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

Chapter 748 Wu Sangui, your death has come!

"Li Zheng, you win." Zheng Jing said dejectedly, "You can kill me or chop me up, it's all up to you."

Li Zheng shook his head: "I won't kill you. The court will deal with you according to the law. I just want to know why you colluded with Westerners to fight against the court?"

Zheng Jing raised his head, a complicated look flashed in his eyes: "Do you think I am willing? The court's maritime ban has cut off the livelihood of our coastal people! Westerners are willing to buy our goods and give us new firearms, why can't I cooperate with them?"

"Stupid!" Li Zheng shouted, "Westerners have evil ambitions. Today they give you firearms, and tomorrow they want your ports and land! You are inviting wolves into your house!"

Zheng Jing remained silent. At this time, Hou Junji came hurriedly: "General, we found this on several Western warships." He handed over a small wooden box.

Li Zheng opened the box and found some black granular substances inside. He carefully picked up some and put it to his nose to smell it: "This is not ordinary black powder."

"Yes, according to the captured Franks, this is their newly developed 'chestnut gunpowder', which is more powerful and burns more stably." Hou Junji explained.

Li Zheng frowned, "It seems that the progress of Westerners in firearms is far beyond our imagination. Although they were defeated this time, they will never give up."

He turned and looked toward the western sea level, where he could no longer see any enemy ships. But Li Zheng knew that this victory was only the beginning, and greater challenges were still waiting for him and the Ming Dynasty Navy.

"Clean up the battlefield, treat the wounded, and then return." Li Zheng ordered, "Send Zheng Jing and these gunpowder samples back to the capital safely.

……

The summer nights in Kunming were unbearably hot, and the Wu Zhou Imperial Palace was brightly lit.

Wu Sangui sat on the dragon throne with a frown on his face, holding a battle report that had just been delivered in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

"The navy...was completely wiped out?" His voice was low and cold, as if squeezed out from between his teeth.

Several trusted generals in the hall looked at each other, and no one dared to speak first. They all knew that Wu Sangui relied most on the navy that he had spent a huge amount of money to build, which was originally used to contain Li Zheng, but now, it was destroyed in a battle.

"Li Zheng..." Wu Sangui raised his head slowly, a cold light flashing in his eyes, "Where does he get such great ability?"

Minister of War Liu Xuanchu stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, according to the spies, Li Zheng's navy did not attack head-on, but attacked at night and set fire to our warships. Our army was caught off guard..."

"Useless!" Wu Sangui slammed the table, knocking the teacup over and spilling the tea all over the floor. "I have raised an army for a thousand days, but they were defeated by a mere fire attack?"

There was dead silence in the hall, and no one dared to respond.

At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace, and Crown Prince Wu Yingxiong rushed in, his face pale: "Father, something bad has happened!"

Wu Sangui frowned: "Why are you so flustered?"

Wu Yingxiong took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Tang army...Tang army is coming!"

"What?" Wu Sangui stood up suddenly, "Li Zheng dared to take the initiative to attack?"

"It's not Li Zheng's navy, it's the Tang army!" Wu Yingxiong gritted his teeth and said, "According to the scouts' report, the Tang army's vanguard has crossed the border and is approaching Kunming!"

"How many people?" Wu Sangui asked coldly.

"It is said that there are 5,000 people."

Five thousand people? "Wu Sangui was stunned at first, then he laughed in anger, "Just five thousand people dare to invade the territory of my Great Zhou?"

Wu Sangui strode to the center of the hall, his eyes like knives, and swept across the generals: "My dear ministers, the Tang army is so rampant, could it be that they are bullying our Great Zhou because there is no one there?"

General Ma Bao immediately clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army to meet the enemy and make sure that the Tang army will not return!"

Another general, Hu Guozhu, also stood up and said, "I am also willing to fight! The five thousand Tang troops are just a mob. Our army only needs an elite force to wipe them out!"

Wu Sangui sneered: "Okay! Since the Tang army dares to come, let them see what real cavalry is!"

He waved his sleeves suddenly and said: "Pass on my order, order Ma Bao to lead 10,000 elite cavalry to immediately meet the Tang army! The enemy must be completely wiped out, leaving no one alive!" "I obey your order!" Ma Bao responded with a fist salute, turned around and strode away.

After the generals left, Wu Sangui's expression did not ease. He stared at the map with a frown on his face. "As soon as Li Zheng's navy was destroyed, the Tang army immediately invaded... This is definitely not a coincidence."

Wu Yingxiong whispered, "Father, you suspect... Li Zheng is secretly teaming up with the Tang army?" "Humph, Li Zheng is cunning, and the Tang army is even more ambitious." Wu Sangui said coldly, "If they really dare to join forces, I will let them know what self-destruction means!"

At the same time, in the mountains and forests on the border, a Tang army of 5,000 people was marching quietly.

The leading general was named Zhang Yong, the vanguard general of the Tang army. At this moment, he was riding on a war horse, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.

"General, ten miles ahead is the territory of Wu Zhou." The deputy general reminded in a low voice.

Zhang Yong raised his lips slightly: "Okay, pass the order down, the whole army speeds up and must capture the first city before the Wu army reacts!"

"But General, we only have 5,000 men. If the main force of the Wu army comes to our aid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Zhang Yong sneered. "Wu Sangui's navy was just defeated by Li Zheng. He must be in a state of panic at the moment. How can he have the energy to mobilize a large army to deal with us?"

The deputy general was still a little hesitant: "But if Wu Sangui personally leads the army to fight..."

"That's even better!" Zhang Yong's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, "If we can capture and kill Wu Sangui in one battle, this battle will be a great achievement!"

The Tang army continued to move forward, and soon a small town appeared in sight.

"Pass the order, all troops will attack!" Zhang Yong drew his sword and pointed it forward, "After the city is conquered, reward the troops!"

However, just as the Tang army was approaching the city, the deafening sound of horse hooves suddenly came from afar.

"Report!" A scout came flying over, his face changed drastically, "General, a large number of Wu cavalry were spotted ahead, at least 10,000!"

"What?" Zhang Yong's face suddenly changed. "How could Wu Jun come so quickly?"

Before he could give the order to retreat, a black mass of cavalry appeared on the horizon, led by none other than Wu army general Ma Bao!
"You Tang army thieves, prepare to die!" Ma Bao roared, swung his sword, and thousands of cavalry rushed over like a torrent!

Zhang Yong gritted his teeth and shouted: "All troops line up to meet the enemy!"

However, the Tang army was already at a disadvantage in terms of numbers, and with the Wu cavalry coming in with great force, the Tang army's formation was shattered as soon as the battle began.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Seeing the situation was not good, Zhang Yong hurriedly ordered a retreat.

But how could the Wu cavalry give them a chance? Ma Bao personally led his troops to pursue and kill them, and the Tang army was completely defeated, with heavy casualties.

In the Kunming Palace, Wu Sangui soon received news of victory from the front line.

“Hahaha!” He laughed three times. “A mere 5,000 people dare to invade my territory? You are overestimating your own capabilities!”

Wu Yingxiong also breathed a sigh of relief, but was still a little worried: "Father, although the Tang army was defeated this time, I'm afraid they won't give up."

Wu Sangui snorted coldly: "It doesn't matter. I have ordered the border to strengthen its vigilance. If the Tang army dares to come again, they will never return!"

He paused, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "However, Li Zheng is the biggest threat. If we don't deal with him as soon as possible, there will be endless troubles."

Wu Yingxiong whispered: "Father means..."

"Pass on my secret order and have someone secretly contact the remaining forces of the Qing court." Wu Sangui said coldly, "Since Li Zheng dared to attack me, don't blame me... for killing someone with a borrowed knife!"

In the dead of night, several men in black gathered quietly in a secret manor outside Kunming.

"Have you all read Wu Sangui's secret letter?" the leading man asked in a low voice.

"I saw it." Another person said in a deep voice, "He wants to use us to get rid of Li Zheng."

"Humph, Wu Sangui has a good plan." The third person sneered, "However, if we can take this opportunity to weaken Li Zheng, it will also be beneficial to us."

"That's right." The leader nodded, "Pass the order down, mobilize the elite troops, and prepare for action."

"Li Zheng..." He looked into the distance, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes, "Your death is approaching."

(End of this chapter)