Qingzhou. Beihai. Yingling.

At this time, there were dense dark clouds in the sky above Yingling City, pressing down from mid-air, as if the sky was falling.

Outside Yingling City, there are forests of swords and guns, black flags for hunting, and camps dotted all over, surrounding the city. From a distance, it looks like a giant beast occupying the plain.

Tao Ying, who was dressed in armor, held a gun in one hand and a horse in the other, sitting on his curly yellow gelding, staring at the city head four hundred paces away with a pair of unwavering eyes.

Behind Tao Ying, the expressionless Dian Wei was carrying a pair of large iron halberds and riding on a tall and strong Liangzhou war horse. His cold eyes stared at the wolf.

Those on the same level as Tao Ying are Beihai Admiral Wang Xiu and Colonel Wu Lan.

"This Ying Shao can really keep his composure!"

Looking at Ying Shao standing motionless on the top of the city, Tao Ying let out a sigh of admiration.

On the 19th day of the first lunar month, Tao Ying went all the way from Beihai Zhuangwu, Yian, and Gaomi counties to Chang'an County to inspect the preparations of Bu Zhao and Lu Dai's Xuzhou Corps.

Tao Ying wanted to stay in Chang'an for an extra day to repair, but suddenly received news that Wang Xiu had taken over Chunyu County and was marching towards Yingling, so he, Dian Wei and Hao Shuai led a thousand cavalry escort and hurried to Yingling.
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"Lord, it has been two days in a row. This Ying Shao neither fights nor surrenders, so why not attack the city?"

Captain Wu Lan, who was holding a broadsword, frowned at Ying Shao standing at the top of the city, and advised Tao Ying not to waste any more time.

In the historical Battle of Hanzhong, Liu Bei allowed Wu Lan, Zhang Fei, and Ma Chao to each lead an army, which shows that Wu Lan's abilities are also impressive.

"Wu Xiaowei, you must be familiar with "Sun Tzu's Art of War". It says: 'Advance the troops to defeat the enemy, and the troops below attack the city'."

Tao Ying pointed to the tall walls of Yingling and the moat more than three meters wide, reminding Wu Lan not to fight a battle that would hurt both sides.

"This Yingling is a large city in Beihai, and Ying Shao has three thousand defenders in his hands. If we attack by force, we will suffer heavy losses. Such a battle must not be fought!"

In the age of cold weapons, if the attacking party does not have five times the strength of the defenders and powerful siege equipment, it is basically impossible to win.

"Lord, we only have more than 10,000 troops and no siege equipment. Ying Shao is waiting for us to retreat without a fight!"

Wang Xiu, who was standing aside, had already figured out Ying Shao's intentions by observing Ying Shao's reaction for two consecutive days.

"If the stalemate continues, it may be detrimental to the Lord!"

In a battle involving patience and reserve strength, Wang Xiu would not be anxious in normal times. He would rather see the opponent die in embarrassment.

But not now. Not only does Tao Ying have no time, but Wang Xiu, who wants to show off his skills in Beihai, doesn't have time either.

"Shuzhi, don't worry, the gate of Yingling will be opened in two days at most!"

Tao Ying looked sideways at Wang Xiu and comforted him with a smile.

Wang Xiu has passed his thirties. Although he was appointed as the admiral of Beihai by Tao Ying, there is no trace of murderous spirit in him, and the aura of a scholar is stronger.

"Ying Zhongyuan, you also know that today's Yingling is like an isolated island in Qingzhou, which can be destroyed overnight!"

Under the puzzled gazes of Wang Xiu, Wu Lan and others, Tao Ying rode his horse closer to the moat and shouted to Ying Shao who was standing at the top of the city.

"Since you are a well-read jurist and prefer to be a scholar, I can't bear your death. Now I will give you a way out. You can lead your troops and leave Qingzhou on your own. I will never stop you!"

Ying Shao, who is nearly forty years old, stands at the top of the city with a calm expression.

"Since Sheriff Tao knew that Ying was a student of law, why did he still advise me to flee from the battlefield?"

Not only was Ying Shao unmoved by Tao Ying's proposal, but a sneer appeared on his lips.

"Governor Tao, Shao urges you to rein in your horse and stop acting rebelliously, which will bring trouble to the Tao family!"

Ying Shao once again rejected Tao Ying's proposal, and Tao Ying turned around and left without saying a word.

“I won’t shed tears until I see the coffin!”

Tao Ying, who originally wanted to give Ying Shao a chance, gave up completely this time.

"Wu Xiaowei, let someone bring a table, prepare five hundred gold and place it in front of the moat, select twenty soldiers with loud voices, and put a reward on their heads!"

Five hundred gold is five million yuan, and the current price of food is only about three hundred to five hundred yuan.

"Hiss..."

As soon as Tao Ying finished speaking, Wang Xiu's heart skipped a beat and he couldn't help but take a breath of air.

"Lord, what if the people in the city remain unmoved?"

Wu Lan, who also understood Tao Ying's intention, felt that Tao Ying's method of buying heads was a bit unreliable.

"That shows that the reward money is not enough for people to take risks!"

After regaining his composure, Wang Xiu calmly replied to Wu Lan on Tao's behalf. Obviously, he understood human nature better than Wu Lan.

"The wisdom of my lord is beyond shame!"

……

"What tricks is this Tao Ying going to play?"

Standing next to Ying Shao, County Cheng Shiyi looked at the Xuanjia Army placing tables under the city, feeling uneasy.

"It's not about having a banquet and watching a show!"

Ying Shao, who was also confused, stared at Tao Ying who had dismounted and took off his armor, frowning deeply and muttering to himself.

"I hope the imperial court will send troops to Qingzhou as soon as possible!"

Ying Shao was well aware of Tao Ying's strength, and Ying Shao had no confidence at all in guarding Ying Ling. He could only hold on to the plan of delaying it for one day.

……

"Woo..."

Just as Shiyi and Yingshao were guessing Tao Ying's intentions, a loud and clear horn sound suddenly sounded from below the city, instantly attracting the attention of the people above and inside the city.

"People in Yingling City, listen, no matter who kills Ying Shao, you will be rewarded with five hundred gold!"

As soon as the horn stopped, a dozen riders immediately approached the moat and shouted in unison towards the top of the city.

The knight shouted three times in a row, then rode his horse along the moat towards the other gates of Yingling.

"Hiss..."

"This..."

Finally understanding Tao Yong's intention, Shiyi looked at each other, his face full of uneasiness and horror.

"It's over!"

Ying Shao sighed secretly, looking at the gold on the table under the city, his heart full of bitterness and unwillingness.

Ying Shao is not worried about his own integrity, but he has no confidence in the loyalty of his subordinates.

"Ziyu, is there a way to solve it?"

Shi Yi, whose face was also sour, looked back at Ying Shao with hope in his eyes, and shook his head gently helplessly.

"Tao Ying's envoy is a conspiracy. There is no solution except sending troops immediately!"

Ying Shao has no confidence in his subordinates, and Shi Yi also does not believe that everyone can see wealth without being interested.

"Fight?"

Shiyi's meaning should be very clear. If you delay for too long, you will die, but if you fight hard, there is still a glimmer of hope.

Ying Shao, who was slightly heart-beating, secretly clenched his fists, but when his eyes once again turned to the Xuanjia military camp, which was lined with swords and guns, sharpening their swords, and filled with murderous intent, his clenched fists slowly loosened again.

Although the city was still a mile away from the Xuanjia Army's camp, Ying Shao could still feel the firm and powerful eyes of the Xuanjia Army soldiers, as well as a chilling murderous aura emanating from the array.

"Forget it, if you want to die, I will die alone!"

With a decision in his heart, Ying Shao immediately turned around and went to the city.

"Ziyu, there are still a few official documents from the county government that have not been processed. Shao will go back first!"

……

"Everyone in Yingling City listen, no matter who kills Ying Shao, he will be rewarded with one thousand gold, one hundred stones of grain, ten bolts of silk, and twenty acres of good farmland outside Yingling City..."

Ying Shao stood expressionless at the gate of the county government office, looking up at the dim sky. There was no trace of panic on his face, and he was calm inside.

"Tao Chongguang, you have made a profit in exchange for a city at this price!"

In just half a day, Tao Ying increased the reward three times. Not only did the Yingling garrison become confused, but the big families in the city also became less calm.

"What are you doing?"

Following the guard's loud shout, there was a burst of messy and noisy footsteps outside the county government office, mixed with the sound of pushing.

"Get out of the way, we want to see the county magistrate!"

"We can't defend Yingling, we want to live!"

……

"There are so many of you, who should get the credit for killing me?"

With a calm look on his face, Ying Shao walked out of the county government office and glanced around at the rebels holding knives in their hands, no less than dozens of them.
To be continued...