As the crumbling gate was opened, Xing Yun led 10,000 cavalry into the city. Xing Yun dismounted and looked at the devastated city walls attacked by boulders and rockets. The soldiers and civilians stood in front of him with scars all over their bodies. Xing Yun felt a lot of emotions in his heart.
Wang Yao led the soldiers and limped down from the city wall. His leg was hit by a stray arrow. Due to the urgency of the battle, he only gave it a simple bandage, and it was now bleeding.
Wang Yao said with a smile on his face: "Fortunately, the general arrived in time. If he had been any later, I'm afraid this city gate would have been lost!"
Xing Yun patted Wang Yao on the shoulder and said to the blood-stained soldiers, "Thank you for your hard work. From now on, this city will be handed over to me. Everyone, take good care of your wounds!"
Although the soldiers defending the city were covered in blood, their fighting spirit was high. They responded to Xing Yun's words in unison: "Protecting our homeland is a worthy death!"
At this moment, the soldiers were seriously injured, and Xing Yun immediately ordered the wounded to be sent for treatment. He urgently summoned craftsmen and the public, mobilizing everyone to clean up the ruins, repair the city walls, and rebuild the damaged city gates.
People joined in the reconstruction, some repaired houses, some cleaned up the debris, and some prepared food and water. Everyone worked together in unity.
At the same time, Xing Yun also sent scouts to investigate the surrounding enemy situation and obtain timely information on the enemy's movements.
By evening, the scouts arrived with a report: "General, the Hu people have retreated thirty miles after the arrival of reinforcements!"
The original plan of the Hu people was to take advantage of the fact that the Han people were busy celebrating the New Year's Eve and were not on guard, and to capture the city by surprise. Now that the reinforcements have arrived, it is no longer easy to capture the city.
Wang Yao angrily slammed his palm on the table: "They let these bastards escape! General, should we pursue them?"
Xing Yun looked at Wang Yao calmly and shook his head. "Without the general's order, we are not allowed to lead troops to the battle. This deployment is also due to the emergency situation and is a last resort!"
Wang Yao sighed in disappointment. The national treasury was empty at the moment. If the two sides started a war again, His Majesty would surely receive a lot of memorials criticizing General Qin.
Xing Yun patted Wang Yao on the shoulder and said comfortingly, "You did a great job this time. You defended the city and didn't let the Hu people set foot in it! When the general returns, I will report the truth!"
Wang Yao scratched his head and replied, "If we were to say who was the biggest contributor to the defense of the city, it wasn't me but that kid Qin Yue!"
Xing Yun couldn't help but glance sideways, signaling Wang Yao to continue.
Wang Yao praised him, "Not only did he persuade over five hundred strong men to come, he was also brave and resourceful. He set fire to the enemy's food supplies under cover of darkness and used straw men to borrow their arrows. If it weren't for him, we might not have been able to hold out until the general arrived!"
Xing Yun was also surprised. He had never expected that his cousin, who usually only knew how to eat, drink and have fun, was not as bad as the rumors said. This kid might even be a good candidate for marching and fighting!
Speaking of reinforcements, Wang Yao couldn't help but ask, "General, didn't you receive the message from the messenger?"
Xing Yun shook his head upon hearing this and told Wang Yao how he had obtained the information.
After hearing this, Wang Yao was terrified: "How could the general not have received the message from the messenger? If it weren't for the girl surnamed Li who sent the letter to the general overnight, I'm afraid..." Thinking of this, Wang Yao couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
At this time, County Magistrate Wu, who was sitting nearby, said, "Captain, you may not know. I believe the messenger must have encountered bandits in Qingfeng Mountain. To reach Rongcheng, they must pass through a narrow canyon. There is a group of bandits in the mountains. Because it is at the junction of the two counties, no one has ever visited that place!"
Xing Yun frowned upon hearing this. These bandits were far too arrogant to dare to attack even the government officials. Xing Yun stood up and said to Wang Yao, "Once the army arrives tomorrow, we'll head back to camp and clean up those rampant bandits along the way!"
County Magistrate Wu couldn't help but stand up and bow to Xing Yun to express his gratitude. "On behalf of the people of both counties, I would like to thank you, General! Those bandits are extremely rampant and have long been entrenched in the mountains. Unfortunately, the county government has too few people to deal with them, so they have become even more rampant!"
Xing Yun stood up and waved his hand: "I already know about this matter. I will not let those thieves get away with it! Don't worry, sir!"
The Hu people have retreated thirty miles away. When the army arrives to garrison tomorrow, the Hu people will definitely not dare to attack easily. Now that his uncle is not here, Xing Yun needs to return to the West City camp as soon as possible.
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