It has to be said that Xiao Cheng, as a thousand-household officer of the main arm of the armored infantry, is quite capable in leading troops.
Although there were only about 400 combat-capable people left in the 1,000-man team in Jinguan City, more than 100 soldiers and more than 50 sets of armor had to be left in Jinguan City to show off, at least to make the people of Jinguan City feel that they were still protected, so Xiao Cheng had to go out with less than 300 combat soldiers.
However, there are 150 sets of iron armor for only 300 soldiers, and the armor coverage rate reaches a terrifying 50%. To be honest, if the Daliang Empire Army had this armor coverage rate, there would be no need for the four-nation melee this time, and it would have been easier for the other three countries to surrender directly.
Of course, no one can go to war with only combat soldiers, and three hundred soldiers is too obvious. It is not impossible to claim that there are a thousand soldiers, but it cannot be hidden from anyone with decent eyesight. Therefore, before going out, Captain Xiao still adopted the old tradition of Xichuan and carefully captured able-bodied men in Danliu County on the outskirts of Jinguan City.
Under the prefect's banner, other local officials dared not speak out. Captain Xiao and his soldiers meticulously completed the task of conscripting men, not only replenishing themselves with a thousand civilians and the corresponding supplies, but also receiving the long-awaited reward for each soldier who set out on the expedition. Although this reward required breaking down the door, holding a knife to the man's neck, and pinning the woman to the bed, the soldiers did not find the process tedious at all, but instead enjoyed the task immensely.
Although the army stayed in Danliu County, less than ten miles away from Jinguan City, for a day in order to recruit laborers and collect supplies, Captain Xiao felt that the time was well spent when he saw the high morale and abundant supplies.
As for the Shanliu County Magistrate's clamor to go to the prefectural governor's office and complain about him allowing his soldiers to loot, alas, his own men were a bunch of damned ruffians who pocketed all the benefits for themselves and didn't even bother to share any profits with the county. No wonder they made such a fuss. Think about it, think about it, the entire collection took only one day, and less than a hundred unscrupulous people were hacked to death that day for resisting the royal army. This is already a remarkable result of military discipline. As for the fact that after the army left that night, hundreds of decent women hanged themselves and jumped into the river, damn it, I've already left, what does it have to do with me?
"If all else fails, we can seize a few more towns tomorrow and give half to the Shanliu County Magistrate. That should solve the problem. You can't make me take out what I've already put in my pocket." As the solution formed in his mind, Captain Xiao finally concluded his duties for the day, waved his hand to get the two girls he'd kidnapped out, and then fell into a deep sleep...
Since there were a thousand civilians, Xiao Qianhu's total military force had exceeded a thousand. According to tradition, there was no problem in claiming to have three thousand armored soldiers. So after a long march (mainly because there were too many places to rob on the road, which wasted too much time), Xiao Qianhu and his army finally arrived at Qiongdu City.
To be honest, Qiongdu City did not look like it had ever been fought in a war. Even the city gates were open in broad daylight.
"So what you mean is that the group of rebel soldiers from Qinghe withdrew a few days ago, and you don't know where they went?" Xiao Cheng said angrily to the Qiongdu County Magistrate.
Although in terms of rank, the Qianhu official and the county magistrate are of the same level, and the Daliang Empire has a separation of civil and military powers, it is extremely inappropriate for Xiao Cheng to speak to a county magistrate like this.
Of course, this is just a principle, not a real strength.
As a powerful captain who brought three thousand armored troops to support, in this remote county, let alone yelling at the county magistrate who was over sixty years old and had a white beard, even if he was beaten to death directly, as long as he didn't make things too excessive, and then put the blame on the bandits, the higher-ups would probably turn a blind eye.
Besides, this guy was already over sixty when he became the county magistrate, and he was in such a remote area. How much power do you think he could have? People with connections and power wouldn't come here!
"I guess they heard that you were coming, Sir Qianhu, and were afraid of your military power, so these insignificant soldiers naturally ran away. After all, even if they had ten times the courage, they would not dare to stroke your tiger's beard." It can be said that he is worthy of being a county magistrate in his sixties. Being treated like this by a peer who is half his age, he not only did not show any sign of anger, but was even stroked his fur. There was nothing he could do. The situation was stronger than the person. What's more, he was the one who wrote the urgent report about the bandits besieging the city, so he had to clean up his mess himself.
"Then tell me, what did this group of rebel soldiers do to surround your Qiongdu County for such a long time? I didn't see any signs of fighting along the way. They can't be here for a picnic." As a professional soldier, Captain Xiao finally asked some professional questions.
"This humble official doesn't understand. After they arrived, they didn't set up ladders to attack the city, nor did they plunder the villagers. They just kept pacing back and forth outside the city at sunrise and sunset, making a lot of noise, always shouting about demanding an explanation. The county lieutenant couldn't stand it anymore, so he led the third squad of the county yamen out to drive them away, but they ended up chopping off their heads and sending them back."
Speaking of the county lieutenant, the Qiongdu County Magistrate sighed. Originally, the county lieutenant had no intention of leaving the city, but seeing that the bandits had no intention of attacking the city, he decided to go out and meet them. At any rate, he could say he had actively participated in the battle and give an explanation to his superiors. If he could actually scare the bandits away, wouldn't that be a great achievement?
The yamen runners who escaped back could not explain the details of the battle. In short, the yamen runners in the front row were killed or wounded by a volley of crossbows from the enemy, and the county lieutenant who had always refused to eat was the last one to fall behind because he ran too slowly and had his head chopped off.
"Hmph, what do you mean by an explanation? Is an explanation even worth asking for? I think this is Wang Liang from Qinghe doing this to scare us. No way. Now that I'm here, I want to see how his militia can fight my brave lions."
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