The Ghost City of Fengdu had gained a new ghost.
The Tan clan gathered all their elites and launched a surprise attack on Ma Bangpin.
In fact, in terms of strength, the Tan clan was stronger than Ma Bangpin. She had more soldiers and horses than Ma Bangpin, and the quality of their equipment was far superior. Moreover, she was surrounded from all sides, and no one expected her to take the initiative to attack. Therefore, this battle was unexpected and should have been a great victory.
Unfortunately, Ma Bangpin was in the middle of a discussion with the leaders of the various tribes. Ma Bangpin's brain was stuffed with muscles, and he only knew how to fight with brute force. Beside him was the evil Li Xiangrong. Li Xiangrong suddenly had an idea. He suddenly remembered the scene on Mercury Mountain and changed it to be used in today's battle.
This was not a coincidence, nor was it Ma Bangpin's luck. Madam Qin chose Ma Bangpin as her target because he had the greatest influence. He was the leader who led the various Ma clan headmen to rebel against her. As the saying goes, to catch the bandits, first catch the ringleader.
Ma Bangpin was the leader of the Ma clan headmen. When he gathered the local officials for a discussion, he naturally chose to do it in his nest. Just like that, Madam Qin happened to be there.
If that was all, it wouldn't be a big deal. Just based on the guards brought by the various local officials, they added up to no more than a thousand or eight hundred people. Including the troops under Ma Bangpin's command, they were slightly inferior to the troops that the Tan family had personally brought out this time. However, Li Xiangrong suggested that Ma Bangpin didn't send these people out to fight.
Ma Bangpin led his troops to fight against Madam Qin. The enemy outnumbered him, and his equipment was inferior to the Tan clan's. Naturally, he fell into a disadvantageous position very quickly. Ma Bangpin also had the intention of deliberately losing, so he lost even faster. Madam Qin was overjoyed. Just as she was about to lead the troops to chase, a horn sounded from the side and Ma Doulin appeared.
Ma Doulin did not lead many people. Because the terrain was narrow and there were many obstacles, the Tan clan couldn't tell how many troops he had. However, when they saw him charging out and saw the flag, they thought that the other party had already set up an ambush.
The Tan clan's troops and equipment were stronger than the enemy's. The only thing they lacked was morale. Naturally, they were shocked to see this scene. On the other side, there was another rumble of war drums. Ma Douning also commanded his troops to attack. His voice was like thunder, "Sister-in-law Tan, surrender yourself!"
Ma Douning didn't lead many troops, but the problem was that Ma Doulin and Ma Douning's two brothers-in-law weren't fake. What would the Tan family think if they suddenly appeared here? Under such circumstances, could she calmly analyze that the other party just happened to be in Plentiful City to discuss business with Ma Bangping, so he was bluffing?
Madam Qin couldn't make this judgment, nor did she dare to take this risk. The only correct choice she could make was to retreat!
However, with the communication conditions and the quality of the soldiers at that time, retreating was more dangerous than attacking. Only a small number of disciplined and well-trained troops could perform an orderly retreat. Could the soldiers under Madam Qin's command do it?
In all of Sichuan, the only ones who could achieve this were the white stick soldiers trained by Qin Liangyu himself. Other armies, even the regular army of the imperial court, could rarely achieve this, let alone the native soldiers.
The army was defeated like a landslide. In this battle, Madam Qin lost close to a thousand elite soldiers. Sixty percent of the over one thousand elite soldiers were not killed in the charge, but in the process of escaping, they were killed by the pursuers who were far inferior to them.
Li Xiangrong became famous after this battle and was treated as a clown by Ma Bangping. While they were cleaning up the battlefield, Ma Bangping brought up Clown Li and asked, "Mr. Li, what should I do next?"
Li Xiangrong was bursting with confidence, and his mind was incomparably agile. He desperately searched his brain for some military plots in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" as he slowly replied, "There's no time to lose. Speed is the most important thing in war. If you don't want Madam Qin to see that you're bluffing, then you have to take advantage of the situation and besiege the stone pillar residence again! "
Ma Bangping readily followed his advice and immediately rubbed his palms together, "Okay! I'll go right now! "
Li Xiangrong hurriedly said, "Hold on, Tushe, you have to …"
Li Xiangrong bit Ma Bangping's ear and whispered. Ma Bangping accepted all of it and immediately led a group of uncles and brothers from the same clan who were here to discuss matters, and majestically rushed to the stone pillar residence.
The east, west, and north sides of the city. Three sides of the encirclement lacked one, and the three sides of the encirclement also made full use of the terrain. The wider side was for the real army to suppress the border, while the other two sides were filled with mountains and forests, so there were more straw men hidden in the forest. Only the real soldiers standing in front were there to bluff.
Of course, in this process, Ma Doulin, Ma Douning, and the others also sent messengers to quickly rush back to the headquarters to mobilize troops. As long as Madam Qin didn't have the guts to take the initiative to attack and see through their actual situation, then as long as they gave them some time, when Madam Qin wanted to attack again, she would find that she was indeed facing a large number of troops surrounding the city.
Three sides lacked one, not only because Ma Bangping currently didn't have enough manpower, but also to create an opportunity for Madam Qin to escape. Only when she betrayed Bozhou would her intentions be exposed, and she would be completely abandoned by the Ma family. Only then would the imperial court change its attitude, immediately release Ma Qiancheng, and help him ascend to the position of Chieftain.
In the encirclement, Madam Qin, who had just retreated in defeat, saw the flags fluttering under the city, and the troops like clouds. She couldn't help but feel anxious. Her original intention was to use this battle to hit the enemy's morale, and take the opportunity to disintegrate. Unfortunately, because of the great defeat, her own morale was low.
Should she leave or not? Madam Qin hesitated. She was unwilling to leave just like this, but if she didn't leave, she also understood that the chance to reverse the defeat was not big.
Outside the southern city, in the high mountains and the sea of bamboos, Tian Xiufeng was also nervously thinking of countermeasures. She spared no effort to help Yang Yinglong strengthen his power, but if Madam Qin could unify the stone pillars, or even lead a group of troops to betray Bozhou, it would be extremely beneficial to Yang Yinglong, but Tian Xiufeng was very against it.
These two were not contradictory, because she had selfish motives. She wanted to help her husband expand his power, hoping that after her husband seized the world, she would be able to grasp more power. If it was to nurture an opponent for herself, she would naturally be on guard.
Everything was developing according to her expectations, even more ideal than she had planned. Madam Qin was already at the end of her road, and the only choice she could make was to lead the troops to betray. How … to make her stay?
Tian Xiufeng lowered her eyes, and anxiously analyzed, "If I don't make a move now, after the Heavenly King learns of the detailed situation here, he will definitely be able to guess my intentions, and then vent his anger on me. But … if I bring Madam Qin back to Bozhou, I will be leading a wolf into the house! "
"I have to rescue her out of the city, and then let her die halfway. In this way, it will be her bad luck, and it will have nothing to do with me. But to put her to death … among the people I brought, the trusted members of the Tian family are very reliable, so there is no need to worry. As for the others, especially those sent by the Heavenly King, I will have to find an opportunity to send them away … "
Tian Xiufeng pondered for a long time, and gradually came up with an idea. She turned around and said to Ye Xiaotian, "Chief Ye, the situation is critical. It seems that I will have to trouble you to make a trip to the stone pillar city!"
Ye Xiaotian replied, "Madam, feel free to instruct me!"
Tian Xiufeng said seriously, "The stone pillar city is in imminent danger, and it is impossible to salvage the situation. We should be a hero and abandon the city as soon as possible. I hope you can persuade Madam Qin, and let her lead the remaining troops to break out of the encirclement! "
Tian Xiufeng said, "Just now, I observed the situation at the foot of the mountain, and the Ma family has adopted the method of encircling three sides, and there is still time to break out from the south. If you can persuade Madam Qin, let her abandon the military supplies, and only take her valuables to break out from the south of the city. I will be here to receive her and lead her back to Bozhou! "
Ye Xiaotian said straightforwardly, "Alright! Then I will make another trip. "
Ye Xiaotian had already analyzed the situation to her. Even if she was captured by the Ma clansmen, Even if he was captured by the Ma family, his life would not be in danger because of his special identity. In addition, he was gradually establishing an image of himself growing up and becoming stronger under Tian Xiufeng's influence. At this moment, he readily agreed, and Tian Xiufeng did not have any doubts. Instead, she was gratified that her painstaking training did not go to waste.
At this moment, even though there was no one besieging the south of the stone pillar city, the commoners naturally would not enter the city at this time. The south city gate was tightly shut, and the drawbridge was hung high, and the security was tight. Ye Xiaotian brought a few people with him, but before they reached the foot of the city, they were discovered by people from afar.
Ye Xiaotian brought his people to the foot of the city under the warning of the guards at the top of the city wall. He flashed the waist token that Madam Qin had given him previously. After the guards at the top of the city wall examined it and confirmed that there was indeed no one else around, they then lowered the drawbridge and opened the city gate to let them in.
As Ye Xiaotian walked, the situation was different from the previous time. There was not a single person on the streets, and even the grain and rice shops that were usually packed with commoners had their doors and windows tightly shut. Some of them had even removed their shop signs, and there were only soldiers patrolling the streets. Moreover, all of them were dejected, and it was obvious that they had no morale at all.
Because Ye Xiaotian had the waist token on him, he was very quickly led into the Chieftain Residence. This time, it was still the same people gathered in the main hall, and all of them had very depressed expressions. This time, Madam Qin did not sit high up on the seat of honor. When she saw Ye Xiaotian, she was already standing there, welcoming him in the hall.
"Officer Ye!"
"Madam Qin, we already have some understanding of the situation here. Madam Tian suggests that Madam Qin immediately abandon the city and temporarily move to Bozhou before planning for the future! "Ye Xiaotian did not delay and immediately voiced out Tian Xiufeng's suggestion.
This time, Madam Qin did not haggle over how to argue with Tian Xiufeng. She said, "I am currently discussing this matter with the various chieftains."
Ye Xiaotian swept a glance at everyone and said, "What do the various chieftains say?"
The scene was still gloomy, and Madam Qin replied with a bitter smile, "There are a few chieftains who are reluctant to leave!"
Ye Xiaotian looked at everyone again, and from their expressions, he could also tell who Madam Qin was talking about. These people were all headmen and chieftains who had lived in their own land for generations, so they had a very strong sense of home. It was indeed not easy for them to leave their homes.
Ye Xiaotian said, "Various chieftains, you have misunderstood. In the past, the Overlord of Chu, Xiang Yu, had been so awe-inspiring. Han Sheng had advised him to stay in Guanzhong to achieve hegemony, but Xiang Yu and his subordinates missed their homeland and were unwilling to agree. What was the result? Not only did they fail to achieve hegemony, but their homeland also fell under the rule of others, and they died. How short-sighted.
If you all stay here today, even if you do not die, you will lose Madam Ma's favor and trust. What future will you have in the future? Bozhou's Heavenly King Yang is an outstanding talent of his generation. You and Madam Qin will temporarily hide in Bozhou, and in the future, Heavenly King Yang will definitely send troops to help you return to your homeland. At that time, you will return with glory, or now, you will bow your heads. What will you choose? "
Ye Xiaotian's words had indeed moved everyone. Seeing this, Madam Qin hurriedly struck while the iron was hot, saying, "Heavenly King Yang and this madam … are related by marriage. In the future, Heavenly King Yang will definitely help Qiansi and send reinforcements to help us kill our way back to the stone pillars. Why do you all have to be reluctant to leave for now?
When we return to the stone pillars, this madam will definitely not forget the merit of following you all. Today, Ma Bangpin and the others' territories will definitely be given to you all. Now that the enemy has surrounded the city, if we continue to hesitate, all of this will become a reflection of the moon in the water, and it will not be worth mentioning! "
The chieftains looked at each other and whispered to each other. Finally, they all declared, "We are willing to follow Madam to Bozhou. Madam, please give the order!"
Ye Xiaotian smiled. He wanted to help Ma Qiancheng to the position of chieftain, and he wanted to give Ma Qiancheng a relatively pure and clean group of people. If these disloyal headmen and chieftains were to stay, they would say that they had mistakenly believed Madam's letter. Now that they had repented, when Ma Qiancheng had just ascended to the throne, would he be able to brazenly raise the butcher's knife? It was better to clean them all up!
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