New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

Tang Qian's question made Yue Fei sigh softly: "The situation in the north is very bad. Although Wanyan Xieye and Wanyan Zonghan's two armies have retreated, Jin troops are stationed in various cities. It seems that they did not come here to plunder and then withdraw, but rather intend to expand the territory of the Jin Kingdom."

Tang Qian nodded thoughtfully: "I had anticipated this. I believe Wanyan Xie will lead his army south after sending the prisoners of war from Tokyo back to the Jin Dynasty. Are there any Song troops still resisting in Tokyo?"

"The garrison commander in Tokyo has gathered the remnants of his forces, but these remnants have long been terrified by the Jin army. To expect them to withstand Wanyan Xieye's southward invasion is nothing but wishful thinking."

Yue Fei wanted to garrison Tokyo, but unfortunately his military status had been cancelled and it was impossible for him to be reinstated. The two thousand men he had gathered were not enough to accomplish anything, so he could only lead his brothers to seek refuge in Guangling City.

"Even if it can only delay things for a while, it's still good news for us. I'm making thorough preparations. It might be difficult to make 100,000 Jin troops go and never return, but if we just want to hold Guangling City, I'm 90% confident. Now that General Yue has joined us, it's not impossible that we can also make Wanyan Xie suffer a crushing defeat."

"Ninety percent certainty? Your Highness, are you joking with me?"

While using city walls to defend against external enemies can indeed be effective, the Jin army's morale was soaring. They were able to conquer even the heavily fortified city of Dongjing. Guangling City, in terms of both its size and the strength of its walls, was somewhat inferior to the capital. So where did Tang Qian get the confidence to utter such arrogant words?

Tang Qian seemed unwilling to explain Yue Fei's doubts: "The people of Guangling are now united and determined. I have ordered all the grain and supplies outside the city to be sent into the inner city. We can definitely hold out for half a year. What I was worried about before was that the Jin army would besiege the city without attacking. If the two sides were to fight for a year or two, Guangling would fall without a fight. But now that you have arrived, General, this problem no longer exists. I believe that with your abilities, you will definitely find a way to break the deadlock."

Yue Fei, without hesitation, immediately offered a solution: "If the Jin army surrounds us without attacking, we can send a surprise force to cut off their supplies from the rear. With tens of thousands of troops lacking supplies, Wanyan Xie will have no choice but to retreat north of the Huai River, and Guangling will be considered defended."

Tang Qian frowned slightly: "However, since the enemy is waging a long-term war, the supply troops escorting the grain and fodder will definitely be under tight protection, so it will probably not be easy to succeed."

Yue Fei smiled faintly: "As long as the prince consort can hold back Wanyan Xieye's main force, I am confident that I can break into the Jin army camp and burn their grain supplies."

"How many men does General Yue need?"

"A surprise attack on the enemy camp requires speed and efficiency. We don't need too many men, but we do need at least one horse per person." Seeing Tang Qian's troubled expression again, Yue Fei chuckled once more. "Although Guangling City is located on a plain, its terrain is completely different from the north due to the numerous rivers. The Jin army's cavalry will be ineffective. All their horses are stored in their camp. We can easily seize some during the raid."

Whether this battle can be won depends on whether Tang Qian's Guangling army can hold back the main force of the Jin army outside the city. If Wanyan Xie also leads his army back to camp at the critical moment, their plans will all fall apart.

The two walked and talked, and soon entered the council hall of the Qiu family mansion. The Song army stationed outside the north gate entered the city in an orderly manner. From then on, the number of regular troops in Guangling City increased to seven thousand.

Immediately afterwards, the city lord's fifth notice was posted on public notice boards throughout the city.

"The General of the Army, Yue Fei, is hereby granted the seal of Grand Marshal for the Resistance against the Jin Dynasty, commanding 7,000 Imperial Guards of Guangling and forming the Yue Family Army. Anyone in the city who has the intention to kill the enemy and serve the country may go to the garrison in the city to register."

Tang Qian has absolutely no knowledge of military strategy, so it's a good idea to leave the professional work to the professionals. Since its formation, the Yue Family Army has been invincible under the leadership of its commander Yue Fei. Now, with the support of the Guangling City Lord, a wealthy patron who has just made a fortune, it's definitely not wishful thinking to recover lost territory and restore our land.

However, the most urgent task now is to properly deal with the tough battle that is about to begin.

He gave Yue Fei an open space outside the South Gate as a temporary training ground for the Yue Family Army. The seven thousand garrison troops in the city and the newly joined local militia, totaling ten thousand people, all went out of the city to build their own camps.

Tang Qian also entrusted Yue Fei with the affairs of city defense. What he needed to solve now was the problem of renovating the houses in the city.

Under Tang Qian's personal guidance, the first batch of green glazed tiles had been fired in the brick kiln. The city lord's order was to continue the work, and all the tiles that had been fired were transported to the north gate tower.

Hearing that the city gate tower needed to be renovated and all the original black tiles replaced with glazed tiles, the tile setters gathered by the city lord's mansion, though puzzled, still began to climb onto the roof of the city gate tower.

They were all just doing their jobs for money. As long as their work satisfied the city lord, they could get a hundred coins when they finished work in the evening. Who cared what Tang Qian's purpose was?

While the roof tiles of the city gate tower were being replaced, the wooden pillars and window frames below were also coated with tung oil. Although the renovation is still underway, everyone can foresee that the North City Gate Tower will be completely renewed and become even more magnificent and grand after completion.

Everyone secretly grumbled inwardly, thinking that with the Jin army about to attack the city, instead of strengthening the city's defenses, the city lord was going to modify the city walls. He really knew how to be unconventional.

However, they had all witnessed the scene yesterday outside the South Gate where Tang Qian tested the powerful firecracker that shattered the boulder. With such a sharp weapon in hand, the city lord was naturally very confident. It was said that he was making some city renovation and lighting projects at this time in preparation for his upcoming wedding.

Since it was the city lord's wedding, and it was held after defeating the Jin army, it was perfectly reasonable to spend some money to decorate the city.

Tang Qian's actions puzzled not only the common people but also his elder brothers. When Qiu Xin asked him about it, Tang Qian simply smiled and explained, "Everything I'm doing is in preparation for dealing with the Jin army. Not only does the north gate tower need to be renovated, but all the other city gates also need to be renovated, as well as the streets and houses near the city towers. Everything within sight from the city towers needs to be covered with glazed tiles. So, elder brother, your task is quite arduous."

"Is this really a move to deal with the Jin army?"

Seeing Tang Qian nod in agreement without hesitation, Qiu Xin remained silent for a moment.

"Then we'll need to open a few more kilns."