I, the military god of the Tang Dynasty, have risen since I destroyed the Turks

Chapter 724 Attacking Hengyang
Li Zheng nodded, "I was negligent. You go and make the arrangements. I want to meet the leader of the Tiandihui."

After Li Kan agreed, he left in a hurry.

After he walked away, Li Zheng suddenly asked, "What do you think?"

He glanced around and saw that everyone was leaning their heads.

"Your Majesty, I suggest not to resort to force in this matter."

Li Zheng frowned and said, "I am the emperor, am I going to let those bandits run wild?"

"Your Majesty, the situation behind the Tiandihui is that of the Qing dynasty."

“Don’t mention the Qing dynasty.”

Li Zheng said irritably: "What I want is a traitor, not an enemy."

"Then wait!"

Li Zheng said calmly: "What is the current situation of the Tiandihui?"

Someone nearby said, "Your Majesty, the Tiandihui has been recruiting soldiers recently and is said to be planning to expand its influence."

Li Zheng sneered: "The emperor is far away, they can indeed act recklessly, but they have forgotten their origins."

Sarcasm appeared on his face. "It's not that the Tiandihui doesn't have talented people. It's just that they don't want to be inferior to others, and they don't want to be controlled by others, so they hide themselves."

Now I have given them a chance, but unfortunately they don't cherish it. Haha, you can't blame me then."

Li Kan whispered, "Your Majesty, this is good news."

Li Zheng shook his head and said, "Not enough, far from enough. I want to completely wipe out the Tiandihui and let the world know who is the real master."

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Li Zheng laughed loudly, "I want to hold the whole world in my hands. This country belongs to me. I will not allow the front line to fight, and there are still parasites in the back that are harming the country."

Li Kan whispered, "Your Majesty, what about the King of Qi?"

"Humph!"

Li Zheng snorted coldly, "I had previously spared this man's life out of consideration for our old friendship, but he actually dared to deceive the court. He is courting death!"

Li Kan hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Your Majesty, the one who is getting older, if..."

Li Zheng suddenly turned around and looked at him with a fierce gaze, and Lin Likan felt weak all over.

"You are looking for all the information about the Tang Dynasty from me. Don't you know what's going on behind the scenes?"

Li Kan quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I have never interfered with the royal family. After all, this..."

Li Zheng stared at him coldly and said slowly: "You are right. I once had doubts and thought that you were protecting them, but now I understand that you are protecting yourself."

His tone changed, and Li Kan relaxed immediately. He bowed and said, "I am loyal to my king and my country."

Li Zheng raised his hand and patted her shoulder. "I believe you, but there are some things that cannot be done impulsively. Even those old ministers must be taken action once the investigation is clear. There can be no mercy. Do you understand?"

Li Kan bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. I am ashamed."

"Okay, let's go down."

"promise."

Li Kan left the room and sighed inwardly, "This emperor has become more and more overbearing and cruel. He is no longer the magnanimous and benevolent emperor of the past."

He turned around, glanced at Li Zheng's back, then ran out quickly.

But it is normal to think about it. In troubled times, what the Tang Dynasty needs is a strong king. The so-called benevolence, righteousness and morality are just superficial. Only absolute strength can shock everyone.

A few days later, the Tang army suddenly appeared in Hengyang with 20,000 troops, just a hundred miles away from the territories of Shang Kexi, the Prince of Pingnan, and Geng Jingzhong, the Prince of Jingnan. This frightened the two men to death. However, as luck would have it, Li Zheng almost let the strongest Wu Sangui attack in this regard, but instead placed the army in Hengyang, as if he was going to attack Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong.

"Is he crazy?"

Shang Kexi, the Prince of Pingnan, muttered to himself as he took the news sent by the secret spy. His son Shang Zhixin, who was standing beside him, frowned and said, "He must want to use Hengyang to attract our attention so that he can gather his forces and destroy us in one battle. But our Hengyang City is impregnable. How can it be broken just like that?"

Shang Kexi's cheeks twitched. "I don't care. Go and gather the army as soon as possible. I won't rush to send a large army to rescue you."

"General, please be patient."

The counselor advised: "The enemy's target is Hengyang City. If we risk our lives to attack, we will probably suffer losses."

Shang Kexi's legs were shaking, and he panted, "If we don't attack, I'm afraid our entire front line will be lost."

At this time, Shang Kexi was already in his sixties. After a lifetime of military service, he was already tired of war and no longer had the sharpness and courage of his youth.

If it were twenty years ago, he would definitely dare to lead his troops to confront Li Zheng's Tang army head-on, but he doesn't dare to do that now. Shang Kexi just wants to defend his fiefdom and become a local emperor in Guangzhou. This is his greatest hope.

Presumably, his son Shang Zhixin was completely different. Shang Zhixin strongly suggested an attack and was the main general.

But Shang Kexi felt that his son had underestimated the Tang army.

"Your Majesty's new army is powerful. They are equipped with firearms and have powerful martial arts to protect their bodies. We are not at an advantage in this battle, so we should not take risks."

Shang Zhixin frowned and said, "Father, are you getting old and confused? If we let them surround and kill you, the entire Hengyang City will be isolated, and there will be many people around who are eyeing us covetously."

My son suggested sending out scouts to investigate. If we can catch them, that would be great. Even if we can't, we just need to delay them for a few days. When our army arrives, they won't be able to escape."

Shang Kexi felt something was wrong, "Not right."

Shang Zhixin saw his father hesitated and said anxiously: "Son, please go to the battle. If you win by chance, I am willing to give the credit to you."

He knelt down, clasped his hands and said earnestly: "Father, your title is good, but if your son can lead the army alone, he will surely be able to establish a great reputation, and then you will be able to enjoy it."

"Ugh."

As a nobleman, Shang Kexi should have retired from office and returned to his hometown to enjoy his retirement, but he remained active in the army.

He looked at his son and smiled, "If I leave, what will happen to Guangzhou City?"

Shang Zhixin said excitedly: "Guangzhou City is a strong city, easy to defend but difficult to attack."

"wrong."

"Ok?"

"Hengyang City is not a strong city!"

"Uh…"

"The Tang army came from Liaodong. Their armor, swords, and armor are all of the best, and they also have artillery."

"How do they transport gunpowder?"

"I don't know. My question is not important."

Shang Zhixin nodded and said, "So it can't be defended? But I think, since Hengyang City is easy to defend but difficult to attack, let Li Zheng continue to stay there, and we will go north to support, and after we catch up with the Tang army, we will conquer Hengyang. At that time, I ask father to make persistent efforts and seize the capital in one fell swoop."

"Is that so?"

Shang Kexi pondered for a moment, felt that his son's words made sense, and agreed.

"That's not good!"

Shang Zhixin rubbed his head and said, "Father and son, please prepare and head north first. We will discuss this after we meet up."

(End of this chapter)