My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Li Chenggan felt that dealing with the Eastern Turks could not be done by simply suppressing them, but by using both kindness and force, and taking a variety of measures.

At that time, Ashina Jieshe, a member of the Turkic royal family, submitted to Li Chenggan.

Considering the overall situation, Li Chenggan released Ashina Jieshe and allowed him to gather his old troops and surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

Ashina Jieshe readily agreed.

However, Ashina Jieshe unexpectedly led the Turkic army to attack Luoyang.

Zhang Shigui then turned his attention to Li Chenggan, believing that Li Chenggan was colluding with the Turks in an attempt to first capture Luoyang, then attack Chang'an, force Li Shimin to abdicate, and then become emperor himself.

No matter how Li Chenggan explained it, Zhang Shigui insisted that this was the truth.

Li Chenggan was truly speechless.

Just then, Hegan Chengji and Zhang Shizheng returned.

Zhang Shizheng said to everyone, "The Turkic general outside the city is not Ashina Jieshe, but Ashina Simo."

Li Chengan had also heard of Ashina Simo and knew that he was a member of the Turkic royal family.

His great-grandfather was Ilkhan, the founder of the Turkic Khaganate; his grandfather was Daba Khan; and his father was Ashina Dulushe.

When Qimin Khan fled to the Sui Dynasty because of his good relations with it, the various tribes in the northern deserts supported Ashina Simo as the Khan of the Eastern Turks.

Later, Qimin Khan returned, and Ashina Simo relinquished the Khanate to Qimin Khan.

Ashina Simo was exceptionally skilled in martial arts and was known as the greatest warrior of the Turks.

This man had deep feelings for the Eastern Turks, but he was very dissatisfied with the Tang Dynasty and was determined to restore the Turkic state and make a comeback.

Zhang Shigui expressed disbelief at Zhang Shizheng's words: "The Turkic general outside the city is clearly Ashina Jieshe, so how could he be Ashina Simo?"

Stop spouting nonsense. My four sons were captured by Ashina Jieshe.

Now you say that general was not Ashina Jieshe Shuai, what evidence do you have?

Zhang Shizheng calmly replied, "After I leave, I'll capture him alive and use him to exchange for your four sons, how about that?"

Zhang Shigui was skeptical.

Of course, he had also heard that Zhang Shizheng was the top assassin of the Tang Dynasty, and that he was very good at throwing knives.

Zhang Shigui asked, "I've fought that Turkic general before; he's extremely skilled in martial arts. Are you confident you can defeat him?"

"To be honest, I'm getting old. If it were ten years ago, I would have been confident of beating him, but now it's hard to say."

"If you can save my four sons, all the past debts will be wiped clean."

"If we can't save him, you'll be implicated because you vouched for Ashina Jieshe."

then,

Zhang Shizheng and Hegan Chengji requested to participate in the battle.

Li Daozong looked at everyone and said, "Your Highness, Father-in-law, His Majesty has entrusted me with the important task of annihilating the remaining forces of the Turks."

I only wished to be loyal to the court; I never imagined that the remnants of the Turkic forces would have so many men.

It's not that I don't want to annihilate them, but we are simply outnumbered.

"Uncle, do not worry. As the saying goes, when soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it."

Since the Eastern Turkic army is already at the city gates, it's better than us not being able to find their main force.

This time,

"Then we can wipe them out in one fell swoop," Li Chenggan said.

Upon hearing this, Li Daozong thought to himself, "Li Chengqian has quite the arrogance."

Currently,

There were only 3 troops in Luoyang, plus Zhang Shigui's 2000 men, which was just over 3. How could they possibly be a match for the Turkic army?

Li Chenggan, observing Li Daozong's words and expressions, understood his meaning.

Li Chengan turned to Zhang Shizheng and said, "Old Master Zhang, you are not young anymore, I should go myself."

Zhang Shizheng bowed and said, "Your Highness is so kind as to not hold our past against us and to take us under your command."

Since joining Your Highness's side, we have not yet accomplished anything of value, and we are deeply ashamed.

Today is a perfect opportunity to shine, how can I miss it?

Besides, why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?

Leave this to us.

Seeing that Zhang Shizheng spoke very earnestly, Li Chengan agreed.

"Okay, then you guys be careful."

"Your Highness, rest assured, there should be no problem."

Therefore, Li Daozong ordered the city gate to be opened, and Zhang Shizheng and Hegan Chengji went out through the north gate.

Neither of them rode a horse.

Outside the north gate, the Turkic army numbered over 100,000, their banners fluttering and their might shaking the heavens.

Standing at the very front of the procession was Ashina Simo, with a general named Ashina Zhong beside him.

Ashina Zhong wielded a large sword and possessed the courage to fight ten thousand men.

Zhang Shizheng strode up to Ashina Simo and said loudly, "Ashina Simo, do you recognize this old man?"

Ashina Simo saw that Zhang Shizheng had already recognized him, so there was no need for Ashina Simo to continue pretending: "Zhang Shizheng, you are a famous assassin of the Tang Dynasty, I have heard of you for a long time."

How did you recognize me?

"Don't I look like Ashina Jieshe?"

Zhang Shizheng smiled slightly: "You two brothers do look very alike."

I know that Ashina Jieshe's leg was hit by a stone by Qin Ying, and the injury was quite serious.

However, I don't see any signs of injury in your legs.

Additionally, you are slightly older and a bit larger than Ashina Jieshe.

Ashina Jieshe's advantage lay in his unparalleled lightness skill, which he achieved due to his slender physique.

Ashina Simo laughed and said, "As expected, old ginger is spicier. So, what brings you here?"

Zhang Shizheng straightened his back and pointed to Li Chenggan on the city wall: "Do you see him?"

That was Li Chengqian, the crown prince of our Great Tang Dynasty, a man of imposing appearance and outstanding talent.

The current emperor can conquer the world on horseback and govern it on foot; he is a wise and benevolent ruler.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian was exceptionally wise and capable, possessing extraordinary intelligence.

Although we have also heard that you are the greatest warrior of the Turks

but,

Think about it yourself. No matter how capable you are, how do you compare to people like Xue Ju, Wang Shichong, Liu Wuzhou, Dou Jiande, Liu Heita, and Song Jingang?

They opposed the Tang Dynasty.

In the end, what was the outcome?

You probably know better than I do.

I urge you to quickly abandon darkness and embrace light, and surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

I believe the Heavenly Khan will not treat you unfairly.

Ashina Simo sneered: "Are you threatening me?"

Just because they were no match for Li Shimin doesn't mean I am no match for him.

Currently, there are only 30,000 troops in Luoyang.

If I can capture Luoyang in a short time, I'll be halfway to success.

Once we occupy Luoyang, we can then launch an attack on Chang'an, catching them completely off guard.

There is a very good chance that we can take Chang'an as well.

"Once we capture Luoyang and Chang'an, we'll have half of the Tang Dynasty under our control."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shizheng thought to himself that this guy was indeed not simple. What he said made sense. Although the Tang Dynasty had a large army, it was scattered in various places, and it was not easy to gather them together in a short period of time.

Zhang Shizheng steadied himself: "You arrested Qin Ying, as well as Zhang Shigui's four sons, Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao. Release them all."

What's the point of making things difficult for them?

"If you want me to release them, then we'll have to see what you're capable of!"

If you can beat me, if you can defeat me, then everything is negotiable;

"If you can't beat me, I won't just spare those few, I'll arrest you too!"

Zhang Shizheng realized that there was no point in saying anything more after things had gone this far.

then,

He reached behind his back and took the guzheng down.

Ashina Simo had also heard that Zhang Shizheng's guzheng was extremely powerful and could launch flying knives, so he had to be careful.

at this time,

Suddenly, a tall, black horse galloped off, and the man sitting atop it was none other than Ashina Zhong.

Ashina Zhong was a capable subordinate of Ashina Simo.

He yelled, "General, what's there to talk about with this white-bearded old man?"

"Watch me take him down first!"

"Then be careful, that old man is formidable!"

Ashina Zhong, wielding a large sword, approached Zhang Shizheng: "Old man, take this!"

He raised his broadsword and swung it at Zhang Shizheng's head.

Zhang Shizheng was furious and quickly dodged to the left, avoiding the blow.

The two men started fighting on the spot.

He Gan Chengji retreated to the side to observe the enemy's formation.

Ashina Simo also wanted to see how good Zhang Shizheng's martial arts were, so he stepped aside.

Zhang Shizheng and Ashina Zhong then began fighting in the center of the arena.

Ashina Zhong was also a famous general of the Turks, with extraordinary strength.

He originally thought he could kill Zhang Shizheng in just a few rounds, but as it turned out, he was wrong.

Although Zhang Shizheng is a few years old, he is in good health and quick-witted.

He used the guzheng as a weapon.

His guzheng was not made of wood, but of steel, making it extremely hard.

In the blink of an eye, five or six rounds had passed, and the outcome remained undecided.

Zhang Shizheng took a few steps back, his left leg planted on the ground, slightly crouching, his buttocks dangling in the air.

but,

He looked as if he were sitting in a chair, perfectly still.

He curled up his right leg and crossed it over his left leg.

Then, he placed the guzheng on his right leg.

He started playing "High Mountains and Flowing Water".

Ashina Zhong found it very strange.

He stopped fighting, reined in his warhorse, and stared at Zhang Shizheng with his big eyes.

The sound of the guzheng, at the beginning, was melodious and gentle.

Later, the sound of the zither became more aggressive and high-pitched.

Then, Zhang Shizheng lightly plucked the guzheng with the middle finger of his right hand, and a flying knife as thin as a cicada's wing flew straight towards Ashina Zhong's brow.

Ashina Zhong could see it clearly by the light of the torch, and he was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head, and the flying knife flew past his head.

Even so, Ashina Zhong was so frightened that his heart was pounding, wondering what kind of trick this was.

I never expected that this guzheng could launch flying knives.

Ashina Zhong held his breath and focused intently, brandishing his broadsword to deflect the flying knives.

Zhang Shizheng kept throwing knives. The knives were so fast that they cut through the air and made a series of sharp sounds.

Everyone present was stunned. Li Chengan was still shaken by what he saw.

That time,

He met Zhang Shizheng at the Tiandu Inn.

Zhang Shizheng used this throwing knife to attack him.

If it weren't for Pharmacist Eri arriving in time, he probably would have lost his life.

Just then, a scream of "Ah!" suddenly came from outside the city, which frightened everyone.

It turned out that Ashina Zhong had been hit on the left shoulder by a flying knife, and he turned his horse around and ran back.

Ashina Simo glared fiercely at Ashina Zhong.

Ashina Zhong was so frightened by his defeat that he dared not utter a single word.

Ashina Simo spurred his horse forward: "You threw that knife quite well!"

"A mere trick, not worth mentioning." Zhang Shizheng stopped his attack. If it weren't for Ashina Simo standing in the way, he would have killed Ashina Zhong today.

"Today I'd like to experience your throwing knives firsthand!"

"You should have shown up a long time ago. You wasted several of my throwing knives."

There's not much more to say now.

Ashina Simo brandished his spear to fight Zhang Shizheng.

After they engaged in combat, Zhang Shizheng was greatly surprised. No wonder people said that Ashina Simo was the number one warrior of the Turks. He truly lived up to his reputation.

The spear techniques were exquisite and unpredictable, often striking from unexpected angles, making them impossible to defend against.

Ashina Simo and Zhang Shizheng fought for about ten rounds without a clear winner.

Zhang Shizheng gradually realized that he was losing ground.

In desperation, he used his trump card, "Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers," launching dozens of throwing knives at once.

This sentence lacks context and its meaning is incomplete. It is necessary to combine it with the preceding text to clarify the object being "avoided".

However, Ashina Simo was an exception.

He wielded the spear in his hand, knocking down dozens of throwing knives with incredible speed.

Zhang Shizheng was taken aback, because he had not expected that Ashina Simo's kung fu was so powerful that he could knock down all of his throwing knives.

Zhang Shizheng had been wandering the martial arts world for decades, and had never encountered a master like this before.

Zhang Shizheng was taken aback. In that moment of hesitation, Ashina Simo thrust his spear into his chest.

Zhang Shizheng wanted to hide, but it was too late.

He simply closed his eyes and waited to die.

at this time,

In his ear, he heard a loud clang as the two weapons clashed together.

Zhang Shizheng originally thought he was going to die this time, but the situation changed again.

Zhang Shizheng opened his eyes and saw that Hegan Chengji had already made a move, using his sword to deflect Ashina Simo's spear.

He Ganchengji felt numbness in both arms, and his tiger's mouth was almost cracked from the shock.

Ashina Simo's warhorse also staggered back several steps.

Ashina Simo demanded sternly, "Who goes there? Register to fight again!"

"He Gan Chengji is it."

Ashina Simo was also surprised when he heard the name Hegan Chengji.

Because Hegan Chengji's reputation was too great; he was the number one assassin of the Tang Dynasty.

I heard that his swordsmanship has reached a state of perfection, and he has never had an opponent.

"So you are Hegan Chengji. Are you here to help the troops?"

"Why don't you two come at me together? It'll save me the trouble!" Ashina Simo said intentionally.

Just now, Zhang Shizheng was also quite frightened.

Although I'm not young anymore, the older I get, the more afraid I am of dying.

He said to Hegan Chengji, "This kid is incredibly powerful!"

He Gan Chengji waved his hand: "Old man, please rest over there. I'll take care of him."

Zhang Shizheng remained calm and picked up the throwing knife he had thrown, then put the guzheng back on his back.

This place was originally a battlefield, and Hegan Chengji and Ashina Simo began to fight.