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Chapter 97 Death of Xiang Tingchun

After two days of fierce offensive and defensive battles.

With the concerted efforts of all the soldiers and civilians in the city, they actually managed to hold the city.

Instead, the barbarians lost another 2,000 soldiers and one of their main generals, Lian Zang.

In addition, they had lost countless siege equipment and were forced to stop attacking for several days.

Looking at the battle situation.

The barbarians currently have 6,000 soldiers and horses left, while Poyang has 600 soldiers and 3,000 civilians who are willing to fight for their lives.

These people are ordinary people.

If two armies were to face off on a battlefield, I would definitely be pure cannon fodder.

But in offensive and defensive battles, they only need to take care of logistics and build city walls. Even if they act as human shields, as long as they can slow down the speed of the barbarians climbing the city and give the soldiers time to react, it is enough.

The barbarians didn't dare to attack again for a while.

Of the remaining 6,000 men, half were cavalry.

As long as the city walls are not broken, the cavalry is just a decoration.

Next, if no other accidents occur, the siege of Poyang can be easily resolved by holding out until Wang Zhi returns.

Chen Sanshi found it hard to imagine.

The people who contributed the most this time were actually the common people.

"Open the warehouse to stock up on food!"

The army has sufficient food.

After seeing the role of the laborers, Xiang Tingchun liked the feeling of using the least valuable lives in exchange for the greatest benefits, and continued to forcibly recruit them. All the men with guns in the city were dragged onto the city walls.

He was in a very good mood. He gathered all the surviving military officers above the rank of centurion on the wall and poured wine for each of them personally: "Brothers, you have all done a great deed in relieving the siege of Poyang. When the war is over, you will definitely receive a lot of rewards, not to mention promotions and medals!"

"Haha, that's right!"

Ji Guangxian was wearing a red official robe: "If His Royal Highness heard that there is such a group of brave warriors in my small county on the border of Dasheng, he would definitely look upon them with favor! This first achievement naturally goes to Qianhu, congratulations!"

"Hahaha, Prefect Ji is a civil servant, but he lives and dies with the city. Isn't this a great achievement?"

Xiang Tingchun also filled his glass with wine.

Obviously, after this battle, the rift between the two disappeared.

On the city wall.

While the officials were laughing and drinking, congratulating each other in advance on their promotions, the ragged people were carrying corpses back and forth, repairing the city walls, while others were sitting on the ground with numb expressions, eating the white rice that they had finally gotten.

The battle isn't over yet, and we're already popping champagne at halftime?!
Chen Sanshi was in no mood to participate in this kind of celebration banquet.

After perfunctorily drinking a bowl of wine, he turned around to help move the bodies.

……

That night.

Since the war broke out, Xiang Tingchun has rarely found time to go home and see his wife.

He took off his heavy armor and held his young son in his arms: "Don't be afraid anymore, the war will be over soon."

"Really?"

Madam Liu said anxiously, "Why is my heart beating so fast? Will the barbarians outside send more people over?"

"You think all the barbarians' men are made of mud?"

Xiang Tingchun snorted coldly: "Ten thousand troops are already extremely strange. It is absolutely impossible to increase the troops in the short term. Even if we forcibly send 2,000 more troops, it will be useless unless we give up the main battlefield of Liangzhou. In that case, we will be counterattacked immediately, which is tantamount to seeking death."

"How can I, a woman, understand this?"

Liu patted her chest and said, "As long as the master says everything is fine, that's good."

"Well, when the war is over, I will most likely be transferred."

Xiang Tingchun said slowly: "This time the merit is great enough, maybe I can be transferred directly to the prosperous Jiangnan Prefecture."

"That's really nice."

Liu said happily, "We finally don't have to stay in this shabby place anymore. Not only do we have to worry all day, but our children don't even have a good private school teacher. How can they possibly pass the imperial examinations?"

"Ah."

Xiang Tingchun picked up the bowl and chopsticks, ready to eat before leaving.

It was at this time that the maid came in to report.

"Master, Lord Luo wants to see you."

"What is he here for?"

Xiang Tingchun held his young son in his arms and said without raising his head, "What's going on? Is the city under attack again?"

"Sir, it's a martial arts school."

Luo Dongquan said in a panic: "That old fellow Liang Shengzhi was originally in charge of guarding the South Gate, but he took advantage of the temporary repulsion of the barbarians to open the city gate and flee with his family, apparently heading for Hengkang Mansion." "Run?!"

Xiang Tingchun slammed down his chopsticks: "Old man, you are tired of living!"

Once there is the first one to take the lead, there will be a second.

This situation is absolutely not allowed to happen!
Xiang Tingchun immediately put on his armor again, picked up his sword, mounted his horse, and headed straight for the city gate with Luo Dongquan.

"How many are there?!"

"There are only seven or eight people, a cart of gold, silver and jewelry, and a carriage. They can't run far. I have sent people to chase them. Maybe they have been stopped."

"Okay! Hang their dog heads on the city wall, and see who dares to run away!"

Xiang Tingchun was filled with murderous intent.

Things have come to this point, so there is no need to worry about background. If he runs away from the battlefield, even Ji Guangxian will support him in doing so.

The two men, one in front and one behind, opened the city gate and chased for five miles.

Sure enough, I saw a carriage ahead.

"Liang Shengzhi! Deserting from the battlefield is a capital crime!"

Xiang Tingchun quickly overtook the carriage and blocked the road.

"To your Excellency."

Liang Shengzhi lifted the curtain of the carriage and said coldly: "Keeping the immortal treasure privately is a capital crime!"

"What did you say?!"

Xiang Tingchun's expression turned stern.

The sound of horse hooves could be heard all around.

Three riders appeared from the darkness and blocked their retreat.

"County Magistrate Xue?"

Xiang Tingchun narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean?"

"Xiang Tingchun!"

Xue Yuping shouted coldly: "Hand over the magic treasure and I will leave your body intact!"

"Immortal treasure?!"

Xiang Tingchun took a deep breath and looked towards the carriage: "Liang Shengzhi, are you crazy? Do you want to die with me?"

Liang Shengzhi yelled at the top of his voice, "Stop talking nonsense. You used the magic treasure to blackmail us, but you even killed my son and took the secret of the magic treasure for yourself. I will never forgive you!"

"Your son?"

Xiang Tingchun did not try to defend himself, but smiled bitterly and said, "I said the fairy treasure is not in my hands, does Magistrate Xue believe it?"

"What do you think?"

Xue Yuping looked at Han Cheng and Tang Ming beside him: "Since Lord Xiang is not decent, let's help him be decent."

Xiang Tingchun slowly drew out the long knife from his waist.

"To Qianhu!"

Luo Dongquan said hurriedly: "Why not hand over the things? They are sent by the court. Even if we kill them, the secret of the fairy treasure may not be hidden! Hand over the things, and our family may still have a chance to survive."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……"

Xiang Tingchun laughed strangely: "Luo Dongquan, I never thought that I would train you for twenty years, but in the end you sold me out."

"Xiang, sir?"

Luo Dongquan asked blankly: "What do you mean by that?"

"Okay, Lao Luo."

Xiang Tingchun's voice was cold as he slid the He Miao long knife across his wrist guard inch by inch: "Stop pretending, and do it."

Before leaving the city, Luo Dongquan said that he had sent people to stop them.

What about people?

There is not a single soldier here.

What does it mean? Need I say more?
"nourish?"

Luo Dongquan no longer concealed his feelings and said with a wry smile, "Master Xiang once asked me a question, how many people can survive after the beginning of spring? Including me, right?

“In the eyes of adults, everyone is just a stepping stone to the top, and I am no exception.

"If that's the case, why bother pretending to be kind and righteous!"

"Do it!"

(End of this chapter)