The fall of Xingyang was actually a turning point related to the rise and fall of the Sui Dynasty, and it was also the starting point for Li Mi's struggle for world supremacy.

Li Mi joined the Wagang Army in the twelfth year of Daye. This man was very strategic and ambitious. He took advantage of the rising power of the Wagang Army and Zhai Rang, and relied on his unparalleled martial arts to conquer a small group of rebels and different forces nearby.

This multiplied the strength of the Wagang Army. At the same time, it became clear that the unilateral interception of water transportation to maintain military supplies was actually the Achilles heel of the Wagang Army's development and was insufficient to supply its needs.

So he proposed to Zhai Rang: "First take Xingyang, rest in the Military Hall Valley, wait for the soldiers and horses to be replenished, and then compete with others for profit."

From this perspective, we can see that Li Mi's talent and strategy are truly superior to Zhai Rang's.

As long as we can control the Xingyang area, we can solve the problem of food supply in the long term, further expand our power, and directly threaten Luoyang, the eastern capital, and even affect the connection between the capital and the three major military towns of Luoyang and Jiangdu.

After Zhai Rang agreed, in October of the same year, the Wagang Army launched a large-scale offensive. They first captured the surrounding counties of Xingyang and pursued Xingyang City directly.

Yang Guang attached great importance to this and sent Zhang Xutuo, the most powerful general at that time, the arresting ambassador of the twelve counties of Henan Province, to guard Xingyang, leading 20,000 elite troops to fight.

This man was well-known both in the court and in the martial arts world. He was known as the best gunman in the world for his "storm" marksmanship. He was arrogant and arrogant by nature. Of course, he looked down on Li Mi, who was only a minor celebrity at the time.

In the past, every time the Wagang army encountered Zhang Xutuo, he would kill him so much that he abandoned his armor and fled away with his spear, so Zhai Rang was afraid of him like a tiger. When he heard that it was this nemesis who came to attack him, he wanted to retreat and said: "This man is proficient in the art of war."

, His spear skills are unparalleled, and his subordinates Luo Shixin and Qin Shubao are even more brave and good at fighting. It is better to avoid the front for now and then plan for a later strategy."

The other subordinates were all frightened and all agreed.

Only Li Mi resisted all opinions and asked Zhai Rang to lead the main force to confront him head-on. He and his four most capable men Wang Bodang, Zu Junyan, Shen Luoyan, and Xu Shiji led more than a thousand masters to ambush in the dense forest north of Dahai Temple.

When the main forces of the two sides came into contact, Zhai Rang's army was defeated steadily and was chased by Zhang Xutuo for more than ten miles to the north of Dahai Temple.

Li Mi immediately raised his troops and attacked Zhang Jun from behind.

Zhai Rang's army also cooperated with the sun to counterattack, and attacked Zhang Jun from both front and rear. Zhang Jun suffered heavy casualties.

Li Mi personally took action and killed Zhang Xutuo.

This battle made Li Mi famous all over the world, and he became the most prestigious figure in the Wagang Army, clearly superior to the great leader Zhai Rang.

This great victory established the foundation of the Wagang Army and severely damaged the prestige of the Sui Army.

Under this situation, Zhai Rang had no choice but to let Li Mi lead his own army, known as Pushan Gongying.

Li Mi was born into a noble family and had been granted titles for generations, so he inherited the title of Pu Shanggong and took his name after him.

Li Mi was very ambitious, not only to gain Xingyang, but also to develop Luocang.

This warehouse was the largest granary in the Sui Dynasty, so Yang Guang attached great importance to it and sent Huben Lang, Liu Wengong, and 25,000 infantry and cavalrymen to march eastward from Luoyang, the eastern capital, in an attempt to restore the decline.

He also ordered Pei Renji to attack the flank of Wagang Army from Hulao, hoping to use these two armies to contain Li Mi.

At the same time, Yang Guang sent his capable subordinate Wang Shichong to Luokou to confront Li Mi head-on.

When Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong arrived in Xingyang, the armies of both sides were in a stalemate, and the situation was about to break out.

After the two of them defeated Yu Wen Wudi, their confidence increased sharply, and because of the practical experience of surviving a close call, they were no longer as blind as before when practicing Kung Fu. Therefore, during the more than twenty days of the journey,

, both of them have made rapid progress in both spirit and skill.

If anyone who was familiar with them in Yangzhou encountered them at this moment, they would be surprised by their changes.

And Xu Ziling looks even more elegant and chic.

His body with broad shoulders and long legs is as straight as a gun barrel, and a pair of tiger eyes flash under his broad forehead, full of intimidating charm. Although he has just turned nineteen, he already gives the impression of being an adult.

Kou Zhong, on the other hand, became increasingly domineering.

Although he is an inch shorter than Xu Ziling, he is already half a head taller than an ordinary person.

Because his shoulders and back are particularly broad, he looks even more majestic.

If Xu Ziling is elegant, then Kou Zhong is heroic.

What's rare is that Kou Zhong always has a cynical look, which when combined with his majestic and domineering attitude, creates a neutralizing effect and forms his unique style.

However, the two of them still did not realize that they had stepped into the forest of masters. They were still cautious when entering the city and passing through the customs, making up their minds to run away immediately if there was any abnormal movement.

At this moment, the city defense gates were extremely strict. As soon as the two men opened the city gate, they were interrogated by the Wagang Army in blue uniforms.

The leader saw that they were wearing long swords and looked very impressive, so they interrogated them about their origins, their purpose of being here, and other details.

After Kou Zhong made some nonsense, the leader was still dissatisfied and said: "Everyone entering or leaving the city must have a pass issued by the ancestor's military advisor. You don't seem to be the ones who are here to cause trouble, but it is difficult to violate military orders. Please forgive me for not being tolerant."

."

When Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling saw that he was polite and courteous, they felt good about him. Xu Ziling said calmly: "To be honest, we are here to find our sister Susu who is sworn to Jinlan. She is you... Hey! Your big dragon leader's missing daughter

My maid, if you don't believe me, just ask her and you will know."

The leader frowned and said, "Don't talk nonsense. The eldest lady just came back from traveling last month. How could she have been missing before?"

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were immediately stunned and looked at each other, not understanding what was going on.

That day in the deserted village, they witnessed Zhai Rang being injured by a weirdo who colluded with Zu Junyan. Why did Miss Su Su suddenly return safely?

However, the leader did not doubt them and said: "I also know Sister Su. When she and the young lady got separated in Jiangbei, I personally sent her to Dalongtou Mansion. So be it! You take off your sabers first and wait for them.

I'll send someone to inform her."

After a pause, he asked, "What are your names?"

Kou Zhong said gratefully: "Please tell her that Xiao Zhong and Xiao Ling have come to find her." He exchanged glances with Xu Ziling, both of whom were overjoyed that Su was fine.

The soldiers took them to the official hall near the city gate to wait, and then sent people on flying horses to report to Su Su.

The two were locked in a small stone room with a door made of steel. It was clearly a small cell. Kou Zhong said in confusion: "Obviously even Zhai Rang was injured by that weirdo, why did his daughter get injured instead?"

Rescue him?"

Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said: "Do you think I can give you the answer? Alas! The city defense is so tight, and the Wagang army looks like they have been beaten twice. Even if Sister Susu is willing to go with us, we don't have the ability to take her with us.

leave."

Kou Zhong said with a smile: "Don't be so pessimistic! Everything depends on human nature. There will always be a way. For example, try to steal two of his mother's passes. Hey! Who wants to get Zu Junyan who issued the passes? He is a traitor himself. Do you want to ask him?

Where will Zhai Rang expose it?"

Xu Ziling said: "How can you think so far? What I'm most afraid of now is meeting that woman Shen Luoyan and her men who have dealt with us before. It would be terrible then."

Kou Zhong, however, was very optimistic and said proudly: "Ms. Shen is Li Mi's handsome military advisor, and she has gone to fight with the army. If the master has something to do, the gang below will have to wait around, so I don't worry."

He added: "The Wagang Army seems to be more disciplined than my father's Jianghuai Army. If I don't have other ideas, it would be a good idea to join the Wagang Army!"

Xu Ziling hummed and did not answer him. He closed his eyes and started practicing.

These days, whether walking, standing, sitting or lying down, the two of them have practiced Qigong diligently.

Kou Zhong was not such a hard-working person, but after his battle with Yuwen Wudi Daozuo, he knew that practicing martial arts well was the only way to save his life, so he was even more motivated to practice hard than Xu Ziling.

They quickly entered a Tao realm of extreme tranquility that is rarely dreamed of by ordinary martial arts practitioners. The true energy in their bodies was surging and functioning endlessly.

Time passes unconsciously.

Suddenly the door was pushed open.

The two of them felt the connection and opened their eyes at the same time to look towards the entrance.

Su Su, who was much thinner but more beautiful, ran in with a cloud of fragrant wind and hugged the two people who had just jumped up.

The three of them were crying and laughing, but not a single sentence could be said in a coherent manner.

Finally, because there were outsiders around, Su Su reluctantly left the two of them, with tears rolling down her cheeks: "I thought I would never see you again! Alas!"

I couldn't help but fall into the hug of the two again, crying bitterly, showing my true love.

The soldier who was outside the door was moved when he saw that they were full of passionate feelings like brother and sister, and gently closed the door, so that the three of them could talk about their separation.

Kou Zhong teased Su Su's collar and saw that she was like a pear blossom in the rain. He felt heartbroken and said: "Sister Su Su, please stop crying. You should laugh."

Xu Ziling held her shoulders and said, "Has Sister Su Su been wronged?"

Su Su shook her head with tears in her eyes and said, "No! Miss is still very kind to me! Alas! You two have grown taller and stronger now, and there will definitely be many girls falling in love with you."

Kou Zhong said awkwardly: "On the contrary, all the beauties we have met, except Sister Susu, are either shouting to be beaten or killed, so we have to come to see you, Sister Susu."

Susuo was used to talking and laughing with them. She smiled sweetly like a sunny day after the rain: "It's still the same, alas! You don't know how many tears they shed for your two brothers!"

In order to make her happy, Xu Ziling pretended to be surprised and said: "This is strange, why does Sister Su Su's big eyes become more beautiful the more she cries?"

Susu smiled so much that she leaned on their shoulders.

The love between the three siblings is genuine. Although they do not avoid suspicion, they do not have any sensual feelings between men and women.

Kou Zhong leaned close to her little ear and asked, "Where is Brother Li?"

Su Su's delicate body trembled, she raised her pretty face stained with tears and said, "After he sent me back, he went to Dongdu."

Looking at her expression, Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong knew that this good sister had a deep love for Li Jing.

Xu Yuling frowned and asked, "Didn't he invite you to go?" Su Su lowered her head and said softly, "I refused to let him go. He is a man and a true hero. Naturally, he should start his own career while he is young."

Both of them were in awe.

Kou Zhong took the opportunity and said: "Although we are men, we are not heroes. Sister Su Su will go with us." Su Su was shocked and said:

"I still have to serve the young lady." Xu Ziling said anxiously: "You will only die if you stay. We saw with our own eyes that Zu Junyan colluded with outsiders to hurt your master." Su Su said in shock: "Nonsense! You are a good man, why? He will be injured."

Kou Zhong was stunned and said, "Then has your lady been kidnapped?"
To be continued...