12dz Chapter 458 Tianshui County Requests Emergency Rescue! Ma Chao, the Ancient Sinner!
Chapter 458 Tianshui County Requests Emergency Rescue! Ma Chao, the Ancient Sinner!
"Report to the Patriarch!"
"Something bad is going to happen!"
"The Qiang, Di, and Jie people have formed an army of no less than 30,000 and are rushing towards my Tianshui!"
The Jiang family's spies, planted on the border of Tianshui, brought this astonishing intelligence to the family head, Jiang Xu.
Jiang Xu was shocked, and his fingers trembled as he confirmed again:
"Are there really 30,000 people?"
The scout lowered his head, a look of despair on his face.
"More than 30,000 people."
“The mountains and plains were covered with Qiang, Di, and Jie people.”
"This……"
Jiang Xu took two steps back, slumped into his seat, and sighed deeply.
"Could it be that Heaven is going to destroy Tianshui?"
With over 30,000 Qiang, Di, and Jie people, this was definitely not a sudden attack, but a premeditated plunder targeting Tianshui!
Previously, the reason why Tianshui County was able to become an independent entity in Liangzhou was due to the strength of the major clans in Tianshui.
The most important factor was that Liangzhou was a mixed bag of people.
People like Ma Teng and Han Sui checked and balanced each other, and none of them would sit idly by and watch the other swallow up the fat piece of Tianshui.
In the end, no one could conquer Tianshui, and Tianshui remained safe and sound.
But it's different now.
The large-scale attack by the Qiang, Di, and Jie people was too much for the brave soldiers and civilians of Tianshui to withstand!
After comparing the vast difference in strength between the two sides, Jiang Xu instructed his personal guards:
"Quickly go and find the heads of the Yang, Zhang, and Li families. Tell them that I, Jiang Xu, have important matters concerning the survival of Tianshui to discuss with them."
"Here."
The guards received the order and left.
It won't take a while.
The heads of the Yang, Zhang, and Li families arrived as scheduled.
"Brother Jiang, what is the matter that you are in such a hurry?"
As soon as the family heads entered, they hurriedly asked Jiang Xu questions.
Jiang Xu sighed:
"Gentlemen, our spies planted on the border have sent word that more than 30,000 Qiang, Di, and Jie people are marching towards Tianshui!"
"I don't need to explain the purpose and methods of these foreigners; you gentlemen should understand them as well."
As soon as the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the council chamber froze, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The faces of the two family heads, Li and Zhang, had already turned deathly pale.
Compared to Jiang Xu, he seemed even more pathetic.
Only Yang Fu, the current head of the Yang family, showed a solemn and resolute expression on his face.
He cupped his hands and said to Jiang Xu:
“Brother Jiang, I believe that with the strength of our great clan and people of Tianshui, we are no match for these foreign villains.”
"Now, we can only place our hopes on General Xiahou, who has come to pacify Liangzhou on the orders of Minister Cao."
"Although Tianshui is some distance from Wuwei."
"But General Xiahou's troops are all cavalry, and they are very fast."
"We will hold the city at all costs. We only need to defend it for half a month and wait for General Xiahou to lead reinforcements to arrive. Then the siege of Tianshui can be lifted."
Jiang Xu nodded in deep agreement.
Xiahou Yuan represents Cao Cao, the imperial court, and the legitimate successor of the Han dynasty.
Their Tianshui did not belong to any of the Liangzhou warlords.
Since the death of the newly appointed governor of Tianshui eight years ago, the Han court under the control of Li Jue and Guo Si has not sent a new governor, and all affairs in Tianshui have been decided by several powerful clans.
However, the official banner they publicly displayed was still one of venerating the Han Dynasty.
Both morally and logically, Xiahou Yuan should have sent troops to relieve the siege of Tianshui.
Otherwise, what would be left for Xiahou Yuan is a Tianshui riddled with holes, which would not be in the interest of Cao Cao's camp in Liangzhou.
Unlike Jiang Xu and Yang Fu.
Doubt flashed across the faces of the two family heads from the Zhang and Li families.
The two exchanged a glance, and the head of the Li family spoke first:
"Are we forced to resist? Can't we sit down and talk to the Qiang, Di, and Jie people?"
"Perhaps this can avert a disaster!"
"You should know that even a siege by the Qiang, Di, and Jie people for half a month would be enough to give us a hard time."
"Furthermore, even if we can defend the main city of Tianshui, Jicheng, what about the other branch cities?"
“We also own many fields and shops in other branch cities.”
"Does that mean we don't want any of these things?"
Yang Fu took a deep breath and advised:
"What time is it? Why can't you still distinguish between what's important and what's not?"
"Is our shops and land more important, or the survival of Tianshui?"
“Once Tianshui gives up resistance and is completely occupied by the Qiang, Di, and Jie people, the people of Tianshui, as well as all of you here, will become playthings of the Qiang, Di, and Jie people!”
"Moreover, given the ferocity of the Qiang, Di, and Jie people, Brother Li, do you really think that sitting down to negotiate with them will save you from disaster?"
The Li family head still wanted to say something, but the Zhang family head stopped him and shook his head at him.
finally.
The major clans reached an agreement: on the one hand, they sent people to Xiahou Yuan for help, and on the other hand, they consolidated their troops stationed in various branch cities and gathered them in Jicheng, the main city of Tianshui.
……
five days later
On the official road leading to Jicheng, the main city of Tianshui
Ma Chao was all smiles, like a madam greeting a customer.
Ma Dai, who was following him, and many other Qiang, Di, and Jie leaders were also in the same situation.
The outlying cities of Tianshui Commandery were no match for Ma Chao and his entourage.
Although the major families have tried their best to move the people and supplies from the branch city to the main city, Jicheng.
However, due to the extreme urgency, many civilians still suffered terribly at the hands of Ma Chao and his men.
Many resources also ended up in their pockets.
Having tasted the benefits, the Qiang, Di, and Jie tribes followed Ma Chao's lead without question.
The Divine Mighty Heavenly General who can lead them to wealth and a life of luxury is the true great brother!
Licking his lips, Ma Chao addressed the group of Qiang, Di, and Jie leaders behind him:
"Brothers, rest assured, Jicheng has far more supplies than other cities!"
"Once we take Jicheng, the entire Tianshui will be ours!"
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"
"Divine General of Heavenly Might! Divine General of Heavenly Might! Divine General of Heavenly Might!"
The accompanying Qiang, Di, and Jie people all shouted and cheered.
Ma Chao is their reincarnated father!
Although Ma Chao, this filial son, almost sent his own father to his death.
But he, who "sacrificed his own family for the greater good," became the common father of the Qiang, Di, and Jie tribes.
In a sense, this is a case of reaping what you sow.
Ma Chao's eyes also revealed a sense of ambition.
If they can't defeat Cao Cao's army, surely they can defeat these local forces in Liangzhou?
After plundering Liangzhou, he led the Qiang, Di, and Jie people south to plunder Hanzhong and Yizhou!
He, Ma Mengqi, will one day invade the Central Plains and make Cao Cao realize what true power is!
Just as Ma Chao was overjoyed and dreaming of the future, a Qiang scout came to report:
"Reporting to General Divine Might!"
"Jicheng is holding out desperately."
"There are many garrison troops in the city, but their equipment and morale vary greatly. Many of them are probably civilians dressed in military uniforms to make up the numbers."
This Qiang scout had sharp eyes and immediately saw through the true strength and weakness of the Jicheng garrison.
Baihu Wen, standing behind Ma Chao, sneered:
"A few peasants, their fighting strength is not worth mentioning."
"Before my Qiang warriors, all are sheep waiting to be slaughtered!"
Immediately, leaders from the Di and Jie tribes also jumped out and shouted:
"So it is with my Di warriors (Jie warriors)!"
"Please, General Divine Might, give the order immediately to lead us in conquering Ji City!"
……