Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 634 Come on, 40 against 4, the advantage is in my hands.

In the current situation, most ordinary people don't really feel anything, because for them, the current situation is probably just a bit more gossip, or that someone's relatives in the Central Plains or Yan-Zhao region have been conscripted into the army. Especially the people of Jiangnan, who continue to sing and dance as usual, with different plays performed at the Grand Theater every day, whether it's serious dramas like the Legend of Chu and Han, or domestic dramas like "The Young Master of the Wang Family and the Weaver Girl Have a Son, and Twenty Years Later, This Child Turns Around and Falls in Love with the Daughter of the Young Master of the Wang Family, Who Has Now Become the Master of the Wang Family." Even other stages have gradually appeared in Fuliang. For a time, the entire Fuliang was a place of flourishing literary culture, with famous poets and writers coming in droves, and one after another, amazing poems, essays, and plays emerged like spring flowers.

But at this moment, inside the Fuliang Post Station, the very post station that was blasted into the Fuliang Super Hotel, two intelligence agents are exchanging information.

"Forty thousand, confirmed. Forty thousand elite troops have been transferred from the Fuliang military camp in the past few days, and the number of troops from Hongdu Prefecture has also increased..."

Before they could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door of the private room, and their conversation came to an abrupt halt. The person who had spoken earlier asked, "Who is it?"

"Distinguished guests, the shopkeeper says you are the shop's 100,000th customer and will be given a chance to win a prize."

Hearing the commotion outside, the man stood up out of curiosity and opened the door. But as soon as he opened the door, seven or eight men with gloomy expressions rushed in. Without saying a word, they detained the two men. At this moment, the local manager also came over, and the leader took out his official documents and token: "Security Bureau on duty."

The two contact persons were taken away, and this was already the sixth batch of people arrested by the Security Bureau in recent days. While others were enjoying peace and prosperity, only they knew how tense the situation had been these past few days.

Meanwhile, inside the Fuliang Science and Technology Bureau, a scholar in his forties was having a closed-door meeting with Shan Xiongxin, the Green Forest General. Shan Xiongxin held the blueprints and instructions in his hand and looked them over for a long time: "Mr. Zeng, this item has not yet been inspected, so I'm afraid I can't make a decision right now. After all, I also have to safeguard the lives of my soldiers."

"This thing is extremely useful. Let me explain it to you briefly, and the general will understand its secrets."

The scholar-like man took out a leftover glass jar: "A few years ago, we used the method of distilling alcohol to distill kerosene, and we produced several different kinds of oil. This light oil is one of them. It does not go out when it comes into contact with water, and it burns brighter and brighter. Moreover, it is as clear and clear as water. I think it is the best choice for fire attack. I am not here to tell you to use it immediately, but to tell you the proportions of this stuff. It will definitely have a miraculous effect on the battlefield."

"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Zeng."

Because the entire social atmosphere in Fuliang was extremely respectful to the bigwigs who could enter the Science and Technology Bureau, even more so than those who had studied the Four Books and Five Classics, even the mighty General Shan Xiongxin treated this person with politeness and gentleness.

"In combat, pour the clear oil from these barrels into bottles, filling them only six-tenths full. Then, add one part white sugar, one part lacquer, and one part sawdust in that order. Shake well. When needed, simply plug or wrap the bottle opening with a cloth, dip it in the clear oil, ignite it, and throw it out. Because of the lacquer, it will be sticky; the white sugar will make the fire more intense; and the sawdust will make it last longer. Just a little bit will burn the enemy beyond recognition. The only thing to be careful about is that this clear oil is easily dispersed, so be careful of bumps and leaks during transportation and keep it sealed. But we can even transport porcelain here, so this stuff will be even easier."

"I see." Shan Xiongxin picked up the prepared Molotov cocktail from the table: "Can we use a slingshot or a live ammunition vehicle to throw it?"

"can."

"Then please come with me to verify it."

Needless to say, the power of this thing can only be described as terrifying. If used in small-scale siege warfare, it can even be thrown more than 60 zhang away. If this thing is used for attacking cities and defending the front lines, it is even more useful than cannons. After all, cannonballs are expensive, and cannons are also cumbersome. They are not suitable for pushing around unless it is a positional war. But this thing is light and convenient. A few light cavalrymen can rush over like the wind and throw a few into the enemy camp. Just thinking about it is exciting.

"This item was originally conceived by Lord Xia, but after our numerous improvements, its power is now more than ten times stronger than the original version."

Looking at the sea of ​​fire in front of him, Mr. Zeng from the Science and Technology Bureau said with a proud expression, "Don't underestimate this little thing. If it really comes in handy, it can be called a divine weapon."

"What if it's filled with explosives that can detonate, then..."

Mr. Zeng was taken aback, looked at Shan Xiongxin and hesitated for a moment before saying, "General Shan, this action may offend the will of Heaven..."

"So it's possible?" Luo Shixin stroked his chin thoughtfully. "What if we fill it with white phosphorus?"

General Shan...please spare no lives!

"It seems you've all tried it." Shan Xiongxin laughed. "Good, good, then let's add some white phosphorus."

"General Shan..."

Shan Xiongxin pretended not to hear and burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, the Fuliang New Army had already left the city, while the Green Forest Army was gathering. Compared to the New Army, the Green Forest Army was more dispersed and was converging here from the borders of various regions. Therefore, Shan Xiongxin would set off a few days later. The two armies together numbered about 70,000.

The number of people was not large; the vanguard might only number 40,000, but they had no worries whatsoever about facing the enemy's 400,000.

Because all the battle deployments were personally ordered by Xia Lin, and all arms control was lifted, bullets were used freely, and shells were unlimited. If the stockpile was depleted, there would be a reward!
He even ordered the Science and Technology Bureau to grant permission to use all advanced technologies. Humanity and inhumanity were no longer of concern at this critical juncture. If they couldn't quickly force the other side out of Zhangjiakou, the losses in the densely populated areas of the Central Plains would likely be far more terrifying than the use of these technologies.

Defeated soldiers are ten thousand times more terrifying than refugees.

However, Xia Lin was no longer in Fuliang at this time. He stayed there for seven days before heading east to Jinling. After all, he was the main person involved in this matter, and it would be unreasonable for him not to show up.

"I can see your legs are shaking. Don't force yourself if you can't handle it."

In the carriage, Emperor Jingtai looked Xia Lin up and down: "Let me tell you, having too many good sisters is really not good. When I was young, I enjoyed the pleasure of sleeping with three goddesses every night. Now I'm over thirty and it's clear that I'm not up to the task anymore. Although you are eight or nine years younger than me, you are no longer an eighteen or nineteen-year-old boy."

"No need for further words." Xia Lin raised his hand: "We can't let people look down on us."

"Hmph, in a few years you'll be able to come fishing with me by the lake."

Xia Lin was silent for a moment, then asked, "Are there any good fishing spots?"

Emperor Jingtai remained silent, only smiling. After a moment of laughter, he nodded and said, "Yes, I have secretly enclosed a fishing ground on the Yangtze River. No one else knows about it. It's a good place. Ten-pound sturgeon can be caught as soon as the line is cast."

"Shut up over there for me then."

"Easy to say."

The carriages and boats rumbled along, and they soon arrived in Jinling. Outside the city, Xia Lin and Emperor Jingtai separated in their carriages. After all, he was currently under investigation, and it would be too obvious for him to be setting up a scheme by riding directly with the emperor.

"I told you he's crazy. Why did he call me over but not you?"

Xia Lin looked at Jinlian in the other carriage and couldn't help but laugh and cry: "He really doesn't care." Jinlian just covered her mouth and smiled foolishly. When the carriage had entered Jinling City, Jinlian finally spoke: "Perhaps His Majesty was worried that Lord Xia would be bored on the journey."

No wonder this woman had Emperor Jingtai completely under her thumb; she didn't say anything outrageous, but she still managed to get away with it.

Frustrated? What could possibly be frustrating? What else could be frustrating? This rascal is truly unbeatable.

"will not."

Jinlian didn't care about Xia Lin's coldness. She knew clearly that Xia Lin treated everyone the same way, and that he was only doing this to protect her.

"Lord Xia, I wonder if His Majesty will ask me to serve you in your daily life?"

Xia Lin glanced at her sideways and then laughed, but didn't say anything more. He had known this Jinlian for many years, and she had always been like this. But Xia Lin hadn't fallen for her seduction back then, so naturally he wouldn't now.

The carriage drove directly into the palace, where civil and military officials were already waiting. Xia Lin was escorted to the main hall, and when he saw Emperor Jingtai again, he had already changed into a dragon robe.

"I presume that you gentlemen are already aware of the matter, so I need not elaborate. Your subject Xia Lin, who is awaiting investigation, receives the decree."

Xia Lin clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I am innocent, therefore I will not kneel."

Normally, if someone said that, the golden-armored guards would immediately kick him in the back of the knee, but right now, the golden-armored guards were looking at the beams, the floor, the outside of the window, and the doorway, and none of them came up...

The courtiers in the palace saw this but dared not say much. However, some of them secretly made up their minds to replace all the palace guards, but not now. After all, if the emperor replaced the guards before the battle, he might drag them out and behead them first.

"I won't kneel then." Emperor Jingtai waved his hand: "Guards, take Xia Lin away and confine him to the island in the center of Xuanwu Lake. No one is allowed to visit him until the truth comes out."

Xia Lin didn't waste any words, turned around and followed the guards out. As soon as he left, His Highness's ministers began to frantically complain.

Of course, this time the complaint wasn't against Xia Lin, but against Yang Ying for treason, such as annexing the lands of Yan and Zhao, and amassing 400,000 troops pointing their arrows at Jiangnan.

In short, there was a sense of lament throughout the entire hall. After all, the enemy had a force of four to five hundred thousand men, while the entire Wei Dynasty only had about two hundred thousand troops available, scattered in various places. The number of men that could actually be put into battle immediately was probably only about one hundred thousand.

With such a disparity in troop strength, unless the enemy is blocked by the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, they will surely advance with unstoppable momentum once they cross the river.

Civil officials dared not remonstrate to the death, and most of the military generals who were willing to fight to the death were not in front of the palace. An atmosphere of surrender quickly enveloped the area.

But Emperor Jingtai remained calm this time, simply waving his hand dismissively: "If he wants war, then let us fight. This time, I intend to personally lead the expedition. What are your thoughts?"

"Your Majesty, you mustn't..."

"Very well, it's decided then." Emperor Jingtai didn't even let them shout it out a second time: "Tomorrow, the flag will be raised in Nanjing for the sacrificial ceremony, and the dragon banner will be sent into battle."

This swift decision left the ministers completely bewildered. They were unable to react for a long time, but Emperor Jingtai had already shown them what it meant for a ruler to keep his word.

"Minister of War, come out and write a proclamation. I want to go to the battlefield and kill the enemy."

Upon hearing this, even Prince Teng stepped forward to dissuade him: "Your Majesty, matters concerning the emperor are not to be taken lightly. Unexpected events can occur on the battlefield. Without a foolproof plan, we should not proceed rashly."

"Uncle, I ask you, when our ancestors were conquering the land, did they have a foolproof plan?"

The prince lowered his head: "No."

"Back then, the Tuoba family fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood to seize the throne. Why could they do it, but I cannot? Now the world is in ruins, and traitors run rampant. The blood of the Tuoba family flows in my veins, and the gentle breezes of Jiangnan have not yet cooled the blood of my Tuoba family from the frontier. Imperial Uncle, I ask you again, how many years has it been since the Tuoba family's battle flag was raised? Has Imperial Uncle forgotten that the Tuoba family was originally emperors who rose from the horse? The throne can be gained on horseback, and if it must be lost, it can only be lost on the battlefield. Issue the order: beat the drums, prepare the armor!"

"Your Majesty, the armor was bestowed upon..." The chief eunuch beside him hurriedly stepped forward and said obsequiously, "...it was given to Xia Daosheng..."

"Damn it..." Emperor Jingtai muttered under his breath, "I forgot about that."

I thought the scene would be awkward, but to my surprise, the armor was actually brought up. However, it wasn't the Tuoba family's heirloom armor, but a brand new set. The craftsmanship of this armor was far superior to the previous one. The seams were perfectly aligned, and the edges were die-cast. In addition, the meticulous edging and the very pleasant matte gray-black finish gave it a high-end feel.

The civil officials in front of the palace might not have noticed anything, but the military officers were excited when they saw the armor. They could tell at a glance that this was the top-of-the-line Fuliang armor, not the standard armor but a high-end custom-made armor. It was 30% lighter than the standard armor but had better protection and even had an added buffer layer that could withstand the frontal blows of the armor's nemesis, the Golden Melon Seed.

Guo Degang had his own methods, and he boasted about them to his peers, but they would be furious if they wanted to even touch him. Now, Emperor Jingtai's methods are clearly better than Guo Degang's.

After removing his dragon robe, Emperor Jingtai donned his armor in front of the palace, while the Minister of War bowed his head and retreated to prepare to draft a proclamation for the emperor.

Everyone knew that no one could persuade the emperor now; he was already in armor, and anyone who tried to dissuade him would be considered a traitor.

"Very well, gentlemen, please tell me how many enemies there are?"

"More than 400,000..."

"How many of me are there?"

The officials lowered their heads and glanced around furtively, their senses clearly lurking. Finally, the Minister of War mustered his courage and stepped forward, saying, "We can only mobilize 40,000 men from Jiangnan Circuit, and there might be some more later... perhaps 70,000 to 80,000 men."

"Forty thousand..." "Good!"

Emperor Jingtai suddenly slammed his hand on the dragon throne: "Forty thousand against four hundred thousand, the advantage is in my hands!"
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I've been quite busy with some things at home these past few days, and I've also reached a more difficult stage to write in. My writing time is now 1.5 to 2 times longer than my usual casual writing...

(End of this chapter)