This bombardment continued one after another throughout the day. A few cannons were fired in the city, and a few cannons were fired on the arrow towers on the city walls. At the end of the day, five or six hundred houses were blown up, and the three gate towers of the western city and more than 30 arrow towers on the city walls were destroyed. Tension spreads in the city, and rumors begin to breed and spread unknowingly.

"The Shence Army is really powerful, no wonder Li Xiangguo was defeated in Tongzhou. With such siege weapons in their hands, who can stop them? Half of the house collapsed with a bombardment, my God, it was terrible. ”

"Isn't that scary? I've heard that the Divine Army hasn't moved for real. I heard that Wang Yuan also has a thing called 'Thunder in the Sky' in his hand, which is a hundred times more powerful than these things that have entered the city today. Under the city of Fengzhou, Wang Yuan only has tens of thousands of people, fighting with the 100,000 cavalry of the Hui people, why did you win easily? That's what you use. I heard that as soon as the 'thunder exploded', hundreds of people's bones were gone, and the sky was shattered, and they were indestructible. ”

“…… According to you, is it not useless to have a strong wall? Didn't they just come in casually? ”

"Isn't that so? It didn't work in the first place. The thunder can open the mountain and crack the rocks, and the city wall can't resist it at all. ”

"Then why did Li Xiangguo still force everyone to repair the city wall and fortifications? Isn't that a wasted effort? ”

"There's a reason why Lee Kwang-pil is doing this. I've heard that there's something inside here. ”

"What is the reason? Let's hear it. ”

“…… I'm also hearsay, not necessarily true. That's all I said, and when you hear that, I don't recognize it when you turn your head. ”

"Don't worry, I'm not going to talk nonsense, what is the reason?"

"Let me tell you, there is a deep hatred between Li Xiangguo and Wang Yuan. When Emperor Taishang was in Chengdu, Li Xiangguo and Wang Yuan had a fierce fight. When Wang Yuan led his troops and horses out of Chengdu to quell the rebellion, Li Xiangguo told people everywhere in Chengdu that Wang Yuan was going to rebel and usurp the throne, and even the Emperor Taishang believed him and almost ordered someone to take Wang Yuan. But what kind of person is Wang Yuan? How could he be easily captured, and later led his troops back to Chengdu, threatening to settle accounts with Li Xiangguo, and Li Xiangguo fled Chengdu when he saw that the situation was not good. Later, he supported the new emperor to ascend the throne and sang against Wang Yuan. Think about it, can these two people be reconciled? So now each is his master, and the fight is inseparable. But in fact, whether it is the emperor or the new emperor as the emperor, what does it matter? ”

“…… Do you mean that Wang Yuan is now supporting the restoration of the emperor, and he is also forced by Li Xiangguo to have no way, right? They are mortal enemies, either you die or I live, right? ”

"Isn't that it? You now know why Li Xiangguo desperately forced the people of the city to strengthen the city wall fortifications, it was because he knew that Wang Yuan was coming for him, and if Wang Yuan broke through Chang'an, he would be the first to die, so he had to defend ......"

"This ...... What you said seems to have no basis, you said that there is a deep hatred between Li Xiangguo and Wang Yuan, which I can believe. But you say that Wang Yuan raised troops to attack Chang'an in order to kill Li Xiangguo, which is probably a bit far-fetched. ”

"Don't you carry it? As I have just said, all this is hearsay, how can I guarantee that it is true? How can a small person like me know what is going on between these high-ranking people? Maybe it's just a shadowless thing, or maybe it's all true, who knows? In short, whether it is true or not, we ordinary people are unlucky, precarious, and tired like dogs every day. That's it, don't talk about it, don't spread what we're saying, I don't want to go to prison, you don't want to hurt me. ”

"Don't worry, am I in a panic? Talking about such things everywhere. ”

The above conversation is just one version of the rumors among the city's people. Such rumors sprung up in Chang'an City like mushrooms after a rain, and soon spread among the streets and alleys. There are various versions of the dialogue, in fact, the core content is that the purpose of Wang Yuan's attack on Chang'an this time is for Li Guangbi, he is not disrespectful to the new emperor, but because Li Guangbi framed him in front of the new emperor, forcing him to take today's step. Therefore, Wang Yuan's goal is to capture Li Guangbi and kill Li Guangbi. What's even more bizarre is that the news that Wang Yuan is holding a big killing weapon called Thunder in his hand has also spread with a nose and eyes. It is said that this thunderstorm is indestructible, and no matter how strong the city wall is, it can't resist it. All attempts to fortify the walls and fortifications were in vain.

The origin of all these rumors is the mouth of the Shence Army mixed in Chang'an City. The first step in Wang Yuan's plan was to spread these inexplicable news in the city. Spread all kinds of rumors that he and Li Guangbi are not in the same place, spread rumors that he is fully capable of taking Chang'an, and hype up the power of the thunder that does not exist. With these rumors, the already unstable people in Chang'an City became even more panicked, and a kind of anxiety and panic were permeated everywhere.

These rumors and rumors are actually very flawed, such as the grievances between Li Guangbi and Wang Yuan, many people know that this is not the case. Especially those officials and ordinary people who returned to the capital from Chengdu, they all knew that in fact, there were no things that happened when Li Guangbi was in charge. Li Guangbi did stay in Chengdu with Guo Ziyi for a while, but during that time it was safe and sound, and there was nothing to fall out with Wang Yuan at all. However, Li Guangbi suddenly left Chengdu and ran to Shuofang, and there were some people in the Hedong area. It is also true that the new emperor ascended the throne with the support of Lee Kwang-pil, but the truth is not as rumored, and there is a big difference between them.

A lie repeated a thousand times is the truth. There was a large army outside, shells were falling and exploding in the city, and the people had no time to distinguish between the truth and the falsehood of these lies. Once these rumors spread all over the city, many people believed that this was the truth. Many people began to curse Li Guangbi secretly, blaming him for his one-person grievances that affected the entire court and the entire city's military and civilians. cursed him to die early, so as not to disturb everyone.

As if to make such rumors more believable, the Divine Force carried out a massive demolition operation in the open space outside the city. Under the gaze of tens of thousands of defenders and civilians at the head of the city, the majestic earth mountain outside the west city, known as the Prancing Horse Terrace, was razed to the ground after a loud bang. You must know that the prancing horse platform is a huge earthen platform five or six long and dozens of steps in radius. There are green trees and a huge pavilion on it. A majestic mountain of earth was razed to the ground after that huge explosion. This immediately proves that the other party does have the existence of that kind of siege weapon called thunder. The Prancing Horse Platform can be razed to the ground, and the city wall is much smaller than the Prancing Horse Platform, so can it still withstand it?

What they don't know is that all of this is just a means of the Divine Army. In order to raze this dirt mountain to the ground. Wang Yuan ordered people to basically hollow out the interior of Tushan beforehand. Then more than 100 ** bags were placed on the top of the mountain bag, and after the detonation, the sky and the earth naturally collapsed, and the mountain bag collapsed and was completely razed to the ground. In fact, before the detonation, the pavilion on the Prancing Horse almost collapsed due to the act of hollowing out the earth, but it was still supported by a giant tree to keep the stuffing exposed. In order to dig up the soil bags, more than 1,000 soldiers dug for three nights, and transported all the excavated soil to the camp in sandbags and piled it up, so that the city would not see the flaws. It can be said that in order to cooperate with the rumors in the city, Wang Yuan can be regarded as having made a bloody investment.

The army has newly replenished hundreds of ** bags, and Wang Yuan once thought of blowing up the city wall by placing ** bags under the city wall. But he found the idea to be good, but it was impossible to implement. To place ** bags under the city walls to achieve the purpose of blowing up the city walls, it may be feasible in other cities, but it is definitely not possible here. Digging a tunnel to the city is a selfish delusion, just the moat that is more than ten zhang wide and several zhang deep cannot be crossed, not to mention that if you want to blow up the city wall, you must dig through the foundation of the root of the city wall, and prevent it from being under the foundation of the city wall. That's not an ordinary amount of work, and if you have that means, why not just dig through the city wall, and spend that effort? Therefore, the precious ** has become a means for Wang Yuan to act for the soldiers and civilians in the city, adding another fire to the fiery rumors in the city.

This news did quickly make the rumors in the city boil. People who didn't believe in it also began to believe in the whole thing because of the existence of thunder. Clever liars are usually mixed with lies and truths, and once the truth is proven, people will accept even the part of the lie. This is a common human mentality.

The rumors of the city are naturally impossible not to be known by the upper echelons. Li Guangbi had already heard of these rumors, but he had no time to deal with them, because time was pressing, and what he was thinking about now was to strengthen the city defense of Chang'an, train new soldiers, and prepare materials to defend the city, and he could not delay for a moment. He knew that it was impossible for the Shence army outside the city to remain unattacked. As the winter moon approached, the bitter cold of the weather forced the Shence army to make a choice, either to withdraw before the next heavy snowfall or to launch a siege before then. It is the latter that is more likely to happen.

Lee Kwang-pil doesn't care, but that doesn't mean others don't care. Zheng Qiushan had heard of these rumors since he began to circulate in the city, and a few days later, when such rumors became more and more boiling in the city, Zheng Qiushan finally went to see Li Mao and informed him of the rumors circulating in the city.

When Li Mao heard this, he reprimanded Zheng Qiushan fiercely, and reprimanded him: "Now when everyone is united to defend Chang'an, you use these market rumors to tell me, what does that mean?" You should go and do your best to assist Lee Kwang-pil in his work, instead of speaking ill of him behind his back. ”

Zheng Qiushan retreated with shame on his face, and scolded angrily in his heart. But he didn't give up, he felt that something must be wrong with this matter. If the rumors are true, then Li Guangbi is dragging everyone into the water together, and it is his responsibility to let His Majesty understand this.

A day later, when the news of the explosion of the thunder outside the city was confirmed, Zheng Qiushan entered the palace again, described in detail how the thunder had razed the prancing horse platform to the ground, and found more than a dozen generals who witnessed the incident to confirm it. Li Mao only felt a little nervous at this time. This thunder is so powerful, so what is the use of this city wall fortification? Isn't Chang'an City in danger? Why is Lee Kwang-pil indifferent? Is it really because he has no way out? Had to hold on?

Once there are signs of doubt in my heart, what follows is a steady stream of suspicion. Li Mao is a suspicious person, but he has never been suspicious of Li Guangbi. But after Li Guangbi was defeated, even if he still trusted Li Guangbi, compared with before, he already had some pimples in his heart. At this time, the more I thought about it, the more suspicious I felt. Zheng Qiushan kept adding oil and vinegar to the side, which really added a fire. But even so, Li Mao still didn't say anything, he didn't fully believe it. But the problem is that if the thunder is true, the safety of Chang'an City is indeed dangerous, and this matter needs to be asked to Li Guangbi to see how he responds.

Li Mao immediately summoned Li Guangbi, first inquired about the progress of the city defense and the prospect of the war, Li Guangbi returned to Li Mao in an orderly manner, these were the things he had thought about thousands of times in his heart, and he was naturally confident.

Then, Li Mao changed his words and asked about the thunder.

"Brother, it is rumored in the city that the Shence Army has a siege weapon called Thunder, which can break through the city walls. Is this true? ”

With just this sentence, Li Guangbi knew that Li Mao already knew about the rumors in the city. Li Guangbi said with a straight face: "Your Majesty, at this moment, how can you be swayed by those rumors in the city? The so-called thunder is purely imaginary, Your Majesty should not believe it. As long as the city defense of Chang'an City is strong, the top and bottom are united, and there is no danger of being broken. ”

Li Mao frowned and said, "But I heard that the Shence Army tested a shot outside the city and leveled the Prancing Horse Terrace, isn't there such a thing?" ”

Li Guangbi said: "Yes, the Prancing Horse Terrace was indeed razed, but the minister didn't think it was a thunderbolt. The minister has never heard that they have such a siege firearm as the thunderbolt, and the so-called thunderbolt in the city that turned defeat into victory in the battle with the Hui is also false. Bullets' firearms kill the enemy, not some thunderbolts. That thing is not very powerful, and it will not damage our city. ”

Li Mao sighed and asked, "How do you know that they didn't thunder?" What if they really have? ”

Li Guangbi frowned and said, "Your Majesty, don't listen to other people's nonsense. If Wang Yuan really has that thing called thunder, why don't he attack the city directly? Instead, it is used on the Prancing Horse platform outside the city? Deter us? What's the point? With such an obvious flaw, how could His Majesty not understand it? Aren't these people stupid enough to believe such ridiculous rumors? ”

Li Mao's face changed, Li Guangbi's words were very disrespectful, didn't the meaning of his words reflect that he was also a stupid person?

Li Guangbi also immediately realized this, and hurriedly remedied: "Your Majesty, the minister means that at this moment, Your Majesty can't believe those rumors, and now you must work together, don't be impetuous, and don't care about those gossips." After this battle, the ministers will find out who is behind the spread of rumors. At this moment, the minister really can't go to investigate, and the minister is now focused on defending the city. ”

Li Mao pondered for a long time, and said lightly: "You go and do something, I understand." ”

Li Guangbi felt the indifference in Li Mao's emotions, but he really couldn't explain this matter clearly at the moment, he did put all his energy and time on defending the city, he thought that as long as he could defend Chang'an, it would be the best explanation.

On November 16, in the afternoon of the second day after Li Guangbi was summoned by Li Mao, a fast horse in the camp of the Shence Army rushed to the city under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands of soldiers at the head of the city. The archers at the head of the city immediately bent their bows and arrows at the incoming men, but the soldiers raised their hands and shouted at the top of the city.

"Listen, the people in the city, my king has a letter to King Shou, please pass it on."

When the garrison heard this, the archers were ordered to retreat, but the messenger was sent with a bow and arrow, and shot a letter hanging on an arrow into the city. The letter was sealed tightly, stamped with Wang Yuan's seal, and sealed with lacquer. Written with the words of King Shou's personal enlightenment.

The guards did not dare to slack off, and hurriedly went down to the city with letters to report to the Xingqing Palace. Soon after, the letter was placed on the table in Li Mao's study in the Nanxun Palace.

Li Mao took the letter and glanced at it, there was a slight anger on his face, the envelope was written by King Shou himself, that is, Wang Yuan didn't treat himself as an emperor, this guy is really hateful.

Because of concerns about safety, the envelope was opened by Huang An, and after identifying it, it was handed over to Li Mao.

Li Mao unfolded the letterhead, only glanced at it, and a surprised expression appeared on his face.

"The minister Wang Yuan knocks on Your Majesty's Holy Ann." This first sentence was completely unexpected by Li Mao, Wang Yuan called himself a minister, calling himself His Majesty, which was completely different from the title on the envelope, I don't know what he meant.

"The minister Wang Yuan asked His Majesty to be Sheng'an, and the minister said to His Majesty: The minister was born in the market, and he was originally a people of grass and mustard, and a mediocre generation. However, by the emperor's grace and royal grace, there is the glory of inch. Between the nights, in the morning and evening, the ministers all asked themselves and secretly warned themselves that the ministers' gains today are all from the royal gifts, and the ministers have an inch of merit, not the merit of the minister, but the merit of the royal gift. The minister should do his best to serve the court, so as to repay the immensity of the emperor's grace and the grace of the saint. ”

"Phew, that's how you repay my Li Tang royal family." Li Mao spat viciously, but continued to look down.

"Since the fourth year of Tianbao, my Tang Dynasty has entered an eventful autumn, there are strong enemies outside, traitors inside, the country is unstable, and the court is unstable. Even in the eighth year of Tianbao, An Lushan rebelled