Chapter 26: Murdering to Establish Authority

  The grand hall of the imperial palace was brightly lit, with soldiers standing guard in a dense array.

  Luo Zheng paced back and forth under the hall, with the latest battle reports arriving continuously like a tidal wave.

  After breaking through the eastern gate, the 3,000 soldiers of Qiao County had lost their shield.

  Without the advantage of a strong city, the meager 3,000 troops from the various states and counties were no match for the Western Liang cavalry in terms of combat array and training. Caught off guard, how could they be a match for the fierce Western Liang horsemen? The south gate, west gate, and north gate all fell under the control of the Western Liang iron cavalry one after another.

  More than half of the defenders in the city were captured and imprisoned in the military camp north of the city, except for those who died in battle.

  Who is in charge of He County?

  Lu Zheng listened and asked in a low voice.

  Xiao Xiao replied: "It's already been asked clearly, it was Yu Zhou's deputy general manager Xu Jing."

  Luo Zhengdao said: "And what about Xu Jing, has he been caught?"

  Xiao Xiao replied: "We didn't catch up. When our army arrived at the south gate, we heard that several horse-drawn carriages had rushed out of the city. The general has already sent someone to chase after them, but it's difficult to distinguish objects in the dark, and they haven't caught up with Xu Jing yet."

  Luo Zheng waved his hand and said: "If we can't catch up, it's okay. Even if Xu Jing escapes, he won't be able to stir up any trouble. As per our military orders, from this moment on, the army will be divided into three shifts to take turns resting and recovering their physical and mental strength as soon as possible. At the same time, inform the entire army that all civilians in the city, including scholars and aristocrats, are not allowed to go out on the streets without permission. If anyone disobeys this order, they will be killed immediately without exception. No one is allowed to gather crowds for any reason; otherwise, they will be executed immediately."

  "Got it."

  Xiao Xiao responded with a sound, immediately rushed out of the door and quickly passed down military orders.

  Luo Zhen waved his hand to Xu Zhu and said: "Go ahead, Zhong Kang, we'll also take a rest in a hurry. If nothing unexpected happens, Sun Jian's army should arrive tomorrow too. Hurry up and recharge your energy, so as to cope with Sun Jian's army."

  Xu Zhu responded with a "yes" and followed Luo Zheng to the backyard, carrying his long knife, to find a place to rest.

  The next day, Luo Zheng came to the governor's mansion early in the morning, feeling refreshed and clear-headed, and sat down in the main seat.

  There were attendants presenting a steaming hot breakfast, Luo Zheng's fingers moved quickly, and he immediately started eating at the table.

  Dozens of military schools stood on both sides, each with eyes revealing respect and enthusiasm. Last night's surprise attack broke through Qiao County, which can be truly called a divine soldier descending from heaven. Such an extraordinary strategy is simply the first to use troops, how can these military schools not revere?

  The army is a special group, to get the support of soldiers, in addition to sympathizing with them, the most important thing is to be able to lead them to victory, only such a general can gain the respect and support of his soldiers.

  Luo Zheng had always been known for his extraordinary strategies and had achieved many successes; last night's battle was even more impressive, earning him the respect of his soldiers.

  Even Xu Chu, a fierce warrior, looked at Luo Zheng with a gaze that contained more reverence.

  Luo Zheng took a few bites and suddenly asked: "Has Kong Yi been captured?"

  A small school replied: "Report to the general, they have all been captured, not a single one escaped."

  Luo Zheng nodded and said: "Kong Xiu is a great Confucian scholar of the current dynasty, with a good reputation among the people, so let's not harm his family, lest it provoke public outrage. As for the other wealthy families..."

  He paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming with a fierce and sinister light, and said in a cold voice: "Go ahead and burn, go ahead and loot, don't have any qualms."

  "Got it."

  The crowd of military schools showed excitement and responded with thunderous applause.

  Luo Zheng suddenly remembered something and raised his head to ask: "Was there anyone who broke our military rules last night?"

  "This..."

  The crowd of military school students immediately looked hesitant, whispering and dared not answer.

  Lu Zheng's face was cold, and he said in a low voice: "Speak."

  Li Meng gritted his teeth and stepped forward: "Last night, three soldiers from the general's camp broke into a civilian home and violated women."

  Luo Zheng's face turned even colder, "Is there anything else?"

  The various military schools did not dare to conceal or cover up the matter and reported it one after another. Last night, more than 20 soldiers actually broke into a civilian residence and violated women.

  Lu Zheng's face suddenly turned red with rage, and he slapped the table heavily, knocking over the steaming hot dishes, scattering them all over the floor. He shouted loudly: "I've already said it before, no more harming civilians, women! And yet someone still dares to disobey military orders? What are you military officers eating?!

  All the military schools were silent, and no one dared to make a sound.

  Luo Zheng angrily shouted: "Bring those who violate military discipline before this general!"

  The soldiers from the military school did not dare to disobey the order and immediately dispersed and rushed out. Before long, they brought back more than 20 women who had entered the civilian houses in Xiliang last night, each with their hands tied behind their backs, kneeling in the hall.

  Lu Zheng sat in the main seat with a big golden knife, his eyes scanning the soldiers of Xiliang who were kneeling on the ground, and shouted: "This general has repeatedly ordered that no harm be done to civilians and women, why do you still dare to violate my military rules?"

  "Spare my life, General, and I dare not again."

  More than twenty Western Liang soldiers shivered with fear and hastily knocked their heads to beg for mercy.

  Luo Zheng said sternly: "If I spare you, where is the power of this general's military law?"

  The crowd of generals and more than twenty Western Liang soldiers suddenly felt that something was wrong, and each of them had a numb scalp.

  "Come on! Take these losers out of the tent and behead them in public!"

  "Spare your life, General! Spare your life!"

  More than twenty Western Liang soldiers heard that they were really going to be beheaded and immediately became frightened, hastily crying out for mercy.

  Li Meng also hastily stood up, "General..."

  "Whoever dares to plead for these defeated creatures will be beheaded along with them!"

  Li Meng shivered and didn't dare persuade him again, hastily retreating back.

  There were already close guards rushing in, pushing out more than 20 Xiliang soldiers who were wailing incessantly and beheading them all.

  All the military schools saw this and were secretly shocked, sneaking a peek

  Wiping away cold sweat, he thought to himself that the general was dead serious this time, and when he got back, he would definitely instruct the soldiers under his command to be more careful, absolutely not to break military rules again, lest they lose their heads, or even implicate him.

  Xu Chu stood solemnly behind Luo Zheng, and at this moment, he also condensed his eyes and silently recited several sentences of the military rules set by Luo Zheng.

  Luo Zhenghui had the soldiers hang more than 20 heads at the camp gate to show the crowd, and then shouted: "An army without discipline is not strong. Without strict military rules, an army can't be considered elite, at most it's just a group of wild wolves. I have been working hard for you all, but you don't think about making progress, if there are any more who indulge in soldiers' misbehavior, they will be punished together."

  The end will know what is wrong.

  The crowd of military school students hastily stood up and acknowledged their mistake, slightly putting their minds at ease.

  Luo Zheng nodded in satisfaction, thinking that this time killing someone to establish his authority had come at a very opportune moment.

  A general without dignity is insufficient to awe the three armies.

  Although Luo Zheng seized military power, he never established a strong military presence. In normal times, there was nothing to worry about, but in times of crisis, when the commander's authority was insufficient to intimidate the three armies, it was easy for the phenomenon of unstable morale to appear.

  Only by establishing true military prestige can this cavalry be commanded at will, and orders be carried out without any disobedience.

  This time, one battle broke through Qiao County, with the momentum of a great victory, killing people and establishing military prestige, it can be said that it is the best opportunity.

  Luo Zhen turned over a few ideas and asked again, "Where is Sun Jian's army now?"

  The captain of the vanguard hastily stepped forward and replied: "Half an hour ago, the scouting horse reported that Sun Jian's army will depart before dawn. The 3,000 cavalry vanguard will arrive by noon at the latest, and the 15,000 infantry can arrive in Qiao County by dusk."

  Luo Zheng nodded and ordered: "Keep a close eye on General Ben, report back at any time."

  "Very good."

  The captain of the Hou team obeyed the order and retreated after seeing that there were no more questions.

  Luo Zheng was not at ease and personally went to inspect the city defense, checking all four gates.

  In the midst of summer, outside the city, a vast expanse of lush greenery stretches across the open fields.

  Breathing in the fresh air of this era without any pollution, Luo Zheng's mood became more and more comfortable, and the tactics of marching and fighting in his mind also gradually cleared up, sorting out some things that were difficult to decide before.

  On the city wall, the Western Liang soldiers were in high spirits, each one standing straight with their waists held high.

  As for inside the city, faint sounds of wailing and crying could be heard everywhere, all coming from the high gates and large households.

  Luo Zheng had no good feelings towards these arrogant and extravagant nobles. How detestable this young noble was! Just look at those poor commoners who have no clothes to wear and no food to fill their bellies, it's really not worth sympathizing with them.

  Suddenly remembering something, he asked Xu Chu beside him, "Zhongkang, does the general recall that Cao Cao was also from Qiao County?"

  Xu Chu replied: "Is it Lord Cao who wrote the manifesto to condemn and overthrow Dong Zhuo?"

  Luo Zheng nodded, in this world there is only one Cao Cao, apart from that scoundrel Cao Pi, who else can come?

  Xu Zhu said: "That's right, the Cao family is a prominent clan from Qiao County, and they have been officials for generations, just twenty miles east of the city."

  Luo Zheng was overjoyed and exclaimed: "Great, too great! This trip to Qiao County is really worthwhile. Not only did I meet a fierce general like Zhong Kang, but I also found Cao's ancestral home. It's really too good!"

  Xu Zhu asked: "Sir, are you thinking of taking action against the Cao family?"

  Lu Zhen nodded repeatedly and said: "Since we know that Cao's family is small and in this place, there is no reason to let them go. After defeating Sun Jian's army, I will go and destroy the entire Cao clan, killing every single member of the Cao family, not even leaving a single animal alive."

  Xu Zhu was silent, he thought simply, since he regarded others as his masters, he wouldn't consider those unnecessary things.

  As for the extinction of a nation, there is no such idea, this world has always been survival of the fittest.

  Luo Zhengxi's repeated nods and rubbing of hands showed that he was very enthusiastic and excited about the extermination of Cao Adou's clan.

  After a while, he hastily called Li Meng and instructed him to send someone to gather intelligence and find out if all of Cao Cao's relatives were present, and at the same time, to keep a close eye on the Cao family members, so as not to let any fish slip through the net.

  Almost at noon, Sun Jian's 3,000 vanguard cavalry finally arrived at Qiao County.

  The three thousand Youyan Iron Cavalry set up camp five miles west of Qiao County, waiting quietly for the arrival of the main army.

  Luo Zheng accompanied by a group of military school students, climbed up to the city wall and watched from afar, seeing only flags fluttering, military formations neat and tidy, an intangible aura of sternness that could be felt even from a distance, at a glance it was clear that this cavalry was truly elite.

  "Where did Sun Jian get this cavalry from?"

  Lu Zheng's eyebrows furrowed instantly, his mind racing to think of which lord in the Guandong region had cavalry under their command.

  Li Meng suddenly said: "I've heard that the governor of Beiping, Gongsun Zan, has a contingent of Youyan cavalry under his command, all of whom are elite troops. Could it be that Sun Jian brought this contingent of cavalry with him, and they are actually the 3,000 Youyan cavalry of Gongsun Zan?"

  Gongsun Zan

  Luo Zheng pondered for a moment, and his expression suddenly turned serious as he said, "It's indeed possible."

  Wang Fang scratched his head and said in puzzlement: "But how could Gong Sun Zan lend this cavalry to Sun Jian so easily?"

  Luo Zhen said: "What's impossible about this? As long as Yuan Shao and Cao Cao mediate in the middle, and promise good treatment, if Gongsun Zan doesn't want to be criticized for being disloyal to the Han Dynasty, he will have no choice but to lend his troops to Sun Jian."

  The crowd suddenly realized.