"The emperor has spoken." Gou Zhenhuai bowed solemnly and said, "A random punch can kill a master, and a good plaster is one that can remove poison. No matter what the trick is, as long as it can defend the city and kill the enemy, it is a good trick."
Is that what the emperor said? Why does it sound like some kind of stuntman selling powerful pills?
But no one dared to ask the emperor. You couldn't go and ask him. You are the supreme ruler. How could you say such vulgar words?
Xing Shenyan stroked his beard and nodded, agreeing, "The enemy is on the rise. A clever plan or strategy that breaks the rules may be the way to defeat the enemy."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They knew they could not defeat the Later Jin army in a regular battle, so this was the only way to comfort themselves while they were stuck in the city.
After a few days of training, the officers and soldiers in the city were more or less stable.
There's no point in being afraid anyway. Three of the city gates have been closed, and the last one will be blocked during the war. There's nowhere to run.
Xiong Tingbi sent a thousand troops to form a supervisory team, and the Jinyiwei used their embroidered spring swords to suppress the enemy. What other choice did the soldiers in the city have except to fight to the death?
Suddenly, in the distance, a dozen knights came running, galloping to the foot of the city and entering the city through the narrow gap in the city gate.
"Report, the enemy's main force is coming, and the vanguard is fifteen miles away from the city." The scout dismounted, ran to the top of the city wall, and knelt on one knee to report the military intelligence.
Zu Dashou's face darkened. He did not give orders immediately, but glanced at the people around him.
"Haha, it's finally here! Your Majesty's craftsmanship can come in handy!" Gou Zhenhuai grinned, without any fear, but very excited and expectant.
Xing Shenyan stroked his beard, not knowing whether he was pretending or was truly calm, with a half-smile on his face.
Du Zhenyu twitched the corner of his mouth and said nonchalantly, "Now that everything has been arranged, General Zu just needs to give the orders to defend the city and repel the enemy."
Ignorance is truly fearless. How could you know how powerful the Later Jin army is?
Zu Dashou murmured in his heart, but pretended to be confident. He issued orders, called back the scouts, blocked the city gates, and put the entire army on alert.
…………
Flags fluttered in the cold wind and the sound of horses' hooves roared.
More than 20,000 Later Jin troops marched along the road, like a python with its bloody mouth wide open, rushing towards Youtunwei City.
Although Dabeilu Daishan had lost his crown prince title, he remained the leader of the Four Great Beilors, in charge of the Zhenghong and Xianghong Banners. His sons Yuetuo, Shuotuo, and Sahalian, as well as his nephew Dudu, were also exceptionally strong and the strongest of the Beilors.
The second Beile Amin, the second son of Nurhaci's brother Shurhaci, and the nephew of Laonu, had outstanding military achievements and was the leader of the Bordered Blue Banner. With the help of his younger brothers Zaisanggu and Jirgalang, he also had considerable influence.
But it was obvious that Amin, as a nephew, would not be the successor to the old slave. He favored Daishan, the most powerful prince, and had a very good relationship with him.
With thick white mist puffing out of his mouth, Amin looked at the Youtunwei City gradually emerging in the distance, and said to Daishan with a smile: "The strategy proposed by Huang Taiji sounds so reasonable, but he overlooked the cowardice of Wang Huazhen, the coward."
Daishan smiled and said, "The fact that Guangning City has remained inactive was something I had anticipated. Even if Wang Huazhen had the guts, he wouldn't dare send his troops out of the city. He would just be a coward."
"The Grand Prince's prediction is correct." Amin nodded and said, "By allowing us to march slowly, we fail to lure the enemy, and instead give the Ming troops in the surrounding forts an opportunity to destroy their supplies and flee in panic."
Wherever the Later Jin army passed, all the forts and strongholds had been abandoned, and the food and supplies were either moved away or burned. This made Amin very unhappy, and he vented his emotions on Huang Taiji, who offered advice.
"According to intelligence, there are hundreds of thousands of stones of grain and beans in Youtunwei City, which the Ming army cannot move in time. As long as they are not destroyed..." Daishan stroked his beard, suddenly stopped talking, looked into the distance, and made a surprised sound.
Amin hurriedly looked over and saw that the Youtunwei City in the distance was like a silver-white armor, reflecting the sunlight. The closer he got, the more dazzling it became.
"Ice, there is ice on the city wall." Daishan squinted his eyes and finally came to a conclusion.
Amin laughed and said, "Don't worry, Grand Prince. Youtunwei City hasn't been destroyed, so the stored grain should still be in the city."
Daishan laughed heartily, nodded, and pointed with his whip. "Freezing the city with ice is just a clever trick. How can it stop the warriors of the Eight Banners?"
"Gee!" Daishan whipped his horse whip and galloped forward, as if he was eager to get closer to see this sparkling ice city.
………………
The clatter of horse hooves came from far away, bringing a gust of cold wind to the streets of the capital, breaking the tranquility of the night.
A dozen strong and sturdy Dongchang guards, guarding the director of the Dongchang, Wei Zhongxian, galloped on horseback and stopped in front of the Imperial Examination Hall.
During the joint examination period, the imperial examination hall was locked, and no one was allowed to enter or leave. Not only the candidates, but also the examiners were not allowed to go home.
The guards at the Imperial Examination Hall stepped aside after the Eastern Depot officer presented a written order, opening the gate just wide enough for one person to pass through.
"Guard the door! Don't let a fly out without my permission!"
Wei Zhongxian was tall and dressed in official uniform. He was no longer the servile servant in the palace. He held his head high and chest out, and gave orders with a sense of authority.
Several Dongchang guards immediately obeyed the order and assigned several people to guard the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall with swords in hand, fulfilling their duties loyally.
Examiners such as Yuan Keli and Xu Guangqi in the court had already received the notice and stood up to welcome him.
Although Master Wei was the director of the East Factory, he was not taken too seriously by Yuan Keli and others. They were not welcoming Master Wei, but the imperial examination questions sent by Master Wei.
"Master Yuan, Master Xu, and all the others, you have made great contributions in selecting talents for the country. The emperor has ordered me to come here to carry out his mission, and I would like to express my condolences to all of you..."
As he spoke, Uncle Wei waved his hand, and several Dongchang men came forward and put down the food boxes in their hands.
Uncle Wei personally picked up a special food box, his face full of envy. He smiled and said, "This is the soup that His Majesty specially gave to Master Yuan and Master Xu. He also told you to drink it while it's hot for good health!"
"Your Majesty, we thank you for your grace!" Yuan Keli and Xu Guangqi bowed in thanks, took it and put it aside.
Uncle Wei was not at all arrogant. He smiled warmly and spoke modestly. He exchanged a few pleasantries with the examiners before coughing dryly, taking out the sealed yellow silk and saying in a clear voice, "Your Majesty has personally prepared the examination questions. Here are the oral instructions for the chief examiner and the deputy chief examiner. There is no need to kneel to receive them."
Yuan Keli and Xu Guangqi hurriedly bowed and saluted, saying "The emperor's grace is so great", and took the sealed yellow silk.
"Your Majesty's favor towards Lord Yuan and Lord Xu is truly beyond words." Master Wei smacked his lips in envy, his smile also quite sincere. "I will now return to report and will not disturb you all any more."
"Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Wei." Everyone bowed and watched Uncle Wei turn and leave.
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