The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 128 Celebration Banquet

After the rain, Jiang Han did not immediately return to Jingyue County.

After resting for two days, cleaning up the battlefield, and incorporating the prisoners, he ordered the camp to be dismantled and the troops to return to Jingyue County.

When Jiang Han's entourage appeared on the official road outside Jing Le City, almost the entire city's population, who had already received the news, came out to greet them.

The city gates were wide open, and leaders from all sides stood on both sides of the road, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Even Wang Jiayin personally went out of the city, bringing his personal guards to welcome Jiang Han.

The Anse camp slowly marched in. Although they had won a battle, the atmosphere in the ranks was not entirely one of joy.

Many soldiers walked with blood-stained bandages, limping along.

Many more wounded lay on hastily made stretchers, carefully carried by their comrades, occasionally letting out a suppressed groan.

A faint smell of blood and herbs still lingered in the air.

Among the crowd, Li Zicheng, Zhang Tianlin, and others looked at the group with complex expressions on their faces.

They had already received news of the victory at the front, saying that Jiang Han had decisively defeated the Guan Ning troops under General Cao Wenzhao at Fantianmao and had accepted the surrender of more than a thousand Qin soldiers.

When the news came, they could hardly believe their ears.

Cao Wenzhao was an old acquaintance of theirs. Back in Fugu, he had relentlessly pursued them, and countless brothers had perished at his hands.

Yet this god of war was actually defeated by Jiang Han, and even the commander-in-chief was seriously injured and fell into a coma.

Many people even doubted whether the good news was fabricated.

But now, looking at the injured players in Jiang Han's team, they truly realized how hard-won this victory was.

This "Tiger on the Mountain" and his Ansai Battalion truly drove back the Guan Ning troops.

This left them not only shocked but also filled with a sense of awe.

Wang Jiayin greeted Jiang Han with a hearty laugh and patted him warmly on the shoulder:

"Brother Mountain Tiger! You're finally back!"

Jiang Han was also taken aback to see Wang Jiayin personally come out to greet him, and quickly asked:

"Hyoten-no-King? What are you doing here?"

"Has Kelan fallen?"

In Jiang Han's opinion, Wang Jiayin, as the commander-in-chief, should be stationed in Kelan to direct the resistance against You Shilu. Why did he come to Jingle in the rear?
Wang Jiayin waved his hand, a smug smile on his face:
"Haha, brother, you're overthinking it. Ke Lan is fine; the Left Prime Minister Zi Jinliang is guarding him."

"That old codger You Shilu led more than 10,000 men and besieged Kelan City for two or three days, but he failed to take it down. He suffered heavy losses and countless deaths."

"Judging from his offensive, he's already at his last gasp. I reckon that in less than two days, You Shilu will have to retreat in disgrace."

Wang Jiayin patted Jiang Han on the shoulder and then explained,
"Didn't I just receive the news of your great victory over the Guan Ning Army?"

"The situation in Kelan is now settled, so I quickly brought my personal guards back to personally host a victory celebration banquet for you!"

Wang Jiayin made a special trip back to welcome Jiang Han, as he now needs to cultivate a good relationship with him.

Since Wang Jiayin raised an army in Fugu, he has been a key target of government troops for suppression.

The government troops from Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces took turns attacking, overwhelming him.

Although he had gathered many rebel kings under his command, claiming an army of 100,000, most of them were just a rabble.

They can fight when things are going well, but once they encounter a tough opponent, they immediately collapse.

They are good at burning, killing, and looting, but they are no match for attacking cities and fighting tough battles with the elite government troops.

For so long, Wang Jiayin had only been able to hold his own against the government troops by relying on the border soldiers he had brought from Yansui Town as the main force.

Now, Jiang Han's Anse Battalion has emerged out of nowhere, not only repelling the main force of the government army in Shaanxi, but also routing the Guan Ning troops in Shanxi. Wang Jiayin naturally wants to hold onto such a powerful ally.

Previously, he bore the burden of the government troops alone, but now with Jiang Han, the two of them share the responsibility, making life much easier.

Therefore, despite the fact that the battle on the front lines was not yet completely over, he rushed back to Jingle to personally win over this powerful new ally.

Jiang Han felt somewhat helpless after hearing Wang Jiayin's words.

The fighting is still going on at the front, and You Shilu hasn't even withdrawn his troops yet. You, as the commander-in-chief, are already running back to the rear to hold a victory celebration?

Isn’t this too ambitious?
However, he still put on a flattered expression and quickly cupped his hands in greeting:

"I see, I am truly unworthy of such praise!"

"It's estimated that it will be soon before Hengtian King defeats You Shilu."

"Then I'll congratulate King Heng in advance!"

Wang Jiayin laughed heartily:
"Joy and rejoice together!"

"However, compared to my little stunts, you've truly shaken up Shanxi this time, and your fame is unparalleled!"

"After this battle is over, I reckon all the officials in Shanxi won't be able to sleep at night!"

Jiang Han quickly waved his hand:
"What do you mean by being unparalleled in popularity? It was just a lucky, pyrrhic victory."

"It was only thanks to the desperate fighting of my men that we were able to barely repel Cao Wenzhao."

"Look at my troops, we've suffered quite a few casualties; it's hardly a great victory."

Wang Jiayin forcefully waved his hand, interrupting Jiang Han:
"Hey! You can't say that!"

"We defeated Cao Wenzhao, that's a great victory! This battle was all thanks to you, brother, for turning the tide!"

"Come on, come on, brother, I've already prepared a banquet at the county government office and invited all the leaders to join us. We must celebrate your victory first!"

Jiang Han frowned upon hearing this:
"Isn't this bad?"

"It was a Pyrrhic victory. With so many casualties among our brothers, what's there to celebrate?"

Without saying a word, Wang Jiayin grabbed Jiang Han's arm and started walking into the city.
"Don't worry, brother!"

"Brothers of Anse Camp, I've already made arrangements. They will certainly not be shortchanged on food and drink!"

"You can sit here with peace of mind."

Since Wang Jiayin had already said all that, Jiang Han couldn't refuse any longer.

They could only follow Wang Jiayin as the group entered the county town and headed towards the county government office.

The Jingyue County Government Office of today has long lost its former solemnity and dignity, replaced by noise and chaos.

This place has become a temporary gathering place for leaders of various rebel armies.

In the spacious courtyard of the county government office, seven or eight large square tables were set up, piled high with meat and wine dishes, the portions were generous, and the aroma was irresistible.

Wang Jiayin took the seat of honor without hesitation and invited Jiang Han to sit next to him.

Jiang Han glanced around the lobby and found that apart from a few familiar faces such as Li Zicheng and Zhang Tianlin, most of the rest were unfamiliar faces.

They were all fierce-looking and rough in their actions, probably small-time leaders who had risen to power by taking advantage of the situation.

As the celebration banquet began, the atmosphere quickly became lively.

The leaders from various factions took turns stepping forward to toast Wang Jiayin and Jiang Han.

(End of this chapter)