Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 478: Defeat
The first state.

It was just daybreak, and the sound of armor clashing and orderly footsteps could be heard on the official road.

The fully armed Han army advanced quickly towards the city. The city had already been in ruins, with the city gates wide open. Many corpses could be seen on the ground, as well as some burnt carriages.

Shi Wansui led the horse and looked around coldly. When he arrived at the city gate, he immediately ordered his soldiers to occupy all the gates of the city.

There were no defenders in the city.

Not only were there no garrisons, but even the government offices were empty.

After conducting several rigorous searches and capturing some thieves who were committing crimes, Shi Wansui began to wait for the King of Heaven to lead his army to arrive.

Two hours passed like this.

The rolling dust in the distance indicated that the army was rushing towards this direction.

Liu Taozi rode a warhorse and walked to the center of the army, gazing at the city in the distance, while Zu Ting followed beside him.

The situation on both sides of the official road is not very good. The land is barren and many small paths leading to the villages have been destroyed by humans. Perhaps it was done by the people living there, or perhaps it was done by thieves.

In short, this war lasted for a long time and the destructive power it brought was astonishing enough.

The Han mainland suffered a great blow because of this expedition. A large number of civilians were responsible for transportation, which seriously affected farming and harvesting, and even interrupted the rapid development trend. Because of the broken alliance and the war, the recovery momentum that had just emerged in Henan came to an abrupt halt.

The areas that suffered the most serious damage were Guanzhong, Bashu and other regions.

There is no need to say much about Guanzhong. Cities large and small were reduced to ruins, official roads and various buildings were severely damaged, people fled everywhere, farmland was left vacant, thieves were rampant, and defeated soldiers could be seen everywhere.

Guanzhong has not been so chaotic for a long, long time. Now the people responsible for logistics and governance in Guanzhong and other places are Cui Gang and Tian Zili.

Cui Gang was in charge of transportation, while Tian Zili was in charge of management.

Tian Zilie wrote letters to the emperor more than once to report the dire conditions of many prefectures and counties in Guanzhong. Originally, Liang and Gan prefectures were the most dilapidated, but after the Guanzhong War, Liang and Gan became quite wealthy places because of their peaceful surrender. It was really unbelievable.

If Guanzhong was destroyed by the Han Dynasty, then Bashu was in chaos due to internal strife.

At that time, those local celebrities talked eloquently, as if if they took action, the Zhou Kingdom would quickly surrender and the Han army would be able to directly attack Bashu.

But they obviously overestimated their own abilities. The imperial court had already lost control over Bashu. Once the local powerful families rose up, they completely tore up the order of Bashu and caused great harm to the local area.

Liu Taozi had sharp eyes and saw a corpse half covered by mud in the distance.

"Is this what those famous scholars mean by seeking peace for Bashu?"

Zu Ting glanced at the corpse, and there was not much pity in his eyes, but more of coldness.

"Your Majesty, these are all intentional actions of those local celebrities."

"Intentional?"

"They destroyed their own cities and their own farmland?"

"destroy?"

Zu Ting laughed and shook his head. "If it turns out to be true, the granaries and arsenals along the way are probably all empty. What should be robbed has been robbed, and what should be hidden has been hidden."

"This isn't the first time they've done something like this."

"When Yuchi Jiong invaded Bashu, these people surrendered. But even though they had surrendered, Yuchi Jiong still had to work hard to transport food and supplies from Guanzhong and was unable to get logistics from the local area. Your Majesty, do you know why?"

"Is it like this now?"

"Yes, some of the celebrities are full, but some are still hungry. How could they miss such a rare opportunity to plunder in an open and aboveboard manner?"

"In name, they raised an army to help the Han and seek peace for their hometown, but in reality, they brought people to kill officials and plunder, hiding the goods, waiting for us to come, and then asking us for a batch. Hahaha, when Yuchi Jiong entered Bashu, he actually spent money to support the locals. This is how powerful they are."

"It is difficult for us to deal with them directly. If Your Majesty takes action now, all our efforts will be wasted. They will think that they can be useful to Your Majesty and are not afraid of being discovered."

Liu Taozi reined in his horse suddenly and looked at Zu Ting seriously.

"Grandfather."

"I have tolerated too much in order to destroy Zhou"

Zu Ting quickly replied: "Your Majesty, please rest assured! If I let these people live beyond this year, I will die without a burial place!"

"Your Majesty has been patient until today, why not be patient for a few more days!"

"Yuwen Yun certainly wants to surrender, but the people around him all have deep hatred for us. Moreover, they are all ambitious people. I am afraid they are unwilling to surrender easily. They still want to use up our food supplies."

"I have made all the arrangements. I am just waiting for them to commit suicide."

"Your Majesty, within a month, I will kill all these people."

Zu Ting swore solemnly and made oaths again and again.

Liu Taozi said nothing more and looked straight ahead seriously again.

When they arrived at the city gate, Shi Wansui and a stranger were standing there, waiting for Liu Taozi.

The two men walked together to pay their respects. Before Shi Wansui could even open his mouth, the man hurriedly called out, "Shizhou Monk Wang Qiu pays homage to the Heavenly King!!"

He kowtowed to Liu Taozi again and again with great respect.

Shi Wansui glanced at him and said, "I heard that it was a famous scholar in the city who led the army to kill the local officials, but was repelled by the bandits."

Liu Taozi frowned, but Zu Ting smiled and walked forward, "So it's the prince!"

"I have long admired your great name!"

He helped the other man up and said, "If it weren't for the help of all of you kindhearted people, this battle would have been delayed for a long time. This is all thanks to you."

The man was already afraid when he saw Liu Taozi's serious face, but when he saw Zu Ting's friendly attitude, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression was no longer as proud as before.

Liu Taozi ignored him and entered the city with Shi Wansui. However, Zu Ting took the hand of the monk Wang Qiu and greeted him warmly.

"Don't be afraid, my lord. The king of heaven is mighty and speaks little. It has always been like this."

Monk Wang Qiu seemed to be about the same age as Zu Ting, but there was a huge difference between the two in terms of temperament and dress.

Zu Ting was wearing a simple outfit that fit him perfectly. He did not have the hunchback of an old man at all. His body was straight and his face was thin, which made him look more capable. However, this prince was dressed gorgeously and had smeared many things on his body. He always gave off a strange smell, and when he smiled, his face looked wretched.

Monk Wang Qiu did not dare to say anything to Liu Taozi. He just lowered his head and said, "I was defeated by the Zhou army and fled in a hurry. I am grateful that Your Majesty can forgive me."

"Hahaha, don't worry. I will definitely take care of the reward. But, what happened here? I see the city is in ruins and there are few people walking around."

Monk Wang Qiu began to wipe away his non-existent tears and told Zu Ting about his epic battle.

"I learned that the Heavenly King was leading his troops to attack the rebels, so I summoned all my family members to help!"

"We never thought that we would encounter a large army of bandits just after we occupied the city. We were unable to defeat them, so we fled. We fought with the Zhou people in various places, cutting off Yuwen Xian's food and supplies, so we have made some contributions."

Most of the nobles that Zu Ting met along the way said that they were the ones who cut off Yuwen Xian's food supply, and they wanted to take all the credit for killing Yuwen Xian on their own heads.

Zu Ting didn't care and acknowledged the other party's contribution with a smile.

Monk Wang Qiu continued to complain: "In order to raise an army this time, my family property has been exhausted, and most of my family members have died or been injured. Now I still have more than 6,000 people under my command, and they are poorly clothed and hungry. Fortunately, Your Majesty came in time, otherwise, we would have been in trouble! ”

Zu Ting narrowed his eyes and asked without hesitation: "No food?"

"That's not right. Before I came here, I heard that there was a granary here, which stored enough food to feed 30,000 soldiers for a year. There were also three armories with more than 200 powerful crossbows. Moreover, all the thieves I captured along the way said that there was looting in the city."

"Alas, my grandfather, you don't know. The situation here is completely different from what the court has recorded. There are warehouses, but how much grain can be in them?"

"It's completely empty!"

"Besides, after we fought with the Zhou people, they occupied the city and looted the city. Even if there was food hidden, they would have taken it away long ago."

"Oh, you don't know that the bandits said that they couldn't leave any supplies to the Han army, and they took the lead in burning those things that couldn't be taken away!"

"This is the case in Shu County."

Zu Ting said "Oh" and nodded, "I see." "Okay, okay, your Excellency has paid so much for the great cause, how can I let your Excellency suffer any more?"

"Please be patient for a while. Our army has come from afar and does not have enough food and grass. Once the Zhou Kingdom is destroyed and the roads are open, the logistics and food and grass will continue to flow into Bashu."

Monk Wang Qiu showed a worried look on his face. "It's not that I don't want to, but I don't have any food here, and I'm afraid of chaos. The farmland in various places has also been abandoned. If my ancestors allow it, I would like to lead people to cultivate and get food and grass as soon as possible to supply the army!"

"Hahaha, good, good, the prince is truly a wise man!"

Zu Ting laughed loudly and took the prince into the city.

The city was even more dilapidated, and every household seemed to be deserted. Looking at the city that looked like a ghost town, Zu Ting's eyes suddenly became cold, "It's really not easy."

"what did you say?"

"Hahaha, it's really not easy to enter the city. I was just thinking about how to reward you all!"

"These are what we should do, how dare we ask for rewards?"

"Hey, you are doing justice for the world, how can I not reward you? I must reward you, and give you a big reward, so that you can be distinguished from that fake Zhou. What do you think?"

"Thank you, Grandpa! Thank you, Grandpa!!"

Monk Wang Qiu did not dare to follow Zu Ting any further inside. Zu Ting asked a few people to follow Monk Wang Qiu and leave together, while he himself quickly walked into the government office.

Signs of looting can be seen in the government offices.

In the inner room, Liu Taozi raised his head and saw a man who looked like an official hanging there, and he had already lost all sound.

Zu Ting was shocked and quickly ordered someone to take the body away.

After the body was taken away, Zu Ting walked to Liu Taozi's side and said, "Your Majesty, I have already found out everything."

"The loyal ones all died, but the cunning ones all survived."

Liu Taozi seemed to be feeling a little emotional.

Zu Ting did not follow up on this topic. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, you have been traveling for a long time. You should take a rest first. We will continue our journey tomorrow."

Liu Taozi didn't seem to be ready to rest. He asked, "What about Gao Yanzong? Any news?"

"Never."

"Huang Fachu is a cautious person, Gao Yanzong often sets up false troops"

"Gao Yanzong set up a false army?"

Zu Ting laughed, "It should be Chunyu Liang's work, and it was quite effective. Huang Facang dare not bet. I heard that Xiao Mohe under his command did lead his men to charge once, but was almost shot off his horse by Gao Yanzong. They had too few cavalry and could not gain any advantage in a field battle. However, that was news a long time ago. It is hard to say what will happen now. However, I think with these two people here, even if the city is lost, Huang Facang will not threaten the food supply of General Wei."

Gangneung City.

Gao Yanzong stood on the top of the city wall, holding a large bow, looking at the city below stealthily.

The surrounding soldiers were all ready, including Chunyu Liang.

"General Huang! Long time no see!"

"I heard that General Chen took you back to Jiankang. Why did you let you go again?"

Gao Yanzong shouted in a loud voice towards the outside of the city.

The Chen army outside the city was waiting in battle array. When they heard Gao Yanzong's question, they saw Huang Fachi riding a war horse and slowly walking out from the army.

He looked towards the top of the city wall with a slightly complicated look in his eyes.

"General Gao, long time no see, are you okay?"

"Hahaha, I'm fine! I'm fine!"

"General Huang, why are you thinking of attacking your old friend now that you've come to Jingbei?"

"Generals of the Chen Kingdom, such as Ouyang He and General Chunyu, are now serving under the command of our Han Kingdom. General Huang is a man of benevolence and righteousness, and extremely brave. The Heavenly King has always admired you. Why don't you submit to the will of Heaven and turn from darkness to light?"

Hearing this, Huang Fachi's face became solemn.

"Han and Chen were originally allies! Why did the King of Han betray his loyalty, accept the surrender of a fleeing general, and ruin the friendship between the two countries?!"

"My Lord is merciful! He clearly distinguishes between rewards and punishments, and is very kind to the soldiers. Chunyu Liang has been trapped at home for a long time, and it was my Lord who promoted him, which led to his current situation. Unexpectedly, he does not remember the favor of promotion at all, and instead thinks of betraying! What a villain!!"

"Now that I have conquered this city, I will capture Chunyu Liang alive to repay my master's kindness!"

Huang Fatic raised his sword and looked at the soldiers on his left and right. The soldiers shouted one after another, and their morale was surprisingly good!

Gao Yanzong immediately understood his intention and laughed without fear. "Huang Fachu! I respect your kindness and righteousness, how dare you speak so arrogantly!"

"Don't think that because I respect you, I am afraid of you. Back then, I led more than 300 people and dared to charge into Yuwen Yong's army. If it weren't for me, who among the soldiers around you would have survived?!"

"I am in the city today. General Gao Changgong of the Han Dynasty, General Yao Xiong of the East Guard, General Wang Lin of the East Expedition and others will be here immediately!!"

"I don't need them. I can kill all of you by myself! If you are not afraid of death, come and die!!"

After Gao Yanzong finished cursing, he raised his bow and shot.

The arrow almost hit Huang Fachu who was in the distance, only half a step away from him. The soldiers were horrified.

Huang Fachi said nothing more and immediately ordered his men to prepare for the siege.

Chunyu Liang had been staying by Gao Yanzong's side, not showing up. At this moment, seeing the enemy preparing, Chunyu Liang said, "General Gao, I shouldn't have shown mercy just now."

"I showed no mercy, I wanted to shoot him, but the distance was too far."

"Mr. Chunyu, the enemy outnumbers us, and there is still no news from General Wei. It seems as if he has gone missing!! What should we do?!"

Chun Yuliang narrowed his eyes. "If we don't capture the city, they won't be able to cut off their food supply. If we capture the city, we can still run out and continue to attack and harass them!"

"No matter what, Huang Fateu will never be able to achieve his goal!"

"Don't worry, General! Let's fight!"

As the unique sound of Chen State war drums sounded, the Chen soldiers launched an attack.

Xiao Mohe, who was far away, looked at the charging soldiers with an even more confused look in his eyes.

After he left, he stationed in his own territory and waited for Huang Fachi to arrive. The two joined forces, and he was the vanguard, but was ambushed once by Gao Yanzong.

However, these are not important, nor are they the reason why Xiao Mohe is confused.

The reason for being confused is that Xiao Mohe has lost his expectations for the future.

Even if he becomes a general in the future, he will be like Chunyu Liang, Zhang Zhaoda, or Huang Fachi, right?

But so what?

One was forced to defect, one was forced to become so ill that he could not go back and died in the city, and there was another who was captured after winning the battle and was promoted after losing.

He even wondered, if he won this time, would General Huang be captured again?

So what should I do?

What's the point of doing it?
Huang Fachi glanced calmly at Xiao Mohe, who was in reserve in the distance, but did not speak.

Since Huang Fachi's arrival, he never summoned Xiao Mohe alone, nor did he even greet or talk to him, intentionally keeping his distance.

Chen Bing launched a charge at this moment, and the two sides began fighting.

Arrows flew back and forth, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.

Huang Fatic suppressed the countless desperate thoughts in his heart, raised the sword in his hand, and roared to order a fierce attack.

Although, Huang Fachi already knew in his heart that even if he captured the city, he would not be able to stop Gao Changgong.

ps: I’m numb. I couldn’t finish writing until 2 o’clock. My physical condition is really not good. I will get up early tomorrow and make up for it!
(End of this chapter)