As if feeling a touch of autumn, the sun in the sky is pouring out sunshine and heat crazily.
The leaves on the mountain were drooping listlessly. A gust of wind blew by. Someone picked up the branches and waved them casually, and the branches were cut off.
The leaves fell to the ground, and then a foot stepped into the fallen leaves accumulated last year.
One after another, Tang Army sergeants walked along the path.
"General Shi!" Deputy General Wei Ming hurried down from the front.
"What's the matter?" Shi Zhongtang was wearing a helmet. He was extremely hot, but he remained calm.
"The front is their lair."
"Ready to take action..."
Shi Zhongtang was surrounded by everyone and came to the front.
A group of wooden houses on the mountain.
"Set their houses on fire and kill everyone who comes out. Remember, I want ears!"
"Take orders!"
Thousands of soldiers quietly touched it.
"Tang Jun is coming."
A child spotted them and ran away.
Arrows nailed the child to the ground, and hundreds of men and women rushed out of those wooden houses.
"Run!"
They turned around and ran towards the mountains.
As long as they entered the mountains, the Tang army would not have anything to worry about.
"General!" Wei Ming came to apologize angrily, "My sergeant accidentally alerted the enemy."
Shi Zhongtang patted him on the shoulder, "Who hasn't made a mistake yet? Chase him!"
"Yes!" Wei Ming's eyes were filled with gratitude.
What followed was a devastating chase.
Those men and women who escaped were beheaded or shot, and then the Tang army cut off their ears.
"The army is defeated!" Shi Zhongtang said calmly: "Separately and outflank, no one is allowed to escape."
"yes."
The Tang army was divided into three groups, outflanked on the left and right, and pursued frontally.
After rushing through a narrow area, the front is wide.
"Run!"
The remaining aliens fled in panic.
The Tang army pursued them closely.
Just as the Tang army rushed into the open area, the sound of horns came from behind.
Shi Zhongtang looked back and saw thousands of people pouring out from where they had just passed.
There are many forked roads in the mountains, and these people must have come from the side.
Wei Ming shouted: "General, charge forward."
Shi Zhongtang did not look back, but pulled out the horizontal sword, "I underestimated the enemy, this is a trap."
The fleeing aliens looked back with a ferocious smile, and waves of enemy troops poured out behind them.
"We are surrounded."
Shi Zhongtang raised his sword high, "Follow me and fight your way out!"
He rushed forward, slashing back and forth among the enemy troops with all his strength, and rescued one of his subordinates one after another.
"Kill!"
After an unknown amount of time, Shi Zhongtang rushed out. When he looked back, he saw that the enemy soldiers were staring at him in panic, as if they were looking at gods.
At this moment, Shi Zhongtang had turned into a bloody man, covered in blood from head to toe. Moreover, there were some suspicious things stained or hanging on his body. He moved, and a piece of large intestine stuck to his leg fell out.
Go down.
"This is the devil!" A foreigner shouted in panic.
Chance!
Shi Zhongtang decisively led his men to charge in again.
Defeated.
Thousands of enemy troops fled across the mountains and plains.
…
A few days later, Shi Zhongtang took the remaining hundreds of soldiers back to Qinghe County, where the Jiedushi Envoy of Southern Xinjiang was stationed.
The mission of the Southern Xinjiang Jiedushi was to defend against possible harassment and attacks by the Southern Zhou Dynasty. Later, when the alien races began to rise, another mission was added, which was to suppress and exterminate the alien rebels.
Jiedushi Zhang Huan was a veteran general with high prestige and was respected by everyone in southern Xinjiang.
Together with the deputy envoy of Jiedu, Xu Guogong Zhang Chumao, they are collectively known as Erzhang.
Zhang Chumao went to Northern Xinjiang, intending to plan for the post of military governor of Northern Xinjiang. Who would have thought that he would fail and come back disgraced.
The arrival of the King of Yue caused some changes in the lives of the soldiers and people in southern Xinjiang - oh, it turns out that Chang'an still remembers our feelings.
Shi Zhongtang led his people into the city, and he and his deputy Wei Ming went to see Zhang Huan, the military commander who valued him.
At this moment, Zhang Huan and Yue Wang Li Jing were talking in the lobby.
"Prime Minister Zhang has made great achievements in southern Xinjiang in recent years, and the news has spread all over Chang'an." The King of Yue smiled.
Since Zhang Huan took charge of southern Xinjiang, there has been no change in the Southern Zhou Dynasty. This is the greatest contribution. As for the rebellion of foreign tribes, in his opinion, it is nothing more than a trivial matter.
But he had to clarify this point, otherwise the credit for delivering a letter from the King of Yue to Chang'an would be lost.
"Alien rebellion is hateful, but such a rebellion will happen every few decades. This time it is big, but I am sure to put an end to the rebellion."
The King of Yue smiled very kindly and said, "I naturally believe in Prime Minister Zhang's martial arts."
"My lord, Shi Zhongtang would like to see you."
Zhang Huan smiled and said: "This Yunshan slave is here."
Shi Zhongtang was born in Yunshan. Zhang Huan was quite affectionate towards him. After giving him the Tang name Shi Zhongtang, he also gave him a nickname, Yunshan Nu.
This slave is not a humiliating term, but a friendly term.
The King of Yue smiled slightly, with a touch of embarrassment on his thin cheeks.
Shi Zhongtang came in and saluted.
"I've met my husband."
Zhang Huan looked at his beloved general with a smile, "How was this battle?"
Shi Zhongtang said: "In this battle, Xiaguan was ambushed by the enemy, but Xiaguan led the army to turn defeat into victory."
Zhang Huan glanced at the King of Yue, "How much was the loss?"
"Most of it." Shi Zhongtang felt that this was not a problem... hitting more with less and turning defeat into victory was the essence of this battle.
As for the casualties under his command, how can a general be so kind to a woman?
Zhang Huangang mentioned his military exploits to the King of Yue, but at this moment he felt that he had been slapped in the face.
He shouted: "You bitch slave, you have suffered heavy losses in dealing with those rebellious bandits. Someone come and bring me my whip."
Shi Zhongtang was stunned, thinking that someone was like this last time, and suffered more losses than himself, and did not turn defeat into victory. Zhang Huan even comforted him with a few words. How could it be considered a fault in my case?
Zhang Huan held the leather whip in his hand and whipped him hard, shouting and cursing while beating him.
"You bitch slave, if I hadn't taken pity on you, you would still be a foreign soldier rushing to kill you, and you would have died in the ravine sooner or later."
Shi Zhongtang's body shook, as if he had been severely beaten.
But he never screamed again, he just knelt there with his body bent, letting the whip fall on his back.
Zhang Huan just wanted to vent his dissatisfaction and give himself a step up.
The King of Yue sat beside him and sighed, "Why should Prime Minister Zhang be angry?"
Zhang Huan stopped beating him and gasped: "These bitch slaves don't know the lesson unless they are beaten."
The King of Yue laughed and said: "Prime Minister Zhang is busy every day and has many affairs. If he gets angry frequently, it will be bad for his health."
Are you mocking me for not having a city?
Zhang Huan glanced at the King of Yue pretending to be casual. Seeing his sincere expression, he couldn't help but feel relieved and said with a smile: "I am in good health. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
The King of Yue glanced at Shi Zhongtang, who was silent, and said gently: "General Shi is brave, and I know it. Prime Minister Zhang punished his favorite general, and he felt quite uncomfortable when he thought about it. But beating is a sign of love, and General Shi must remember it."
yes."
Shi Zhongtang raised his head, his face already full of tears, "My husband is so kind to me, I will remember it for the rest of my life."
Zhang Huan's anger had dissipated at this moment, and he laughed and cursed: "You bitch slave, don't get up yet, you are waiting for me to help you!"
Shi Zhongtang stood up. The clothes on his back were torn in many places and were floating behind him. He looked like a beggar. Looking from behind, the whip marks were high and swollen, but he seemed unaware.
Zhang Huan laughed and said, "Can you blame me for being so ruthless?"
Shi Zhongtang shook his head and said honestly: "My father-in-law spanks me out of love! It's just like my mother-in-law spanking me. I know it!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Zhang Huan pointed at Shi Zhongtang and laughed.
The King of Yue was also smiling.
Immediately Shi Zhongtang resigned.
The King of Yue also stood up and said: "Prime Minister Zhang has many things to do, so I won't bother you."
Zhang Huan said a few polite words and ordered: "Slave Yunshan, take the king back on your behalf."
"yes."
Shi Zhongtang lowered his head.
The two of them went out one after the other. The King of Yue mounted his horse, surrounded by guards.
"General Shi." The King of Yue pointed at Shi Zhongtang. Shi Zhongtang pointed at himself first, smiling innocently.
The King of Yue nodded.
Only then did Shi Zhongtang approach.
The King of Yue smiled and said: "Prime Minister Zhang was just angry for a moment, General Shi..."
Shi Zhongtang said in panic: "Before your Majesty, subordinates did not dare to call themselves generals. Please, Your Majesty, please call me Yunshan Slave."
Yunshan Slave can only be called Shi Zhongtang's elders or people close to him... The King of Yue smiled hoarsely, and then said: "Yunshan Slave, what are your wishes in this life?"
Shi Zhongtang said: "Xiaoguan just thinks about killing enemies. The more he kills, the higher his rank will be. When he becomes a high-ranking official in the future, he can go home in glory and open the eyes of those who looked down on him in the past.
.”
"Returning home in glory? We all share this sentiment." The King of Yue looked at him with a smile, "If you want to be a high official, you have to study more."
Shi Zhongtang was startled and scratched his head, "I'm a low-ranking official but I haven't read much, and I don't have any at home."
The King of Yue smiled and said, "I have brought several carts of books from Chang'an, and there will be many more to come. In this way, you can borrow them from me in batches, so that you can read them happily."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Shi Zhongtang scratched his ears and cheeks happily, and the King of Yue smiled and said, "That's what you are like, hozen."
Then when they arrived at the Yue King's residence, Shi Zhongtang followed him in and selected a few books before leaving.
Naturally, the King of Yue would not see him off. Instead, he sat in the study and watched Shi Zhongtang retire and go out.
Staff Zhao Dongping came in.
"The king has taken a liking to this person?"
Zhao Dongping has three strands of black beard and a pair of thick eyebrows, which contrast with his fair skin.
The desk of the King of Yue was piled with books, and he opened one casually, "King Wei is said to be quite active in Northern Xinjiang. He has participated in several battles and has gained a reputation for bravery. My cultivation is shallow and I cannot fight in battle...but Chang'an
The situation is turbulent, and if I don’t follow with force, I will become someone else’s prisoner sooner or later.”
Zhao Dongping sat down and said, "Yes! The prince seems to be stable, but the noble concubine...I am too talkative."
The King of Yue smiled and said: "When I came to this remote place in southern Xinjiang, Mr. Zhao refused to follow me. In my eyes, we are a family."
Zhao Dongping lowered his head in emotion, then raised his head for a long time and said: "Your Majesty, your concubine was the crown prince's concubine back then. As long as your majesty favors your concubine, the prince will have no future. Whenever the situation changes, the prince may..."
He waved his hand gently, with a look of pride on his brows, "Who can take over the East Palace in the future? Only the king. However, King Wei was unwilling to accept it. He participated in many wars in the northern Xinjiang and even used the exile as his residence. It was said that it was dangerous.
, What does King Wei want to do? I want to come, he wants to counterattack! "
"This matter should not be underestimated," said the King of Yue.
"Yes! Who can guess what His Majesty is thinking!" Zhao Dongping smiled lightly.
But both of them knew that in the eyes of the emperor, there was no son. Even if the King of Yue died in southern Xinjiang, the emperor would at most sigh a few times and then play a few more sad songs in the opera house.
"The king has a good thing." Zhao Dongping said with a smile: "The king is the youngest, but your Majesty is in the prime of life..."
If an older prince is the crown prince, the emperor will feel like a light is on his back. It doesn't matter if he is young, he still has to study for many years anyway.
This is royal family affection, with only profit calculations in it.
"Shi Zhongtang seems to be an honest person. How can a general who leads his army to victory in many battles be honest? I think this person is cunning."
"This king knows."
"Your Majesty is so smart, I am very happy."
After Zhao Dongping went out, King Yue put down the book in his hand and looked at the door quietly.
"I am not afraid of his cunning, but I am afraid that he will not take the bait. If he wants to be promoted, I will help him. If he wants to return to his hometown in glory, I will help him. In this way, with a strong general by his side, he can respond at any time."
As the setting sun shone on the table, King Wei whispered: "Chang'an, whose Chang'an is that?"
…
Shi Zhongtang returned to his residence.
His confidant Ashina Chunyu saw the clothes flying on his back and the whip marks on his back. He couldn't help being shocked, "General, who did this?"
"Talk inside!"
Shi Zhongtang shook his head and went in first.
Later, in Shi Zhongtang's bedroom, Ashina Chunyu applied medicine to him.
"What a harsh whipping!" Ashina Chunyu was angry.
"It's Zhang Huan!" Shi Zhongtang smiled easily.
"Xiang Zhang... why?"
"He wants to earn face in front of the King of Yue."
"So I'm going to do surgery on you?"
"If you don't have surgery on me, why don't you have surgery on Tang Lai?"
Ashina Chunyu felt cold in his heart, "General Tang, General, are they discriminating against you?"
Shi Zhongtang felt the sharp pain in his back was unbearable. He lay on the desk, his eyes full of coldness, "In this battle, I defeated more with less and turned defeat into victory. It should be credited to me. Those Tang generals have never been punished for this in the past.
?”
"Why?" Ashina Chunyu was also angry.
"It's just because I am a general."
"Didn't he change your name to Tang Dynasty?"
"You're stupid. Your name is just something to call. If you change your name, you'd be a Tang Dynasty person? I originally thought it was, but now it seems it's not."
"This is unfair!"
"So what if it's unfair? They all have backing, but I am the only one who killed it with my own sword. Can I still compete with Zhang Huan?"
"Then... then bear with it?"
"Of course I have to endure it!"
Shi Zhongtang gritted his teeth and said: "The Tang Dynasty does not regard me as one of its own, so why should I be so considerate to the Tang Dynasty? If I can be a governor in the future, I will be proud and proud!"
"A foreigner wants to be a Jiedushi envoy, what are you dreaming about!" Ashina Chunyu wanted to laugh.
"Why is it a dream?" Shi Zhongtang sneered: "Today the King of Yue wanted to win me over, but I gave in half-heartedly. He knew I was pretending to be stupid, and I knew he was pretending to be innocent. Let's fool around together and see who can fool whom in the end."
"What are you looking for him for?"
"If you want to be promoted, Zhang Huan alone is not fast enough!"
"Let's not be in a hurry."
"urgent!"
"Why?"
"The emperor is old. He seems wise, but in fact he is dim. If he were another emperor, I would not be able to serve as a military envoy, let alone a deputy envoy. Time waits for no one, and I will use all my methods.
The sooner you get promoted, the better!"
"What happens after you get promoted? Let's go back to our hometown and make those people regret their mistakes."
"Why not go to Chang'an?"
"Why are you going to Chang'an?"
Ashina Chunyu finished applying the medicine and was about to wash her hands, then took two steps and turned back.