PFC Chapter 103 Pre-war Game
Chapter 103 Pre-war Game
Chapter 103 Pre-war Game
Chu Hua wanted to argue further, but Qin Jisheng made a gesture to silence the conversation within Huaizhen Dao, indicating that Chu Hua should look towards the distance.
Several riders passed through the camp and galloped toward the large banner that symbolized justice for Heaven.
Qin Jisheng brought up Huai Zhendao and advised Chu Hua, "Your master wants you to become a spy in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Do this job well and make a name for yourself."
That way I can place you there, as a spy, first. Do you understand?
Seeing Chu Hua nod, Qin Jisheng strode towards the center of the camp.
As they approached, a crowd had gathered outside the "Hall of Righteousness" to watch the spectacle. Qin Jisheng smiled and asked those around him, "Brother, are these our men? Why aren't they wearing black headscarves?"
Yu Hongzhi ordered his men to wrap black headscarves on their heads to distinguish friend from foe.
"You're asking me? How would I know?" "Perhaps it's from Master Zhou's side?" "Master Zhou's side also wears black headscarves, right?"
"It belongs to Long Tiandao."
Chu Hua pointed at the horse watcher and whispered to Qin Jisheng, "Look at the hand gestures he's making."
"Oh?"
Qin Jisheng frowned. What was Long Tiandao doing here? He hadn't heard of any uprising by Long Tiandao nearby.
A moment later, Yu Hongzhi personally escorted these people out of the main tent. Seeing so many people gathered around, he flew into a rage and shouted, "What are you all doing here?!"
The crowd dispersed, and Qin Jisheng and Chu Hua escaped by blending in with the others.
"Master Yu,"
Seeing the chaotic scene, the leading envoy from the Dragon Heaven Sect sneered inwardly and said to Hongzhi in a deep voice, "Please set off immediately and join forces with my Buddhist nun in Huoxian!"
Yu Hongzhi saw the envoy's disdain but still smiled broadly, "Rest assured, I will break camp and depart tomorrow morning!"
Yu Hongzhi had practiced martial arts for many years, read many military books, and even traveled to border towns to broaden his horizons.
He knew very well the capabilities of his troops; five or six thousand men would be routed if they encountered five or six hundred capable government troops.
Meanwhile, Longtiandao was established earlier than Bangchuihui, had stronger financial resources, and constantly recruited skilled people from the martial arts world.
Only by joining forces with Long Tiandao in the county can we have a better chance of survival.
The camps in the first-level suppression area.
Zhang Kun, seated at the head of the table, listened to Qin Jisheng's report with a furrowed brow:
Long Tiandao's contact with the Baton Clash Association is likely a major operation, mostly within the county.
The county has city walls, but no troops are stationed there, and there aren't many militia members either.
Therefore, after returning to Zhangjiawan, Zhang Kun rested for less than an hour before personally leading his troops to the county to provide support.
The question is, what trump cards does Long Tiandao have? Are the more than three hundred henchmen, river guards, and tax collectors he leads enough?
If we stay in the camp and wait for more soldiers to arrive before going to the county, what if the county falls during this time?
Zhang Kun had actually contacted the county before, wanting to send soldiers and able-bodied men to the county.
However, the other side, worried about disturbing the residents, quite firmly rejected Zhang Kun's suggestion.
Unfortunately, most soldiers in the world today have very poor discipline. Those stationed locally for a long time are better off, but it is difficult to gain the trust of guest soldiers.
"...Tang Sheng, tell everyone to get ready to depart!"
After a moment's thought, Zhang Kun decided not to stay in the camp and wait, but to head to the county first.
Since we can't guess Long Tiandao's trump card, let's just look at what cards are already on the table:
The "Little Chao Gai's" several thousand followers had already broken camp and set off, and most of them were heading towards the county.
Zhang Kun first played this card, stopping the gang of thieves outside the county.
Even if Long Tiandao's trump card was in the county, and the county fell, Zhang Kun would still have an explanation to his superiors:
Three hundred people fighting against several thousand is already their best effort.
Outside Huoxian County.
Zhang Jingzhen's intuition told her that something was wrong, so she ordered the city to stop outside.
"Sister, weren't you supposed to help defend Huoxian County?"
Zhang Zhiyuan leaned closer and asked Zhang Jingzhen, puzzled, "We've arrived, why aren't we going in?"
"We are cavalry; two hundred cavalrymen are far more useful than two hundred garrison soldiers."
Zhang Jingzhen couldn't quite call it intuition, so she explained to Zhang Zhiyuan using military strategy: "If the rebels really want to attack the county, our role in containing them from the outside is more important."
South Gate Tower.
Upon discovering the presence of a fully armored, tall, mounted imperial army, Long Tiandao's men immediately tensed up:
Because they were knowledgeable, they understood better than ordinary rebels just how strong these elite government troops were.
Long Lingxian remained calm and composed, instructing the Dharma Protector to send people out of the city to reward the government troops and invite them into the city.
After entering the city, taking advantage of the narrow terrain, a nighttime raid can greatly reduce the government troops' advantage in warhorses and armor.
"Buddha's daughter!"
The protector rushed back to the south gate tower and whispered to Long Lingxian, "These government troops refuse to enter the city; they want to camp and rest in the South Market outside the city. Moreover, they are servants of the Duke of Ying's mansion!"
Long Lingxian frowned. Why was this government army so cautious?
"Should we send some drinks over?"
The incense seller nearby suggested, "Poison their drinks and kill them?"
'
...No, given their cautious nature, they'll most likely detain the delivery person and make them taste the poison first.
Long Lingxian shook her head and said in a deep voice to the protector and the incense general, "Prepare to seize the city!"
A few moments later, on a high ground a few miles west of the city.
The messenger cavalryman returned excitedly and reported, "Commander, the two sons of the Duke of England are resting in the South Market!"
"ha!"
Upon hearing this good news, Zhang Kun laughed heartily, feeling much more relaxed.
With Zhang Zhiyuan and Zhang Jingzhen's two hundred or so servants from the British household present, the situation immediately became much more favorable.
Great minds think alike, and they also chose not to enter the city, opting instead to maneuver flexibly outside the city walls.
"Go into the city, find the person in charge at the county government office, and ask him to gather his most trusted men at the east gate tower."
Zhang Kun pointed to the county town and instructed the messenger cavalryman: "Say it again, tell him to gather his most trustworthy men at the east gate tower."
"Outsiders and country folks won't do; your family must live in the city!"
A moment later, at the county government office.
After hearing the cavalryman's instructions, the old county magistrate frowned and asked suspiciously, "Why did Commander Zhang give such an order? What if the bandits enter the city through the other three gates?"
The head constable of the county yamen's militia also objected, saying, "Yes, does Commander Zhang expect us to go out of the city to kill the bandits?"
"This is a military order, and military orders are absolute!"
The messenger cavalryman, following Zhang Kun's instructions, threatened the old county magistrate: "My commander said that if you disobey military orders, you will not be let off lightly after the battle!"
My commander only wants you to hold the east gate tower; he won't send you out to fight!
The head of the militia advised the old county magistrate, "Your Excellency, don't listen to that Commander Zhang's nonsense. If the thieves enter the city..."
'
"shut up!"
The messenger cavalryman and his four accompanying cavalrymen immediately drew their swords and sternly addressed the squad leader: "What are your intentions in obstructing military orders? Could it be that you've been bribed by heretics, or even a spy for them?!"
Two cavalrymen rushed forward and subdued the militia leader, then ordered the cavalry to threaten the others in the county government office: "Listen up, anyone who dares to obstruct military orders is a spy planted in the city by outsiders, and will be executed immediately!"
Having said that, he was about to swing his knife and kill the head of the militia.
"Sir, spare their lives!"
The old county magistrate hurriedly spoke up to stop them, repeatedly replying to the messenger cavalryman, "I obey! I obey!"