Wang Yanzhang took a deep breath, then said pitifully.
"Why is my life so miserable? First, my daughter was driven away by that scumbag, and now I'm being sent to my death. I, Wang, used to be a fearsome warrior, invincible on the battlefield, but now I'm so pathetic, reduced to being murdered by that scumbag to silence me..."
"Stop, stop..."
Li Zhu quickly interrupted him; if he were allowed to continue, he would probably be considered utterly wicked…
"I know what you're thinking, but you've already called me a scumbag, saying that being heartless and ungrateful is just basic stuff for me. So I'm still going to send you to your death. If you have any last words, leave them now, so that when Qingqing comes back and finds you gone, I won't have a problem explaining to her..."
Hearing this, Wang Yanzhang gritted his teeth in anger, thinking, "Can't we just have a proper conversation? I know you have your reasons, but you should tell me what they are..."
That way I'll know how to cooperate, right? You're not saying anything, and I'm getting anxious, okay…
Seeing Wang Yanzhang on the verge of exasperation, Li Zhu felt a sense of satisfaction. "Serves you right for always calling me a scumbag. I'll make you regret it..."
But his biggest regret was explaining to Wang Yanzhang what a "scumbag" was, and now that guy was using it to describe him, making him feel like he'd shot himself in the foot...
"It seems we need to get Daoist Tianmiao and the others to hurry up and produce gunpowder. The distilled liquor is also a good thing; throwing it out can ignite a large area, which will definitely put a lot of psychological pressure on the enemy..."
Thinking of this, Li Zhu immediately urged Daoist Tianmiao and the others to make the things he needed…
Aside from the unexpected incident at Wengcheng, the journey was very smooth. After all, it was on the land of the New Tang Dynasty, so there was a certain degree of safety...
"Your Highness, we've reached Pingyao, and it's just across the river from Zhu Wen's Qicheng. Now you can tell me how to attack the city, right?"
No matter how much Wang Yanzhang questioned him along the way, Li Zhu refused to get to the point, which always infuriated Wang Yanzhang, but he was helpless to do anything about it…
After entering Pingyao, they needed to rest and recuperate, because further ahead lay Zhu Wen's garrison. This was the front line of the battle between the two armies, and they could be in a state of combat at any moment. However, he still didn't know how to attack the city. As a general, not knowing what to do was extremely disadvantageous for marching and fighting...
Banners fluttered atop Pingyao City, and even before approaching, a chilling aura emanated from the city walls, which bore witness to the fierce battles that had once taken place here…
From afar, every soldier on the city wall exuded a fierce aura, a unique presence forged through the baptism of blood and fire…
It was a gaze that disregarded both themselves and their enemies. Under such a gaze, Li Zhu couldn't help but admire this iron-blooded army!
"General Cui Qianyi, the garrison commander of Pingyao, greets Your Highness. Due to being in armor, it is inconvenient for me to dismount and perform the proper salute; please forgive me, Your Highness..."
Upon hearing Cui Qianyi's "hmm," Li Zhu paused for a moment, then said nonchalantly.
"General, you are guarding the country and its people; there's no need for formalities or formalities..."
Li Zhu knew that the other party was trying to intimidate him; the armor was just an excuse. However, he still held great respect for generals who guarded the frontier, because without their hard work in defending the border, there would be no peaceful life in the rear...
"Your Highness, you have traveled a long way. I have prepared a banquet to welcome you and celebrate your arrival. Please join me for the feast..."
"Thank you for leading the way, General Cui..."
Li Zhu seemed oblivious to the dissatisfaction in their tone. He understood this was a trap, but it didn't matter. All schemes and tricks were nothing but a joke in the face of absolute strength. As long as it wasn't a matter of principle, he wouldn't stoop to their level, even if he suffered a loss...
The group entered Pingyao. The Xiliang cavalry and the Imperial Guards were stationed in a relatively remote corner, surrounded by Pingyao's border troops. Li Zhu did not object to this arrangement. He knew that Cui Qianyi was being wary of them, which was normal. After all, no one knew if they would be a hindrance or cause trouble for the border troops. This was a means of self-preservation...
"Your Highness, please take a seat..."
Upon entering the main hall, Cui Qianyi respectfully pointed to the topmost position and said!
"General Cui is the master of this place, so naturally the general should take the seat of honor..."
Li Zhu didn't sit down immediately, fearing it would give Cui Qianyi the wrong impression that he was there to seize power...
"His Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status and naturally should sit in the seat of honor..."
Cui Qianyi insisted!
"In war, there is no distinction of rank or status. If I were to sit in the seat of honor, wouldn't the soldiers think that I, the crown prince, am aloof and unsociable? Who would then be willing to serve my new Tang Dynasty? Therefore, I absolutely cannot sit in the seat of honor. If we must distinguish between high and low, then we might as well skip this meal..."
Li Zhu insisted that he didn't mind saying things like that, which could win people's hearts without any effort.
Cui Qianyi also looked at Li Zhu with suspicion and uncertainty. Before Li Zhu arrived, he had already heard that the crown prince was originally sent to Xiliang to get married, but he changed his route halfway and came here to quell the rebellion...
In their view, this was utter nonsense. War is not child's play; anyone can come!
How could the Crown Prince, who had lived in the deep palace for so long, possibly know about military strategy and tactics?
Therefore, they were not very welcoming of Li Zhu. Sometimes they were afraid that someone who knew nothing would give orders blindly, which would not only fail to unleash the army's fighting power but could also cause more deaths...
Driven by this mindset, Cui Qianyi wanted to give Li Zhu a hard time, to show him that warfare was not child's play, so that he would back down...
But Li Zhu was always smiling, and he didn't have any conflict or dissatisfaction with him at all, which gave him no excuse to cause trouble!
"Your Highness is truly a man of character. I admire you. How about we sit on the ground, drink wine from large bowls, and eat meat in large chunks?"
This suggestion was also a test for Li Zhu. No prince or nobleman's son would want to dine with people who had been fighting in battles, mainly because they didn't bathe for years and the smell of their bodies was unbearable for them.
The Crown Prince, being the eldest son, grew up in a clean and tidy environment and would definitely not be able to stand this smell. If Li Zhu shows any disgust, then he can directly make trouble...
"That's a good suggestion. Let's do as General Cui says and sit down together on the ground..."
After speaking, Li Zhu sat down first, and then invited everyone else to sit down as well…
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