**"Fate's Monument, summon me three second-tier talents."**
The summoning slots were better used to transform into actual combat power instead of being left empty.
**"Congratulations, Lord of Fate, you have successfully summoned the historical figures: Liao Hua, Gao Lan, and Ji Ling."**
The middle of Shu lacks great generals, so Liao Hua, the vanguard, is a good choice. Gao Lan from Hebei's Four Courtyards, and Ji Ling, the only capable general under Yuan Shu's command—this is a decent haul overall.
However, Li Chenggan still felt that the Fate's Monument was unreliable. So far, all the figures summoned had been from the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period.
**"Fate's Monument, summon me a first-tier talent. If you dare, bring me another from the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms!"**
Li Chenggan boldly challenged the Fate's Monument, not bothering to hide his dissatisfaction.
**"Congratulations, Lord of Fate, you have successfully summoned Han Shizhong of the Southern Song. Note: Lord of Fate, you are too naive."**
What? Being looked down upon again? Forget it, Li Chenggan decided not to hold a grudge, considering the high-profile presence of Han Shizhong.
As one of the Four Great Generals who revived the Southern Song, Han Shizhong's abilities were certainly impressive.
**"Fate's Monument, show me the details of the four individuals."**
**"Name: Liao Hua**
**Courtesy Name: Yuanjian**
**Dynasty: Late Han Three Kingdoms**
**Source: Historical Records**
**Personal Background: Liao Hua was known for his courage and integrity. He was an important general of Shu Han in the later period. Liao Hua once served as the chief clerk under General Guan Yu. After Guan Yu's defeat and death, he faked his death to return to Shu, where he was appointed as the governor of Yidu by Liu Bei. After Liu Bei's death, he was promoted to military advisor and later to governor of Yinping. He participated in the Shu Han Northern Campaigns multiple times. He was promoted to Right Charioteer General, with the title of middle county marquis. After the fall of Shu, he was moved to Luoyang, where he died of illness on the way.**
**Rank: Second-tier Warrior**
**Potential: 2.5 Stars**
**Realm: Sixth level of Meridian Opening**
**Martial Arts: Brave Virtue Manual."**
**"Name: Gao Lan**
**Courtesy Name: None**
**Dynasty: Late Han Three Kingdoms**
**Source: Historical Records**
**Personal Background: Gao Lan was a brave general under Yuan Shao. During the Battle of Guandu, when Wuchao was attacked, Guo Tu suggested attacking Cao Cao's camp instead of saving Wuchao. Gao Lan and Zhang He were sent to attack Cao Cao's camp, defeating his forces. When returning, Guo Tu falsely accused Gao Lan and Zhang He of failing to engage properly, forcing them to surrender to Cao Cao. Afterward, their whereabouts were unknown.**
**Rank: Second-tier Warrior**
**Potential: 2.5 Stars**
**Realm: Sixth level of Meridian Opening**
**Martial Arts: Flame Manual."**
**"Name: Ji Ling**
**Courtesy Name: Fuyi**
**Dynasty: Late Han Three Kingdoms**
**Source: Historical Records**
**Personal Background: Ji Ling was a general under Yuan Shu in the late Eastern Han. He was known for his great bravery.**
**Rank: Second-tier Warrior**
**Potential: 2.5 Stars**
**Realm: Sixth level of Meridian Opening**
**Martial Arts: Tidewalking Manual."**
**"Name: Han Shizhong**
**Courtesy Name: Liangchen**
**Dynasty: Southern Song**
**Source: Historical Records**
**Personal Background: Han Shizhong was a tall and mighty general, known for his bravery. Born into poverty, he enlisted at eighteen. He was valiant and strategic, earning great merit in the wars against the Xixia and Jin, as well as in suppressing rebellions. He was an upright official who refused to ally with the treacherous Qin Hui, and he spoke out against the wrongful accusation of Yue Fei. Han Shizhong passed away in the twenty-first year of Shaoxing (1151) at the age of sixty-three. He was posthumously granted the title of Taishi and the honor of Zhongyi Duke. In the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of the Song, he was further honored as Qi King and given the posthumous title of "Loyal and Martial" to be worshiped in the Song Emperor Gaozong's temple.**
**Rank: First-tier General**
**Potential: 4.5 Stars**
**Realm: Fifth level of Star Attraction**
**Martial Arts: Revival Divine Canon**
**Accompanying Troops: Elite Southern Song Army of 50,000."**
From the details, it seems that the realm of summoned talents depends on the level of those previously summoned. Li Chenggan knew that the figures already summoned, such as Zhou Cang and Guan Ping, had reached the sixth level of Meridian Opening, and it was expected that Liao Hua and the others, being second-tier talents, would also be at this level.
If Liao Hua and the others were a decent gain, then Han Shizhong was a major surprise for Li Chenggan. With a potential of 4.5 stars, Han Shizhong was at the peak of the second-tier level, with a higher realm and a more powerful cultivation technique—definitely a force to be reckoned with. Moreover, Han Shizhong brought with him 50,000 elite Southern Song soldiers, all at the fourth level of Body Refinement. While they were inferior to the Blood Guards of the Great Tang, they were among the best among the armies of other nations.
Li Chenggan had already made plans for Han Shizhong's deployment.
**"Your Majesty, there are four people outside seeking an audience."**
**"Oh, they're here so quickly? Quickly, bring them in, Eunuch De."**
**"Yes, Your Majesty."**
Knowing that Li Chenggan's situation was dire, the Fate's Monument had promptly dispatched the four individuals.
**"Han Shizhong, Liao Hua, Gao Lan, Ji Ling pay their respects to Your Majesty."**
**"Please rise."**
At first glance, Han Shizhong emanated a terrifying killing aura, his presence commanding respect. He truly lived up to his reputation as one of the Southern Song's great generals. Liao Hua and the others were also formidable warriors in their own right.
**"Gentlemen, the situation is urgent, so I will not engage in pleasantries. The three northern cities have fallen, and millions of Great Tang citizens have been slaughtered. I need you all to go and assist."**
**"We will follow Your Majesty's command!"** The four were seasoned generals who feared no battle.
**"Han Shizhong, I appoint you as the General to Pacify the North. Lead 1,000 Great Tang Blood Guards and 50,000 elite Southern Song troops to the northern front to prevent the northern barbarians from advancing beyond Yulan City."**
**"This general obeys!"**
Yulan City was the only large city in the northern region, and if it fell, the northern barbarian forces could easily march into the capital. After some thought, Li Chenggan decided to send Han Shizhong with the 1,000 Blood Guards for added security.
With Han Shizhong leading the defense of Yulan City, Li Chenggan could rest easy.
**"Liao Hua, Ji Ling, Gao Lan, you three will serve as deputy generals under Han Shizhong's command."**
**"We understand!"** The three had already witnessed Han Shizhong's might, so they had no objections.
Having issued these orders, Li Chenggan turned his attention to other matters.
**"Eunuch De, what's the current status of the army of the Xuanfeng Kingdom?"**
With Han Shizhong heading north, Li Chenggan no longer had to worry about the northern barbarians. The Eastern Fierce Wind Kingdom and the Northeastern Green Mountain Kingdom hadn't broken through the Great Tang's defenses yet, so they were not an immediate concern. The most pressing threat now came from the Xuanfeng Kingdom's army.
**"Your Majesty, General Lin Tie of the Xuanfeng Kingdom is reportedly leading 400,000 troops and is about to reach Huangfeng City."** Eunuch De replied quietly, afraid of provoking Li Chenggan's anger.
**"What? They're already at Huangfeng City? When did this happen? What have the western garrisons been doing?"**
Li Chenggan was shocked. He had originally thought it would take at least half a month for the Xuanfeng Kingdom's forces to approach Shengjing. But now, they were already nearing Huangfeng City, which was the last line of defense on the western side of Shengjing. If Huangfeng City fell, the enemy could reach the capital in half a day.