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

Ashina Simo never expected that Xue Rengui, a commoner, would possess such formidable martial arts skills.

Xue Rengui swung his halberd and charged into the Turkic army like a tiger among sheep; the Turkic soldiers who touched him died instantly.

To Ashina Simo's surprise, Xue Rengui's archery skills were even more remarkable. The combination of the Heaven-Shaking Bow and the Cloud-Piercing Arrow complemented each other perfectly, greatly increasing their power.

Legend has it that the Cloud Piercing Arrow was a gift from the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, capable of breaking through magic and piercing armor, possessing immense power.

sometimes,

One arrow can pierce three or four, just like skewering candied hawthorns.

Ashina Simo was greatly surprised.

Seeing that he couldn't win the battle, he turned his horse around and fled.

He no longer cared about his soldiers and fled northwards.

Li Chenggan, who was watching from the city wall, was also very excited. Seeing that the time was right, he said to Li Daozong, "Uncle, we can open the city gates and pursue our victory."

Li Daozong nodded in agreement.

At the order, the enemy collapsed like a mountain. Thirty thousand Tang soldiers rushed out of the north gate of Luoyang and ambushed the Turkic army from behind.

Ashina Simo ran wildly, and Xue Rengui shot off the plume of his helmet.

At the same time, Xue Rengui encountered Qin Ying, and two Turkic soldiers carried him across their horse's back and fled north.

Xue Rengui shot and killed the two Turkic soldiers with a single arrow.

Xue Rengui used his halberd to cut Qin Ying's ropes.

Qin Ying regained her freedom.

"Ren Gui, thank you very much!" Qin Ying said.

"No need to be polite!" Xue Rengui rode his white jade horse and continued to chase Ashina Simo.

Qin Ying stretched his limbs, then snatched a large spear from a Turkic soldier, mounted the horse that had been carrying him, and roared:

"Damn it, Ashina Simo! No wonder you're so powerful. So you're not Ashina Jieshe Shuai after all. Today I'm going to take my anger out on these Turkic soldiers under your command!"

Qin Ying moved freely and swiftly through the Turkic army, as if entering an empty field.

Subsequently, Xue Rengui rescued Ashina Jieshe and the four brothers Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao.

at this time,

A young man dressed in white also appeared among the Tang army.

His physique does bear some resemblance to Xue Rengui.

However, while Xue Rengui charged ahead, he hid behind and dared not move forward.

As dawn broke,

The Turkic armies from the east, west, and north were all defeated.

As the saying goes, a defeated army collapses like a landslide; even Ashina Simo couldn't rouse them, and the Turkic army was utterly routed.

Ashina Simo, Ashina Zhong, Ashina Misha, and Ashina Buzhen led their remaining troops northward, fleeing to the southern desert.

The Tang army in Luoyang, along with three other forces, killed tens of thousands of Turkic soldiers.

In addition, they captured 30,000 prisoners and obtained countless spoils of war, including knives, spears, utensils, gongs, tents, chariots, weapons, armor, and warhorses.

Li Daozong was very pleased.

Because this was an unexpected surprise for him.

Although they failed to annihilate the entire main force of the Turks this time,

However, it can be considered a great victory.

noon.

Zhaoren Palace.

Li Daozong hosted a banquet for everyone.

Inside the hall, a red carpet was laid out on the floor, and several square tables were placed on either side of the carpet, with the tables laden with wine and meat.

Those attending the banquet included Li Daozong, Li Chenggan, Zhang Shigui, Songtsen Gampo, Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, Fuyu Fengzhang, Shanbei Daxiong Wang, Zhang Shizheng, Ashina Jieshelu, Fang Yi'ai, and Qin Ying, among others.

Li Chengan ordered the armies of the five kingdoms to be stationed to the west, north, and east of Luoyang.

Li Daozong invited Li Chenggan to sit in the center.

Li Chengan repeatedly declined, saying, "With my uncle here, how can I, your nephew, sit here?"

Seeing that Li Chengan insisted on not sitting in the main seat, Li Daozong did not force him.

The main seat is still empty.

The guests and hosts took their seats, and servants served tea.

Li Daozong, in high spirits and full of energy, raised his wine cup and said, "Gentlemen, I toast you all."

"Respectfully, Your Highness!"

Everyone drank the wine.

Li Daozong put down his wine cup: "Gentlemen, I am very pleased to be able to gather with all of you heroes today."

This time, the Turks suddenly launched an attack, completely besieging Luoyang.

However, due to the vast disparity in troop strength,

"I thought Luoyang was about to fall, but fortunately the Crown Prince arrived and devised a plan for us, deploying troops and inviting many heroes, which resulted in a crushing defeat for the Turkic army."

Qin Ying drank a bowl of wine, then wiped his mouth with his hand: "This time, the breakthrough of Luoyang City and the achievement of such a brilliant result are all thanks to our Crown Prince!"

"Yeah yeah!"

Songtsen Gampo, Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, and others all said this.

Li Chengan waved his hand: "Qin Ying, you're wrong."

Originally, I intended to annihilate the Turkic army in one fell swoop and capture Ashina Simo, Ashina Zhong, and others.

Unexpectedly, they managed to escape.

Although the results were not entirely satisfactory, we still achieved some successes. This is all thanks to the five-nation allied forces and our brothers. Without everyone's bloody battles and valiant efforts, how could we have achieved this victory?

Songtsen Gampo sat upright: "Your Highness, Father-in-law,"

A few days ago, Xiao Wang heard that the Emperor had issued an edict to arrest the Crown Prince, and he was filled with righteous indignation.

Xiao Wang really couldn't understand what mistake the Crown Prince had made.

To be honest, I went to argue with the Emperor.

then,

Xiao Wang said, "If anything happens to His Highness, we will absolutely not allow it."

at the same time,

Xiao Wang sent a message back by carrier pigeon, ordering Grand Chancellor Shang Nang to lead 20,000 cavalrymen to Chang'an at full speed.

Unexpectedly, Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, Fuyu Fengzhang, and Shanbei Daxiong Wang also led 10,000 troops to Chang'an.

The Emperor ordered us to withdraw our troops, but we did not see the Crown Prince, so we did not withdraw.

Later, we received a letter from the Crown Prince.

He ordered us to station our troops at Tongguan, just as the remnants of the Turkic forces attacked Luoyang.

The Crown Prince then ordered us to lead troops to assist him, and we had no choice but to comply.

This was nothing more than a small favor, nothing to boast about.

"Yes, we'll do whatever the Crown Prince tells us to do!"

"Let alone fighting the Turks, we would not hesitate to go through fire and water, even if it meant climbing mountains of knives."

"Yes, we swear to serve the Crown Prince to the death!"

……

Fang Yi'ai watched all this, his heart pounding with anxiety, thinking to himself that these people were all reckless.

It seems that even if Li Chengqian ordered them to attack Chang'an, it would be a simple matter of a word.

Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, Fuyu Fengzhang, and Shanbei Daxiong Wang all expressed their willingness to pledge allegiance to Li Chenggan.

Upon hearing this,

Li Chengan quickly raised his hands: "Everyone, you have come from a thousand miles away to save me,

I am extremely grateful.

However,

The matter is over, and I'm not telling you all to leave.

Tomorrow morning, please lead your troops back to their original positions immediately. Do not linger here, lest things get complicated and something unforeseen happens.

King Yamabe, leaning on the table, said, "Your Highness, last time in the Wa Kingdom, I wanted to lead my troops to surrender to you, but you refused and instead ordered us to lead our army to the border of Silla to capture pirates."

We did indeed capture many pirates and seize a great deal of spoils.

This time,

We heard you were in danger in Chang'an, so we came here with our troops, together with Fuyu Fengzhang.

Our goal is to ensure His Highness's safety.

Other than that,

I have already requested your father, the Emperor, to submit to the Tang Dynasty.

Even your father hasn't agreed.

"I don't know what your father means?"

"Father has not yet given you an answer; perhaps he has his reasons."

but,

"Rest assured, as long as you are truly loyal to the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty will absolutely not treat you unfairly."

King Yamashiro, with a respectful expression, said, "Your Highness, we had an agreement beforehand..."

If the Heavenly Khan allows us to surrender to the Tang Dynasty...

Our army must be placed under your command.

We will absolutely obey your orders.

Otherwise, we will not agree.

"Yes, we all demand that the Heavenly Khan place us under the Crown Prince's jurisdiction," the crowd said.

Li Chenggan raised his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"My father has many sons, some of whom have already been enfeoffed as kings. For example, Li Tai was enfeoffed as the King of Yue, and Li Ke was enfeoffed as the King of Shu."

"If Father were to assign you to the jurisdiction of another prince, it would be the same, such as Li Tai's or Li Ke's."

No sooner had Li Chengqian finished speaking than Tuoba Chici stood up and was the first to object: "Your Highness, you are really wrong."

Back then, when you went to negotiate with our Tangut people,

later,

I also discussed it repeatedly with the other seven leaders.

We are willing to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, but we hope that the Tang Dynasty can place us under your rule and we will directly obey your orders.

however,

Unexpectedly, the Heavenly Khan placed us under the rule of King Li Tai of Yue.

This greatly displeased the seven leaders.

I try to calm them down all day, but I can't.

Without a good solution, unrest will likely break out very soon.

Murong Shun drank a cup of wine: "Your Highness, do you still remember the scene when you went to subdue our Tuyuhun?"

That day, you treated me to afternoon tea.

At the time, I felt that what you said made a lot of sense.

After I returned, I killed the Heavenly Pillar King and forced my father to surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

We also hope to be able to directly obey your commands, just like Ashina She'er.

but,

This time,

Your father, however, transferred the territory and army that our Tuyuhun originally occupied to Li Ke's command.

My men are all dissatisfied; if things continue like this, it might not be a good thing.

Qin Ying then said to Zhang Shigui: "A few days ago, you and your four precious sons led two thousand soldiers to surround the Yuelai Inn, intending to hunt down our Crown Prince."

We wanted to retaliate, but the Crown Prince stubbornly prevented us from doing so.

Therefore,

That time,

Not a single soldier under your command was injured.

It's not that we can't beat you, but rather that we're showing you mercy with our men.

The Crown Prince has once again had Xue Rengui save your four sons.

Shouldn't you thank His Highness and kowtow to him three times?

Zhang Shigui was speechless, his face turning red and then white.

however,

At this moment, a man in white appeared from behind Zhang Shigui.

The man in white was also quite tall and burly, but ugly in appearance.

This man was none other than He Zongxian, Zhang Shigui's son-in-law.

He Zongxian also wielded a halberd, but his halberd was more than three times smaller than Xue Rengui's.

He Zongxian stepped forward, speaking imperiously: "Gentlemen, I think you may have made a mistake. I rescued the four brothers Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao."

"Including Ashina Jieshe, I was the one who saved him, how can you say it was Xue Rengui who saved him?"

Everyone was quite surprised and asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is He Zongxian, and General Zhang is my father-in-law."

Qin Ying strode up to him and looked him up and down seventy-two times: "You?

I clearly saw Xue Rengui save the six of us, how could it be you?

"Young General, it was very dark last night."

Therefore, what you see may not be very clear.

"I was saved by Xue Rengui, and I even spoke to him."

He Zongxian's expression changed slightly: "Yes, Xue Rengui saved you, and I saved the other five. If you don't believe me, you can invite Xue Rengui up here and question him face to face."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt that there was something strange about the matter.

Because they all believed that Ashina Jieshe, Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao were rescued by Xue Rengui.

Unexpectedly, He Zongxian said that apart from Qin Ying, he had saved the other five people. What exactly happened?

Li Chengan was also a little puzzled. This was because Xue Rengui was currently just a commoner.

So, you deposited money for him to attend this meeting, but he declined.

Xue Rengui felt that these people were all imperial relatives and meritorious officials.

But I am just an ordinary citizen, so I didn't attend the banquet.

Li Chengan ordered Qin Ying to go and fetch Xue Rengui.

Not long,

Xue Rengui followed behind Qin Ying.

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Xue Rengui stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides.

Li Chengan stared at him and asked, "Did you save Qin Ying?"

Xue Rengui straightened his clothes: "Your Highness, at that time, I was chasing Ashina Simo when I happened to encounter two Turkic soldiers guarding Qin Ying."

I shot and killed the two Turkic soldiers, and then rescued Qin Ying in the process.

Li Chengan nodded slightly, then asked, "So, did you rescue Ashina Jieshe, Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao?"

"Uh—, I—," Xue Rengui paused, then looked at Zhang Shigui and his four sons, "Your Highness, I did not save them."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

Qin Ying said, "Ren Gui, don't get it wrong. I clearly saw you save them, how can you say it wasn't you who saved them?"

Xue Rengui waved his hand: "Last night, it was dark."

You may have misread it.

There's a saying, "To catch a thief, first catch the king." At that moment, all I wanted to do was capture Ashina Simo. I didn't think about anything else, so I rode my white jade horse and chased after him.

Later, I discovered that a general dressed in white had also appeared in our army.

Because it was so dark at night, you probably thought I was the one who rescued the five of them.

"That's impossible!"

A man in white has indeed appeared in our army.

However, that person was too timid to fight.

How could he possibly save Ashina Jieshe and the four Zhang brothers?

"Did someone threaten you?" Qin Ying shook her head and asked back.

"No, young general, you don't need to overthink it. Those five people were indeed not rescued by me," Xue Rengui explained again.

Li Chenggan also felt that this matter was a bit strange.

He thought to himself, if Ashina Jieshe and the four Zhang brothers were indeed saved by Xue Rengui...

So why doesn't he dare to admit it?

Could it be that those five people were really saved by He Zongxian?