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

Zhang Shigui sneered: "Li Chenggan, you don't need to use the Emperor to pressure us. So, what you're really saying is that you want to save those ten thousand Baekje soldiers, isn't that right?"

Li Chengan straightened his back: "If that's what you say, I won't deny it."

"I have come here today to request that Your Majesty release the entire army of ten thousand men brought by Fuyu Fengzhang."

"I suspect you have ulterior motives and are planning to cultivate your own power base."

We've heard that the Emperor has ordered you to return to Chang'an.

But what do you mean by staying in Luoyang? Do you intend to usurp Li Daozong's military power?

Upon hearing this, Li Chenggan thought to himself that Zhang Shigui was really good at sowing discord; it was obvious that he was trying to drive a wedge between the uncle and nephew.

"General Zhang, you don't need to put it so harshly. The reason I haven't left Luoyang yet is because I have other matters to attend to."

In fact, even if Li Chenggan had left Luoyang, Li Daozong would not have been able to control the five-nation coalition and the surrendered Turkic army.

"With the Imperial Uncle here, the area east of Luoyang will be relatively peaceful. I will only provide strong support. As for your talk of seizing military power, what makes you even mention that?"

"So, it seems I was judging a gentleman by the standards of a petty person?"

Everyone knows that Baekje and Goguryeo are colluding with each other. Now that we have surrounded Baekje's 10,000 troops, we can take this opportunity to annihilate them.

Eliminating Baekje's fighting force is our top priority.

Do you still dream of Baekje and Tang Dynasty making peace again? Don't be delusional!

Li Chenggan, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, said calmly, "General Zhang, the 10,000 troops led by Buyeo Pungjang are indeed Baekje's military force, there is no doubt about that."

However, Baekje had both good and bad people.

Prince Fengzhang and Prince Buyeo Long are different.

Fuyu Fengzhang is a friend of our Great Tang Dynasty, and he has just distinguished himself in battle. If a meritorious official is to be executed, it would truly be an injustice against Heaven.

Just at this time,

He Zongxian slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Li Chenggan, although we are grateful that you asked Zhang Zhilong and me to participate in the martial arts exam during the Lantern Festival,..."

However, it's probably a bit inappropriate for you to be pointing fingers here.

I think the prince still has the final say in Luoyang.

The prince has served as an official for many years and is highly experienced.

Since he has made this decision, he must have his reasons. He should bear the consequences. Please do not obstruct His Highness from carrying out his orders.

Li Chengqian glanced at He Zongxian and thought to himself, "This kid is really relying on his master's power."

To be honest, Li Chenggan didn't believe that He Zongxian could have achieved so many victories on the battlefield. This kid was trying to gain fame and fortune by taking credit for Xue Rengui's achievements. However, Li Chenggan couldn't understand why Xue Rengui was unwilling to stand up and testify against He Zongxian.

"Who am I to say it is? It turns out to be He Zongxian, who has achieved brilliant victories on the battlefield," Li Chenggan said intentionally.

He Zongxian seemed somewhat uncomfortable upon hearing this.

"I am speaking with the Imperial Uncle and General Zhang. Do you have any profound insights to share?" On the surface, Li Chengqian was praising He Zongxian, but in reality, it was more severe than a slap in the face.

He Zongxian's face flushed red and then turned pale, but to be honest, he couldn't come up with any profound insights.

Currently, Ho Tsung-hsien doesn't have any impressive titles or positions to his name.

Logically speaking, in a situation like this, he shouldn't have the right to speak.

But there's nothing we can do; that's just how they are—they refuse to back down.

Li Chenggan, holding the document, said, "The ten thousand men brought by Fuyu Fengzhang also represent ten thousand lives."

If you really manage to kill them,

Therefore, the hatred between the Tang Dynasty and Baekje became an intractable knot that could never be untied.

You might say, "Didn't Xiang Yu also massacre 200,000 Qin soldiers back then?"

Didn't Bai Qi also massacre 450,000 Zhao soldiers?

But have you ever considered what the fates of both Xiang Yu and Bai Qi were?

Everyone remained silent, for they all knew that Xiang Yu had been forced to commit suicide at the Wujiang River, and Bai Qi had been given death by King Zhaoxiang of Qin.

"Were their endings all just coincidences?"

People should not kill too many living beings, but should accumulate more good deeds.

Moreover, they are meritorious officials. Although Buyeo Pungjang is a prince of Baekje, we must treat them differently.

Although Li Chengan spoke kind words, He Zongxian perceived them as a public humiliation.

He Zongxian's face turned bright red, and he said angrily, "Li Chenggan, stop talking so much. To put it bluntly, you're just protecting your own."

Everyone knows that Fu Yu Feng Zhang is your best friend, so you try every means to protect him.

How about this, let's have a martial arts contest.

If you can defeat me, then pretend I said nothing. As for those ten thousand Baekje soldiers, whether you kill them or let them go, I won't interfere anymore. You can decide for yourselves.

However, on the other hand, if you are not my match, please do not interfere here, even if you are the crown prince.

Li Chengqian glanced at He Zongxian and thought to himself, "This kid thinks he's something special just because he beat Xue Rengui."

Li Chenggan could naturally see that He Zongxian's victory over Xue Rengui was due to Xue Rengui holding back.

If it were a real competition, how could He Zongxian possibly be a match for Xue Rengui?

Li Chenggan didn't want to fight He Zongxian, but he felt that the kid was too arrogant and didn't respect anyone.

If we don't teach him a lesson, how will he know his place?

So Li Chengan stood up, took off his long outer robe, and was about to make a move when he suddenly heard a person outside the door shout loudly: "Your Highness, why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? I am enough to deal with this brat. Leave him to me."

Everyone glanced at the newcomer and saw that it was Qin Ying.

After Qin Ying entered, he bowed to Li Chengan and said, "Your Highness, all the matters you instructed have been completed."

I have already greeted Songtsen Gampo, Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, King Shanbei, and Ashina Simo.

"If anyone dares to touch Fuyu Fengzhang's ten thousand troops, they will deal with them, even if it's the Emperor himself!"

In fact, Qin Ying's words were completely fabricated; Li Chenggan had not instructed him to do so.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, their faces showing alarm, unsure whether he was telling the truth or lying.

Li Chengan knew perfectly well that Qin Ying was lying.

However, he thought about it again and realized that this was a good thing, at least it would serve as a deterrent.

He Zongxian, however, was not having it. He pointed at Qin Ying and said angrily, "I'm fighting against the Crown Prince, not you. Why are you getting in the way? Get out of the way."

Qin Ying put her hands on her hips and stuck out her belly: "Who do you think you are? You dare to challenge the Crown Prince?"

You'll have to get past me first. If you can beat me, the Crown Prince will naturally take the stage.

If you can't even beat me, why would you need to ask the Crown Prince for help?

He Zongxian thought to himself that when he was sparring with Xue Rengui, Qin Ying had already threatened to attack him. Now, she had come to threaten him again. It seemed that Qin Ying was deliberately making things difficult for him.

Do you think I, He, am really afraid of him?

He Zongxian got into a fighting stance: "Qin Ying, I didn't want to fight you, but you've come to me asking for a beating, so don't blame me. I'll beat you to a pulp today. Come on, let's have a three-hundred-round battle!"

"You're quite the braggart," Qin Ying said, taking off his coat to reveal a short jacket underneath. He was dressed casually, and when he stretched his arms and legs, there wasn't a single thing hanging down.

He stretched his muscles and said, "It's been a few days since I've had a fight, and I'm itching to fight. Use all your strength! Don't hold back."

Upon hearing this, He Zongxian roared in anger, "You brat, you're so arrogant!"

Without even a greeting, he delivered a Black Tiger Heart-Piercing Fist.

Qin Ying shouted, "Well done!"

The two then began to fight in the hall.

To be fair, He Zongxian was quite strong and capable, even slightly stronger than the four Zhang brothers.

but,

He was no match for Qin Ying in terms of strength.

Today, Qin Ying also intends to play a trick on He Zongxian.

Qin Ying understood that in this situation, it was necessary to delay as much as possible.

Only in this way could Li Chenggan, Su Wan, and others have the opportunity to rescue Fuyu Fengzhang and his 10,000 troops.

Qin Ying and He Zongxian fought for twenty rounds without a clear winner.

However, He Zongxian was already panting heavily, sweat was streaming down his face and temples, and his hair was disheveled. Gradually, he could only defend himself and had no power to fight back.

As the saying goes, laymen watch the spectacle, while experts see the details. In the eyes of the four Zhang brothers, Qin Ying and He Zongxian seemed to be equally matched, with no clear winner.

Li Chengan understood clearly that Qin Ying was toying with He Zongxian and was not in a hurry to defeat him.

Li Daozong and Zhang Shigui were both seasoned generals, and they could naturally see that He Zongxian was no match for Qin Ying.

However, it's unclear why Qin Ying hasn't managed to bring He Zongxian down yet.

At this point, the situation on the field had changed. After several attempts to test Qin Ying, He Zongxian knew he couldn't defeat her.

But he was unwilling to give up.

then,

His eyes lit up, an idea forming in his mind. He clenched his fists tightly and unleashed a move called "Double Peaks Piercing the Ears."

Qin Ying could tell at a glance that this kid was really anxious. Isn't there a saying?

Even a cornered dog will jump over a wall.

Little did anyone know that He Zongxian's move was a feint. Of course, if Qin Ying had neither blocked nor dodged, then it would have become a real move.

Qin Ying swung her arms to block.

Upon seeing this, He Zongxian quickly withdrew his fists and kicked Qin Ying in the groin.

A man's groin is a vital area; if it is kicked solidly, it can be fatal.

Therefore, He Zongxian's kick was extremely insidious and something that martial arts practitioners would despise.

But he did it anyway.

Qin Ying was furious when he saw this, thinking to himself, "What the hell is this kid trying to make me childless?"

Qin Ying couldn't hold back any longer and, with lightning speed, grabbed He Zongxian's right ankle.

Then, he spun around on the spot and swung around in the hall, his body leaving the ground, feet inward, head outward.

Qin Ying swung him around three times, leaving He Zongxian completely disoriented and unable to tell which way was which.

All that was heard was Qin Ying shouting, "Go to hell!"

He was thrown three or four meters away in one go, and fell to the ground with a "thud".

Fortunately, there was a red carpet on the ground, which had some elasticity.

Otherwise, He Zongxian would have been exposed.

"Ouch, that hurts so much!"

He Zongxian rolled around on the ground, clutching his right leg, wincing in pain and contorting his face.

Upon seeing this, the four brothers, Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao, rushed forward immediately.

They first helped He Zongxian up from the ground and asked, "How are you feeling?"

Upon closer inspection, everyone noticed that He Zongxian had a lump the size of a steamed bun on his head.

"I just feel dizzy, but it seems like I'm not going to die anytime soon," said Ho Tsung-hsien, touching the bump on his head.

Zhang Zhilong saw that He Zongxian only had superficial injuries and should be fine.

He wanted to stand up for He Zongxian, so he rushed up to Qin Ying, pointed his right index finger at Qin Ying's nose and said, "Qin Ying, you're really ruthless. Are you trying to kill He Zongxian?"

Others may fear you, but I don't!

Qin Ying sneered, reached out her right hand, grabbed Zhang Zhilong's right index finger, and twisted it downwards.

Zhang Zhilong suddenly felt that his fingers were about to break.

He quickly knelt down to cushion the force of Qin Ying's hand.

Qin Ying kicked Zhang Zhilong in the stomach, sending him flying a long way.

Zhang Zhilong knelt on the ground, his left hand clutching his stomach, his right hand trembling uncontrollably in pain: "Qin Ying, how dare you hit me?"

"Yes, I'm going to beat you up, kid!" Qin Ying crossed his arms. "If you're not happy, get up and we'll have another match!"

Upon seeing this, the three brothers, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao, rushed forward and surrounded Qin Ying, ready to attack.

Zhang Shigui stood up and shouted, "Don't you dare lay a hand on me! Get back, all of you!"

Zhang Shigui was very angry.

First, he was angry that He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong were useless and lacked skill, embarrassing themselves on the spot.

Secondly, he was furious that Qin Ying had acted so cruelly. Zhang Shigui thought to himself, "You, Qin Ying, do you want to kill my son-in-law and son?"

When their father spoke, the three brothers, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao, stepped down.

They helped He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong to their seats.

He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong were in excruciating pain, their hearts pounding with grief. They glared at Qin Ying, but Qin Ying pretended not to see them.

Zhang Shigui took a deep breath and tried to suppress the anger in his heart: "Qin Ying, what martial arts skills you have! No wonder you are from a military family."

This general and your grandfather, Qin Shubao, served in the same court and had a good relationship. Your father, Qin Huaiyu, was the imperial son-in-law of the current emperor, of noble status and exceptional martial arts skills.

I didn't expect you to surpass your teacher; you're quite impressive!

Qin Ying waved her hand: "Old Zhang, you don't need to say any of that. It's useless for you to say anything."

Do you want to come up and fight me?

Let me tell you, even the young master isn't afraid!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shigui became so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged, with veins popping out on his forehead. He thought to himself, "What a damn brat, he's really arrogant."

"In that case, let's have a friendly spar!"

Zhang Shigui is fiercely protective of his own. At this point, he rolled up his sleeves and prepared to go down into the fray.

Upon seeing this, Li Chengan quickly said, "General Zhang, in terms of status, you are the elder. How can you lower yourself to Qin Ying's level?"

When Zhang Shigui heard Li Chengan say such things, he also felt that it might be inappropriate for him to fight with Qin Ying, because he himself had just said that he had a good relationship with Qin Shubao.

Qin Shubao is Qin Ying's grandfather. If Qin Shubao finds out about this, what will he say? That he's bullying someone else's grandson?

Therefore, Zhang Shigui could only suppress his anger and return to his seat.

At this moment, Qin Ying saw that Zhang Shigui had sat down, so she also stepped down and stood behind Li Chengqian, her eyes warily watching the surroundings.

Seeing that Qin Ying had won two battles in a row, beating He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong to a pulp, Li Chenggan felt very pleased. It was appropriate for Qin Ying to do such a thing; it would be beneath his dignity to do it himself.

Li Chengan put his hands in his sleeves and leaned back in his chair: "Imperial Uncle, General Zhang, we are all family. We can talk things over. Why do we have to resort to violence?"

It's not good to hurt anyone, is it?

Besides, He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong still have to take the martial arts exam. What if they get injured? How will they take the exam?

Qin Ying thought to herself that the Crown Prince was really good at deceiving people. He beat them up like that and still claimed they were family.

He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong felt their faces burning when they heard Li Chenggan say that.

Li Chengan comforted them, saying, "Everyone makes mistakes, and even horses stumble. Although you two didn't gain much advantage in your duel with Qin Ying today, it's nothing to worry about."

That's how it is in the arena; either the opponent falls down, or you fall down yourself.

There are still more than 20 days until the Lantern Festival. If you two intensify your training, you still have a chance.

When we, as family members, spar together, winning or losing doesn't matter, so you don't need to take it to heart.

However, those participating in this martial arts examination are not only masters from various schools of our Great Tang Dynasty, but also some martial arts experts from the Western Regions or the East.

Everyone was surprised to hear this, and they whispered among themselves.

"What? Barbarians are participating in the martial arts exam too?"

"This is unprecedented."

"Yes, we've held martial arts exams before, but they were always between our own people."

"It seems this time the scale is larger than before."

Li Chengan touched his right ear with his right hand. His ear was very round, like a gold ingot.

"Everyone, there's no need to make a fuss about this. My father once said that we should treat all people, whether Han or barbarian, equally."

That's what my father said, and that's what he did.

Now that the Tang Dynasty is unified and all nations pay tribute, since they want to participate in the martial arts examination, why not give them a chance to prove themselves?

"Yes, martial arts have no borders," Li Daozong agreed first. "Chenggan is right. Our martial arts examination this Lantern Festival will be a rare and grand event."

This provides an opportunity for us to promote martial arts and improve physical health nationwide.

"Let's make friends through martial arts, and at the same time, showcase the martial skills of the Tang people to the Western Regions and the countries of the East. We must impress them and earn their utmost respect."

Li Chengan picked up his teacup and took a sip: "However, let me make this clear to you, many of those people are also extremely skilled in martial arts, and quite strangely so."

You may never have seen their moves before, and defeating them won't be easy.

However, this concerns the face of our Great Tang Dynasty; we must win this competition!

At this moment, He Zongxian felt a swelling and pain in his head, and the feeling was getting stronger and stronger.

He touched his head, cursing inwardly, "You Qin Ying, you're ruthless. This feud between us is now set in stone. One day, I'll definitely get my revenge."

Even though he had a lump the size of a steamed bun on his head, his mouth was still busy.

He urged Li Daozong, "Your Highness, it's getting late, so let's not waste any more time on these useless words."

Should we still kill those 10,000 Baekje soldiers?

He Zongxian said this intentionally to remind Li Daozong not to forget the important matter.

How could Li Daozong not know this?

He told Li Chenggan, "Fuyu Fengzhang has been taken to Chang'an for interrogation; this is an indisputable fact."

If those Baekje troops are not dealt with promptly, a mutiny could easily break out, and that would be a real problem.

Therefore, it would be best if you ordered Songtsen Gampo, Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, King Shanbei, and Ashina Simo not to participate in this matter.

Li Daozong wasn't sure whether Qin Ying's words were true or false. If the other four of the five allied powers, along with the Turkic army, were to besiege the Tang army, the Tang army, with only about 30,000 men, wouldn't be able to withstand the attack.