Chapter 21 Loyalty to the Country

When Huang Chao, the emperor of Daqi, learned that Li Ke killed Hun Jintong and returned to Daqi's messenger, he couldn't help but be furious: "The Zhu Xie family dares to despise Daqi and bully me too much! I want to set up troops to fight against Shatuo and drive all the Shatuo people to the desert!"

When Lieutenant Zhao Zhang saw that Huang Chao was furious, he came to the center of the Hanyuan Hall and said, "Your Majesty, Li Guochang and Li Ke decided to help Tang attack Qi with their father and son. It must have been fully discussed. Alas, it's just that we are careless! If important ministers are sent to negotiate, Li Guochang and his son will not turn against each other so soon. At this point, it is useless to regret. Now the most urgent thing is to come up with a way to deal with Shatuo soldiers!"

Huang Chao sighed: "The Qi court will not collect people's money for military use without reason. Nowadays, there is a shortage of food and fodder everywhere, and its combat effectiveness is constantly declining. The Tang army guarded the big and small cities and only sent a small group of troops to attack. If it goes on like this, Daqi will be in danger!"

Gai Hong said: "Your Majesty said that the situation in Daqi is indeed worrying. A few days ago, Cao Zhiqi, who guarded Eshan, sent hundreds of ruffians to disguise themselves as Daqi sergeants and sneaked into the capital to set fire everywhere, creating rumors, which made the people in the capital panic. Although the Daqi anti-treacherous army captured and killed some of the Tang soldiers, the consequences caused by Cao Zhiqi's move are still very serious!"

You talked about the Wenwu of Daqi in the Hanyuan Hall. The Wenwu were very concerned about the increasingly severe military situation of Daqi and discussed the good strategy of breaking the enemy.

After a long time, Huang Chao pressed down second-hand, and then Zhongwenwu returned to his original position and waited for the holy sound.

Huang Chao said, "No matter how difficult Daqi is now, he is better than the soldiers. The Qi army has always taken the initiative to attack the Tang army and has achieved impressive achievements. This time, Li Ke led Shatuo's soldiers to go south to fight against Daqi, and I decided to fight. This time, I don't want to use the main force. I just send a second-rate army to fight against the Shatuo army, mainly to feel the reality of the Shatuo army. I don't know which general is willing to go to Shayuan to fight the first battle with Shatuo?

"Your Majesty, I will go to meet the Shatuo soldiers!"

Everyone followed the sound and saw that it was Huang Chao's younger brother Huang Kui.

Huang Chao asked, "Brother, this battle is very important, and Shatuo's combat strength is strong. You have to plan carefully to defeat the enemy calmly!"

Huang Kui laughed and said, "It is said that the Shatuo Iron Cavalry is powerful. This time, I will cut the horseshoe of the Shatuo Iron Cavalry to see if any other Shatuo soldiers dare to fight against Daqi!"

When Wenwu saw Huang Kui insisting on leading troops to Shayuan, they could not persuade him deeply. They stood there and waited for Huang Chao to make a decision.

Huang Chao said to Meng Kai, who returned from the Huazhou division, and returned to the court: "General Meng, Huang Kui insists on leading the troops to Shayuan to fight against Shatuo soldiers. You can match him with a few deputy generals. I suggest that you allocate 20,000 horses to Huang Kui to carry out a tentative attack on Shatuo soldiers!"

Meng Kai nodded, took Huang Kui's hand hard, and said emotionally, "Brother, you and I have been working together for many years, and our love is as deep as the sea. This time, you should be more careful when you lead your troops to attack Shayuan in the north. Shatuo soldiers are fierce and must not underestimate the enemy!"

"Don't worry, Huang Kui will be able to cut off the flag and show his power!" Huang Kui straightened his chest and was full of bullishness.

Meng Kai said, "I will ask Zhang Guiba, Zhang Guihou and Zhang Guiben as your deputy generals, allocate 20,000 horses to you, and leave north tomorrow to attack Shayuan. The main force of the first army is stationed on the south bank of Weishui to respond to your action!"

"Order!" Huang Kui answered loudly.

After Huang Kui finished speaking, he turned around and left. Huang Chao looked at Huang Kui's back and muttered to himself, "What a good brother. At the critical moment, he stood up and served for the country regardless of his status as the emperor's brother. It's really touching!"

One night after half a month later, Huang Chao and Jian Xia had just rested in the Nanxun Hall. A personal soldier shouted outside the door: "Your Majesty, Lieutenant Zhao Zhang asked for a meeting and said that there was an emergency military report!"

Huang Chao quickly dressed and got out of bed and said to his own soldiers, "Xuan Zhaozhang enters!"

Jian Xia was also awakened at this time. She stretched out her slender hand and gently took Huang Chao's hand. The warbler said, "Your Majesty, it's very cold tonight. Put on your mink coat and be careful not to catch a cold!"

Huang Chao nodded and looked at Jian Xia pitifully: "What Concubine Ai said is extremely true. I must put on a mink coat and go to discuss military affairs with Lieutenant Zhao!"

Huang Chao came to the outer room and saw Zhao Zhang standing in front of the window, wiping his tears with his hands.

Huang Chao was shocked and took three steps and two steps. He walked to Zhao Zhang and asked hurriedly, "Brother Zhao Zhangxian, what's wrong with you? Come to my bedroom so late? There must be something important!"

Zhao Zhang cried loudly and sobbed: "Brother Huang, I just received a front-line war report and learned a news that made me extremely sad, so I came to your bedroom late at night to report this!"

Huang Chaoqiang calmed down: "Don't be so gaffe. You and I have been fighting for many years. What kind of thing haven't you seen? Come on, I can accept any cruel facts!"

"Your Majesty - Huang Kui was killed in a big battle this morning!"

"What, what? My own brother Huang Kui died in the battle?

"Your Majesty, this matter is true. Today, the Qi army and the Shatuo army started a decisive battle in Shayuan. Huang Kui was eager to win and went deep into the enemy's array. As a result, he was ambushed by Shatuo soldiers and killed by an arrow. The three Zhang brothers sacrificed their lives to kill before taking back Huang Kui's body. They retreated all the way to the south bank of Weishui. Fortunately, Meng Kai led the main force to pick up the response, so the Shatuo soldiers stopped chasing.

Huang Chao sat on the ground and gritted his teeth and asked, "Who commanded the battle in Shayuan?"

Zhao Zhang sobbed: "Li Cunzhen, the general of Li Ke's, is said to be the adopted son of Li Ke's! Li Keyi has many adopted sons, and Li Cunzhen is one of them. This time, the Shatuo soldiers went south, and many members of the Zhu Xie family went with the army. They took the opportunity to take a big plunder to attack together with Li Tang!"

Huang Chao was furious and shocked the house: "Li Guochang and Li Keyyong, you command Shatuo soldiers to slaughter the generals of Qi. Huang Chao and you will not stand together. I swear that I will kill all the Shatuo soldiers who went south to attack Qi!"