On October 20, the day promised by the Annan people arrived. More than 20,000 people were escorted by thousands of Annan soldiers to the outside of Tuo County. Because Tuo County was already crowded with refugees who had arrived earlier, there were not many people left. They are planning to allow the elderly, weak, women and children among the refugees to go into the city to rest. All the places in the city that can be vacated have been vacated, which can at least give them a place to shelter from the wind and rain.
As for the remaining people, they can only feel aggrieved. Cheng Zilong and Jing Zhao had already arranged for personnel to transform the camps outside the city, and all military camps were temporarily vacated to accommodate these refugees.
Not only that, they also cut down trees and built some wooden houses in the camp in advance, which could also accommodate some residents, but they were a lot more crowded. There is nothing we can do about this. A population of 50,000 may be nothing to the Ming Dynasty, not even a drop in the ocean. But in a small place like Tuo County, 50,000 people were squeezed in at once, and you could instantly feel the suffocation of the population explosion.
In this handover, not only the population but also one hundred thousand shi of grain were needed. In order to confuse Gao Heng and others, Lord Zheng specially asked Zheng Wei to make another trip to hand over to them on behalf of the imperial court. Zheng Wei knew that this was to provide cover for Zheng Fu, so he readily accepted it. Moreover, he was also an old acquaintance of Gao Heng and others. If he went, he could further relax their vigilance.
But today, Zheng Wei was a little surprised, because the person representing the opponent outside the city was not Gao Heng, but their military advisor Cheng Zilong.
There was a dense crowd of people just a few miles outside the city. They already knew that they would be rescued soon. They all looked forward to it, stretched their necks, and looked in the direction of the city.
Under Tuo County City, thousands of soldiers from the Survival Brigade lined up, and the city was covered with red flags, giving people an absolute sense of security. They were an army composed of expatriates, and they were our own people.
With a creak, the city gate opened, and Cheng Zilong led a group of soldiers out of the city gate. Zheng Wei, uncharacteristically, did not act like a prime minister, but took the initiative to greet them. Cheng Zilong sneered, doesn't this guy know the reason why a weasel pays New Year greetings to a rooster? He is usually arrogant, but today he is pretending to be polite here, with really sinister intentions.
Cheng Zilong changed his expression and strode forward. When Zheng Wei saw that it was Cheng Zilong, he was obviously stunned and asked, "Why is it Mr. Cheng? Where is your General Gao?"
Cheng Zilong cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty Prime Minister, the general is ill, so he is taking a rest in bed. As you know, refugees have been pouring in recently, and the general is also busy with official duties and cannot have a good rest. Moreover, these expatriates come from all directions, and they may bring something with them. There may be toxins. The general came back with a fever after visiting the camp the day before yesterday, so I am the only one here to take over today."
Zheng Wei pretended to listen to Cheng Zilong's explanation while looking at the soldiers outside the county town and at the top of the city. As for what Cheng Zilong said, he was not interested in hearing it. It doesn't matter if Gao Heng is sick today, he simply doesn't want to see you. As for himself, after tonight, he will be the ghost under the knife, so what does it have to do with him.
If it weren't for the great cause of the imperial court, how could a low-ranking little person like him, the prime minister, condescend to come to this place again? Even Zheng Wei felt that his status had been lowered by saying one more word to people like Gao Heng and Jackie Chan.
While Cheng Zilong was talking, Zheng Wei felt a little confused. Why, except for the soldiers following Cheng Zilong, the other soldiers outside the city looked a bit older. I remember that when I came here before, there were many young soldiers. ah. The soldiers on the top of the city couldn't see clearly, but it always felt a little strange. Not only that, he had seen soldiers wearing iron armor before, but now, the soldiers outside the city were all leather armors. Without Gao Heng, the city's defense So lax?
If he had known this, Zheng Fu would have come with him and attacked the city directly.
Cheng Zilong saw that Zheng Wei's eyes were wrong and immediately said: "Now that everyone is here, let's get started. Before that, we need to show Zheng Zuo to your Excellency to prove that we are sincere."
Cheng Zilong clapped his hands, and immediately soldiers escorted Zheng Zuo out of the city gate. Zheng Wei immediately looked away from the soldiers.
Today, Zheng Zuo has changed his appearance. His beard and hair have obviously been tidied up, and he has also put on a clean robe. It can be seen during this period that Gao Heng and the others did not torture him severely, and the food should be decent. Zheng Zuo knew that he would be released soon, and he was also relieved and fat. Zheng Wei even felt that Zheng Zuo had gained weight.
"Your Majesty! The old minister is here to pick you up." Zheng Wei shouted to Zheng Zuo. Zheng Zuo obviously also saw Zheng Wei. The last time they met, Zheng Zuo was gagged and could not speak. Although he was not able to speak this time, Zheng Zuo still didn't know what to say. He even choked up a little. He was imprisoned here. After several months, he has deeply understood what it feels like to lose his freedom, especially Lu Tao's punishment. This is a feeling that is worse than death.
The soldiers brought Zheng Zuo to Zheng Wei. Cheng Zilong smiled and said: "How about it, we have done what we promised. Now that you have seen the man, let's start the handover now. The prince is still in our hands." Wait for a while until the last foreigner enters the camp, and then we can release him."
Zheng Wei nodded and said, "Okay, let's get started."
Of course, it was impossible for all 20,000 people to pour in at once. At Cheng Zilong's request, Annan's army released people in batches, with 1,000 people at a time, totaling more than 20 batches.
The handover lasted from morning to evening, and then it was all over. The people who were released were all crying. If Jackie Zilong hadn't ordered the soldiers to urge them to leave quickly, these people might have knelt down in public and kowtowed to all the soldiers of the Survival Brigade.
Seeing that the last group of people entered the camp and the food had been brought into the city, Zheng Wei said: "How about it, we keep our word, you can let them go."
Cheng Zilong turned around and winked, and the soldiers untied the rope from Zheng Zuo's hand. Zheng Zuo ran directly into Zheng Wei's camp without looking back. Cheng Zilong raised his hands to Zheng Weigong and said: "After the handover between the two parties is completed, I won't send you off. Please come back. I hope that in the future, we will stay on the same page and not start another war."
"Prime Minister, Tuoxian has not been recovered yet. These people are occupying Tuoxian and occupying our land in Annan. What's going on?" As soon as Zheng Zuo returned to his people, his expression changed immediately. After being here in Gao Heng for such a long time, even if he had hatred in his heart, he did not dare to show it, but it was different now. The soldiers brought by Zheng Wei came forward and formed a human wall between him and the survival brigade. The hatred in Zheng Zuo's heart burst out, and he shouted at Zheng Wei.
Zheng Wei frowned. Although this guy had been training in the military camp for a long time, maybe because of his status as the heir apparent, he didn't know how to restrain himself. He was not out of the enemy's sight. What was the use of yelling like this?
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I understand what you said. The King has made arrangements. Please go back and talk about it before you expose any flaws." Zheng Wei said coldly.
After all, Zheng Wei has been the prime minister for many years and has been in the top position for a long time. He is not angry. He said this with a straight face. Zheng Zuo immediately stopped talking, but his fists creaked and his joints were a little white. It was obvious that the anger in his heart was nowhere to be found. Caused by venting.
Zheng Wei bowed his hands in the direction of Cheng Zilong, and ordered the entire army to retreat. After they had withdrawn four or five miles, Zheng Wei breathed a sigh of relief. The first step of the plan had been completed.
Zheng Zuo vented: "Master Prime Minister, now I can speak. We have made it so easy for them. We have tens of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of grains. Isn't it good to give these to our soldiers? Why should we give them to them?" They are a bunch of bitches. I have been in the enemy's city for several months. Do you know how much suffering I have suffered? There is a saying in the Central Plains, which is tolerable and unbearable. This prince cannot swallow this breath. I will go back and beg my father now. , give me another 10,000 people, and I will conquer Pingtuo County!"
After that, he lifted up his robe, revealing the scars on his back. These scars had healed, but they still looked shocking. Lu Tao must have used Jin Yiwei's methods when he interrogated him.
Zheng Wei's cheeks twitched, these guys dared to treat the prince like this. Zheng Wei whispered: "Your Majesty, don't worry too much. Our army has already set off. Perhaps, when the sun rises tomorrow, you will be able to see the Jingguan built with tens of thousands of heads."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Zheng Zuo asked.
Zheng Wei whispered: "We are here to hand over. In fact, the king has transferred back the frontline general Zheng Fu, and secretly allocated 10,000 horses to his command. Now, these 10,000 people should have set out from Wuli County Already, they are approaching at full speed to the west of Tuoxian County. For this battle, not only a thousand frontier cavalry and a thousand gunmen were mobilized from the front line, but also a large number of artillery. Even though the people of Tuoxian County have three heads and six arms, they can't We cannot withstand the surprise attack of such a powerful army.”
Zheng Zuo laughed loudly after hearing this. His father indeed had a backup plan. It seemed that the great revenge of himself and his soldiers had been avenged. It's just a bit regretful that I am not leading the troops this time. It would be great if I could kill the enemy with my own hands. In fact, although Zheng Zuo was not happy with Gao Heng, it was just a feeling of anger towards the enemy general. If he hated him, Lu Tao was the person he wanted to kill the most.
He said to Zheng Wei: "Is there any way to send someone to notify Zheng Fu now?"
Zheng Wei asked in confusion: "What does the Crown Prince want to do?"
"After you attack in, can you leave a man named Lu Tao with my prince? I want this man alive. Of course this man will die, but he will die in my hands. I will personally send him on his way." Zheng Zuo gritted his teeth and said.
Zheng Wei immediately thought of the wound on Zheng Zuo's body. It seemed that it was caused by the man named Lu Tao. He nodded and said: "I will send someone to notify him immediately. As for whether he can be notified, it depends on luck. Zheng I don’t know where Fu’s army has reached.”
"Damn it, why didn't the imperial court transfer the Mountain Ghost Army over and ask us Four Town Soldiers to take the lead? Brothers, there is no benefit in following the frontier army during this period. We are asked to do the exhausting work. "A soldier from Annan Fourth Town complained.
Just when the Qihuo Brigade and the Annan Army were handing over the hostages, Zheng Fu's army was less than thirty miles away from Tuoxian County. They set out early in the morning and were now almost half way. Because the official road was relatively narrow and the road conditions were not particularly good, Zheng Fu came up with an idea. He took out a battalion of soldiers from the four towns, all equipped with knives, and asked them to use machetes to open the road ahead and remove the shrubs and grass blocking the road. Clean it up to allow the soldiers behind to pass.
The soldiers from the Fourth Town were quite dissatisfied with this. They accepted doing some dirty and tiring work, but they, the soldiers from the Fourth Town, were inherently inferior. But they couldn't bear not to give them some benefits. For this battle, Lord Zheng also allocated a lot of resources. Money, food, and materials were all available, but Zheng Fu obviously favored one over the other. All the resources were used on the border troops and Beijing soldiers. The soldiers in the four towns had almost nothing, which made them extremely jealous.
This is understandable. Others enjoy spicy food, but they can only eat wild vegetables on the side. Who can accept it? Now Zheng Fu asked the soldiers from the four towns to take the lead. It sounds nice, but in fact they are just opening the way in front. No wonder they are complaining. But he didn't dare to really complain in front of Zheng Fu, so he just complained in front of his own people.
"It's useless for you to complain about these. The Mountain Ghost Army also lost a lot of people in the last battle. They are the treasures of the Beijing soldiers. They will not be used except in special circumstances. However, we are not useless. The soldiers of the Four Towns naturally have You see, the advantage of the four town soldiers is that when there is a battle later, they will definitely rush to the front. We will just shoot guns and cannons from behind and cheer for them. When they finish fighting in front, we will go up to collect the fruits. Then we will see if we can What a good thing I picked up." A captain comforted his men.
The soldier thought for a while and then stopped talking. In the military formation at the rear, Zheng Fu was riding on his horse, looking around at the soldiers he led. He was almost 100% sure about this battle. A thousand men from the front army were used to explore the road, 5,000 elite troops were all placed in the middle army, and there were 4,040 artillery and baggage escorted by 4,000 town troops behind.
If it were an ordinary 10,000 people, he might not dare to say this, but there are 3,000 frontier troops here. He has been on the front line all year round. These frontier troops are all old men who have been with him for many years. Zheng Fu knows best what kind of combat capabilities they have. . In Zheng Fu's mind, although the Beijing soldiers were well-equipped and well-trained, and Lord Zheng relied heavily on them, in Zheng Fu's opinion, how could the Beijing soldiers compare with the border troops who came out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood? They are not on the same level at all. How do domestic hunting dogs compare with wild wolves?
Similarly, the officers and soldiers of the border army are also full of confidence. They have never fought against the survival brigade. In their view, mobilizing the border army to eliminate a group of civilians is really killing a chicken with a butcher's knife and a sheer waste. From the side, it can only be reflected that the Beijing soldiers and the Fourth Town soldiers are a bunch of trash, and they can't even deal with such a trivial matter.
