In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

With the decision to burn one's bridges and make a full-scale breakout, a chilling atmosphere began to envelop Dingyuan Mountain.

Time passed by, and soon night fell.

Torches lit up the foot of the mountain, and the Shatuo army surrounded Dingyuan Mountain from all sides, making it impassable.

That was intentional on the part of the Xueyantuo people, to put pressure on Li Yuanchang.

They awaited Li Yuanchang's surrender and made all preparations for a full-scale attack.

But what they didn't expect was that Li Yuanchang planned to strike first.

Crackling sounds...

At the mountaintop, strange movements continued to occur; huge boulders were being pried open and then pushed forward little by little, like rolling tires.

Under the torchlight, there were already a hundred or so huge stones piled up. Although the number was not large, it was enough to give the Xueyantuo people below a hard time.

On the other side, the guards were sharpening their knives, shirtless.

Each of them carried two short swords and a long spear, almost all of which were captured spoils of war, to prevent them from losing their weapons and being left without swords during a breakout.

The warhorses, including Chidian, which had not been used in the mountain battles, were well-fed and ready to go.

The hour of You (5-7 PM).

Li Yuanchang saw Yuchi Baoqi and the other two for the last time.

"Before midnight, I will send someone to meet with their envoy, and then strike first."

"Remember to watch the fire on the mountaintop. Once it's lit, take advantage of the chaos to break out. No matter what, do not turn back, and do not linger in battle!"

"This is the greatest protection you can offer me, do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, the three men's expressions turned solemn, and they all clasped their hands in a fist salute: "Yes!"

"besides!"

Li Yuanchang paused for a moment, then glanced at the three men. Because they were trying to break through the encirclement, each of them was covered in two layers of armor.

"Be careful, everyone. Try to get everyone out of here, spread out and break through. There's a chance."

"Your Highness, rest assured!"

"Big brother, be careful too!"

Li Yuanchang smiled and nodded, then said, "Go ahead."

Cheng Chuliang and Yuchi Baoqi looked back repeatedly, their eyes filled with worry, but at this point, there was no other way.

They did want to cover their retreat, but the Xueyantuo refused to acknowledge them.

They could only follow the plan and help Li Yuanchang share the burden.

Once the three groups disappeared from the mountaintop and entered their designated locations from different directions, the mountaintop base camp was mostly empty.

The night wind blew, carrying a sense of desolation and bleakness.

Li Yuanchang looked up at the sky and took a deep breath!

This was probably the most dangerous time of his military career, far more dangerous than the time with Tuyuhun.

At that moment, he suddenly thought of Li Chunfeng, who had said that if he interfered in Princess Wencheng's affairs and changed the cause and effect, there would be great disaster.

I thought the matter was resolved.

But in reality, it seems like it has only just begun.

If he hadn't interfered in Princess Wencheng's affairs, there wouldn't have been a series of subsequent events, and he wouldn't have participated in the Xueyantuo War.

These seemingly unrelated events were actually arranged by God long ago.

From a certain perspective, Li Chunfeng's words have come true.

But Li Yuanchang didn't believe in fate!

He didn't believe the Shatuo army could keep him!

"Order the entire army: this is the last meal of the day. We're charging out tonight!"

"yes!"

"..."

Time flies, and things change.

Soon, with only half an hour left in the ion time, the once silent Dingyuan Mountain suddenly began to stir with undercurrents.

Especially at the foot of the mountain, a large number of Xueyantuo people were eager to make a move.

"Lord Banso, it's almost midnight, and that fellow still hasn't come down. He's playing a trick on you!"

"If we don't act now, when will we?"

Qilianbajin spoke in a deep voice, his eyes flashing with a bloodthirsty light under the torchlight; he did not want Li Yuanchang to live.

So many people died because of him, and his brother-in-law was almost skinned alive by Li Yuanchang. If Li Yuanchang were allowed to surrender alive, or even rise to a higher position than him, how could he avenge himself and clear his name?

"General Qilian, don't worry, there's still half an hour."

"This matter is of utmost importance. If the King of Han of the Tang Dynasty remains obstinate, it will not be too late to attack!" Ban Suo said in a deep voice, his brows furrowed, unwilling to let go of the last chance.

Qilianbajin was furious, but there was nothing he could do.

This is a trusted confidant of Dadu.

"Lord Bansuo, let me make this clear: Li Yuanchang has killed over a thousand of my elite troops. If he doesn't come down by midnight, I, the general, will skin him alive, tear him apart, and grind his bones to dust!"

Banso glanced at him without saying anything, but there was dissatisfaction deep in his eyes.

Three thousand people surrounded a few hundred, but they couldn't capture anyone, and the fight escalated to this point.

The voice just fell.

Giddy up, giddy up!

The sound of horses' hooves echoed down the hillside.

"They're here!"

"My lord, you've arrived!"

"Don't fire the arrows!" Banso exclaimed excitedly. If he could persuade them to surrender, it would be a great achievement for him personally, and it would also be a game-changer for the morale of the entire front line.

"drive!"

Banso immediately rode forward.

Qilianbajin's face turned black!

"Who goes there?"

"I am a military commander under the King of Han. The King of Han wishes to see my envoy and surrender in person."

"But the King of Han also said that he would not surrender to Qilianbajin." The Tang army stopped on the hillside and shouted.

The Shatuo army immediately rioted.

Upon hearing this, Banso became excited and stroked his beard with considerable pride: "Hahaha, no problem at all!"

"To show his sincerity, the King of Han said that he would disarm himself and walk to the mountainside."

"But the envoy must personally greet him," the Tang army added.

Banso barely hesitated; he was eager to resolve the matter immediately.

"Very well, go up and tell the King of Han that this envoy will come up immediately!"

The Tang soldiers said nothing more and rode their horses up the mountain again.

"Your Excellency, don't you think there's a problem?"

"I think it's best if we all go up together, just to be on the safe side." Qilianbajin squinted and stepped forward, his eyes revealing a keen insight that comes from years of hunting.

Banso thought the other party was psychologically unbalanced and wanted credit.

"General, don't act rashly!"

"The King of Han has already surrendered and offered his terms. We must not make any mistakes at this critical juncture, or we cannot bear the responsibility!"

"Upon learning that the King of Han was besieged, Da Du She took the matter extremely seriously!"

Upon hearing the words "generous set forth," Qilianbajin seemed to be bound by a spell, no longer saying anything. Despite his deep dissatisfaction, he could only accept the reality.

And so, Bansuo led his hundred men into Dingyuan Mountain.

In an instant, countless eyes from miles around were fixed on the mountainside.

There were two large clusters of light approaching from above and below, indicating that the surrendered forces were making contact.

However, the defense of the entire Shatuo army was extremely tight. Even after Li Yuanchang offered to surrender, they remained at the main passes leading down the mountain and did not dismount for the entire journey.

Da da da……

The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the mountains and forests, torches lit up the road, and there were even many corpses on both sides, reeking of blood.

Finally, Banso stopped on a relatively open mountain road and called out to those above.

"Your Highness, I have come as promised to demonstrate my sincerity."

"Now it's your turn to come out."

"As long as you surrender, we will take all the riches and honors you deserve."