Chapter 174
"Have you heard? General Wei defeated Xiongnu Zuoxian King in one battle and caused him to flee. In the Battle of Huposhan, he rescued Captain Zhao from the Xiongnu Chanyu and drove away Muxie Chanyu. This time, he defeated Zuoxian King again." said a soldier who was checking Hulu outside Qingquan County.
"The whole Dingyuan, no, the whole Dayan knows about it. Who doesn't know General Wei now? I have a relative who is in General Wei's musketeer team. They are the elite among the elite. It is said that everyone is a sharpshooter. Not only do they receive a salary every month, but they also receive continuous rewards for military merits." Another soldier said after taking a manual to record the situation in Hu Luo.
"What is there to be envious of? The muskets were made by our masters. Master Lin has not reduced your salaries. Those who scored A in this year's assessment have been rewarded. If it were a few years earlier, there would be no rewards. You can just wait to be chopped by bandits." A soldier who obviously admired Lin Shuge interrupted.
"That's right, the gunpowder used by General Wei's soldiers, the armor and cotton clothes they wear, all of them were made by our master."
"Enough, what are you guys arguing about? General Wei, Lord Lin, both of you are fighting against the Xiongnu. You are both wise ministers and generals of Great Yan. We are brothers. Why are you talking about you and me?" An elderly soldier listened to what they said and said in a cold voice, "Stop talking nonsense. Lord Lin said that we should continue the martial law patrol. If there is any disturbance, report it immediately."
"Yes." Several soldiers replied in unison.
After the older soldiers left, one soldier thought for a moment and said, "Didn't we win the battle? Why do we still need martial law?"
Another soldier said, "The Xiongnu have more than just this one strong army. Just inspect it. It's not a bad thing anyway."
The two of them filled out today's records, then went to inspect the next place arm in arm.
"Sir, the soldiers and runners in the county have been checking everywhere these days and have not found anything suspicious." Yang Yan reported.
Lin Shuge said, "Thank you for your hard work. The Huatu tribe has agreed to send Qiang soldiers over. Ah Yan, you and Ah Xu will hand over to them. I will send Mu Yuanzhou and Ah Rong to help you. Although there is nothing suspicious, I think the county's defense is weak, so we still need to strengthen it."
"I will ask Xiangli Gu to transport the gunpowder to the training ground. You can lead the soldiers and warriors from each village to train during these days." Lin Shuge sat in the lobby and made arrangements.
"Yes, sir." Yang Yan spoke little, but he knew very well that Lin Shuge had its own arrangements. Even though he had doubts in his heart, he did not ask out loud and just did things according to the arrangements.
As soon as he left, Lu Yuechuan asked, "Sir, are you trying to stay the same in the face of ever-changing circumstances?"
"Yes, although there are the Duwei Mansion and the County Magistrate's Mansion guarding the border, once the Duwei Mansion's troops are unsuccessful, the safety of the county will be like a sword hanging over my head. I am very worried, so it is better to directly enhance the county's defense." Lin Shuge explained.
"Let's not talk about that. I looked at the tax population this year. If there is no war, I want to build another school in the county next year, mainly for adults, and then hire great scholars to give lectures."
Education was not popular in Qingquan County, and the people were poor in the past. Who had the energy and money to send their children to school? As a result, the county was unable to produce any talented people, and naturally could not compare with the many great scholars in Ganzhou County. The situation began to improve after Lin Shuge came here and developed the economy, introduced good varieties of crops, and established schools.
"No, Achuan is very talented and can go to give lectures." Lin Shuge raised his eyebrows and looked at Lu Yuechuan.
The corners of Lu Yuechuan's mouth twitched, "Sir, do you think I'm too idle?"
Lin Shuge touched his chin and said, "Ah Chuan is busy, but Mr. Lu has many disciples. I wonder if you can invite a few of them over. I will give them the highest salary."
Lu Yuechuan said helplessly: "My Lord, you want to lure people here with generous rewards."
"Why not? Although Qingquan County is remote, Achuan is here. Among Mr. Lu's disciples, who can compare with you?" Lin Shuge smiled cunningly. By the way, in addition to Achuan, Master Ye Qiye can also be poached here, and his disciples Jiansu and Baopu can also be packed up and taken away.
Lu Yuechuan looked at Lin Shuge's expression and said, "Sir, A Yuan and A Xuan are also in Wei County."
Mentioning Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan, Lin Shuge sighed, "The two kids haven't written to me yet, I don't know how they are doing."
"Your Excellency has so many things to worry about every day. Ayuan and Axuan are very talented, especially Axuan. When I brought them to meet father and fellow disciples that day, they answered questions appropriately and understood the meaning of the scriptures. Everyone praised them. Your Excellency just needs to wait for them to return after completing their studies." Lu Yuechuan said.
Lin Shuge glanced at Lu Yuechuan. He had raised the twins almost single-handedly, and he had been away for a long time with no news from them. Lu Yuechuan was alone, and apart from occasionally missing his old father at home, how could he understand this kind of feeling?
With the good news coming from the border, the two men were in a good mood these days. They joked around for a long time before starting to deal with official documents.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.
Lin Shuge looked up from his pile of official business and asked, "What's going on?"
An officer came in hurriedly, saluted and said, "Sir, there is news from the lookout that there is an enemy."
"What?" Lu Yuechuan was shocked first.
Lin Shuge immediately said, "Achuan, let's go over and see what's going on," and then said to the officer, "Notify County Lieutenant Yang and Left Lieutenant Chu, and order them to bring their troops over immediately."
"Yes, sir."
When Lin Shuge and the other two rode to the city gate, a soldier came over and said, "Sir, the scouts reported that we spotted Xiongnu cavalry two hundred miles ahead. There are quite a few of them, about five thousand, and they are heading this way."
Five thousand cavalry? Lin Shuge's heart skipped a beat. How could the Hun cavalry appear here? Could it be that one of the armies heading out to fight against the Huns suffered a setback?
The people in the city also heard the news that the Xiongnu were going to attack, and they were so scared that many of them immediately went back to pack their bags and fled. Some of them burst into tears thinking of their families and their children. However, most of them asked Lin Shuge, "Sir, are the Xiongnu really going to attack?"
Lin Shuge said "hmm", and the people gathered here without any prior agreement. He said loudly: "Everyone, we just received news in the county that the Xiongnu are less than 200 miles away from Qingquan County."
Two hundred miles away, when some people heard this, they turned pale and started to make a fuss.
Lin Shuge shouted loudly: "I believe everyone knows that the Xiongnu are cruel and murderous, but I have received news that this Xiongnu cavalry bypassed the army and came here. As long as we hold on, we can wait for reinforcements to come to help."
"Will there really be reinforcements?" some people murmured.
"Of course he will. General Wei just won a battle. If he knew we were trapped, he would definitely come back to rescue us." Someone said with his hands clasped together.
"Sir, we can't escape anyway, so we will do whatever you say."
"Yes, we all listen to adults."
"Listen to your Excellency."
Lin Shuge glanced at the lively faces one by one, "Then I'll have to trouble you all."
“Sir, I am very strong and I can carry weapons and guard the city gates.
"Sir, I know medical skills and can bandage and heal the wound."
"I can cook. I can cook for everyone."
The people were excited and crowded towards Lin Shuge. Lin Shuge bowed to them and said, "Thank you very much."
The people did not dare to accept his gift, and after returning the gift, they were taken to the rear by the soldiers.
Yang Yan ran over breathlessly, followed by Chu Xu, Chen Yuanrong and others. "Sir, all the soldiers and servants in the city who can move have been brought here. Please listen to your instructions."
"How many people are there?" Lin Shuge asked.
Yang Yan said silently: "Less than two thousand."
Lin Shuge knew that the quality of these soldiers and servants was mixed. Many of them were still laborers and had never been on the battlefield. Most of them were Qiang soldiers.
"Ayan, you lead a team to guard the east gate, Axu, you lead a team to guard the west gate, Yuanzhou and Chen Niangzi lead people to the north gate, and Achuan and I will guard the west gate." Lin Shuge arranged in an orderly manner, "Someone, go and inform Xiangligu to transport all the gunpowder and bows and arrows stored in the county to me."
Several people said in unison: "Yes, sir."
Lin Shuge looked at the dark sky, his heart as if covered by a layer of foggy dust. He hoped that he could protect the people of this county.
"Sir, is it true as you said that the Hun cavalry bypassed the army?" Lu Yuechuan asked.
Lin Shuge just shook his head. "I don't know either. It doesn't matter how this group of Xiongnu cavalry got here. Let's defend the city first. I believe Zhongxuan and the others will come back to rescue us when they get the news."
Before Lu Yuechuan could say anything else, a soldier came to report: "Sir, we have spotted traces of Xiongnu cavalry ahead."
They came so fast. Lin Shuge and Lu Yuechuan hurriedly climbed up the city wall. They saw dust and smoke rising in the distance, and the sound of horse hooves rolling in like thunder. Lin Shuge supported himself on a green brick and said, "Since they are here, let them have a taste of gunpowder first."
"Sir, everything is ready." The soldier came to report.
Lin Shuge stared at the Xiongnu cavalry coming towards him in the dust and said coldly, "Get ready."
With a loud "bang", the war horses under the city wall neighed, people and horses fell to the ground, countless horses were tripped by the tiger's fall, and the Hun cavalry cursed loudly.
The Xiongnu leader looked up at the small town, and his intuition told him that this might be a tough nut to crack, he thought to himself. He ordered his soldiers to attack with caution, as the Yan people here were very cunning.
Lin Shuge on the city wall watched as the Hun cavalry passed several tiger's nests. Although there were many casualties, their marching speed was still very fast.
"Everyone, get started." Lin Shuge waved his hand.
Arrows were shot at the Hun cavalry, and they heard the whizzing sound of arrows. They picked up their scimitars to block the arrows, but they heard the terrifying explosion sound. In an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and the Hun cavalry were scattered, with countless casualties.
Gunpowder again? The Xiongnu leader had never expected that there was gunpowder in this small city. There was something inside the Yan army that could explode and had extremely strong lethality. This was something everyone in the Xiongnu knew during the period of fighting with the Yan army. This thing caused them a lot of trouble. The Great Chanyu and the Zuo Xian King were defeated by Wei Zhongxuan who had gunpowder.
“Come again,” Lin Shuge shouted.
There was another hail of arrows, and the corpses of the Hun cavalry were scattered all over the city. Lin Shuge breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sir, the Huns' attack speed has slowed down a lot. It seems that the power of gunpowder is too great and they dare not move forward anymore." Lu Yuechuan said.
"It's not that easy." Lin Shuge's eyes were deep.
Sure enough, the Xiongnu cavalrymen under the city wall quickly gathered together and drew their bowstrings. The chief cavalryman looked fierce and shouted, "Shoot."
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