Chapter 8: The Great Enemy Approaches

Liu Zheng was deeply concerned that Qin Changfeng might inadvertently harm these guards or even take a life, as that would leave no room for negotiation in this matter

Liu Zheng thought to himself that the opportunity had come and said, "My lord, how many men and horses do these bandits have, and what is their combat capability?"

At this moment, many common people came forward, also urging on behalf of Qin Changfeng

Both individuals just assumed that the magistrate of Yangzhou County was inactive, even suspecting that he was colluding with the bandits, which led to his furious reaction to Qin Changfeng's chivalrous deeds. However, it now appears that the situation is not as such; the bandits are powerful, and Yangzhou has only one thousand local troops, leaving them with no choice but to protect the citizens in this manner to survive in these chaotic times

This was the first time Liu Zheng encountered such a situation, and it made his scalp tingle

Liu Zheng was overjoyed: "Lord Lu, you must hold on for three days. After three days, I will come to repel the enemy!"

This ranger is indeed remarkable, with astonishing skills. Even when faced with over thirty men, he moves like a dragon in the rivers and seas. In just a few exchanges, those more than thirty guards find it difficult to even touch him in the slightest.

Qin Changfeng felt both ashamed and angry

The entire situation reveals the boundless sorrow of this chaotic era

Liu Zheng and a few others also ran up to the city tower

Stop hitting, stop hitting

Laughter erupted from the crowd

Ah?

Old Lu, how dare you allow the thieves to harm my brother? If this person is not punished, I will not rest until I achieve justice

Qin Changfeng immediately shouted: "If the young master has such thoughts, Changfeng will lead the charge himself"

Lu Zhengyi nodded and said: "Yangzhou produces a lot of blue stone, and the stone quarry and library are located to the north of the city"

Liu Zheng took out the official document and handed it to Lu Zhengyi, saying: "My lord, please take a look. My father, Liu Dahao, is about to assume the position of the county magistrate of Yinzhu County. We are all family, a family indeed!"

Qin Changfeng, this wild ranger, is unaccustomed to the difficulties of leadership. With good intentions leading to bad outcomes, he exclaimed with a face full of shame: "It is my fault, for I did not understand the concerns of the people. When those horse bandits come again, Qin Changfeng will certainly be the first to charge into battle!"

Lu Zhengyi still wanted to speak, but at that moment, a horse came galloping in suddenly, and a person jumped down, rolling and crawling: "My lord, a group of bandits has gathered outside the city, and it seems there are at least three to four thousand of them, clamoring to besiege the city. The situation is critical!"

Qin Changfeng clenched his fists tightly. Though he felt unwilling, it seemed there was no other choice. After all, the enemy numbered three to four thousand; no matter how formidable Qin Changfeng was, he was not a deity descended from the heavens

Lu Zhengyi confirmed the matter, yet still sneered: "You, the candidate from Yinzhu County, wish to manage affairs in Yangzhou. Have your hands grown a bit too long? I kindly ask you to step aside"

Although Yangzhou is indeed barren, it still possesses a certain weight and pride when compared to the ungoverned land of Yinzhou

Lu Zhengyi gave a bitter smile: "What, does the young master still wish to eliminate that bandit?"

Indeed, it is the seal of Liangzhou Prefecture

Three thousand people shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the heavens, completely disregarding the authority of Lu Zhengyi.

May I ask, did you save the common people or harm them? I can only apprehend you, which can also be considered an explanation to the bandits! After a while, I will release you, and Yangzhou will be safe!

Looking up, one could see that outside the city, a crowd had already gathered. The horses from Liangzhou were present, and these bandits, each armed with a horse and a knife, exuded a fierce killing intent. While riding their horses, they galloped around the city gate, shouting and mocking.

Open the door

A considerable number of rolling stones have been prepared for the defense of the city. Why do you still go to the stone quarry? I will trust you for the time being, but you must leave within three days at the latest

Qin Changfeng, however, sneered: "Why bother seeking this dog official! It turns out that the garrison in Yangzhou City knows nothing of defending against enemies, only how to oppress the common people. What use is there in keeping such a county magistrate? Watch me bring back his head!"

The bandits have arrived

Liu Dahao was also drenched in cold sweat: "My child, do not joke, do not joke!"

What if it is not a stone that rolls, but lime instead

You, a wandering hero, may leave with ease and grace

This scene left the soldiers of Yangzhou Prefecture feeling alarmed and fearful; in terms of momentum, these horse bandits held an absolute advantage.

Deliver the father and son from Yinzhu County, along with this wandering hero, to Ximen!

Lu Zhengyi was taken aback, and then angrily exclaimed: "Where did this young brat come from? When did Yinzhu have a county magistrate?"

The citizens of the city have long been in a state of anxiety, with every household packing their valuables in preparation to flee Yangzhou

Stone quarry

Liu Zheng shouted: "Lord Lu, you must trust me this once! I do not need a single soldier or horse, just give me fifty able-bodied men!"

Hehe

More than thirty soldiers responded to the call and were compelled to come forward

And the eyes of Lu Zhengyi, filled with a deep red, reflect a sense of helplessness and melancholy in his words, which do not seem to be fabricated

Run quickly

This is a kind of tacit understanding in chaotic times

With a loud shout, he charged into the crowd of soldiers in the mansion

is not

What should be done about this

Liu Zheng felt a sense of foreboding

I, Qin Changfeng, shall take my leave first

It is broken

Liu Zheng did not want this ranger to bear the label of "anti-government," so he hurriedly ran out and shouted, "Stop, everyone stop!"

The annual tax revenue of Yangzhou is insufficient even for disaster management, so where would there be funds to recruit more soldiers

is not

Liu Zheng continued, "My lord, this is absolutely unacceptable. This hero has driven away the horse bandits in the streets, and the common people are filled with joy and encouragement upon hearing this. If you were to punish him, would it not dishearten the people?"

Lu Zhengyi looked at him with suspicion. This son of the county magistrate Liu appeared to be a pampered and extravagant young man, yet at this moment, with a great battle imminent, he showed no signs of fear on his face, which was not typical of an ordinary person

He smiled slightly and said, "It may not be impossible."

The past few days have been overcast, and it seems that a heavy rain is about to fall. This heavy rain will be the key to whether Yangzhou can defend the city! Rolling stones?

Liu Zheng accompanied by a smile said: "Your Excellency, the County Magistrate, I am the son of the County Magistrate of Yinzhu County. Let us speak amicably, amicably!"

Three to four thousand people, equivalent to the formation of a regiment in later generations, stood densely together, seemingly with no end in sight.

More than thirty soldiers, as if granted a great pardon, withdrew one after another

Everyone exclaimed in surprise. Lu Zhengyi's face turned ashen; it was truly embarrassing for him that his own guards could not defeat a mere wanderer.

Lu Zhengyi shook his head: "Captain Luo!"

What?

It is very simple, I cannot afford it

Liu Zheng looked at the stone quarry and his face lit up with joy

The bandits need to eat, and they do not wish to destroy Yangzhou City. If that were the case, who would they rob?

This is simply not a matter of combat capability

Lu Zhengyi sighed and said: "However, if you truly care for the people, then go rest in prison for a few days..."

This fat man is the county magistrate of Yangzhou City, named Lu Zhengyi. At this moment, he glares angrily at Qin Changfeng and shouts: "Which scoundrel dares to commit murder in the street? The crime is heinous. Seize him!"

He immediately instructed the officer Luo to take Liu Zheng and the other two to ride horses to the stone quarry located to the north of the city

Liu Zheng quickly grabbed him and turned to Lu Zhengyi, asking: "Lord Lu, does Yangzhou have a stone quarry?"

Everyone, stop it!

But how should I defend against Yangzhou City

The government can only maintain balance within it

Everyone was taken aback. Lu Zhengyi gritted his teeth and waved his hand fiercely: "The horse bandits are too arrogant, do they really think there is no one in Yangzhou? Give the order to hold Yangzhou at all costs. Anyone who retreats will be executed without mercy"

Qin Changfeng, with a single sword, exudes an extraordinary demeanor

Liu Zheng was overjoyed, for this was precisely the statement he desired! In this day and age, a scholar is willing to die for a confidant. He aimed to win over Qin Changfeng for his own purposes, and it was not something that could be achieved through mere tears like Liu Bei. One must demonstrate exceptional qualities that would make him willing to follow you.

Qin Changfeng shot a cold glare, and with a tremor of the long knife in his hand, he was about to take action against the * map * book

Liu Zheng observed for a moment; although these horse bandits were indeed bandits, their horses and weaponry were significantly superior to those of the local troops. It is no wonder that these people felt despair

As for why we do not recruit soldiers

In

Lu Zhengyi was in utter despair

Qin Changfeng and Liu Zheng were both taken aback at the same time

This ... ...

Many people looked over, their eyes filled with disdain

Lu Zhengyi took a drink

Hero!

Lu Zhengyi's expression changed several times, and he finally sighed: "Warrior, your skills are impressive, but do you truly believe that I do not wish to confront the enemy? The fact is that the entire Yangzhou garrison consists of only one thousand men, while the bandits number three thousand! What you repelled on the street today was merely a small squad of theirs. The bandits have suffered losses here in Yangzhou today, and they will surely launch a large-scale attack!"

Lu Zhengyi said: "Our troops from Yangzhou Prefecture, though not afraid of death, are outnumbered by the enemy. We can hold out for at most three days"

You do not act, open the city gates, and let us enter to search

Everyone displayed a look of helpless amusement, considering it merely a child's joke

Lu Zhengyi immediately ordered the city to be sealed off to stabilize public sentiment. However, due to some troops being dispatched to maintain public order, the number of defenders in the city was significantly reduced. With only six hundred men, although it is said that defending a city is easier than attacking one, the fierce momentum of the opposing side made their intentions to seize Yangzhou City all too clear, especially since they had finally found a pretext to do so.

The more Liu Zheng looked, the more he liked him, thinking that he must bring this person under his command

Lu Zhengyi nodded

Lu Zhengyi scolded, "Who are you?"

Liu Zheng urgently asked, "Lord Lu, how many days can we hold out?"