"
"Master Kong Si once said that he was just trying out that girl..." Qin Changqian lowered his voice a little, and it sounded like he was building momentum, which made everyone present panic.
Kong Zhi quickly replied: "No, no, that day... I was just showing off my words. The family tradition is very strict, I really don't dare."
As the eldest brother, Kong Ren was naturally aware of the grievances between Qin Changqian and Kong Zhi, so he stepped forward to persuade him: "The fourth brother is naughty, but he will not do anything that will disgrace the family. That day, Brother Qin... was taken away by the Yamen. After that, the fifth brother and I stayed with the fourth brother."
"Poof!" Qin Xiang moved out of the wall and was surprised. He stabbed out with a gun. Yi Xiaodao only heard the cloth tearing and looked sideways. The tip of the gun appeared from behind Kong Zhi!
There was a "boom" in Yi Xiaodao's mind. Because the spear was blocked by Qin Changqian, Yi Xiaodao couldn't see clearly and only saw the spear head exposed behind Kong Zhi. If the young master of the Kong family comes to help in the battle, but is stabbed to death in front of his own eyes, then Donglu will be hopeless, and his official position will be over...
Yi Xiaodao was about to draw his sword and step forward, but Xue Mang pulled him away: "Look carefully."
Qin Changqian drew out his spear. Kong Zhi was moved slightly by the force, and a row of sweat appeared on his forehead. Qin Xiangqian turned around and returned to the formation. Only then did Yi Xiaodao see that there was a big hole in Kong Zhi's clothes at the waist and abdomen, which was obviously the result of Qin Xiangqian's spear just now.
Yi Xiaodao looked at Qin Changqian, and Qin Changqian smiled back: "The grudges are over, thanks to the profound meaning of the name given by Master Yi, Qin Changqian, the past has passed, and times have changed..."
Yi Xiaodao looked at Qin Changqian's smile. There was sadness, bitterness, freedom and relief in it...
