A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

If they surrender now, they can be absolved of their crimes and redeem themselves through meritorious service, which will not affect their next generation, and they will have no worries about the future.

Another reason to persuade them was Xue Rengui's archery skills. When Su Dingfang was trying to persuade them to surrender, the defending general showed his face as Su Dingfang had expected, attempting to exchange insults with Su Dingfang.

As soon as he peeked out, Xue Rengui killed him with an arrow. Naturally, the remaining generals in the city dared not show their faces again.

For the sake of your own life and fortune, you might as well just lower the price.

Even Li Yuanxiang has escaped, so why should they stay here and defend it to the death?

After convincing themselves, the generals opened the city gates and welcomed the imperial army in.

After capturing the city, Su Dingfang sent men to take over the city walls and ordered them to rest and prepare for the arrival of the defeated army.

When the defeated army finally arrived at their own city after overcoming numerous hardships, they found that the flags on the city walls seemed to be somewhat different from before.

Although both are Tang Dynasty dragon flags, the one flying now is a blue flag with a rising dragon, while their flag used to be a yellow flag with a rising dragon.

The sharp-eyed and meticulous general saw this scene and his heart skipped a beat. The blue dragon flag was the flag of the Tang Dynasty. How could it be flying above their city?

Could it be that this city has already fallen?

Realizing this, the general tried to slip away.

Looking at their exhausted subordinates and the depleted funds and provisions, where could they possibly run to?

It's better to wait and see if the imperial army will accept the surrender.

If the imperial court is willing to accept their surrender, then their direct surrender is not out of the question.

As the general had predicted, Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui soon appeared on the city wall.

They directly persuaded the rebels below the city to surrender, offering to let bygones be bygones.

The rebels, who had finally managed to escape, were met not with news of their main camp being captured, but with the terrible news that their rear cities had been overrun. Unable to hold out any longer, they threw down their weapons, knelt before Su Dingfang on the city wall, and surrendered.

Seeing the rebels surrender, Su Dingfang breathed a sigh of relief; the overall situation was settled.

He had already subdued the northern armies, and Liu Rengui in the south was attacking Silla, so Li Yuanxiang was no longer a threat.

However, these rebels are also a problem. They were originally part of the Tang Dynasty's army. If they suddenly turn against him and cut off his retreat when he leads his troops south, then things will get really messy.

However, if he leaves a large number of troops to guard the prisoners, he will lack the manpower to march south and quell the rebellion.

Sending these rebels south to quell the rebellion would take too much time and could create many unforeseen circumstances, leaving him in a dilemma.

"General, you seem troubled. Is something on your mind?"

Xue Rengui noticed that Su Dingfang's brows were furrowed and quickly asked him about it.

Su Dingfang told Xue Rengui about his considerations, and only then did Xue Rengui understand Su Dingfang's concerns.

"General, rest assured, let me stay and guard these rebels."

Xue Rengui volunteered.

Su Dingfang raised an eyebrow and looked at Xue Rengui with surprise.

He was also somewhat unsure what Xue Rengui really meant.

"Rengui, capturing the king in the south would be a great achievement! Are you sure you want to stay?"

Su Dingfang couldn't help but ask.

Xue Rengui didn't hesitate for a second. "Rengui understands, but Rengui can't be so selfish. My staying to guard the prisoners is the best solution right now."

"With my military strength, I don't need many soldiers to intimidate these prisoners."

"Many of these prisoners were coerced and have no ambition of their own. If the real rebels want to stir up trouble, I only need to wipe them out with lightning speed, and the unrest will be quelled."

"General, you can confidently march south to quell the rebellion without any worries about the rear."

Su Dingfang could see the sincerity in Xue Rengui's eyes; he seemed to see his own reflection in Xue Rengui.

When he joined the army, he was just as sincere as Xue Rengui is now. Unfortunately, at that time, Changsun Wuji was powerful in the court, and the Guanlong Group controlled the channels of advancement. He was from a poor family and had no chance to get ahead.

He only had the opportunity to quell the rebellion after the Empress recruited him and the Guanlong Group collapsed.

"Was Rengui also from a poor family?"

Su Dingfang said with a smile.

"Yes, I am from Longmen County in Hedong. My ancestors were generals, but they declined during the previous dynasty."

"Back in my grandfather's time, people had to make a living by farming and lived a hard life."

"Later, my wife saw that I was strong and encouraged me to join the army, make a name for myself, and maybe bring glory to our family."

Xue Rengui sighed, saying that he had served in the army for many years and was still only a captain. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, how powerful the Tang Dynasty was! None of the surrounding countries dared to provoke the Tang Dynasty.

Even in the current emperor's reign, no one dares to risk their life to provoke the Tang Dynasty.

Since the country rarely experienced war, he, as a soldier, naturally had few opportunities to distinguish himself.

No matter how skilled one is, there is nowhere to use them.

"Ren Gui, rest assured, I will report your merits in this campaign—including the capture of enemy generals and flags, and your pioneering role—to His Majesty and the Empress in full. You will not be shortchanged in any way."

Su Dingfang patted Xue Rengui on the shoulder and assured him.

He had already decided to recommend Xue Rengui to Empress Wu Zetian. He could see that Xue Rengui was also a talented general, and a general with superb martial arts skills.

With the Empress's support, Xue Rengui is destined for great things and will achieve success no less than Xue Rengui.

"Thank you, Chief Steward."

Xue Rengui said gratefully. He had made some meritorious contributions in the past, but most of them were embezzled by his superiors. After getting to know Su Dingfang over this period of time, he could feel that Su Dingfang was not that kind of person.

Maybe this time, he can really make it through.

After bidding farewell to Xue Rengui, Su Dingfang led his army south. The next few cities had weak defenses and were no match for him.

After the city fell, Su Dingfang left a small force to wait for Xue Rengui, while he personally led the remaining troops to continue the siege.

The troops he left behind, after Xue Rengui arrived, handed over the city to Xue Rengui to manage, and then quickly caught up with the main force, repeating this cycle.

Several months later, Su Dingfang successfully met up with Liu Rengui in Xinluo City.

Xinluo City was managed by Li Yuanxiang like an iron barrel, and the city walls were built extremely high. Liu Rengui launched a strong attack for several months, but still failed to break through.

Su Dingfang squinted as he surveyed the city before him, and suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

"This city?"

Su Dingfang turned to look at Liu Rengui, who nodded affirmatively at him.

Su Dingfang frowned deeply. No wonder Liu Rengui had been unable to break through after attacking for several months; it turned out that this city was built entirely in imitation of Luoyang.

Given Li Yuanxiang's status, obtaining the construction plans for Luoyang would not be difficult.

But this does not mean that the blueprints of Luoyang are not valuable.

This was, after all, the capital of several dynasties, and it had been repaired many times. Putting aside everything else, the city's defenses were absolutely the best in the world, a truly unparalleled achievement.

The various mechanisms and city structures within are the essence of the wisdom of generations of Mohists and Gongshu people.

Taking this city will be incredibly difficult!