Chapter 155 Caught Her Off Guard
However, what the man just said was exactly what he had thought before. After hearing what his daughter said, he realized that his previous actions were all wrong. When dealing with enemies, one should kill them all without showing any mercy.
He gave that fellow traveler a sympathetic look, then rubbed his hands awkwardly, not daring to look at anyone.
Fortunately, fortunately, he didn't say this, otherwise he would have been socially ruined on the spot.
Bai Li looked around angrily, and when he saw that these men all lowered their heads like quails and didn't dare to speak, his anger subsided a little.
"Bai, Marshal Bai, tell me, we have no soldiers and no weapons. What should we do?"
"What else can we do? There is no other way except to surrender or die in battle in Yuanzhou City."
"Simon's army hasn't arrived yet, and you're already scared?
You are retreating before the battle even begins. To put it more seriously, you are shaking the morale of the troops. According to military discipline, you will be punished with a beating. In serious cases, you may be executed on the spot!"
No one dared to respond to this. After all, words can be big or small. If you really want to be picky, everyone says a few wrong things.
"If you have no objections, then do as I say. Arrange the three lines of fortifications as before. The defenders will immediately open the gates when they see them return, and close them as soon as they enter. At the same time, fire the eight-ox crossbows on the city walls to keep the enemy at a distance of a hundred feet."
No one spoke. For now, the only thing they could do was wait for death or follow Marshal Bai's instructions and give it a try.
At worst, I can hold on until the last drop of blood is shed, and I will be worthy of the Great Zhou and its people.
"By the way, should the people in the city be allowed to leave?"
Previously, people thought that reinforcements were coming, so they let the nearby people go into the city for shelter. But now the city itself is in danger, and the people who stay in the city will only die.
"If Yuanzhou is not safe, the common people will have five places to stay."
Having said that, General Li still wanted to fight for the people.
Outside the city, the world is vast and boundless. Ordinary people may be able to save their lives by hiding in the mountains and forests, but they will surely die if they stay in the city!
Bai Li and Li Dazhuang each held their own opinions and neither could convince the other.
After seeing Bai Li's outburst just now, no one dared to speak out to persuade him.
"Li'er, just listen to General Li. First, make it clear to the people whether to go or stay. Let them decide for themselves!"
Bai Zongren, who had been silent all this time, spoke up. He still called for his daughter's life, meaning that he was talking to her as a family member.
"Alright, let's do as you say. Gather the people together, explain the pros and cons, and let them make their own choice!"
After a few people dispersed, someone immediately arranged for people to go down and gather the people.
After a while, the sound of urgent gongs could be heard in every corner of the city, and many civilians came to the gate of the barracks one after another.
When most people had arrived, Bai Li stood on the platform.
Looking at the dark crowd, Bai Li felt a lot of emotions.
In the past ten days or so since she came to Yuanzhou, she can see these familiar and simple faces whenever she goes out.
As a soldier and their umbrella of protection, she feels guilty that she cannot protect them now.
The common people were called here before they had even had lunch. They were very nervous and asked each other what was going on. There was a lot of noise down there, as if the pot was in chaos.
"Fellow villagers,"
She reached out and pressed down, and the place immediately quieted down.
"Fellow villagers, I have something to tell you now. First of all, please don't panic. Listen to what I have to say before you make any decision."
"Marshal Bai, you say."
There was an old man with white beard who was pushed forward by the crowd to serve as a representative. He took a few steps forward and spoke only when he was closer to Bai Li.
"Old man, fellow villagers, the iron cavalry of the Simon army is now less than a hundred miles away from our Yuanzhou. They are coming with great momentum this time, and the disparity in strength between our army and theirs is too great..."
"We had previously asked the nearby residents to evacuate into the city, believing they would be safe. However, the situation has changed, and our reinforcements have yet to arrive...
The current situation is that we, as soldiers of the Great Zhou, will defend Yuanzhou City until the very end, but you..."
"With our current military strength, I'm afraid we can't protect you completely, so please leave quickly and find shelter. Save your lives first!"
After Bai Li finished speaking, he seemed to have used up all his strength, and his whole body became listless, no longer as confident as before.
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd became noisy again, with people saying all sorts of things.
The old man raised his hand to stop the commotion below, then turned and bowed to Bai Li, saying, "Marshal Bai, many of them said they won't leave. They want to stay in the city and fight the enemy with you, to live and die with Yuanzhou City!"
"That's right. When the nest is overturned, all the eggs will be broken. We won't be safe anywhere. We might as well fight them to the death!"
"We won't leave. Yuanzhou is our home, our territory. We won't allow anyone else to run wild here!"
"Isn't it just a lack of manpower? We can pick up axes and kitchen knives to kill the enemy, and women and children can help boil water and scald those sons of bitches to death with boiling water!"
"I am an old man, buried up to my neck in the earth. It would be better for me to die at home than in the wilderness.
Anyway, I'm not going anywhere. Simon the dog is here. I'll break even if I kill one, and I'll make a profit if I kill two!"
"Marshal Bai, listen, we all don't want to leave, so please don't chase us away!"
"Old man, fellow villagers...you, what can I say?"
"Marshal Bai, if you can destroy the Simon Cavalry, you can destroy their main force. We trust you and are willing to serve you."
"Fellow villagers, I'm not completely sure this time. Don't be blinded by blind worship!"
"Marshal Bai, don't say any more. Even if I die, dying in Yuanzhou City, dying at home, is like returning to one's roots, which is better than being left lying in the wilderness."
Okay, they have already talked about this much, Bai Li can’t say anything more.
Even Li Dazhuang was deeply moved when he saw the people united in their determination to stay and help defend the city.
The prefect and deputy general who had previously asked the people to leave the city now had nothing to say.
"Since you are willing to stand together, are you willing to sign up to be a city guard?
Any man between 18 and 50 can sign up!"
"I do, I do!"
"Why set it under fifty? I'm over sixty and can still carry heavy loads. When it comes to working hard, I'm no less capable than young people!"
Everyone below signed up enthusiastically, and Li Dazhuang hurriedly arranged for people to register.
Someone immediately brought several long wooden tables to the scene, and the prefectural governor and the yamen runners got busy.
Bai Li felt a little relieved when he saw the long line of young and strong men waiting to sign up for the army.
Although she appears confident on the surface, she is actually very nervous inside.
Something went wrong with Nangong Min, catching her off guard.
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