Chapter 48

Lingnan, over a dozen clipper ships were docked at the harbor.

As soldiers walked off in an endless stream, shouts immediately came from afar.

Riding over, Liu Nanxiang stepped forward quickly and said, "This old subject greets the General!"

"Get up! Between us, there is no need for this!"

Looking at Liu Nanxiang before him, Zhang Cheng said, "How is Nong Zhigao's situation?"

"Di Qing has already taken Kunlun Pass; Nong Zhigao has not yet accepted the persuasion to surrender!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Liu Nanxiang explained with a serious face.

"Is he really an idiot? Does he think he can beat Di Qing on his own?"

Rubbing his temples, Zhang Cheng appeared very restless.

Because if Nong Zhigao was dealt with, how was he supposed to find a puppet?

If it were a civil war in the Central Plains, the common people would be fine, but if it were an invasion by foreign tribes, Zhang Cheng estimated he wouldn't even be able to fight his way out of Lingnan!

"Old Xiong, lead twenty thousand troops to support him first; don't let Nong Zhigao die!"

Looking at Xiong Jizong beside him, Zhang Cheng said with a serious face.

"Understood, General, rest assured! With me here, Nong Zhigao will definitely not die!"

Walking forward with dominance, Xiong Jizong patted his chest.

On the Lingnan battlefield,

After Nong Zhigao rebelled, he first defeated a large number of imperial military officials. Finally, the Song Dynasty felt embarrassed, and only then sent Di Qing over.

And as a famous general, Di Qing was undoubtedly brave.

In his youth, he had a conflict with people in his village and was subsequently tattooed and conscripted into the army.

But there was also another version, which was that Di Qing was taking the blame for his older brother!

Regardless of the situation, Di Qing had fought his way up from a small soldier to his current position!

Yet even a general like Di Qing had to dismount and bow when meeting civil officials!

Using the news of holding a banquet, Di Qing not only confused his own people but even caused Nong Zhigao to misjudge, resulting in the Kunlun Pass, which had repeatedly defeated the imperial army, being recaptured in one day, opening the gate to Yongzhou!

Great Nan Kingdom, Yongzhou,

Facing the news of defeat coming from the front line, Nong Zhigao was very conflicted at this moment.

Because he no longer had the strength to contain Di Qing.

The destruction of the Great Nan Kingdom was imminent.

"Father, if you don't decide now, our lives will not be guaranteed! Do you want to watch those common people suffer oppression again?"

Looking at Nong Zhigao before him, his son couldn't help but shout.

"I..."

Looking at his son hesitantly, Nong Zhigao's eyes were also filled with hesitation.

Back then, he left Jiaozhi and surrendered to the Great Song, but was rejected. Finally, in a situation where he couldn't survive, he launched a rebellion.

But what was the result? What Nong Zhigao couldn't believe was that he really had a response to every call!

And watching the original Great Nan Kingdom slowly fading away, Nong Zhigao fell silent.

Turning to walk toward the throne, Nong Zhigao pursed his lips and said, "Announce the envoy of the Pingnan Army!"

Half a month later, Yongzhou City,

Watching Yongzhou about to be recaptured, the Song soldiers' faces could not help but brim with smiles.

Because the final victors were still them, right?

Riding forward, the Song envoy shouted, "Nong Zhigao, why don't you surrender yet!"

"Nong Zhigao knows his crimes are unforgivable, but if I surrender, may I ask the envoy, can you abandon the oppression of the common people?"

Speaking loudly, Nong Zhigao stood on the city wall and questioned.

And facing such a matter, how could the envoy dare to agree?

Because these were decided by the lords of the imperial court; how could a small envoy answer for the civil officials and prime ministers?

Looking at the envoy's appearance, Nong Zhigao understood and immediately roared, "Change the flag!"

"Change the flag!"

Just as Nong Zhigao's subordinates folded the flags symbolizing the Great Nan Kingdom, Di Qing and the others were stunned.

Because didn't the negotiations fail? Did Nong Zhigao want to surrender?

But before Di Qing could see the city gate open, he discovered another flag rising.

Fluttering in the wind, the black dragon kept waving its claws in the swaying motion.

"This is? The South Asian Black Dragon flag?"

Looking at the flag above, Di Qing was shocked.

Because he had heard earlier that Dali had been occupied by the Black Dragon flag, but after arriving in Lingnan, he discovered that the South Asian region had already been completely occupied.

Even an existence like the Khmer Empire had collapsed in the flames of the Black Dragon flag.

"Nong Zhigao, you dare to lead barbarians into the Central Plains!"

Roaring in anger, Di Qing could not help but bellow.

"Who are you calling barbarians? We are the orthodox Huaxia people!"

Walking out from the city wall, Zhang Cheng looked at the distant hills with a smile.

And watching the large number of soldiers appearing, Di Qing was stunned; had this group of people already arrived in Yongzhou?

"General Di, the Great Song is now corrupt and decaying, and it pays tribute to the Liao Kingdom as usual. You are the Martial Star descended to earth; why not follow me to change the world?"

Looking at Di Qing in the distance, Zhang Cheng shouted through a megaphone.

"General?"

Looking at Di Qing, the military officers beside him hesitated one after another.

Because what Zhang Cheng said couldn't be called the truth, but it was simply heart-piercing words!

"Bring me my bow!"

Waving his hand, Di Qing spurred his horse forward.

Just as Di Qing arrived not far from the city wall, he immediately shouted, "The person persuading surrender ahead, do you dare to show your face?"

"Not talented, it is I!"

Looking at Di Qing with a smile, Zhang Cheng appeared wearing a mask.

Because he wasn't sure if the officers under Di Qing had seen him!

"Since you rebel against the Song, why don't you dare to show your true face?"

Scolding loudly, Di Qing slowly moved his hand toward the arrows at his waist.

"My appearance is quite good, and I fear General Di will feel guilty, so... holy crap, Di Qing, you..."

Just as Zhang Cheng was explaining with a smile, Di Qing raised his bow and arrow and aimed at him.

Scolding angrily, Zhang Cheng hurriedly crouched down.

"Clatter!"

The arrow grazed the top of his head, shattering his jade crown and making his hair dance wildly.

Blinking his eyes in fear, Zhang Cheng touched his head and said, "I'm not dead?"

"Cousin, you were almost finished off by Di Qing!"

Making a gesture of insignificance, Situ Yaozu hurriedly explained.

"Shields, shields!"

Roaring, Zhang Cheng stood up, hid behind a shield, and bellowed, "Di Qing, you bastard, you son of a bitch, you are even more shameless than me!"

"General is mighty, General is mighty!"

Shouting in unison, the Song army below roared.

And hearing this, Di Qing turned back and said, "Persuade surrender? Then you have to come before Di to say it!"

Gritting his teeth as he watched this scene, Zhang Cheng clenched his fists and said, "I'm so pissed off! You can fight, right? Being able to fight is useless; I can fight too!"

"Cousin, can we really not beat Di Qing? Even if we go together, it won't work!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with grievance, Situ Yaozu really didn't want to say it, but still wanted him to calm down.

The Pingnan Army still had fifty thousand in Tubo; they only had less than twenty thousand here, and the rest were auxiliary troops.

"Bring the Tiger-Crouching Cannons for me to blast him; I don't believe it, can he be like Li Mu next door, making me stand with my hands in my pockets, not daring to fight back!"

Patting the city wall, Zhang Cheng's eyes flashed.

Lu Yan: You turned on the mic, I let you turn on the mic!

Shadow Legion: Please turn on location sharing!

"Attack the city!"

Raising the precious sword in his hand, Di Qing directed the Song army to begin the attack.

Following the waving of the command flag, the vast army moved forward.

And facing Di Qing's actions, Zhang Cheng didn't say much, because he had decided: capture Di Qing, hang him up and whip him for three days, just like Grand Tutor Pang whipped Pang Yu back then—whip dipped in wine, disinfecting while whipping!

(End of chapter)