Catching Monsters

Chapter 507 Flooding the Army (Part 2)

Under the cover of night, the surging waters of the Cangnan River flow downstream.

The Cangnan River is a major river in the southern part of the Zhou State. Many rivers and streams are its tributaries. In earlier years, the river would overflow its banks and cause floods.

Later, Emperor Taizu of Zhou built flood control dikes and dredged the river channels and diverted water in various places along the Cangnan River, which gradually stabilized the Cangnan River. For nearly a hundred years, there have been no major floods.

At this moment, more than twenty members of the Demon Spirit Cult were gathered beside a flood control embankment on the Cangnan River, led by Elder Zhu Hesong.

They are setting up an evil formation here.

Once everything was ready, at Zhu Hesong's nod of approval, more than twenty members of the Demon Spirit Cult infused their magic power into the formation. Instantly, the formation unleashed its immense power, blasting a small hole, about one meter wide, into the flood control dike.

Soon, surging river water gushed out from the small hole.

Immediately afterwards, cracks gradually appeared around the small hole.

And the cracks are getting bigger and bigger.

Finally, there was a loud bang.

The entire flood control embankment collapsed, and the surging river water roared and rolled downstream onto the flat land.

……

As darkness fell, Zhang Yuhu sat in his tent, discussing the siege of the city with his five generals and more than ten commanders of the Zhenchi Army.

With 150,000 men, all elite troops like the Tianqi Army and the Zhenchi Army, they could quickly breach the city of Guangli under a full-scale attack.

At this moment, a general said with a smile, "General, in my humble opinion, if we win tomorrow, you will be able to quickly recover the lost territory..."

Zhang Yuhu said with a serious expression, "Based on my many years of experience in fighting, even if we have a significant advantage, we must never underestimate our enemy."

As they were talking, suddenly, a stream of water rushed in from below the tent.

"Huh, what's going on?" Zhang Yuhu frowned and led the many generals in the tent out quickly.

And soon, the water level rose rapidly, and within just a few breaths, it had already submerged their ankles.

Zhang Yuhu's expression changed drastically: "This is bad!"

He rushed into the house and looked at the map: "Cangnanjiang! Wang Longzhi and his men destroyed Cangnanjiang!"

The water level rose extremely quickly, reaching waist level in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and it continues to rise.

Moreover, the current was rapid, and most soldiers could only grab onto the tents of their camps. Soon, however, people and their tents were swept away by the swift current.

"General Zhang!" Upon seeing this, Feng Yu quickly grabbed Zhang Yuhu's shoulder and used his magic to fly into the air.

Centered around their camp, a full 50,000 Tianqi soldiers were stationed, while not far away, 100,000 Zhenchi soldiers were also stationed.

But as far as the eye could see, the ground in all directions had become a swamp, and the vast majority of the 50,000-strong army had been washed away by the river.

On the river, soldiers who were not good swimmers struggled incessantly.

Even the best swimmers could only struggle against such a raging flood, and once they were exhausted, they would inevitably die.

Zhang Yuhu trembled slightly as he stared at the scene before him, his face filled with disbelief. He took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and his lips trembled slightly: "How could this be? How dare Wang Longzhi and the others do this? Aren't they afraid of being scorned by the people? What difference is there between what they're doing and the heretical practices?"

“They’ve always been colluding with the Demon Spirit Cult, so what morality do they have to speak of?” Feng Yu, standing beside him, looked at the scene before him with icy eyes and her lips trembling slightly.

He was all too aware of the importance of these 150,000 troops.

Now that the floods have passed, even if some of the 150,000 soldiers are left, there probably won't be many.

Of all the soldiers in the southern part of the Zhou Kingdom, only the last 100,000 Zhenchi Army remained.

How could 100,000 garrison troops possibly withstand 600,000 rebel troops?

Zhang Yuhu closed his eyes in despair. In truth, it wasn't entirely Zhang Yuhu's fault.

Because in recent years, there have been frequent rebellions in the south, neither the rebels nor the imperial court have ever used such methods to eliminate the enemy.

Therefore, Zhang Yuhu did not take this into account at all in his military deployment.

As night fell, the floodwaters swept through, and soon most of the soldiers below had vanished, swept downstream. "Let's leave this place first, General Zhang," Feng Yu said with a grim face.

Zhang Yuhu trembled slightly. He took a deep breath and said, "Eunuch Feng, now that 150,000 soldiers have perished here, how can I return to face His Majesty?"

"What face do they have to go back and see the families of these 150,000 soldiers?"

Zhang Yuhu took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and suddenly drew his sword: "As the commander-in-chief, with 150,000 soldiers buried here, I too shall remain here!"

Immediately afterwards, he drew his sword and committed suicide.

Seeing this, Feng Yu did not stop him. He knew very well that if Zhang Yuhu returned to the capital, given His Majesty's temper, he would likely face certain death.

Now, to die here alongside the soldiers on the front lines can be considered sacrificing oneself for the country, and at the very least, one's family will likely receive preferential treatment.

Feng Yu's gaze fell upon the surging river below, his eyes sharp: "Wang Longzhi, how dare you destroy the flood control dike built by the founding emperor!"

After saying this, Feng Yu turned around and, in accordance with Zhang Yuhu's last wish, threw his body into the rolling river.

Immediately afterwards, it flew rapidly towards the direction of the capital.

……

The following morning, along the flood control dike of the Cangnan River, a large number of cultivators from the Demon Spirit Sect used water control techniques to barely bring the surging river under control. They then urgently arranged for rebel soldiers to build the flood control dike.

"Once the water level drops, immediately dispatch a large number of troops to investigate the casualties of the Tianqi Army and the Zhenchi Army." Xiao Min'er paused and said in a deep voice, "Also, notify the garrison downstream to immediately go out of the city to provide disaster relief and spread the word that this flood was caused by the Zhou Dynasty breaking open the flood control dike in order to deal with our rebel army."

The floods all moved southward, and the affected areas were mostly territories controlled by the rebels.

This argument is plausible and can be used to better win people's hearts.

In fact, the city of Guangli County was also affected by the disaster, but thanks to the high city walls, the water level was not too high, and it did not cause too many casualties.

The hall they were in was now wet, with the floor and furniture damp and covered in mud and sand.

The faces of the many military officers in the hall were rather grim.

After all, if word got out that they were doing this, their lifelong reputation would be ruined.

Wang Longzhi stepped forward and said, "Why aren't you doing what Min'er told you?"

Soon, the many generals present accepted the order and quickly left.

Soon, only Wang Longzhi and Xiao Min'er remained in the hall.

"Min'er, I don't know how many people died yesterday because of the flood." Wang Longzhi's indecisiveness resurfaced.

He couldn't sleep all night, looking at the flood in the city, which was so severe, not to mention the villages and towns in the flat areas.

"Don't be so soft-hearted." Xiao Min'er glanced at Wang Longzhi, then said, "These are all necessary costs!"

……

"boom."

Inside the imperial study, Xiao Yuzheng suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at Feng Yu: "What did you say? 150,000 troops were swept away by the flood overnight?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Feng Yu lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Xiao Yuzheng's murderous gaze.

Where is Zhang Yuhu?

Feng Yu lowered his head and said, "During the flood last night, General Zhang Yuhu saw his army being swept away and committed suicide, sacrificing his life for his country."

"That Zhang Yuhu, he committed suicide, hoping to gain a good reputation." Xiao Yuzheng gritted his teeth in anger, breathing heavily, and it took him a long time to calm down a bit.

There was no other way; no matter what, Zhang Yuhu did not choose to live, but instead committed suicide.

Regardless of whether his decision was a mistake or not.

They did indeed die for their country.

Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath: "Go, summon Xu Xiaogang to the palace immediately!"

(End of this chapter)