Settle accounts one by one.

  Zhao Xikuo didn't want Yu Jing to tell him about Annan's troubles in Guangnan.

  Once all the debts are poured out at once, it's not that this Zhēng Dàn can't be in charge, even if it's that big prince, he will also be scared to death.

  Come slowly, don't be in a hurry, the captured grain and fodder can still support us for some days, and the weather is also adaptable.

  "Li Shichen, you've been boasting about being a vassal state for years, but have yet to fulfill your obligations. Are you trying to deceive the great Song Dynasty? Or do you think I, Zhao Xie, am ignorant of worldly affairs?"

  "Unfilial children can still be taught with rod and stick, but when it comes to the country, how can one claim to be a ruler without fulfilling their duties? What grounds do they have to question others?"

  Alright, since you said it's a vassal state, let's discuss it in terms of a vassal state relationship.

  "Your Imperial Highness, if I offer tribute and surrender, will you withdraw your troops?"

  As expected, after all the fuss and bother of this great Song Dynasty, it ultimately boils down to two things: money and face.

  Li Yixun seemed very unwilling to continue entangling and didn't even want to take over from Yu Jing, just dealing with this young prince.

  "This is fundamental! This is a basic obligation! Only after making up for past tributes can we discuss the matter of withdrawing troops."

  No mention of withdrawal, nor is there any mention of not withdrawing. Just tell you, first settle this account, and then we'll talk.

  As for how Li Yixuan understands it, that's not something Zhao Xi should worry about.

  Yeah, Li Yitong is quite straightforward. No tea... That's about it. The tea hadn't even cooled down yet when he left.

  Annan seems very anxious!

  Can't you be patient? The Crown Prince is instigating and provoking the clever and cunning to create chaos, and waiting for an opportunity to seize Guangnan of the Great Song.

  Originally intended as a merit before his own enthronement, unexpectedly the entire northern region was crippled and two cities were lost.

  At this critical moment of succession to the throne, he must settle this matter as soon as possible and return to Longfu to inherit the great unity.

  So, two days later, Li Yitong came again, with a large entourage of vehicles.

  What's all this nonsense?

  Zhao Xi flipped through the things Li Yitong brought... nothing was practical.

  Everything is complete, from miscellaneous items to golden and jade objects. It's just that there's no money... or rather, it seems like gold and jade are considered as money too.

  Even horses, turtles and some strange animals are available.

  It's okay, no elephants were directly driven as tribute.

  In the end, Zhao Xi actually saw the woman...

  "Are bachelors and tributes also useless things?"

  "All vassal states are like this, all have their own specialties."

  Zhao Xi took another look... maybe someone will like these. If they can be sold, it's okay, otherwise they'll all be piled up in the warehouse, and in the end, they'll still go bad.

  The problem is, with so many goods, how can we get them back? Let the soldiers carry them on their backs... and so on!

  Still won't give up, huh!

  ……

  This time it's very official, so Guo Chao can't lose the etiquette of a big country either.

  Naturally, they entertained guests with a feast.

  At this banquet, it seems that they can't tell that these are the warring parties. Each one comes to talk, with elegant words and a lively tone.

  As they got to the exciting part, their words struck a chord. So, the civil and military officials of the imperial court were all thrilled, until they were almost drunk, and the banquet only dispersed when it was getting late.

  In response to this normalization of relations with vassal states, even in the military camps it was lively... all were drinking and feasting.

  "Your Highness, Commander Di, are you certain we will attack the city?"

  This should be the time for a good sleep after a drinking party, but all the civil and military officials of the Anfu government are gathered in Lang Song's government office.

  "Scholars, be prepared for no trouble. I always feel that Annan is too easy to talk to, although those broken things are not worth much money, just like they were prepared in advance."

  Whose family is still carrying these things?

  Li Yitian returned after two or three days and arranged all the items neatly, which were all tributes that should be presented to the court.

  Zhao Xi had exchanged with Di Qing, and they both agreed that there was a trick. So, the old trick was replayed, just like Meng Huo's Zhige, it also created a scene of celebration for the whole army.

  If Annan really launches a surprise attack tonight, Li Yixuan and Zhao Xi are still quite admirable.

  It's quite in the style of Tang Taizong. Unfortunately, he is not Emperor Gaozu of Tang, and the Crown Prince of Annan is not General Li Jing either.

  It is when people are most tired and also when they sleep most soundly.

  It's just that these civil and military officials who stay in the government office are also yawning continuously.

  "Report... Western city gate was attacked, a large number of people, have been captured!"

  "The eastern gate has been attacked, a large number of people have entered, and they have already been captured!"

  ……

  As expected, it's not fuel-efficient! From the time of abandoning the city, I had already anticipated today's events. Good, very good. This is more like it.

  The Annan army set up camp in the south and launched a surprise attack on the city at night, so they won't go around in circles. Therefore, the main point of attack is still the South Gate.

  The garrison at the South Gate was besieged by the Annan army from three directions, and after a slight resistance, they abandoned it. So the south city gate opened up.

  Outside the city gate, a torch flashed several times, and the city gate also flashed several times. Then, a fire dragon ignited outside the city...

  If too many Annamese soldiers are put in, they will not be concentrated, and the power of the explosive shells will not be brought out.

  So, judging from the torches, there are about 3,000 to 5,000 people, all concentrated within the range of the earthen city.

  "Di Shuai, is it going to be like this?"

  "Disperse as soon as we enter the city, it's settled then."

  Then, on the city wall, there were also dense torches, which ignited the fuse of the firecrackers, and then controlled the timing, casually throwing them down...

  Is this a case of catching turtles in a jar? No, it doesn't count, the soldiers didn't even need to make contact, and it was over quickly.

  It's not a complete annihilation, His Highness the Crown Prince has given orders to spare those who can be spared, don't be too ruthless... These are the rewards for the soldiers... I don't understand why this is a reward, but they all carried it out anyway.

  This is far from over, and Zhao Xi had no intention of ending it like this either.

  Coming but not going back is impolite, our country is a nation of etiquette and understands etiquette.

  So Zhao Xi led the guards and 5,000 Western soldiers to return the courtesy.

  When the firecrackers were thrown into the urn city, Annan's sneak attack was doomed.

  It was at this time that Zhao Xi and the Imperial Guard had exited the eastern gate and turned south, advancing quickly in secret.

  The Annan army bombarding this city did not spare those who were locked outside the city walls either.

  Being so close to the city wall, with a commanding view and torches as guides, it's easy to attack.

  At one time, bows and arrows, guns and gunpowder bullets, all poured down. Even the tiger squatting cannon tried loading with broken stones...

  From the moment when the gates of An Nam were opened by the Annamese army until their defeat, it was less than an hour, and the battle came to an end.

  The Annamese army fled once again.

  This time it's not just letting the sheep escape, but a large-scale withdrawal... actually, it's just a withdrawal.

  The surprise attack failed and instead lost more soldiers... The retreat was quick and chaotic.

  Fortunately, the Song army did not pursue, but unexpectedly, explosions of firecrackers suddenly erupted from all sides...

  This sound is a call to arms for the An Nan army and also an announcement telling them to hurry up and retreat.

  No longer care about what system, instantly completely disintegrated.

  Fortunately, the camp was not far away, and they all knew that it was safe inside the camp. Regardless of whether they were infantry or cavalry, they all scattered and ran back...