At dawn, Taozhou was successfully captured. Qin Huaidao gave the army a good meal and asked An Guogong to leave five thousand soldiers and horses to garrison. The army continued southward and headed straight for Minzhou.
Traveling day and night, the army arrived at the north gate of Minzhou at dusk the next day.
The army is majestic and the sword is fierce!
The soldiers were indifferent and silent, staring closely at the city ahead, a murderous aura rising into the sky.
But Qin Huaidao had no intention of attacking, and instead went forward immediately.
Inside the city, a general stood on the city wall and looked out. He saw that the incoming troops were dressed strangely, not like the Tibetan army or the imperial troops. He ordered the city gates to be closed and mobilized troops to prepare for battle.
A young general asked worriedly: "General, could it be that Tubo from Taozhou went south to attack us? But it doesn't look like Tubo. Could it be possible that there are other armies passing by? Doesn't it make sense?"
"Be careful and prepare for war." The general said in a deep voice, looking at the man walking in front with a flash of suspicion in his eyes, why did the war horse look familiar?
When he was brought closer, the general's pupils suddenly shrank when he saw the person clearly, and he quickly shouted: "Put down the bow and arrows, don't shoot arrows, put it down quickly!"
The soldiers looked over suspiciously, but the arrows were lowered one after another.
The general breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that everyone had put down their bows and arrows. He looked at the visitor and shouted, "But the King of Han?"
"General Xue, I haven't seen you for a long time. Maybe we can go out of the city to catch up?" Qin Huaidao replied.
"Please wait a moment, King Han, the general will be here soon." The other party agreed and hurried downstairs.
The city gate opened with a bang, and a man and a horse galloped out.
Qin Huaidao looked at the general who came over and said with a smile: "It's been a long time, I haven't seen him before. His demeanor is not the same as before."
"You should not be praised by the King of Han. The last general Xue Zhi has seen the King of Han. I wonder what the King of Han is?"
Qin Huaidao took out a letter from his arms and threw it over, saying: "Send the letter!"
"Who is so arrogant that he dares the King of Han to come in person?" Xue Zhi took the letter in surprise and read it. It said "My Son Shan's Relatives". There is only one person in the world who can call himself that, but isn't he missing?
I quickly opened it, took out the letter and looked at the signature and signature. The signature was exactly the same. I was shocked and quickly read the content.
Gradually, Xue Zhi's face became serious.
After reading it all, Xue Zhi's face became more relieved.
Putting the letter away close to his body, Xue Zhi solemnly clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, King Han, for saving my father's life and bringing the news."
"That's not important. The letter has been delivered. How do you choose?" Qin Huaidao asked.
"Of course I follow my father's instructions, and I also ask the King of Han to take it under my account. I am willing to do my best." Xue Zhi clasped his fists again, his tone was sincere and resolute. When he thought of something, a flash of hesitation flashed across his face: "But..."
"But what?" Qin Huaidao asked, it would be best if we can defeat without fighting. If we want to fight, fight over there.
Xue Zhi said bluntly: "The soldiers in the city are all innocent. Please show mercy to the King of Han."
Qin Huaidao looked at the defenders on the city in front. They were all looking nervously and alertly. He smiled and said: "The soldiers are well trained. You can help everyone find a way out. It shows that you are a man who loves soldiers. So, I will give you half."
For an hour, those who are willing to stay will be incorporated into the Hanzhou Army and will continue to be commanded by you. From now on, they will be the Hanzhou Army. Those who are unwilling to stay will be given travel expenses and food and can leave on their own."
"Thank you, King Han. I will deal with it now." Xue Zhi bowed gratefully and rode away.
Qin Huaidao did not move, and waited on horseback.
Luo Wu was worried, so he rode forward to take precautions and said, "Uncle, have you agreed?"
Qin Huaidao nodded solemnly.
"That's good. They are all Tang people. It's best not to fight. Tubo was busy attacking Chang'an. I don't know whether he forgot or thought Minzhou was unimportant and was missed by us. Now it's better. Lanzhou, Hezhou, Taozhou
, Minzhou, four points and one line, connected up and down, forming a barrier to cut off Tubo and Tuyuhun. How can that bastard in Qinling escape?" Luo Wu said excitedly.
Qin Huaidao was in a good mood as he was able to defeat the city without a fight. He said with a smile: "The city of Minzhou is tall and strong, easy to defend and difficult to attack. We have explosives and it will be easy to capture them. However, Tubo does not have explosives. Don't even think about passing through. Just stay here."
The next army is impregnable, and if the Tibetans want to go back, they will have no choice but to continue southward, bypassing the long Aba Mountains, and go to Songzhou."
After chatting for a while, cheers came from the city.
Not long after, Xue Zhi came out on horseback, clasped his fists excitedly and said: "King of Han, all brothers are willing to stay, please take him in."
"Stay them all?" Qin Huaidao was a little surprised. When did he become so charming?
Xue Zhi thought that Qin Huaidao was suspicious, so he quickly explained: "King of Han, my brothers have been guarding the pass for many years. They all have varying degrees of hatred against Tubo and want to take revenge. Besides, the reputation of King of Han for his benevolence and righteousness has long been spread. If you follow King of Han, you will not only win the battle, but also
If you can get high military pay, why not do it?"
Qin Huaidao really didn't know that his benevolence and righteousness had spread all over the world, but it was a good thing that the soldiers were willing to stay, so he asked: "How many troops and horses are there in Minzhou?"
"There are five thousand frontier troops and two thousand war horses. About five thousand government soldiers have been recruited from the counties below to help prevent the Tubo from marching south. The total number of soldiers and horses is more than ten thousand. Unexpectedly, the Tubo did not come. The King of Han came. Has the Tubo in Taozhou been killed?
"Xue Zhiji asked with some excitement.
Qin Huaidao nodded in acquiescence: "Is it possible to keep the walls clear and guard the city?"
"Please don't worry, King Han, I'm just a dead ear!" Xue Zhi was overjoyed.
"You're a man. Remember, you won't allow a single Tibetan soldier to escape from you. Those beasts killed countless Tang people. This blood debt must be avenged. It's a big deal. You and I have to say something ugly in front of you. If you don't keep it,
Don't blame me for not giving General Xue face when the time comes."
"The general is willing to issue a military order!" Xue Zhi said solemnly, and was shocked by Qin Huaidao's domineering attitude. There were 200,000 Tibetan troops. If they were all killed, how happy it would be! How high-spirited!
At least, the souls of tens of thousands of frontier soldiers buried outside Minzhou City over the years can be comforted!
Thinking of this, Xue Zhi asked excitedly: "King of Han, can the last general accompany us to kill Tubo?"
"No need, guard Minzhou and close the door before you can beat the dog!"
Xue Zhi was a little disappointed, but did not insist. He invited: "The King of Han has come all the way. The general has prepared food in the city, set up a banquet, and invited the King of Han to enter the city."
Qin Huaidao looked at the sky and said: "Just enter the city, so as not to disturb the people, let the people prepare more food, anything will do, Luo Wu——"
"exist!"
"With a thousand guan of silver, we can't eat from the common people for free. This is the rule."
"Obey the order!" Luo Wu quickly pulled the horse's head and returned to the army.
When Xue Zhi heard about the money, wasn't it a slap in the face? He quickly said: "The King of Han does not need to do this, it is just a little food, and I will pay for it later."
"One code equals one code. People's lives are not easy. If you take it for free, it is no different than a robber. If you are asked to pay, wouldn't I become a villain who exploits his subordinates?" Qin Huaidao explained with a smile.
"The King of Han is so impressed by his benevolence and righteousness that he will go and make arrangements." Xue Zhi was moved in his heart. It didn't matter whether he had money or not. The key point was that this respect was too rare. He solemnly gave a fist-clenching salute and hurried back.
An hour later, the people in the city brought a lot of food and shouted loudly for the benevolence and righteousness of the King of Han.
After eating and drinking, the army changed its route and headed east, heading straight for Qinzhou.
When going to Chang'an, Qinzhou is a must-stop place.
…
Manna Hall.
"What?"
The new king Li Zhi stood up suddenly and stared at the person who came to report the news. A flash of shock and... panic flashed in his eyes. His body was shaking slightly and he was a little unsteady on his feet.
The person who came to report the news bravely said again: "Reporting to the Holy Majesty, General Niu was killed in battle and the entire army was wiped out."
"how so?"
Li Zhi fell down on the imperial desk and stared straight ahead, feeling at a loss for a while.
Changsun Wuji waved his hand to signal the messenger to leave, and then said: "Your Majesty, General Niu died for his country. The army cannot be leaderless, especially in Chang'an City, one person must be chosen to take charge of the overall defense."
"What's your advice, uncle?" Li Zhi said in a panic, not even caring about the difference between the emperor and his ministers.
Changsun Wuji was very satisfied with Li Zhi's attitude. He felt that he was in control of everything else. This feeling was intoxicating. He took a breath and said slowly: "I think that Duke Zhang Liang of the State of Yun is quite talented, brave and good at fighting."
, can replace General Niu in leading the defense of Chang'an."
Li Zhi was quite familiar with Zhang Liang, Duke of Yun State, and he wholeheartedly agreed: "Yes!"
Changsun Wuji continued to smile with satisfaction: "The imperial edict of King Qin has been issued to mobilize the soldiers and horses of the world. As long as you hold on, it won't be long before the soldiers and horses of the world gather together, and Tubo will not be able to cause trouble. In addition, I heard that the King of Han also led his troops."
Come here, I propose that Princess Yuzhang be married off and ask the King of Han to start a war with Tubo to relieve the siege of Chang'an."
Using one woman in exchange for a strong army to attack Tubo is a good deal no matter how you calculate it.
Besides, the two of them were already engaged.
Li Zhi nodded in acquiescence, but when he thought of Qin Huaidao's temper, he asked with some worry: "What should I do if the King of Han disobeys?"
"That is rebellion and disrespect, having no regard for the imperial court, no regard for the Holy One, and great disrespect, which can be condemned by the whole world. Such disobedient people are not qualified to marry Princess Yuzhang." Changsun Wuji said solemnly, with a loud voice,
Let it be as if you are the supreme king and can decide everything in the world with just one word.