New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

As time went by, the number of spies entering and leaving the inner city of Guangling increased. As soon as the order to put the entire city on high alert was issued, all the people could feel that the atmosphere in the city was immediately filled with the solemnity of the impending battle.

The local militiamen standing guard on the city tower could clearly see a thick, dark cloud slowly pressing down on the sky above Guangling City from the northern horizon.

With the great battle approaching, Tang Qian had completed his final arrangements. When Tang Xiaoqi escorted cartloads of cloth bags and unidentifiable iron lumps into the city, those in the know, including Qiu's five cousins ​​and Ye Zhao, all breathed a sigh of relief.

When Tang Qian was testing the power of gunpowder outside the city, he had Tang Xiaoqi bury the explosives under a boulder. So the people in the city only witnessed the exciting explosion, but they didn't know that what was now placed on the city walls and guarded by special personnel was Tang Qian's way of reassuring them.

Even the officials of Guangling, led by Shen Yun, had no chance to see his true face. The only people Tang Qian could trust were the top leaders of the city lord's mansion, the five Qiu brothers, and his own brother-in-law.

Inside the council hall of the city lord's mansion, Tang Qian spread out the defense map: "Although our main battlefield is at the north gate, in order to prevent enemy attacks, other city gates also need to be guarded. Brother, lead three thousand men to guard the east gate. There is a canal as a barrier and a barbican there, so the enemy cannot quickly take it over. If the defense is difficult, we can set off red fireworks to call for help."

Qiu Xin cupped his hands in greeting to Tang Qian to acknowledge the order. Tang Qian then looked at his second brother Qiu Sen and third brother Qiu Miao: "There are many hills outside the South Gate, making it difficult for the Jin army to deploy large forces. Attacking from there would be the most difficult for the Jin army to conquer the city. However, there is a water gate in the South City Wall. Although the Jin army is not good at naval warfare, we still have to take precautions. Each of you brothers will lead two thousand men to guard the South Gate and the Fuyun Water Gate respectively, and use fireworks as a signal."

Qiu Sen and Qiu Miao exchanged a glance. Although they had some objections to Tang Qian's arrangement, they did not object. The terrain outside the South Gate was rugged and uneven, with only a flat area near the city wall. Previously, this was Yue Fei's camp outside the city. At this time, the army must have withdrawn. Therefore, they only needed to bombard that area to ensure that the Jin army would not return.

Having both of them stationed at the same time is a complete waste of manpower.

However, military orders are absolute, and if Tang Qian were to raise objections at this time, his prestige would be shaken. Now that the battle is about to begin, no mistakes can be made.

The second and third brothers were reasonable, but the fourth and fifth brothers were not so easy to talk to. After all, they were about the same age as Tang Qian and had gotten along quite well during this time. They thought Tang Qian would let them guard the north gate and fight the Jin army to the death, but instead, he asked them to go to the west gate. How could Qiu Yan and Qiu Yao, who were eager to kill the enemy, tolerate this?

"No, we're going to the North Gate. You can take Ye Zhao with you, so why can't you take us?"

"That's right, we're all brothers, you can't show favoritism. Just because he's your brother-in-law, does that mean you can't treat him differently?"

All five of them had been assigned tasks, except for Ye Zhao, who had not yet received his orders. Without a doubt, he had been assigned to the North Gate.

Despite their elder brother's reprimand, the two brothers continued to do as they pleased, showing no respect whatsoever. The Qiu family were merely wealthy merchants who supported their resistance against the Jin dynasty, and all those present were brothers, not military officers. Could they really use the same methods employed in the military to drag out those who disobeyed orders and give them twenty lashes?

"You want to fight? No problem." Tang Qian only thought for a moment before offering a solution. "Our scouts have learned that after capturing Chuzhou, the Jin army has split into three. The eastern army is heading straight for Gaoyou City, presumably towards us, with a force of about 50,000. The central army is advancing rapidly, aiming directly for Luzhou. The western army is heading towards Ezhou, likely planning to cross the river at three points before attacking Hangzhou to the east. If the eastern army fails to capture the city, the Jin army will definitely have reinforcements. At that time, I'll have you two come to the north gate to command the desperate battle against the Jin army. What do you two think?"

Qiu Yan and Qiu Yao exchanged a glance. They both felt that Tang Qian's arrangement was fair. Everyone was staying in the city to fight the Jin army to the end and to bring glory to their families. Why should Ye Zhao be able to fight on the front line?

If this wave is just a 50,000-strong Jin army outpost, what's wrong with letting Ye Zhao deal with it? They're after the main Jin army force.

With the defensive formation finalized, Tang Qian turned his gaze to the other Yangzhou officials: "You all don't need to go up to the city walls to supervise the battle anymore. You just need to maintain everything within the city. After all, defensive battles are all about supplies. The meals for all the combat personnel on the city walls, the treatment of the wounded, and the mobilization of the people within the city all depend on you."

"Rest assured, Lord City Lord, we will do our utmost."

Tang Qian nodded, then suddenly his expression turned serious: "Have you all finished preparing the mud and sand that we asked each household to do?"

Although Shen Yun still couldn't understand why Tang Qian had everyone prepare useless mud and sand in their front and back yards when a major battle was imminent, the yamen actively cooperated and urged the people to fetch it from the riverbank.

“Very good.” Having received an affirmative reply, Tang Qian slammed his hand on the table in front of him. “Now we are all ready, just waiting for Wanyan Xie to come and die.”

Just as Tang Qian was in high spirits, a soldier rushed in and bowed to the generals and officials in the hall: "The Jin army's eastern route has captured Gaoyou City and will arrive in Yangzhou tomorrow."

"They came so fast." When Tang Qian said this, there was no trace of fear on his face, but rather excitement. "Who is the commander of the Eastern Route Army? Is it that old fellow Wanyan Xieye?"

"Yes."

Tang Qian sneered: "The old bastard really came after me. I saved his life outside Tokyo back then, but I didn't expect him to repay kindness with enmity."

The story of Tang Qian contributing a prescription to save Wanyan Xieye and eventually marrying Zhao Yingluo is still somewhat familiar to everyone. Qiu Xin stroked his chin: "Perhaps they think you have some old feelings for that old guy and want to use this connection to persuade you to surrender and surrender the city so that they can take Yangzhou without bloodshed?"

"Hmph, these people have a really clever plan, but unfortunately I'm going to disappoint them. Guangling is my bottom line. If they dare to invade, I will fight these dogs to the death."

It's no wonder Tang Qian was so fixated on this. In this life, the eldest son of the Vice Minister of Revenue was from Guangling, and the other Tang Qian's hometown was also Yangzhou. Tang Qian would never allow the tragic situation in Guangling recorded in Jiang Kui's "Yangzhou Slow" to happen.