empire wars

Chapter 55 Changes in the situation

"Damn it, why is the opponent's defense so strong?"

Ma Qingbiao threw the table angrily and shouted angrily.

In less than five days of trying to siege the city, they lost no less than 5000 people, but they didn't even touch the city gate.

Especially in the face of the Qilin bow and Bailian crossbow's attack, they couldn't get close to the city at all, and suffered heavy casualties.

"Father, the defense of Mingwu City is very strong. There is news from the inside that the city has recruited troops on a large scale in the past few days, and the number may exceed 5."

Next to Ma Qingbiao, a man somewhat similar to him said.

A few days ago, they had already planted secret agents and intelligence personnel in the city, not only in Mingwu City, but when they were preparing to attack Wuwei County, they lurked people in various cities and secretly colluded with the forces in the city.

Now that Mingwu City is closed, it is impossible to obtain information through normal means, and the goshawks trained in the clan can only be used to transmit information.

But still dare not communicate frequently, otherwise they will be discovered by patrol soldiers in the city.

"fifty thousand?"

Ma Qingbiao was stunned for a moment. Generally, the army strength in a county town is around 5000. If it reaches [-], it would be a bit scary.

It's not that it's impossible to recruit more soldiers, but it's limited to various food supplies, weapons and ordnance.

Who would have thought that Mingwu City is only a county town, but there are [-] soldiers, and Mingwu City has such a heritage, which makes him very worried.

"Yes, otherwise the second brother would not have been killed by the Ming Wucheng sergeant."

Ma Zhenhui said regretfully.

Ma Qingbiao clenched his fist, and after a long time, he looked at the others. "What's your plan?"

"The enemy soldiers are almost the same as ours. Unless they are willing to go out of the city and fight head-on, there is no chance of winning."

A tribal leader said.

"There are two methods. One is to besiege the city and fight a war of attrition with the enemy. I heard that there are hundreds of thousands of people in the city and more than 5 soldiers. If you consume a lot of food every day, it shouldn't last long. We just need to block Mingwu City and we will be able to Let them disintegrate from within.

The second is a strong attack, but since our current strength is not enough, we must call in reinforcements from other tribes, at least [-]. "

said another.

Everyone in the hundred thousand was lost in thought.

When the city of Wuwei County was attacked before, there were almost [-] soldiers participating in the battle.

Of course, the Northern Qiang people still have more than [-] troops in battle, but they didn't expect Wuwei County to be so vulnerable.

"It's impossible to attack by force. These days, I'm in touch with the dark men in the city to see if I can counterattack the guards."

Ma Zhenhui shook his head and said.

As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes lit up. When they attacked Wuwei County, it was because they colluded with the defenders in the city that they almost bypassed the defense of the city wall and won a big victory.

This is also the most simple and effective strategy with the least loss.

"Then let them act as soon as possible, especially those families, they are greedy for life and afraid of death, they are the easiest to take the bait, promise more benefits, and everything will be no problem when they win Mingwu City."

Ma Qingbiao said sternly, "Hui'er, pass on the news to other tribes and ask them to send troops to assist us. This time, we must gather at least [-] troops to take down Mingwu City."

"Okay, but it may not be easy for other tribes to send troops."

"Hmph, let's just say that I, Ma Qingbiao, begged them. This is the first and last time. I hope they will obey my arrangement for this campaign. There will be good rewards in the future. If it is not possible, the money collected in previous wars Give them silver and women in exchange for the opportunity for them to send troops."

Ma Qingbiao said firmly.

This time, his side lost troops and generals, and now only captured three county towns. Among them, Beilin City was still an empty city, with no supplies and no people, and lost [-] elite troops. His son's head was even hung at the city gate.

Compared with Ma Feiteng's lineage, he was too far behind. Ma Feiteng's lineage was already attacking Jincheng County and achieved good results, but he was blocked by a Mingwu city.

He even doubted whether Ma Feiteng knew that Mingwu City was so difficult to crack, and then threw this tough nut to him.

"I'll do it right away." Ma Zhenhui nodded again and again, this time his father wanted to be serious.

If he cannot seize the throne this time, he will be completely defeated. With his incompatible relationship with Ma Feiteng, I am afraid that his tribe is not far away from decline.

Tianshan County.

"Several, now it's time for you to make a decision."

Dai Longbiao sat in the main seat of the county government lobby, his face expressionless, showing no signs of happiness or anger.

At this time, in the lobby, the county magistrate, county magistrate and other officials of Tianshan County gathered.

"If I wait for Kaesong to surrender, will I be able to retain my original official position?"

One of them asked worriedly.

"Of course, as your officials, you only need to provide some food and grass resources. We will recruit troops in the city, and the two sides will not interfere with each other."

Dai Longbiao said.

"That's fine."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then, this person"

Dai Longbiao looked at the pale-faced person in the corner.

"Come here, take him down and kill him."

The magistrate of Tianshan hesitated for a while, and when he saw Dai Longbiao's increasingly unfriendly eyes, he said helplessly.

"I am the envoy sent by the prefect of Wuwei, how dare you?"

The man broke out and shouted angrily.

"Child Qin Yuan? I will kill him sooner or later."

Dai Longbiao's complexion changed drastically, he had an extra arrow in his hand, without the need for a Ten Thousand Stone Bow, he shot it directly, piercing the messenger's throat.

Everyone was shocked, but they didn't dare to question and speak up.

A few days later, the Tiandao army wiped out Xiping County and the army moved northward.

And Tianshan City, as the southernmost county town of Wuwei County, is the inevitable target of the Tiandao Army.

When the Tiandao army came in mighty force, the magistrate of Tianshan County led a group of patriarchs, opened the gates of the city, and lined the road to welcome them.

Fanyang City.

"Since Qin Yuan is the prefect appointed by the imperial court, he is orthodox, but now facing the Tiandao rebels and Northern Qiang bandits, Fanyang is at stake, and he is really powerless to send troops to help."

The Patriarch of the Fan Family and the County Magistrate of Fan Yang looked around and sighed. "If Prefect Qin can resolve this crisis, on behalf of Fanyang City and the Fan family, I am willing to serve the prefect."

"I don't have any opinion, the same as the county magistrate."

Others echoed one by one.

"Well, I hope Fanyang City can keep its promise."

The envoy of Ming Wu stood up and bowed his hands to everyone, "This time, under the order of the prefect, I sent one hundred thousand shi of grain, hoping to help Fanyang City do a little bit."

"It's really great. With this batch of food and grass, we can recruit thousands of soldiers at the same time. I will be able to hold on for a month."

The magistrate of Fanyang County was overjoyed and thanked him quickly.

"However, this is not a long-term solution. I hope that the Qin prefect can repel the Northern Qiang people and the Tiandao army. I heard that Tianshan County has already joined the Tiandao army."

The county magistrate Fanyang sighed again.

Most of the entire Wuwei County fell into the hands of the Northern Qiang people, and Tianshan City directly surrendered to the Tiandao Army.

Today, there are only two cities that belong to the 'orthodox' imperial court, Mingwu City and Fanyang City.

This is not only the case in Wuwei County, but also in the entire Western Yongliang Prefecture.

As for the Liehan court, it was in constant turmoil, let alone sending a large army to drive out the bandits. Even the crusade against the Heavenly Dao Army had to rely on the power of the princes and aristocratic families from all over the place.

In Wuwei County, many tribal leaders received Ma Qingbiao's request for help. These are all tribes that support Ma Qingbiao. After careful consideration, they all sent people to Mingwu to support them, ranging from one to two thousand to as many as three to five thousand.

In the land of Northern Qiang, Ma Qingbiao was the leader of the tribe. Ma Qingbiao's third son received a letter from his father and immediately summoned [-]% of the tribe's warriors. He left the tribe that night and entered the territory of Wuwei County. He went all the way south without stopping.

In Jincheng County, another county town was captured by the army led by Ma Feiteng.

"Ma Qingbiao mobilized all his forces. It seems that he is preparing to attack Mingwu City. He probably will soon meet the Heavenly Dao Army."

Ma Feiteng looked at the east. After a while, he looked at the man next to him who was covered in black striped robes. "Master Priest, do we really not consider developing to the east? No matter how strong the Tiandao Army is, they are just a bunch of rabble. , I, the Northern Qiang elite, are not afraid of them."

The mysterious priest next to him is the son of the high priest of the clan. Most of the decisions he makes will be based on the opinions of this priest.

"A potential dragon comes out of the abyss, you cannot be an enemy."

The mysterious priest buzzed.

"But."

Ma Feiteng had thousands of questions in his mind, but the priest didn't say who Qianlong was.

As for what he thinks is threatening, it is not Mingwu City, but the menacing Heavenly Dao Army. If it was in the past, Ma Feiteng would be very afraid.

I heard that the Liehan court issued a crusade order, and the Tiandao Army began to be conquered everywhere. The current situation of the Tiandao Army is extremely difficult. Anyone who has a good view of the world can see that the Tiandao Army is declining and will be wiped out sooner or later.

"Could it be that the priest doesn't want to have a head-on confrontation with the Heavenly Dao Army and save his strength. When the Heavenly Dao Army's general trend emerges, their territory will inevitably fall into my hands and become the capital for my Ma Feiteng to fight for hegemony in the world."

"Okay, let Ma Qingbiao and the Tiandao Army fight. It's best for both sides to suffer losses, so that I don't have to deal with Ma Qingbiao personally."

"Qianlong? In troubled times, the princes of any side are considered Qianlong, and so is Ma Feiteng. Not only do we want to be Qianlong, but we also have to slay dragons to become a real dragon."

(End of this chapter)