Tiantang

Chapter 463

Chapter 468

The main terrain in front of Khiva City is relatively open, and the main road leading to the hinterland of Dashi is in it. This was originally a river, but later it was cut off to form an accumulation plain. After several generations of Huoxun people excavated and opened up, it became the current situation.On both sides are mountainous jungles, which are relatively suitable for ambushes.

It's just that the forest above the plateau oasis is not the deep and dense forest in the inland area, but mostly low Populus euphratica forest, so it is not easy to hide soldiers in it without being noticed by the big cannibals.

However, for Zhang Xuan, he knew that the big cannibals would notice that there were ambushes on both sides, so he let Lei Wanchun, Li Siye and other generals stationed troops here, and put on a posture to lure the enemy into the deep. Food will not take the Chinese army seriously.Moreover, this is the only way for the big cannibals to deport the Chinese army who will commit crimes in the future. The only way is to advance, otherwise they can only retreat.

Lei Wanchun had 5 people in the southwest, and Ge Le and Kecha had 9 people to support him; Li Siye was in the northwest, and Nan Jiyun had 5 people to support him.Guo Ziyi led the army to press up, this is Zhang Xuan's battle formation.

This kind of formation is commonplace, and there is nothing surprising about it.

But not surprisingly, it is the most effective formation.The big cannibal never expected that Zhang Xuan had put all his troops up, ready to stop the big cannibal army a hundred miles outside the city of Khiva.

The army was waiting in front of the city of Khiva, but the army and horses of the food were long in coming.According to the report from the horse scout, the speed of the soldiers and horses marching is extremely slow, and the military appearance and discipline seem to be relatively loose.

As a result, an atmosphere of contempt for Dashi army horses immediately permeated the army.

Zhang Xuan frowned when he heard this.

The fierce collision between the Central Plains Dynasty and the Dashi Dynasty was only that of Gao Xianzhi, and there were not many confrontations.For most Chinese soldiers, Dashi is also a country of barbarians, at most like Tubo and Tuqishi.In other words, many soldiers don't think highly of big cannibals.

Coupled with the continuous victories of the army, the momentum is like a broken bamboo, and the destruction of Tubo and Tuqi is like picking something out of a bag. It is inevitable that there will be a trend of thought in the army that thinks that the Chinese army is invincible.Not to mention ordinary soldiers, even high-level generals like Lei Wanchun, including high-level figures like Prince Gele, were like this.

But as a traveler, Zhang Xuan knew very well in his heart that Dashi is definitely not Tubo and Tuqi Shi Nengbi.

The elimination of Tubo has both inevitable and accidental factors.In fact, Tubo's national power had been reduced to a historical trough when he raised his army to the west because of the continuous internal strife and Zhang Xuan's battle in Longshuo.Therefore, when the army marched in, Tubo would be wiped out immediately.

The battle of Tuqishi was also facilitated by factors such as the right time, place and people.The Chinese army came with the power to destroy Tubo, and Ge Luolu supported from the side, Huihe raised troops to help in the battle, and Tuqishi was afraid of internal chaos.

But Dashi is not like that.The prosperity of Dashi's national power and its huge land area are no less than that of China, and even surpass it.Moreover, most of the big cannibals have religious beliefs, and the soldiers are more fanatical, and their combat effectiveness is very strong.

Khiva city.

Zhang Xuan looked up at Guo Ziyi and other generals, sighed and said, "I repeat again, Dashi is not comparable to Tubo and Tuqishi. Dashi is strong in national strength and vast in size, which is not inferior to China. If you are arrogant and despise the enemy , In this battle, our army will definitely lose."

Before Guo Ziyi and the others could speak, Lei Wanchun said carelessly, "Your Majesty, the general thought that the cannibal was actually vulnerable. Back then, that trash Gao Xianzhi..."

Before Lei Wanchun finished speaking, Zhang Xuan's face darkened, and he slapped the table suddenly and said, "Presumptuous! I said that the national power of Dashi is strong, but you are singing the opposite of me, saying that Dashi is vulnerable to a single blow. !"

Lei Wanchun was taken aback, he was outspoken and a bit nervous, he said whatever came to his mind, but unexpectedly the emperor became angry.

"The last general dare not, Your Majesty forgive me!" Lei Wanchun fell to his knees with a thud, begging for mercy repeatedly.

Zhang Xuan snorted coldly, and said in a deep voice, "Gao Xianzhi is also a famous general in the world, and his literary and martial arts are well known to the world, how can you dare to ridicule Gao Xianzhi as a waste? You are really shameless!"

"Come on, drag this guy out, and give him thirty sticks! If there is another person who underestimates the enemy, he will be executed without mercy!" Zhang Xuan shouted suddenly.

Lei Wanchun's heart skipped a beat, he didn't expect the emperor to be cruel to him.Thirty sticks, even though he is rough-skinned and thick-skinned and a military commander, he can't hold back the rigidity of the board.Even if he survived the [-] sticks, he would have to recuperate on the couch for a month.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, the last general will not dare again!" Lei Wanchun kowtowed to the ground, originally thought that Nan Jiyun and others would intercede for him, but unexpectedly, no one said anything.

"Drag out!"

Lei Wanchun glared at Nan Jiyun and the others fiercely, and was pushed down by the emperor's Eighteen Iron Guards.

Nan Jiyun and the others pursed their lips and stood silently.

They knew clearly that the emperor wanted to use Lei Wanchun to warn the army, who would dare to plead for Lei Wanchun?Besides, the emperor did not necessarily have to be serious, otherwise it would not be the emperor's cronies Eighteen Iron Guards but the Habayashi guards or Shence Army who would be executed.

outside the city.

Lei Wanchun was knocked to the ground by eighteen iron guards, and in front of tens of thousands of soldiers, he swung his stick and beat him.Lei Wanchun's miserable cry was high-pitched and shrill, shaking the whole field.

Zhang Xuan, who was watching from the tower, frowned, and couldn't help laughing after a while, "Don't tell me, this guy looks stupid, but he is actually smart. I just let the Eighteen Iron Guards put on a show, and he actually Isn't it ridiculous to scream like a pig?"

Guo Ziyi and the others laughed.

Nan Jiyun suppressed a smile and said softly, "Your Majesty, this guy is very good at pretending, otherwise, he will be imprisoned and really beat him twice."

Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head, "Forget it, if you really want to hurt him, who will stop the food army for me? Let him call, after this battle, I will definitely let him taste the taste of the board."

Guo Ziyi and others laughed again.

At this time, an Eighteenth Iron Guard rushed to report, "Your Majesty, Chen Tong has come by order."

Zhang Xuan's face darkened, and he nodded, "Xuanhe comes up. Guo Xiang, you step back first, and I will talk to Chen Tong alone."

……

……

Chen Tong walked up the tower with heavy steps, and saw the tall and straight figure of the emperor.

Chen Tong heaved a sigh of relief, knelt down on the ground silently, and said in a trembling voice, "Chen Tong, the guilty minister, I have been summoned to meet you, long live my emperor!"

Zhang Xuan turned around slowly, stared at Chen Tong who was prostrate at his feet, and said calmly, "Chen Tong, where is your official robe and crown belt?"

Chen Tong didn't wear formal clothes, but a plain gown.

He fell down on the ground and said in a trembling voice, "The guilty minister knows that he is guilty, so he strips himself of his clothes, please punish him, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Xuan sneered, "If I wanted to punish you, why would I send you to the city of Khiva? I would have chopped off your head long ago. Since I didn't issue an edict to punish you, then you are still my subject." , a fourth-rank official of the Chinese imperial court. As a member of the imperial court, you come to see me without clothes, do you mean that you don't take me seriously?"

Chen Tong was shocked, and looked up at the emperor with a pale face, speechless.

"Forget it, come and tell me what crime you have committed." Zhang Xuan said indifferently.

"The guilty minister embezzled the military rations and public funds. The crime is unforgivable. Please punish him!" Chen Tong said softly, trembling.

"Oh? So, you have admitted to embezzling public funds and military rations." Zhang Xuan raised his eyebrows, "Chen Tong, you are one of the first people to follow me, and I am quite familiar with your character. I always thought that you You have a calm disposition, are erudite and versatile, and can be reused. Therefore, I have cultivated you more, and even have plans to make you a celebrity in the future. However, you have disappointed me so much."

Hearing the emperor's words, Chen Tong burst into tears and kowtowed repeatedly.

"I don't think you are the kind of person who is greedy for money, and your Chen family has been rich for many generations, so you don't want to be greedy for a few coins. Therefore, I feel a little curious, but you can tell me about it—in front of me, tell me bluntly , you are not allowed to deceive, if you dare to deceive me, the crime will be aggravated."

Zhang Xuan's voice was serious and indifferent.

Chen Tong didn't look up, but Zhang Xuan clearly saw his shoulders trembling slightly.

Chen Tong was silent and fell on the ground.

Zhang Xuan frowned and said, "Didn't you hear what I said?"

Chen Tong raised his head slowly, his face was complicated and pale, he trembled his lips for a long time before he said, "Your Majesty, the guilty minister has been given the grace of His Majesty to know him, and he has been entrusted with a heavy responsibility, so he dare not break the law. It's just... …only……"

"Just what?" Zhang Xuan asked.

Ever since he received the report of Chen Tong's corruption, he felt a little weird.He has always been very accurate in seeing people, Chen Tong is not the kind of person who is greedy for money and good things, if he is greedy, he showed it in Longshuo, why wait until now.Moreover, he assisted Zhang Xun to act as an agent for the army's logistics affairs. He had a high position and authority, and he was also the emperor's confidant.

Besides, Chen Tong was born in the Chen family, and his grandfather was the first prime minister of the dynasty.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Ji, the eldest son of the Prince of Pingling County, will act as a member of the household department and work with the ministers, but..." Chen Tong hesitated for a long time, but he still didn't dare to hide any more, and began to speak the truth hesitantly.

"Zhang Ji? He was corrupt and asked you to take the top?!" Zhang Xuan's face changed, and he suddenly pointed out the key point.

Chen Tong bowed his head silently, not daring to say anything more.

Zhang Xuan was furious, "You are doing a good job as a boss for your subordinates! To be honest, what is the matter!"

"I'm confused, I'm guilty... Your Majesty, please come down!" Chen Tong burst into tears, knelt down on the ground, kowtowed repeatedly, and there were bloodstains on his forehead.

Zhang Xuan stomped his feet angrily, and shouted, "Don't hurry up! Chen Tong, my patience is limited. If you hesitate again, I will immediately push you out and behead you as an example to others!"

"Asshole, asshole!"

(End of this chapter)