A lowly soldier becomes king, I slaughter my way through the late Tang Dynasty!

After a bout of maniacal laughter, Shi Chonggui became distraught and slumped back down.

A moment later, he said drunkenly.

"Draft an imperial edict!"

The eunuch looked around and noticed that Feng Yu, who had been by His Majesty's side a few days ago, was nowhere to be found.

He had no choice but to bring his own pen and ink and draft the imperial edict.

Shi Zhonggui opened his mouth, intending to add more details about Li Rui's identity.

Grant him a marquisate.

But then I thought, would Li Rui care about that?

Shi Chonggui gave a self-deprecating laugh, knowing full well that the rewards he could offer Li Rui now were something Li Rui would no longer care about!

After much thought, Shi Chonggui could only sigh.

"Fine, go and search my treasury to see if there's anything valuable left. You can take half."

"Take the remaining half to Dingzhou and give it to Li Rui. Consider it my dowry for my younger sister."

The eunuch nodded repeatedly, but he knew the truth in his heart.

The valuables in the palace had already been taken away by others in the chaos.

He went to the inner treasury and searched it thoroughly, but only found a few bolts of silk and some copper coins.

The royal family of Jin has fallen to this state.

Even the dowry given to the eldest princess was extremely meager.

……

Ten days later.

In Xingzhou, Hebei, the main force of the Khitan was stationed.

Because he needed to conquer various prefectures and counties in Hebei, Yelü Deguang's southward advance was not rapid.

Moreover, there is no resistance force left in the entire Hebei province.

Bianliang City was practically a ghost town!

just now.

All we need to do is take Bianliang as quickly as possible.

It's like telling the whole world that the State of Jin is completely gone, and now it's Yelü Deguang's world!

In his view, Zhang Yanzhe's 5,000 surrendered soldiers were more than enough to raid Bianliang.

"By now, Zhang Yanzhe should have been in Bianliang for several days or more, right?"

Zhao Yanshou cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I believe it is necessary to warn Zhang Yanzhe not to let him do as he pleases in Bianliang City, and to restrain his behavior."

Du Chongwei, who was also under the tent, nodded repeatedly.

"Yes! Zhang Yanzhe is greedy, despicable, and cruel. Once he captures Bianliang, he will surely allow his soldiers to commit rape and looting!"

When His Majesty arrives in Bianliang, he will likely only find a dilapidated city.

Yelü Deguang humbly accepted the advice and was about to agree.

suddenly!

A scout, covered in dust, stumbled into the tent.

Upon seeing this, Yelü Deguang pointed at him and laughed.

"It's most likely news that Zhang Yanzhe has captured Bianliang."

The scout's expression changed slightly, and he prostrated himself on the ground in fear.

"Your Majesty, urgent report from Baima Ferry! Zhang Yanzhe was ambushed by Jin troops while crossing the Yellow River at night."

Two thousand elite cavalrymen were completely annihilated, Zhang Yanzhe was beheaded, and his head... has been sent to Bianliang!

His words landed on the ground.

The tent fell silent.

Yelü Deguang gripped the sheepskin document on the table tightly with his fingertips, his face suddenly darkening!

He was just saying that Zhang Yanzhe should have already captured Bianliang.

But the next second they were slapped in the face!

Zhang Yanzhe is dead!

Moreover, he led two thousand elite cavalrymen, and the entire army was wiped out!

Yelü Deguang gritted his teeth and suppressed his anger.

He didn't seem to care much.

After all, Zhang Yanzhe was a surrendered general, and even if his troops were elite, they were not the main Khitan force.

If someone dies, they die; it's not a big loss.

What truly displeased Yelü Deguang was the chain of negative consequences brought about by this major defeat.

He slowly raised his hand and placed the document on the table, his tone suppressing his displeasure.

"Zhang Yanzhe".

His tone was flat, yet carried a hint of disdain.

"He was just a surrendered person, arrogant and reckless, and acted carelessly."

They were completely unprepared when crossing the river, allowing their men to successfully ambush them and lose two thousand elite soldiers in vain. Their deaths are no loss!

He didn't regret Zhang Yanzhe's death, but he was saddened that the opportunity to take Bianliang as quickly as possible had been so easily lost.

Moreover, sending Zhang Yanzhe's head to Bianliang would significantly boost the morale of the Jin army and people.

Zhao Yanshou frowned slightly as he analyzed the situation.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Yanzhe's death is not a pity, but he suffered a great defeat, and his head was sent to Bianliang."

The morale in Bianliang will surely be greatly boosted. If any resistance forces were to emerge, it would only increase our casualties.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Han couldn't help but curse.

"Zhang Yanzhe is stubborn and arrogant, and his army only knows how to advance quickly, neglecting defenses. Such a surrendered person is inherently unfit to be entrusted with important tasks!"

Du Chongwei shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.

When Zhang Yanzhe volunteered to go south to capture Bianliang, he fully supported him.

Now that everything has been messed up, how could Du Chongwei, this demoted official, dare to say anything?

Yelü Deguang glanced at him, his face cold and his eyes seemingly mocking.

"The death of a surrendered general is insignificant, but this battle brought a great victory to the Jin people."

When the news spreads, some of the officials guarding the various prefectures in Hebei may develop disloyal intentions and no longer surrender without a second thought.

Zhao Yanshou quickly replied.

"The most urgent task is to find out who ambushed Zhang Yanzhe and to find out the origin of this army."

Yelü Deguang paced slowly in the tent, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

"Indeed, Zhang Yanzhe brought about his own defeat and death, but this ambush force should not be underestimated."

"We thought that with the defeat of the Jin state, there would be no more armies daring to fight in the Central Plains, but we never expected that such a force was still hidden."

He paused, then gave the order in a deep voice:

"Immediately send men to investigate who is leading this ambush force. Order all troops not to rashly divide their forces and advance recklessly."

Furthermore, news of Zhang Yanzhe's defeat must not spread to other prefectures in Hebei, lest it undermine morale.

In fact, there's no need to issue a special order to investigate this kind of thing.

News came just a few days later.

"Your Majesty, the vanguard army has captured some civilians who fled from Bianliang, and based on their confessions..."

The army that ambushed and killed Zhang Yanzhe at Baimajin was the Divine Sword Army led by Li Rui!

boom!

A beautifully crafted golden incense burner was smashed down.

"Who did you say it was?!"

Upon hearing that name, Yelü Deguang instantly flew into a rage!

This golden censer was originally presented to the governor of Xingzhou as a tribute after he surrendered.

Yelü Deguang was so fond of it after receiving it that he kept holding it and playing with it for several days in a row.

When I heard this news today, I smashed it!

The scout dared not speak, kneeling on the ground trembling.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yanshou quickly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, please do not be angry. Let me ask him a few more questions."

Zhao Yanshou faced the scout.

"Can you confirm it's Li Rui?"

"Yes! It's already spread throughout Bianliang City; there's no faking it."

How many soldiers did he command?

"A thousand men, all cavalry."

Where is he now?

"I don't know. After the Battle of Baibajin, he disappeared without a trace."

"Alright, you can go now."

Zhao Yanshou frowned slightly.

They never expected that the Jin army would ambush Zhang Yanzhe at Baimajin.

It turns out to be their old nemesis again!

But isn't Li Rui in Dingzhou?

How did we end up in Huazhou in the south in the blink of an eye?

This person is truly elusive!

Zhao Yanshou turned around, about to speak to Yelü Deguang.

As a result, Yelü Deguang glared at him and cursed.

"Where is the woman you planted next to Li Rui? Why don't you let her do it and kill Li Rui first!?"

Now look what's happened! That scoundrel Li Rui has jumped out again, almost ruining my grand plan!