In Kyoto, Great Xia, since it was besieged by the strong armies of the three sides, the soldiers and horses in the city have lost their fighting spirit. But even so, under strict military orders, the guards still guarded their posts. Anyone who dares to leave his post without permission will face the military regulations of killing his head.

Above the city, many new guards saw Zhang Ruming's staggering arrival, and they wondered if this drunken dizzy man had found the wrong place to sleep. If it weren't for seeing Zhang Ruming wearing a Heavenly Master robe, he would have wanted to shoot him off the horse with an arrow.

"Stop, who? The gates are closed, and no one is allowed to enter! Above the city gate, a recruit looked at Zhang Ruming and couldn't help shouting.

A hundred households not far from the recruit couldn't help but glare at him in fright, "Shut up, do you know who this is?" Shouting, I don't want to live anymore. ”

Don't look at Zhang Ruming as a person in the 'enemy' camp, but his identity as a protector of the country is there, even Emperor Delong has not defined Zhang Ruming as guilty until now. Besides, Shangguan Tianshi's fame shocked Kyoto, and these hundred households dared to shout at him, and they simply didn't know whether they were alive or dead.

Zhang Ruming shook his gaze at the city gate, and shouted with a wine hiccup, "You listen to me~ Tell Delong~ This Heavenly Master wants to see him~ This is a divine will, and you must not disobey." ”

Inside the city gate tower, a Qian general came out, looked at Zhang Ruming under the city and clenched his fists and said, "Lord Shangguan, please forgive me for being rude, without the order of Shangfeng, I don't dare to open the city gate below." ”

"Then what are you waiting for~ Hurry up and tell your Shangfeng, just say that this Heavenly Master wants to see Delong."

Zhang Ruming said, and got off the war horse crookedly. He has short legs, and it is better to sit on the ground than to sit on a horse. Anyway, it would take a while, so Zhang Ruming simply leaned on a tethered horse stake outside the city gate and took a nap.

When Mr. Qian, who was on duty, heard this, he didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly ran to the city. After a quick layer of reporting, it was finally reported to the squire of the military department outside the palace.

Chu Ti was shocked, "How many people did he bring?" What is the formation outside the city? ”

"My lord, Shangguan Xuanwu came alone, without a single soldier. He said~ I want to see Your Majesty. ”

Hearing that Zhang Ruming did not lead the troops into formation, Chu Ti secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Let him wait, Master Ben will go to face the saint." ”

Chu Ti wondered in his heart, now that there are rumors in the city, Shangguan Xuanwu entered the city alone, what did he want to do? However, Chu Ti didn't dare to make his own decisions, after all, Shangguan Xuanwu had a special identity, and Chu Ti hurriedly walked to the palace Jing Pavilion.

When the panicked Delong heard that Shangguan Xuanwu wanted to see him, his first thought was that Duan Lang took the lead in attacking the city. But when he learned that Shangguan Xuanwu was coming alone, Delong's hanging heart was relieved. Delong ordered Chuti to go to the south gate in person to prevent fraud.

After waiting for more than an hour, the south gate opened the sluice and opened a gap that could pass through a war horse. A guard nervously walked out of the city gate and cautiously came to Zhang Ruming, he wanted to invite Shangguan Tianshi into the city, but found that this guy was actually asleep.

"Lord Shangguan~Lord Shangguan~!" The guards hurriedly stepped forward and shouted a few times.

Zhang Ruming opened his eyes in a daze, "This~ What kind of place is this?" ”

"Lord Shangguan, aren't you going to the city to meet Your Majesty? Please inside, Lord Chu is waiting for you inside the city gate. ”

Zhang Ruming was stunned, "Meet Your Majesty?" Which Majesty? ~ Oh, by the way, Lao Tzu is going to the city. ”

Zhang Ruming remembered his heavy responsibility and reluctantly got up from the ground. Zhang Ruming came to the city, and Chu Ti hurriedly ordered people to fall down the city gate gate to prevent the enemy from sneaking up. Zhang Ruming hadn't seen Chu Ti, and he didn't bother to talk nonsense to him, so he followed him directly to the palace.

In the camp of Lidu City, Duan Lang walked back and forth anxiously. As soon as Zhang Ruming left, he was a little uneasy. If Li Jianshan was here, Duan Lang would never let Zhang Ruming go. But Li Jianshan is not in the camp, except for those generals, only Zhang Ruming is the most suitable.

"Yue'er, let's let Lao Zhang go alone, isn't it a bit risky?" Duan Lang asked uneasily.

"Lang, don't worry, although Nadelong is narrow-minded, he is a greedy person who is afraid of death. Even if he didn't agree, he wouldn't dare to do anything to Brother Zhang. Unless DeLong completely loses his mind, or ~. Yutai Mingyue stopped after saying a word.

"Or what?" Duan Lang was stunned.

"Or, Brother Zhang's broken mouth scolded Delong in a hurry."

"I'm just worried about this, I'm afraid that Zhang Ruming doesn't know the severity. His broken mouth can crawl out of the coffin of the dead. ”

"Lang, Brother Zhang is shrewd, don't think he's really stupid. Lang, which side do you think DeLong will choose as a target after he agrees? Tantai Mingyue deliberately diverted the topic so that Duan Lang would not be too worried.

Duan Lang thought for a while, "Presumably, Delong will choose the side with relatively weak strength, it should be Xiyue Lu Mu." ”

Tantai Mingyue nodded and said, "Overall, the strength of the soldiers and horses of Xiyue is indeed weaker than that of Nanping. The main reason is that Han Pingzi's army was defeated that year, and the experienced veterans and brave soldiers and guards were exhausted. Even if the corps is reorganized, its combat power cannot be compared with that of Han Pingzi. However, most of the soldiers and horses in Nanping are experienced veterans, and their strength cannot be underestimated. ”

"Well, in terms of combat effectiveness, we are higher than the Mokun army, but in the face of such a strong army, I am afraid the losses will be not small." Duan Lang said cautiously.

"Therefore, if you don't bring in the soldiers of Deguang and Delong, no one will start the first battle. After all, in the end, you have to rely on strength to speak. Whoever has the most troops will take the initiative. Such a battle was unprecedented, not only related to the peril of Great Xia, but even involved in the western peace of Vietnam. This battle is difficult for both countries to ride, and neither of them can afford to lose. Especially in Western Vietnam, there is also the Moro country behind it. Defeating Great Xia, they are famous all over the world, and the Moro Kingdom does not dare to do anything. Once defeated, the Moro kingdom will inevitably take advantage of the situation. ”

Speaking of this, Mingyue looked at the marching territory, and then said, "Mo Kun and Lu Mu both hope that the stalemate continues, as long as they are trapped for two or three months, Delong's side is bound to perish first." The lack of food and grass in the city, coupled with the discouragement of the soldiers, even if Delong wanted to risk his death at that time, it may not be possible to arouse the fighting spirit of the army. Therefore, before the soldiers and horses in the city completely lose their fighting spirit, they must let Delong go out of the city to fight. Since Prince Hong's side took the initiative to contact, this is a rare opportunity for us. ”

"In this way, we have to use our capital to fight hard."

"We must fight, this battle can only be won and not defeated."

Duan Lang looked at Mingyue, "Haven't you always wanted to preserve your strength, why do you want to show your family background in advance now." ”

"Preserving strength is for a greater victory, if we don't fight for one family now, once Delong and Deguang are destroyed, we will pay an even heavier price."

"Well, regardless of whether Lao Zhang can successfully convince Delong, let's formulate a battle plan against Mo Kun first. Even if Delong doesn't agree, he has to let Deguang contain Lu Mu here. ”

"If Delong doesn't agree, I'm afraid Deguang's side won't dare to provoke Lu Mu." Mingyue said worriedly.

Duan Lang snorted coldly, "If that's the case, then wait and see who can kill whom." I don't believe it, and their brothers don't see the end of waiting. ”

Tantai Mingyue nodded, she also knew that it was not a way to go on like this. With the soldiers and horses of Kyoto, at least it can deter Mo Kun and Lu Mu. Once Kyoto is destroyed, the two can join forces to deal with Duan Lang without any scruples. As for Prince Yixiang Chenghong's side, I am afraid that he will have already retracted to Yixiang City and will not dare to come out.

In the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Delong, with a haggard and frail face, sat on the dragon chair with a strong spirit. For this Shangguan Xuanwu, Delong really hates and angers him, and he has nothing to do with him. Killing Zhang Ruming will have no impact on the overall situation at all, and it will anger Duan Lang and even raise troops to attack the city. But Zhang Ruming's suggestion is really angry.

"Shangguan Xuanwu, do you know what you're talking about! Duan Lang is a traitor, and Na Deguang is also a traitor, you actually let me join forces with the traitor? Delong glared at Zhang Ruming angrily.

"Hey, I said Xiao Qi, don't be a thief, that Deguang stole your throne, you can call it a thief, but what did Duan Lang steal from your family? Did you eat your rice, or did you sleep in your bed? How did he become a thief? ”

"Shut up!" Delong's whole body trembled, "I am now the king of a country, not the former Seven Princes. Shout Xiao Qi again, believe it or not, this will make people slap their mouths. ”

"Okay, well, since you've forgotten the love of the past, forget it. This Heavenly Master asks you, in the face of the common people in the world and the society of the country, do you agree or not? Zhang Ruming hated to look at Delong with his nostrils.

Delong was just about to speak, but Chu Ti, who was accompanying him, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty~ The minister thinks that it is better to reply after discussing this matter with Lord Xiangguo." ”

Chu Tixin said that this is a glimmer of life in Kyoto, but don't bury the whole of Kyoto because of Delong's narrow-mindedness. As a squire of the military department, Chu Ti heard Shangguan Xuanwu's suggestion just now, and immediately knew that this was a wonderful turnaround. As long as the crisis in Kyoto can be lifted, let alone joining forces with the traitors, even if it is with one of Mokun and Lu Mu.

Seeing Chu Ti's constant glances, Delong had no choice but to suppress his anger and let Zhang Ruming go down to rest first. Delong immediately ordered people to pass on the Xiangguo Wu Guangguang, the city defense general Liu Shuguang, and the head of the Prison Heaven Academy, Zhang Zhao, to enter the palace to face the saint.

Several confidants gathered in the Jing Pavilion, and everyone was surprised to learn the intention of Shangguan Xuanwu. But everyone thinks the same way, that is, this is a great opportunity to break the siege, and you can't let it go.

Wu Guangzhao looked at everyone, and pretended to be indignant and said, "Your Majesty, Duan Lang and Deguang are both thieves of my Great Xia Country, and it is shameless to come and join forces with my court." The minister suggested that he immediately send a large army out of the city to storm Duan Lang's camp, and take down this thief in one fell swoop to show that the power of the Son of Heaven should not be offended. ”

"Uh~!" Delong opened his mouth wide, and said in his heart, Are you crazy, and actually want me to send troops out of the city.

Zhang Zhao and Liu Shuguang also looked at Wu Guangguang in amazement, not understanding whether Lord Xiangguo had drunk a lot of wine, and he was still not sober.

Without waiting for everyone to refute, they heard Wu Guangguang continue, "However, the minister also knows that there is something wrong with this. After all, the West Vietnam is currently in peace, and it is a bit risky to go out of the city to attack Duan Lang at this time. What's more, Duan Lang and Deguang are both internal thieves, but Nanping and Xiyue are external thieves. The minister felt that it was better to drive away the outer thieves first, and then deal with the internal thieves. ”

Delong's heart moved, "What does Xiangguo mean is to let me accept the union?" ”

Wu Guangguang bowed, "In this military aspect, the minister is not as good as Lord Chu, it is better to listen to Lord Chu's opinion." ”

Chu Ti was stunned for a moment, and said in his heart Wu Guangguang, you are an old fox, I am afraid that Delong will blame you afterwards, and I will actually push it on my head.

"Chu Aiqing, what do you mean?" Delon asked.

Chu Ti hesitated for a moment, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that ~ it is better to join forces." ”

"Joining forces? Then how do you let me explain to the world? That Shangguan Xuanwu also said that even if they join forces, everyone is on an equal footing, and there is no distinction between monarchs and ministers. That's how you let me agree. DeLong asked with a gloomy face.

"Your Majesty, the minister was also present just now, didn't Shangguan Xuanwu say that after joining forces to repel the foreign invaders, are you fighting or discussing with each other? He thought that the tripartite alliance was an excellent opportunity for Kyoto at the moment. Your Majesty, compared with the country's social appearance, which is more important~ I hope Your Majesty will consider. Chu Ti bowed down and said.

Of course, DeLong knew which was more important, but if he agreed to join forces, he would lose face. What's more, Deguang was proclaimed emperor in Yixiang City, and agreeing to join forces was equivalent to acquiescing in his behavior. But if he didn't agree, Delong also knew the consequences, I am afraid that it would be the demise of Kyoto.

Zhang Zhao quietly gave Liu Shuguang a look, the current situation, don't look at Liu Shuguang's lowest level, but he has a heavy army, and the right to speak is the heaviest. Moreover, Delong trusts Liu Shuguang very much, as long as Liu Shuguang suggests joining forces, Delong has to agree if he doesn't agree. At this time, everyone in the city was in danger, which angered the general with heavy troops, and Delong himself would not be happy.

Liu Shuguang frowned, thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, the last general thinks that this matter can be agreed." The last general knows that His Majesty cares about face, but in exchange for small forbearance for the stability of the country, the last general feels that it is very worthwhile. ”

"What, does Liu Aiqing think that after joining forces, my country will be stable?" Delon asked, confused.

Liu Shuguang said, "Your Majesty, since Duan Lang wants to stand alone, with the strength of the capital city, he should be able to take one of them." But if Kyoto joins forces with Elephant City, I am afraid that it may not be able to eat the other side. But after this battle, as long as Duan Lang's side can win, the other side will inevitably withdraw immediately. Whether it is Mo Kun or Lu Mu, when they learn that the three of us have joined forces, they will retreat to the original starting point and take defensive measures. Otherwise, if you continue to stay, you can only be eaten by the three parties. ”

DeLong snorted, "I don't need you to explain this, of course I do." But after defeating the foreign invaders, how do you let me choose? Besides, Duan Lang can eat one of them, who can stop him in Kyoto. I am concerned about the post-war, not the present. I also know that I have agreed, and I can solve the current crisis. But what about after the defeat of the West Vietnamese Peace? Do you want me to surrender to Duan Lang? ”

Liu Shuguang clenched his fists, "Your Majesty, war is not a word in a book, even if Duan Lang defeats one of them, he himself will suffer heavy losses." At that time, as long as Kyoto preserves its strength, the final strong man will still be our imperial army. ”

Everyone was stunned, and Wu Guangzhou hurriedly asked, "Shuguang, since you have joined forces to fight the enemy, how can you preserve your strength?" ”

"Lord Xiangguo, don't forget that their camp is outside the city, and we are the only ones who are holding on to Kyoto. Once a war is provoked, it is impossible for them to preserve their strength even if they want to, and if you don't fight each other, people will eat you. But our soldiers and horses in the court can work without contribution, the thunder is heavy and the rain is small, so let the Deguang people and horses go to fight head-on. At that time, even if Tokumitsu's soldiers and horses were destroyed, the other party would not dare to continue to stay outside Kyoto. And Duan Lang's side, after defeating, will also chase and kill all the way, isn't this the best of both worlds. ”

After Liu Shuguang finished speaking, everyone's eyes suddenly lit up. Delong also looked at Liu Shuguang in surprise, although this move was a bit vicious, it could relieve his worries. Moreover, it can also make Duan Lang and Deguang lose their strength greatly. It is even said that several families outside the city are fighting to the death, and the soldiers and horses in the city have changed from the weakest to the strongest side.

"Good! Liu Aiqing's plan is very clever. As long as the tide of battle is turned around, I will regain the world. It doesn't matter if I lose some face, as long as I can recover the decline of the court, I will eventually let the subjects of the world know that this country ~ is still my country. Delon suddenly perked up, and his spirits seemed to be much better.

At Liu Shuguang's suggestion, Delong finally agreed to join forces. But once again there was a disagreement over whom to deal with. Originally, he should have chosen Lu Mu, who was a little weaker, and left the strongest Mo Kun to Duan Lang to deal with. However, Chu Ti and Liu Shuguang suggested that the court and Deguang soldiers and horses deal with Mo Kun, and let Duan Lang go to fight Lu Mu in Xiyue.

What Liu Shuguang and Chu Ti meant was that Duan Lang would defeat Lu Mu's soldiers and horses, and he would pursue them all the way to the west. When the time comes, Kyoto will send troops and horses to hold the lower pass, and it will be able to block Duan Lang's army from the lower pass. And on Mo Kun's side, even if he defeats Deguang's soldiers and horses, he will still retreat south, and only by retreating to Blue Lake City can it be considered safe. South of Blue Lake City, which is now Duan Lang's territory, is bound to fight back. In this way, it is extremely beneficial for the court. But if Duan Lang wants to attack Mokun, after Lu Mu wins, he can only retreat to the lower pass and refuse, which is still very unfavorable for Kyoto.

Delong took the advice of the two, and after a verbal battle with Zhang Ruming, he finally decided on the attack plan. Early the next morning, Zhang Ruming left Kyoto with a smug smile on his red face.

In the camp of Lidu City, the generals saw Zhang Ruming's safe return, and immediately surrounded him like a hero. Duan Lang summoned everyone to the account, and after listening to Zhang Ruming's tirade like a storyteller, Duan Lang couldn't help but look at Mingyue with some doubts.

It was expected that Delong could choose to join forces, but his strong choice of Nanping Mokun was beyond the expectations of Duan Lang and Tangtai Mingyue. However, the veteran Sun Gang was immediately excited when he heard the news. Anyway, as long as we can join forces to kill the foreign invaders. As for whether it is a fight or a peace afterwards, it doesn't matter, after all, neither side will harm the people of Great Xia, and that's enough.

Sun Gang hurriedly left the camp and went to the Luoxi Plain, while Duan Lang's side wanted to revise the plan again, from raiding the Mokun camp to attacking Lu Mu's side. For the soldiers of Lidu City, they were more willing to attack the soldiers and horses of the Western Vietnamese. After all, there is an indelible hatred between the two sides.

A few days later, Deguang sent someone to deliver the news. He agreed to the plan of joining forces to resist the enemy, and the army was quietly moving forward in a detour to the location of the Mokun camp.

In the camp of Lidu City, Duan Lang once again sent someone to send the news and set a specific time for the attack with Delong Deguang. At that time, it must be the three parties at the same time, and Mokun and Lu Mu must not be left with any chance to assist in defense.

Da Fei flapped his wings and flew towards Fengluan Mountain, since he had to deal with Lu Mu, then Zhou Wu's 20,000 horses would become a surprise army. This battle is bound to make Lu Mu collapse to the end, and he will have no power to fight back.

On the road from the Rakuxi Plain to Kyoto, Tokumitsu sat in the middle of the car with a bag in his hand. With tears in his eyes, Deguang told Fan Jiachang that Prince Hong would drive west after writing this tip. The old prince's life came to an end, and he left a plan for Deguang before he died. Deguang was sad in his heart, but did not announce the news. Prince Hong is the spiritual pillar of the army, and he will announce the news of Prince Hong's death after this battle.

Deguang looked down at the bag, and Prince Hong only wrote one sentence in it. But this sentence is crucial for Deguang.

Prince Hong wrote: You can join forces, but the war will retreat at the touch of a button, and you must reserve your strength and wait for the comeback!