Heaven's Formula

"Are they crazy?" Mo Yun said in disbelief, "If you lose the enemy, you will lose the enemy. If you give up the city defense, everyone in the government will lose their heads!"

"Honestly speaking, this attack is indeed very strange. Before finding out the reality and intentions of the enemy, I suggest that you stay still and wait and see what happens." He Guicai looked at Princess Guangping, "Fengyang Villa is located at a high point. , easy to defend and difficult to attack, the enemy is unlikely to come to trouble you. When the Shenzhou reinforcements arrive, the matter will naturally be settled."

"Counselor He is right. I also think this is the safest way." Xu Sanzhong cupped his hands and said, "The opponent's strength is not obvious, and we will inevitably suffer losses if we act rashly. When the Shenzhou Army arrives, it may be exposed. The existence of Zhi Qibing, if it is not handled well, it may leave hidden dangers."

Others also showed signs of agreement.

The princess did not make a decision immediately.

She pondered for a moment, then turned her head to look at Xia Fan, "I want to hear your opinion."

Chapter 144 "There's an Army"

He Guicai and Xu Sanzhong couldn't help showing surprise expressions.

They knew that Mr. Xia was knowledgeable and talented, but what he was talking about was military issues after all, and it was related to the princess's vital interests. What good advice could an alchemist make?

Xia Fan didn't answer right away.

He first asked rhetorically, "People in the city... what are you going to do?"

"Lord Xia, don't worry too much," Xu Sanzhong replied, "It won't take long for Shenzhou's reinforcements to come to Jinxia, ​​one day at the earliest, and two days later. Put it on robbing the people. For Jinxia City, one day's loss will not hurt the bones."

"Cities don't remember, but people have memories." Xia Fan said calmly, "In this way, the image of Her Royal Highness will disappear from everyone, and it will be no different from the government and Privy Council."

"Image?" He Guicai coughed lightly, "Lord Xia, we are talking about military deployment and countermeasures..."

"I really don't understand combat command, but there is no pure war in this world-any military operation is an extension of politics, and why you fight is the core that must be clarified. If you forget this core, it is only for the sake of war. And the army that fights, often can't go too far."

"Of course we are fighting for Her Royal Highness—"

"You're talking about personal purposes," Xia Fan interrupted him, "and I'm talking about the army as a whole. Your Royal Highness, do you want to preserve these 3000 people, or do you really want to get a completely new Jinxia City?"

Ning Wanjun blinked, "You want me to enter the city to resist the enemy and wipe them out in the city, instead of waiting for the Shenzhou Army to come to help?"

"Exactly."

"Sure enough, your ideas are always different." Ning Wanjun raised the corner of her mouth, "But these few words alone can't convince me, you have to explain in more detail - why my image will obliterate everyone and take on a new look What does Jinxia City mean?"

"Let me explain with an example. There used to be a place..." Xia Fan took a breath, "In just a few decades, three rulers have been changed."

"Three dynasties have alternated for decades... Is there such a place on the mainland?" He Guicai questioned.

"Quiet!" Ning Wanjun glanced at the staff officer, "Listen to him."

"Frequent changes in rulers have brought great turmoil. There are robbers, bandits, and new enemies everywhere. They have all done the same things, such as conscription, taxation, and development of a place. But in the end only the last It has been successful." Xia Fan paused at this point, "If you say how strong they were at the beginning, they are not even as strong as they were in the first two sessions. But in just a few years, they have Just wipe out the robbers and bandits, just because these people promised this to the local people."

"And then?" Ning Wanjun asked enthusiastically.

"There was no more. They had soldiers, taxes, and the full support of the local people, and other rulers and enemies couldn't compete with them, and they quickly faded from people's vision."

"Why?" Mo Yun asked puzzled, "The robbers and bandits can't threaten the people in the town, right? It's almost as if the businessmen who come and go thank them."

"Because people have seen the changes." Xia Fan smiled, "Actually, most people are not fools. Although the equipment, armor, and titles of the previous two rulers are different, in people's eyes, the two have no essence. The difference. Only the third term has brought a fresh change. They keep their promises and keep their promises. It is completely different. It is self-evident which side has the stronger executive power and the appearance of a ruler, so they are more proactive in supporting them. Even in a certain period of time, they can borrow a lot of food with just a white note. Because The common people know that this loan will not be deliberately delayed, but will definitely be returned in return."

Ning Wanjun was delighted to hear that, "Is this the image you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes, if you can do something that the government cannot or will not do, it will definitely give everyone a new impression. This impression can not only be inherited, but also spread. As I mentioned before , the city will not remember, but people have memory. After you change everyone's concept, you will get a brand new Jinxia City."

Xia Fan spread his hands, "When the people of Jinxia realize that Her Highness the Princess will not treat them as nothing and will not abandon them in times of crisis, but is willing to face powerful enemies in order to protect everyone, no matter how the officials of Shenzhou change in the future, You can really take control of the city too."

After a long silence, Ning Wanjun slowly laughed, "So war is an extension of politics...Xu Sanchong, send me an order to get everyone ready for battle."

"Your Highness!" He Guicai wanted to dissuade him, but the princess raised his hand to stop him.

"In fact, without what Xia Fan said, I would be more inclined to take the initiative." Ning Wanjun said bluntly, "According to normal circumstances, the Shenzhou garrison can arrive in a day. What if they don't arrive? Don't forget that Jinxia City is a Linhai Jiancheng, once the four walls are lost, how long will it take for Mushou to capture Jinxia? Half a year? One year? This also means that the progress of both the saltworks and the Privy Council will be greatly delayed."

"Not to mention that we have reached a covenant with the Yamaguchi not long ago. When they send envoys and find that Jinxia has been taken over by their mortal enemy, is there any chance of this covenant being fulfilled?"

"Ceding the initiative and relying entirely on the Shenzhou Army to rush in for help in the first place, I don't think it is the best policy. I would rather take risks than pin my hopes on others."

Ning Wanjun looked around the lobby, "Finally, if I sit and watch others suffer for my own purpose, how is it different from my brother's biological mother and the others? Jinxia City is my territory, and the people of Jinxia are also mine. The people under the rule, is there any doubt in this point?"

Mo Yun showed a gratified smile.

"Princess please order!"

Everyone clasped their fists and bowed their heads.

"Counselor He, according to the active attack plan, make a feasible plan. The speed must be fast, we must act before the enemy has completely entered the city." The princess said quickly, "Eunuch Li, please check the supplies in the villa And Mi Nian, set up a shelter camp outside the west city gate, so that those who escaped from Jinxia can temporarily take refuge here."

Finally she turned to Xia Fan, "Since the enemy is the Dongsheng Kingdom, it is likely that they will invade with those who are sensitive. I need the help of you and the Privy Council."

"Does it need to be said?" Xia Fan responded immediately, "Of course I will help you to the end."

Rumble—————————————

At this moment, a series of thunderstorms rolled across the sky, followed by an extremely dull buzzing sound, as if the air trembled slightly.

Chapter 145 Deviating from the Plan

Everyone raised their heads and followed the sound to the east.

"Drought thunder?" Eunuch Li muttered.

"No, it's artillery..." Mo Yun murmured, "This is the sound of artillery. I have heard it many times in the Ministry of Industry!"

"Your Highness, there is a new report from ahead." A guard walked into the auditorium at this time, cupped his hands and said, "The reconnaissance team saw a huge sea ship that had never been seen before on the north city wall. feet, and there are a lot of gun barrels hidden on both sides!"

"Two hundred feet? Are you sure?" He Guicai said in surprise, "I can't find such a big boat in Daqi."

"My lord, the messenger did indeed say so!"

Xia Fan couldn't help being a little surprised.

What is the concept of two hundred feet?In conversion, it is almost half the length of a football field.He has stayed in Jinxia for so long, and the largest merchant ship he has seen is only fifty or sixty feet long.

"Is this their trump card for daring to attack Jinxia City..." Ning Wanjun's expression turned serious, "If the enemy captures the city wall first, we're afraid we will be in big trouble."

……

After a round of shelling, the north city wall was already in a mess.

It was the first time Wang Qingzhi had seen such a battle.

When the majestic giant ship opened fire, the flames seemed to ignite half of the ship's side!Sparks and thick smoke spewed out from top to bottom in turn, like a giant fire-breathing dragon.

And the target it faced - the catapults and crossbows on the city wall, was blasted to pieces in an instant.The soldiers who were manipulating them were not much better, and most of them were broken into pieces along with these city defense equipment. Even those who survived had their arms and legs broken, and fell in a pool of blood, howling.

With just one bombardment, the defense line organized on the north city wall ceased to exist.

The rest of the guards who escaped by chance threw down their weapons and ran towards the passageway inside the wall—apparently they were frightened out of their wits, and they no longer had the courage to contend with this terrifying sea ship.

"Hahahaha—what do you think, Brother Wang? I chose this scenic spot well, right?" The masked man stood on the top of a watchtower in the city, opened his arms and laughed loudly, "That is the Victory, the trump card of our Dongsheng Kingdom Navy ! In order to buy this sea giant, the imperial court cut down on food and clothing, and paid half a year’s government income!"

Wang Qingzhi was not happy in his heart.

He only felt a coldness on his back, and there seemed to be a bottomless cliff under his feet.

"This is different from what we... agreed."

Every word he said was extremely difficult, as if something had grabbed his throat.

The moment this sea ship appeared, things completely deviated from his expected track.

"It's different?" The masked man chuckled, "What's the difference, isn't everything planned by you and me?"

"I didn't ask you to make such a big battle!" Wang Qingzhi couldn't help roaring, "You are pirates, robbers who came to Jinxia to make a fortune, and the culprit who killed the princess in the chaos! But What is it... can pirates have such a ship?"

This is no longer a question of too much.

He planned it well, the government was the party most responsible for Jinxia's disaster, and once the prefect and other chief officials died, the state shepherd and the garrison would be responsible for this matter.His royal family is just one of the hundreds of merchants in the city. He is also a victim of robbery, and he is also responsible for this year's salt production task. It is impossible for him to be charged for a pirate attack.

He has even arranged manpower to set fire to his own house as soon as the Donghai gang arrives.Although there are some antiques and authentic works in the house, as long as the Wang family is still there, these external things will be able to earn back sooner or later.

But in the end, what he waited for was a massive attack, and the attackers came from the Dongsheng Kingdom Navy.

The court is not a fool.

Just ask random people on the street, and you will know that a giant gunboat approached the north of Jinxia City along the estuary of the inland river that day, blasting the guards on the city wall to pieces.

After hearing these testimonies, will anyone believe that it was just a gang of pirates who looted Jinxia City?

All the excuses he had prepared, all the plans he had planned, had vanished into thin air at this moment.

"Oh? You didn't tell me about the scale." The man shrugged, "I still remember what you said, no matter what we do, you will not interfere. You just want the princess to die. I don't think Dongsheng violated this agreement."

"Please use your brain!" Wang Qingzhi said anxiously, "You are going to leave after all, what should the Wang family do now? Do you still want salt?"

The masked man didn't say a word, but just moved his fingers -- the cold golden point on his fingertips brought Wang Qingzhi back to his senses.

At this time, it is not the Wang family that is in charge of life and death in Jinxia City, but the man in front of him, or the force he represents.

If the opponent wants to attack, absolutely no one can protect himself.

Thinking of this, he instantly calmed down.

"No... I didn't mean that. It's just the anxiety in my heart that made me lose my composure. Please don't take offense."

"Brother Wang, why would I blame you? Without the support of the Wang family, it would be impossible for Dongsheng Kingdom to unite many forces in a short period of time to overwhelm that decadent Yama dynasty." The masked man's voice could not hear the slightest fluctuation. , "I also understand your difficulties, but who said we will leave?"

"What?" Wang Qingzhi was stunned.

"A long time ago, my family lived on this land, and now it's just returning to their homeland." The other party looked towards the vast plain to the west, "There is only a narrow mountain range on the other side of the sea, and resources are scarce. Except for silver and copper, it can be said that everything is lacking. Rather than living on the island, it is better to say that you are trapped on it. If you don’t get rid of this bondage, it is impossible to have a future. Especially when the world is about to usher in a big We must go back to the mainland, so that we can have the capital to fight against the changes."

What is he talking about... the world?Change?Wang Qingzhi couldn't understand what this person was talking about at all, but he understood one thing, "The Shenzhou Army is not far from Jinxia City, and the Privy Council can delay it for a day or two, but not a month or two. That's tens of thousands An army of people! You don’t even need to prepare luggage for combat within the jurisdiction, and you can arrive the next day after dispatching on the same day, so why do you stop them?”

Although Jinxia City has high walls and thick walls, if the disparity in the number of people is too large, it will only be a matter of time before they fall.

It's impossible for him to drive the Victory to the city wall, right?

"You don't think that I asked the Privy Council to delay for one more day so that I can retreat?" The masked man smiled, "On the contrary, that's the time we need to prepare for the war."

Wang Qingzhi was dumbfounded. Is the opponent planning to use 2000 people to fight against the Shenzhou Army that is more than ten times his own?

"You just need to watch, and you don't have to worry about anything." He patted Wang Qingzhi on the shoulder, "When Dongsheng Kingdom takes control of Shenzhou, you will continue to make salt for us. Not three times as much as before, but ……all."

1Chapter 16 Two Flags

"This is the storm revealed by the dial..."

Fang Xiandao climbed onto the roof of a house and looked at the chaotic Jinxia City and whispered to himself.

In less than an hour, several places in the Dongcheng District were already on fire, and the billowing smoke made the Yancheng even darker.

Along with the sound of the wind came the exclamation and screams of the victims. The residents who had homes to hide locked their doors tightly, while the homeless fled to Dongcheng District in a panic.Until now, most of the city residents don't know how serious the situation in the east is, they only know that there is a bandit disaster in Jinxia City.

And this chaos did not slow down at all, on the contrary, it intensified, and it was only a matter of time before it swept across the city.

"Master, Qianzhi can't climb up."

Qianzhi was hanging on the edge of the eaves, her legs were swinging helplessly, and she still couldn't step on the wall.

Don't climb if you have short legs.

With that in mind, he still possessed himself and pulled Qianzhi up to the roof.

"Is this city... on fire?" Qian Zhi followed his example, covering her eyebrows with one hand, looking at each other on tiptoe.

"Someone is setting fire. And it won't be long before the fire is here."

"Why are people running in the opposite direction? Aren't they fighting the fire?"

"With their strength, this fire cannot be saved," Fang Xiandao paused, "No one here can save it."

"Not even the Privy Council?"

"The Privy Council will not take action, because the fire cannot reach them."

"Master, Qianzhi doesn't understand."

"Hold it if you don't understand." Fang Xiandao replied casually. In fact, he didn't understand what he was observing. For such a major event as the pirate attacking the city, the hexagram should be able to give a clear omen.But the fact is that the water in the hexagram plate is always in a chaotic state, which is the result of leaving Xia Fan aside.

Now he knew what Chaos represented.

But does this really help to improve one's alchemy level?

Fang Xiandao could guess the current situation of Jinxia City without even using magic spells. The pirates' looting would never stop until Zhou Mu and his army arrived.Regardless of whether it is the Privy Council or Xia Fan, they should have evacuated to a safe place long ago.In other words, anyone would do the same thing—because stopping the storm would not bring any benefit except that the body would be easily crushed.

And therein lies the problem.

Why is divination always one step behind what he can think of just by thinking?

"Help, help, help!"

Suddenly, a cry for help from the end of the street interrupted Fang Xiandao's thoughts.

I saw a dozen people running towards this side covered in blood, and behind them were three warriors with swords.Judging from the bleeding tip of the knife, the pursuer should have killed too many people.