Chapter 89 Li Yi: I have read so many books that I have swallowed them!
After Bi Yuntao led his troops to surrender, Li Yi immediately led his troops into Cenxi City.
Soon, Cenxi County Magistrate Jiang Wenming and County Lieutenant Qian Ruian were tied up and brought to Li Yi.
Li Yi looked at the two of them for a while, then asked.
"My Restoration Army has just been established, and now is the time to seek talents. If you two are willing to surrender to me and join us in the anti-Qing cause, I will definitely reward you generously."
The reason why Li Yi said this was not because he really valued these two people.
To put it bluntly, Li Yi is still acting.
He needs to show the outside world that he is eager to recruit talents and treat them with respect, so as to attract more talents to join him.
Of course, if the two are really willing to surrender, Li Yi will definitely not be stingy.
As a former fisherman, Li Yi always understood.
If you want to catch fish, you must first make a nest!
Although you may not catch fish even if you bait the fish, you will definitely not catch fish if you don’t bait the fish.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenming spoke very firmly.
"You thief, I am a Jinshi from the two imperial examinations, a disciple of the emperor, and an official appointed by the court. How could I be in league with a thief like you?"
"I have fallen into your hands today because of my bad luck. Don't say anything more. You can kill me or chop me up as you please."
"Don't try to humiliate me by trying to persuade me to surrender!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yi said sarcastically with a somewhat disgusted expression.
"Tsk, you feel a sense of belonging even though you are a traitor. How despicable of you to be."
When Jiang Wenming heard this, his elegant and handsome face instantly turned red and he opened his mouth to refute.
"You thief, have you never heard the words of the ancient sages: when foreigners enter China, they become Chinese?"
"Since the Qing Dynasty has taken control of the Central Plains, it is the legitimate government of the world. I am an official of the Qing Dynasty, so how can I speak of a traitor?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yi sneered disdainfully.
"You, a traitorous official, are unworthy of being a scholar. The prerequisite for foreigners to enter China is that they must accept China's etiquette and rule before they can become Chinese."
"Just like the Northern Wei Dynasty during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, which was completely sinicized, that was when the barbarians entered China and became Chinese."
"But what about the Qing Dynasty? Did those Tartars ever accept the rule of the Chinese monarchy?"
"I tell you, no!"
"Not only did they not accept the rule of the Chinese monarchy, they even forcibly implemented the tyranny of shaving the head and changing clothes in the Central Plains, launched a literary inquisition, burned books and destroyed history, attempting to completely destroy China."
"Look at the official uniform you are wearing, and then look at the rat tail hanging behind your head. Tell me, is this China?"
"You have read the writings of the saints into the stomachs of dogs! How can you call yourselves Confucian scholars? I think you should be called cynics."
"To wear the skin of a Confucian but act like a dog of the Tartars is called a cynic!"
Jiang Wenming was speechless after hearing this.
He originally thought that the bandit soldier in front of him was uneducated and could be easily fooled by him.
Unexpectedly, he knows quite a lot!
After hearing this, Li Yi was too lazy to talk nonsense with Jiang Wenming anymore and waved his hand.
"Someone, take this traitor away and execute him!"
"Don't let him get in my way again!"
Upon hearing this, Li Kang immediately responded and ordered several guards to go forward and drag Jiang Wenming away.
Soon, several gunshots were heard.
The crisp gunshots scared Qian Ruian so much that his crotch instantly became wet.
A foul smell came!
Li Yi subconsciously looked over and couldn't help frowning.
Qian Ruian and Li Yi's eyes made slight contact and he couldn't help but shudder, then he spoke hurriedly.
"I...I am willing to surrender!"
"I am willing to give up the dark and join the light, I hope the Grand Commander will accept me."
As he spoke, he began to kowtow to Li Yi.
He wanted to surrender, but he was just a little slow and was beaten to it by Bi Yuntao.
Now seeing what happened to Jiang Wenming, he simply became cowardly.
Hearing this, Li Yi's eyes softened and he said with a smile.
“So best!”
"Someone, take County Lieutenant Qian down to change his clothes."
In fact, Li Yi originally wanted to dismount and personally support Qian Ruian who was kneeling on the ground, in order to demonstrate his respectful attitude.
However, the smell of urine on Qian Ruian was too pungent.
Li Yi really couldn't afford it, so he had to give up this plan.
After capturing Cenxi, Li Yi did not stay in Cenxi for too long.
Instead, he reorganized his troops and headed north towards Teng County as planned.
……
At the same time that Li Yi was moving his troops northward, Teng County also received news that the bandits were about to attack.
Teng County Magistrate Chen Guangguo paced continuously in the lobby of the county government office, his face full of worry.
"The bandits are coming to kill us again, what should we do?"
The county lieutenant at the side also said with a frown.
"Last time we paid to redeem the city, is it going to be the same this time?"
They had managed to hide the fact that they had to pay for the ransom of the city from the imperial court last time, but if they were to do it again, no one knew if they could conceal it.
Master Luo Youtian also spoke.
"Could it be that these bandits think of our Teng County as a bank? They come here once when they have no money, and they come here once when they have no money. This is too much."
Originally, Luo Youtian was just a lawyer in Teng County. Although he could barely communicate with the officials in the county government, his status was not very high.
However, because he did a good job in redeeming the city last time, Chen Guangguo specially hired him as his legal advisor and kept him by his side to give him advice.
Of course, there is also a sense of sealing the matter.
Redeeming the city is a difficult matter. If it were to be exposed, the imperial court would not let Chen Guangguo off easily just for the charge of colluding with the rebels.
In order to avoid such a thing from happening, Chen Guangguo simply took Luo Youtian, who knew too much, as his mentor and made him share weal and woe with him.
In this case, Luo Youtian would naturally know what to say and what not to say.
Upon hearing this, Chen Guangguo let out a long breath.
"If I can spend money to redeem the city again, it won't be a bad thing."
"I'm afraid the bandits are not coming for money and food this time..."
Chen Guangguo already knew the news of the fall of Cenxi.
Since the bandits can attack Cenxi, there is no reason to let Tengxian go again.
Just at this moment, there was a commotion outside the lobby of the county government office.
A dusty yamen runner rushed in from outside and said with a happy face.
"Sir, good news. Wuzhou has replied to our letter..."
When Chen Guangguo heard this, he was immediately delighted, and most of his worries disappeared. Then he said.
"Quick! Bring the letter here! I want to see it myself!"
Upon hearing this, the bailiff did not dare to delay and handed the letter in his arms to Chen Guangguo.
Chen Guangguo took the letter, tore off the sealing wax, and began to read it.
But soon, the smile on his face quickly disappeared.
Instead, there was a bitter smile.
Because, in the reply letter from Wuzhou, there was no mention of sending reinforcements to Teng County.
Instead, he asked Chen Guangguo to reorganize the gentry and common people of Teng County to defend the city to the death and resist the bandits.
From Wuzhou's perspective, since Chen Guangguo was able to withstand the bandits' attack and even launched a good counterattack, seizing a large number of the bandits' ammunition and weapons.
Well, maybe it’s possible to do it again!
However, Chen Guangguo knew his own business. Last time, it was because the bandits had no intention of attacking Teng County, and he spent a lot of money to buy a victory. This time, it may not work!
This time, Chen Guangguo has shot himself in the foot.
If he had not lied about the great victory last time, Wuzhou might have sent reinforcements.
However, because of the tricks he pulled last time, Wuzhou was quite confident in the city defense of Teng County.
This time they will definitely not send troops over...
……
Outside Teng County, the Restoration Army deployed its troops and prepared to attack the city.
Several cannons were deployed, with their black muzzles pointing towards the city wall of Teng County.
Just as Li Yi was about to give the order to open fire, a basket was lowered down from the wall of Teng County.
Luo Youtian trotted all the way towards the Restoration Army's position, ready to ask to see Li Yi.
Soon, he was brought before Li Yi.
Li Yi looked at this old friend whom he hadn't seen for a long time and spoke first.
"Mr. Luo, why did you come to see me this time?"
"But does Tengxian want to surrender to my Restoration Army?"
Luo Youtian's mouth twitched when he heard this, but he still spoke in a flattering tone.
"In reply to the Grand Commander, I was ordered to come here to discuss the withdrawal of troops with him."
"If the Grand Commander is willing to lead his troops to retreat, my county lord is willing to offer you generous gifts again."
Li Yi was completely unmoved when he heard this.
He just waved his hand casually and said.
"Oh, that's not necessary. If this governor wants something, you can get it after you capture Teng County."
"Why do you need to present it?"
After speaking, Li Yi paused and said.
"If Teng County is willing to surrender, this governor will welcome it with open arms. However, if the people of Teng County do not know the will of heaven and still want to resist my heavenly soldiers, then Mr. Luo, please go back."
"After I take charge of Teng County, I will invite Mr. Luo to have tea!"
Li Yi behaved very calmly.
Because now he does have the confidence.
There is a lack of military forces in Teng County City. As long as we want to fight, we can almost take it down in one go.
Upon hearing this, Luo Youtian couldn't help but smile bitterly.
But before he could say anything else, Li Yi waved his hand and ordered his artillery to fire.
The next moment, the rumbling sound of artillery fire resounded throughout the battlefield.
Clouds of smoke rose from the ground, and shells were fired towards the city walls of Teng County.
At the same time, the siege troops of the Restoration Army carried ladders and rushed towards the city wall of Teng County with muskets, swords and spears.
Shouts of killing resounded throughout the battlefield!
Although the Restoration Army’s arsenal now has the ability to produce breech-loading rifles, due to limited production capacity, the production capacity of military weapons is far behind the pace of military expansion.
Therefore, in the entire Restoration Army, the only unit that has been equipped with breech-loading rifles is actually Li Yi’s guard battalion.
As for other troops, most of them still used weapons such as muskets, knives and spears.
The reason Li Yi made such an arrangement was to strengthen his security force and ensure his own safety.
The second reason is to concentrate the use of breech-loading rifles.
To give an inappropriate example, a packet of arsenic is only a poison that is fatal if it is poured into a cup.
If it is poured into a large water tank, people who drink it will just get a stomachache at most.
If it is poured into rivers, lakes or seas, people can drink until they are full and nothing will happen.
Well, except the Ganges!
By the same token, the breech-loading rifle in Li Yi's hand can only exert its power if it is used with concentration.
Soon, under the cover of artillery fire, the soldiers of the Restoration Army set up ladders on the top of the city wall of Teng County and launched an attack to climb the city wall with loud shouts.
During this process, the Qing army defending the city hid behind the women's wall the entire time and did not dare to show their heads at all.
He simply stuck the muzzle of the gun out from between the parapets and fired randomly without aiming. The result is predictable.
The Qing army's blocking did not work at all, and the Restoration Army climbed to the top of Teng County very smoothly.
Feng Zicai held the shield in both hands, bit the steel knife with his teeth, and was the first to jump onto the top of the city wall.
Seeing a Qing army musketeer pointing his gun at him, Feng Zicai used the shield in his hand to protect his vital parts and threw himself forward.
Before the Qing soldier could fire his gun, he was hit hard in the face by the shield, and he immediately saw stars.
Feng Zicai held the knife in one hand and stabbed it mercilessly. The tip of the knife pierced the body of the Qing army musketeer, and warm blood sprayed all over his face.
"Kill!"
Feng Zicai's face was covered in blood, like a devil crawling out of hell. He shouted loudly and rushed towards the remaining Qing soldiers.
However, those Qing soldiers had already been frightened out of their wits and did not dare to resist at all. They simply dropped their shotguns and turned around to flee.
Feng Zicai did not pursue rashly, but stood beside the ladder with a sword and shield in hand to cover more of his soldiers as they climbed the city wall.
After enough people climbed the city wall, they headed towards the city gate tower in a group, preparing to capture the city.
As more and more Restoration Army troops poured into Teng County, the Qing army flag on the city wall of Teng County was lowered.
Instead, a red flag was flying high.
On the flag, there are two huge characters "Liberation".
A gust of wind blew over the river, and the red flag fluttered, making a rustling sound.
It seemed to be announcing to everyone that from today on, Teng County will become a different world.
……
Under the city of Guilin, as the Qing army's reinforcements arrived, the Taiping Army temporarily stopped its offensive against Guilin and began to prepare to fight against the Qing army's reinforcements.
Inside the Taiping Army camp, in a large bright yellow tent, Hong Xiuquan sat in the first seat.
Yang Xiuqing, Xiao Chaogui, Wei Changhui, Shi Dakai and others sat on both sides.
However, in the big tent today, the focus is not Hong Xiuquan, but Xiao Chaogui.
Everyone looked at Xiao Chaogui with strange eyes.
Xiao Chaogui felt uncomfortable with everyone's looks and spoke with anger in his voice.
"What are you looking at?"
"Do you also think that the death of the Southern King has something to do with me?"
The news has just arrived that Li Yi announced his separation from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and established the Restoration Army.
Among them, the reason Li Yi used to leave the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom caused an uproar in everyone's mind.
Because the reason used by Li Yi was that the death of the King of the South was not an accident, but a deliberate frame-up by his political enemy, the King of the West.
The reason why Li Yi left the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was not for personal honor and wealth, but to avenge his benefactor, the King of the South, one day in the future.
Coincidentally, when the Taiping Army broke out from Yong'an, it was Xiao Chaogui who was responsible for meeting Feng Yunshan who was behind the scenes.
As a result, he really failed to respond, which led to Feng Yunshan's death in battle.
No one mentioned it at first, and no one thought it was a big deal.
Now that the matter has been exposed by Li Yi, they suddenly realize that Xiao Chaogui is really a big suspect in this matter.
After hearing this news, Xiao Chaogui almost went crazy!
Damn it, it’s all so unfair to him, Old Xiao!
Back then, when he was at the gate of Yong'an City, the reason why he failed to provide reinforcements in time was because he was hindered by the Qing army's blocking troops.
So when he broke through the Qing army's blockade, Feng Yunshan had already died in the battle, and he tried his best but could only retrieve Feng Yunshan's body.
Feng Yunshan’s death really has nothing to do with him, Xiao Chaogui!
(End of this chapter)