The Song Dynasty on the Sand Table

Chapter 221 Willing to Assist the Prince
The group was escorted by Qi Chongli's men into Gaomi County.

No other officials from the city came to greet them. No one, not even the county magistrate, chief clerk, or county lieutenant, showed up, or rather, they couldn't show up. There were no soldiers or officers either, only Qi's retainers, hangers-on, archers, and local militiamen...

Qi Chongli sighed softly, "The magistrate, chief clerk, and county lieutenant of Gaomi County were murdered by Jin bandits in the second year of the Jingkang reign. Early last year, the court appointed three new officials here. Unexpectedly, bandits erupted right after they took office. Mizhou City was also the scene of a rebellion led by Du Yan, Li Kui, and Wu Shun. The prefect, Zhao Ye, fled, and several other county officials also fled."

Wu Jialiang sighed, "I understand them! I was appointed Jimo County Magistrate at about the same time as them. Jimo County was also plagued by bandits. Fortunately, I met Guan Yishi and Yue Gongzi. They are two brave men. Not only did they not cause trouble, but they helped to protect the village. Otherwise, I would have had no choice but to run away."

Qi Chongli was very curious about the situation in Laizhou. When he heard Wu Jialiang talk about it, he quickly asked, "Wu County Lieutenant, can you tell me about Gong Yishi?"

Wu Jialiang briefly recounted the process of his struggle with the rebel army after he took office in Jimo County.

After hearing this, Qi Chongli couldn't help but marvel at it: "This noble woman in the palace is as brave as any man. In times of national crisis, with such a remarkable woman assisting the prince, perhaps we can truly defend the Jiaodong Peninsula and protect the peace of our Great Song. My Qi family is also willing to assist the prince and jointly resist the Jin bandits."

His initiative to speak made Wu Jialiang and Yue Wenxuan feel happy. They didn't expect such an unexpected gain. Qi was very sensible.

But, the problem arises again!

Qi Chongli was clearly loyal to Zhao Gou, and he certainly didn't want to see him usurp the throne with Wang Zhaoye. Therefore, he didn't say "I will support you," but "I will assist you." Clearly, he was politically conscious, stating directly, "I can help you fight the Jin army, but I won't be your subordinate, lest I be considered a traitor."

Never mind, this isn't surprising.

Qi Chongli continued, "By the way, what exactly is the purpose of Inspector Wu's visit to Gaomi County this time?"

Wu Jialiang said, "I'm here to persuade Li Kui to join the prince's army and work together to fight against the Jin."

"Ah?" Qi Chongli froze visibly. Although he didn't say anything, his expression said, "Can that lawless killer be persuaded?"

As the two were talking about this, they suddenly heard the sound of "kong kong kong" knocking on bamboo coming from the west.

Qi Chongli's spirit tensed up: "This is the alarm, the enemy is attacking!"

After saying that, he didn't bother to greet Wu Jialiang anymore and ran towards the west gate.

Yue Wenxuan said, "Let's go and take a look too."

Wu Jialiang nodded, and the group ran towards the west city gate.

As the "kong kong kong" sound continued to ring out, many people in the city ran towards the west. The servants of the Qi family ran the fastest. A large number of archers, militiamen, and even ordinary people were all gathering towards the west gate. When Yue Wenxuan and his party ran to the west gate, they saw that the city wall on this side was already full of people.

The servants all climbed up the city wall with their light bows, and many common people spontaneously came over with large pots and other things, apparently preparing to boil water to help defend the city.

This small county town seems to be united. It seems that the Qi family is really highly respected here.

Yue Wenxuan also climbed up the city wall with the local militia, but saw an army standing outside the city. The number of people was not large, less than two thousand, and they were holding a huge flag with a huge "Li" character written on it.

A burly man with a dark face rode his horse and stood under the banner. He looked up at the city and roared, "You bastards of Gaomi County, I'm the governor of Mizhou, and Gaomi County is part of Mizhou. Every time I come, you don't open the city gates. What's your intention? Believe it or not, I'll burn this damn city of yours down to the ground and kill you all without a trace."

Qi Chongli poked his head out from the city wall and shouted, "Li Kui! You are the governor of the military and state affairs. You gave yourself this title, not the imperial court. If you can change your banditry and behave like a hero who can resist the Jin Dynasty, I will open the city gates and welcome you into the city. I will provide you with all the military rations and will not be negligent in the slightest. But look at yourself and see what kind of person you are." It turned out that the black-faced itchy man outside the city was Li Kui. He laughed heartily, "What's wrong with my appearance? I was born this way! You, old man, judge people by their appearance. You are not a hero."

Qi Chongli: "Am I talking about your appearance? I'm talking about your character."

Li Kui: "I have no faults at all. You, old man, are picky and nagging. You have many faults."

Qi Chongli: “…”

There is no way to explain this!

It's like you're trying to reason with someone smoking in an elevator, telling them it's not okay and asking them to change. But they don't think there's something wrong with them, and instead think there's something wrong with people who can't stand the smell of cigarettes.

Li Kui: "I don't have the patience to waste time talking to you. This entire Mizhou belongs to me now. If Gaomi County doesn't open the city walls and surrender to me, I will attack the city. When the city is broken, your heads will all be hung on the city gates."

Qi Chongli: "In broad daylight, in the clear and bright world, is there no law? I am not afraid of even the gold thieves, so why would I be afraid of a mere local bandit like you?"

"Hahaha!" Li Kui laughed loudly, then his face suddenly changed and he shouted, "Prepare to attack the city."

The two thousand soldiers behind him began to get busy.

These people were well prepared before they came, and actually brought out several siege weapons, battering rams, and ladders. They were all crudely made, revealing an air of poverty, just like the coat the author was wearing, which was visibly low-grade. It seemed that Li Kui's military supplies were not sufficient.

The people in Gaomi County were obviously frightened, and many began to cry, but no one shouted to surrender. Everyone was looking at Qi Chongli's face, waiting for his decision.

Qi Chongli waved his hand and shouted, "Don't surrender. If you surrender, you will die. Let's fight these thieves to the death."

After hearing this, the people gritted their teeth and prepared themselves to fight to the death.

Wu Jialiang hurriedly walked up to Qi Chongli and said anxiously, "My Lord, don't do anything yet. Let me persuade him to withdraw his troops."

Qi Chongli: "This killing is something that cannot be persuaded."

Wu Jialiang: "Let me try."

He quickly ran to the top of the city gate, stuck his head over the wall, and shouted, "Stop it, you black man! Look who's here."

When Li Kui heard the word "black man", he was stunned for a moment, then he looked towards the top of the city wall and was immediately overjoyed: "Oh, it's Brother Jialiang."

Guan Sheng's head suddenly popped up next to him: "I'm here too."

Li Kui: "Oh, Brother Guan Sheng is here too."

He quickly waved his hand and yelled, "Stop! Don't hit me! That's my brother."

(End of this chapter)