Across the Water Margin: Officials of Ximen

Page 328

Wu Yong was still on the hill, and ordered his subordinates to wave the command flag, commanding the Liangshan Army under the hill to surround Ximen Qing's support army.

"Wu Yong, watch me blind his Liangshan Army!" Ximen Qing had long seen that the secret of Wu Yong's command of the Liangshan Army lay on the command flag. He shot the flag bearer on the hill.There was a young man next to the flag bearer who was going to protect the command flag, but was shot through the chest by Ximen Qing with an arrow.

Wu Yong didn't expect that Ximenqing's arrow could shoot so far, so he was so frightened that he hid from the top of the hill to the back of the hill, how dare he stand on the hill.The flag fell to the ground, and no one dared to pick it up for a while.

Although there were a lot of Liangshan troops under their post, the battlefield was extremely chaotic at this time, and they suddenly lost the guidance of the command flag. They didn't know where the enemy was the most important, so they had to fight on their own and spread out.

Ximen Qing took the opportunity to lead troops with Lu Junyi and Wang Jin to protect Dong Ping and Wang Jun, break out of the siege, and retreat to the city gate.

Ximen Qing was self-aware at this time, and was not dazzled by the momentary victory.He knew very well that the combat skills of the Xiang army he led were too poor, so he could only muster up his courage for a while.If the battle continued, these weak Xiang troops would definitely not be the opponents of the Liangshan Bandit Army, and they would be beaten to their fullest in the brutal fighting in a short time.

Therefore, Ximen Qing wanted to take advantage of the fact that the Liangshan bandits were overwhelmed by the prestige of his new force, and he would accept it as soon as it was good, and rescue Dong Ping and his army back to Dongping Mansion safely.

"Tuota Heavenly King" Chao Gai led a group of robbers to rush down from the post in a murderous spirit, but Dong Ping, Ximen Qing and others were nowhere to be seen.Looking back at the post, both Ling Qi and military advisor Wu Yong had disappeared.Chao Gai was so angry that he called up Fan Rui, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun, and led the army to chase towards the south gate of Dongping Mansion.

On the way, Chao Gai saw "King Kong in the Cloud" Song Wan, and asked him angrily, "Brother Song Wan, you have 2000 troops under your command, how can you not stop those bird officers?"

Song Wan complained with a look of grievance: "Brother Chao Gai, it's not that brothers don't want to stop them, it's because the army reinforcements from the city are too brave, brothers, I can't support them alone, I can't kill them!"

"Brothers of all families follow me closely, hurry up and hunt down the dog officers and soldiers!" Chao Gai no longer pursued Song Wan, and holding a long spear in his hand, he rushed towards the city gate aggressively with Liang Shanjun.

At this time, Dong Ping, who had escaped from the siege of the Liangshan Army, saw that he was invincible in today's battle and that it was not appropriate to fight again, so he gathered his troops and led them back to the city with Ximen Qing and the others.

When Chao Gai chased outside the south gate, all the officers and soldiers had retreated into the city, the city gate was closed tightly, and the suspension bridge over the moat was pulled up.

The magistrate Cheng Wanli saw the robbers rushing outside the moat, and hurriedly ordered the guards and soldiers to shoot arrows.Chao Gai and others were unable to dodge in time, and more than a dozen people were shot dead, and the rest of the robbers quickly retreated beyond the range of bows and arrows on the city.

When Chao Gai saw that he had escaped Dong Ping, the military commander of Dongping Mansion, he yelled angrily.

Chapter 528 The Lights and the Dancing Dance

Dong Ping returned to the city and counted the soldiers and horses. This battle lost 500 men.Dong Ping rushed to the battle, not only failed to defeat the Liangshan bandits, he almost fell into the Liangshan bandit army, and made him lose face at the magistrate Cheng Wanli, feeling very upset.

Although the withdrawal of the subordinate general Yu Baosi put Dong Ping and Wang Jun to death, it also allowed the officers and soldiers outside the city to leave the battle and return to the city earlier, reducing the casualties of many soldiers.His actions can be said to have mixed merits and demerits, so Dong Ping did not criticize him harshly.

After all, it was Dong Ping himself who was desperate to run straight into the Liangshan bandit army, and all the civil and military people in the city saw it. Dong Ping's danger this time can't be blamed on others.

Dong Ping rarely expressed his kind gratitude to the three Ximen Qing who came to aid with the Xiang army.As for Wang Jun who desperately came to save him, Dong Ping regarded him as his confidant and determined to cultivate him.

Although Ximenqing knew that Yu Baosi was definitely not invincible, and took the lead in retreating to preserve the strength of the army, but at this time he did not point out the matter in front of everyone, but left a way out for Yu Baosi, allowing him to continue Opportunity to collude with Liangshan bandits.

Ximenqing's move was of course to use that idiot Yu Baosi to dig another hole for the Liangshan bandits outside the city.

After everyone washes away the dust and blood, the prefect Cheng Wanli invites Dong Ping, Ximen Qing, Lu Junyi and others into the prefect's yamen to discuss how to defend the city and stabilize people's hearts after being besieged by robbers.

Cheng Wanli said to the crowd: "Dong Dujian, senior officials of Ximen, heroes, the bandit army outside the city is very powerful, they have surrounded our Dongping Mansion, and there is no one who can escape. You can't be in panic all day long. I wonder if you have a good strategy to retreat from the enemy?"

Dong Ping replied after hearing the words: "The magistrate does not need to filter. Although there are many bandits and soldiers today, our army is slightly defeated by the enemy, but our army's strength is still there, which is enough to protect Dongping Mansion."

"Even though the city is impregnable, what should the people outside our Dongping Prefecture do? If the bandit army cannot be repelled, the people of Wenshang, Dong'e, and Shouzhang counties will not be able to escape the robbery of the Liangshan bandit army. Since the bandits in Liangshanbo attacked Raising the anti-flag will inevitably coerce the people of our Dongping Mansion into chaos. If a catastrophe happens, what face do you and I have to go to see the Holy Majesty?" After all, the prefect Cheng Wanli is a literati who has read history books, and he has a better understanding of the rebellious army Dong Ping In a hurry, he expressed his worries to Dong Ping.

However, Dong Ping heard the implication from Cheng Zhifu's words: Dong Dujian, if you can't defeat the invading Liangshan Po bandit army this time, you and I will be out of luck.The magistrate also has Tong Taiwei to help exonerate you, Dong Dujian, you can ask for more blessings.

"Master Cheng, the bandits are mobs. They only rely on their numbers. There is no way to march and fight. If you win, you will swarm up. Everyone will fight for merit. If you lose, the trees will fall and the monkeys will disperse. Organize the army and fight again tomorrow, and we will surely, surely be able to join hands with Ximen Qing officials to defeat the Liangshanpo bandit." Dong Ping was about to boast about Haikou, but when the words came to his lips, he thought that Ximen Qing and the others had saved him today, so he temporarily changed his words , Treating Ximen Qing as an army.

"What Dong Dujian said is very true. As long as we work together, it is not difficult to break the bandits at Liangshan Po." Ximen Qing also responded to Dong Ping's boast.

Seeing that both Dong Ping and Ximen Qing said they could retreat from the enemy, Cheng Wanli, the magistrate, felt at ease, and discussed with everyone how to stabilize the people and order in the city.

Cheng Wanli said: "According to the rules of the year, my Dongping mansion should display a large number of lights today, celebrate the Lantern Festival, and have fun with the people. Now that Liangshan Po is invaded by bandits and sieges, the city will inevitably be mixed with thieves and spies. I'm afraid spies will make trouble when the lanterns are lit. , thus causing trouble. The lower officials want to stay and put lights on, and impose a curfew in the city to prevent spies. I don’t know what you have in mind?"

Dong Ping said: "That's fine! The magistrate can send someone to put up a list to calm the people, and to show the people in the city that in order to protect their safety, we will temporarily stop lighting the lights tonight. When the thieves are driven back, it will not be too late to celebrate with big lights in the city."

Ximenqing heard this, but said to the magistrate Cheng Wanli: "Why should the magistrate worry so much? If the lights are not lit this year, the robbers outside the city will be ridiculed if they search carefully. Tonight, the sky ban will make the people in the city frightened." Why don't you tell the residents to set up more lanterns than last year, decorate the social fire, and stay up all night as usual. This is a trick to show the appearance. When the bandits outside the city see that everything in my city is as usual, they will be suspicious and chaotic. position."

Dong Ping heard this, and asked, "But wouldn't it be more difficult for the spies in the city to take the opportunity to make trouble?"

Ximen Qing said to Dong Ping: "To tell you the truth, the prisoner, the Liangshan bandit once attacked my Yanggu County. Many of the bandit leaders are recognized by my brothers and sisters. Today, my subordinates have discovered the spies who infiltrated the city. The thief The spies are under the watchful eye of my subordinate, Brother Jiao Ting. As the saying goes, there is only one who can be a thief for a thousand days, but there is no one who can guard against a thief for a thousand days. Instead of worrying about the spies in the city every day, it is better to keep the outside and the inside secret, and secretly deploy defenses in the city to attract the spies. Create chaos tonight and wipe them all out. Perhaps the opportunity to destroy the thieves is also tonight."

Dong Ping heard this, and asked Ximen Qing: "The official Ximen said that the bandits outside the city will join forces to attack the city tonight?"

Ximen Qing nodded and replied: "The spies in the city don't dare to stay for a long time. I guess, they should have agreed to attack tonight. We pretended to be negligent, but we planted an ambush in the four gates, and when the thieves attacked the city, we killed them all by surprise. There will be great gains.”

Dong Ping heard this, and said to Cheng Zhifu: "If it is true what the official Ximen Qing said, tonight is indeed a good opportunity to destroy thieves."

Cheng Wanli, the magistrate, was overjoyed when he saw this, and entrusted Dong Ping, Ximen Qing and others with the task of fighting against thieves.

After everyone discussed it, Ximenqing and Dong Ping left the magistrate's yamen.Dong Ping was about to go back to the barracks to dispatch troops, but Ximen Qing pulled him to a secluded place and whispered for a while, which made Dong Ping dumbfounded.

After sending Dong Pingping and others away, Cheng Wanli immediately sent the officials in the yamen to announce to the common people, saying that there were not enough bandits outside the city, and that the officers and soldiers could destroy the bandits in a short time.Today is the Lantern Festival, according to the usual practice in Dongping Mansion, all the streets and alleys in the city will be lit, and the magistrate will have fun with the people.

When the people in the city saw the robbers attacking, and the officers and soldiers went out of the city to fight, the outcome was still inconclusive. They were panic-stricken, discussing how to pack up their belongings and prepare to flee for their lives.For a time, the whole city was restless.

It wasn't until the magistrate's yamen posted a list to comfort the people that the people in Dongping Mansion let go of a stone in their hearts and showed rare smiling faces.

All the shops in the city are open for business, and light grids are set up in front of every house, and lights are hung up to attract tourists to stop.

Those big families also tied up mountain sheds indoors, placed five-color screens and cannon lights, hung pictures of celebrities on all sides, and strange antiques and toys.To show off their wealth.

In front of the restaurant opened by Ximen Qing, there is also a mountain of Ao, with a white dragon coiled on it, and countless lights on all sides.Showing the strength of the Ximenqing family to the people of Dongping Prefecture.

Outside Dongpingfu city, Chao Gai, Wu Yong and others stood on a high port, looking at the brightly lit Dongpingfu city, showing greedy smiles.

Chapter 529 The Third Shift

In Dongpo Fucheng, the lights are dazzling, singing and dancing are peaceful, and the whole city is celebrating the Lantern Festival.Cheng Wanli, the magistrate, personally walked the streets and alleys to enjoy the lanterns with the people, which made the people in the city more excited and had fun in the streets, completely forgetting that there was a group of robbers from Liangshanbo outside the city.

In order to maintain order in the city, Dong Ping, the military commander of Dongping Mansion, also sent some imperial soldiers to patrol the city to prevent the people from making trouble after drinking.

The "God of the Dangerous Way" Yu Bao wore four helmets, rode on a tall horse, and led more than 100 of his men to patrol the cross street in Dongping Mansion.Yu Baosi was already tall and tall, but now he was riding on a horse, attracting attention wherever he went.If it wasn't for this guy's ugly appearance, he would have charmed many women on the street tonight just by relying on his body.

Dong Ping, the military supervisor, entrusted Yu Baosi with the important task of maintaining law and order in the city, and he played right into his hands.At this time, the two bandit leaders, Li Xiaoer, who was born in wine, and Du Qian, who was "touching the sky", were wearing armor and mixed in Yu Baosi's team, and together with him, they patrolled the four city gates of Dongping Mansion and the four avenues from east to west, north, south, and south.

Wu Yong had made a plan for a long time ago, Li Xiaoer and Du Qian, who had mixed into the city, would reconcile with Na Yubao four times, open the north gate of Dongping Mansion at midnight, and let the Liangshan army enter the city. The task of "Smiling Tiger" Zhu Fu was to set fire to Genggu Tower at the crossroads in the city when Yu Baosi and the others opened the city gate. One was to send a signal to the outside of the city, and the other was to create chaos in the city.

During the daytime, after seeing Ximen Qing leading the army to fight, Yu Baosi was still a little bit worried, but when he saw Ximen Qing drunkenly go to the brothel to hang out with a famous prostitute named Li Qiaonu in Xiwazi , finally relieved, and decided to implement Wu Yong's plan to break the city according to the original agreement.

Yu Baosi said in his heart: I, Yu Baosi, have such a miserable life, all thanks to Ximen Qing, the bird man!That bird man repeatedly pressed the master on my head to shit and pee, he really bullied me too much!Fortunately, today the bird man wanted to die by himself, and ran to this Dongping mansion to mess around.In the middle of the night, brother Chao Gai led Liangshan heroes into the city and took the Dongping Mansion, I must personally cut up Ximen Qing's bird man, so as to eliminate my hatred of the past!That's right, isn't that bird man obsessed with Li Qiaonu, a new famous prostitute from the Jiankang mansion? Tonight, master, I'm going to torment Li Qiaonu in front of him, so that this bird man can have a good time!

Thinking of his pride, Yu Baosi couldn't help showing an evil smile, and the little Yu Baosi on his body was also eager to try.

"Brother, the drum tower is here." Li Xiaoer's voice awakened Yu Baosi from his dream.

When Yu Baosi raised his eyes, he saw that the Genggu Tower was also covered with colorful lights, and there was also a mountain of Ao in front of the building, which was piled up with thousands of colorful lights in different shapes.

Li Xiaoer had seen Zhu Fu disguised as a businessman hiding in the crowd, and invited him to meet Yu Baosi.

Yu Baosi met Zhu Fu, and after making an agreement with him to act according to the plan, he led the team around the Genggu Tower and went all the way to patrol the east gate.