The Villain's Counterattack

During the day, he practiced martial arts and military tactics with Song Que, and at night, he spent time with Song Yu under the moonlight. However, after a few days, Kou Zhongshu was devastated by the continuous news.

The sword demon Dugu Qiubai set up a challenge in the Yalu River. Three thousand elite archers and cavalry from Goguryeo suddenly attacked. Thousands of arrows were fired at once, but they were broken by Dugu Qiubai's (Dugu Feng) Dugu Nine Swords Arrow-Breaking Style. The warships anchored in the river fought back, and the three thousand elite archers and cavalry from Goguryeo were defeated.

Duke Yang Xuyan of Liao was furious and led an army of 30,000 to march straight to Pyongyang. The King of Goguryeo did not dare to come out. Master Yijian Fu Cailin confronted Duke Yang Xuyan of Liao on the city wall for a whole day and night without moving. The armies of both sides remained strangely calm without any conflict.

Afterwards, the Liaodong army suddenly turned and broke into Silla. The Jiaodong navy, led by Lai Huer, raided Baekje, taking three cities in one day. Within half a month, Silla and Baekje were defeated one after another and became part of Liaodong's territory. From then on, Goguryeo was completely surrounded by Liaodong and became a country within a country.

No, it is not even as good as a country within a country. You should know that Liaodong is just a frontier province of the Sui Dynasty, and it is even a country. King David of Goguryeo was panicked. On the one hand, he tried to please Yang Xuyan, the Duke of Liao, and on the other hand, he contacted the remnants of Silla and Baekje to counterattack. At the same time, he did not forget to send letters to Luoyang, Chang'an, and the Turks, hoping that they could contain Liaodong.

If the Duke of Liao did not move, it would be fine. But when he moved, it was as swift as thunder. The tribes on the grassland had been beaten so badly and suffered heavy losses that they had no strength to fight again. Even if they wanted to, they were powerless and could only watch Liaodong destroy Silla and Baekje.

Dou Jiande had no time to hide from the Sui Dynasty's borders with Liaodong, let alone actively provoke it. In Luoyang, both the Sui Dynasty royal family and Wang Shichong fully supported Liaodong and were unlikely to hold back. The only remaining force capable of threatening Jiaodong in Qi and Lu was the Shaoshuai Army, but with both of its commanders away, they could only watch.

The young marshal's army did not move not only because Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were not there, but also because Liaodong had done something big.

Wang Tong, a great scholar from Dongping County, announced that he would join Liaodong and serve as the chief academic officer of Liaodong Academy. He was accompanied by 300 disciples. Liaodong sent 8,000 elite cavalry to welcome him. The governor of Dongping County was terrified and opened the gates to surrender. Dongping County surrendered without a fight and became part of the Liao Kingdom Duke's army.

The Duke of Liao was very powerful in his eastward and southward expeditions. Wang Shichong in Luoyang City was ready to make a move. Finally, under the instigation of the Great Ming Zunjiao, he sent troops to Nanyang to attack the cannibal king Zhu Can.

After defeating Li Mi, Wang Shichong expelled Kou Zhong and took control of Luoyang. Although he was intimidated by the Sui royal family and did not dare to overstep his boundaries, his influence continued to rise. He had an ample supply of military strength and food, and with the support and encouragement of the Ming Dynasty, his strength was undoubtedly formidable.

Zhu Can's military talent wasn't exceptional, but his personal fighting prowess was considerable. He possessed a strong sense of banditry, a ruthless nature, and a relentless drive. Despite repeated defeats, he proved difficult to defeat. In the first battle, Wang Shichong triumphed, while Zhu Can's forces were routed thirty miles. In the second, Zhu Can's forces were routed a hundred miles, with nearly half of his men fleeing. After three battles, they captured Nanyang, and Zhu Can fled with the remaining three thousand men, their whereabouts unknown. Wang Shichong emerged victorious.

Returning to Luoyang with a resounding victory, Wang Shichong was promoted to Grand General, his reputation soaring. Countless people flocked to him, threatening to overwhelm the Sui imperial family in the Western Garden. King Yang Xiu of Shu personally traveled to Luoyang to attend the celebration banquet, where he defeated three masters of the Great Ming Sect in a casual conversation before departing. Rumors arose within Luoyang, but both Wang Shichong and the Sui imperial family turned a blind eye, allowing the situation to unfold freely.

However, as a result, after three or five days, the instigators behind the scenes became a little timid and dared not speak out loudly, and the city of Luoyang fell into a strange silence.

Wang Shichong fought repeatedly in Liaodong and Luoyang, and Dou Jiande also tried to clash with Liang Shidu. Both sides won and lost. Although Dou Jiande had a slight advantage, he did not dare to go too far because of the threat from the Turkic army. He looted and retreated calmly, which was also considered a statement.

Li Zitong and Du Fuwei were relatively honest and cautious. Shi Feixuan personally visited them and tried to lobby for Li Tang, but was politely declined by the two. Their words and deeds showed the same meaning: they were not optimistic about Li Tang.

When Shi Feixuan was exhausted, Li Tang took action.

Li Shimin personally led an army of 100,000 to attack Xiliang, fought three battles against Li Gui and won three victories, expanding the territory by 500 miles. Li Yuan issued three manifestos in succession. The first one worshipped Laozi of Taoism as his ancestor to clear his name, and the second one attacked Li Gongzifan, listing 18 crimes, big and small, against Li Gongzifan and demoted him to the most evil person in the world, cholera.

In the manifesto, Li Yuan listed the various behaviors of Li Gongzi Fan since his appearance, and based on the principle that whoever benefits is suspicious, he pointed the finger at the Sui Dynasty royal family and Liaodong. For a time, the wealthy families, landlords, gentry and Buddhist temples all over the world were talking about it.

Li Yuan made this fire burn fiercely, and then issued a call for talents, sending invitations to heroes throughout the Central Plains, calling on people with lofty ideals from all over the world to join the Li Tang Dynasty and build a beautiful home together. Most of them were from aristocratic families who had suffered persecution from "Master Li Fan".

Although the "Golden Armor General" occupied Tongguan by extraordinary means, Guanzhong is so vast that it cannot be completely cut off by Tongguan alone. There are also waterways connecting the east and the west, and ordinary merchants come in an endless stream. Even Wang Shichong and the Sui Dynasty royal family did not dare to risk the world's condemnation and completely cut off the east and the west.

However, this only applies to merchant ships. If you want to transport weapons, armor and soldiers, it is impossible. The dragon boats under Yang Guang are not vegetarians either. Moreover, the Huer Navy from Jiaodong is crisscrossing the Yellow River. Even the Yellow River Gang has to retreat.

As soon as Li Yuan's three major manifestos were issued, especially the preferential treatment given to merchants and wealthy families, countless speculators from the Central Plains flocked to the country. There were endless boats on the Wei River all day long, and countless wealth poured into Guanzhong from the Central Plains. Not only did Li Tang make a lot of money, but Luoyang also made a lot of money from collecting tolls.

In addition, Li Yuan also designated a large area outside the city of Chang'an as a gathering place for ethnic minorities. The Turks, Khitans, Tuyuhuns, Tiele, Shiweis, Mohes and other ethnic groups all had lands of varying sizes, which attracted many merchants and warriors from other ethnic groups to join. For a time, the area was extremely prosperous, and there was no sign of being surrounded on three sides.

"Li Tang extended his hands and feet to Sichuan and Shu, but was violently cut off by local forces. Another news came that Tyrant Sword Yue Shan returned from Tuguhun and meditated for three days at Dashi Temple outside Chengdu. After successfully comprehending the essence of the Sun-Changing Method, he abandoned his sword and severely injured the Heavenly Lord Xi Ying at Sanhua Tower with his bare hands." Song Yuzhi's voice was crisp and pleasant.

Kou Zhong was shocked and screamed, "What?!"

Everyone looked at him in confusion. Kou Zhong gave an awkward smile and nodded slightly to Song Yuzhi before explaining, "Ba Dao Yue Shan is old and has suffered from a series of illnesses. His body has long been overwhelmed. Although he has recovered from his injuries with the 'Purple Qi Coming from the East' technique, it cannot replenish his lost vitality."

"This man was too aggressive to cower and recuperate. After his recovery, his martial arts skills improved day by day, but his lifespan was constantly dwindling. When he defeated the Heavenly Monarch Xi Ying in Tuyuhun, he let out a burst of anger and collapsed. He passed away not long after, but this was kept secret for the sake of the stability of the Han territory in Tuyuhun."

Song Que narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded softly: "Since Yue Shan is dead, then..."

"The one who severely injured Xi Ying should be Xu Ziling, wearing the Yueshan mask made by Lu Miaozi himself. This was also a test assigned to him by my master. His ability to severely injure Xi Ying proves that he has truly passed the master's test. The secret hidden by the Five Hundred Arhats statues in Dashi Temple must have been deciphered and absorbed by him."

Kou Zhong was a little puzzled. Given his master's abilities, how could there be no follow-up after Xi Ying's defeat? Hou Xibai was also in Chengdu Prefecture, so why didn't he kill Xi Ying?

Xi Ying: Haha, do you think that the fourth person among the evil masters is a cabbage that you can do whatever you want?

Anlong: Stop talking nonsense, it’s time to get on the road. I’ve arranged a room for you in the mysterious valley in Liaodong, right next to Fan Qinghui.