One day later, in Luoyang, we went to the top of Shangchunmen City.
Liu Yu, dressed in military uniform and unwashed from the military dust, stood at the top of the city, shoulder to shoulder with Zhu Xu, looking at the long line of people under the city, gathered from the Nameng Mountain area in the north. A small wheel cart was piled high with rice bags. Many people shed tears and turned back while walking, shaking their heads and sighing. In the Mengshan area to the north, black smoke could be vaguely seen rising, accompanied by firelight. It can be seen clearly from hundreds of miles away.
Zhu Xu had a stern look on his face and sighed: "It seems that the Xiyan army has returned and arrived at Mengshan Mountain. They are now retaliating and killing each other in various villages and huts."
Liu Yu nodded: "Fortunately, Master Dong yesterday notified all the villages to evacuate into Luoyang. In just one day, nearly 100,000 people flooded into Luoyang City. It seems that they have already prepared to evacuate at any time. Prepare."
The corner of Zhu Xu's mouth curled up: "Actually, I want to tell you that it was not Dong Chang who brought so many people to Luoyang, but Tianshi Dao. Before you fought this battle yesterday, Mangshan started to People from the area have come, not only from Mengshan, but also from people within a hundred miles outside Luoyang City."
Liu Yu's expression changed and he became relieved: "No wonder there are so many people. It turns out that Tianshi Dao has mobilized them a long time ago. However, you said that someone came before we defeated Xiyan yesterday?"
Zhu Xu nodded: "Yes, to be precise, when you first left Jinyong City, some people from Wuzhai came to Luoyang. It was almost the same time as Lu Xun entered Jinyong City. Tianshi Dao seems to have been there for a long time. We were prepared, knowing that the Xiyan army would come in large numbers, and they persuaded the people who came to Luoyang to bring a lot of food. We were originally worried about tens of thousands more people, and the lack of food was no longer a problem."
Liu Yu said in a deep voice: "Only now do I know that Tianshi Dao has such a powerful power in the Central Plains. Didn't the Governor know this before?"
Zhu Xu sighed: "I just heard about it. After all, Tianshi Taoism is a folk Taoism. The imperial court has limited troops in the Central Plains. It cannot control the rural forts and cannot control the preaching of these Taoist priests. This time, let me I was also very surprised. I originally thought that these villagers were just occupying the mountains on their own and did not listen to orders, but now it seems that they only know that there is a divine religion in their eyes, and they do not know that there is a saint."
He turned around and walked to the other side of the city wall. He pointed at the large temporary holding area that had been vacated at the foot of the outer city wall. Many people wearing Celestial Master Taoist robes were setting up altars to burn incense and preaching eloquently. These people had just entered the city. , the refugees who had not even had time to eat, and who did not care about settling their children or family members, all prostrated themselves in front of these Tianshi Dao disciples, with their heads down and piety on their faces. Many people looked at the sacred table with eager eyes. Holding bowls of water, watching the Tianshi Dao disciples burning yellow talisman seals, and then scattering incense ash into the talisman water, those who came forward to receive the talisman water were all happy and grateful. , drank it in one gulp, as if he was drinking the fairy dew that would make him immortal and immune to all diseases.
Liu Yu's eyes flashed with helplessness. He had seen this trick many years ago in Jingkou. He sighed: "After so many years, they are still like this. I have always wondered why so many people believe it." Their charlatanism."
Zhu Xu shook his head and said seriously: "Behind these deceptions are the various methods used by Tianshi Dao to deceive people's hearts. I asked many villagers who came to Luoyang in the past two days and found out that they are usually good at using small favors to win people's hearts. Which one When there is no rice for cooking, they will send rice. If someone is sick or a woman is giving birth, they will send people to deliver medicine and assist in childbirth. In short, even the court does not pay attention to things that are closely related to the lives of the people. They will all do it, preaching that joining the religion means brothers, and mutual help depends on everyone's point of view. In addition, their disciples are scattered in every village and village. If they can lead every village and every village to repel the attacks of small groups of bandits, can the people not return to their faith? "
Liu Yu sighed: "If you want to take something first, you must give it first. When Tianshi Dao entered the religion, he used the right to collect five measures of rice as a tax, and then used the rice to help the believers in need. With a good reputation, he then helped defend various places. Village, in fact, most of their disciples stationed in each village are locals in the new development. They do not need to spend money like the court distributing military rations to the garrison. They work as farmers in peacetime and as soldiers in emergencies. In this way, there is almost no cost. , but it can quickly win over people's hearts. When I came here this time, I originally wanted to use this method to win over people's hearts in the Central Plains, so that they would appreciate the kindness of the imperial court and have their hearts turned towards the imperial court. It seems that I have gained the upper hand for the Celestial Master. "
Zhu Xu nodded and said: "It's useless to talk about this now. Only by repelling Xi Yan this time can we talk about how to compete with Tianshi Dao for the hearts of the people in the future. What we have to do now is to work together. After getting through the current hurdle, if we are jealous now and guard against each other, then this city cannot be defended. If Xiyan breaks the city, we will all become ghosts under the sword, so what future can we talk about?"
Liu Yu smiled slightly: "What the Governor said is absolutely true. Is it Senior Brother Sun En of Tianshi Dao who is leading the people here this time? I want to meet him."
Zhu Xu shook his head: "No, Sun En didn't come this time. The ones helping to defend Luoyang are Lu Xun and Xu Daofu. They are not here now, but in Jinyong City."
Liu Yu's eyes flashed coldly, and he turned around and walked towards the city: "The defense here is Lord Lao Cishi. I will go and meet these old friends of mine."
Half an hour later, at the top of Jinyong City, Liu Yi, Lu Xun, and Xu Daofu stood together, facing Liu Yu, Liu Muzhi and others. He Wuji and Zhuge Changmin stood between them and Liu Yu, and the atmosphere seemed a bit... unnatural.
Tan Pingzhi said coldly: "Xile, you are really capable. We don't know when you got these new friends. You didn't introduce them to us earlier. We went to Mengshan Mountain. Jinyong City has become a dojo."
Liu Yi smiled "hehe": "It's too foreign to say that. Friends of the Tianshi Sect have joined the Beifu Army before and fought side by side with us. The enemy is now. We need to work together and send slaves to find him. My friend, I’m also looking for my old relationship, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Wei Yongzhi's lips rolled: "Xile, this time we all followed Brother Jinu. He is our leader. You did such a big thing without even saying a word to him. You still have Brother Jinu in your eyes." No? If we all hide our thoughts like this, how can we fight this battle?"
