This summer, whether it was Zhao Cheng's shock or Wen Hu's shock, the war that would affect the future of the East had completely broken out.
Under the command of Wen Hu and Wang Yuluan, Yongliang City was transformed into an impregnable fortress, which the Han and Yue armies were unable to breach for a time.
Just as the fierce battle raged in Yongliang City, the Battle of Qingxia Valley came to an end.
Most of the Jin army was routed and fled, while the rest either died or surrendered.
Wen Yong and Zhang Dalian died in battle during the siege.
Du Yu was captured alive in Chengdu.
The Jin army was completely wiped out.
This result was unexpected for Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yan, who were stationed at Qingxia Valley. The brothers had only thought that they would be victorious if they could hold Qingxia Valley, but they did not expect that the Jin army would suffer such a crushing defeat.
Upon learning of the victory at Qingxia Valley, the Zhao Han court immediately dispatched messengers to Zhao Cheng to inquire whether reinforcements were needed.
Zhao Cheng smiled as he looked at the Vice Minister of War who had come in person and said, "Senior brother, why bother you to make this trip?"
Li Dai was immediately flattered and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, you must not address me like that! I am humbled. Your Majesty is enduring wind and rain at the front lines, while my journey here is insignificant!"
"Nonsense!"
Zhao Cheng pointed to the table full of wine and meat, and laughed and scolded, "Where have I been eating in the wind and rain? I'm eating better than I do in the palace!"
Li Dai said, "Your Majesty understands. You did this intentionally so that the soldiers would know that Your Majesty is confident and composed, and that even if a mountain collapses before you, you will not change your expression. Your Majesty is truly a hero..."
"How did you learn to flatter and fawn?" Zhao Cheng pouted and said, "I don't want to be a hero. Most heroes are only posthumously honored."
"I deserve to die ten thousand times!" Li Dai quickly knelt down.
"Alright, hurry up and sit down and have something to eat and drink."
"Your Majesty, the military situation is urgent. I must ride back immediately to report. There is no time to lose!"
Zhao Cheng's expression became more serious, and he also showed considerable appreciation for Li Dai.
Although the old man's apprentice has become a bit more worldly now, this is only because he has been somewhat influenced since entering the central government. However, he is still quite capable and methodical when it comes to doing serious work.
Yuan Yun appointed him as prefect not entirely because he was a member of the Zhao family, but because he was indeed capable.
Zhao Cheng took a jade pendant from his body and said, "Minister Li, take my imperial edict back and tell him that I do not need any support from the troops. The soldiers are already exhausted from the southern expedition and the defense of Qingxia Valley. Let them rest and recuperate properly. In particular, tell Zhao Zhan and the Prime Minister that they must make sure to properly handle the matter of compensating the fallen soldiers."
"promise."
Li Dai took the jade pendant and asked, "The Azure Dragon General said that he can bring the soldiers who did not participate in the battle to come and reinforce us."
Zhao Cheng chuckled and said, "Are you trying to fool me? Fourth Prince has sent the Imperial Guards to Qingxia Valley. Where would you find soldiers who haven't participated in the battle? Even if you do, they're just a few greenhorns. What use would I have for them now?"
"Tell the third brother that Yongliang City is now surrounded by me and the Great Yue Army. If we can break through, then these people can break through now. If we can't break through, then sending more people is meaningless."
Li Dai added, "The Azure Dragon General also said that he and the Vermilion Bird General can come..."
"Why does the third brother have so many fuss!" Zhao Cheng frowned. "Doesn't he know how exhausted he and Yang Huanyun are? Even if he's fine, he should think about his wife and let him stay home to take care of his younger siblings!"
"As for the Vermilion Bird God General, let her stay in Changsui. At this time, Changsui needs a god general to be in charge."
Li Dai thought for a moment before nodding and saying, "Your subject understands."
Zhao Cheng said, "Hurry up and eat a few bites, then go back."
"promise."
Li Dai had just sat down and taken a few bites when Yuan Fei walked in.
Zhao Cheng's eyes lit up when he saw Yuan Fei.
Yuan Fei said, "They've arrived."
Zhao Cheng quickly stood up, patted Li Dai on the shoulder, and said, "Senior brother, you can eat and drink in my tent without worry. I'll go fetch the person."
Li Dai rose to see him off, and said with some surprise, "Who is it that Your Majesty would personally go to greet?"
Zhao Cheng grinned, revealing his teeth, and said, "My divine soldiers have descended from the heavens."
...
night.
Outside Yongliang City, in the southwest, there is a bamboo forest.
There was a wooden house in the bamboo forest. The house was lit up, and dozens of Han soldiers were scattered outside.
Zhao Cheng was drinking tea in the wooden house, with Zhao Hu and Heng Wenhao standing behind him.
A moment later, footsteps were heard outside, followed by three men in black robes entering.
The three men took off their hoods as soon as they entered. The one in the lead was the youngest, but his face and eyes were full of vicissitudes.
Zhao Cheng pushed the brewed tea over and smiled, "Now that Chengdu is Zhao Han's prisoner and Zhang Dalian has also died in Qingxia Valley, you, the Rear General of Wen Jin, are now the number one general of the Jin army."
"You're already the emperor, why bother with this kind of mockery every time we meet?"
The man who arrived was Wang Yuluan. As Zhao Cheng had said, he was now the top general of the Jin army, but he was actually still very young, not yet thirty years old.
"I've always been like this, you know that."
Zhao Cheng glanced at the two people behind Wang Yuluan and said, "You said that I am not allowed to bring a Grandmaster when we meet, so I suppose the two behind you are top experts?"
"Yes."
“But you’ve already left the city. If I want to kill you, those two can’t protect you.”
"You are indeed a despicable person, but I admit that you still have basic principles."
"Haha... I'll take that as a compliment!"
Zhao Cheng laughed loudly, "We're old acquaintances, so let's get straight to the point and you surrender."
Wang Yuluan glanced at the teacup in front of him and said, "If you only invited me here to persuade me to surrender, then you don't need to drink this tea."
Zhao Cheng said, "It's only a matter of time before Yongliang City falls. Even if we manage to hold Yongliang City this time, the Jin army has already been completely wiped out in Qingxia Valley. I only need to rest for another year to destroy Wenjin."
Wang Yuluan said, "So what? I am the Rear General of Wenjin. I made my choice after my father passed away."
Zhao Cheng advised, "Why are you so stubborn? Think about your mother, your sister, your nephew..."
"shut up!"
Wang Yuluan said angrily, "Stop bringing them up. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have agreed to come see you at all!"
With that, Wang Yuluan resolutely stood up and said, "I will never surrender! Everyone says my father is not as good as your father, my brother is not as good as you, and I am not as good as you. If you really have the ability, then conquer Yongliang and take my head!"
"well……"
Zhao Cheng sighed, picked up his wine and tea, took a sip, and said, "I am not here to persuade you to surrender."
At this moment, Zhao Hu clapped his hands.
The next moment, a woman walked in, leading a child.
Wang Yuluan turned around and her pupils immediately contracted.
"Yu Cen!"
"Second brother..."
Upon seeing Wang Yuluan, Wang Yucen's tears flowed, but instead of hugging him first, she pulled the hand of the child beside her.
"Congcong, this is your uncle, your only uncle!"
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