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

On September 3, the 18th year of Zhenguan, the sun had just risen when King Renzeng of Yangtong was awakened by a terrible dream and could not fall asleep again. Renzeng felt inexplicably irritated and woke up the princess beside him to change his clothes. Then, Renzeng came to the king's tent and prepared to call a wizard to interpret his dream.

While Rigdzin was waiting, the guards ran into the tent in panic, knelt down and shouted.

"Your Majesty, there is a cavalry attacking me outside the tent."

"Cavalry? Where do the cavalry come from? Whose cavalry?" Renzeng asked in surprise.

"They are Indians, there are too many of them, and the guards can no longer hold on. Your Majesty, please retreat quickly." the guard said anxiously.

"Indians? Why would the Indians attack Yangtong for no reason?" Rigdzin asked puzzledly.

"Report, the Tibetan army launched a surprise attack on our Yangtong last night, and the border was lost. Tibetans have invaded the heartland of our country. They are not far from the royal tent." A scout came in, exhausted, to report.

"Report, the Indian Mughal Empire launched a massive invasion late at night, and all our borders have been lost." Another scout came in to report.

"Hurry up and ask for help from the Tang Dynasty. Someone, pack up your things and prepare fast horses. I'm going to Zangzhou to ask for help." Renzeng said in surprise.

"I'm afraid it's too late for you." A contemptuous voice came from outside the tent, and a Mughal general lifted the curtain and led his troops in.

"Who are you? Why did you invade my territory?" Renzeng asked.

"I am Jagir, a prince of the Mughal Empire. As the supreme commander of the coalition forces heading south to attack the Tang Dynasty, I am under the orders of the supreme emperor Shah Jahan and the great prince Bahubali to attack the Tang Dynasty.

You are just a stumbling block on our journey. Someone take Ren Zeng into custody and move to the border between Tibet and the Tang Dynasty." Jagiel said with a smile.

The same thing happened in Subi. At the same time, Kamrupa cooperated with the Tubo army to launch a surprise attack on Subi. Subi was quickly defeated without any preparation, and the Subi queen Subi Mojie was captured.

When Dugu Wuwang saw the leaders of the two countries being captured, he immediately announced that the two countries would become Tubo territory again, and coerced and induced the nobles of the two countries to join the war against the Tang Dynasty.

The combined forces of Tubo, Mughal Empire and Kamarupa totaled 200 million troops. After the three armies joined together, they claimed to be a 500 million-strong army and marched towards Tibet. The vanguard of the coalition army, 10 cavalry, marched day and night towards Tibet.

The Tibetan eunuch battalion and the Mughal Rajput battalion secretly rushed to the border between Tibet and Tibet in advance and jointly assassinated the Tang soldiers stationed at the outposts along the line. They also sneaked into Tibet to assassinate the guards of the post stations along the way from Tiexue Fort to the border. When the 10 vanguard cavalry of the coalition army entered Tibet, no one raised the alarm.

It is said that when the coalition forces' 10 vanguards entered Zangzhou, the Tang Dynasty's Tiexue Fort in Zangzhou had not received the news yet. At this time, Yuchi Jingde was inspecting the defense in Tiexue Fort.

"Well, the old soldiers of the Prince's Mansion are really worthy of their reputation. After all, they have fought on the edge of a sword. The defense training is very effective, and the morale and spirit of the troops are much stronger than those rookies in Dingtu City." Yuchi Jingde said with satisfaction as he sat in the hall of the central garrison of Tiexue Fort.

"Thank you for your praise, old Duke. We are just a group of veterans who retired from the battlefield. We couldn't stand the loneliness, so we asked the lord for the opportunity to return to the battlefield.

Compared to those kids, I have more experience, but my body is not as good as theirs." The righteous madman from the Iron Blood Camp said modestly.

"Brother Lu, you should stop calling me Lord and start calling me Saint."

A man with an eye patch on his left eye and a long scar running from his forehead down to his blind left eye, with a dark complexion and a strong body, stood up and bowed towards Chang'an.

At first glance, this person looks ferocious, but his words are very elegant.

This man was called Du Jun. He was the commander of the third battalion of the first division of the Flying Dragon Army. He retired due to eye disease. His family was also a scholarly family. Due to natural disasters and man-made disasters, his family fell into poverty. Then he encountered a famine and drifted to Chang'an and joined the Flying Dragon Army. Because he passed the examination for a scholar in the previous dynasty, his fellow soldiers nicknamed him "scholar".

After retiring, he entered the court as an official and served as a doctor in the Ministry of War. When he learned that the Iron Blood Battalion was established, he immediately wrote to Li Chengqian to resign and join the army. He is currently the captain of the Flying Dragon Team of the Iron Blood Battalion and also the deputy captain of the Iron Blood Battalion.

The Iron Blood Battalion has a total of 6000 people, most of whom are veterans of the Prince's Mansion. Although the Iron Blood Battalion is a battalion, its number of people is almost enough for a division. Many of the personnel were already division commanders, battalion commanders, company commanders, and platoon leaders before coming to the Iron Blood Battalion.

Moreover, many people already hold the titles of baron and viscount. Some of them who have made great military achievements have already held the non-hereditary title of earl.

Li Chengqian made further changes to the titles of nobility in the Tang Dynasty. In addition to retaining the original seven ranks of duke, county duke, county duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron, he divided the ranks below earl into two ranks, and those above earl into three ranks.

The first-class barons and viscounts are hereditary and have no fiefs. The first-class dukes, county dukes, marquises, and earls are hereditary and have fiefs. The second-class dukes, county dukes, marquises, and earls are hereditary and have no fiefs. The second-class barons, viscounts, and third-class dukes, county dukes, marquises, and earls are non-hereditary titles. If their descendants do not make any contributions, their titles will be demoted by one level.

Li Chengqian placed the title above the twelfth level, which means that in the Tang Dynasty, if you want to obtain a title, you need a lot of military merits or contributions, and you have to be an officer. Soldiers can get a lot of money through military merits.

The Iron Blood Battalion is different from other troops, so its organization is slightly different from other armies in the Prince's Palace. The Iron Blood Battalion has one battalion commander and two deputy battalion commanders, whose official positions are equivalent to those of the Flying Dragon Army's division commanders.

It consists of the Flying Dragon Team, the Black Tortoise Team, the Flying Wing Archer Team, the Turkic Wolf Team, the Flying Marten Team and the Divine Machine Team, each with 1000 men, and the officer of each team is equivalent to the battalion commander. The Divine Machine Team has 20 artillery pieces, 500 "Seventeen-style" muskets, and many other firearms. It can be said that the Iron Blood Battalion is a smaller version of the Prince's Mansion Legion.

"Scholar, you have fought on the battlefield, but why do you still speak in such a literary way? Look at your appearance, you look like a vicious beast, and your speech does not match your appearance." The Turkic Wolf Cavalry made fun of Zhenghuoba Guiren.

"Damn it, what does my elegant speech have to do with you, you stupid wolf?" Du Jun retorted.

"Okay, you two just start arguing when you meet. Don't you see the old Duke is still here?" Crazy Lu said with a smile.

"It's okay. This is how brothers should behave. When I see you, I remember the time when I fought together with the Emperor and my brothers. I miss it so much." Yuchi Jingde said with a smile.

As everyone was drinking and chatting, they suddenly heard someone outside the city shouting about the enemy. Everyone was startled and hurriedly ordered people to go and check. Not long after, a bloodstained, dishevelled Jinyiwei captain was helped in.

The man entered the hall and saw Yuchi Jingde, broke free, knelt down and said weakly.

"Old General, it's bad. The Tibetans are attacking us."

"What? When did it happen? Why was there no warning?" Yuchi Jingde asked in shock.

"Old General, Tibet secretly joined forces with the Mughal Empire and Kamarupa to attack the Tang Dynasty. When we, the Jinyiwei in Tibet, got the news, Tibet had already ordered a nationwide blockade and no one was allowed to enter or leave the city.

We tried every possible way to escape from the city, but all the brothers died in order to protect me and spread the news. When I passed the border, I found that the soldiers guarding the border had been assassinated.

I was also being hunted by the Tibetan eunuchs, and I dodged all the way to the Iron Blood Fort to report the situation." The Jinyiwei said breathlessly.

"How many people are there in the Tibetan army and where are they now?" asked Crazy Lu.

"General, according to my understanding, this time Tubo has joined forces with the Mughal Empire and Kamarupa, raising a total of 200 million troops. When I fled, Yangtong and Subi had already perished, and their rulers were captured. The coalition has already sent troops to Zangzhou, and the vanguard of 10 cavalry is also rushing here day and night.

According to my estimation, the coalition vanguard will reach Iron Blood Castle in three days." Jinyiwei said.

"Okay, brother, you've worked hard, go down and have a rest." Du Jun said.

"Damn it! Tubo launched a war without declaring war, and gathered the Mughal Empire and Kamarupa to raise an army of 200 million to invade. What a big show." Yuchi Jingde sneered.

"Old Duke, there are few soldiers in Zangzhou, and the enemy troops are powerful. Please return to Dingtu City immediately, ask the military advisor for help, and report to the emperor to send troops to support." Lu Fengzi said.

"What about you?" asked Yuchi Jingde.

"It will take time for the military advisor to assemble his army, and Dingtu City also needs to organize troops for early defense. We will stay here to buy time for King Jiangxia and the military advisor." Crazy Lu said.

"You only have 6000 men and horses. How can you stop an army of 10, and there are millions of troops behind them. Just come with me." Yuchi Jingde said.

"We can't leave. The enemy's vanguard will arrive in less than three days. We are a mixed group of infantry and cavalry in the Iron Blood Battalion. We can't escape.

Besides, when has the old army of the Prince's Mansion ever retreated before fighting?" Du Jun said with a smile.

"Old general, you'd better go ahead quickly. We swear to defend the Iron Blood Fortress to the death and cannot let our lord's hard work go to waste." Crazy Lu saluted with a fist.

"General, please return to Dingtu City as soon as possible." The others saluted with their fists.

"Well, okay. You try your best to hold on for half a month, and when I return, immediately lead your troops to repel the enemy. You little bastards, live well for me and you are not allowed to die." Yuchi Jingde said with tears in his eyes.

"Haha, we are a bunch of people who are not even tolerated by heaven. Don't worry, old general. We are waiting here for you to come back and have a drink." Huoba Guiren laughed.

After everyone smiled and sent Yuchi Jingde away, Crazy Lu said with an evil laugh.

"Hey, brothers, it's time to play for your life again."

"Why should I be afraid of him? In my opinion, all of these are military achievements. Are you afraid, scholar?" Huoba Guiren said with a light smile.

"Afraid? I'm already a second-class earl and a doctor in the Ministry of War. If I were afraid, why would I come here? Isn't it good to be at home with my child? Damn, I haven't killed anyone in these years. I almost forgot what human blood tastes like."

Du Jun's eyes sparkled, and he licked his scarlet lips with his tongue. As soon as he heard that there was a war to be fought, Du Jun immediately became excited and changed into a different person.

"Haha, our ghost scholar is back again. Damn it, I thought there would be no war, and you old man have switched to a vegetarian diet." The captain of the Xuanwu team, Liang San, laughed. Everyone laughed when they heard it.

"Okay. Pass on my order, light the signal smoke, put the entire army on alert, and send scouts to investigate 50 miles away. Tell my brothers, it's time to fight for your lives, so perform well. Whoever fails to perform and tarnishes the reputation of our army, I will beat him up even if I die in the underworld." said Lu Fengzi.

"Yes!" The generals clasped their fists and said.

Soon, thick smoke rose from Tiexue Fort, followed by smoke from various post stations.

After Yuchi Jingde rushed back to Tiexue Fort, he told the situation to the veterans. Li Daozong looked at the map with a gloomy face and thought. Yuchi Jingde shouted anxiously.

"My Dao Zong, what are you thinking about? The kids in Tiexue Fort are in danger. Ask the Jiedushi for help immediately."

"Alas. There is no chance of reinforcements, at least not now." Zhang Liang sighed.

"What do you mean?" Yuchi Jingde asked in surprise.

"Don't worry, Lao Hei. We just got the news. The small countries in the Western Regions have rebelled. They have formed an army of 50 and are confronting the army of the Jiedushi in the Western Regions.

The Jiedushi has no extra soldiers to help us now." Cheng Yaojin sighed.

"What? What should we do? Dao Zong, give me 2 soldiers and I will go to Tiexue Fort to rescue those kids." Yuchi Jingde said.

"Nonsense! Dingtu City is already stretched to its limits. I give you 2 soldiers. What if the enemy comes to Dingtu City? Don't forget, the enemy has 200 million soldiers and can attack at any time.

Besides, can you rescue the Iron Blood Camp with 2 soldiers and horses?" Li Dao Zong said coldly.

"Li Daozon, are you fucking scared? I tell you I'm not afraid. I promised those kids that I would rescue them. I'm going to rescue them with my personal soldiers now. Even if I die, I'm going to die on the front line." Yuchi Jingde said angrily.

"Heizi, let me tell you, I am now the governor of Zangzhou, the commander-in-chief of the Zangzhou army, and have authority over the military and political affairs of Zangzhou. Do you dare to disobey military orders? If you want to go, you have to kill me first." Li Daozon said angrily.

"You think I don't dare." Yuchi Jingde drew his sword in anger and pointed it at Li Daozong. Qin Qiong rushed forward and hugged Yuchi Jingde, cursing.

"Heizi, what the hell are you doing? Isn't Dao Zong anxious? Don't forget that Li Jingren, the captain of the Iron Blood Battalion's Shenji Team, is Dao Zong's second son.

The enemy is strong now, and we have few soldiers. How can we divide our forces? Now we have to think about how to deal with the enemy's siege. Don't forget why Dalang asked us to come here. Don't let the children of the Iron Blood Camp bleed in vain. "

"Ah! Are we just going to watch these kids die there? I've never fought such a cowardly battle in my life." Yuchi Jingde knew that Li Daozong was right, but he was angry and anxious, but he had no idea what to do. So he stuck his sword into the ground, took the wine pot and drank a big gulp of wine.

"Order, all troops on alert. Citizens of Dingtu City enter the city to assist the defending troops in moving supplies. Send pigeons to the governor to report the situation. Dingtu City will be under curfew from today. Send out more scouts to closely monitor the enemy's movements and the situation of the Iron Blood Fort. The Jinyiwei will strengthen intelligence acquisition.

Old friends, the situation in Zangzhou is critical. We, the old bones, have to defend the last line of defense of Zangzhou for His Majesty. It's time for you to risk your life again, old brothers." Li Daozong frowned and ordered.

“Haha, isn’t it just a matter of life and death? Everyone present here has come from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood. We have enjoyed the good things in this life and done the bad things, so there is no need to fear death.” Hou Junji laughed.

"You bunch of killers, I don't want to die. You also need to live well. There were many more dangerous things than this back then, but aren't we still alive?" Zhang Liang said with a smile.

"Damn it, I have been deeply blessed by three generations of emperors. Today I will sacrifice my old bones to be loyal to Your Majesty. But I feel sorry for those kids in Tiexue Fort. Dao Zong, are you really willing to leave Chuzi (Li Jingren's pen name) in Tiexue Fort?" Yuchi Jingde said.

"Erlang has already pledged his life to the country, so he must be prepared to die on the battlefield. Erlang is not only my son, Li Dao Zong, but also a descendant of the Li Tang royal family, and even more a soldier of the Tang Dynasty.

If Erlang dies in battle, it is a worthy death, a glorious death, and I am pleased. If Erlang dies, I will personally kill the bandits to avenge him." Li Daozong said firmly with tears in his eyes.

"Brother Dao Zong is loyal to the emperor and his country. You are a brave man. I admire you. I was excited for a moment and was rude to you. I hope you will forgive me." Yuchi Jingde clasped his fists and said

"Brother, why do you have to be like this? You and I have known each other for decades, why should I care about it?" Li Daozon said with a smile.