The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1785 Zhang Cheng: "In the name of Prime Minister Zhuge!"

A fierce war is spreading along the Dali border.

Looking at the fearless Wa soldiers ahead, Zhang Cheng's expression gradually turned grim.

Because the chieftains of southern Yunnan, upon arriving here, were taught a lesson by the seventeen kings of the Wa people!
Seeing the men charging at him with sharp blades, Zhang Cheng roared, "Withdraw the troops!"

"General, if we keep fighting, we'll win soon!"

Wang Yin spoke to Zhang Cheng beside him, wondering if this was still the same ruthless man who could break through a city without sheathing his sword.
"Continuing to fight will not benefit anyone!"

Looking at the Wa soldiers desperately trying to defend their territory, Zhang Cheng understood that there was no need to resolve this matter through negotiation; only one side could survive!
Since the Shu Han dynasty, the Wa people have been stationed here to resist South Asian and other ethnic groups.

As people who came from further south, the Wa people don't care who you are; if you dare to come in, they're willing to fight you to the death.

Seeing the impassable territory before him, Zhang Cheng abandoned the use of force. After all, they were all "comrades," and he didn't want his hands stained with blood.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

As the bugle sounded, the Song army began a well-organized retreat.

Standing in the mountains and forests, the Wa soldiers excitedly raised their blades and roared, as if they were proving something!
In the military camp, all the generals looked at Zhang Cheng with great unease.

Because the battle was so frustrating, with the seventeen kings of the Wa people blocking their way, they were unable to enter Dali at all.
"General, if we don't deal with the Wa people, we have no way to conquer Dali!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in front of him, Wang Yin couldn't help but become serious.

Because on the battle map, the area where the Wa people were located looked like a vicious dragon blocking the way for the Dingnan army.

"I know, I'm trying to figure something out!"

Zhang Cheng waved to Wang Yin, then turned his head and said, "Send someone over; I need to negotiate with the Seventeenth Prince!"

Many people stared at Zhang Cheng in shock, stunned, because was this even possible?
The Wa people are very stubborn. If you attack from other places, they might turn a blind eye, but if you invade from South Asia, sorry, they won't accept it!

"Jiao Ting, send word that I want to speak with the Seventeenth Prince face to face!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Jiao Ting remained silent for a moment before saying, "Brother, why don't we send someone else? Just in case..."

"Go and do it!"

When Zhang Cheng spoke to Jiao Ting, he knew that no one else would be able to negotiate.

A few days later, under a clear sky,

Soldiers from both sides stood ready in the distance. Looking at the Wa soldiers covering the mountains and plains, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but sigh.
Even a thousand years later, the Wa people have never backed down in the face of British guns and cannons!

"General, let us accompany you!"

Seeing that Zhang Cheng was planning to go alone, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, and the others quickly spoke up.
Declining their offer, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "No need!"

Removing his helmet, Zhang Cheng reached out and unfastened his civil and military robes, then took off his armor, leaving even his longsword unworn.
As Zhang Cheng walked towards them from afar, the seventeen kings couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Just as everyone was puzzled, King Ban Hong spoke up: "Let's go, he has already shown his sincerity!"

As King Ban Hong spoke, the other kings also unsheathed their weapons.
Just as everyone arrived at the negotiation site, Zhang Cheng spoke in fluent Wa language: "It's a pleasure to see you all!"

"Ok?"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in disbelief, Ban Hongwang and the others were dumbfounded.

"Don't be surprised, because we are on the same side!"

With that, Zhang Cheng cupped his hands and said, "I am Zhang Cheng, Commander-in-Chief of the Dingnan Army and Senior Protector General!"

"You are a Song person, so why are you attacking us?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in front of him, Ban Hongwang questioned him.
“I don’t want to fight you, but I want to reclaim Dali. Since ancient times, this has always been a part of our Chinese land, including you. We are compatriots, aren’t we?” Zhang Cheng asked the seventeen kings before him.

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Ban Hongwang retorted, "Then you can't bring them along!"

As he spoke, pointing to the Jiaozhi army not far away, King Ban Hong became serious.
"Jiaozhi and Cambodia will both become part of the Song Dynasty's territory in the future, and I will never leave my compatriots to guard the border."

Explaining to King Ban Hong in front of him, Zhang Cheng then said, "The Duan family of Dali has betrayed the Central Plains and violated the oath made by Zhuge Liang. Do you want to sever the blood ties between us for the sake of the Duan family?"

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, the Seventeenth Prince's expression suddenly turned serious.

Because only they know the truth about this oath: to guard the southern border and never let chaos return!
"In the name of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, I swear that Dali will never again wage war, except for its return to the Central Plains."

Looking intently at the Seventeenth Prince, Zhang Cheng spoke seriously.

"If you disobey Grandpa's name, we will not let you off!"

While staring at Zhang Cheng, Ban Hongwang was also staring at him.
Upon hearing Ban Hongwang's words, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "If you don't believe me, you can send someone to follow me!"

I'll give you an answer tomorrow!

Looking at Zhang Cheng in front of them, Ban Hongwang and the others turned and left.
Watching their retreating figures, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
If the Wa people refuse to give way, he will have no choice but to attack from other directions.

After all, to confront the Wa people head-on would be a sign that he'd been out of his mind, like Jia Zhangshi would do something like that.

In the four southwestern regions, there isn't a single place that isn't a tough nut to crack.

Besides being prone to producing unruly people, remote and impoverished areas also breed reckless individuals who are indifferent to life and death and ready to fight if they disagree!

Clans are linked to clans, and relatives to relatives. Don't be fooled by the fierce infighting among the chieftains; if you dare to get involved, they'll slap you across the face.

Back at the military camp, Wang Yin and the others asked anxiously, "General, how is it?"

"Don't worry, we'll see the results tomorrow!"

As Zhang Cheng addressed Wang Yin and the others, a smile appeared on his face.
Hearing Zhang Cheng say that, everyone relaxed.

"Have people prepare food, salt, and iron ore. Since it's a toll, we can't be stingy!"

Zhang Cheng turned to Wang Yin beside him and, after a moment's thought, finally chose to offer up a toll.
Staring at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, Wang Yin stood frozen in place and asked, "General, are you really going to buy it?"

"What else can we do? Fight them here? We're all compatriots, can't we be a little more civilized?"

While explaining to Wang Yin, Zhang Cheng started complaining.
Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Wu Song retorted, "You didn't treat Jiaozhi this way!"

"Since those unruly people can't understand my way of the king, then I'll have to resort to the way of the tyrant!"

Speaking seriously, Zhang Cheng involuntarily crossed his arms.
Hearing Zhang Cheng speak like this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, because he really was a general!
The following day, when Hong Wang and the others arrived, they immediately said, "We agree, after all, it's in the name of Grandfather Zhuge."

"Hold fast to the southern border, and never let chaos return!"

Stepping forward, Zhang Cheng greeted everyone with a broad smile and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.
Following the Wa ethnic group's etiquette, King Ban Hong waved to the soldiers behind him.

At that moment, Wang Yin sent a large amount of grain and salt, saying, "This is a gift from the general to our compatriots!"

Looking at the vast amount of supplies before him, Ban Hongwang stared at Zhang Cheng in surprise.

"Aren't we on the same side?"

Looking at Ban Hongwang with a broad smile, Zhang Cheng revealed a slight upturn of his lips.

Why did he fight so desperately outside? Wasn't it so that his compatriots could live a better life?

It's just a little bit of grain. If it's not enough, just tell me, and I'll go and get it for you!

(End of this chapter)