At noon, Li Ping relaxed and slept for a while.

Lunch break is a habit he developed during his military life, which allows him to maintain strong energy in the afternoon, and now he has brought it here.

After getting up, he went into the city and went to Zhao Jin's place. As expected, Zhao Jin didn't know most of the news brought by Wang Chengwu. He had only just heard about the fight.

Regarding fighting, it is not a big deal. Nowadays, there are a few fights near Xiangfan every day. The forest is big, there are all kinds of birds, and the resources are scarce, it would be strange if there is no fight, but most of them just use fists and kicks, at most

Only a few lives were lost.

However, this time the commotion was too big. Not only were weapons used, hundreds of people were killed or injured, which caused shock.

Although the military discipline of Fang Anguo's troops has always been very bad, even a bit evil, it is still difficult to say whose fault it is, and now is not the time to be reasonable. The key point is that Fang Guoan's troops suffered a big loss.

Fang Anguo has served under Zuo Liangyu for many years, and he is even more respected as the commander-in-chief of a party. He is said to be a boss who can do anything he wants, so how can he tolerate this? The group who was fighting with his subordinates just surrendered.

No matter how aggressive the bandit army is, they can only run away.

After saying this, Zhao Jin seemed to calmly tell Li Ping that since he was praised for visiting Zuo Menggen that day, Shi Ming finally found a reason and began to hang out with Zuo Menggen regardless of business, and often invited Zuo Menggen to his side.

The young soldiers and generals went to his camp to have fun.

In this regard, Zhao Jinzheng doesn't think this is a bad thing. Now everyone has multiple insurances. Let's see if Shi Ming will communicate with him later. But no matter what, Shi Ming is really worth it sometimes.

Everyone learns.

Regarding the issue of soap, Zhao Jin also seemed very worried.

The soap indeed brought them great convenience, and also allowed Zhao Jin to be known by more military and local dignitaries, making him a popular person around Zuo Menggeng, but such familiarity is not always a good thing.

It’s a crime to possess a jade!

What's even more uncomfortable is that most of the soaps they produce are now given away to others, and can only be used in exchange for goods.

This is mainly because the output of soap is too low. Raw materials are not only difficult to obtain but also very expensive in Xiangyang, where supplies are scarce. People don’t have enough to eat, so where can we get so much oil? It is really not an option to continue like this.

After talking for a while, both of them were a little silent. They seemed to be in good shape now, but many things were not stable.

Li Ping thought for a while and finally made up his mind and said to Zhao Jin: "Brother, I have an idea. We will dedicate the secret recipe for soap production directly to Zuo Mengeng. What do you think?"

"Huh?" Zhao Jin didn't react for a while.

"You should think about it carefully. For example, my wife likes it, the general has been waiting for me, and I am moved. Think about it. In this way, we will completely transfer the conflict, and it will strengthen our position. In the past,

Our thinking is a bit simplistic." Li Ping said directly without being too pretentious.

After Li Ping finished speaking, Zhao Jin did not say a word, but lowered his head and began to think deeply.

After a while, when Zhao Jin raised his head, his brows had relaxed. Then he nodded and said, "You kid can do it, you can bear it, and you dare to think about it. This is a good idea, so let's do it."

After saying that, Zhao Jin patted Li Ping hard on the shoulder and cursed with a smile: "Smelly boy!"

…

The next day, Li Ping made an appointment with Song Baolai and took the stupid big man Liu San, Ma Yong, Hu Zhongshan and others as well as his personal soldiers to visit Xiangyang City, while Duan Qiang was left in the camp to look after his family.

After coming to Xiangyang for so many days, Li Ping has never seriously visited the city. After spending a few days in the mountains in the south, and making several trips to and from Zhao Jin's camp, Li Ping had a rough idea of ​​the city's mountains and geography.

Apart from understanding it, he basically knew nothing about its customs, customs and city appearance. His previous hesitation left him completely in no mood and without energy.

The whole camp had a rest today, the troops were somewhat in shape, and he relaxed.

Li Ping needs to know more about this era, his own situation, and more importantly, he wants to relax.

So, a group of people went first to the Zhennan Building (today's Zhaoming Terrace, rebuilt in 1993), which is the most important building in the city and is located in the center of the city (actually quite far to the west).

The Zhennan Tower is three stories high and faces the south. It is built with blue bricks and has a stone arch in the middle. The door opening is 4.5 meters high and 3.5 meters wide. The Zhennan Tower is usually responsible for ringing bells and drums to tell the time, which is what we often say.

The Bell and Drum Tower is a famous bell and drum tower, but during wartime it was the central commanding height overlooking the entire Xiangyang city and an important fortress for city defense.

Because there were soldiers guarding the place above, Li Ping, who didn't want to be public, spent some money and took only Ma Yong and Hu Zhongshan upstairs to have a look.

But after only a brief look around, Li Ping lost more interest in the Zhennan Tower. It was not much different from similar towers that Li Ping had visited in his original time and space. On the contrary, it was even more dilapidated.

Looking down at the surrounding market squares from upstairs, Li Ping could only sigh with emotion at the scenery he was used to seeing. If it weren't for the tall and sound city walls around them, those market squares would not be the same as the simulated ancient buildings that later generations are used to.

There was not much difference. Even looking at the famous historical building "Zhongxuan Tower" in the southeast corner of the city from a distance did not arouse any more interest in him.

Of course, the main reason was the inability to climb up. Currently, Xiangyang's city wall has implemented strict wartime management, and ordinary people and idlers are completely prohibited from climbing the city wall. Li Ping doesn't want to cause trouble for himself. He doesn't have the strength yet.

Although "Zhongxuan Tower" does not look tall at all from a distance and is even a bit ordinary, it is, after all, one of the "Four Famous Towers in Chutian" together with "Yellow Crane Tower", "Qingchuan Pavilion" and "Yueyang Tower".

The historical significance is still very attractive.

Moreover, there is a turret called the "Lion Tower" built on the southwest city wall of Xiangyang, and in the northwest corner stands a world-famous "outer city" - "Lady's City". The weight and history of Xiangyang can only be found in the city wall.

It is vividly displayed above.

Apart from looking at it from a distance and regretting, that's all.

Li Ping finally decided to let He Zhuzhu, who was also the friend of the silly big Liu San and the former carriage and horse shop clerk, take them to the famous neighborhoods. If he really expected the silly big Liu San to introduce the city

That is definitely overthinking.

However, most of the once-famous neighborhoods are now sparsely populated, many doors are closed, and the chaos has completely drained the city of its vitality.

But walking among the connected wooden terraces and various houses of different styles, you can still feel the prosperity and unique charm of this place. Especially when it is quiet around, there are no pedestrians, and you can walk on the stone paved road.

In the streets and alleys, looking at the various eaves extending out, you can fully appreciate a unique charm.

While Li Ping listened to He Zhuzhu's talk about the past glory of each block, he carefully savored, observed, and imagined. Ma Yong and others also looked around, asking Liu San a few words from time to time, what is the city like?

It is also the largest city they have ever seen so far, and it always shocks them.

Unfortunately, He Zhuzhu is not a good tour guide either. His previous level determines his level of knowledge. Moreover, Xiangyang City is indeed a bit small. The east and west walls are only 2.2 kilometers and 1.6 kilometers respectively, and the north and south walls are only 1.6 kilometers long.

With a length of 1.4 kilometers and 2.4 kilometers, the area is really small, and all kinds of officials, nobles and powerful people occupy most of the city, so there are not many places to visit.

Therefore, Li Ping quickly decided to leave the city and chose Gongchenmen.

There are six gates in Xiangyang, the east gate is "Yangchun", the south gate is "Wenchang", the west gate is "Xicheng", the small north gate is "Linhan", the big north gate is "Gongchen", and the long gate is "Zhenhua".

Li Ping first entered Xiangyang through the Small North Gate - Linhan Gate, which is located on the central axis of Xiangyang City and is the gate connecting the north and south main roads. Therefore, he chose the Great North Gate this time, which is also relatively centrally located on the north city wall.

Mengongchenmen is an undamaged city gate, city tower, and urn, and it is close to the gate of the Censor's Office of Fuzhi Capital in the Ming Dynasty.

Standing here, you can have a better view of Xiangyang City Defense, and you can also effectively observe Fancheng on the other side. Moreover, there is a long distance to the left of Gongchenmen due to terrain reasons, and a large triangular area is recessed in the city wall.

There is a large enclave outside the city, and there are many docks.

Standing on the side of the Han River under the city gate, with his back against the tall city wall and looking at the broad river, Li Ping couldn't help but sigh. He almost instinctively imagined how to attack and defend here.

The geographical advantage here is really outstanding. Let’s not talk about the city wall. The bank base on this side of the Han River is much higher than the river surface. It is like a tall sloping city wall. Even if the boats are approaching, they still attack from their backs.

No wonder the city selection is so good.

Coupled with the complete city defense, no matter how brave the attacking soldiers are when they come to the city, they will probably feel desperate, but the defenders standing on the city will increase their confidence.

As long as the defenders have enough military supplies and a strong will, this place will definitely be a nightmare for the attackers. No wonder it took the Mongols more than 30 years to attack here in the late Song Dynasty. If Zhang Xianzhong hadn't taken risks and deceived him last year,

The city gate, with its thousands of people, could not even damage the city defense. It is estimated that the defenders did not dare to think that anyone would dare to do this.

Li Ping called Song Baolai and expressed his feelings. There were some words that he really couldn't say in front of others.

Unexpectedly, Song Baolai and Li Ping were not on the same channel at all, and they had never thought about it at all. Song Baolai just thought that the water transportation in this place was too developed, and it was almost accessible through the river. In the era of no cars and no railways, it was absolutely impossible.

It is an ideal hub for merchants.

After listening to Li Ping's words, Song Baolai stretched his neck carefully to look everywhere, and then said to Li Ping seriously: "It's true! This place is really difficult to attack. The difficulty level is indeed too high. Only madmen can attack it."

Come and die."

Li Ping was amused by his actions, and then he calmed down a little and said, "But to be honest, Bora, let's run it well. We may have to stay here for a few years?"

Song Bao looked around. Ma Yong, Liu San and others kept a certain distance from them and chatted in circles. Then he asked in a low voice: "Isn't the Ming Dynasty about to die? When did Xiangyang be lost?

?Zuo Liangyu won’t run away?”

Li Ping explained angrily: "I really don't know when Xiangyang was lost! I'm not Baidu and I don't study history. I don't know what year it is now. I only know that the year Chongzhen committed suicide was 1644.

Then it seemed that it took the Qing army another seven to eight or ten years to completely pacify the south!"

After speaking, Li Ping pointed to the countless large and small ships on the river, and continued: "You also said that water transportation here is developed. Such a majestic city, if it can restore order and production, and rely on waterways to communicate with all directions, it will definitely be a heaven-sent treasure.

, the best base. You say Zuo Liangyu is stupid! Doesn’t he hold it in his hands well? As long as he has a heart, this place is very stable. It is impossible for others to copy Zhang Xianzhong’s methods from here. As for a few years later,

Let’s talk about it then.”

"Yeah, that's right." Song Baolai blinked and nodded in agreement.

However, as soon as he left the city gate and walked westward along the avenue between the riverside and the city wall, Li Ping was surrounded by a large group of half-clothed and skinny hungry people gathered in this concave place.

They killed hordes of hungry people who were not allowed to enter the city.

Seeing this scene, Ma Yong and others who were following from a distance hurriedly came up with swords and soldiers, and the hungry people dispersed in an instant. After that, they gathered together and walked. No one around dared to come forward, only a constant stream of people.

The sound of begging came.

Continuing walking along the road, Li Ping saw a series of low and dilapidated shacks built on the undulating terrain or city walls. Groups of men, women, old and children were squatting, lying or standing numbly on the road.

I stayed on the roadside and beside the shacks and watched numbly every group of pedestrians passing by. A single pedestrian would probably not dare to come here.

The defenders on the city wall are probably familiar with this place, as they have never seen anyone showing their head.

These hungry people are basically dirty and thin, with hair as unkempt as grass, and their bodies exude various smells. Many of the adults even only wear a pair of tattered trousers, and some even hold a rag.
To be continued...