The First Killer God of the Tang Dynasty

Liu Qiao'er looked at Zhang Yang, her eyes seemingly welling up with tears: "Husband, you haven't even stayed home for one night..."

Wang Lie sighed and, with great tact, lowered his head and left the courtyard first.

Zhang Yang stepped forward and gently embraced Liu Qiao'er's delicate body: "Qiao'er, the world is not peaceful. When the world is at peace, I will stay with you two every day, have two more chubby babies, and live our own little life!"

Liu Yun'er, who was standing next to her, was also very upset, but she still stepped forward to comfort her sister.

"Qiao'er, don't be willful. Your husband has important matters to attend to and cannot keep the General and the Prince of Guangping waiting too long."

As she said this, Liu Yun'er's words were already trembling and choked with sobs.

When it comes to missing Zhang Yang, Liu Yun'er is no less than Liu Qiao'er.

Zhang Yang opened his other hand and pulled Yun'er into his arms as well.

"I will make sure you live in peace."

After saying this, he gently kissed each of his wives on the forehead, then resolutely turned and left.

Liu Qiao'er tried to reach out and grab Zhang Yang, but her sister gently pressed her down.

Just as Liu Qiao'er was about to speak, she looked up and saw that her sister was already in tears.

When will we be able to live in peace?

The moment Zhang Yang stepped out of the courtyard, he immediately put aside his romantic feelings and mounted his horse.

When he and Wang Lie returned to the military camp, Yuchi Xin immediately led Zhang Yang into a tent.

"General, Commander Guo and His Highness Prince Guangping have been waiting for quite some time!"

As Zhang Yang entered the tent, he immediately saw Prince Guangping and Guo Ziyi chatting and laughing inside, which put his mind at ease.

His annihilation of the Black Cavalry was a major achievement, regardless of the circumstances, and would greatly benefit future battles. The fact that the Prince of Guangping came personally couldn't possibly be to punish him.

"Zhang Yang pays respects to His Highness Prince Guangping and Commander Guo!"

After Zhang Yang entered the tent, their conversation and laughter immediately came to an abrupt halt.

The Prince of Guangping did not let Zhang Yang get up, and just watched him remain in a half-kneeling position.

Guo Ziyi suddenly spoke up: "General of the Vanguard, how dare you! You mobilized a large army without authorization and launched a rash attack. Do you know your crime?"

Guo Ziyi truly lived up to his reputation as one of the top generals of the Tang Dynasty. His roar, like a tiger's roar and a dragon's cry, even momentarily stunned Zhang Yang.

However, having prepared himself mentally, Zhang Yang replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "General, a general in the field may not obey the emperor's orders. The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing. The Black Cavalry's passage with their supplies is a golden opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. I was confident in my abilities, which is why I fought this battle."

Prince Guangping and Guo Ziyi exchanged a glance and smiled. "General Guo, I told you, General Li's sworn brother must be exceptionally courageous. Your probing action was somewhat unnecessary. Zhang Yang's great victory over the Black Flag Army and cutting off the rebels' supplies is a truly great achievement! Men, bring General Zhang a seat!"

The general plays the good cop and the prince plays the bad cop; this is a common tactic of using both kindness and severity.

One of Guo Ziyi's personal guards brought Zhang Yang a chair and asked him to sit down and talk.

Guo Ziyi's expression softened considerably: "Zhang Yang, what you just said is quite right. The battlefield situation changes rapidly, and being able to make the right judgment based on different situations is a necessary condition for an excellent general."

"An Shouzhong in Chang'an City is extremely dependent on this Black Flag Army's grain transport route. Now that you've cut off his lifeline, it's like lighting a fire behind their backs. He'll either starve to death in Chang'an City, or he'll be forced to leave the city and fight us to the death!"

Zhang Yang felt a chill run down his spine.

Given the current fighting strength of the Tang army and the infighting among factions, a decisive battle at this time might not necessarily be a good thing.

"Marshal, may I ask how we should win this battle?"

Guo Ziyi remained calm and said indifferently, "The decisive battle will take place on the plains surrounding Xiangji Temple. At that time, your small force will play a crucial role, so you must prepare for the battle in advance."

"Understood."

Zhang Yang outwardly accepted the order, but inwardly he began to secretly make plans.

Guo Ziyi's reticence about specific battle tactics is not a good thing.

Either the power of the various parties has not yet been balanced.

Either their own forces have already been designated as cannon fodder.

The Prince of Guangping picked up the conversation: "General Guerrilla, you have rendered great service in this battle. What reward do you wish to receive?"

Zhang Yang wasn't stupid. With a major battle imminent, if the higher-ups truly wanted to reward him, they would bestow upon him the title of guerrilla general, just like they did last time.

Official titles and ranks are unacceptable, but some strategic materials can still be requested.

Zhang Yang's mind raced: "Your Highness, my troops are lacking in weaponry. We would like a batch of iron ore to enhance our combat capabilities. This way, we can exert greater fighting power in the decisive battle!"

The Prince of Guangping was taken aback: "You only want iron ore?"

Zhang Yang nodded: "Yes, Your Highness."

Prince Guangping waved his hand and said, "It's just a district iron mine. I can arrange it for you. Just send someone with me to the camp to retrieve it later. In addition, you have shown the prowess of a guerrilla general in this battle, so I will bestow upon you a bright silver spear, a gold belt, and one hundred taels of gold."

As he spoke, two bodyguards presented him with a long spear with a mithril-silver tip and a red tassel hanging from it, exuding both a murderous aura and a touch of unruliness.

Good gun!

Zhang Yang picked up the gleaming silver spear, swung it around a couple of times in place, and swung it with great force.

"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Guangping! I was just in need of a suitable weapon for riding, and this gleaming silver spear is truly a godsend!"

The Prince of Guangping nodded and ordered his personal guards to bring over several boxes. When they opened them, they found that the boxes were full of gleaming silver.

"Your Highness, what is this?"

Guo Ziyi said, "Your men have performed meritorious service, and this is their reward. Each of them will receive five taels of silver, and you cannot withhold any from them."

"Your subordinate dares not."

After explaining the matter, Guo Ziyi and the Prince of Guangping left.

Guo Shitou was incredibly excited as he looked at the glittering gold and chests of silver inside the tent.

"Brother, so much silver? It must be three or four thousand taels, right?"

Guo Shitou swallowed hard, his eyes wide with astonishment.

Zhang Yang laughed and kicked Guo Shitou's butt: "Look at you, so pathetic! People go to the battlefield aiming for titles and honors! You can't even walk past the money."

Guo Shitou scratched his head and chuckled, "I don't need to be made a king. As long as you can be made a king, I'll be content to be your little brother for the rest of my life."

Feeling the unintentional loyalty shown by Guo Shitou, Zhang Yang felt a warmth in his heart: "Alright, distribute this silver among the brothers, five taels each."

"Alright, big brother!"

Zhang Yang grabbed a handful of silver coins, his brows furrowed.

"This is money to buy your life!"

The imperial court's sudden distribution of large sums of silver was most likely intended to boost morale and alleviate the soldiers' concerns.

The Battle of Xiangji Temple was a battlefield that could be described as a meat grinder.