Chapter 91: Wedding Day, Surprise Attack

Three days passed in a flash, and Shen Tianxing's joyous day finally arrived; the whole Leiming City was decked with lanterns and banners, and everyone began bustling from early morning.

Everyone in Leiming City knew that its lord, Shen Tianxing, was getting married today, taking three wives, and since Shen Tianxing, the self-proclaimed city lord, seized Leiming City, he had brought the people many benefits, enough to talk about for three days and three nights.

Therefore, Shen Tianxing's wedding made Leiming City extraordinarily lively; all the people chose to celebrate his marriage, and Shen Tianxing also arranged many chefs to set up a simple buffet for the common folk to enjoy together.

At the rate of one silver coin per person, forty thousand people cost nearly forty thousand taels of silver, but fortunately this was exactly the tax collected over the past month, so it was taking from the people and using for the people.

The soldiers in charge of serving the buffet unintentionally revealed that this meal was paid for with their taxes, and they said that Leiming City's current prosperity was actually due to Shen Tianxing spending his own money.

Upon hearing this, the people were deeply moved; previously officials would squander their taxes on feasting and pleasure, but only Shen Tianxing, the city lord, used their taxes for them and also spent his own silver to let them live in peace and happiness.

Since what they said was true, the soldiers felt no psychological burden saying it.

While the whole city was celebrating, Shen Tianxing had already led 500 archers, 500 assault troops, and 2000 veteran soldiers to Leifu City.

At this time, Leifu City's defenses were relatively lax; the scattered soldiers on the city walls were listless, as dawn had just broken not long ago.

Shen Tianxing and his men opened a tunnel dug by the tunnel soldiers in a small grove, entered it at the fastest speed, and headed into Leifu City.

At the Prefect of Leifu City, Prefect Wang Fugui worried anxiously, frowning as he drank wine; accompanying him in drinking was Leifu City's General Situ Bo.

"My lord, today is the wedding day of the rebel Shen Tianxing, which is also the perfect time for us to attack Leiming City. Why won't you listen to me? Our Leiming City also has thirty thousand troops, all elite soldiers and strong generals.

We only need to disguise ourselves as refugees, sneak into the city, take advantage of their unpreparedness, and we can capture Leiming City and even behead Shen Tianxing together with the remnants of the Yang family, and completely annihilate them; then we will have achieved a great merit.

If the Regent King knew, he would certainly send you to the Capital; high rank and generous salary are guaranteed, so why must you drown your sorrows in wine here?"

Situ Bo felt both helpless and angry, while Wang Fugui could only give a bitter smile.

"You think too simply; as I know, the military and civilians of Leiming City are united as one, and there are even fifty thousand elite troops, plus another ten thousand captives who have been honestly incorporated into Shen Tianxing's forces.

Thirty thousand attacking sixty thousand in a siege—do you think you can win? Even if you got in, today is a joyous occasion, the whole populace is mobilized; can those many civilians really stand a chance?"

Wang Fugui was no pushover; being able to serve as Taishou of Leizhou for so long shows he has some real ability, and his intelligence work is still very thorough.

"Even if what you say is true, that is still a unique excellent opportunity; if we don't try, how will we know whether it will succeed? Even I, a lowly official, know that after Shen Tianxing's wedding, he will lead troops to attack our Leifu City.

Sitting here waiting for death is truly unwise; it would be better to seek help from several other cities, or contact General Yue, who might come to rescue us."

Situ Bo wanted to give it a try, but Wang Fugui refused!

"Don't even think about it; I have already received news that Yue Yunyang's eldest daughter is engaged to Shen Tianxing; seeking help from Yue Yunyang would be like walking straight into a trap.

What I most want now is to escape, but I also know I have already been watched; escaping is extremely difficult, and tonight is the best chance for me to flee; I brought you here hoping you would help me escape together. What do you think?"

Situ Bo never imagined Wang Fugui would actually plan to escape—doesn't that mean surrendering the city?

"My lord, stay sober; first, let's not discuss whether we can escape, but even if we do, what then? Fleeing without battle, if the Prince finds out, he will surely issue a warrant.

If we must flee, then let our families run; you and I must stay and guard the city no matter what, so that even if we are finally captured, at least our families will be safe, and no matter where they go, they will face no further threat."

Situ Bo had resigned himself; Wang Fugui hesitated for a long time, actually valuing his own life and death more, while his family's life and death were not that important to him.

"Let me think about it again; if you want your family to leave, I have no objection; as for when my family leaves, I need to consider it carefully."

Wang Fugui's words left Situ Bo speechless; after all these years, he still didn't understand Wang Fugui? His first wife had already been replaced three times, the first two died, and the concubines—who knows how many were given to nobles and officials?

Even his daughter was sent to some high officials in the Capital; his son is quite lovable, but because he provoked nobles in the Capital upon returning, he himself killed his son and sent his head over.

"Since you, my lord, say that, I will go back to prepare; as for your family wanting to follow, I have no problem, and of course no matter what, I will stay in the city and share life and death with you."

Wang Fugui nodded and waved his hand; Situ Bo turned and left on this side, but just as he reached the door, outside came Shen Tianxing's voice.

"Sorry, you two cannot go anywhere; you can only go to hell; as for your families, as long as they do not resist, I will not kill them, and I will even send them out of the city."

Shen Tianxing brought Tian Guangguang with him, and only the 500 assault troops followed; Zhao Lingfei waited outside the city with the veteran soldiers and archers, ready to open the gate.

You know digging a tunnel can bring all troops inside, but it takes too long; the best method is to first deal with Wang Fugui and Situ Bo, then take their tokens to open the gate.

"You are Shen Tianxing, you damned wretch; how did you get in? Aren't you supposed to be getting married today?"

Wang Fugui gritted his teeth, seized the long-handled broadsword from the weapon rack, held it across his chest but dared not strike; Situ Bo also reacted at that moment and hastily drew his sword.

The two merely stepped back, not daring to advance, nor even daring to shout for the garrison soldiers inside the Taishou Fu to come; they seemed afraid that if they shouted, their lives would be forfeit.

"Kill you, take Leifu City, then return to the wedding—just right, after all, there is plenty of time."

Shen Tianxing slowly raised his sword; the two had already retreated several steps; hearing this, they knew they were doomed, then they glanced at each other and shouted in unison in anger.

"Let's fight him together, charge, kill!"