On February 23, the second year of Chongzhen, the leader of the bandits, Monk Wang, led more than 10,000 troops to leave Yanchang County and marched westward, claiming to attack Yan'an City.
The highest military and political official in the city is Governor Yansui, Wu Yong, a white-faced scholar who is as timid as a mouse.
Upon learning that a large number of rogue bandits were coming, Governor Wu almost peed his pants in fear. While reporting to the Governor-General's Office on three sides, he ordered the garrison troops from several nearby important towns to quickly assemble towards Yan'an City to ensure the safety of the city.
On February 27th, several groups of officers and soldiers gathered and prepared to defend the city, but they fell into a trap.
Monk Wang did not attack Yan'an Fucheng at all. Instead, he feinted a shot and led his troops to the north quickly, capturing the important towns of Yanchuan, Qingjian, and Zichang in one fell swoop.
After capturing the city, the rogue bandits looted wildly, swept away all the food, livestock, and property, and burned all the houses... And the people who lost their homes and food had no choice but to join the bandits in order not to starve to death. Follow along and plunder for a living.
As a result, the bandits were like a snowball, and the number of bandits was growing... On the tenth day of March, when Monk Wang led the bandits to the south bank of the Qingjian River, there were already as many as 50,000 people.
On March 12, Suide Guard Commander Fan Tong led his troops to intercept the bandits at the Qingjian River, and a battle ensued... As a result, the officers and soldiers were completely defeated and fled in all directions. The Guard Commander Fan Tong was on the way to escape. , due to excessive fright, the gall broke and died!
On March 13, after hearing the news of the defeat, Suide Zhizhou Fei Wu, Tongzhi Dianxin, and dozens of officials, fled Suide City overnight with gold, silver, jewelry, and wives and concubines. Take refuge elsewhere.
The generals were frightened to death, and the civil servants ran away. At this point, Suide City has become a piece of meat on the chopping board and can only be slaughtered... unless a miracle happens!
…
Inside Suide City.
Jixiangwan Store—Shop Manager Song is here!
Jiu Sheng Bao Shop - Shopkeeper Zhou Da is here!
Longxing Gold Shop - Shopkeeper Jin is here!
…
At noon, more than 20 guests came to the Xue family courtyard. They were all famous businessmen in Suide City, and they were all wealthy.
The rogue soldiers were approaching, and the people in the city were panicking. Everyone was preparing to escape. These big businessmen were no exception. They were collecting gold and silver when they suddenly received an invitation from the Xue family.
The Xue family is one of the three major Qin merchants, with huge business and high prestige, so merchants came one after another, but they didn't know what was going on.
"Have you heard that Monk Wang has led tens of thousands of bandits across the Qingjian River, and there are only three days left to go to Suide City."
"Well, when the rogues come, there won't be any grass left. Suide City is in doom this time. It's important for us to escape quickly!"
"Yes, my house has been packed up to celebrate. Just when I was about to go out, I received an invitation from the Xue family. I wonder what's going on?"
"Perhaps we should ask everyone to escape together. It would be nice to have more people and have someone to look after us on the way."
…
While the businessmen were whispering, Xue Caishen walked into the lobby. He changed his elegant style in the past and actually put on a tight-fitting suit with arrow sleeves and a black cloak. He also held a green-edged sword, raised his chest and raised his head. So majestic!
The female young master, Xue Jinyu, followed closely behind, also dressed in full armor.
What are the Xue family father and daughter going to do? Are they going to fight? The businessmen looked at each other and couldn't figure out the reason.
"All fellow villagers, have you packed your things and are ready to go out and escape?"
"Senior Xue, there is nothing you can do. Tens of thousands of bandits are about to kill you. If you don't escape, you will die!"
"All the officials have fled, what else can we do, let's run for our lives together!"
…
"Hmph, if an official escapes, he can continue to be an official in another place. If we people escape, we can only wander around and be lonely ghosts for the rest of our lives. Are you really willing to do that?"
Xue Caishen's words spoke to the hearts of many businessmen.
Yes, the Ming Dynasty was very particular about serving as an official in a different place. All the officials were from outside the city. After they left Suide City, they spent some money to manage their affairs, and they could continue to be officials in another place, and continue to dominate and enjoy good food and drink.
Everyone present is different. They are all local villagers. Outside the city, there are tens of thousands of acres of fertile land and herds of cattle, sheep, mules and horses. In the city, there are houses, shops, and restaurants... They are all the wealth accumulated by several or more than a dozen generations. .
People can escape, but the wealth cannot be taken away. It can only be destroyed in the hands of rogue bandits, and there may not even be a chance to rebuild. It makes me sad to think about it!
"Senior Xue, we don't want to leave either, but what can we do if we don't leave?"
"Of course there is a way. I invited you all here today to discuss one thing. Let's work together to resist the enemy and defend the city!"
"What, defend the city?"
All the merchants looked at each other in shock. The entire Suide Guard army was wiped out. The commander of the guard was scared to death. Now that we have no soldiers or generals, how can we defend the city?
"You don't have to worry. Although there are no troops in the city, there are still tens of thousands of people, many of whom are young and strong. As long as these people are organized and strong city defenses are used, Suide City will be able to defend it.
Although there are many rogues, they must be very tired after coming from a long distance, and the food and fodder they carry is limited. We only need to hold on for about ten days. When the rogues' food and fodder are exhausted, they will collapse without a fight. In this way, Suide City can be saved. It's all right, and your family and property will be safe too! "
…
Xue Caishen talked a lot about the necessity of defending the city and the favorable factors for defending the city, hoping to boost morale.
Na Zhi's mouth went dry as he spoke, but all the businessmen still lowered their heads, and no one stood up to agree.
To be fair, the merchants did not want to defend the city, but were worried that they would not be able to defend it.
If you run away now, you can at least save the lives of yourself and your family, as well as a small amount of wealth. If you don't leave now, once Suide City is captured by the rogue bandits, nothing will be saved.
Comparing the two, it is naturally safer to abandon the city and escape.
But if you really want to abandon the city and run away, but you can't let go of your ancestral property, it can be said that you are in a dilemma!
what to do?
How can we inspire the courage of these people and make them determined to stick to Suide City?
The only option is to use provocation!
The young lady, Xue Jinyu, spoke up: "They say that Mizhi's mother-in-law, Suidehan, doesn't need to be asked or seen, but look at you guys, you haven't even seen the shadow of the bandit, and you are all scared out of your wits. You are not worthy of being a Suide man at all... No, you are not worthy of being a man at all!
Those who are timid and afraid of death should quickly leave the city and flee for their lives. Although I am a female prostitute, I still have the courage to defend my hometown and fight to the death with the tramps... There are no real men in Suide, but there are still women in Suide who are not afraid of death. ! "
…
For a man, the most shameful thing is not to be looked down upon by a man, but that even a woman looks down on you. If you are a beautiful woman, the shamefulness will be increased ten times!
The businessmen looked at each other, all with shame on their faces.
Shame makes you angry, anger makes you angry, anger makes you brave, courage makes you fearless!
"Young Master, there is no need to say anything else. There are still men in Suide City. I am rich and wealthy, and I am willing to fight against the bandits and defend our homeland with Senior Xue!"
"That's right. Instead of being robbed by rogue bandits, it is better to fight the rogue bandits for the wealth inherited from our ancestors. Wu Youcai is willing to fight against the rogue bandits!"
"My Sun Wangcai is willing to fight the bandits to the death!"
…
Morale was boosted, and the more than 20 big businessmen present unanimously decided to provide money and food to defend their homeland, and elected Xue Caishen to unified command the defense battle of Suide City!
"Thank you for your support, I will do my duty. If you want to defend Suide City, there are a few things that must be done immediately:
First, a notice was posted that all young and strong men in the city who are willing to go to the city to kill thieves will be rewarded with five taels of silver and two stones of polished rice. Those who unfortunately died or were injured in battle will receive double the pension!
Second, all the hungry people who gathered outside the city were put into the city to avoid being carried away by the bandits. Those who were willing to go to the city to help in the war were treated the same as the people in the city.
Third, the old, weak, women and children in the city must also be organized to be responsible for preparing war meals and taking care of the wounded.
Fourth, collect firecrackers, swords, guns, crossbows, stones, wood...all useful things and pile them on the top of the city to defend against the enemy.
Fifth, call the masons in the city and immediately block the east, south and west gates with huge stones, leaving only a passage through the north gate. This is good for defense!
…
Xue Caishen kept issuing orders, each of which was very practical. After listening to the orders, all the businessmen gave thumbs up and praised them.
Unexpectedly, Xue Caishen is not only good at business, he is also unambiguous in fighting. This posture of "strategizing and winning thousands of miles away" is no less than that of a veteran on the battlefield... According to this arrangement, there is great hope to defend Suide City. ah!
After the order was issued, the merchants rushed to execute it, while the Xue family father and daughter left the lobby and came to the back hall.
Qin Feng was sitting in the back hall, looking at a cowhide map so that he could plan the attack and defense methods based on the terrain of Suide City!
Qin Feng was not from Suide and could have left with his friends, but after some thought, Qin Feng decided to stay and help the people of Suide defend their hometown.
The reason is simple: protecting the safety of people's lives and property is a soldier's bounden duty!
Since he stayed, he had to put it into effect. The several strategies for defending the city that Xue Caishen had previously arranged were actually planned by Qin Feng, with absolute professionalism.
Someone asked, Qin Feng is so powerful, why doesn't he stand up and take command personally?
There is no way, the prestige is not enough!
Qin Feng is just a small Baihu, or a small Baihu of Yulin Right Guard. He has no reputation at all in the Suide area. He can't call on the merchants and people to stick to the city at all!
Therefore, Xue Caishen takes charge of the overall situation and Qin Feng makes plans behind the scenes, which is the best combination.
…
Facts have proved that this method is indeed effective.
Under the leadership of a group of businessmen, the people in Suide City burst out with great enthusiasm. Young adults enthusiastically signed up, and soon more than 8,000 people gathered. The rest also took action, and contributed money if they had money. , work hard and fight to protect your homeland!
In just three days, Suide City, which was originally a commercial center, turned into a strong military fortress, just waiting for the rogue bandits to come and kill them!
