A Complete Explanation of the Negative Textbooks of the Imperial Examination - Chapter 80

      We got it from the county.”

    Rongzhou is at the southernmost tip of Jiannan Road, and is a barrier blocking the hinterland of Nanzhao and Shudu, while Jinjiang County is a little further south than Rongzhou, and it is the border of Liuzhao after crossing several mountains . It turns out that Jinjiang County is small and not well-known, and outsiders don’t bother to pay attention to such a small county, but now Jinjiang County is getting richer, but the military deployment in the periphery is still the same. People are jealous.

    Xiao Jingduo stood up and walked around the room twice. “Can you see clearly?”

    “The subordinate promises that there will be no false words. The subordinate walked two mountains, fell on the tree and saw people in the opposite mountain forest. Although it is not clear from a distance, but you can see them all. Wearing blue armor, walking in line in the woods, there are many sneaky people, and they will never be ordinary people.”

    “The county magistrate, what can I do now?”

    Xiao Jingduo has been an official for four years, and it is the first time that he feels troublesome. Rongzhou is an important frontier area and is heavily guarded, but all the troops are concentrated in the hands of the governor of Rongzhou. Jinjiang County has no other troops except for a dozen or so yamen. If an enemy attack was discovered, he, the border magistrate, would naturally report it to the Inspector immediately and ask the Inspector to send troops to rescue him, but this was what Xiao Jingduo feared the most.

    Xiao Jingduo went to see the horse pen at Grandma’s house. He thought it was an ordinary case of theft, but he found dropped sugar residue beside the footprints. A few years ago, the emperor deliberately brought back the sugar refining technology from Tianzhu at a high price, and distributed it to the state capitals, so that the state capitals could supervise the development of sugar refining in this state. Because the imperial court attached great importance to it, the sugar industry in Xuan Dynasty developed rapidly in recent years, and white sucrose can be extracted in many places, which is called frost sugar by the people. Frosting candies can be bought in prosperous places. Jinjiang County has frequent caravan exchanges, and of course it is no exception. Therefore, local people eat mostly white frosted candies. But that day Xiao Jingduo picked up brown sugar scum beside the horse pen.

    Nanzhao did not introduce sugar refining technology, and the sugar production was naturally inferior to that of the Xuan Dynasty. The sugar extracted with Nanzhao’s local technology was yellow-brown. Xiao Jingduo had also seen people in the Nanzhao caravan Bring to eat. It stands to reason that there are so many Nanzhao people in Jinjiang County, and it is not impossible for the locals to buy some Nanzhao sugar to try it out. However, in such a sensitive place in the southwestern border, Xiao Jingduo had to think about the bad.

     Horses love sweetness, so richer people will feed their horses sweet alfalfa grass. In order to quickly appease the horses, the army will also take a cube of sugar for the horses to lick. Feeding the horses with sugar cubes is a custom of the army, and the horse pen dropped brown sugar residue. Xiao Jingduo guessed that it was a Nanzhao soldier who sneaked into the place. The horse is gone. Since the other party needs to steal a horse and is willing to risk being discovered, it at least means that the other party has already inquired about the information they need, and now they must immediately return to the army and report the military situation.

    Xiao Jingduo was weighed down by his own speculation, he asked: “Where did you find the enemy traces, and how long does it take to get to Jinjiang County?”

    The person who explored the road was already stagnant, he thought about it, and reported a number with difficulty: “This subordinate is familiar with the mountain road, the new clothes are simple, it will take a day to come and go, and their army will march, at most three It will arrive in days.”

    “Three days!” The people in the room were so shocked that they couldn’t stand, “How could I have time to invite troops from Rongzhou in three days?”

    The county magistrate saw that everyone was a little flustered, and quickly said: “You don’t have to panic, as long as we stick to the county seat, we can hold on until the provincial governor rescues us.”

    “Shut up.” Xiao Jingduo’s voice was so cold that he glanced coldly at the speaking officer, and said, “Before the enemy, if someone disturbs the morale of the army, he will be imprisoned immediately.”

    Then everyone put away the panic on their faces, and said to Xiao Jingduo: “County magistrate, what do you think?”

    Xiao Jingduo called the explorer and asked, “How many people there are, can you tell?”

    The explorers pondered: “They are hiding in the mountains and forests, moving slowly, or they can’t get around the border guard’s eyes, but according to the eyesight of their subordinates, there are at least 4,000 of them.”

    Forty thousand people are not worth mentioning in the eyes of the governor of Rongzhou, but it is tantamount to a disaster for Jinjiang County. If they had the idea of ​​a sneak attack and retreated after looting Jinjiang County, it would be difficult for them to do anything to Rongzhou’s armaments.

    This situation couldn’t be worse, Xiao Jingduo couldn’t help sinking, but his face was still calm and steady, and he looked confident: “How many soldiers are there in our county?”

    The world was peaceful only a few years ago, so many people have the experience of conscription. After the new dynasty was stabilized, the late emperor felt that there was no need for so many troops, or that the court could not support them, so he dismissed many miscellaneous soldiers. These miscellaneous soldiers did not really become farmers after they were disarmed and returned to the fields. The Xuan Dynasty set up government soldiers, and they usually worked at home to farm, and they had to be drafted into the army when they were on duty or in war. The same is true in Jinjiang County. Although there is no military barracks, it is also permitted by the court to convene government troops in an emergency.

    “It’s a busy time for farming, I’m afraid many people are reluctant to come. It is estimated that only a few hundred people can be summoned.”

    Hundreds of people vs. 4,000, even if the **** of war is born again.

      , we need to form a team to protect the city, otherwise, the foundation of Jinjiang County will not be preserved.”

    At the moment of the great enemy, the people’s hearts must not be disturbed. If the truth of the enemy’s attack is told to them, the people will not know what to do when they are afraid. messed up. But if they hide the truth from the people, they still have a peaceful mentality and will not take this crisis seriously, then Jinjiang County will be finished.

    After Zhao San took orders to leave, Xiao Jingduo continued to instruct: “Li Si, pick two people and immediately ride to Rongzhou to report. Letter, go to the Inspector for help. Remember, you must be quick.”

    Li Si took the lead. However, both Xiao Jingduo and Li Si knew that no matter how fast Li Si was, he would never be able to go back and forth in three days, not to mention that deploying troops is not a trivial matter. After pulling out to the city, what has Jinjiang County become?

    Compared with the menacing Nanzhao army, the city wall of Jinjiang County is like a fake, and it is almost powerless to fight back.

    Several people in the room did not speak, but bowed their heads, thinking about abandoning the city and escaping.

    Xiao Jingduo sat behind the desk to write a letter, after writing, it was sealed with an official seal and handed to Li Si. After Li Si left, there were only those who wanted to stay in Jinjiang County, and all of them fell into a dangerous silence. Xiao Jingduo was not in a hurry to speak, he picked up the teacup, took a sip and put it down. There was a faint but crisp sound when the teacup was put back on the table.

    “The army is approaching, and the matter is urgent. I have already ordered Zhao San, and now I think the city gate has been closed.” Xiao Jingduo’s tone was calm, but his words were clear, “I went out of the city without my warrant. All of them will be killed on the spot according to the crime of surrendering to the enemy and treason.”

    “What?” A lot of people were shocked, “You just knew… what did you mean by the county magistrate, why did you secretly close the city gate?”

      Right?”

    The city gates are closed, what can I say now. Now that the way to sneak out of the city has been blocked, the remaining officials can only be secretly angry, and forcefully put on a solitary style. “The magistrate said that we are willing to live and die with Jinjiang County.”

    “That’s good.” Xiao Jingduo then stood up from behind the desk and strode out, “Now everyone follow me out, and make pre-war deployments as soon as possible.”

    There has been no war in the southwest for a long time, and Jinjiang County was attacked. It’s best to wait until reinforcements arrive.

    Xiao Jingduo prepared in this direction, news of an enemy attack soon spread throughout Jinjiang County, and then the city gates in the four directions of the southeast and northwest were closed one after another. The people were still skeptical, but they had to believe the news when they saw with their own eyes that the city gate was bolted.

    The embroidery workshop had left the class early, and Chen Ci, Qiu Ju and Xiqi hurried to the county office. When passing a long street, Chen Ci saw a familiar figure with sharp eyes, and immediately left Qiu Ju and the two running towards here.

    “Xiao Mingfu!”

    Xiao Jingduo turned around and said unexpectedly, “Why are you? The streets are so chaotic now, I will arrange for someone to take you back.”

    “No, it’s time for you to employ people, so you don’t have to waste your hands on us.” After speaking, his eyes looked straight at Xiao Jingduo, his tone seemed a little helpless, “Xiao Mingfu, is this true? Someone really wants to attack Jinjiang County?”

    Xiao Jingduo sighed: “It’s true. It’s my fault. At the beginning of the year, your aunt sent a letter back. I should have sent you back to Chang’an immediately.

    The statement shook his head: “What are you talking about? Although I’m just a girl, I still understand the righteousness of the family and country. Besides, it’s my luck to be able to defend Jinjiang City with Xiao Mingfu. .”

    Two years ago, Xiao Jingduo asked the court to look for the clan who made the statement. After looking for a long time, I finally found out that an aunt who had the statement married and moved with her husband’s family. Now she has settled in Chang’an. When Ci Fuco returned to her hometown, she could only go to find her aunt.

    After Xiao Jingduo received the news from Aunt Chen Ci, he originally wanted to send Chen Ci back immediately, but the embroidery workshop couldn’t get away for a while. Chen Ci hadn’t sorted out the things in the embroidery workshop, but the army of the Nanzhao people arrived first. In this case, Xiao Jingduo could not send the statement out of the city, so she could only stay in the city and bet on the luck of Jinjiang County.

    The statement that a weak woman can say the words of coexistence and death with the city will make others feel moved, but Xiao Jingduo does not seem moved, but insists: “You girls are not safe outside. , I’ll take you back.”

    “No need to waste manpower…” Chen Zi wanted to persuade him again, but Xiao Jingduo had already turned his head to call for someone. Chen Ci sighed, since she couldn’t beat Xiao Jingduo, she no longer insisted.

    The two officials listened to Xiao Jingduo’s instructions and escorted Chen Ci and Qiu Ju to the county government. Qiu Ju and the others were reluctant to part with them. Obviously, staying by Xiao Jingduo’s side made them feel more secure. Seeing this, Xiao Jingduo could only say: “You guys go back first, I have to make some arrangements, and I won’t be able to leave for a while.”

    Chen Zi nodded and walked out obediently. After walking two steps, she stopped again, turned around and asked, “Xiao Mingfu, what should the people outside the city do? Can the embroidery caravan be saved?”

    The submission waited for a while, without waiting for an answer, she sighed heavily and was no longer obsessed with answering.

    Xiao Jingduo did not speak, and watched the statement and Qiu Ju and others walk away. Xiao Jingduo did not take his eyes back until the group of people could no longer see him.

    Looking carefully, Xiao Jingduo’s sight is not focal. He stood still, but he was thinking, yes, not everyone lives in the city, there are many villages scattered outside Jinjiang County, these people are also his common people, what should they do? ?

    Xiao Jingduo raised his head and looked at the unclear sky, feeling extremely complicated. He was also an ordinary citizen in the countryside. When he was eight years old, he saw the King of Qin attack Youzhou with his own eyes, and no one in their village was in charge. Xiao Jingduo still remembers the terrified appearance of his grandmother and cousins ​​hugging each other and crying. Although the Xiao family and even Tongmu Village did not suffer any damage in the autumn, that was because King Qin was strict in governing the army, but would the army of Liuzhao do the same?

    Also, even if they were lucky enough to survive the arrival of reinforcements, the buildings in Jinjiang City could not be preserved. This is the foundation that he has carefully planned for three years. Is he really willing to see his hard work ruined?

    Someone came over and asked: “County magistrate, the stone tung oil used for defending the city has been put in the warehouse, what do you do next?”

    “Are you familiar with the terrain in this area?”

    “Huh?”

    “You ask, are you familiar with the terrain in this area?”

      No matter how far we go, I don’t dare to say, I’m still familiar with this area of ​​our county.”

    “Then go further, who else knows the way?”

    “It’s hard to say, I’ll ask other hunters, they often walk in the mountains, they should know each other.”

     “Okay, you can go to find people who are familiar with mountain roads. The more the better, and after you find them all, bring them to find me immediately.”

    After speaking, Xiao Jingduo strode to the county office.

    “What do you want to do, Mr. Dalang?” Qiu Ju, Chen Ci and Xiqi hid in the backyard, waiting for Xiao Jingduo to return, while holding hands to strengthen each other’s courage. However, when Xiao Jingduo came back, they heard a heartbreaking news.

    Usually Qiuju didn’t go to the front yard, this is the rule in the Hou’s mansion. Run outside wearing a skirt. The statement did not bother to collide with the foreign man, and followed Qiu Ju hurriedly to find Xiao Jingduo.

    “Da Langjun, you are just…” Qiu Ju saw Xiao Jingduo, her eyes were red with anxiety, “You are the head of a county, no one can hurt you, you How can you take people out in person? Why don’t we just follow what others said, we will stay in the city and wait for the governor to send someone to rescue us?”

    “Qiu Ju, you have never seen a war, and you don’t understand the cruelty of war.” Xiao Jingduo said, “But I understand. Once we lock the city gate, the people outside the city will be completely destroyed. Even if we Abandoning the land and human life outside the city, and sticking to the city without taking a step, may not be able to last until the reinforcements arrive. The city wall in the county is not high enough, and the armament is not enough. Once trapped in the city, we will only have to bow our heads and be beaten. In this case, it is better to take the initiative to take the initiative and occupy the location, maybe there is still a chance of survival.”

    “But…” Qiu Ju still felt inappropriate, “Then let others go out to fight, Langjun, you are the county magistrate and the head of a county, how can you do it if you are not in the city!”

    Speaking of which, Qiu Ju was still afraid that Xiao Jingduo would make a mistake when he went outside. Even the statement was worried: “Mingfu, if you made this decision because of my unintentional remarks before, the statement hereby apologizes to you. You are the county magistrate, so you shouldn’t risk your life.”

      thing.”

      They are all guarded in the city, and they are not allowed to go out. I have already arranged the rest, you can do as ordered. If the people of Liu Zhao still attack the city, you can defend the city as planned, don’t worry about me, let alone open the city Door. During my absence, the county chief will take over the important affairs in the city. You can’t wait to be taken lightly. If the decree I leave behind conflicts with the county chief’s order, then the county chief’s order will take precedence, you remember ?”

    …

    When Qiu Ju heard Xiao Jingduo’s words, her tears finally fell. “I only brought 300 people out, but I heard that there were 4,000 people on the other side. How can this be good?”

    The statement also couldn’t help but worry: “I didn’t expect him to take people out in person. Of course, distracting the enemy can keep the county safe, but what should he do? Saying that, really…”

    Qiu Ju cried and said, “I promised Madam that I must take good care of Langjun, but now I watch Langjun in danger. Otherwise, I will accompany Dalangjun out of the city, I Always do my duty.”

    “Sister Qiuju can’t!” Xiqi advised, “You still have Xiao Lin, think about Xiao Lin! Besides, Dalang-Jun always makes plans and then moves, even if he takes risks , and will not do anything that you are not sure about. You have to follow out to add chaos! I believe that Dalangjun, he used to make Jinjiang County prosperous, and now he can lead everyone to let Jinjiang County go through this peacefully. robbery.”

    Xiqi’s words were well-founded, and Qiu Ju wiped her tears and nodded: “Okay, I believe in Dalang-Jun.”

    At night, the heavily defended city gate opened a slit, and Xiao Jingduo with three hundred good hunters disappeared silently into the night.

    The author has something to say:

    [Open the ultimate level of Jinjiang chapter: Southwest war

    The Jinjiang dungeon countdown starts]

    ****************

    Thank you dear~