Tang Dynasty: The Holy Prince, the Dragon that Reigns Over the World

Deng Xiaohu saw the Eastern Turks withdrawing from the battlefield and Li Chengqian was fine. He lost his temper and fainted under his horse due to his wounds. Li Chengqian was shocked and ordered people to carry him down and treat him.

After the Tang army returned to the camp, Li Shimin and Li Chengqian went to visit Deng Xiaohu as soon as possible. At this time, Deng Xiaohu had woken up under the treatment of the military doctor, and was lying weakly on the bed with bandages all over his body. When Deng Xiaohu saw Li Shimin and Li Chengqian coming, he hurriedly called Deng Yinlong to help him stand up and salute. Li Shimin took two quick steps, held Deng Xiaohu down, and spoke gently.

"You don't have to stand up. You risked your life to save my son today. You have done a great favor to our Li family. If you have any request, feel free to ask."

"Hehe, Your Majesty, I don't have any requests. I am the master's slave, and this life belongs to the master. Sacrificing myself for the master is my duty, and I dare not take credit for it." Deng Xiaohu said with a naive smile.

"Along, Ahu, Li Chengqian thanks you for what you did today. I will reward you handsomely in the future." Li Chengqian bowed and said.

"Master, I really cannot accept your thanks." Deng Yinlong knelt down and bowed his head. Deng Xiaohu was also shocked and wanted to stand up and kneel down.

"You deserve it. You saved my son's life, so I accept this gift. Summon them. Deng Xiaohu has saved the master and will be granted the title of Marquis of Xingping County. Deng Yinlong has saved the master and will be granted the title of Earl of Liyang County." Li Shimin helped Deng Yinlong up, stroked his beard and smiled. Li Shimin gave him a reward. Because of his bravery and might, the army called him 'Tiger Marquis'. Li Shimin and Li Chengqian comforted the two men for a while and then returned to Li Shimin's tent.

"Da Lang, your father has decided to return to Chang'an tomorrow. You will take over as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition and the commander-in-chief of the Dingxiang Road army," Li Shimin said as he sat down.

"Why?" Li Chengqian asked in surprise.

"Since the Northern Expedition, Dalang has been in charge of the coordination and command. I am relieved that you will continue to complete the Northern Expedition. Moreover, Dalang is the crown prince and needs military exploits to enhance his prestige." Li Shimin said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Father, haven't you always wanted to capture Jie Li with your own hands to avenge the humiliation of Weishui that year? Father, please wait a few more days, and I will capture Jie Li. Let you take Jie Li back to Chang'an to fulfill your long-cherished wish." Li Chengqian walked to Li Shimin, knelt down and poured Li Shimin a glass of water.

"My son is filial. Dalang captured Jie Li with his own hands, which is equivalent to capturing Jie Li for his father. This matter is settled, Dalang, please stop trying to persuade me. I will wait for you to return in triumph in Chang'an. I am a little tired, Dalang, please go and have a rest." Li Shimin stroked Li Chengqian's head and said with a smile. Li Chengqian stood up and left.

The camp was having a meal at this time. Li Chengqian casually walked over to Qin Huaiyu, Yuchi Baolin and others and sat down. The surrounding Feilong Army and Xuanwu Army soldiers were not surprised to see Li Chengqian sitting down, and greeted him with a smile.

"What did you eat?" Li Chengqian asked.

"Roasted lamb, Dalang, have some." Qin Huaiyu said with a smile. In private, Qin Huaiyu and Li Chengqian's childhood friends still liked to call Li Chengqian Dalang.

"Give me a leg of lamb, damn, I'm starving." Li Chengqian yelled. Yuchi Baolin took off a leg of lamb and handed it to Li Chengqian, who took it and bit it. Li Chengqian was eating when he saw Yuchi Baolin secretly drinking the water in the kettle. Li Chengqian grabbed the kettle and smelled it.

"Wine? Yuchi Dalang, you are so bold. Drinking is prohibited in the army, don't you know? Are you itching for trouble?" Li Chengqian glanced at Yuchi Baolin.

"Da Lang, I haven't drunk for a few days, and my taste is really tasteless. Let me drink enough today, and I promise I won't do it again next time." Yuchi Baolin scratched his head and smiled foolishly.

"If you want to drink, you can. Go and get twenty military sticks later. I guarantee you will be in pain and happy at the same time." Li Chengqian threw the kettle back to Yuchi Baolin.

"I don't want to drink anymore." Yuchi Baolin said with a depressed look on his face. Seeing this, the people around him laughed.

At the same time, Li Jing led the Flying Wing Archer Cavalry from Mayi and marched towards Eyangling Mountain at night. When they arrived 40 miles outside the court of the Eastern Turkic King in Dingxiang, Li Jing ordered the army to rest. He discussed with Luo Song, Su Dingfang and Cheng Huailiang in the tent.

"Everyone, the royal court is right before our eyes. The Jie Li have all come out in full force, leaving the royal court empty. This is the best time for a surprise attack. Everyone, I intend to attack the Eastern Turkic royal court tonight. What do you think?"

"We are willing to listen to the deputy governor-general." Everyone clasped their fists and shouted.

"Okay, light a fire and cook immediately. Send the scouts out 30 miles away. Kill any Eastern Turkic cavalrymen you see. After the whole army has finished eating, everyone will hold their tongues in their mouths, horses will wrap their hooves, and march towards the Eastern Turkic royal court." Li Jing gave the order. Then the Flying Wing Archers made a fire and cooked. After everyone finished eating, they marched towards the Eastern Turkic royal court according to Li Jing's order.

When Li Jing's army was still one mile away from the Eastern Turkic royal court, Li Jing drew his sword and shouted.

"The Eastern Turkic royal court is before us. Follow me to kill the enemy and serve our country. Then we will ride into the royal court."

"Carrying wings!" Luo Song shouted.

"Come and go like the wind," shouted the winged archer with wings tied on his back.

"Arrows like rain!" Luo Song shouted.

"Long sword drinks blood!" shouted the Winged Archer.

"The Winged Archers will die for their lord." Luo Song shouted.

The flying winged archers then accelerated and charged towards the Eastern Turkic court. Jie Li came out in full force. At this time, the Eastern Turkic court had only 3 defenders, but every Turk was skilled in riding and shooting, and the people were the army. When the court heard the shouts of the flying winged archers, Jie Li's son Dieluozhi hurriedly organized the army to defend. For a while, the court was in chaos with people shouting and horses neighing. Before the Eastern Turkic army had assembled, the flying winged archers had already rushed into the court.

"Crossbow shooting." Luo Song ordered loudly. The Flying Wing Archers took out the crossbows on the side of the horses and shot at the Eastern Turkic people. The Flying Wing Archers were equipped with two long-range offensive weapons, one of which was a crossbow, which was the same as the crossbow used by the Flying Dragon Army.

The second is the longbow, which is an improved version of the longbow used by the British longbowmen that Li Chengqian bought from the system. While retaining the range, it is more suitable for cavalry use. The longbow can shoot 400 steps, which is the longest range of the single-soldier crossbow at present. At 400 steps, the conical arrow can also penetrate ordinary mail armor.

The Flying Wing Archers were all carefully selected archery experts. They shot hundreds of thousands of crossbow arrows into the crowd of people in the Eastern Turkic royal court. For a while, screams were heard. There were only a few people left standing in the royal court. After the Flying Wing Archers had finished shooting their crossbow arrows, they hung the crossbows on the side of their horses, drew their long swords, and killed the living people.

After two incense sticks, several people in the court of the Eastern Turkic king escaped, and the rest gave up resistance and knelt down to surrender. The escaped people were also deliberately let go by Li Jing to inform Jie Li. Dieluozhi, Jie Li's family, and the Eastern Turkic ministers and their families who stayed behind were all captured. Li Jing ordered people to take Yang Zhengdao, the son of Sui Qi Wang Yang Li, the former Empress Xiao of Emperor Yang, and Dieluozhi into custody.

"Li Jing, if you spare my life, I will serve you wholeheartedly." said a sexy and charming woman.

"Oh, isn't this Princess Yicheng of the previous dynasty? This general has heard that Your Highness was the Khaganaten (the name given to the Khan's wife by the Huihe, Mongolian and other ethnic groups) of Qimin Khan, Shibi Khan, Chuluo Khan and Jieli Khan successively. She was also a private slept partner with many East Turkic ministers. The princess's jade arms have been pillowed by thousands of people, and her red lips have been tasted by tens of thousands of people," Li Jing said sarcastically.

"Love between men and women is human nature, there's nothing wrong with it. If the general spares my life, I'm willing to offer myself to your bed." Princess Yicheng said indifferently.

"Hmph, you evil woman, you used the Wu Shi San medicine to kill your husband, Choro Khan. You also instigated Jie Li to be the enemy of the Tang Dynasty. What's the point of keeping a vicious woman like you?" Li Jing said angrily, and then stabbed Princess Yicheng to death with a sword.

Li Jing ordered his men to deliver the battle report to Beijing and Li Chengqian by express horse. He led his army to Li Chengqian.

In the past few days, the Eastern Turks and the Tang army fought several battles, and the Eastern Turks suffered heavy losses. One day, Jie Li was alone in his tent, drinking in depression, and Liang Shidu and Yin Zitan came to the tent to ask for a meeting.

"Imperial Master, is Gaochang willing to send troops?" asked Jie Li.

"Gaochang has agreed to send out 5 troops. It should be dispatched in the next few days. However, Gaochang King Qu Wentai's price is too high. He wants two years of tax revenue from Eastern Turkestan as the capital for the troops, and he also wants to divide our territory with him." Liang Shidu said.

"Hmph, wait until I defeat the Tang army and rest for a few years. I will ride my horse to Gaochang and personally cut off the greedy head of the King of Gaochang." Jie Li said hatefully.

"Khan, it's bad. The royal court has been breached by the Tang army. There are countless casualties inside the royal court. We must escape at all costs." At this time, several people escaped from the royal court, ran into the tent, knelt down and cried.

"What? The royal court is gone? How is it possible? Who broke into the royal court? Where did the Tang army come from? Where is Dieluozhi?" Jie Li stood up in shock and asked.

"The Tang army, led by Li Jing, attacked the royal court late at night. We don't know where they came from, and the little prince has been captured by the Tang army." Several people who escaped from the royal court said in a trembling voice with their heads down.

"The royal court has 3 defenders, and every member of my Eastern Turkic tribe is a soldier. The other side has only a few people, but they are able to destroy my Eastern Turkic royal court overnight." Yin Zitan said with a frown.

"The invading Tang army also had 3 soldiers, but each of them had wings on their backs, was well-equipped, and had excellent riding and archery skills. It was also a sneak attack in the middle of the night, and the royal court was unable to react in time, and was breached by the Tang army." said several people who escaped from the royal court.

"Each of them has wings on their backs, is well-equipped, and is an expert in riding and shooting. Which Tang army is this?" Liang Shidu asked anxiously.

"Looking at the flag, they are the Flying Wing Archers under Li Chengqian's command." Several people who escaped from the royal court replied.

"It's Li Chengqian again. I have been defeated by this guy many times. Could it be that he was sent by the Eternal Heaven to punish me? Li Chengqian, I cannot coexist with you." Jie Li said angrily.

"Report, Khan. Tang Bingzhou Governor, Duke of Ying, Xu Shiji, led 3 troops to attack our hinterland from the east.

Tang Minister of Rites Li Daozong, Prince of Rencheng, led Shibobi and Qibi Heli, with 5 troops, advancing northwest from Lingzhou to our Eastern Turks. Wherever the two armies went, the tribes surrendered and offered food and grass. Now they have appeared on both wings of the army. "

"Heaven wants to kill me, Duobi." Jie Li shouted, and then he was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood. Everyone was shocked to see this and hurriedly called for a military doctor to treat him.

After a long time, Jie Li woke up slowly and spoke weakly.

"Withdraw troops, withdraw to the direction of Gaochang."

At the same time, Li Chengqian also received reports from various places. He smiled with satisfaction at Li Dejian and others.

"Haha, good, Uncle Yaoshi really lives up to his title of famous general. He attacked the Eastern Turkic royal court at night and wiped out the Jie Li's lair in one fell swoop. It was satisfying."

"Old Jie Li, you won't live long." Li Dejian said happily when he heard that his father had accomplished such a great feat.

"Report, Commander, there are unusual movements of Eastern Turkic troops, and they seem to be retreating." A scout from the Flying Dragon Army entered the tent to report.

"Oh? Jie Li wants to run away? Humph, you wish." Li Chengqian sneered.

"Order, all Flying Dragon Army to attack and hold back the Eastern Turkic Army. The Xuanwu Army will stay behind. Duke of England Xu Shiji and Prince of Rencheng Li Daozon will lead their troops to encircle the Eastern Turkic Army. General Li Jing will lead the Flying Wing Cavalry to speed up and go around behind the Eastern Turkic Army to block their retreat. Want to run? No way." Li Chengqian said with a serious face.

The generals in the tent responded loudly. After giving the order, Li Chengqian immediately led the Flying Dragon Army out of the camp and rushed to the Eastern Turkic camp. The pigeons in the camp flew out of the camp and flew to the surrounding army camps. The surrounding armies received Li Chengqian's order and quickly set out.

Li Chengqian led the Flying Dragon Army to attack the Eastern Turks. When Li Chengqian saw Jie Li's figure, he shouted.

"Khan, why are you leaving in such a hurry? It's very rude of you to leave without even saying goodbye."

"Li Chengqian, don't be so arrogant. When I come back, I will kill you." Jie Li said angrily.

"Khan, don't run. Our Tang Dynasty has specially built a prison for Khan. The scenery here is elegant, the view is charming, it is comfortable and livable, and it is high-end and atmospheric. It is the best choice for a successful person like Khan." Li Chengqian said as if he was selling a house. The people around him tried to hold back their laughter and their faces turned red.

"Li Chengqian, you bastard." Jie Li said angrily.

At this time, the armies had already completed the encirclement. The Tang army was in high spirits, while the Eastern Turkic army was in a state of depression. The Tang army killed the Eastern Turkic army and left them in disarray, with countless casualties. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Jie Li had no choice but to lead Liang Shidu, Yin Zitan and a dozen of his personal soldiers to escape in the direction of Gaochang.

Li Chengqian shouted when he saw Jie Li running away.

"Don't let Jie Li run away. Whoever captures Jie Li will be awarded first-class merit and be granted the title of county marquis." Li Chengqian shouted. Everyone excitedly chased after Jie Li. Bows and arrows whizzed towards Jie Li.

"Khan, throw away the golden crown on your head immediately." Liang Shidu said anxiously.

Upon hearing this, Jie Li threw away the golden crown on his head and fled quickly.

"The one wearing the sweat robe is Jie Li." Qin Huaiyu shouted.

Upon hearing this, Jie Li took off his robe and threw it away.

"The one with the long beard is Jie Li." Cheng Huailiang shouted.

Upon hearing this, Jie Li had no choice but to cut off his beard with his knife. When Cheng Huailiang saw Jie Li cutting off his beard, he shouted again.

"The one without a beard is Jie Li."

Jie Li had no choice but to cut off his clothes to wrap his chin. Li Chengqian watched everything from behind the formation and laughed.

"I never thought that in ancient times, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Mengde cut off his beard and abandoned his robe, but now there is Jie Li Khan of the Eastern Turks who is no less powerful than his predecessors. Cao Mengde was a powerful hero at one time, but old Jie Li is nothing more than a stray dog. He is far inferior to Prime Minister Cao."

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms? What is it? A book? I've never heard of it. Did Cao Mengde, the King of Wei, Cao Cao, also have the time to cut off his beard and abandon his robe?" Luo Song rode over and asked in confusion.

"It doesn't matter. Why doesn't Uncle Yongnian chase her?" Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"I'm not interested. Let those youngsters go after her. My father is a duke, and I will inherit the title of duke in the future. Would I care about a prince?" Luo Song said disdainfully.

"Haha, that's right. Uncle Yongnian, please call back the troops. Jie Li and his entourage are fast, unless I chase them myself, or my third uncle Wanli Yunyan chases them, we won't be able to catch up. And I'm already the crown prince, I'm not interested in being a prince." Li Chengqian said with a smile. Li Chengqian didn't say another word, which was...

"'Dark Thorn' has made great contributions, so the great achievement of capturing Jie Li should be given to him."

"Are you really not going to chase him? Just let Jie Li go like that." Luo Song asked doubtfully.

"We won't chase him anymore, but Jie Li can't escape. He will be captured in the next few days." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"So confident?" Luo Song asked.

"Of course, because of him." Li Chengqian said confidently. Luo Song ordered the troops to withdraw with a confused look on his face. The chasing Tang army saw the retreat, and everyone was puzzled and asked Li Chengqian, but Li Chengqian just smiled and said nothing. Everyone with regrets withdrew their troops and returned to the camp.

Yin Zi saw that the Tang army had suddenly withdrawn, and he understood what Li Chengqian meant. He immediately thought with great gratitude.

"My lord, you want to give me the credit for capturing Jie Li. With a lord like you, what else can I ask for?"