The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1805 Zhang Cheng: "Is he calling for me?"

For ten consecutive days, the Dingnan army remained inactive.
This not only terrified Chao Gai on Liangshan, but also made the Northern Song court sense something was wrong.
You should know that Zhang Cheng's location is not far from Kaifeng Prefecture, less than 500 li in a straight line. If Zhang Cheng suddenly loses his mind, wouldn't Zhao Ji not even have a chance to escape?

Completely unexpectedly, Cai Jing ordered the Dingnan Army to immediately resolve the Liangshan bandit problem.
Upon receiving the letter from the imperial court, Zhang Cheng was still enjoying the company of his lovers.
However, compared to the panic of others, his situation was even more outrageous!
"Yes, faster, even faster!"

Zhang Cheng addressed Hu Sanniang, who was playing the drums beside him, and turned his head to say, "Shishi's flute playing needs to keep up with the rhythm, understand?"

"Okay, husband!"

With a sweet smile, Li Shishi picked up her jade flute.

Just as the two were ready, Zhang Cheng took out a suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) and said, "Begin!"

As a burst of music filled the courtyard, Jiao Ting, standing outside the door, rubbed his head and said, "That can't be right? When did my brother learn this skill?"

Looking at Jiao Ting, Assistant Li and Qiao Daoqing both fell silent.
If it weren't for the fact that both of them believed Zhang Cheng was their destined Ziwei star, they might have already packed their bags and run away.

After all, what general has nothing to do all day but play music and form a band in the courtyard?
After finishing the song, Zhang Cheng put down his suona and said, "It's a pity Qingzhao isn't here, otherwise we could have sung and played the suona at the same time!"

With a twitching smile, Qiao Daoqing looked at Zhang Cheng and said, "Pillar of State, the imperial court has issued an order for us to advance as soon as possible."

"Damn it, I've fought this long war, can't I even enjoy myself a bit?"

Enraged, Zhang Cheng stood up and slammed his hand on the table, shouting, "Keep the music playing, keep dancing!"

"Brother, news has come from the Liao Kingdom that Emperor Tianzuo has fled! If we keep arguing, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun will likely fall into the hands of the Jin Kingdom!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with annoyance, Jiao Ting then revealed the matter.
Upon hearing that Emperor Tianzuo had fled, Zhang Cheng abruptly turned his head and exclaimed, "What? Emperor Tianzuo fled? He had hundreds of thousands of men, and they were reduced to this state? Even if they were all pigs, the Jin Kingdom would have captured them for several days, wouldn't they?"

"Yes, they just ran away yesterday, they didn't even want the Empress."

Turning to Zhang Cheng, Jiao Ting excitedly asked, "Brother, is the Empress of Liao beautiful?"

Looking at Jiao Ting, Zhang Cheng immediately said, "Quickly, quickly, send troops to attack Liangshan. After we defeat Liangshan, we'll go and seize the Liao Queen!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in disbelief, Qiao Daoqing glanced at Li Zhu beside him and said, "This?"

"I'm also very curious to know if the Queen is beautiful!"

Looking intently at Qiao Daoqing, Assistant Li's face was filled with a refined and scholarly air.
"What a damn scoundrel! I'm impressed!"

Looking at Assistant Li in front of him, Qiao Daoqing remained silent for a long time before finally uttering these words.

Liangshan Marsh, Hall of Gathering Righteousness

The messenger rushed up in a panic and reported, "Report! The Dingnan Army has left Zhujiazhuang and is marching with 80,000 troops towards Liangshan!"

Upon hearing this news, everyone in the hall gasped in shock.
They hadn't been unaware that the Dingnan army would be difficult to defeat, but now, the pressure seemed even greater!
"That scoundrel Tian Hu actually sent so many soldiers to the Dingnan Army, he truly deserves to die!"

Clenching his fists, Chao Gai wanted to knock open Tian Hu's coffin lid and ask him, "How the hell did you fight this battle?!"

After all, when the Dingnan Army marched north, it only had 20,000 cavalry, but after defeating Tian Hu, its numbers suddenly increased to 80,000!

How many people did they have at Liangshan? More than 30,000!
Even with the initial strength of the Dingnan Army, they dared not confront them head-on. Now, with 80,000 troops, if it weren't for the natural defenses of Liangshan Marsh, most of the people present would probably have fled!
Don't ask why the rest didn't run; the answer is that none of them can swim!

"Brother Chao, now is not the time to criticize Tian Hu. We should think of a way to deal with the Dingnan Army first!" Song Jiang said earnestly to Chao Gai.
Upon hearing Song Jiang's words, Chao Gai immediately stood up and said, "Brothers, the battle for the life and death of Liangshan has arrived. If you brothers are not afraid, let's fight the imperial court with real swords and spears!"

Looking at the imposing Chao Gai before them, many people cast solemn glances their way.
"The Dingnan Army is indeed formidable; they conquered Jiaozhi, pacified Dali, subjugated Tibet, and destroyed Western Xia. But we brothers gathered here are not to be trifled with either. The imperial court sent so many troops, yet they were still routed by us. With the natural defenses of Liangshan, even if the Dingnan Army sends 100,000 men, we are not afraid."

With a bold and unrestrained voice, Chao Gai raised his arm and roared, "Kill them!"

"Kill him!"

Slamming his fist on the table, Li Kui rose to his feet and roared.
Upon hearing Li Kui's words, the three Ruan brothers and other loyal followers also shouted in unison.

As everyone raised their hands, ready to fight the imperial court to the death, Song Jiang's eyes turned sinister.
In his mind, Chao Gai's opposition to the imperial court was cutting off Song Jiang's path to becoming a civil servant!
Looking at Song Jiang beside him, who seemed lost in thought, Chao Gai also narrowed his eyes.

Because he always felt that something was wrong with Song Jiang after the Dingnan Army arrived, and he also knew that the other party was not of one mind with him, he already had the intention to kill him!

Song Jiang: Chao Gai, this weed cannot be allowed to live!

Chao Gai: We need to kill that bastard Song Jiang quickly!

While the two were each calculating their own points, Zhang Cheng also fell silent.
Because Liangshan Marsh is truly a damn good place to become an outlaw!
That weed! If he'd known, he wouldn't have bothered being a constable. He should have come here, stockpiled grain, built high walls, and waited to declare himself king.
At first glance, the water ripples and reeds grow in abundance. You could hide not only people, but even warships!

"This place is probably difficult to conquer!"

Standing beside Zhang Cheng, both Assistant Li and Qiao Daoqing looked troubled as they spoke.

Even though the two of them had planned everything perfectly, they hadn't anticipated that Liangshan Marsh was truly enormous!

"Qin Ming, how do you usually get to the island?"

Turning to look at Qin Ming beside him, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but ask,
"Reporting to the Pillar of State, we are usually met by the Liangshan navy when we arrive on the island, and I am not good at naval warfare!"

Looking awkwardly at Zhang Cheng, Qin Ming's words immediately silenced everyone.
Because he had absolutely no idea where to sail.

However, just as everyone was silently gazing at the boundless Liangshan Marsh, shouts of battle suddenly rang out in the distance.
"Did they come to give me a gift?"

Standing on a hill not far away, Zhang Cheng placed one foot on a rock and looked out.
Emerging from the reeds, a dozen or so Liangshan generals roared.
"The corrupt official of the imperial court is up there! Brothers, let's charge forward together and kill him!"

With a roar, Li Kui, wielding two axes, charged ahead, leading the charge.

Watching the axe flash in the other man's hand, hacking down the guards' personal soldiers, Zhang Cheng squinted and said, "The corrupt official they're calling? It can't be me, can it?"

His lips twitched as he turned his head; no one present dared to answer the question.
After all, this is practically a face-to-face attack. You guys from Liangshan, you're a real man!

"Pillar of State, please allow me to leave!"

Holding a mixed iron rod, Luan Tingyu couldn't help but step forward and speak.
Looking at Luan Tingyu beside him, Zhang Cheng stopped him, saying, "Then let's leave it to Commander Luan!"

"Yes, Pillar of State!"

Following Zhang Cheng's orders, Luan Tingyu, wielding a mixed iron cudgel, charged out and directly blocked the advancing Liangshan bandits.

Looking at this scene, Zhang Cheng squinted and said, "It seems these people do have some brains. They know I can survey the terrain, but unfortunately, they do, but not many!"

(End of this chapter)