69novels Chapter 1202 The state army is defeated, and Emperor Qing is thoroughly enraged!
Chapter 1202 The state army is defeated, and Emperor Qing is thoroughly enraged!
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly drew his sword and committed suicide by slitting his throat. Blood splattered, and his body slowly fell to the ground.
Han Xin remained silent for a moment, then waved his hand and ordered: "Give General Murong a grand funeral. Order the entire army: those who surrender will be spared."
News of their commander's death quickly spread across the battlefield. The surviving soldiers of the state army threw down their weapons and knelt to surrender. A dark mass of surrendered soldiers knelt on the plain, banners fell, and swords and spears littered the ground.
Thus, the Battle of Qinghe Plain came to an end.
As the sun sets, the smoke of battle gradually dissipates over the Qinghe Plain.
Cao Shen rode his horse to inspect the battlefield, where corpses littered the ground. The results of this battle were still being tallied, but it was clear from the naked eye that the 120,000-strong army had been utterly routed.
"Reporting to the general," the lieutenant rode up to report, "preliminary statistics show that over 48,000 enemy soldiers were killed, 42,000 were captured, and over 10,000 escaped. Countless supplies and provisions were seized."
Cao Can nodded: "What are our casualties?"
"Less than five thousand, mostly minor injuries."
Trading five thousand casualties for an enemy army of one hundred and twenty thousand was an unprecedented victory. But Cao Can showed no joy. Looking at the devastated battlefield, he sighed softly, "One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand."
Meanwhile, Han Xin had returned to his temporary command tent and began to plan the next move.
"Order all troops to rest for three days. After three days, we will divide into three routes to take the three counties in the western border." He pointed on the map, "General Cao will lead 30,000 to take Linshui County, I will lead 40,000 to take Pingyang Pass, and Deputy General Li Gan will lead 20,000 to take Qingshan City. The three counties are mutually supportive and connected, forming our foundation in the western border."
"General," the military advisor suggested, "the garrison in the three counties numbers only a little over ten thousand. Our army has just won a victory and its morale is high. Why not take the county seat directly?"
Han Xin shook his head: "One must take things one step at a time. Three counties are easy to take, but a prefecture city is difficult to conquer. Moreover, our army has fought many battles, and the soldiers are exhausted and need rest. More importantly—" He paused, "we need to see the reaction of the Qing Kingdom's court."
The soldier suddenly realized: "General, do you intend to use the three counties as bait to test the strength and weakness of the Qing Kingdom?"
“Exactly.” A glint flashed in Han Xin’s eyes. “Losing 150,000 troops will surely enrage Emperor Qing. But will he send another large army to quell the rebellion, or will he bide his time for now? This will determine our next strategic move.”
Three days later, the Huaxia army set out as promised.
The garrison of Linshui County surrendered – their commander had already died in battle on the Qinghe Plain, and only a thousand or so old, weak and disabled soldiers remained in the city. How could they possibly withstand an army of 30,000?
The garrison commander of Pingyang Pass attempted to resist, but Han Xin besieged the pass without attacking, instead bombarding it with cannons for three days until the walls collapsed and the garrison surrendered.
The situation in Qingshan City went the best. The wealthy families in the city had already secretly contacted the Huaxia Army, and when Li Gan's army arrived at the city gates, the city gates opened by themselves.
At this point, the three western counties were all under the control of the Huaxia army. Han Xin's first order upon entering the city was to open the granaries and distribute grain to relieve the poor.
"The proclamation to reassure the people must clearly state," he instructed the clerk, "Our army has come here solely to overthrow tyranny and will not disturb the people. Anyone who robs or commits adultery will be executed without mercy. Those with talent will be employed regardless of their background."
This order quickly calmed the people's hearts. The people of the three counties, who were initially fearful of the war, gradually lowered their guard after seeing that the Huaxia army was disciplined, did not commit any offenses, and opened its granaries to distribute food.
To the people's surprise, the 500 civil officials brought by the Huaxia army quickly took over the administration, surveyed the land, rectified officialdom, and reduced taxes. In just half a month, the three counties were transformed.
The news spread, causing unrest in the surrounding counties and districts.
When news of the great defeat in the west reached the capital, Emperor Qing was reviewing memorials in his study.
"Snapped!"
The jade cup fell to the ground and shattered. Emperor Qing stood up abruptly, his face ashen: "Say that again?"
The Minister of War, kneeling on the ground, trembled violently: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, urgent report from the western border. General Murong's 150,000-strong provincial army... has been completely annihilated. General Murong is dead, 30,000 cavalrymen are all wiped out, and 120,000 infantrymen... have either died or surrendered..."
"Han Xin!" Emperor Qing spat out the name through gritted teeth. "What a Han Xin! An army of 150,000, in less than a month..."
He slumped back onto the dragon throne, feeling dizzy and disoriented. The 150,000-strong army—almost the entire force of the Western Frontier—and more importantly, the 30,000 cavalry, the most elite troops of the Qing Kingdom, had been wiped out in a single day...
"What are the court officials saying?" After a long silence, Emperor Qing finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
"The court is divided into three factions," the chief eunuch reported in a low voice. "The pro-war faction, led by the Duke of Zhenguo, advocates mobilizing the entire nation's forces to wipe them out in one fell swoop. The pro-peace faction, led by the Minister of Revenue, suggests negotiating amnesty. And... there are also some people secretly contacting the Gao Family Merchant Guild..."
"The Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce!" A cold glint flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes. "They want to get involved too?"
"Gao Yao seems to have a presence in the western region as well. According to secret reports from the secret guards, the Gao Clan's caravans frequently entered and exited the western region before the war, and entered the three counties immediately after the war to make contact with the Huaxia army."
Emperor Qing clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh. Internal and external troubles erupted simultaneously. The rebellion in the west was far from over, Gao Yao was watching with predatory intent, and the northern barbarians were stirring...
"Issue the decree," he finally spoke, "promote the Duke of Zhenguo to Grand General, in charge of all the troops in the country. Mobilize an army of 300,000. Within three months, I want to see Han Xin's head."
"Your Majesty," the Minister of War said urgently, "the provisions and supplies for an army of 300,000 will likely be insufficient to meet demand within three months. Furthermore, the northern border..."
"Then two hundred thousand!" Emperor Qing said sternly. "If the Ministry of Revenue fails to prepare sufficient provisions, they will be beheaded! Send an additional fifty thousand border troops to the northern border to defend it to the death!"
"As you wish."
After the courtiers withdrew, Emperor Qing stood alone by the window of his study, gazing westward. The setting sun, like blood, dyed the palace crimson.
"Han Xin..." he muttered to himself, "Do you think this will shake my empire?"
Meanwhile, in the Western Border Huaxia Army's main camp...
Han Xin took the intelligence report, glanced at it, and laughed, "Two hundred thousand? It seems Emperor Qing is really in a hurry."
"We must not underestimate the enemy," Cao Can said solemnly. "The Duke of Zhenguo is a famous general of Qing Kingdom, and he is experienced in warfare. Although his 200,000 troops are not as elite as the previous state army, they have the advantage in numbers."
“I know.” Han Xin looked eastward. “So we only have three months. Within these three months, we must train the new army, strengthen the city defenses, and stockpile grain. More importantly—” He turned to look at Cao Can, “we must win the hearts of the people in the three counties.”
“I’m handling this matter,” Cao Can said. “As you instructed, taxes have been reduced, land has been distributed, and free schools have been established. The people’s support for the Huaxia Army is growing daily, and some young men have already volunteered to join the army.”
“That’s not enough.” Han Xin shook his head. “We need to make them understand that they are not fighting for us, but for their own land and their own future.”
As the two were talking, a fast horse galloped up to the pass. The messenger dismounted and rushed up the pass: "General! An envoy from the Gao Clan Merchant Guild requests an audience!"
Han Xin and Cao Xiang exchanged a glance: "They've finally arrived."