Outside Siming Port, where smoke was rising, two uninvited guests came, two handsome uncles.
"Old Li Tou, you can't do it either! People in the world brag about your ability to conquer the East China Sea with a single sword in Tsing Yi. What's the result? That's it!?" A handsome middle-aged man with half black and half white hair in a bun faced another handsome uncle with a dashing temperament. said.
"Can you please stop calling me Lao Litou!!" The handsome middle-aged man in Qingyi obviously didn't like this title.
These two people were none other than Li Taibai, the Blue Lotus Sword Immortal who was the second of the Three Ultimate Swords of the year, and Mo Guanlan, the master of Guanlan Mountain.
"Aren't you?!" Old Motou asked.
Lies won't hurt, the truth is the sharpest knife.
If you say that Li Taibai is not good at swordsmanship, he will just laugh it off; but if you call him "Old Li Tou", he will definitely break through the defense.
Even the Qinglian Sword Immortal who once dominated the world has to admit that he is already an old man who knows his destiny.
It's just that the mental skills they cultivate have made them look good, making them look like handsome men in their thirties.
I don't want to talk to this old Motou who can't speak, Old Li Tou... Li Taibai stood on the mountain top and looked down at Siming Port.
The ships on the distant sea are still burning and have not yet completely sunk.
The blood on the ground in Siming Port has not dried up yet.
Jackdaws gathered above the harbor and sea eagles flapped their wings, eyeing the dead bodies below. The scent of carrion was tempting them.
The originally prosperous Siming Port has now become a purgatory on earth.
"It seems that we didn't kill these Japanese slaves back then, but they still have such courage! Come and invade our country!"
In the past, Li Taibai killed the Japanese pirates in the East China Sea with one sword and one man. However, any Japanese pirates of a certain size did not dare to approach Yuezhou for fear of being misunderstood by Li Taibai.
This time the Japanese pirates dispatched so many troops, it was obviously not the group of people from Donghai; or in other words, the group of people from Donghai felt that they had found a backer that was enough to compete with Li Taibai.
"Let's go! Let's go meet them!" Before Li Taibai could continue, Mo Guanlan's figure fell gracefully and appeared seven feet away.
Swordsmanship masters like Mo Guanlan and Li Taibai are not too low in Qinggong.
Although it is not as good as Yang Qingyuan's ability to shrink the ground into an inch and fold space, for ordinary people in the world, it is already a miraculous skill.
Prince Deren brought 70,000 people this time and landed at Siming Port.
Among them, 50,000 are Prince Naruhito's direct descendants, including 10,000 Onimusha, which is the strongest force under his command.
In addition, there were also a small group of Japanese pirates from the East China Sea that he temporarily recruited, numbering more than 20,000.
These people are the feudal lords, village officials and other classes as well as unemployed people along the coast of Japan. In addition to coastal robbery, they are mainly engaged in the Sino-Japanese smuggling trade. They can also be called "pirates"!
The leader is called "One Piece!"
…
Many of these groups were subdued by Prince Naruhito. Although they were not as well-trained as Prince Naruhito's guards, they were also extremely fierce Japanese pirates.
Therefore, Prince Naruhito brought them with him! Although their combat power is not as good as that of his Guards, these Japanese pirates are obviously more professional in the work of raiding and looting.
A group of Japanese pirates who were on guard discovered two middle-aged swordsmen walking towards this place and responded immediately.
"What are you doing?!" Rip spoke fluently and people knew he was a Japanese pirate.
"Keng!"
But the person who came didn't speak. What answered them was a brilliant sword light!
"What a nice view!"
Swordsmanship has always been the avenue pursued by Japanese warriors, but no matter how profound and profound the swordsmanship is, it will be eclipsed before this sword.
The Japanese pirates patrolling in the distance saw something unusual here and immediately shouted, "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
While shouting wildly, they surrounded Li Taibai and Mo Guanlan.
"Old Li Tou, why don't you give it a try?!"
Mo Guanlan glanced at Li Taibai. They had not fought each other since ten years ago. Today, they just used these Japanese pirates as pawns to fight in a game.
"Then let's see what progress you have made in these years of hiding in the mountains, Old Motou!"
"Keng!"
"Zheng!"
After two sword sounds, two sword lights illuminated the world! ——
Outside Jinyang City, King Zhao's army camped.
Zhang Shimei was leisurely at this time with a bit of unwillingness.
Leisure was naturally due to King Zhao's miraculous victory at Baigou River. This battle completely defeated the main force of Zhou Ting's Pingjing Army, and Zhang Shimei no longer had to worry about the threat from the Pingjing Army.
He could now arrogantly set up his camp under Jinyang City, and Cao Xueyang did not dare to take the initiative to attack.
And this bit of unwillingness naturally came from King Zhao's victory at Baigouhe.
Isn't it because everyone followed King Zhao to raise troops because they pursued something? ! Seek a career in serving the dragon and gain a hereditary title.
At this time, military exploits become particularly important!
Zhang Shimei was originally the number one general under King Zhao. Although Qiu Fu was more favored by King Zhao before, Zhang Shimei's status as the number one general in King Zhao's army could not be shaken.
But he, the number one general of King Zhao's army, has not had a very good record from the beginning of the war to now. Cao Xueyang didn't even plan it, which resulted in four of his own generals being captured and even Zhu Shihong was injured.
Originally compared with Qiu Fu, a second-rate fool, Zhang Shimei's energy was thwarted, but she was not defeated so outrageously after all, but this time King Zhao took action himself. Moreover, this battle was won brilliantly. In comparison, it seems that he and Zhu Shihong are very incompetent!
How could he convince other generals in King Zhao's army, and how could King Zhao continue to reuse him? !
As a result, although Zhang Shimei can only win if he persists, deep down in his heart he still wants to fight Cao Xueyang's Longwu Army.
Whether it's to gain military merit or to prove himself, he wants to fight.
Just when Zhang Shimei was trying to convince herself, Zhu Shihong came to cause trouble!
"Brother Shimei! Good news! This morning, plain white silk damasks have been hung on Jinyang City, and even the soldiers guarding the city have changed into white robes!"
These actions of the Jinyang Army undoubtedly told Zhang Shimei that they already knew the news of Zhao Tianlin's death in battle. That's why the military reacted like this.
This was an opportunity, and a glimmer of light flashed in Zhang Shimei's eyes!
Zhao Tianlin's identity and status are very important in the Longwu Army and even in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.
The news of his death in battle will definitely have a huge impact on the morale of the Longwu Army. If they can seize this opportunity and fight a beautiful battle, it will be a highly desired achievement for Zhang Shimei and Zhu Shihong.
But Zhang Shimei quickly calmed down and was not dazzled by the news and his desire for military success.
"Although Cao Xueyang is a female figure, she is also a veteran on the battlefield. She can use troops according to the right circumstances and is by no means idle. Whatever we can think of, she must also be able to think of. At this time, she will definitely not go out of the city to fight with us!"
Zhu Shihong also realized this problem, "Shimei, can we find a way to force Cao Xueyang out!?"
Zhang Shimei couldn't help but rolled his eyes and forced him to come out. It was easy to say. In this case, how could Cao Xueyang take the initiative to die? !
"Brother Shihong, we are in a different place, will you fight?!"
We all are not fools. How could we forcefully go to war when the morale of the army is low? ! What's the difference between this and sending your head off? !
"You are right! Unless there is a military order from the prince, it is impossible for me to go to war?!" Zhu Shihong thought, it is indeed true, and it is impossible for Cao Xueyang to do such a self-digging thing.
"Huh?!" Zhang Shimei's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Brother Zhu, what did you just say!?"
Now he doesn’t even call him brother Shihong, he just calls him brother Zhu!
"Ah?! What did I say?!" Zhu Shihong looked confused. What did I do? I didn't seem to have done anything! ?
"Say what you just said again!" Zhang Shimei's eyes flashed with anxiety.
"I said, what you said makes sense!?"
"No, that's not the sentence!"
"That's it, what did I say!?"
Zhang Shimei was going crazy with anxiety. The more important something is, the harder it is for people to remember it. "No, is that what you whispered just now!?"
"Mumbling, oh!" Zhu Shihong suddenly realized, "I said, changing places, unless the prince has a military order, otherwise I will never go to war!"
"That's right!" Zhang Shimei gave a high-five, "We can't force Cao Xueyang to fight, but Zhou Ting can! If the Ministry of War and the Sixth Army Governor's Office put pressure on Cao Xueyang! Then won't Cao Xueyang be forced to fight?!"
Zhu Shihong nodded, and then asked, "Brother Zhang, Li Chengguang, Secretary of the Ministry of War, and Wu Keming of the Sixth Army Governor's Office are not stupid either! How could they put pressure on Cao Xueyang and force her to fight at this time?!"
"..." Zhang Shimei boasted of both wisdom and bravery, and made plans before taking action. However, at this moment, Zhu Shihong, the most powerful general of King Zhao's army, was speechless.
Yes, Li Chengguang is a capable minister of the country, and Wu Keming is also a famous general in the world. How could they make such a mistake? !
"Don't be in a hurry! Don't be in a hurry!" Zhang Shimei warned herself silently. A general is most afraid of being impatient. Once impatient, his thinking will be chaotic. If his thinking is chaotic, he will not be able to analyze the situation calmly.
"Send an order for the scouts in the army to closely monitor the movements in Jinyang City."
At the same time, Zhang Shimei also used the spies entrusted to him by King Zhao.
Although the spies of Prince Zhao's Mansion cannot be compared with Jin Yiwei and Hulong Villa, they are also a major intelligence organization in the world, with their own intelligence agencies everywhere.
This is the time when their efforts are needed.
…
In Jinyang City, Cao Xueyang, the commander-in-chief of the Longwu Army, was also worried about how to get Zhang Shimei to fight.
Judging from the previous intelligence analysis on Zhang Shimei, this person was cautious in using his troops and almost never took the wrong direction.
In such a good situation, how can Zhang Shimei's soldiers take risks and take the initiative to confront him? This is the biggest problem.
Zhang Shimei and Cao Xueyang didn't know it yet, but they had plotted against each other.
…
Geng Qihui, the lieutenant general of the Longwu Army on the side, said, "Grand Governor, what do we want to do with so much?! Just go out of the city and attack Zhang Shimei by force. Is it possible that he will still be unable to come out?!"
Cao Xueyang gave Geng Qihui a helpless look.
"Zhang Shimei is the number one general under Zhu Kai, the rebel chief. He has always been known for his steady use of troops and rarely takes risks. Our morale is low now. If we take the initiative to fight, Zhang Shimei will definitely be suspicious and dare not fight. If he does, he will be cautious Yingzhai, if you don’t fight with us, what can you do to defeat him?!”
"..." Geng Qihui said sarcastically, "Zhang Shimei can't be so timid as a mouse!"
"On this battlefield, there are only wins and losses, so what if you are brave, what if you are timid?!" Cao Xueyang saw that all the generals in the tent were silent, knowing that he could not count on these people.
"You all go back and think about it carefully. If you have any ideas, you can come and tell me! Let's leave today!"
After everyone dispersed, Cao Ying and Yang Siniang were the only ones left in the tent.
Cao Ying is the commander of Cao Xueyang's Guards and has followed Cao Xueyang many years ago. Madame Yang and Cao Xueyang have a close relationship. She is willing to serve in the Longwu Army and command the Dragon Spear Camp. The main reason is the plea of Cao Xueyang, a good friend.
"Sister Xueyang, don't worry too much! As long as you hold Jinyang, you can block Zhang Shimei's westward attack. Moreover, there are Governor Wu, Li Shangshu, and His Majesty in the court, so they will not be harsh. For you!" Cao Ying thought Cao Xueyang was under too much pressure and comforted her.
"Furthermore, Your Majesty, you have watched him grow up. Although he is young, he is brave and resolute. He is not a dim-witted master like the former Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. He will not easily interfere in military matters."
Cao Xueyang nodded when he heard this, "You are right, but actually that's not what I'm worried about."
Cao Xueyang just wanted to help the building before it collapsed.
The situation in the Zhou court is very bad now! The Pingjing Army suffered heavy losses, and war broke out in the Western and Northern Territories at the same time. Many landowners and gentry secretly communicated with King Zhao. The Central Committee of the Zhou Dynasty seemed to be strong, but in fact it was once again standing on the edge of the cliff.
If you can't hold on, you won't make mistakes, but you can't save Da Zhou and resist the attack of Prince Zhao's Mansion.
…
"Huh?! Former Tang Xuanzong?!"
Cao Xueyang suddenly thought of something!
During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the former Tang Dynasty, during the Anshi Rebellion, Hexi Jiedu envoy, deputy marshal Shu Han, led an army to guard Tongguan.
At that time, King Fenyang and Lord Jijun analyzed that as long as they held on to Tongguan, they would have a chance to defeat Anlu Mountain and defeat the bandit army.
However, the treacherous prime minister Yang Guozhong was afraid that Ge Shuhan was plotting against him, so he slandered Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and forced Ge Shuhan's troops to leave Tongguan.
But Han was sick and old, and all the armies were in disarray and insufficient to fight. There was no way they could compete with An Lushan's elite frontier troops. In the end, the Tang Dynasty lost its last barrier, Tongguan, and the Anshi Rebellion fell into an irreversible defeat. The prosperous Tang Dynasty turned into decline.
Can we borrow the story of Ge Shuhan who was forced to send troops? !
Cao Xueyang thought of this. If she could get the government to urge her, then she would have a reason to go to war.
In this way, Zhang Shimei and Zhu Shihong would not doubt her actions, but would find them very reasonable.
As long as there is a chance for a head-on confrontation, Cao Xueyang is 80% sure of defeating Zhang Shimei!
"Sister Miaozhen, I have something big to ask of you, and I need your help!"
…
