Outside Nanhai County, in front of Panlong Valley, the two armies faced each other.
After half a year of fierce fighting, the largest rebel army in Lingnan had been beaten to pieces by Lingnan Jiedu Commander Xu Zhiling, who personally led the troops and formed the formation.
As of now, there are only the last 50,000 rebels left, and they are besieged by Xu Zhiling in Panlong Valley. The situation is over.
The war went extremely smoothly, and good news came frequently. Seeing that Lingnan was about to be settled, the new emperor of Chang'an was overjoyed. Not only did Xu Zhiling be promoted to the position of Jiedushi, he was also given a purple robe and goldfish bag, and was granted the title of Minister.
At the same time, he sent Shangshu Zuopushe and Guanglu doctor Xue Yuanshan to Lingnan to supervise the army.
Although it was a common practice in the court, the generals under Jiedushi were very dissatisfied.
Everyone knows that as long as the largest group of rebels is eliminated, the remaining groups of rebels will not be a problem, and the Lingnan counties can be completely recovered in half a year at most.
"This Fatty Xue Yuanshan Xue is clearly here to grab credit!"
"Yes, I heard that he was a confidant of His Majesty. In the early years when the late emperor was still alive, he was the Crown Prince Shaobao. He was much more famous than our Jiedushi Envoy."
"The chamberlains who came with him, especially the leader, Gao Quanzhong, looked eerie and strange. They looked around in the barracks all day long, asking about this and that, and spoke in strange and strange ways. I don't know what they were planning."
"Our Jiedu Envoy comes from a famous family, walks upright and sits upright. We have achieved such military exploits solely due to our own culture, Taoism and military strategy. We are aboveboard and aboveboard. We are afraid of him!"
"Not to mention those chamberlains don't even have birds."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
In the military tent, all the generals sat in a circle, drinking hot soup and cursing Xue Yuanshan, the supervisor from the capital, and the dozen eunuchs and servants responsible for rewards.
But one person said calmly: "I think we need to be careful of those eunuchs. After all, there were rumors in the army that in the battle of Heishui River a month ago, the rebels asked the demons to assassinate the Jiedushi, but they were killed by Jiedushi.
The group of...gods summoned by the envoy were killed. It would not be a good idea if the news reaches the ears of His Majesty’s confidants."
All the generals turned their heads and looked at the person who spoke.
He was a young general who was nine feet tall, broad-shouldered and round-waisted, like a god descending from heaven.
Although his official position is low and he sits in a corner of the tent, none of the generals dare to look down upon him.
A few months ago, this man was just a junior colonel, but because of his bravery in killing the enemy and his outstanding military exploits, he was promoted many times and is now among the ranks of generals.
What most admired the generals was that the general named Wei Xiaochang was extremely skilled in martial arts. When faced with the monsters in the rebel camp who were as strong as cattle and invulnerable, he did not hesitate to give in. He once killed the enemy in one battle.
There are more than a dozen demons, and now they have a vague reputation as the most brave in the army.
"General Wei Pi, you are worrying too much."
"Yes, the Jiedu Envoy is a descendant of Wuquxing, and he is protected by... gods."
"If those eunuchs really dare to hinder Jiedu at this juncture and ruin the Lingnan plan, your Majesty will not spare them!"
"that is."
Wei Xiaochang listened to what the generals said to each other and just grinned without saying anything more.
For some reason, he always had an ominous premonition in his heart.
His Majesty's decision to send his confidants to supervise the army seems to be more than just a matter of grabbing credit.
…
During the outing in March, it rained heavily in Lingnan.
Xu Zhiling personally led an army of 200,000 and blocked 50,000 rebel bandits in Panlong Valley. He even built embankments to block the flow and cut off the water source.
Although Panlong Valley has a dangerous terrain and is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is also a desperate situation. Once water and food are cut off, the rebels will not last long before they collapse and defect.
However, what was unexpected was that, seven days later, the rebels remained in formation and withstood the Tang army's attacks again and again.
Xu Zhiling guessed that there was another source of water in the valley, so he adopted a fire attack.
But as soon as the fire started, it was extinguished by a sudden downpour.
Days of heavy rain extinguished the firewood array in front of Panlong Valley again and again, making it impossible to implement the fire attack strategy.
Even Xu Zhiling was helpless.
All the officers and soldiers saw that the great feats of war were at hand, but it was still difficult to obtain them. They had to be exposed to the rain outside the valley and eat hard and moldy dry food. For a time, complaints among the army gradually arose.
late at night.
The main account of the Chinese Army.
Xu Zhiling looked at the map and Lingnan local chronicles under the lamp.
Xu Liang, the staff member brought out from the mansion, stood aside and said in a low voice, "Mr. Lang, it's getting late, so you'd better rest early."
Xu Zhiling did not raise his head: "This Panlong Valley has been a desperate place since ancient times. The rebels could hold out for so long only if they had already cut through the mountain wall and opened a way. But the scouts never found it."
Xu Liang was about to speak but stopped.
Xu Zhiling said: "Just say whatever you want."
Xu Liang smiled bitterly and said in a low voice: "There are rumors among the soldiers that the rebels got help from Lingnan immortals, and that's why there were repeated heavy rains."
"Anyone who dares to spread this rumor again will be punished according to military law."
As soon as Xu Zhiling finished speaking, there was a burst of sinister laughter from outside the tent, "Oh, if your soldiers reveal the truth, you will be killed and silenced. Master Jiedu knows it well, why do you need to cover it up like this?"
Wow!
The curtain is raised.
A group of black-robed and high-crowned servants filed in.
The leader, with a white face and beardless face, slender eyes and a feminine appearance, is Gao Quanzhong, the third-grade eunuch who is the chief chamberlain supervisor.
Next to Gao Quanzhong stood a fat man with an embarrassed look, a faint look of eagerness in his eyes.
Xu Liang's expression changed slightly, and he stepped forward to stop everyone: "Xue Shangshu, General Manager Gao, it is against the rules of the army for you two to come to the main account so late."
Gao Quanzhong didn't even look at Xu Liang, and said surreptitiously: "It's so late at night, where is the dog barking? Who do you think you are? Why don't you just get out of here! I told you, Master Xu Jiedushi, I'm still waiting for a big victory."
Reward the troops and return to Beijing to resume their duties. You can obviously defeat the rebels in one go, but you insist on dragging it out like this. What is your plan?"
Xu Zhiling finally took his eyes away from the map, but did not stand up. He said calmly: "This Panlong Valley is a dangerous place that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. One man can guard the pass, and ten thousand men cannot open it. Forcibly attacking the valley will only cause casualties to the soldiers.
It’s so tragic and absolutely unnecessary.”
A sneer appeared at the corner of Gao Quanzhong's mouth, and a shadow flashed in his eyes, as cold as evil.
"The sergeants and soldiers in the army are all spreading the news that Lord Jiedushi is the reincarnation of the stars in the sky, and he has the help of gods and men.
The rebels have been trapped for more than half a month, but they have not run out of food. If something goes wrong, they are monsters. Since Xu Jiedushi pities the lives of the soldiers, why not summon those gods and men to attack the valley?
Or maybe Lord Jieduzhi doesn't want to annihilate the rebels at all... but wants to make the bandits proud and threaten the king?"
"What nonsense are you talking about! This is the main camp of the Chinese army. No idlers are allowed in! Come here! Why don't we kick them out!"
Xu Liang's face turned red, he stepped forward and called loudly.
However, there was silence outside the tent.
A chamberlain stepped out from behind Gao Quanzhong and swatted Xu Liang away.
Bang!
Xu Liang fell to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth, and his face was pale.
Despite such a big movement, there was still no movement outside the main tent of the Chinese army.
Xu Zhiling turned to look at Xu Liang.
Seeing that Xu Liang's energy was as weak as a thread and his life was hanging by a thread, he felt angry in his eyes, took a few shots, stood up and shouted.
"Gao Quanzhong, what exactly do you want to do?"
Gao Quanzhong sneered: "Since Lord Jiedushi has given up, let me and Xue Shangshu handle the rest of the war. Don't worry, His Majesty said that he will protect your name of loyalty. I will also declare to the outside world that Jiedushi
If you are seriously ill and unable to show up, it will not affect the morale of the army too much."
"His Majesty?"
Xu Zhiling's eyes were stunned.
After a while, he slowly turned his head and looked at Xue Yuanshan, who had not spoken since entering the tent: "Xue Shangshu, are you really sent by His Majesty to seize my military power and take my life?"
Xue Yuanshan clenched his fists and said with a stiff face: "General Manager... there's no need to be so ruthless, right?"
Gao Quanzhong shook his head slightly: "Does Shangshu Xue really not understand, or is he pretending not to understand? How can the success of pacifying Lingnan be left to someone who knows His Majesty's past?"
Xue Yuanshan's voice was hoarse: "The past? Are you referring to that incident in the past? Sixteen years ago, someone was also involved, and I personally took Princess Xiu back to Beijing."
"So, Your Majesty gave you this opportunity because of our past friendship."
Gao Quanzhong said quietly, "Your Majesty will be relieved only if you kill Xu Zhiling with your own hands. From now on, you will be His Majesty's true confidant. Don't worry, I have controlled the Chinese military guards. No one will find out. Why don't you do it quickly?"
Xue Yuanshan looked at Xu Zhiling, pressing the handle of the knife with his hand, his expression changing.
Xu Zhiling had a calm face and said with a smile: "They say emperors are ruthless, and indeed your Majesty is not immune to this. Sixteen years ago, a boy was replaced by a girl, and he ascended to the position of prince. Now, it's finally time for the bird to be hidden.
.Xue Shangshu, it seems that not long after, you, me, and the Yan Qu Mansion will all meet under Jiuquan. Let’s do it.”
Xue Yuanshan's body suddenly trembled.
Clang!
He gritted his teeth, drew out the royal sword, raised it high above his head, and struck Xu Zhiling.
A cold light flashed.
However, Xue Yuanshan flicked his wrist, changed his position midway, and put a knife on Gao Quanzhong's neck with his backhand.
The tip of the knife reveals a faint glow, full of vitality!
Both Xu Zhiling and the servants were stunned.
Even Gao Quanzhong looked surprised: "Xue Shangshu is actually a master of Qi? Tsk, tsk, tsk, it's incredible, he hides it so deeply. But do you want to rebel?"
"I am loyal to His Majesty, but... I don't want to be the second Xu Zhiling."
Xue Yuanshan growled with red eyes.
A few months ago, on the Yuqing River, he was killed by a great demon on his way to pick up Princess Xiu and return to Beijing. Fortunately, the holy monk Yichen summoned the bull-headed ghost and god and used the life-buying magic to revive him.
After that, it didn't take long for him to gain the sense of Qi, and his various senses became extremely keen.
He had long been faintly aware that something seemed to have changed in the prince.
What happened today made him fully understand that the new emperor was no longer the kind and kind prince he could trust with his life.
Stab!
Another silver knife pierced the tent.
"Commander, don't panic! The end will come!"
The nine-foot-tall young general jumped into the tent, grabbed Xu Zhiling with his left hand, grabbed Xu Liang with his right hand, turned around and left.
"snort."
Gao Quanzhong's eyes flashed with anger: "Catch them."
The servants behind him were mumbling words, and black smoke rose from their eyes, turning into long black arms that stretched out from their eyes, instantly surrounding Wei Xiaochang.
Wei Xiaochang's face changed slightly.
He protected Xu Zhiling behind him with his backhand, using his true energy with his sword to create thousands of sword shadows. He tried his best to resist the long arms of black smoke, and said urgently: "It's already this time! Why hasn't Lang Jun summoned the Ye Fu Divine Monk?
"
Xu Zhiling's eyes froze: "General Wei Bi, how do you know...Wei Xiaochang...could you be Wei Xiaochang of the Xu Mansion in the past? Aren't you already dead?"
"It's a long story. I was given an opportunity by Master Yichen. Mr. Lang! Hurry up and summon Ye Seng!"
"But...I can't."
Xu Zhiling smiled bitterly, even though he had a box of elm money and leaf charms given by the holy monk Yichen.
But every time he was in a desperate situation, he would turn into a golden leaf monk to help him escape.
Fortunately, at this time, Gao Quanzhong finally lost his patience.
He snorted coldly, a black light flashed in his eyes, and the imperial sword that contained true energy in front of his neck disappeared into ashes, and Xue Yuanshan flew backwards.
"A bunch of useless guys, it's so troublesome to deal with just a warrior."
He stepped forward, billowing black smoke erupted from his body, and he stretched out his hand to grab Xu Zhiling.
The Buddhist sound sounded.
The copper box in front of the case suddenly opened, and hundreds of elm leaves flew upward, turning into a golden monk in mid-air, chanting the Buddha's name, and releasing bursts of golden light.
Wherever the brilliance reached, the long arms of black smoke surrounding Wei Xiaochang and Xu Zhiling quickly disintegrated and disappeared into ashes.
The group of servants seemed to have seen some extremely terrifying existence, and they all panicked and backed away one after another.
"Monk?"
Gao Quanzhong stopped suddenly, looked at the golden monk attacking him in surprise, and then burst into laughter.
"What kind of star descends to earth and is protected by gods and men! It turns out to be remnants of Buddhism! Fortunately, Master has been prepared!"
There was a dark wooden sculpture under his sleeve, he muttered something, then stretched out his hand to draw it.
boom!
A eight-foot-long monster with three heads, six arms, fleshy wings and fangs appeared in the tent. The rich blood-evil energy broke through the sky and intercepted the golden monk.
The two sides fought together, ripples appeared in the air, the void shattered, and the momentum surged like thunder. For a moment, it was difficult to tell the difference between high and low.
Gao Quanzhong smiled and rushed towards Xu Zhiling.
"Don't even think about it!"
Wei Xiaochang dodged forward, raised the shadow of the sword in the sky, and struck Gao Quanzhong.
"You're just looking at the soul and you want to block someone?"
Gao Quanzhong made a seal with his left hand, and black energy rushed out, turning into an ever-increasing rope that wrapped around Wei's small intestine.