The gongs and drums on the banks of the Xiao Qinhuai River rang one after another.

The moonlight was like gilded silver, and the sound of gongs and drums gradually overlapped with the sound of war drums on the riverside.

There are waves of waves, and war flags are hunting.

Liang Xiao stared at the calm sea outside with his hands behind his back, his face solemn.

"An hour ago, the deputy general guarding here received news that dozens of naval ships on Sifang Island were ready to go to Yangzhou, and they were equipped with many firearms."

Gu Changjin frowned: "Firearms? What kind of firearms? "

Fireguns and artillery." Liang Xiao said coldly: "In the past, I fought with the pirates on Sifang Island. They also had firearms, but they didn't have many cannons. Probably one out of ten ships would be equipped with artillery." , according to the secret letter, one of the three ships was equipped with artillery. "

It is not easy to buy firearms. In addition to having a large amount of gold and silver, you also need to have connections."

If the secret letter's statement is true, it means that the people on Sifang Island have found a way to specifically buy a large number of firearms.

Gu Changjin looked at the Dayin war flag floating in the wind and muttered: "These firearms are either bought from overseas. Or they are provided by people in Di Luo and Mi."

Liang Xiao narrowed his eyes: "If it is true Those small countries are playing dirty tricks, so it’s not a battle between Dayin and the pirates, but a battle between Dayin and the Diluo countries. How brave! I really thought we had no one in Dayin!"

Gu Changjin said: "Send the message! If I guess correctly, it must be Jiao Feng. The letter sent an hour ago shows that the pirates from Sifang Island were ready to go an hour ago. How long will it take for the enemy ships to arrive? "

"In less than an hour."

Gu Changjin nodded: "I hope the general will prepare a ship with strong protection for me. I will personally take Pan Gongshi to see Jiao Feng and let Jiao Feng take us to Sifang Island."

This was the countermeasure that Gu Changjin had discussed with Liang Xiao and Liu Yuan. Taking advantage of the opportunity of the pirates coming out in force on Sifang Island, he personally led his troops to Sifang Island to prepare an ambush.

As a result, some soldiers in the guard station will be taken away by Gu Changjin.

Liang Xiao said cautiously: "Surely Liao Rao will bring troops to support?"

"Yes." Gu Changjin said: "Liao Rao supported the Water Dragon King in the past to fight against Urida, just to internally consume the pirate forces of Sifang Island. He He cooperated with the enemy and raised the bandits in order to retain the military power in his hands, but he did not really want to see Dayin destroy the country. When life and death were at stake, he did not dare not do his best to protect Yangzhou. "

How can you say that people's hearts are unpredictable?

The old minister recommended Liao Rao and even married his niece to Liao Rao. He was interested in Liao Rao's talents and his heart to serve the country.

It's a pity that so many people are getting further and further up the official ladder, but gradually forget their original intentions.

However, these people who have forgotten their original intention to serve as officials may be able to put aside their selfishness temporarily and point the tip of their sword at the enemy when the life and death of their country is at stake.

The so-called desire means both desire and hope.

Liang Xiao sighed and lamented: "What a pity."

It was a pity that Liang Xiao did not say clearly. Perhaps it was a pity that Liao Rao had lost his original intention due to the party struggle, and perhaps it was a pity that tonight's incident caused them to lose the opportunity to overthrow Liao Rao. .

Liang Xiao just sighed as he faced a formidable enemy.

At this moment, a staff general led Pan Xueliang over and said to Gu Changjin: "Sir Gu, the boat is ready."

Gu Changjin took out a short dagger that was as sharp as clay from his waist and handed it to Pan Xueliang and asked Him: "Are you afraid?"

Pan Xueliang said he was not afraid, his bright eyes full of trust in Gu Changjin.

"Lord Cao Minxin!"

Gu Changjin nodded lightly, strapped on his armor, and said: "We will act according to the opportunity, and the phoenix will definitely appear tonight."

The naval ship slowly left the shore, and the seawater lapped at the hull. There were splashes of silvery white waves. When we reached a rocky island with no vegetation, we stopped and hid in the shadow behind the island.

Gu Changjin stood at the bow of the boat, his robes rustling in the sea breeze, and his deep brows and eyes were darkly sharp.

Pan Xueliang followed closely behind him, his heart beating like thunder but he didn't dare to make any sound.

After a while, a rumbling sound of water breaking gradually approached.

One after another, sturdy ships passed by the front shore of the island, the sound of waves was overwhelming, and there was also the faint sound of talking and laughter hidden among them.

Knowing who was carrying those ships, Pan Xueliang even breathed lightly.

When the water in front calmed down, he heard Gu Changjin say: "Sail out."

The sea at night was darker than the sky.

I don’t know how long we have been traveling, but two ships suddenly appeared in front of them, with a flag on the bow of a mast with a dragon head on it.

It is the ship under the command of the Water Dragon King.

Just as Gu Changjin was about to ask someone to let the boat go, he heard a man from the warrior camp say: "Sir, someone is coming here."

Gu Changjin took a closer look and saw a page floating on the silvery sea. Take the boat and come here quickly.

There were only three people on the boat. One of them was dressed in a dark red shorts and had a red scarf wrapped around his hair. He stood on the boat with his hands behind his back. His heroic features showed his determination and composure after seeing the light of swords and swords.

As soon as the boat approached, the man boarded the boat and said to Gu Changjin, "But Mr. Gu?"

"It's Gu," Gu Changjin said, "Is your Excellency Pan Hongfeng or Jiao Feng?"

Pan Hongfeng raised his eyes to settle. He glanced at him and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, there is no need to test me. I am the one who has sent messages to the garrison capital these years. If I were not Pan Hongfeng from Dayin, how could I come here to look for you after receiving the message from Your Excellency?"

Gu Changjin raised his lips slightly and said: "In that case, as the censor and supervisory envoy of Dayin Youqiandu, I recruit Madam Feng to work for the court. I wonder if Madam Feng is willing?" Pan

Hongfeng did not agree immediately. Instead, she pointed at the naval ship beside her and said: "Many people on those two ships were kidnapped by the Water Dragon King to Sifang Island and forced to become pirates. It is with their help that I can Killed the Water Dragon King and took away his position. Since your Majesty is recruiting peace on behalf of the imperial court, I hope that your Majesty will make it clear that after accepting the imperial court, can the imperial court not pursue the old crimes of me and the subordinates who follow me?

” If the island can succeed, it will be a great achievement. Not to mention old sins, the court will reward you based on your merits." Gu Changjin said solemnly: "Not to mention that Lady Feng has been passing on General Liang in the past few years. The news is that the emperor will not treat Mrs. Feng and your subordinates badly."

Pan Hongfeng remained silent for a while, looking past Gu Changjin and landing on Pan Xueliang.

She noticed him just now when she boarded the ship.

After all, he is his own child. Even if he hasn't seen him for many years, he can still recognize him at a glance.

Her eyebrows were sharper than those of ordinary women, but the moment she saw Pan Xueliang, she couldn't help but soften.

"I heard that you were imprisoned for cheating on the exam, is this relevant?" She looked at Pan Xueliang and asked.

Pan Xueliang raised his eyes in shock. The moment they looked at each other, a burst of sourness surged in his heart. This is his biological mother, who was only sixteen years old when she gave birth to him. She was kidnapped by pirates and disappeared for more than 20 years.

After all, she was only in her forties, but her face looked like that of an old woman.

She must have suffered a lot in Sifang Island these years.

"Yes, there is such a thing, but I have never cheated." Pan Xueliang said: "It was Mr. Gu who saved Liang. Mr. Gu will do what he says. I hope... Mrs. Feng will trust Mr. Gu and help me Dayin and Yangzhou. ”

"If you have never cheated, it is because of my fault that you are involved in this matter." Pan Hongfeng smiled and said boldly: "I am also from Dayin Yangzhou! How could you not help me Dayin? Mr. Gu, Please come and follow me to Sifang Island!"

On the moon, thousands of sparks scattered like rain.

The "rumbling" sound of artillery fire came one after another. From a distance, it looked like fire jumping out of the depths of the sea, and the flames shot straight into the sky.

When the war started, people as far away as the inner city heard it.

Rong Shugang hid in the Chenghuang Temple at the foot of the city wall.

Lu Shiyi took the gong, sounded it "bang bang", and roared: "The pirates are attacking the city! Hide quickly! Don't be afraid of death and come with me to fight the pirates! Don't forget that Yangzhou is Dayin's Yangzhou , is Yangzhou for all of us!"

The people who were immersed in guessing were suddenly awakened by the shocking sound of artillery fire, and they quickly came to their senses when they heard Lu Shiyi's roar.

The crowd of people immediately dispersed and hurried to their homes.

There were also some brave ones who stayed, picked up the guy and ran out of the city wall behind Lu Shiyi.

Among these people were strong men of three to five sizes, small gangsters who usually idle around and fight cocks and lackeys, and little beggars in ragged clothes who were as thin as skin and bones.

Guo Jiuniang looked solemn and said to Rong Shu: "We can't go back to Shen Yuan. This group of pirates came here tonight clearly prepared. If they break through the city wall, places like Shen Yuan will probably bear the brunt."

Yangzhou is rich and ranks among the ten richest people in Jiangnan . Wu and Liu were all in Yangzhou.

These rich families naturally have guards in their homes, but no matter how many guards there are, they may not be able to defeat the pirates armed with firecrackers. The pirates on Sifang Island were notorious for committing all kinds of crimes, including burning, killing, looting, etc. Rong Shu's stay in Shenyuan was actually dangerous.

Rong Shu understands this.

"I have stocked up on a lot of emergency medicines. I have to have them delivered first." She gritted her teeth, glanced at Zhang's mother who was lying behind her mother-in-law and was too broken to open her eyes, and said, "There are General Liang and Gu Your Excellency, Eunuch Liu is still here. The Sifang Island pirates cannot attack the inner city, so I will be fine here. Aunt Guo will go back to Chunyue Tower to settle the girls in Chunyue Tower, and take Mother Zhang away with her."

In the previous life, when the Yangzhou government was unprepared for a surprise attack by pirates, Gu Changjin and the others were able to defend the city and prevent the pirates from entering the inner city. This time, with her warning in advance, he would definitely be able to hold on.

She subconsciously looked at Shiiyun and Qixin on the side.

Just now, when the two of them came with two groups of people to surround her, she was startled. Later it turned out that they were all sent by Gu Changjin to protect her.

She knew Zhuiyun, but this was the first time she saw this Qixin father-in-law.

Rong Shu sprained his foot. He was in a hurry to enter the inner city, so he didn't pay much attention to the pain in his foot. When she arrived at the Chenghuang Temple, the heartbreaking pain made her break into a cold sweat.

Raising her hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead, she calmed her voice and said, "Those medicines are in the medicine shop under my mother's name. Could you please send someone to get them? The pirates are attacking Yangzhou. There will definitely be many soldiers and civilians who will be injured, and the Chenghuang Temple can be a good place for healing. "

Zhui Yun originally wanted to send Rong Shu to No. 18 Pingnan Street. There was a trap he had set up in that room. There is also a secret room, so even if pirates come in, you won't be afraid.

Just hearing what Rong Shu said now, he guessed that this girl would not leave here.

The master confessed that the person he wanted to protect, whether it was him, Changji, or Hengping, would not leave even half a step unless he died.

Then he thought for a moment and said, "Miss Rong is right. The City God's Temple is right next to the city wall. It is indeed a good place to take care of the wounded. I will stay here to act as a helper for the girl. Eunuch Qixin will send someone to deliver the medicine." How about bringing it here?"

Qixin looked at Zhuiyun, then looked at Rong Shu, nodded and said, "We're going now."

He followed Luo Yan out of the Chenghuang Temple, and when he was halfway there, he suddenly heard a "boom". There was an explosion sound coming from somewhere under the old city wall.

Qixin lowered his eyebrows coldly and said to the people in the warrior camp on one side: "Didn't all the explosives brought by Uzhida be disposed of?"

The man also didn't know, and asked doubtfully: "The gunpowder and firearms on the boats are indeed all It's taken care of."

As soon as he said this, he heard another commotion ahead, and Lu Shiyi and several government officials came in a hurry from the outer city.

Qixin hurriedly stopped him and asked: "Lu Baotou, what happened up front?"

Lu Shiyi said: "That Wu Zhida who killed a thousand swords actually buried explosives in the carriage used by Mrs. Liao to travel. Just now Madam Liao's carriage was blown up! I don't know if Madam Liao is in that carriage. I'll go and save people now!"

Qixin was startled. Madam Liao is Fan Jinshu, the niece of the old minister.

Mrs. Liao was good at calligraphy and imitating other people's handwriting was almost fake. The letter sent from Yangzhou to Beijing was written by Mrs. Liao.

Others may not know it, but Qixin and Liu Yuan know that Mrs. Liao has been searching for evidence of Liao Rao's collusion with the enemy in recent years.

Unfortunately, Liao Rao hid it too deeply, so Mrs. Liao had no choice but to forge the letter and set up a fraud in the scientific examination together with the old minister.

When setting out for Yangzhou, the old minister asked his master to deliver a message to Mrs. Liao, telling her not to investigate further and to return to Beijing as soon as possible.

Qi's confidence sank, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

When the explosion suddenly sounded, a sinister laughter suddenly came from the elegant room of Jinxiu Pavilion.

Uzhida's hands and feet were tied, his moon-white clothes were stained with blood, and a blood hole on his waist was bleeding.

He stared at Liao Rao for a moment, with a sinister look in his eyes, and said, "Master Liao, does he know where the explosives were detonated?"

Just when Liu Yuan led the people from the Warrior Battalion to surround the inn, Wu Rida said I understand, he fell into the trap used by Liao Rao and Liu Yuan to lure the snake out of the cave!

Wu Rida was accustomed to being conceited, and thought that sneaking into Yangzhou was a sure-fire plan, but unexpectedly, every move he made was planned by others.

Seeing that there was no way to survive, new hatreds were added to old ones, and he hated Liao Rao for a while.

Liao Rao was about to go out. After hearing these words, he suddenly looked back and stared at Uzhida without saying a word.

Wu Zhida vomited blood and didn't show off. He laughed twice and was about to say: "It's you -"

It was a pity that Liu Yuan didn't give him a chance to tell the truth. He waved his hand and said The teacup firmly blocked Uzhida's mouth.

Wu Ri was forcibly cut off in half of his words, with a look of reluctance on his face, and struggled like a twisted caterpillar.

No matter how much he struggled, Liu Yuan's hand holding the tea cup remained unmoved.

He was injured on his shoulder, and his crimson official robe was stained dark with blood.

But he seemed to feel no pain, and his bloodless lips even curved slightly, and said warmly to Liao Rao: "We are here to deal with the aftermath. Uzhida is here well prepared. I hope Governor Liao will go to support Liang as soon as possible." General, Yangzhou cannot be conquered today!"

Liao Rao seemed oblivious, strode forward, pulled out the teacup from Uzhida's mouth, grabbed Uzhida's neck with his big hands, forced him to raise his head, and said: " Exactly what it is, say!”