"What! Xiao Heng also joined Pei Yun!"
In the Golden Palace, Xiao Yu received the news from the spy and was completely stunned.
Xiao Yan surrendered to Pei Yun. Xiao Yu guessed that he was captured by Pei Yun and his life was threatened, so he surrendered. After all, a pigeon had sent a letter saying that Pei Yun's side was powerful and asked him to send a master from the palace.
When the imperial guards sent out never came back, they knew they were all dead.
Xiao Yan was a little afraid of death, and Xiao Yu knew it. If Pei Yun threatened him with his life, it would make sense for Xiao Yan to surrender the state.
But why are you, Xiao Heng?
Although you and I have some conflicts, I have not deliberately made things difficult for you since I became the emperor.
He always thought that Xiao Heng was clear-headed when it came to major issues. Now it seemed that he had thought too much. He was asked to attack Pei Yun, but he surrendered directly.
This must have been instigated by Xiao Yan. The fourth and fifth brothers have always had a good relationship. This is really damn bad.
Xiao Yu's face turned pale and he was on the verge of going berserk.
All the civil and military officials in the court were silent, and no one dared to raise their heads.
Xiao Yu took a deep breath and calmed himself down. He knew he couldn't panic now. If he lost his composure, he would be finished.
Pei Yun's army is already heading towards Jinling, and he must hold it steady.
He has been emperor for only a few days and has not yet enjoyed his power. He will never just sit there and wait for death.
"Issue an imperial decree, ordering the troops stationed in Yangzhou, Huaizhou, Jiangzhou, and Yuezhou to rush to Nanjing immediately to support it! Anyone who delays the military order will be executed along with his entire clan!"
"Send another 800-mile rush, and order the northern border troops to transfer their elite troops to the south. They must arrive before the rebels besiege the city!"
The Minister of War said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, if the troops in the northern border are withdrawn, the Hu people may take advantage of the opportunity to invade..."
Xiao Yu suddenly grabbed the inkstone on the table and smashed it over: "Idiot! If Jinling is lost, what use is there for me to have the Northern Territory?!"
…
A few days later, 400,000 troops stationed in the four states rushed to Jinling. At the same time, the border troops defending Yuzhou also dispatched 50,000 troops to the rear, trying to encircle Pei Yun's army.
Seeing the reinforcements coming, Xiao Yu felt relieved. With 400,000 palace soldiers and 100,000 imperial guards, the entire Jinling city now has a population of 500,000.
Xiao Yu adopted the advice of the Minister of War, contracted the defense, fortified the city and cleared the fields, leaving only 30,000 men in the fortress on the river to block the navy of Jingzhou, while the rest of the troops entered Jinling City for defense.
He just didn't believe that he couldn't defend Jinling City with so many people.
In all siege battles, the casualties of the attackers are always far greater than those of the defenders. Therefore, as long as they can hold the city of Jinling and consume Pei Yun's army, and wait for Pei Yun's troops to be greatly reduced, they can go around to the rear and attack in one fell swoop to defeat Pei Yun.
When Pei Yun fled, Xiao Yu led the army personally to pursue him.
See if you, Pei Yun, are still alive!
Xiao Yu never thought that just asking Pei Yun for weapons would lead to such a disaster, which made him extremely angry.
You are my son-in-law, yet you dare to rebel against your father-in-law. This is outrageous!
Of course, he has not yet told anyone that Xiao Zhiruo is his daughter. He doesn't have such an unfaithful and unfilial daughter or son-in-law.
…
"Master, the imperial court is now mobilizing a large army to defend Nanjing. We should seize Nanjing before the reinforcements arrive. Why are the troops marching so slowly?"
Xiao Heng spoke, with a puzzled look on his face.
Jingzhou is not far from Jinling, and it is entirely possible for Pei Yun to besiege the city before other reinforcements arrive. However, Pei Yun slowed down the march. If he continued like this, the reinforcements would have arrived in Jinling before they had.
Pei Yun smiled and said, "Don't worry, we can just go slowly. There's no need to seize the initiative. Xiao Yu asked the garrisons of the four states to provide support. We can just provide support and capture them all in one fell swoop when the time comes."
Before Xiao Heng could say anything else, Xiao Yan said, "Fifth brother, just listen to the Immortal Master. The Immortal Master's methods are beyond your imagination, and you have never seen the weapons made by the Immortal Master."
"Forget about reinforcements from four states, even if a few more states come, it won't matter."
He now has 100% trust in Pei Yun. He is the reincarnation of an immortal. Even if you send a million troops to defend him, it will be useless.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng didn't say anything more. Although he had heard of the Thunderbolt Tube, he had never seen it with his own eyes. Since his fourth brother praised it so much, he would go and see the power of those weapons.
The reason why Pei Yun marched slowly was mainly because he was waiting for the manufacture of cannons.
As long as a few more cannons can be built, Jinling and Yinling will be of no use.
…
A month later, Pei Yun's army finally arrived at Jinling City.
Flags fluttered, swords and guns stood in rows, and the army looked solemn and murderous.
Xiao Yu appeared on the city wall wearing a dragon robe. Looking at Pei Yun's huge army, a cold look appeared on his face. He thought Pei Yun would arrive quickly and attack Jinling City when its defense was weak.
Xiao Yu did not expect that the other party had waited for more than a month before coming, which made him feel a little regretful. If Pei Yun had attacked earlier, there were still 100,000 imperial guards in Jinling City who could have resisted for a while.
When the time comes, the troops from the four prefectures will come to support us and surround Pei Yun’s army in one fell swoop, thus catching them in a jar.
But he didn't expect Pei Yun to arrive so late. He only arrived after the 400,000 reinforcements had entered the city.
But it doesn't matter, just fight a war of attrition. He has received news that the border troops of Yuzhou have circled to the back and can also form a siege.
"Your Majesty, the rebels have reached the city. Should we attack?" A general clasped his fists and asked.
Xiao Yu sneered: "No need, let them attack the city! I want to see what Pei Yun is capable of to dare to invade Jinling!"
He was full of confidence. The walls of Jinling City were high and thick, there was sufficient food and grass in the city, and 500,000 troops were ready for battle. If Pei Yun dared to attack, he would suffer heavy losses!
However, Pei Yun did not launch an attack. Xiao Yu also understood that the other party must have needed a rest after a long journey and would probably attack the city tomorrow.
He did not stand on the city wall again, but returned to the palace and asked the Minister of War to keep an eye on Pei Yun's movements to prevent the other side from launching a night attack.
Pei Yun's army began to build a military camp. Instead of cooking, the squad leader of each team took out compressed biscuits, canned luncheon meat and mineral water from their backpacks and distributed them to the soldiers in the team.
This time, no civilians were recruited to transport supplies. Pei Yun took direct charge of the logistics. He had already purchased compressed biscuits, canned food and other things online a month before the army set out.
It is convenient and does not cost money or effort.
Xiao Yan had a lot of wealth, and when he gave it to Pei Yun, Pei Yun's balance skyrocketed. Not to mention supplying 300,000 troops, he could even supply a million troops.
After dinner, some were patrolling, some were resting, it didn’t look like they were going to attack the city at all.
After three days, there was no siege. Xiao Yu was confused. What was going on? Did you want to besiege the city? Wait until the food supply in Jinling City ran out? Your idea was too naive.
On the fourth day, Pei Yun's army finally made a move, and the cannons they were waiting for arrived.
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