Chapter 10: Who Is the Number One in the World?
In May of 884 AD, on the official road fifty li southwest of Bianzhou (modern-day Kaifeng)Before Cao's Gate in Bianzhou, the two armies faced each other. Zhu Wen looked at the black helmets and armor gleaming under the May sunshine, feeling a mixture of fear and envy. Alas, this elite force could never be his. But after weathering this current crisis, Zhu would definitely forge an even greater army – no, one surpassing the A'er Army!
But for that nationally renowned Li Cunxiao, Zhu Wen still felt some unease in his heart. A heavy reward must attract brave men, give Wang Yanzhang more hope!
"Ziming! Kill him, Pu Zhou will be yours!"
Wang Yanzhang was overjoyed upon hearing this, for the chancellor had appointed him as the governor of Pu Prefecture! The condition was that he must eliminate the young general who rode freely among the Sparrow Army. He fixed his gaze on the fearless youth leading the enemy troops with unwavering intensity.
It's you! Use your head as the seal for my official position in Pu State!
Wang Yanzhang rode his horse forward, and the opponent indeed came galloping to meet him! Horse hooves flew, dust soared in the May sunshine, encircling the two fierce generals. At this moment, only Wang Yanzhang's proud voice boomed like thunder:
"I am Wang Yanzhang, the second bravest general in the world! Come, reveal your name!"
The opponent, charging on horseback, shouted a louder voice: "Li Cunxiao, the number one general in the world! Come and surrender!"
Both armies stared wide-eyed. Wow, the championship match between the top two warriors in the world! A peak showdown we'll never see again in our lifetimes!
At this time, within the walls of Bianzhou City, Lin Neng was still hiding in a corner, fast asleep under the warm May sunshine. Suddenly, he felt someone disturbing him, “Hmm, is it time for school”
Lin could open his eyes and saw five or six children in ancient clothing standing before him. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly remembered that he had traveled to ancient times and fell asleep in this ancient city. Now these brats...
The first child shouted, "This guy, with such a big frame wearing such small clothes, must be a thief!"
A thin child walked forward, touched it and smiled: "This is really made by Ayako."
The eldest child scolded him angrily:
What are you waiting for Take off your clothes quickly and give them to me, and I'll return them to the owner!
The other two children immediately stepped forward and forcefully stripped Lin Neng of his clothes. Lin Neng thought to himself, "If I fight them, I'm probably going to lose." This outfit originally belonged to the little ghost. Letting them take it would save the little ghost from lingering around. Who knows, maybe it would even deter him from bothering them further; that would be interesting. So he offered no resistance and was quickly stripped of his outer robe.
At the sight of the successful robbery, the child's face lit up with glee. But then his eyes shifted to Lin Neng's shoes. "Look!" he shouted, pointing. "There are beads on these shoe soles! They must be stolen goods too! Take them off!"
Lin Neng thought to himself, "These shoes can't come off, otherwise walking would be unbearable!" He loudly replied, "The shoes are not yours!"
Unbeknownst to him, the leading child punched him in the chest. Lin was about to retaliate, but three or four hands grabbed his arms and bound them. He couldn't help but feel suffocated and shouted, "Let go of me!"
Just then, a crisp voice rang out: "You dare to rob on the street Don't you know there are laws"
Upon closer inspection, they saw a girl of fourteen or fifteen. She had fair skin and slightly yellowish hair, with bright eyes on her almond-shaped face. Unfortunately, her eyebrows were too sparse. One had to rely on imagination and keen eyesight to discern that she actually had two eyebrows. However, the faintness of her eyebrows only served to highlight her jet-black pupils, making her appear incredibly lively and intelligent. At this moment, these beautiful almond eyes were fixed on the child at the front, who retorted with a stubborn neck, "Scram, little witch…"
Before she could finish her words, two sharp slaps echoed through the air. The girl had acted swiftly, delivering two resounding blows to the boy's face. She then glared at him and shouted, "If you don't leave, I'll give you another earful!"
Several boys, in terms of physique, age, and especially bearing, were all inferior to this girl. Especially after they robbed Lin Neng and realized their wrongdoing, each one felt a bit guilty. At that moment, with a "bang," they all dispersed. The leader ran while shouting, "Little Qin Po, don't leave!"
Lin was very upset inside. He had read many "hero saves beauty" stories, but when it happened to him, it was "beauty saves hero". Sigh, was he even a hero
That girl grabbed Lin Neng's hand. Lin Neng only felt that the hand was soft and tender, thinking to himself, "Is this a girl's hand"
The girl scolded, "What are you standing there for Run with me!"
Lin could not retort and had to run with the girl. After two streets, Lin was already lost but heard the girl say: "Alright, those people won't catch up here."
Lin quickly learned from the TV plot and performed: "Thank you, big sister, for saving my life."
That girl let out a "poof" of laughter: "You, little servant, are truly amusing. My name is Ye Mangwen, and you"
Such a kindergarten question, yet Lin Neng hesitated. He couldn't possibly say "My name is Lin Neng," could he This was the first time he had ever answered this question since coming into this world, it was like registering his household at the police station! He suddenly remembered what the little ghost had said last night and immediately replied, “I, my name is Xu’er.”
Luckily, the girl didn't ask which "xu" character he was referring to, otherwise it would have been difficult to hide his true identity.
"Ye Ma just said, 'Xi, that's a good name. Well, this is close to our home, let's go have breakfast.'"
Lin could not speak, but his stomach couldn't help but rumble. Ye Ma then burst into laughter, bending over: "Oh dear, wearing such fine clothes, yet you seem like you haven't eaten in days! Come with your elder sister!"
Yè Niáng Wēn took the lead and walked forward. Looking at this elder sister's flowing skirt hem, Lin Neng's heart suddenly felt warm and boldy asked, "Could it be that I've found my home"
The fighting in front of Cao's gate quickly came to an end. Wang Yanzhang fought against Li Cunxiao, and Wang Yanzhang still used the "Mang" style of his halberd. He threw the iron-wrought spear towards Li Cunxiao's face with one hand, but the opponent unexpectedly blocked it with one hand. He raised his mixed iron lance with his left hand, twisting and pulling it, causing Wang Yanzhang to feel a tremendous force that suddenly snatched the spear from his hand! As the iron-wrought spear flew into the air, Li Cunxiao's warhorse rushed to Wang Yanzhang's side. With his right hand, he swept like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, and Wang Yanzhang was about to leap up in a flash of lightning, but it was too late. He was swept out several dozen feet away by the sweeping stroke.
Zhu Wen, seeing this, immediately shouted: "Shoot arrows, shoot arrows!"
Outside Cao's gate, the Bian army's strong bows and powerful crossbows rained arrows. Li Cunxiao saw that he couldn't get close to retrieve Wang Yanzhang's life, so he could only dodge the rain of arrows and retreated angrily.
On the side of the Bian army, the soldiers carried Wang Yanzhang over. Fortunately, he had reacted quickly and made a "dodge" movement. The pen did not hit his vital points, only breaking one of his thighs. Wang Yanzhang saw Zhu Wen, his face pale, and muttered:
"Such a formidable warrior, he is... Truly the greatest general in all the land."
Seeing the proud Wang Yanzhang almost lose his life to the enemy, Zhu Wen sighed and said: “Retreat back to the city and reinforce the defenses!”
At this time, Li Ke used, accompanied by Miao Ji Lie and 40,000 Shatuo troops, also arrived under the walls of Bianzhou City. Looking at the heavily fortified Bianzhou City, Li Ke used had no choice but to order a temporary halt to the troops.
Back at the Shatuo camp, Miao Qi and Li Cunxiao argued over whether to attack Bianzhou City. Li Keyong sat on a Hu bed, his eyes half-closed, listening to the two Taibao argue. Zhou Dewei's injury wasn't too serious; although he couldn't lead troops into battle in the short term, he was expected to make a full recovery in about a month.
Miao Ji's argument was that the army should withdraw promptly and return to Hedong. What he feared most was that Helian Tuo of the Tuyuhun would take advantage of the situation and seize Taiyuan. Once Taiyuan fell, Shatuo would be like a river without a source.
Li Cunxiao's proposal was to break the siege of Bianzhou, avenge his defeat, and then return to Hedong. Otherwise, if he didn't seek revenge, he would surely be underestimated by all the feudal lords in the world. If he couldn't intimidate these villains, everyone would see Shatuo as a pushover, and there would be no peace in Hedong.
Li Ke looked at Zhou Dewei and asked, "Yang Wu, what do you think"
Zhou Dewei was known for his intelligence and cunning. Hearing Si Kong ask him, he thought for a moment and said, "Si Kong, I believe there are three things to consider in this matter."
Li Ke nodded, but his eyes drifted to the blue sky and white clouds outside the tent. Last night's heavy rain seemed like a dream, now vanished without a trace. But the sight of Shi Jingcun, Xue Tieshan, and He Huihu, their smiles and laughter lingering in his mind, left him with a dizzying sense of unreality. Suddenly, he heard Zhou Dewei ask:
What do you think about this, Sima Lang
Li Ke used suddenly awoke, only then did he realize Zhou Dewei might have already finished saying his three grievances. But just now, he had been completely immersed in the fierce fight from last night and hadn't paid attention to what Zhou Dewei said at all. He unconsciously asked:
"Yang Wu also said, 'What is the most important thing'"
Zhou Dewei was a little disappointed, it seemed as if Si Kong hadn't listened to his analysis just now. But he could only say again: "Si Kong, I believe that cavalry attacking the city is too costly and there is no guarantee of success; Miao Ji Lie's worry about Taiyuan being empty is not unreasonable, so withdrawing troops back north is the best course of action. As for what Shi San said about losing face, as long as a famous minister comes forward to mediate, or even if a royal decree is issued..."
Li Cunxiao interjected, but with a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "Are we just going to retreat down the slope and pull our troops out of Hedong"
Zhou Dewei smiled: “No way. We lost Gong Zu, Tie Shan, He Hui Huluo, and many brothers of the 騎軍 who died in battle. Zhu Wen should at least give the Sima an explanation.”
Li Ke used a moment to come interest: "This sentence counts as saying the point." His single eye gazed intently at Zhou Dewei.
Zhou Dewei nodded: "Si Kong, the general's intention is that if there is a mediation, it would be best to negotiate."
"Take advantage of the situation to bargain" Miao Ji Lie laughed.
Chow Dewei nodded. "Haggle, but not just once, but keep negotiating with the officials. Otherwise, we're sorry to our ancestors."
Li Ke used also asked: "How to bargain"
"Zhou Dewei: "As for now, the court must grant Sikong Tong Pingzhang's title, otherwise, we refuse to withdraw our troops."
Li Ke was satisfied in his heart, but he couldn't help but mock himself: "I never expected it! This title of chancellor for Li Ce, was actually earned by Grand-Ancestors at the cost of their lives!"
Li Cunxiao reminded: "Father, the position of chancellor hasn't been secured yet. I think it would be best to give Zhu San a good beating before we start negotiating."
Miao Ji Lie nodded: "Thirteen's words make sense."
Li Ke waved his hand: "Yang Wu said, from now on, we'll use this bloodbath to force the court to keep giving us benefits"
Zhou Dewei nodded.
Li Ke hesitated for a moment: "I'm afraid it won't be easy."
Zhou Dewei smiled: "He Dong Jianjun Chen Jingshi also died tragically in Bianzhou. Since Zhu Wen dared to kill an official appointed by the imperial court, what should the court do Even if they dare not attack Bianzhou, they must at least maintain the face of the imperial court! Therefore, I think that for the sake of the court's reputation, the emperor will inevitably rely on He Dong and look down on Bianliang."
"It would be best if the court stripped Zhu San of his post as military governor. Only then would I feel truly satisfied!"
Miaoyijie laughed and said, "Huang Chao has just been defeated, and now we're talking about dethroning Zhu Wen That's like killing the donkey after grinding the grain. The court needs to keep its word, so they definitely won't depose him. Thirteen's idea is good, but the emperor won't do it."
Li Ke sighed and said, "If the court truly relies on us from now on, the people of Hedong will live in peace forever. Then even Gongzu and them will have died a righteous death."
A junior official entered to report: "Sir, Lady Cao has arrived."
Li Ke stood up abruptly: "Go and have a look! Why are you just coming now!"
It turned out that the servant Zhu Shouyin and Empress Cao only discovered after they boarded the small boat that the boat owner had already removed the oars for theft prevention. They had no choice but to drift along the Bian River, and with great difficulty reached the shore. Empress Cao was unable to walk, so she had to delay until now before finding the Shatuo camp.
When Li Ke learned of the situation, his face remained as calm as water: "You dared to abandon Xu'er!"
Empress Cao immediately knelt down, weeping and saying, “I am guilty, I am guilty…” Thinking back to the last agonizing cry of her daughter, Xi'er, her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. Tears streamed down her face like rain.
When Zhou Dewei saw that the situation was dire, he hurriedly explained to Cao's Empress Dowager: "Grand Master, last night was so dangerous. The Empress Dowager is a woman, it is not really her fault."
Li Ke used also understood how dangerous last night had been: even fierce generals like Shi Jingcun and the valiant cavalrymen had died in Bianzhou. In fact, he and Zhou Yangwu had also escaped death narrowly. Now blaming a woman was simply unreasonable. But thinking about Xu'er's unknown fate, he felt intensely frustrated.
Zhou Dewei quickly interjected, "Why not let Zhu Wen search for Sanlang first Just say that we want to see him alive if he's alive and his body if he's dead. What do you think, Grand Tutor"
Li Ke sighed deeply after thinking for a long time.he Thirteen Taibao are all my adopted sons. Zhenyuan is my brother, and our ranks don't allow it." 。Zhu Wen ran into a roadblock, but he didn't care at all, and laughed heartily: "I see, I see. My fo...