Xu Jin was waiting, waiting for the opportunity for Wang Shouren to raise troops, and then took the initiative to attack and annihilate Wu Sanba.

Fei Cai left for Ganzhou on the twenty-fifth day of the first month, and it has been seven days now, if there is no accident, he should have seen Wang Shouren, the governor of Southern Jiangxi.

Xu Jin estimated that Wang Shouren wanted to gather people from various state capitals, and it would take ten days and eight days at the earliest, so he must be prepared to hold on for ten days and half a month.

However, at present, the defenders are facing a more serious problem, that is, the shortage of supplies. After seven days of fierce fighting with the rebels, the firearms defending the city were almost exhausted, and even the oil, gunpowder, and arrows were consumed. It is foreseeable that without these weapons to defend the city, the casualties of the defenders will inevitably increase significantly.

It is worth mentioning here that the Ming Dynasty's control over firearms was quite strict, and the vast majority of the firearms used by the national army were manufactured by the Ordnance Bureau and the Military Bureau. Of course, basic consumables such as gunpowder, buckshot, and arrows are still allowed to be made by homemade, but all kinds of artillery, guns, and 10,000 enemies must be approved by the imperial court.

Therefore, most of the firearms consumed by the defenders cannot be replenished for the time being, but the basic things such as gunpowder, lead bullet, arrows, and fire oil can still be obtained.

In addition, there is also the question of food, the bereavement of the dead and the wounded, and in the final analysis, it is a matter of money, and fighting a war is a matter of burning money.

Therefore, Xu Jin must now find a way to get money and food, and the other is to supplement the materials for defending the city.

In the evening, the east gate of Leadshan County quietly opened, and Xie Yidao rode out of the city on a fast horse and galloped in the direction of Shangrao County, carrying a handwritten letter written by Xu Jin to Liu Qingyuan in his arms.

……

"Good rain knows the season, when spring happens. Dive into the night with the wind, moisturizing things silently. ”

In February, the second dragon raised its head, and the folk called it the spring ploughing festival, and officially began spring planting after the fight.

The night was gray, and the spring rain was pouring outside the window, moistening everything.

At this moment, a table of banquets was set up in the living room of the Fang family, the head of the family, Fang Tianfu, was in the main position, two middle-aged men dressed as gentry sat in the guest seats, and three handmaidens who were quite attractive were waiting beside them, pouring wine with cloth vegetables.

"Although this spring rain came in time, I am afraid that this spring's agricultural season will be delayed." A gentleman sighed in a long note, but there was no melancholy on his face, and he was obviously moaning innocently.

Fang Tianfu said with a smile: "Boss Zhang, wouldn't that just happen to your wishes, the price of grain should be popular again, but the contemptible people heard that you have stocked up a lot of goods, which is really enviable." Our tea business is really delayed, and as soon as the rain in Qingming Valley passes, this year's spring tea business will be yellow, and the losses will be heavy! ”

The gentleman's face suddenly sank, and he said unhappily: "Boss Fang, you can't open that pot here." ”

Another gentry present said with a sneering face: "Boss Fang, don't say cool words, the most difficult thing in life now is us grain merchants, there is Xu Chop Head staring there, do you dare to raise the price?" ”

It is said that one of these two gentry is named Zhang Xinpeng and the other is Shen Qiusheng, both of whom are well-known grain merchants in the county. Some time ago, the prices in the city soared, and these two were the initiators, and then the shopkeepers of the two grain stores were arrested by Xu Jin, and now they are still locked up in the prison of the county government, and the price of grain has also been forcibly suppressed.

As the saying goes, cutting off people's wealth is like killing their parents, looking at the silver that can't be earned, Zhang Shen and the others naturally hate Xu Jin who is forcing food prices, but they don't have the courage to cut off their heads with Xu, so they can only complain behind their backs.

Fang Tianfu pretended to confess, and his eyes rolled and said: "Today, the contemptible people received an invitation from Xu Tong's judgment, saying that they will hold a banquet in Xingchun Tower tomorrow to entertain the gentry, I don't know what happened?" ”

Shen Qiusheng sneered: "Contemptible and Boss Zhang also received an invitation, I heard that it was to call on everyone to donate money and food to the officers and soldiers defending the city, and Fei Ge Lao has already taken the lead in donating twenty stone rice and three hundred taels of silver. ”

Zhang Xinpeng said in a sarcastic tone: "The master who dares to be high-minded will also eat fireworks in the world!" ”

Fang Tianfu said quietly: "How much do those two plan to donate?" ”

Shen Qiusheng asked rhetorically: "Boss Fang is the richest man in this county, how much do you plan to donate?" ”

Fang Tianfu said in embarrassment: "The contemptible people are in the tea business, and the family has prepared some food, but it is only barely enough to maintain the family, how can there be any excess donations." If the judge wants tea, the contemptible person can donate dozens of catties. As for the money and silver, the contemptible family has a big business and a lot of expenses, so I think the judge will understand our difficulties. ”

Zhang Xinpeng said with a smile: "There is some grain in the contemptible warehouse, but it is to earn money to support the family." However, the face of the general judge is still to be given, and you can't donate a single pill. That's why I'm going to donate this amount! He raised a finger.

Fang Tianfu smiled and asked, "One stone?" ”

Zhang Xinpeng shook his head: "Yidou!" ”

Shen Qiusheng said seriously: "Boss Zhang is too picky, send it to call Huazi, and donate two buckets!" ”

The three of them looked at each other and laughed.

Fang Tianfu's eyes flashed with a touch of pride, since it is a fundraiser, how much to donate is personal freedom, private property is protected by the law, although you Xu Xu has great power, do you dare to rob it? Hey, I want to see how you, Lord Xu, will lose face tomorrow.

Zhang Xinpeng took a sip of wine, hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice: "Do you think that Xu Chopping his head can defend Leadshan County?" ”

"It should be possible, aren't you holding it steady these days, I heard that more than half of the thieves have been killed or wounded, and Xu's ability to cut off his head is still obvious to all." Shen Qiusheng also lowered his voice.

Zhang Xinpeng nodded and said, "I hope I can hold it." ”

Obviously, although the two hated Xu Jin for pressing the price of grain, they still hoped that the city could be defended, as the saying goes: thieves are like combs, and soldiers are like grates. If it is stolen by thieves, there is still something left, and if it is robbed by bandits, I am afraid that there is not even half a scum left.

Although Xu cut off his head and suppressed the price of food, so that everyone could not make a lot of money, at least he did not have to worry about his life, if the city was broken and those rebels were allowed to enter the city, I am afraid it would be the result of a broken family. Look at the rebels who were cut off by Xu Jin before, what kind of goods are they? Water thieves, outcasts, ruffians, and criminals are all bad embryos with sores on the top of their heads and pus on the soles of their feet. If these things are allowed to invade, will the people of the city be able to end well?

Fang Tianfu's eyes flashed, and he said quietly: "I think it's a little dangerous, I heard that the defenders have suffered heavy casualties, and the defenders' ammunition has also been consumed. The contemptible people heard the second brother say that the rebels got a big general cannon the day before yesterday, and in the end, if it wasn't for the explosion, the city gate was almost blown open, and Wu Zhixian was crushed to death by the rebels' general cannon and collapsed the city tower. ”

"Is there such a thing?" Shen Qiusheng and Zhang Xinpeng glanced at each other in surprise.

The enemy almost opened the city gate with a general's cannon, Xu Jin naturally issued a gag order, so as not to cause panic in the city, so the people and gentry in the city did not know, and Fang Tianfu also learned about it from his younger brother Fang Tianlu.

Fang Tianfu pretended to be happy and said: "Fortunately, God blesses, the rebel general bombarded the hall, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable." ”

Shen and Zhang bowed their heads in silence and drank, a big general cannon exploded, what if the enemy got a second big general cannon?

"Hehe, don't light this, come on, come on, drink, with the ability to judge adults, it is more than enough to defend the county seat of Leadshan." Fang Tianfu raised his wine glass, but a sneer flashed in his eyes.

The banquet lasted for half an hour before it ended, and Shen and Zhang said goodbye and left the Fang Mansion, obviously a little unfamiliar.

Fang Tianfu sent Shen and Zhang away, turned around and went back to the backyard secret room. In the secret room, the removed lord Bo Fang Tianlu was having a drink with one person, and it was the Mo Guan of King Ning's Mansion.

"Don't worry about it for a long time!" Fang Tianfu sat at the table.

Manager Mo had the signature "skin smiling meat not smiling" on his face, and asked, "Outside the staff, how is it?" ”

Fang Tianfu was slightly colorful, and said lightly: "The contemptible people still have a little thin noodles in this lead mountain county, and the gentry with weight are all ventilated, and tomorrow the surname Xu wants to raise money and food, it is difficult!" ”

Fang Tianlu on the side sneered twice: "That kid does have some ability to win people's hearts, but if he doesn't have money and food, see who is willing to give him his life." ”

Fang Tianlu was removed by Xu Jin the day before yesterday, and he hated it very much!

Steward Mo smiled lightly: "Fang Yuanwai has done a good job, but this can only add a little chaos to Xu Jin, but the soldiers are very fast, we have to help General Wu take the lead mountain county as soon as possible." After the matter is completed, the benefits of the Fang family are indispensable, and it is not a problem to seal the prefect. ”

Fang Tianfu and Fang Tianlu glanced at each other, both of them were excited. Although the Fang family is rich, it is only a family of businessmen after all, and it is not comparable to an official family like the Fei family.

Fang Tianlu's eyes rolled and said, "Big brother, I think Luo Hong can take advantage of it." ”

……

After the spring rain continued underground, Xu Jin just finished inspecting and inspecting the city defense, put on his coat and went down to the city, and led all the soldiers back to the Yamen. In the past few days, the thieves have stopped attacking the city and are cowering in the camp, which makes Xu Jin a little strange. Of course, it is best if the enemy does not attack the city, and he can slowly consume it and wait for the news of Wang Shouren's army.

"Lord Tongju, the Fang family frequently meets with the gentry in the city today, which is a bit abnormal!"

As soon as Xu Jin returned to the Yamen, his second brother-in-law, Xie Erjian, reported to him what he had heard today.

Xu Jin showed a faint smile on his face, as expected, after all, there were a few restless people who wanted to jump out and make trouble.

It is said that before Xu Jin ordered the shopkeeper of a few rice shops to be arrested and forcibly pushed down the price, this is obviously something that will offend people, and Xu Jin will not accidentally prevent someone from making trouble.

Therefore, Xu Jin deliberately selected some clever sergeants in Shangrao Qianhu, and handed them over to Xie Erjian to lead, responsible for secretly monitoring those gentry and merchants, and collecting market remarks, and grasping the trend of public opinion in the city in real time.

Today, Fang Tianfu frequently feasted the gentry in the city, so naturally he couldn't escape Xu Jin's ears and eyes.