bestfiction Chapter 739 Nothing 1
Chapter 739 Nothing 1
Taiping County, North Gate.
As the sun set, Hao Zhi and Song Bin, the city guards responsible for watching the city gates, were about to finish their day's work.
The two turned around, about to enter the city and close the city gate.
But at that moment, the earth seemed to tremble.
The two turned to look in the direction from which the tremor came, and their pupils immediately contracted sharply.
But then, at the end of their line of sight, several riders came into view. Immediately afterward, more and more figures appeared in their field of vision, so densely packed that they almost filled their entire field of vision!
"not good!"
Hao Zhi's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively wanted to warn, "Enemy..."
Before Hao Zhi could even shout, a large hand landed on his shoulder.
Zhou Quan, the commander of the city guards of Taiping County, put his hand on Hao Zhi's shoulder and reassured him, "There's no need to panic. Lord Xu has already said that this army is not here to attack our Taiping County."
"But……"
Hearing Zhou Quan's words, Hao Zhi felt somewhat relieved, but still worried, "What if they break their promise?"
It's not hard to tell from Zhou Quan's words that this army from the north must have made an agreement with Lord Xu. But an agreement is an agreement, and no one can guarantee that this army will keep its promise!
If they choose to break the agreement and attack the county town, the county town's military strength simply won't be able to hold it!
The entire county's city guards numbered only a few hundred, and that was after Xu Zhiwen had increased the number.
These hundreds of people need to be divided among the four city gates, and there are not even a hundred soldiers left at the north gate.
On the other hand, the army opposite them... was so numerous that it seemed to stretch across the entire mountainside; the endless ranks were enough to make one's heart tremble with fear.
"Nothing unexpected!"
Zhou Quan stared intently at the slowly approaching army. Given the size of this army, if they had any designs on Taiping County, Taiping County would have no chance of resisting them even if the city gates were tightly closed. That's why Zhou Quan said there was no "what if".
Fortunately, this army does not seem to have any intention of attacking Taiping County. Given the current distance between this army and Taiping County, if they wanted to attack Taiping County, they should have already launched a sprint to seize the city gate, instead of maintaining a steady pace of advance as they are now.
"stop!"
When they were about 300 meters from the city gate, Yang Zheng waved his hand to signal the army to stop. Then he and Yang Erlang rode forward and said to Zhou Quan, "I am Yang Zheng from Liangzhou. Please inform Lord Xu Zhiwen."
Yang Zheng!
Hao Zhi and Song Bin were shocked upon hearing the name Yang Zheng. Yang Zheng was a household name in Taiping County; such a prominent figure had actually come to Taiping County, and with a large army at that…
Taiping County is likely to change hands!
Hao Zhi and Song Bin thought this to themselves.
Zhou Quan knelt on one knee and gave Yang Zheng a subordinate's salute, then said, "The county magistrate has been waiting for a long time. Please wait a moment, Commander Yang. The county magistrate will be here soon."
"it is good!"
Yang Zheng nodded and instructed Yang Erlang to direct the army to set up camp outside the city.
Thus, this army of 80,000 men began to busy themselves outside the city, setting up camp and cooking meals.
Meanwhile, many residents of Taiping County also learned of the arrival of the army outside the city, and the city was filled with panic.
"Have you heard? An army of 100,000 men has arrived outside the city!"
"What?! One hundred thousand people? What are they trying to do? Are they going to wipe out our Taiping County?"
"I heard that army came from Liangzhou! And the leader is Yang Tianwang from Liangzhou!"
"Oh no! I have to hide the food at home, or those soldiers will steal it."
"We haven't even had a few good days before we have to go to war. God really isn't giving us a way to survive!"
"..."
Thanks to the Xia Kingdom's extremely poor military reputation, the people of Taiping County were all terrified upon learning that a large army was approaching from outside the city. They were afraid that the army outside the city would attack the county, and even more afraid that the army would plunder and massacre people inside the city.
Fortunately, there were no shouts of battle outside the city gates, and the army did not immediately attack the county town, so the people inside the town were still able to remain calm.
…………
…………
North city gate.
Yang Zheng didn't have to wait long. In less than half an hour, Xu Zhiwen led his advisor He Jian out of the city gate and bowed to Yang Zheng: "Xu Zhiwen (He Jian), the magistrate of Taiping County, greets Commander Yang."
"No need to be polite!"
Yang Zheng dismounted and personally helped Xu Zhiwen up, then said, "After marching for many days, our army's provisions are almost exhausted. I wonder how the provisions in Taiping County are prepared?"
According to the previous discussion in Chenjia Village, after the Yang family army enters Qingzhou, the counties of Taicang Prefecture will be responsible for supplying the Yang family army with food and fodder. This is exactly what Yang Zheng was talking about at this time.
"Rest assured, General Yang, I have already made all the necessary preparations."
Xu Zhiwen gave He Jian a wink, and He Jian immediately understood and returned to the city to make arrangements.
Before long, a large number of farmers carrying loads on shoulder poles filed out of the city gate, handing over the provisions that Xu Zhiwen had prepared in advance to the quartermaster of the Yang family army.
"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Xu."
Yang Zheng looked delighted to see grain and fodder being continuously transported out of the city.
Xu Zhiwen continued, "In addition to the grain and fodder prepared by Taiping County, Chenjia Village has also prepared some supplies for the army."
"Oh?"
Yang Zheng's eyes lit up, and he asked, "What kind of supplies are they?"
"They are yellow-feathered chickens and white-feathered ducks unique to Chenjia Village."
Xu Zhiwen said with a smile, "Two days ago, Chenjia Village sent a total of 5000 chickens and ducks to the county town, and today we will hand them over to Yang Shuai."
"Good, good! Mr. Chen, you're very kind!"
Yang Zheng smiled even more happily. 5000 chickens and ducks were certainly a drop in the ocean for an army of 80,000, but at least the soldiers could have some meat to eat.
Yang Zheng beckoned to Yang Erlang and ordered, "Erlang, give the order to slaughter all five thousand chickens and ducks sent from Chenjia Village and reward the soldiers well."
"Yes!"
Yang Erlang turned around and went back to the camp to make arrangements.
Before long, cheers erupted from the soldiers in the temporary camp.
Hearing the cheers around him, Xu Zhiwen extended an invitation to Yang Zheng: "Commander Yang has come from afar, how about we have a simple meal at my home?"
"Can!"
After thinking for a moment, Yang Zheng nodded, took Yang Erlang, and entered the city with Xu Zhiwen, arriving at Xu Zhiwen's home.
Unlike officials who live in large mansions, Xu Zhiwen's house is not big, nor can it be described as luxurious. At most, it is just a little better and more spacious than the houses of ordinary people.
However, neither Yang Zheng nor Yang Erlang cared about such things. After arriving at Xu Zhiwen's home, the two sat down at Xu Zhiwen's arrangement. They enjoyed the meal prepared in advance by Xu Zhiwen's wife while chatting about interesting things that happened during the march and in Taiping County, which was quite pleasant.