Hearing Huang Shan's question, Ming Dechang sighed helplessly.
"My dear nephew, the imperial court is actively seeking peace when it comes to negotiate with the Northern Barbarians!"
"Over the years, the imperial court has suffered repeated defeats, and many good men have lost their lives to the Northern Barbarians."
"The imperial treasury has also been in deficit year after year."
"The imperial court is determined to seek peace with the Northern Barbarians this time, and is even willing to send clan girls to the Northern Barbarians for peace."
"At the moment, the northern barbarians outside the city are not attacking the city on a large scale, and secondly, they are not going deep into the interior to plunder."
"Do you know how the court will view this matter?"
Huang Shan took a deep breath and looked at Ming Dechang with his fists clenched.
What Ming Dechang said just now was already very clear. This time the peace talks were serious and the court took the initiative to seek peace.
If a large army is sent to support Caoxian at this time, once the reinforcements fight with the Northern Barbarians outside the city, it will be impossible to continue the peace talks.
In order to continue the peace talks, the imperial court would acquiesce to the Northern Barbarians' siege of Caoxian County.
Damn it, what's the use of such a court!
Huang Shan cursed angrily in his heart, then looked at Ming Dechang and expressed his guess.
"What Uncle Ming means is that the imperial court is not willing to start another war with the Northern Barbarians for us!"
Ming Dechang nodded solemnly, and then sat down slumped.
On the side, Capt. Zhao also came in the morning and pulled Huang Shan to sit on a chair.
"Brother Huang, now we have to think carefully about ourselves."
As soon as Capt. Zhao finished speaking, a captain of the Forbidden Army stood up suddenly.
"Damn it, the bullshit imperial court cornered me, so I took my brothers and surrendered to the Northern Barbarians."
While speaking, his eyes were still looking at Ming Dechang.
Capt. Zhao immediately stood between him and Ming Dechang with his waist knife in his hand, looking at the captain of the Forbidden Army who claimed to surrender to the enemy with warning.
Upon seeing this, Huang Shan stood up and stood next to Capt. Zhao, looking warily at the two captains of the imperial army in front of him.
It is true that he disdains the imperial court in his heart, but there is no word "surrender" in his heart.
And as someone who was targeted by the Northern Barbarian Prince, it was impossible to even think about surrendering.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the county government lobby became tense.
The master of the Ming family swallowed his saliva and quietly moved back, as if he was about to run away if the situation was bad.
At this moment, Ming Dechang slammed the table.
"Nonsense!"
"Is now the time for angry words?"
I heard that Ming Dechang characterized his rebellious words just now as angry words.
The captain of the Forbidden Army who had just spoken rudely also breathed a sigh of relief and took advantage of the opportunity to get off the slope.
"My lord, I am also unhappy in my heart. I just spoke out of turn. I hope you will forgive me."
As the captain of the Forbidden Army bowed his head and surrendered, the tense atmosphere in the lobby eased.
But everyone also knew in their hearts that this was just a burst of raindrops before the storm.
When the people knew that Chao would not send reinforcements, the order and morale that had been finally established in the city would immediately collapse.
Even if the Northern Barbarians make no further moves by then, the interior of the county will explode first.
"Everyone, please sit down and let's discuss this carefully."
"Two generals, I, Ming Dechang, am just like you, and my family members are also in the city."
"If the Northern Barbarians attack the county, my family will also be in doom."
"I, Ming Dechang, are also worried about the same things you are worried about!"
After appeasing the two captains of the Forbidden Army, Ming Dechang turned his attention to Huangshan.
"My dear nephew, your repeating crossbows shine today. If we have more of these repeating crossbows, even if the imperial reinforcements are delayed, we can still defend the city."
As he spoke, Ming Dechang's eyes shifted from Huang Shan to the two captains of the Forbidden Army.
The two of them also echoed Ming Dechang's views.
"What your Excellency said is absolutely true. Today we have witnessed with our own eyes the power of Huang Yingxiong's repeated crossbows."
"The Northern Barbarians' eagle-shooting warriors can be said to be one of a million, and each of them is a master of bow and horse."
"But such a master still can't stop Huang Yingxiong's repeating crossbow."
"If we can have three hundred, no, two hundred repeating crossbows to arm the soldiers and the people."
"We can try to fight the Northern Barbarians."
"But... Sir, both we and the people need enough food."
"With enough food to eat, the people will not have random suspicions in their hearts. If the people can stay stable, we will have the confidence to hold on."
When Ming Dechang saw the Forbidden Army Captain's statement, his face finally showed some hope, so he looked at Huangshan with burning eyes.
"My dear nephew, can you do it?"
For a time, Huang Shan was stared at closely by five pairs of eyes from the county government.
"Uncle Ming, of course I can recreate such a repeating crossbow."
"It's just that my repeating crossbow needs some special alloy, which is hundred-refined steel."
"The bowstring used in my repeating crossbow is made from fine steel refined using the secret techniques of my Huang family."
After listening to Huang Shan's words, Ming Dechang instantly fell into memories.
Rumor has it that the Huang family's ability to transform from an ordinary blacksmith to a major blacksmith in the county relied on the skill of refining fine steel.
The armor and swords made by the Huang family are extraordinary in terms of their sturdiness and sharpness.
Thinking of this, Ming Dechang cheered up and stood up to look at Capt. Zhao and the two captains of the Forbidden Army.
"Captain Zhao, you continue to support and train the people, organize them to patrol and help defend the city."
"Two generals, continue to guard the city gate with your soldiers."
"When Nephew Huang Xian makes the first batch of repeating crossbows, I will supply them to you immediately."
"The imperial court has no reinforcements, so please keep your mouth shut."
"Right now, we are all in the same boat, and we must work together so that we can defend the city and protect our families!"
Capt. Zhao and the two captains of the Forbidden Army accepted their orders and retreated quickly.
The remaining Huang Shan and Master looked at Ming Dechang and waited for instructions.
At this time, Ming Dechang took out a letter from his arms and placed it in front of Huang Shan.
"Nephew Huang Xian, this is a letter from the gentleman in Liuzhou."
"That Lord is very interested in your repeating crossbow. This is an opportunity."
"If the repeating crossbow you made this time, my dear nephew, helps us defend the city, you will not only be exempted from punishment."
"It can even restore the Huang family to its former glory!"
After finishing speaking, Ming Dechang grabbed Huang Shan's wrist and said in a serious tone: "Nephew Huang, this is an opportunity, you must seize it."
"And this is not only about your future, but also about the life and death of the people in the city."
Ming Dechang looked at the master on the side again, waved to the master and said, "Help Huang Xianxi collect the various materials needed."
“If you have any difficulties, come to the county immediately.”
"I would like to remind you again that no news about the court's reinforcements should be revealed."
Huang Shan and Master nodded in agreement, promising not to leak it out.
