"Jishui is a large county located on the southeast side of Xunyang City.

“At the beginning of this year, according to the statistics of households in Honshu, Jishui County has a population of 8,000 households, making it one of the richest counties in Honshu.

“There are many tributaries in the lower reaches of the Xunyang River, and Jishui County is next to one of the important tributaries.

“Occupying a convenient water transportation channel is considered a blessing. Merchant ships loading and unloading goods at Xunyang Ferry will almost certainly pass through the Jishui County Wharf.

"Jishui County is a standard Jiangnan county, like a reduced Xunyang City, and this county is also backed by mountains and surrounded by mountains and rivers. The terrain is easy to defend but difficult to attack.

"The key is that although the waterways in Jishui County are developed, the mountains nearby are barren. They are not like the Kuanglu scenic spot next to Xunyang, which was developed early, has many literati and elegant tourists, and is relatively safe.

"There are many barren mountains, so bandits are inevitable. Jishui is notorious for its serious banditry. Bandits and thieves run around, often coming down to fight the autumn wind and plunder the waterways.

“The Jishui County Government is very troubled, and there has been no good solution to this matter.

“When successive magistrates of Jishui County took office, they could only follow stupid methods, repeatedly build and improve Jishui City, and at the same time unite local powerful forces to maximize the recruitment of civilian brave teams to combat banditry.

"These are all old records. Lord Governor, Lord Changshi, my hometown is right next to Jishui County, so I know a thing or two about the situation."

As a half native of Jishui, Sicang joined the army and Chen You smiled bitterly and shook his head.

He looked at the Lord of Jiangzhou and his adjutants who were sitting and standing in front of him, and then looked around at the fellow officials who were listening attentively in the main hall of Jiangzhou. He continued to sigh and introduce:

"When the previous dynasty followed Emperor Wen, it unified the north and the south. In the third year of the founding of the Emperor, Emperor Wen ordered the demolition of the city walls of the counties in the south of the Yangtze River. Most of the towering ancient city walls and bunkers built by the various gentry in the counties and counties in the south of the Yangtze River during the Southern Dynasties were all removed.

"This time, Li Zhengyan, Cai Qin and other rebels are able to dominate the deep south, which can be regarded as taking advantage of the previous government's efforts to disarm the Jiangnan area... Having said that.

"However, Jishui County is an exception. In order to prevent banditry, on the advice of Wang Yizhi, a southerner who was the consolation envoy to the south of the Yangtze River at the time, the imperial court granted permission to retain the city walls in eleven counties in the south of the Yangtze River, including Jishui County, which were seriously affected by banditry.

"Historical legacy, combined with the strong folk customs, Jishui County has a towering and solid city wall and a militia with more than a thousand people.

"The Jishui County lieutenant has some confidence to dare to surrender to rescue the city and resist the Hongzhou rebels."

In the main hall of Jiangzhou Hall, all the officials suddenly nodded after listening to Chen Shenjun's words.

Chen You glanced at Ouyang Rong out of the corner of his eye, only to find that he frowned and said nothing, as if he didn't really listen.

Wang Lengran put down the letter asking for help, stood up and touched his palms, nodding heavily in praise:

"Okay, okay, Zhao Rushi is a good man. We still have loyal and righteous people in Jiangzhou! They are not all weaklings who surrendered and ran away. You don't need to belittle yourselves and cheer up. This time the Hongzhou rebels entered our Jiangzhou.

It will be broken and sink into the sand!"

Upon seeing this, all the officials in Jiangzhou Hall agreed.

Wang Lengran looked around, his expression eager to speak.

The next moment, he was interrupted by a voice coming from the corner:

"Get the map, Chen Canjun, please go to the Houfu archives and get a copy of the Jishui County government's personnel documents."

When the discussion in the lobby began, Ouyang Rong, who had been standing quietly with his long sleeves raised his head to give orders, turned around and walked to the long table.

He already knew what Chen You just said.

After all, as the governor of a state in charge of people's livelihood, Ouyang Rong had already memorized the information about the dozen or so counties in the state.

He even remembered a lot of the appearance and background of Zhao Rushi, the captain of Jishui County.

Not long ago, in March of the first year of Tianyou, this person accompanied the county government team of Jishui County and reported his work to his immediate superior.

In my impression, this Zhao Rushi is a lean and well-spoken man. He has an old injury on his left foot from when he was in the army, and his walking posture is somewhat splayed.

Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.

Everyone looked sideways.

Wang Lengran was a little unhappy and said:

"Why does Mr. Ouyang look so unhappy? It took a lot of effort to open a breakthrough, but why does he still look so serious and pessimistic? Is he going to say something depressing to everyone again?"

Ouyang Rong thought for a while and asked seriously: "Xiaguan is not born to laugh, can't he?"

Wang Lengran forced out a bright smile:

"Okay. No wonder he is so trusted by the prince. Mr. Ouyang is really mature and prudent. It is a blessing to have Mr. Ouyang in Jiangzhou."

"Yes." Ouyang Rong nodded: "It's a pity that the situation is a bit unfortunate now, and I don't know why."

Wang Lengran put his hands behind his back and snorted.

The surrounding officials pretended not to hear the two men's confrontation.

After a while, Chen Shenjun led his troops and brought back a large map of Jiangzhou and a stack of dusty documents.

The map was spread out on the table, held down by a gavel.

Ouyang Rong took the document and casually swept away the dust on the paper with his sleeve. He handed the document to Yan Liulang who was nearest without turning over it.

This document was passed on to Yan Liulang, Chen Canjun and other officials.

"On page 12, let's take a look at the resume of Zhao County Lieutenant. He was from Taiyuan, in March of the first year of the Holy Calendar, that is, at the beginning of last year, he was transferred from Hongzhou Bingcao Judge to Jishui County Lieutenant, and was promoted to the first level.

"Zhu Lingxu served as the Governor of Hongzhou for three years. This Zhao County Lieutenant has a background of performing duties under the Hongzhou Governor's Mansion."

Ouyang Rong's tone was serious.

Wang Lengran frowned: "Master Ouyang, what do you mean?"

"It's not interesting, I just pointed out something strange. As for whether County Lieutenant Zhao had any friendship with Zhu Lingxu during his duties in Hongzhou, I don't know whether he had any friendship.

"But I have to remind you, I have to say it."

Wang Lengran frowned:

"Hongzhou is an important state in the hinterland of the south of the Yangtze River. It has a higher-level governor's office that supervises all states. Hongzhou has many military offices and military attaches, and their posts are frequently transferred.

"In the surrounding states including Jiangzhou, there are many warriors who have served in Hongzhou before. This is normal. If all of them are suspicious, nearly half of the generals in Jiangzhou will be unavailable now."

"What Mr. Wang said is not bad, but it cannot be regarded as normal now."

Ouyang Rong read the map on the table and pointed at Jishui County on the map:

"No wonder Cai Qin and Zhu Lingxu's army did not attack the city directly before, but took a detour to attack Longcheng County in the south. It turned out that they wanted to take a slightly longer route and attack Jishui County further east.

"Jishui County is located on the southeast side of Xunyang City. This is a dumpling. Once we control Jishui County, we can cut off the reinforcements coming from the southeast to a certain extent. At least this waterway will be impassable, delaying subsequent reinforcements, and we can also encircle the point.

Call for aid.

"The abacus is ringing loudly."

Ouyang Rong nodded.

There was another sentence that he didn't say.

Previously, Cai Qin and Zhu Lingxu's army responded to Li Zhengyan's Kuangfu rebellion in the southwest and invaded Jiangzhou. The original trend was to take Xunyang City directly. However, this trend, during Wei's Golden Sword Strategy, Wang Junzhi was asked by Ouyang Rong

At the end of the night when he went to die, King Xunyang was interrupted after he became the pacification ambassador of Jiangnan Road.

Cai Qin and Zhu Lingxu's troops began to take a detour and switched to the current encirclement method.

It is conceivable that knowing Ouyang Rong, the Xunyang Palace would not be able to switch sides, be afraid of someone, and avoid some kind of critical battle.

Ouyang Rong turned his head:

"Master Wang says all day long that he should focus on military affairs. Is it possible that he doesn't know the location of Jishui County?"

Wang Lengran nodded and said loudly:

"Of course I know. That's why I've called you all together now to discuss sending troops to support. Jishui County is in an important position, and there are high walls to defend. It's not easy for righteous men to resist, so why are we hesitating?

"Are you going to chill the hearts of the righteous people below? Do you want your majesty, all the nobles, and the people with lofty ideals in the world, to watch us do nothing?"

He read the military strategy well, stroking his beard and nodded:

"To a certain extent, Jishui County and Xunyang City are at odds with each other. They must not lose anything, otherwise they will be very passive. The left and right waterways will be cut off, and the enemy will make dumplings. So we can only follow what Lord Ouyang suggested,

The tactic of shrinking back and defending the isolated city."

Ouyang Rong nodded: "Did Mr. Wang's art of war say anything about encircling a point for reinforcements? Attracting reinforcements to ambush?"

Wang Lengran frowned: "Of course I know, and I will be careful, but I finally have a chance, how can I miss it? Besides, there are troops in Jishui County, so it is impossible to attack Cai Qin's rebel army from both front and rear!"

"How do you feel, my subordinate? It may not necessarily be them who are being attacked."

Wang Lengran was unhappy: "Master Ouyang doesn't believe in my ability? Do you think it's a free gift?"

Ouyang Rong remained silent.

An argument ended unhappily.

The officials did not dare to intervene and did not speak, but they understood the general contradiction:

Ouyang Rong took charge of the defense and waited for reinforcements from the imperial court.

Wang Lengran took the main attack, advocating not to sit still and wait for death, but to wait for the opportunity to move and protect Jishui. Not only could he receive reinforcements, but he could also win favorable terrain. It would be better if he defeated the Hongzhou Army.

After walking out of the Jiangzhou lobby, Ouyang Rong turned to Yan Liulang and said:

"There is something wrong with Wang Lengran."

"Mingfu means..."

Ouyang Rong said nothing.
To be continued...