Chapter 279

Tang Yin sent an order and posted a notice to collect grain and grass throughout the city. However, the people in Linqiao City were too frightened to go out. No one could see the notice after it was posted, and no one came to hand over the grain. Seeing this, Tang Yin planned to adopt The latest chapter of the forced door-to-door grain collection.

At this moment, Ai Jia led more than a dozen spies from the underground network to ride to Linqiao City. After seeing Tang Yin, she first bowed and saluted, and then asked: "Sir, are you going to collect food in the city now?"

When Tang Yin heard this, he raised his eyebrows. As the head of his own intelligence agency, Ai Jia was unaware of the enemy's movements, but he was very aware of his own every move, which was both annoying and funny. He nodded and said in a deep voice: "That's right! Our army's logistics supplies were attacked by the enemy, and most of the food and grass were burned. If we don't collect food, what will so many of our soldiers eat?"

"Then...can anyone pay for the food now?"

"No one pays food."

"What do you plan to do, sir?"

Tang Yin narrowed his eyes and said quietly: "The army cannot live without food for a day. Even if we have to use force, we must collect enough food!"

Hearing this, Ai Jia couldn't help but secretly have a cold war, not because of Tang Yin's decision, but because of Qiu Zhen's prediction.

The reason why she rushed to Linqiao City in a hurry was also assigned by Qiu Zhen. The latter's biggest worry was that Tang Yin would use force to requisition food after he captured Linqiao.

She swallowed and whispered: "Sir, before I came, Master Qiu repeatedly told me to prevent you from using coercive means to collect food."

"Oh?" Tang Yin was stunned. How did Qiu Zhen know that he was going to collect grain and grass? How do you know that you will use coercive means?

Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Ai Jia explained: "Master Qiu said that since the enemy army dared to leave the city to sneak attack on our army's logistics, they must have sent out all their troops, and the county leader Mao An is so cunning, he will not take away the hoards in the city. Food is reserved for our army. Therefore, if there is no food in the city, your Excellency will collect food. Lehu County has always been controlled by Zhong Tian’s cronies. The people live in poverty. Each family does not have too much food. Moreover, it has been controlled by Zhong Tian for a long time. The cronies and public opinion have deep prejudices against our army. If your Excellency asks for food, few people will hand it over. With your character, you may then use force to collect food. In this way, you will hit the enemy's target. It’s a trap!”

After hearing Ai Jia's words, Tang Yin was startled and couldn't help but take a breath. Qiu Zhen not only figured out the enemy's intentions, but he also figured out his own character and behavior style exactly. This is terrible...

Tang Yin was silent for a moment, then Fang asked slowly: "What trap did the enemy fall into?"

Ai Jia said: "The enemy will make a big fuss about this to scare the people of Lehu County and make them more hostile to our army. In addition, the enemy will use this matter to lure more people of Lehu County to join the army and give me The army’s march south has caused a lot of resistance!”

I see! Tang Yin is a smart man who knows everything right. After listening to Ai Jia's story, he roughly understood Mao An's intention. This person really shouldn't be underestimated. Although he is only the head of the county, he is very scheming. Whether it is the use of troops or the overall strategy, he can be regarded as unique.

He clenched his fists and murmured: "If we don't collect food, our army will run out of food!"

Ai Jia hurriedly said: "Master Qiu has sent people to Jinguang County to quickly transfer a batch of food and grass. He has also sent people to General Xiao and General Li to ask the other two armies to reinforce the food and grass. It is expected to take up to two days. Reinforcements of food and fodder will be delivered.”

"Oh!" Tang Yin responded, and at the same time he breathed a sigh of relief. With Qiu Zhen here, he really saved himself a lot of trouble.

With Qiu Zhen's warning, Tang Yin immediately withdrew the order of compulsory grain requisition, and then ordered his soldiers to temporarily station in Linqiao City, waiting for the grain and grass from the Pingyuan Army, Chifeng Army and Jinguang County to be delivered before making any plans.

Since most of the food and grass had been destroyed, Tang Yin did not dare to go any further.

Mao An, the head of Shangbei County, did not confront Tang Yin, and he could not afford to fight. He only had 8,000 soldiers at full strength, but he held down the 100,000 direct troops and 30,000 Besa cavalry commanded by Tang Yin. In Linqiao City, there was a delay of more than two days, which also bought the county chief Geng Qiang more than two days of preparation time.

In the past two days, Tang Yin's direct army not only did not harass the people in Linqiao City, but its main personnel did not even enter the city. They just camped outside the city. This deepened the people's understanding of the Tianyuan Army in Linqiao City. Many, their fear and panic have also been greatly reduced.

Mao An ran away, the city lord ran away, and almost all the officials in Linqiao City, large and small, fled to the west of the county. Tang Yin discussed with Qiu Zhen, Zhang Zhe, Zongyuan and other advisers, and decided to establish another county chief. Or the city lord, to stabilize Linqiao City. After all, Linqiao is the county seat, the city is large, and its location is important. If we want to attack Xibai in the future, supplies such as grain, grass, materials, etc. will inevitably have to pass through Linqiao to ensure the stability of Linqiao, which is beneficial to our army. Combat is also important.

However, we have just captured Linqiao City, and we are not familiar with the place. If we assign our trusted personnel to take important positions, I am afraid that we may not be able to manage it well, and the people in the city will not be convinced. But if we choose from the locals, we do not know how to choose. Who is suitable. Tang Yin felt embarrassed about this matter, so Zong Yuan gave him an idea, asking him to put up a notice and ask the people in Qiaolin City to recommend themselves. There must be brave men who will be rewarded, and there must be many capable people who are greedy for fame among high-ranking officials.

Tang Yin felt that Zong Yuan's suggestion was reasonable, so he immediately sent someone to write a notice and post it.

Selecting the county chief directly from the people was a precedent. At first, no one believed it. They just thought Tang Yin was pretending to win people's hearts. It was not until the next day that people came to try. Tang Yin treated them with courtesy. As long as they were willing to come, they would not return empty-handed. Even if they were not given the position of county governor or city lord, they would be arranged to take other official positions. At the very least, they would be given some silver and sent away.

In this way, the news spread immediately.

By the third day, there were already a large number of people coming to the county capital to apply. At this time, the food and grass reinforcements from the Pingyuan Army and the Chifeng Army had been transported one after another. Tang Yin began to prepare to continue the attack to the south, and handed the selection of the county chief and the city lord to Zong Yuan to handle. He himself led the army and marched south.

Less than a hundred miles south of Linqiao City is Jicheng, which is also the city at the junction of Shangbei County and Baoqing County. As long as Jicheng is captured, Tang Yin and his group can enter Baoqing County and directly take the county city.

Jicheng is not big, but the garrison in the city is close to 20,000 people, of which 8,000 are Mao An's subordinates, and most of the others are temporary civilians and slaves. The county chief Mao An is now in Jicheng and has made all preparations to stop Tang Yin's army here. At the same time, Mao An also sent a letter to Geng Qiang, explaining his determination to defend Jicheng to the death, and asked Geng Qiang to be ready to attack. On the second day of his battle with Tang Yin's army, Geng Qiang led the main force of the county army to reinforce while the enemy was exhausted. At that time, he would be able to defeat the Tianyuan Army headed by Tang Yin with the help of the internal and external forces.

His letter was successfully delivered to Geng Qiang, but Geng Qiang secretly grinned at his request. The reason why he dared to stay in Lehu County to resist the Tianyuan Army was mainly because the defense of Xibai City was strong and easy to defend and difficult to attack. Now Mao An wanted him to go out of the city to meet the Tianyuan Army, and he was really unsure.

The matter was of great importance, so Geng Qiang dared not be careless. He discussed this matter with his confidants overnight, but they could not come to a conclusion after discussing it over and over again.

They were dragging their feet, but the army under the command of Tang Yin did not delay at all, and marched southward all the way to Jicheng.

At a distance of an arrow from Jicheng, Tang Yin raised his arm and ordered the army to stop advancing. He looked at the city in front of him. The length and width were less than five miles, but the city wall was three feet high. This was a city wall built according to the specifications of a large city. Looking at the wall, flags were waving, embroidered ribbons were fluttering, and there was a big flag above the city gate with a huge "Peng" character on it. Looking left and right, there were soldiers and armors standing in a row, and it was a sea of ​​red, and it was hard to tell how many Peng troops there were.

Since Tang Yin led the army into Lehu County, it was the first time he saw so many enemy troops. He squinted his eyes slightly, urged the warhorse to move forward.

Seeing this, the Shangguan brothers, Wu Guang, Zhan Hu, Gu Yue, Letian, Ai Jia and others behind him followed him on horseback, fearing that he might get hurt.

Tang Yin was riding forward when suddenly a sharp whistle sounded from the top of the city wall. A sharp arrow drew a long arc in the air and fell down, hitting the ground in front of Tang Yin's horse hoof. With a bang, the arrow was fixed on the ground, and the eagle feathers at the end of the arrow were buzzing.

Seeing that the enemy had already shot the enemy's position, Tang Yin stopped his horse and shouted loudly at the top of the city wall: "I am Tang Yin! Let your commander come out and talk to me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard someone on the city wall shouting loudly: "Tang Yin, I have been waiting for you here for a long time!"

Tang Yin looked closely and saw a white-faced general in his thirties standing among the soldiers on the city wall. He was wearing armor, a long sword on his waist, and a mustache on his lips. Even in armor, he still looked gentle and refined. Tang Yin shouted, "Who are you?"

"The head of Shangbei County, Mao An!"

Hearing the name Mao An, Tang Yin's eyes immediately widened, his eyes were full of brilliance, and murderous intent suddenly appeared. He laughed upside down, pointed at Mao An on the top of the city wall, and said with a smile: "Mao An, I'm looking for you. So you are here. Today I will take your dog head!"

"Haha——"

Mao An showed no fear, but laughed and cursed: "Tang Yin, you traitor, you openly raised an army to rebel, and now you dare to speak wildly, come if you have the ability!"

Tang Yin clenched his fists, tilted his head and said: "Le Tian, ​​shoot this man down from the city!"

"Yes! Sir!"

Le Tian agreed, took out the bow and arrow, and then pulled out a silver arrow with his hand. When he swung his wrist, the silver arrow became spiritual, and the arrow body grew a root of inverted teeth. He picked up the bow and arrow, aimed at Mao An on the top of the city wall, and suddenly shot an arrow.

Hiss—the spiritual arrow flew out, making a sharp whistling sound in the air, and went as fast as lightning, heading straight for Mao An on the top of the city wall.