At the same moment when the Guo family was attacked and destroyed, something strange happened in the Mekong Delta. A Chola fleet arrived in the delta.
There were patrol ships on the sea outside the delta, and three Tang Army patrol ships spotted the fleet in the distance.
"Captain, it doesn't look like a cargo ship!"
Captain Zhang Qi recognized this wide and flat ship shape. Isn't it the Zhuluo warship that was sunk by them last year?
He snorted coldly, "These idiots are here again, go back and report them immediately!"
The patrol boat turned around and returned to the delta, reporting the latest findings to Zheng Guangning, the chief general of Angu City. Last year, the Zhuluo army performed too poorly and was vulnerable, which left a deep impression on the Tang army officers and soldiers.
The Tang army despised them from the bottom of their hearts. Zheng Guangping immediately discussed countermeasures with Du Huan. Du Huan said slowly: "The Zhu Luo Kingdom must be here to steal food and property. Although the Zhu Luo Kingdom is relatively weak in combat, the Tang army cannot be careless. I suggest that the Zhu Luo Kingdom immediately attack Jiaozhou Water."
The army is asking for help."
Zheng Guangping pondered for a while and said: "I am worried that the Jiaozhou navy will come over, and it will be too late in time."
Du Huan smiled slightly, "The navy only focuses on naval battles. We still have to rely on ourselves on the road. We have powerful firearms. The three thousand troops are not afraid of anyone!"
Zheng Guangping nodded, "I know what to do!"
Zheng Guangping made arrangements on the only road from the seaport to Angu City.
Three thousand troops were ambushed in the woods not far away.
An hour later, the Chola fleet arrived at the harbor, and 20,000 soldiers began to disembark and assemble.
Only half of them were assembled. The already assembled 10,000 Chola troops were already impatient and turned around to kill Angu City.
Angu City is only one mile away from the harbor terminal, connected by a wide and flat dirt road. Ten thousand Zhuluo soldiers rushed along the dirt road and would soon approach the city.
Suddenly, several Tang army soldiers stood up from the trench dozens of steps away. With their bows and arrows drawn, they fired several rockets at the enemy's feet.
No one expected that the muddy road, which was slightly muddy and had a strong smell, suddenly burst into flames. The Zhuluo soldiers were caught off guard. Thousands of people were instantly engulfed in the flames.
The Zhuluo soldiers shouted in fear, and the soldiers behind them turned around and ran away. At this moment, fifty iron-iron fire mines buried in the soil exploded. They were explosives. The explosion caused the Zhuluo soldiers to fly with blood and flesh everywhere, leaving death and injury everywhere.
.
"Woo——"
The trumpet of the Tang army sounded, and three thousand troops came out of the woods. The surviving Zhuluo soldiers were defeated, and the Tang army chased after them.
The soldiers who had just disembarked from the boat scrambled to escape onto the boat. The Chola soldiers were like chased poultry and livestock, running away like dogs and chickens.
Before all the soldiers could get on board, the big ships turned around and fled into the sea.
The remaining three thousand soldiers had no way to escape and surrendered on their knees. The Tang army also needed prisoners of war to cultivate official fields, so Zheng Guangping ordered to accept the surrender of Zhu Luo soldiers.
In this battle, more than 4,000 Chola soldiers were burned and bombed, and 3,500 surrendered.
On that day, these 3,500 prisoners of war were driven into the fields by the Tang army to plant rice.
It feels very good to use prisoners of war. These Zhuluo soldiers are very obedient and easy to manage. Three hundred Tang army soldiers can keep 3,500 people in obedience.
Things that happened in the Mekong Delta were transferred to Chang'an through Yingxin Station. A few days later, Du Huan's report was placed on the imperial case of Emperor Li Ye.
Li Ye paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his hands. According to his plan, he should start exploring Zhuluo Kingdom next year or later. The iron content of Zhuluo Kingdom's iron ore is generally more than 60%, and high-quality iron ore can even reach 100%.
Seventy/seventy points.
This was the reason that most tempted Li Ye. In fact, the iron content of Datang's iron ore was only over 20%, and the grade was too low.
The Australia they seized was a treasure land that produced high-grade iron ore, but that was a matter for the future. Water far away could not quench the thirst nearby. Li Ye needed a large amount of pig iron, otherwise the steam engine would not be able to exert its maximum effect.
With enough pig iron, steam locomotives appeared, which could plow the land, mine coal, and unload cargo at the dock. Iron boats also appeared, and they could even produce high-strength cutting tools. Primitive machine tools also appeared, such as screws.
Nuts will also be invented, and rail steel will be made.
Only then will the Iron Age of the Tang Dynasty really come.
Li Ye finally made up his mind. From now on, he would prepare to conquer the Zhuluo Kingdom.
Returning to the harem study, Li Ye sent the maid to invite the queen.
Not long after, Dugu Xinyue hurried to the study room.
Just half a month ago, Dugu Xinyue finally received the news that made her heartbroken. Her father Dugu Lie unfortunately passed away on Dugu Island and was buried on Dugu Island.
The emperor Li Ye named Dugu Lie King Ping, with the posthumous title Zhongyong, and buried him with the rites of a prince.
Dugu Xinyue grieved for half a month, and it took these two days to finally come out of her grief.
"Husband, do you have something to do with me?"
Li Ye nodded, "Sit down first!"
Dugu Xinyue sat down and Li Ye said slowly: "I have decided to attack the Zhuluo Kingdom, which is the place where the Kunlun slaves were born. There are all little black people there. I want to station troops there and appoint a prince. I want to
Let Li Fang be the king of the Chola Kingdom."
Li Fang is the son of Jin Shanling, the eldest son of Li Ye, and he is eighteen years old this year.
Dugu Xinyue nodded, "I have no objection. My husband still needs to seek his own opinion. Zhu Luo Kingdom should be in a very far away place!"
"Yes! It is indeed far away, but the Chola Kingdom is easy to control and the people are easy to surrender. Once the general becomes the governor, no matter who it is, he will establish the country and become the emperor there. I have been thinking about it since last year. I must let my son become the Chola Kingdom.
Lord of the country."
"Since my husband has thought about it carefully, let's give it a try!"
Li Ye immediately sent eunuchs to find Li Fang, the king of Shu.
It has been almost a year since Li Fang came to Chang'an. After his grandfather's careful training, Li Fang has changed a lot and become more confident. The shy girlish temperament he had before has gradually disappeared from his body.
He is still very quiet, but on the other side of quietness is rationality and tenacity. This is the quality left to him by his father Li Ye, and it finally showed.
"My son, Li Fang, pays my respects to my father!"
Li Fang knelt down and kowtowed respectfully to his father.
"Get up!"
Li Fang stood up, and Li Ye looked at his son carefully. The heroic temperament between his eyebrows and eyes was stronger, and he was no longer as shy as a girl when he first met him. This made Li Ye very satisfied. After all,
No father wants his son to be a sissy.
"Do you have any ideas about your future?" Li Ye asked with a smile.
"The imperial grandfather wants his son to be in charge of education in the Tang Dynasty!"
Li Ye shook his head, "That was your grandfather's idea. I want to know your own idea?"
Li Fang lowered his head, "I dare not say anything!"
Li Ye's face sank, "What is there that you dare not say? Doesn't my son even have the courage to straighten his back?"
Li Fang gritted his teeth and said, "I want to become the king of the Western Regions!"
Li Ye smiled and nodded, "That's right! I dare not say anything. Daddy does want you to be a king outside, but not in the Western Regions. Daddy wants you to be a king in the Zhuluo Kingdom!"
"Zhu Luo Kingdom?" Li Fang was stunned. He had never heard of this place.
"The Choluo Kingdom is located in the south of Tubo. It has a vast territory and a population of tens of millions. People here pursue happiness in the next life. They believe that the more hardship they endure in this life, the happier they will be in the next life. Therefore, the Choluo Kingdom has been maintained for thousands of years, and no people have risen up to resist.
If you become the king of the Chola Kingdom, your descendants will rule the Chola Kingdom in peace, but it is different in the Western Region. Your descendants will easily be massacred and destroyed by foreigners."
Li Fang asked in confusion: "My father built governor's palaces in various places, why didn't he also consider building a Chola governor's palace?"
Li Ye shook his head and said seriously: "Any governor would want to establish a country there and become an emperor, so this is the only opportunity to become a king. Dad leaves it to you. The 10,000 Tang garrison is under your control, and the position of king there is yours."