Chapter 36: What, no Six Meridian Divine Sword?

Two months later, Dali City.

After successive battles, the original "pirates" had become the Pingnan Army with 60,000 troops.

Among them were 20,000 auxiliary troops, 30,000 Dali troops, and 10,000 garrison troops!

As cannon fodder, most of the auxiliary troops transported various equipment, but compared to the days of living hand-to-mouth, they had a military merit system; once they reached the fifth rank, they could obtain the status of a "Song person" and enjoy various preferential treatments.

The Dali troops were different; they were "locals," and once they joined, they would be given unified armor and weapons.

And compared to being soldiers in Dali, here, their monthly salary reached five taels, and there were other rewards after the war.

100 taels for the injured, 500 taels for the dead, and the relatives and descendants would be raised by the Pingnan Army until adulthood.

Facing the various preferential treatments before their eyes, the Dali troops, who had originally been confused and defeated, turned their guns directly.

Watching the locals not resist, Zhang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.

Because he wasn't afraid of the auxiliary troops rebelling, he was afraid of the Dali troops going against him.

Auxiliary troops are just things to be conscripted; no one cares about casualties, but locals are different; that is a lineage!

Riding on his warhorse, Zhang Cheng looked at the auxiliary troops opening roads through mountains and cutting down trees continuously, light flickering in his eyes as he said, "How much longer until we reach Dali?"

"Less than half a month's journey, but if we want to crush Dali, we still have to face an army of 100,000!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Wang Ping hurriedly explained.

"100,000 people, this is probably Dali's foundation!"

Thinking of what Wang Ping said, Zhang Cheng's eyes couldn't help but flicker.

What ancient wars fought for was population, food, and mobilization power.

The Jin people don't have 10,000; if they have 10,000, they are invincible?

And facing the 10,000 Jin people, what did Yue Wumu do? He used the Beiwei Army to beat the "invincible" into scurrying away!

From south to north, the Beiwei Army experienced several great battles, one of which crushed 15,000 elite Jin cavalry.

It even broke 30,000 Jin iron cavalry and 100,000 infantry with 800 Beiwei soldiers.

With such a record, how could the Jin people have the nerve to say that 10,000 were invincible?

If it weren't for the final Wanyan Ninth Sister and Qin Hui destroying the Great Wall, Zhao Gou would have been brought to a "supreme" status by Yue Fei, and even being titled "Great Emperor" by future generations wouldn't be excessive!

Recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun wouldn't even count; Yue Wumu could even pacify the north and recreate the glory of China!

The situation was one where even a dog sitting on the throne could have won, yet they managed to ruin it completely!

Zhang Cheng: I thought Guo Kai was capable enough, but Qin Hui is a notch higher!

Qin Hui: Throughout the dynasties, which prime minister can have a bronze statue like me?

Situ Yaozu: You are actually quite proud of that?

On a slightly wider plain,

The two great armies were confronting each other.

Holding a telescope, a solemn look appeared on Wang Ping's face as he said, "This battle is difficult! General..."

"No matter how difficult, we must fight!"

Saying this, Zhang Cheng put down the telescope and said, "War itself is a gamble. If we win, we take Dali and have power over South Asia; if we lose, I will go assassinate the Duan clan."

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a twitching mouth, Xiong Jizong and Wang Ping were both dumbfounded.

Because they didn't expect Zhang Cheng to be such a sore loser.

If you lose the war, you are going to "Jing Ke assassinating the King of Qin" directly?

"Distribute the God-Arm Crossbows; in this battle, I want to win in one go!"

Exhaling a turbid breath, Zhang Cheng's heart was also very nervous at this moment.

If you let him go to Florida to stir up trouble, he probably wouldn't even blush, but this war concerned the future of China, so he had to be nervous.

"Armor up, armor up!"

Roaring loudly, officers roared one after another.

"Clatter!"

Taking armor from the carriages in a neat and uniform manner, many soldiers became serious.

However, the moment the armor was put on, their hearts calmed down.

Because this kind of armor was completely different from what they were used to; unless hit by an eight-ox crossbow, no sword or blade could break it.

Relying on sturdy armor and sharp blades, this was the reason Zhang Cheng stood invincible.

Otherwise, even if his rewards were generous, with massive casualties, he wouldn't have been able to fight to this point.

And an army that could endure a casualty rate of over 90% and still maintain a strong fighting spirit is the only one in the world!

"String the bows, string the bows..."

Loading arrows onto the half-man-high God-Arm Crossbows, many people stepped forward.

Looking at the Pingnan Army preparing to attack, the Dali side also roared, "Forward!"

"Clatter!"

The great army moved forward, and the Dali soldiers raised their shields.

And in the next second, Zhang Cheng looked at Wang Ping beside him and said, "It's up to you!"

After saying this, Zhang Cheng turned around, drew his saber, and dismounted to fight personally.

In terms of command, he wasn't as good as Wang Ping, but he had plenty of temper when it came to pressing the great banner forward!

"Release arrows!"

Roaring with the command flag, Wang Ping also roared.

"Whoosh!"

A rain of arrows filled the sky, and the Dali army holding shields immediately fell in large numbers.

Facing this scene, the Dali Prime Minister couldn't believe it and said, "Damn it, it's the God-Arm Crossbows, are they the Song Army?"

"Impossible, how could the Song Army have such courage?"

Hearing the Prime Minister's words, the generals beside him were shocked.

"Press the great banner forward, press the great banner forward!"

Holding the battle flag in his hand, Zhang Cheng roared.

And as the soldiers on both sides began to advance, the Dali Prime Minister was already completely dumbfounded.

Because when two armies fight, what they fight for is courage and bravery.

The other side had already pressed the great banner forward before the stalemate had even begun.

"Bet the national destiny of Dali, press the Imperial Dragon Banner forward!"

Roaring hysterically, the Dali Prime Minister also went crazy.

Because they couldn't lose; once this 100,000-strong army was lost, Dali would have no power to fight again!

"Kill!"

Hysterical roars intertwined.

The two armies collided crazily.

Waving his long saber, Zhang Cheng moved forward continuously, his armor already stained red with blood.

Commanding the army to attack, the Dali Prime Minister also adjusted his troops continuously.

But facing the sturdy armor of the Pingnan Army, the Dali side simply couldn't tear through the defense.

Watching the battle line collapse continuously, his eyes were full of despair as he said, "Could it be, are we really going to lose?"

"Boom!"

The earth shook, and a cavalry unit rushed out from afar.

Holding large sabers, Xiong Jizong and Situ Yaozu stared at the Imperial Dragon Banner and roared.

And looking at the charging cavalry, the Dali Prime Minister was pale as he said, "It's over, the national destiny of my Dali is all lost in my hands..."

Half a month later,

Dali City.

When a violent roar rang out, the city gate collapsed.

As the great army entered the city, Zhang Cheng strictly ordered the soldiers not to touch a single thing.

Arriving at the palace, "Zhang Cheng" looked at the Duan clan before him, couldn't help but press his long saber and sit down, saying, "The country is destroyed today, does the Duan clan have anything to say?"

"Winners are kings, losers are bandits. But my Dali will never submit to the hands of thieves!"

Raising his head, the Duan clan looked at him firmly.

"Cousin, Cousin, I asked around, Dali doesn't have the Six Meridian Divine Sword!"

Running into the palace, Situ Yaozu shouted hurriedly.

"What, no Six Meridian Divine Sword? Then why is your Dali Duan clan putting on an act with me, you scared me to death!"

Walking out from a corner, Zhang Cheng pulled Niu Er down and sat on it himself, saying, "Hey, this chair is really comfortable!"

"You are the one leading the troops?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in disbelief, the Duan clan widened their eyes in astonishment.

"That's right, it is I!"

Looking at the Duan clan with a full smile, Zhang Cheng supported his chin and said, "Surprised? Happy?"

Looking at the cowardly Zhang Cheng before him, the Duan clan was completely stunned.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 37 =====