Lieutenant General Li led his people down from the north city wall and went to the east city gate, south city gate, and west city gate. They inspected three places respectively, and finally rushed to the governor's Yamen with his soldiers.
In addition to the normal government officials outside the governor's yamen gate, a team of soldiers and horses from the Fubiao Battalion were added to guard the outside to protect the safety of the governor.
"General."
Vice General Li came to the governor's Yamen gate and got off his horse. The chief flag officer guarding the Yamen came forward to salute.
"Is the governor in there?" Vice General Li asked casually.
"The military gate has never left the Yamen. Only Mr. Qian, the staff member next to the military gate, has gone out a few times." The chief flag officer walked in front to lead the way for Vice General Li.
When he reached the stone steps at the yamen entrance, Vice General Li stopped and said to the flag officer: "You stay outside and I can go in by myself."
After saying that, he stepped into the Yamen.
The chief flag officer stepped down from the stone steps, returned to the gate of the yamen, and stood guard in front of the yamen with his soldiers.
Vice General Li walked on the corridor leading to the back office with ease.
Since the bandits besieged Datong City, he has come to the governor's office at least once a day. Each time he comes, he reports to the governor on the situation of defending the city and the situation of the bandits outside the city.
When approaching the Houya, a group of soldiers with helmets and armor stood guard outside the Houya.
"The last general will see you at the military gate." Vice General Li knelt on one knee in front of Li Guangyi.
Li Guangyi stood up from his seat and greeted him affectionately: "Vice-General Li, please get up quickly. Come and serve tea to Vice-General Li."
The servants went out to prepare hot tea.
"General, thank you." Vice General Li thanked him before standing up from the ground.
Hu Mingyi, the staff member guarding Li Guangyi, asked: "General Li is here this time. Are there any actions by the bandits outside the city?"
"Mr. Hu is right. When the general came back from the North City Gate, the bandits had already transported the cannon to the open space outside the North City. They were obviously going to attack the North City Gate." Lieutenant General Li said.
Hu Mingyi asked curiously: "Didn't the bandits attack the North City Gate yesterday and return without success? Could it be that they have some better way to capture the North City Gate?"
"It's hard to say, but the general has already mobilized some soldiers and horses from the other three city walls and sent them to the north wall to defend the city. I think I can hold the city gate without losing it." Lieutenant General Li looked at Li Guangyi and said.
Because he knew that the other party was asking these questions for Li Guangyi.
"With Vice General Li guarding Datong City, I am very relieved." Li Guangyi praised and sat back to his previous seat.
The shelling of the North City Gate by the Tiger Flag yesterday really startled him. The intensive sound of artillery made him think for a moment that the bandits had entered the city.
In the end, the defenders in the city held on to the city gate, but he felt that the bandits outside the city were nothing more than that.
Hu Mingyi, who was standing aside, said with a smile: "Yesterday the bandits used so many cannons but failed to break through the North City Gate. I guess they are already at the end of their skills. Today there are more defenders at the North City Gate, and the bandits want to break through the North City Gate even more." Impossible."
"With so many people sent to the north wall, will the rebels choose to attack the city from other walls?" Li Guangyi asked Deputy General Li.
Vice General Li shook his head slightly and said, "I don't think so, General."
"Why do you think so?" Li Guangyi asked curiously.
Lieutenant General Li said: "The rebels have placed hundreds of cannons outside the Beicheng Gate, and these cannons should be all the cannons brought by the rebels. They have placed so many cannons in Beicheng, obviously they want to be the same as yesterday. , use artillery to attack the defenders on the north city gate. If the bandits choose to attack the city from other gates, they must give up the advantage of the artillery. In this way, the threat to the defenders on the city wall is greatly reduced, and the threat to the defenders is greatly reduced. Speaking of words is actually a good thing.”
"It seems that you are sure that the rebels will choose the North Gate as their target for siege." Li Guangyi said to Vice General Li.
Lieutenant General Li said: "The general is fully confident that the bandits will still choose the North City Gate as their target."
"Since you are sure, then arrange it as you want. As long as you guard Datong City, if you have any needs, I will try my best to satisfy you." Li Guangyi said.
The gains and losses of Datong City are related to his wealth and life. In order to prevent Datong City from falling into the hands of bandits, he does not mind giving some benefits to Vice General Li.
"The general does have a request, and I hope the military gate can grant it." Vice General Li looked at Li Guangyi who was sitting in his seat.
Li Guangyi twirled his beard with his hand and said, "I have said that if you need anything, just ask. If I can do it, I will never hold you back."
"General, I thanked the army." Vice General Li thanked him, and then said, "The cannons in the hands of the bandits outside the city far exceed those of the defenders in the city. In order to better defend the city, the general hopes to demolish some private houses and collect some The materials used to defend the city enable the defenders on the city to better defend Datong City."
"Okay." Li Guangyi agreed without thinking.
Not to mention just demolishing some private houses, even if the other party asked for benefits, he would give them to them without hesitation at this time.
"In this way, we will be more confident in defending Datong City." Lieutenant General Li said with a relaxed look on his face.
Although the defenders in the city had already begun to forcibly demolish houses and used the materials obtained to defend the city, they had done so in private before. He was worried that if he defended Datong City in the future, he would be accused of this.
Not only was the defense of the city in vain, but it was also a failure.
Now that he has the governor's guarantee, even if someone accuses him of this in the future, he can blame it all on the governor and get rid of himself.
boom! boom! boom!
The sound of artillery suddenly rang out.
Li Guangyi, who was sitting in his seat, was startled.
"Junmen, the bandits have begun to attack the city. I will go to the city wall to defend the city with the soldiers." Vice General Li offered to leave.
Li Guangyi nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, hurry up and go to the city wall. You must guard Datong City and never let the bandits outside the city enter the city."
"That's your order." Lieutenant General Li cupped his fists, turned around and strode away.
The sound of artillery over Datong City became more and more intensive, and the dust on the beams shook down from the sound of the artillery.
"Don't worry, Dong Weng. Vice General Li guarded the city gate yesterday, and I think he will be able to guard it today." Hu Mingyi'an said to caress Li Guangyi, whose face was pale.
Li Guangyi suppressed the panic in his heart and nodded.
After serving as an official for many years, it was the second time that he heard such dense cannon fire, and the first time was yesterday. The cannon fire also came from bandits outside the city.
Vice General Li left the governor's office and rushed to the North City Gate without stopping.
The sound of cannons came from the direction of the North City Gate. It was obvious that the target of the bandits' attack was also the North City Gate.
When the gunfire sounded, the few pedestrians on the street disappeared without a trace, leaving only the empty street.
Lieutenant General Li and his soldiers galloped down the street.
However, when he approached the north city gate, he suddenly reined in his horse and stopped.
