Chapter 36: What, no Six Meridian Divine Sword?

Two months later, Dali City,

After successive battles, the former "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 were moving various equipment, but compared to the days when they couldn't guarantee their next meal, they had a military merit system; once they reached the fifth rank, they could obtain the status of "Song person" and enjoy various preferential treatments.

The Dali troops were different; they were "our own people" to begin with, and once they joined, they would be given uniform 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.

Facing the various preferential treatments before them, the Dali troops, who had originally been defeated in a daze, turned their guns directly.

Watching the kin 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 were just things to be conscripted; no one cared about casualties, but kin were different; that was a shared lineage!

Riding on his warhorse, Zhang Cheng watched the auxiliary troops clearing the way through the mountains, constantly cutting down trees, light flickering in his eyes as he said, "How much longer until we reach Dali?"

"There is 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 do ancient wars fight for? They fight for 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 running away with their heads in their hands!

From south to north, the Beiwei Army went through several great battles; in one, they crushed 15,000 elite Jin cavalry.

They even used 800 Beiwei soldiers to break 30,000 Jin iron cavalry and 100,000 infantry.

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 self-destruction of the Great Wall by Wanyan Ninth Sister and Qin Hui, Zhao Gou would have been placed in a "supreme" position by Yue Fei; even if he were titled "Great Emperor" by future generations, it wouldn't be an exaggeration!

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

A situation where even a dog tied to the throne could win was actually collapsed by them!

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

Qin Hui: In every dynasty, which prime minister can have a bronze statue like me?

Situ Yaozu: You’re actually quite proud of that?

On a slightly wider plain,

The two armies were confronting each other.

Holding a telescope, a grave expression appeared on Wang Ping’s face as he said, "This battle will be 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 hold power in South Asia; if we lose, I’ll go assassinate the Duan family."

Watching 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’re going to "Jing Ke assassinates the King of Qin" directly?

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

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

If you asked him to 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, the officers shouted.

"Whoosh!"

Taking the armor from the carriage in a uniform manner, many soldiers became serious.

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

Because this kind of armor was completely different from what they usually had; unless hit by an eight-ox crossbow, no blade could break it.

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

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 strong fighting spirit—counting throughout the world, there was only one!

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

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

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

"Whoosh!"

The 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 himself.

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

"Fire 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 Divine Arm Crossbow; 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 banner forward, press the banner forward!"

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

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

Because in a battle between two armies, what they fought for was courage and bravery.

The opponent had already started pressing the banner forward before the stalemate had even been reached.

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

Roaring hysterically, the Dali Prime Minister also went crazy.

Because they couldn't lose; once these 100,000 troops were lost, Dali would have no strength to fight again!

"Kill!"

Hysterical roars intertwined.

The two armies collided crazily.

Wielding his long saber, Zhang Cheng kept moving forward, his armor already stained red with blood.

Commanding the army to attack, the Dali Prime Minister also kept adjusting his troops.

But facing the Pingnan Army with sturdy armor, the Dali side couldn't tear through the defense at all.

Watching the battle line collapse continuously, his eyes were full of despair as he said, "Is it really going to be a loss?"

"Boom!"

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

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

And watching the cavalry charge out, the Dali Prime Minister’s face turned pale as he said, "It’s over, the national destiny of Dali is lost in my hands..."

Half a month later,

Dali City,

When a violent roar sounded, the city gate collapsed.

The army entered the city, and Zhang Cheng strictly ordered the soldiers not to commit any offenses.

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

"It’s just the winner takes all, but my Dali will never submit to thieves!"

Raising his head, the Duan family 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 what were you Dali Duan family pretending for? You scared me to death!"

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

"You are the one leading the troops?"

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

"That’s right, it is I!"

Looking at the Duan family with a smile, Zhang Cheng supported his chin and said, "Are you surprised? Are you happy?"

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