Chapter 43: An empire rising from the raging fire!

South Asia, Khmer Empire.

The torrential rain did not stop the army on the main road from advancing.

Flying in the wind, the Black Dragon Flag symbolizing royal power conveyed a heavy sense of oppression.

At this time, the general clad in armor was looking at the plain ahead with a calm face.

"General, the Khmer have already built a defensive line ahead, and 3,000 war elephants have joined the battle!"

Dismounting, the scout spoke with a face full of solemnity.

"Do the Khmer think their elephants can stop the advance of the Pingnan Army?"

With a look of disdain on his face, Wang Ping drew the long sword from his waist and said, "Form ranks!"

"Clatter!"

The great army behind him quickly began to act, and the auxiliary troops flew forward to build a square formation.

Charging out from the rear on both sides, the cavalry also clad in armor watched ahead.

Just a short while later, 30,000 Pingnan Army soldiers were ready to attack.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter!"

The sound of hooves rang out.

When the Khmer came flying with flags not far away, the envoy of the other party roared, "Dali people, withdraw from Khmer, otherwise we will fight to the death here!"

"Khmer has been a part of my Dali since ancient times. Now we are taking back the ruling power of our territory; this is following the will of heaven. If you do not surrender, you will definitely bleed here!"

Riding forward, a Dali envoy roared.

And after hearing the roar ahead, the deputy general looked at Wang Ping and said, "General, since when was Khmer part of our Dali?"

"How would I know? Anyway, that's what His Lordship said!"

Turning his head, Wang Ping also looked at the deputy general with a guilty conscience.

Because Khmer was founded 600 years ago!

At that time, let alone them, even the Duan clan of Dali didn't know where they were playing with mud?

"Damn it, what kind of nonsense are you talking about? I have never seen such a shameless person!"

Looking at the Dali envoy in disbelief, the Khmer envoy was already cursing.

"You actually dare to ask about my mother?"

Looking at the Khmer envoy in anger, the Dali envoy was also unceremonious, drawing the long saber from his waist and charging up.

"Clatter!"

Blood spilled on the muddy ground, and the Khmer envoy fell to the ground in disbelief, as if he really wanted to say to him, don't kill the envoy during war!

Dali envoy: You are an envoy, am I not?

Khmer envoy: Damn it!

Looking at this scene in a daze, Wang Ping and the Khmer general were both dumbfounded.

Because weren't these two "negotiating"? How did they start using blades directly after talking?

However, seeing that his side didn't suffer a loss, Wang Ping turned and roared, "God-Arm Crossbows!"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Raising the half-man-high God-Arm Crossbows, the archers also cooperated quite well and pulled the triggers.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

War drums rang out, and a rain of arrows filled the sky, falling toward the distance.

Just as the Khmer people hadn't had time to react, they had already been washed over by the rain of arrows from the sky.

Watching Wang Ping, who was so lacking in martial virtue, the Khmer people also roared and shouted.

Just as the war elephants were charging forward crazily, Wang Ping turned and roared, "Catapults!"

"Clack, clack, clack!"

Inside the central army, small catapults were pushed out continuously.

And these catapults were the secret weapons used to conquer Khmer.

Because what they were using wasn't giant stones at all, but bags of explosives!

Lighting the fuses soaked in tung oil, the explosive bags in the catapults flew forward, charging past the front army line.

And just as the elephants were roaring and charging up, they saw the explosive bags under their feet.

The elephant guards around were still a bit strange, wondering why the Dali people would throw this thing over, but in the next second, everyone collapsed.

"Boom!"

Under the violent explosion, a war elephant was instantly sent flying, then smashed heavily onto the ground.

Watching the blood rain filling the sky, the elephant guards were full of terror.

"Stupid barbarians!"

A look of disdain appeared on his face, and Wang Ping raised the long sword in his hand and said, "God-Arm Crossbows!"

"Release!"

Just as Wang Ping's voice fell, the flag bearer behind him immediately waved forward.

"Clatter!"

When the rain of arrows covered the front again, mixed with the roar of explosive bags, the war elephants were completely broken.

And even if a few war elephants rushed to the front line, they would be scared by the auxiliary troops raising their long spears and wouldn't dare to advance.

"Flank cavalry, attack!"

Commanding the deputy general beside him, Wang Ping roared ferociously.

"Attack, attack!"

Just as Wang Ping's words fell, the cavalry charged up quickly.

Watching the war elephants that Khmer was proud of being damaged and lost within a quarter of an hour, the Khmer general was completely dumbfounded now.

Because they relied on war elephants to maintain the Khmer Empire!

But now that the war elephant corps had been destroyed, what should they do next?

Could they count on a group of soldiers without armor to fight to the death with the Dali people with sturdy armor and sharp blades?

Two months later,

Angkor, where the Khmer rule was located.

The "God King," who was admired by all, was currently walking down the throne step by step.

Looking at the monks on both sides, Wang Ping's eyes revealed a ferocious look.

Because early on when attacking Khmer, His Lordship told him that even if more than half of the people were slaughtered, these monks who didn't engage in labor must be incorporated into the empire's slaves.

Bianliang, Kaifeng Prefecture.

Heavenly Realm.

In front of a map, Zhang Cheng was using red ink to burn the territory of the Khmer Empire like fire.

And Champa, below Khmer, had already become his property half a month ago.

"Cousin, Wang Ping sent word, Khmer has been taken!"

Walking quickly into the office, Situ Yaozu said excitedly.

"I heard the Khmer elephant guards are very good at fighting? Is it true!"

Looking at Situ Yaozu with curiosity, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes.

"What's the use of being good at fighting? With such heavy armor, can they still crush their knees?"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Situ Yaozu couldn't help but sneer.

"You are right, hahahaha!"

Looking at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Find some elephant guards and send them over!"

"Cousin, what do you want them for?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with curiosity, Situ Yaozu asked.

"Don't you think this kind of martial art where fists meet blood is more suitable for performance?"

Turning to look at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

Why was the Great Qin Empire so brave? It was because the old Qin people knew that the military merit system could allow them to obtain everything.

And now, Zhang Cheng also wanted the Song people to know that being able to fight could also lead to success!

Changing the atmosphere is not something that can be done overnight, but Zhang Cheng could first set up a "Colosseum"!

"If this is used as a gamble, it is also a good choice!"

After hearing Zhang Cheng's explanation, Situ Yaozu also laughed.

Because compared to the current pitch-pot archery and polo, his cousin's concept was clearly more blood-boiling!

"But what about those civil officials?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with curiosity, Situ Yaozu asked again.

"Don't worry, no one will offend their own interests!"

Looking at Situ Yaozu beside him, Zhang Cheng naturally understood what he wanted to say.

Changing the atmosphere cannot be done forcefully; otherwise, he would have to face the opposition of "everyone" in the court like Fan Zhongyan now!

"By the way, Cousin, the Liao envoy is here, planning to discuss this year's tribute!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Situ Yaozu's words made him fall silent instantly.

Because this tribute matter is simply a humiliation, a great humiliation!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 44 =====