Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 288 Side Story: Father and Son

Having suffered numerous injuries, the once imposing and awe-inspiring Feng Shuai Li Guochang finally showed signs of weakness.

His hair, peeking out from the gap in his helmet, was already streaked with gray.

Looking at his son holding a dagger to his throat, Li Guochang felt no fear, but instead showed a smile of great satisfaction.

He closed his eyes, waiting for the blow to come.

The blade didn't arrive for a long time; instead, there was a rustling sound of ropes being manipulated.

Li Guochang opened his eyes and found that his arms were tied behind his back.

"Old master, I apologize." The speaker was Shi Jingsi, a young retainer whom Li Guochang valued highly, and also Li Keyong's childhood playmate.

“Father, it’s not that easy to die.” Li Keyong sighed, “If I kill you, wouldn’t that be exactly what you want?”

Li Guochang's expression finally changed slightly.

"You have suppressed, bullied, and tormented me all these years not because you want me to be weak and controlled by you, but because you want things to reach their extreme and force me to explode one day! Only by defeating you can I be qualified to be your successor."

“Especially this time, the uprising has failed, and you hope that I will cut off your head to exchange for your own retreat with the court, and also to ensure the safety of the soldiers.”

"But now that I've seen through your scheme, how could I possibly let you have your way!"

Li Keyong's eyes flashed like lightning as he resolutely declared, "Announce to the entire army that Father's command has been ineffective, leaving the army trapped in this isolated city. Today, I, Li Keyong, launch a military coup. From now on, the Shatuo cavalry will all be under my command!"

"Weizhou is like an isolated city, it cannot be relied upon for long. Tonight, let us feast with cattle and wine, abandon our provisions and supplies, and break out of the siege!"

After saying that, he turned to Li Guochang.

“Father, for the past twenty years, I have lived in your shadow, doing everything according to your instructions. This attack on Duan Wenchu ​​is no different.”

“But I want to break free from your scheme, so I’ve decided not to bear the name of patricide! Huang Chao is about to enter the pass, and the court is in dire need of talent. Let’s break through the encirclement and stay with the Tatars for a while.”

“The Tatars fear the strong. They have been terrified by our son and will surely take us in.”

"Even when Huang Chao is invincible, the imperial court will still have to respectfully invite us back!"

It was still that same handsome face, but his tone was firm and proud, full of a heroic spirit that said, "Who else but me can rule the world?"

Li Guochang's uprising, however, drew most of Huang Chao's firepower, leading to the current situation, for which Li Guochang was quite resentful.

Li Keyong's overall analysis truly demonstrated his far-sighted and strategic vision.

Despite the excruciating pain from his injuries, Li Guochang felt an overwhelming joy that finally made him burst into laughter.

Her eyes were slightly moist.

How many years have I waited to see the fledgling bird, learning to walk, transform into a majestic eagle soaring through the sky?
Li Guochang fought countless battles throughout his life, with numerous brilliant victories.

But he knew that his beloved son, who had transformed from a caterpillar into a butterfly, was the greatest masterpiece of his life.

When the remnants of Feng Shuai's army, who had launched a light attack, rushed out of the barbican of Weizhou City, the enemy soldiers in front of them were caught off guard and were immediately scattered by the roar.

Li Keyong's cousin, Li Youjin, was unaware of what had happened when a troop of knights charged forward with their flags drawn, reaching the entrance of his tent.

Li Youjin hurriedly mounted his horse to fight.

Across from him, Li Keyong's face was as cold as iron, and the edge of his blade was as sharp as the Tianshan Mountains in December.

The blade flashed, its icy intent seemingly freezing Li Youjin's blood on the spot.

Li Youjin struggled to defend himself: "Nephew! For the sake of our kinship, could you spare your uncle?"

"Those who betray me shall die without mercy!"

Li Keyong's words were as decisive as a knife, slicing across the room with unwavering resolve.

Li Youjin's head detached from his body and hurled more than ten feet into the air, his eyes wide open, filled with resentment and despair.

After killing Li Youjin, Li Keyong immediately turned his attention to attack Gao Wenji's besieged camp.

Instead of charging straight in, they used the cover of Li Youjin's camp to circle around to the other side of a river and launch a wading assault.

This was completely unexpected for Gao Wenji. When the Shatuo cavalry stabbed in like a hot knife through cheese, Gao Wenji was momentarily at a loss.

How could the remaining remnants of the defeated army in the city still have such high morale? The enemy cavalry's combat tactics were so sophisticated, and their charge was so powerful, that it was something I had never seen before in my life.

The long spears resembled a moving steel forest, advancing forward with the warhorses.

Gao Wenji thought to himself: With such momentum, even if the Great Wall were to stand in front of them, they probably wouldn't retreat a single step. They would only continue forward until they tore the wall to shreds!

Could it be that the one commanding the enemy cavalry was not Feng Shuai Li Guochang?

Instead, he was a peerless cavalry general who surpassed his master.

He will soon no longer need to think about it.

The general's flag planted on Li Keyong's horse clearly indicated his identity.

“Gao Wenji, you were promoted by my father.”

Li Keyong's voice was as cold as ice.

Gao Wenji shuddered and gritted his teeth, saying, "So what? He rebelled and brought about his own destruction. Am I going to perish with him?"

Those who repay kindness with enmity shall only pay with their blood.

As Li Keyong spoke, he charged straight at Gao Wenji with his spear.

Gao Wenji mustered his courage and angrily rebuked, "You little brat, don't try to act so high and mighty in front of me! Back when I was fighting on the battlefield, you were still breastfeeding!"

"Since you've delivered yourself to my doorstep today, I, Gao, will grant your wish..."

With a "crack," the spear in Gao Wenji's hand snapped in two.

Li Keyong's spear swept down from Gao Wenji's left shoulder to his right waist with a smooth, effortless motion, as if slicing tofu.

The excruciating pain rendered Gao Wenji speechless. He watched in despair as his upper body slid down from his lower body and he collapsed heavily off the horse.

Li Keyong sneered, spurring his horse over Gao Wenji's corpse, trampling it into bloody mud.

He then led his cavalry in a charge, driving Gao Wenji's routed troops to attack the positions of Saga Commander Mi Haiwan and Anqing Commander Shi Jingcun. He then seized the opportunity to break in, like a dragon stirring up the sea, engulfing the enemy. The two generals, caught in the chaos, were at a loss and were soon killed by Li Keyong himself.

In the blink of an eye, Li Keyong broke through four enemy formations and beheaded four generals who had betrayed Li Guochang.

At this point, the other besieging positions finally realized what was happening.

Led by Helian Duo, tens of thousands of troops formed a battle formation and launched a pressing attack on Li Keyong's direction.

Only a few thousand soldiers remained in Weizhou City. Outnumbered by the enemy, they had no chance of winning the decisive battle.

Li Keyong remained calm and fearless, and said to his generals, "Take my father and go first, I will cover the rear!"

Having said that, he spurred his horse, brandished his spear, and led twenty warriors into the imperial army's lines, instantly closing in on Helian Duo.

Helian Duo hurriedly ordered his personal guards to deploy a formation of crossbows and spears to block Li Keyong's approach.

Li Keyong looked at Helian Duo and laughed loudly: "Uncle Helian, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Helian Duo was stunned, wondering what this kid was up to.

But then Li Keyong said, "I really have to thank Uncle Helian. If you hadn't driven my father to the brink of despair, how would I have had the chance to seize military power from the Shatuo cavalry?"

"Such a great favor can only be repaid by slaughtering the entire Helian clan!"

After saying that, Li Keyong threw the horse spear in his hand.

Helian Duo was terrified and tried to dodge, but he was a beat too slow. His ear was immediately sliced ​​off, blood gushing out, and he cried out in pain as he fell from his horse.

Li Keyong led twenty elite cavalrymen in a charge through the imperial army, killing over a hundred men before fleeing in triumph, with no army daring to pursue him.

After the war, Helian Duo and others entered Weizhou and seized the grain and supplies that Li Keyong had not had time to burn. They then reported the great victory to the court.

Everyone present felt heavy-hearted.

They have provoked a mortal enemy who surpasses even Feng Shuai.

When that young man returns from the grasslands, what kind of tidal wave will sweep across the land of Tang?
(End of this chapter)