When all 20,000 Wuping troops marched into Huixizhai, Xizhou City, fifteen miles away, soon heard the news.
Perhaps the Tang army's massacre of three thousand Xiang clan barbarians last night was too loud. Even though Tian Hongyou had been prepared for it, the Tang army's offensive was so fierce that it still frightened him. He ordered all the generals in the city to immediately reinforce it overnight. The Xizhou city defense was always vigilant about the movements of the Tang army, and asked his younger brother Tian Hongbin, who had already resumed military power, to personally increase the number of elite sergeants and come to the Xizhou Governor's Mansion overnight to strengthen the defense.
The Xizhou Governor's Mansion, which was soaked in blood a few months ago, has long been expanded into the more magnificent Xizhou Governor's Mansion. Tian Hongyou, who was still in shock, seemed to have lost his former composure. For the first time, he ordered a stop to singing, dancing and feasting, and went back to the backyard to comfort himself. After the family visit, he actually sat on the jade seat in the lobby of the Governor's Mansion all night with red eyes.
In Xizhou City, since the fall of the Peng clan, all civil and military officials, big and small, have been replaced by barbarians. These nobles from various tribes who have just tasted the benefits of being in power have already panicked and crowded in front of the heavily guarded Xizhou Dudu Mansion. They asked to meet Tian Hongyou, but Tian Hongyou never showed up. Only Tian Hongbin, who was fully armed, walked out and scolded everyone fiercely, saying that the governor was still awake and must not be disturbed.
These civil and military officials came from different barbarian tribes. Naturally, they all had their own interests and had their own thoughts. In fact, as early as ten or twenty days ago, when the Tang army captured Linyuan City, they secretly inquired about the latest battle situation from various channels.
Just as the scouts returned to the city in the afternoon today, the tragic battle in Huixi Village had already spread like wildfire, especially when they heard that Xiang Zongyan’s head was hanging high outside the village, with thousands of vine armor piled underneath. Hearing that the Tang Army It was so violent that the Xiang family was almost exterminated in just one night, and even occupied the retreat route from Xizhou to Chenzhou. Suddenly everyone was as desperate and panicked as a bereaved dog.
These officials are different from the leaders of their own tribes. Most of them just rely on their own blood or nepotism and come here just for the temporary pleasure in the city. At this time, they vaguely realize that Xizhou City may not be saved, and each of them has secretly ordered his family to He packed up his belongings overnight and took the captured Han slaves with him, in case he could escape from Xizhou City at any time and return to the "mountain" in fine clothes.
But the person who arranged the city defense was the tough Tian Hongbin. How could a man who likes to play tricks not think of the little thoughts of these officials? He had already ordered all the city gates to be under martial law. After the last group of scouts returned to the city, they were only allowed to enter but not to leave. Anyone who disobeyed the order would be killed.
You must know that the Tian family is still in charge in Xizhou City. The soldiers who eat the Tian family's food and receive the Tian family's money are naturally controlled by the Xizhou Governor's Office. Even if some of these officials secretly disguised themselves and tried their best to bribe the soldiers, it would be to no avail. Even if the soldiers guarding the gate recognized that they were from their own tribe, they would all shout away with their swords raised high as if they were relatives.
"The Point Guard Is Here"
Under the strict order, these nobles of the Dongxi tribe could not even approach the city gate. Seeing that they were trapped and waiting to die, they became angry and spontaneously gathered in front of the Governor's Mansion and began to shout and act. Some older people relied on their so-called seniority. , Yi Lao Pai Lao shouted Tian Hongyou's nickname and began to lead the crowd to break through.
I thought that the Tian brothers would care about their blood ties, but in the end, Tian Hongbin became even more angry. He ordered the barbarian guards in front of the mansion to immediately step forward and kill the three members of the Tian clan in front of everyone. The elder and his close servants slashed to pieces of flesh and blood.
Seeing that Tian Hongbin dared to be so cruel to his uncle, these nobles shut their mouths one after another. While secretly cursing the brothers in the most vicious words, they returned to each mansion angrily, gathered the servants and closed the doors. , kept chanting barbaric words in his mouth, praying to heaven and the Five Streams Water God that the Tang army soldiers and horses would never set foot in Xizhou City.
As the sun sets in the west, the day will soon pass, and Xizhou City has become a dead city since afternoon. In the past, it was a prosperous place where Dongxi merchants gathered. Sometimes the silk and bamboo lights would stay on all night long, but now it is strangely deserted. The shops and mansions on the street even have scattered lights.
Instead, there were only dull and complicated footsteps. That was the only sergeant from the Xizhou Governor's Office who was still active in the city. At this time, he was increasing the patrols and garrison in each street according to Tian Hongbin's military order. On weekdays, Qingfang Street, the busiest street, rubbed against each other. The people passing by were no longer lively and cheerful boys and girls, but all burly men with expressionless faces.
Night is gradually falling, but tonight's north wind has no intention of letting go of Xiao Su's intention in the city. It seems to be more raging than before, as if it is telling the soldiers and civilians of Xizhou that not only your city is in danger, but your fate is also the same. Like the night sky that you can see when you look up, the haze is hard to dissipate.
As the open fire in the Governor's Mansion was lit, Tian Hongyou finally stepped out of the lobby slowly, exhausted both physically and mentally, as if by telepathy. Since he had shut out everyone since last night, not even the maids were allowed to enter, he had been shutting himself in the darkness. At this time, his eyes saw the bright lights everywhere, Tian Hongyou suddenly felt a little uncomfortable, but before he could react, he suddenly Became suddenly brighter.
Tian Hongyou couldn't help but glance at the bright reflection of the pool of water in the courtyard. Tian Hongyou seemed to feel a slight thump in his heart, and then walked down the steps. A group of guards of the Governor's Mansion who were patrolling hurriedly came up to greet them. The leader of the group was The famous guard general took the lead and leaned down to salute: "Captain, where are you going?"
Tian Hongyou stopped, frowned and scolded: "What? After just one night, did you take the courage of a leopard? How dare you even ask where the governor is going? Just protect him!"
"I don't dare, general!" The guard general showed cold sweat visibly breaking out on his forehead. He made a sincere expression, then leaned down lower and whispered honestly: "Captain, it was sent by Tian Du. Order! The whole city was under martial law last night. Commander Tian said he didn’t know when the Tang army would attack the city, so he ordered the general to protect the governor in his mansion. After all, the governor’s mansion has been reinforced..."
At this critical moment, Tian Hongyou unexpectedly didn't think too much. He looked around the tall courtyard densely packed with sergeants. The guard general spoke as if there was no difference. He only thought about it again. Tian Hongbin's military power was given to him by himself. He is, moreover, his biological brother. When we are fighting against foreign enemies with the same hatred, we really shouldn’t be too suspicious.
After hesitating again and again, Tian Hong took a few steps back and seemed to think of something again. Then he turned around and asked, "Since last night, has anyone asked to see you outside the house?"
"Captain, this..."
"Speak quickly! Why are you hesitating?!"
Seeing Tian Hongyou's extremely stern tone, the guard general staggered, raised his eyebrows and looked at the palace gate in the distance, and finally swallowed his saliva and replied: "Report to the Governor, there are people from all tribes in Dongxi visiting. But they were all stopped outside the door by Tian Du's envoys. The general later heard that many of these people had tried to escape from Xizhou City, but Tian Du's arrangements were so tight that it was difficult for them to succeed, so they gathered outside the door to make a fuss. See you..."
"Hmph! These rip-off bitches!" Tian Hongyou cursed in a low voice, then frowned and looked at General Wei's strange expression, and then asked coldly: "Has there been any conflict?"
