"Eh? Why hasn't Chang 'an City opened its gates today? "
"Yes! I hunted a pheasant yesterday and was planning to sell it in Chang 'an City today! But who knew that the gates of Chang 'an City were still closed. What should we do? If we wait until tomorrow, it will probably stink! "
"My San Lang went into the city to sell eggs yesterday and hasn't come back yet. When will the gates of Chang 'an City open?"
Early in the morning, the four gates of Chang 'an City were surrounded by many people who wanted to leave or enter the city. Seeing that the gates were still closed, the people could not help but discuss. Most of the people inside the gates entered the city yesterday morning, but the gates were suddenly closed. They could not leave the city in time and could only stay in the city for the night. Most of the people outside the city were the relatives of these people. Because they were worried about them, they came to Chang' an City early in the morning to take a look!
"Marquis! According to the report of the spies, the rebel army of the Dragon Sect has left Snake Spirit Mountain and is heading towards Chang 'an City. There are about fifty thousand people! They will reach Chang 'an City in about an hour! "
Li Zexuan woke up exceptionally early today. After breakfast, he went to the camp of the Right Guards. At this time, Liu Rengui hurriedly trotted over and bowed to Li Zexuan with cupped fists.
"More than fifty thousand people?"
Hearing this, Li Zexuan's eyes flashed and then whispered softly, "It seems that Du E is telling the truth!"
In last night's interrogation, Du E not only told Li Zexuan about the development of the Dragon Sect in the past year, he also told him about the military strength of the Dragon Sect. So when he heard Liu Rengui say that the Dragon Sect's army had more than fifty thousand people, Li Zexuan remembered Du E's confession last night. He thought to himself that since this monk's attitude was so sincere, should he let him live?
Shaking his head, Li Zexuan threw away the messy thoughts in his mind. He looked at Liu Rengui and asked solemnly, "Have the guards been arranged for the four city gates?"
Liu Rengui replied with cupped fists, "It is said that His Majesty issued a secret order early this morning, ordering Duke Wei to lead the Left and Right Guards, Left and Right Guards, Left and Right Guards, and Left and Right Guards to guard the nine city gates in the east, west, and north of Chang 'an City. Now, the guards of the nine city gates have been replaced by the men arranged by Duke Wei. When the rebel army arrives, Duke Wei will lead the army to stop the rebels from attacking the city from the east, west, and north!"
Li Zexuan frowned, "Who will guard the south gate?"
To be honest, the Dragon Sect would most likely attack from the south of Chang 'an City, but Li Zexuan didn't arrange for the three city gates in the south. This made Li Zexuan puzzled!
Liu Rengui's face turned serious. He cupped his fists and said, "Marquis, before you came, Supervisor Zhao came to pass on His Majesty's verbal order. Today, the defense of Chang 'an City's south gate will be guarded by the Left and Right Guards, and will be commanded by you, Marquis!"
"Let this marquis command?"
Li Zexuan's eyes widened. Even though he had just fought with the Tujue State Preceptor in the north, that was only because of his own bravery. To have him command an army in battle, especially a battle to defend a city, to him, this was the first time he had ever done it!
"Yes, Marquis!"
Liu Rengui nodded his head with certainty.
Li Zexuan opened his mouth with a helpless expression. But now that things had come to this, he could only accept his fate!
Liu Rengui suddenly thought of something and continued, "That's right, Marquis! This morning, His Majesty also decreed that today's morning court assembly is temporarily canceled due to his ill health! You don't have to rush to the palace to attend the morning court assembly! "
"There's such a thing?"
Li Zexuan was stunned at first, then he suddenly realized, "His Majesty is wise! This move can let those officials who colluded with the Dragon Sect lower their guard and help the Dragon Sect army outside the city! Otherwise, under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for these people to give themselves away! "
If Li Er had ordered Li Jing to lead the six guards to the various city towers early in the morning, it would create a sense of urgency that Chang 'an City was about to be attacked by the enemy. In this way, those officials in King Xi's faction would definitely suspect that Li Er had already known that Dragon Sect was about to attack the city. In addition, if Li Er did not cancel the morning court assembly today, there would definitely be officials in the morning court who would ask him to give the order to lift the blockade of Chang' an City. At that time, he would be in a dilemma!
So when Li Jing led the army to secretly take over the city defense, Li Er came to cancel the morning court assembly by claiming to be ill. Not only did this avoid the suspicions of some officials, it also gave those people a chance to collude with the Dragon Sect outside the city! It was killing two birds with one stone!
"Tell the hidden sentries to be alert, don't let anyone discover them! Once there's a situation, there's no need to report it, just arrest them directly! "
Li Zexuan's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Liu Rengui and said in a deep voice.
Since Old Li Zexuan attached so much importance to those officials who might rebel, then he, Li Zexuan, had no reason to not attach importance to them!
"Yes! Marquis! "
Liu Rengui cupped his fists and was about to turn and leave when Li Zexuan called out to him, "Hey! Wait! "
Liu Rengui quickly stopped in his tracks, only to hear Li Zexuan ask again, "Are there many citizens outside the city gates waiting to leave or enter?"
Liu Rengui was stunned for a moment before nodding, "That's right! This general went to the south gate an hour ago to patrol and saw many citizens surrounding the city gates! "
Li Zexuan pursed his lips and pondered for a moment before saying, "How about this, send people to the city gates to disperse the citizens and tell them that the city gates will only open today. Tell them to return to their homes and don't waste any time at the city gates! Remember, no matter what method you use, you must drive the citizens back to their homes! But there is one rule, you must not harm the citizens! "
Once the fifty thousand Dragon Sect troops arrive at Chang 'an City, it would be too late for the commoners at the city gates to escape. Moreover, they would most likely be captured by the Dragon Sect to be used as meat shields!
Li Zexuan knew that many people would be injured or even killed in this battle, but he wanted to do everything within his power to minimize unnecessary casualties. So what if he lied and deceived people?
"Open the city gates at midnight? Marquis, what if we fail to destroy Heavenly Dragon Sect before the end of the day? "
Although Liu Rengui understood Li Zexuan's intention, he was still worried.
Li Zexuan said decisively, "There are no ifs! Do as I say! Before the Dragon Sect troops arrive at Chang 'an City, evacuate the citizens outside the city gates as soon as possible, there must be no mistakes! "
Liu Rengui hurriedly cupped his fists and bowed, "This general obeys!"
Seeing that Li Zexuan had no other orders, Liu Rengui turned and left.
"Marquis, Head Steward Zhao is here!"
As soon as Liu Rengui left, a soldier walked in and cupped his fists to Li Zexuan.
Li Zexuan's eyes lit up, "Quick! Invite him in! "
…
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