Chapter 1592: Siege, Nailed to the Ground
Chapter 1592: Chapter 1592: Siege, Nailed to the Ground
"What? The Rong army is attacking!" County Magistrate Luo, a civil servant, was so terrified that he blurted out countryside slang, grabbing Qin San Lang: "Company Commander Qin, the Rong soldiers in the county were difficult enough with just two Company Commander Centres, and now the Rong army is coming, how can our little county possibly withstand them?"
We’re doomed!
Qin San Lang pulled his arm back and downed the rest of the sorghum porridge, saying to County Magistrate Luo: "Lord County Magistrate, no need to worry. The Rong people are rushing to Xing’an Prefecture, they won’t bother attacking this small county. You should quickly order the East City Gate opened, let the people of Shiming Town come in to avoid disaster."
Having seen the Rong people’s intentions from Guanlu County to Da Chen County, Qin San Lang dared to speak this way.
He continued: "Prepare more food. The people of Shiming Town will come with their families, and farmers from other villages will also flock into the county, so we must prepare the grains. If there are many people and no food, the city will still be chaotic."
Although Ancang County isn’t much, it at least has tall walls for protection and is better than staying in a town with no walls.
County Magistrate Luo’s face darkened upon hearing this.
The county’s granary might not be safe, but more than having the food gone, he feared the Rong people wreaking havoc in town, so he had to follow Qin San Lang’s instructions: "Squad Leader Liu, quickly find County Captain Liu, tell him to open the East City Gate, let the common people in to shelter from disaster. Close the gate immediately after they enter."
"Yes." Squad Leader Liu was County Captain Liu’s nephew, who ran back earlier to the County Captain Mansion to protect his family. Upon returning, he dared not speak much, only followed County Magistrate Luo’s orders.
"Tang Chief Commander, you stay in the county, if the Rong people attack the city, you lead the troops to resist." Qin San Lang was convinced the Rong people wouldn’t attack the county, but to be safe, it’s best to leave a Chief Commander’s force with the county government to guard the city: "County Magistrate Luo, we need a large amount of medicine to fend off the enemy, have someone bring Brother Ye to the pharmacies in town, give him whatever medicine he needs."
Their poison was running low, they had to quickly prepare some for use against pursuing Rong people when they flee.
"Remember to cook more, the brothers outside have not eaten yet." After making arrangements, Qin San Lang called the soldiers to leave the county, leaving behind County Magistrate Luo looking quite exasperated.
Well, the granary is certainly going to be emptied.
County Magistrate Luo resigned himself to fate, instructing the government official: "Have the miscellaneous soldiers keep cooking, the soldiers outside need to eat...make more porridge."
More water in the porridge, drink a few bowls and they’ll be full.
"Yes." The government official hurried to the kitchen to notify the miscellaneous soldiers.
When the official returned, County Magistrate Luo continued: "Take Doctor Ye and them to the pharmacies in town, inform the shopkeeper to assist Doctor Ye. If he dares not help, I’ll throw his family out of town!"
"Got it." The official was rushed off his feet, responded and called for Ye Dakou’s group: "Doctor Ye, follow me."
Ye Dakou, with San Qi and Mai Dong, followed the official to the largest pharmacy in town, relying on County Magistrate Luo’s orders, they could obtain the needed medicine without paying.
He then instructed the doctors and attendants in the pharmacy: "Everyone help to grind these herbs, quickly!"
The pharmacy staff, aware the Rong army was coming and knowing Ye Dakou was a doctor brought by the Kangrong soldiers, dared not slack off, all helped diligently, grinding and mixing medicines.
Outside the pharmacy, the county government was also frenzied, County Magistrate Luo feared for his family, had the officials bring them all here, thinking if the city fell, they could die together... County Magistrate Luo imagined the scene of his family’s suicide, feeling so sorrowful he started crying, only praying to God for Qin San Lang and the others to win.
...
Qin San Lang had already led troops out of the city, but not towards Shiming Town; they reached Sangui Town behind the county, choosing a strategic position and said: "Brother Xie, bring people to dig trenches and set traps."
Setting ambushes in both towns could delay the Rong army’s progress more effectively.
He then told Chief Commander Lao: "You take troops into Sangui Town, have the people evacuate to the county immediately. After being ambushed once, the Rong people will be violently angry, and take it out on Sangui Town, civilians there must evacuate."
"Understood." Chief Commander Lao promptly led a Section Leader cavalry and two government officials, riding into Sangui Town.
They headed straight for Si Li Square, found the clerk and local government officials, and explained the situation.
Sangui Town isn’t far from the county, smoke could be seen from the distant county. With Chief Commander Lao bringing the government official and County Magistrate Luo’s handwritten letter, once the clerk read it, he believed: "Quickly sound the gong to inform everyone that the Rong army is attacking, pack valuables and head to the county to avoid disaster!"
"Got it!" The government officials promptly acted, informing the townspeople.
But they had their families too, after sounding the gong and shouting once, they ran back to the village, informing the villagers and taking their families toward the county.
Chief Commander Lao anticipated this, as he rode in the town, sounding the gong and shouting: "The Rong army is attacking, County Magistrate Luo orders all households in the town to head to the county to avoid disaster, quickly!"
His throat was hoarse from shouting, occasionally stopping to explain to the frightened civilians. When they understood, Chief Commander Lao’s group continued sounding the gong and shouting.
After a full hour of busy work, they managed to drive the townspeople to the county.
The nearby towns and villages also received the notice, flocking towards the county.
Some too far from the county ran straight into the deep mountains, in any case, everyone was fleeing for their lives.
...
Outside Shiming Town, Company Commander Cao and his soldiers used trenches, traps, arrow storms, and poison to hold back the Rong army for nearly four hours.
But there were too many Rong soldiers, their bows strong and arrows swift, and Company Commander Cao’s troops were struggling, retreating into the third trench. If the Rong soldiers advanced further, they would be finished.
Company Commander Cao was afraid of dying, said to Hu Company Commander: "Old Hu, the Rong people are too formidable, we must retreat quickly, or it’ll be too late."
Hu Company Commander saw there was still half a bag of poison bags, said: "Hold out for another hour, if we flee too soon, the traps in Sangui Town aren’t ready yet, Company Commander Qin and the others will be in great danger."
Besides, Company Commander Qin ordered them to hold for three hours, they couldn’t flee after just two.
"Company Commander Qin has a bad temper, let’s endure a bit longer." Hu Company Commander said, instructing the archers: "Shoot arrows!"
Woosh, woosh, woosh!
Arrows rained down on the Rong soldiers but didn’t cause much damage to them.
These Rong soldiers were clad in armor, even if the arrows could pierce their armor, they could not penetrate their skulls.
Company Commander Cao cursed inwardly, yet Qin San Lang’s temper was indeed bad, he had made a mistake during past combat, if he made another, that kid would surely kill him.
At that time, he’d say he was killed by the Rong people and his death would be for nothing.
The younger generation is fierce, he’s too old to stir trouble, could only risk staying, leading troops to fight the Rong soldiers: "Pine oil, light the rockets, use fire!"
If arrows couldn’t pierce the Rong armor, they’d burn them instead.
Upon hearing Company Commander Cao’s orders, the archers quickly fashioned rockets with pine oil and cloth, shooting them at the advancing Rong soldiers.
Woosh, woosh, woosh!
The fiery rockets ignited the hem beneath the Rong soldiers’ armor, panicking them and making them roll on the ground to extinguish the flames.
"It works, keep using fire!" Company Commander Cao was overjoyed, continuing to command.
But he was happy too soon, from the side came a sudden whooshing sound, followed by...
Woosh!
A crossbow arrow came like lightning, piercing Company Commander Cao’s shoulder, its strong force flinging him a yard away, then with a thud, nailing him to the ground.