Li Yi couldn't help but smile on his face when he thought of this.

In this battle, the bandits entered the city, and the large officers and soldiers in the city were like frightened birds. They led the troops to repel the bandits. Although they had credit for their proper command, it also reflected that the combat power of the officers and soldiers was not inferior to that of the bandits, but was actually more powerful than those of the bandits.

Strong. It's just that the rewards and punishments are inappropriate, the pensions are unclear, the officers and soldiers who have been harmed are afraid of fighting, and their morale is low, which makes people despise him.

Looking at the corpse on the ground, Li Yi couldn't help but sigh.

This is the fate of thieves. No matter how powerful they are, how many they are, how brave they are, and lack of money, food, equipment, and training, they are just a bunch of mobs after all. Once they encounter officers and soldiers who dare to fight to the death, they will be punished twice as much.

Even with three times the strength, they are definitely no match for the officers and soldiers.

This is a bandit, and it can only be a bandit!

At this time, Li Wensheng and Lu Qianhu came on horseback. Li Yi recovered his mind, stepped forward and bowed his hands: "I would like to report to you two adults that the thieves who entered the city have been defeated by our army, and Baoding City is no longer in danger."

"Okay, okay, Zizheng is really a young hero. He has lived up to the great trust of me and Lu Qianhu." Li Wensheng stroked his beard with a bright smile on his face.

Li Yi killed three birds with one stone, and Li Wensheng also benefited from it. Now that the dust has settled, he has made a great contribution this time, and of course he is very happy.

Baoding Mansion was safe, and Lu Qianhu's originally tense heart finally relaxed, and he said: "This time there was no danger, and Baoding City was saved. Li Yi, you took the credit this time. I and Li

The prefect will ask for credit for you."

In this battle, Lu Qianhu, the imperial guard in uniform, and Li Wensheng, the prefect, jointly asked for orders. Even if he was a commoner, he could not escape this huge credit. Li Yi was naturally happy to be able to get the credit, but he also had to consider Mu Xiuyu Lin.

The truth is that the wind will destroy everything. It is not a good thing for me to have such a big credit now.

Since we are considering taking things step by step, it is most appropriate to use this to spread the favor.

Li Yi immediately bowed his hands and said: "Master Lu, Yi did have some credit for this battle, but without the two adults who entrusted them with their full support in times of crisis, Yi would not have been able to defeat the bandits even with his three heads and six arms, so the two people should take the most credit.

That’s what adults do.”

Lu Qianhu and Li Wensheng were both stunned when they heard that Li Yi was willing to give him the first-class credit.

Lu Qianhu even asked more: "Li Yi, you have to think carefully. The first-class contribution in this battle is not trivial. It is indispensable to fight for you to gain an official position and make your family prominent. How can you give it up so easily?"

Li Yi heard the words and replied: "No matter how big or small the credit is, it is all due to the two adults and thousands of officers and soldiers who fought desperately, and the servants worked together. Yi is self-aware, and this time the first achievement is all due to the two adults' good command, and the second merit is

We are all officers and soldiers, our servants fought bravely, and their merits for perseverance are not worth mentioning. Your Excellency, there is no need to specifically ask for credit for me."

Li Yi spoke firmly. After hearing what he said, Lu Qianhu and Li Wensheng were both stunned on the spot and could not let go for a long time.

You must know that Baoding City is the south gate of the capital, and its strategic location is very important. This time the traitor Zhang Weile let the thieves enter the city. If Baoding City fell, it would undoubtedly be a nail in the heart of the Ming Dynasty, so he was able to recapture the city this time.

That's a huge credit.

However, neither Lu Qianhu nor Li Wensheng expected that Li Yi, as a scholar with no fame, could resist the temptation of a high official and a generous salary, and share the credit with everyone. I am afraid it is difficult to find a few people in the world with such magnanimity.

Baihu, the Jinyiwei who had fought with Li Yi before, were even more excited. They dismounted and bowed down: "Brother Li is so righteous and willing to sacrifice his fame to fight with us. He has such benevolent and benevolent attitude. Ma Zhi admires him."

At this time, Lu Qianhu also came to his senses and said with a smile: "Li Yi, this Ma Zhi was born in a poor family, and he got his official position from hundreds of families with swords and guns. He knows the importance of merit. If he can admire you today, it shows that you really

He is a benevolent and righteous person.”

When Li Yi heard this, he looked at Ma Zhi and found that he was looking at him with burning eyes.

"Master Baihu, you are serious. You wait for your life on the battlefield and take credit. If you don't give credit, Yi will feel very guilty." Li Yi said with a smile.

Ma Zhi also sighed when he heard this: "I have been fighting for more than ten years, and ordinary people regard our soldiers as rude men. Apart from Master Qianhu, you are the only one who can be so considerate of our difficulties."

Li Yi just smiled slightly and stopped talking.

Li Wensheng said at this time: "Li Yi, have you thought about it, and want to avenge the victory together with the officers and soldiers?"

Li Yi nodded when he heard this without any hesitation.

At this time, Lu Qianhu said: "As expected of Mr. Sun, it is rare to know benevolence and righteousness at a young age. Since Li Yi has decided to do this, let us report it like this."

Li Wensheng replied: "I will write a memorial document later and report it to the Chief Envoy and the imperial court."

Lu Qianhu also said: "That's very good. I will send a horse to report to the emperor tonight."

After the two said this, they determined the distribution of credits.

This time, the two Shangguan officials, Li Wensheng and Lu Qianhu, must have been the first to save Baoding City. However, if Li Yi gave up his first-class merit and spread it over the officers and soldiers who fought hard, it would not be too conspicuous.

Ma Zhi and the others around him also showed joy on their faces after receiving the credit.

You must know that although military generals are humble, military merit is very important. They are almost always rewarded for their merits and advance quickly. Therefore, many civil servants intervene in military affairs during the war, all in order to gain military merit and be promoted.

Having fun alone is not as good as having fun with everyone. When Ma Zhi and others knew about it, it quickly spread to the ears of all the officers and soldiers.

These hopeless officers and soldiers were all ecstatic when they heard that they would be asked for merit this time and that they would be rewarded with military merit. When they heard that Li Yi had sacrificed his great achievements, they were all extremely grateful to Li Yi. Many people

She was so excited that she burst into tears. The scene was both funny and sad.

When Lu Qianhu saw it, he couldn't help but sigh: "After today, the officers and soldiers of Baoding Prefecture and the people in the city will regard Li Zizheng as a benefactor. In return for his kindness, no one will dare to deal with Li Zizheng again."

On the outskirts of Baoding, the army looked like snakes moving under the night sky.

The starry sky was clear, illuminating a flat open space, where the stars and firelight melted together, dissipating large areas of darkness, but also turning into large areas of dim yellow light.

The main camp of the Taihang Mountain bandits is stationed here.

The Taihang Bandits in the city suffered heavy losses and news of their embarrassing defeat came like a stream. Yue Bufan's expression was gloomy, like a volcano about to erupt, giving people endless pressure.

The three thousand bandits he sent to the city were all the elites of each village. He also specially asked the extremely capable Qi Shamu to lead the troops. He thought that even if he encountered the officers and soldiers, he would be able to escape unscathed, but how did he know that they were defeated? The entire Taihang Mountains

The gangsters lost half of their money in the blink of an eye.

A dark cloud suddenly flashed across the eyes of the old scholar, and he said to Yue Bufan with concern: "In charge of the plate, it seems that there must be a very powerful force in the city involved, and the second master suffered a great defeat."

Yue Bufan nodded slightly, he knew Qi Shamu's ability, and anyone who could defeat him must not be an ordinary person.

"Do you think we will fight or leave next?" Yue Bufan asked.

The old scholar pondered for a moment and said: "Now our front army is fighting with the officers and soldiers. Although the officers and soldiers have been defeated many times, the casualties of the officers and soldiers are not very large. On the other hand, we have suffered serious losses. This shows that the combat effectiveness of the officers and soldiers is still quite strong."

Yes. The opponent still has two thousand cavalry waiting to advance, but our cavalry army needs to escort the grain and grass. In my opinion, should we avoid the front for now and wait until tomorrow to collect the remaining troops of each department before deciding whether to fight with them?"

Yue Bufan's expression was deep, and when he looked far into the distance, he could only see the entanglement of firelight, violent flashing, and the faint sound of horn horns, which was clearly audible. This was the formation of officers and soldiers starting to move forward in the distance.

"How much money and food did you get?" Yue Bufan asked.

"There are about 600,000 shi of grain and 50,000 taels of silver."

Six hundred thousand shi of grain was enough to feed the Taihang Mountain bandits for several years, and fifty thousand taels of silver was enough to pay for the Ming Dynasty's barren land for one year. It was considered a considerable sum of money.

"Order the army to retreat, and we will escort Qian Liang back to the Taihang Mountains." Yue Bufan said firmly.

Although the Taihang bandits suffered heavy losses this time, with this batch of money and food, these losses can be made up for quickly. From this point of view, it is very worthwhile to raise troops to rob the water transport officers and soldiers.

The messengers dispersed to deliver the order, and the fighting situation in the distance eased. The two sides, who had been exhausted for a long time, dispersed and licked their wounds.

At this moment, Yue Bufan's personal guards suddenly came on horseback and said: "Zhang Pan, Yang Tuozi, Xiong Manzi and others have barged in."

"Weren't they told to lead their troops to retreat? Why did they all leave the army?" Yue Bufan's face was filled with anger.

At this time, Yang Tuozi and Xiong Manzi came with a group of small village leaders. They looked menacing and they obviously had some objections.

Yang Tuozi, who has been entrenched in Taihang Mountain for decades and is the oldest, saw Yue Bufan clasping his fists and said: "Master Pan, I heard that you ordered to return to Taihang Mountain, is that true or not?"

Yue Bufan looked gloomy and replied: "So what?"

At this time, Xiong Manzi stepped forward and said: "The officers and soldiers are all a bunch of weaklings. We can repel them just by waiting, so why should we retreat?"

After all, Yue Bufan is also the leader of the Taihang Mountain bandits. Xiong Manzi asked him in desperation, but he was extremely rude.

Intense murderous intent instantly emerged from Yue Bufan's dark eyes, like a wild beast that smelled the scent of prey and exposed its ferocious fangs.

"Xiong Manzi, why are you talking to the boss and not backing off?"

Seeing the anger on Yue Bufan's face, Yang Tuozi quickly scolded Xiong Manzi, of course, to remind him.

Sure enough, this reminder made Xiong Manzi wake up and quickly clasped his fists in apology.

With no reason to get angry, Yue Bufan could only say: "The army was fighting. Although the officers and soldiers were repulsed many times, the officers and soldiers were in chaos and refused to retreat, making it difficult for our army to conquer. In addition, there were cavalry threats outside, so our army had to retreat temporarily.

"

Yang Tuozi and Xiong Manzi's eyes flickered, obviously they had guessed what Yue Bufan was saying.

"When the army retreats, the officers and soldiers will definitely take the opportunity to cover up and kill them. At that time, they will suffer heavy losses, but what should we do?" Yang Tuozi asked.

Yue Bufan said: "I will send strong men to the rear to stop the officers and soldiers. As for the loss, it is a loss of necessity."

"Taihang Mountain is a hundred miles away, and it will take a long time for the army to retreat. If we retreat step by step, and the officers and soldiers approach step by step, there will be countless casualties, and it is definitely not feasible." Yang Tuozi said.

Yue Bufan was stunned when he heard this. No matter how stupid he was, he could tell that Yang Tuozi had other ideas, so he asked: "What advice does Leader Yang have?"

Yang Tuozi's old face trembled and said: "I don't dare to talk about advice. I have discussed with the leaders that since Baoding Mansion has been captured by our army, instead of retreating to the Taihang Mountains with the loss of troops, it is better to enter Baoding City. The officers and soldiers will definitely come to attack by then, and we will take the position.

The defense of the city will definitely defeat the officers and soldiers."

Xiong Manzi couldn't help but said: "It's true, it's true. We have occupied Baoding City, and the officers and soldiers are a bunch of cowards. We will definitely defeat them. If we take the opportunity to temporarily stay in the entire Baoding Mansion, we can erect a road for heaven."

With the banner, we might as well learn from Liangshan in the Song Dynasty and become a force."

Yang Tuozi nodded and said with a smile on his face: "Even if we are defeated by the officers and soldiers, we can still seize the wealth in the city and return to the Taihang Mountains. In this way, isn't it killing two birds with one stone?"

Yue Bufan looked at Yang Tuozi, Xiong Manzi, and a group of small village leaders, and felt that he had really underestimated them.

He originally thought that these bandit leaders were a group of ordinary thieves with no ambitions and only wanted to dominate the mountain and become the king. Unexpectedly, they wanted to take this opportunity to temporarily live in the city, expand their territory, and become a force.
To be continued...