Chapter 11: Raid on Wan City

  The common people fear the government because they don't want to die yet. As long as there is a way out, the common people can still endure.

  However, if someone doesn't give them a way out, these gentle people will instantly turn into ferocious wolves.

  "Damn it, I'm going all out against you!"

  Among the people rushing into the city gate, a Han man in his thirties stared blankly as his wife and children were chopped down in a pool of blood, suddenly his scalp exploded, he let out a loud roar, snatched a steel knife from someone's hand, and with two swift slashes, he knocked down two soldiers.

  "Don't let us live, all dogs go die!"

  The common people rushed over and immediately became enraged, fighting for their lives with the government soldiers who were trying to shut the city gate.

  "It's all over, it's completely finished."

  Seeing what happened below triggered a bloodbath, the city gate's small school was suddenly deserted, and one buttock sat on the ground.

  When the long and mournful sound of the cow horn bugle rose in the sky above Nanyang, the 8,000 Western Liang iron cavalry had already arrived like a flying arrow.

  Hu Zhi led the way on horseback, leading a group of Xiliang cavalrymen to charge into the city gate, killing dozens of scattered city gate guards who had been rushed by civilians like cutting vegetables, and then shouted loudly: "Quickly go and occupy the four gates, clear out the enemy army."

  "Very good."

  Luo Zheng, Niu Jin and Hu Mao San loudly accepted the order, then each led a branch of soldiers and horses to the east, south and north gates respectively.

  Half an hour later, the dust settled.

  The eight hundred county soldiers of Nanyang were all captured except for more than two hundred who were killed.

  The county magistrate and county captain were also caught off guard and all captured alive, not one escaped.

  Luo Zhen arranged the defense of the city gate and then hurriedly came to see Hu Zu.

  Didn't want to go all the way to the county government's inner courtyard, still far away, and already heard a discordant voice.

  There were bloodstains on the ground, walls and windows, obviously a fierce battle had taken place here, but no corpses were seen.

  In a main room facing north and south, the doors and windows were tightly closed, but the man's heavy breathing and the woman's soft voice still came out clearly. The two guards standing at the door had lustful faces and were secretly masturbating.

  When Luo Zheng came in, the two guards chuckled and turned back to polish their guns.

  "Damn it, what a mess!"

  Luo Zheng cursed and was extremely disappointed with Hu Zhu.

  The various lords of Kanto are currently completely unguarded, and this is the best opportunity to take advantage of the situation by sending troops.

  If news of this gets out, it will be hard to launch a surprise attack again.

  Originally rushed to suggest that troops be sent out as soon as possible to launch a surprise attack on Wan City. The Western Liang army is all cavalry, and if they march quickly, they should be able to reach Wan City before the news spreads, but unexpectedly, Hu Zhi is again...

  I've seen people in a hurry before, but never anyone as impatient as you.

  Lu Zhengqi scolded his mother, but had no choice and could only leave with a sullen face.

  I originally wanted to go find Hu Mao and Niu Jin to discuss it with them, but after walking just a few steps, I saw that all the soldiers were chasing women everywhere, not just one or two, but every single soldier was running after women all over the streets, even in broad daylight.

  Lu Zheng looked at him with great anger and severely scolded several soldiers who were bullying women on the street.

  It's all right if they just bully those aristocratic families, but they won't even spare the common people, this is really too much.

  To put it another way, although the Western Liang army is fierce and good at fighting, their military discipline is really not commendable.

  From the commander-in-chief to the ordinary soldiers, all are undisciplined and secretly committing murders and arson, plundering and looting, it's as if they're having a routine meal, some commanders even lead their troops to massacre villages.

  Although this can stir up the blood of soldiers, it is not a proper way.

  An army without strict military discipline, no matter how brave and good at fighting, cannot be considered an iron-blooded army.

  After circling around the four gates, when he returned to the inner courtyard of the county government office, Hu Zu had already finished handing over the public grain and come out.

  Luo Zhen hastily said: "General, I have an urgent matter to report."

  Hu's face was flushed with excitement as he replied nonchalantly, "What is it that you wish to report?"

  Luo Zhen said: "Just now I was inspecting the troops and saw that many of our soldiers had brought their wives along, and some were even plundering the property of the local people. If we do not strictly discipline them, it will affect our plan to conquer the eastern regions. Please issue an order to strictly discipline them."

  Hu Zhi said disapprovingly: "This is Yuan Shu's territory, what does it have to do with General whether more people die or not? Besides, brothers who come out to be soldiers don't find it easy, who knows when they'll lose their lives. And normally there's no chance to be with women. Now that we finally have this opportunity, of course we should let our brothers relax properly, you don't need to worry about the sky falling down!"

  Luo Zheng hastily said: "General, what is meant by 'clear laws and careful orders' is that governance is the key to victory..."

  That's enough!

  "Hu Zhuan shouted loudly, 'General, you don't need him to teach you, get out!'"

  "This is all for now, I will take my leave."

  Luo Zheng did not dare to persuade him again and hastily retreated.

  It wasn't until he turned around that his face suddenly darkened.

  When I went out, I met Hu Mao and Niu Jin again, so I just greeted them casually.

  Unexpectedly, the two officials had very unsightly expressions, and with a heavy cold hum, they entered the inner courtyard of the county government office as if no one was around.

  "Damn it, two idiots."

  Lu Zheng was very unhappy, but after a moment's thought, he understood.

  Most likely it was because the soldier had just disciplined two of his subordinates who were harassing a woman on the street, so they didn't give him a good face.

  Luo Zheng coldly laughed and didn't take it to heart, striding towards the front courtyard of the yamen.

  County government office

  Hu Zhe sat on the ground with his big horse and golden knife.

  The county magistrate sat on a higher seat, while the other generals sat on both sides.

  "Come on, bring the man before General Ben."

  Hu Zhen waved his hand and shouted loudly at the people below the hall.

  "Very good."

  There were already close guards rushing out, and more than a dozen pale-faced, disheveled officials were escorted to the hall.

  Who is the county magistrate?

  Hu Zhen swept his gaze over the southern officials and asked coldly.

  "Your subordinate, your subordinate is."

  A man in his forties, a bit on the plump side, walked out with a swagger.

  "Are you the county magistrate?"

  Hu Zhen looked up and down at the fat man, his face unpleasant.

  It is indeed.

  The fat county magistrate was even more severe, and he could collapse at any time.

  "Hu Zhen scolded: 'Damn it, your belly is so fat, just like a pig's head. Say, how much of the people's money have you embezzled?'"

  The fat county magistrate trembled with fear and said: "No, no, just eight hundred, eight million dollars."

  "Alright!"

  Hu Zhen let out a cold laugh, his expression becoming even more unfavourable.

  Luo Zheng, Niu Jin, Hu Mao and a group of officers also looked at County Magistrate Bao in surprise.

  Nanyang is really wealthy, even a county magistrate can make 80 million yuan, no wonder they eat so well.

  "Hu Zhen asked loudly: 'How many soldiers and horses are there in Wan City?'"

  The stout county magistrate moved his lips and said: "This... this humble official also doesn't know."

  I don't know

  "Hu Zhong said sternly: 'What use is he to me? Come on, take this general out and behead that fat pig.'"

  "Got it."

  Two fierce-looking personal guards rushed up and carried off the fat county magistrate.

  "Ah, General, spare my life! General, spare my life!"

  The fat county magistrate almost peed his pants at the sight, and shouted in a loud voice, "I told you, I told you."

  Hu Zhen waved his hand and shouted: "Enough! Say no more."

  The stout county magistrate wiped his sweat and said: "Wan City has three thousand infantry."

  Hu Zhen asked again, "Who is in command?"

  County Magistrate Pao said: "General Yuan Yong commands three thousand infantrymen in garrison at Wan city."

  Hu Zhen asked a few more questions, and the fat county magistrate didn't dare say no, answering them all truthfully one by one.

  "Alright, take him out and execute him."

  Having no use value, Hu Zhu immediately waved his hand.

  "Ah, spare my life, General, spare my life!"

  The fat county magistrate was so frightened that his soul flew out of the sky and he cried out in a shrill voice, "General, spare my life! You can't kill me..."

  Two bodyguards showed no hesitation, dragging the fat county magistrate out like a dead dog, without saying a word, they pressed his head down and struck with one knife, amidst the splashing of blood, the fat county magistrate's miserable cries abruptly stopped.

  Kill them all!

  Hu Zhen waved his hand again, apparently not letting these officials off.

  "Ah, General, spare my life..."

  The mournful wails rose and fell in succession, almost as if they would shake off the roof.

  A group of soldiers rushed in like wolves and dragged out a dozen or so officials, beheading them all.

  After the outside calmed down, Hu Zhi said: "The general has decided to send troops early tomorrow morning, directly attacking Wan City, and taking over Yuan Shu's lair. Let's comfort his family for him, heh heh, what do you all think?"

  "It is expected that there will be no objection."

  The crowd of generals all nodded in agreement and one by one they began to snicker and laugh slyly.

  Luo Zheng's eyes were cold and calm, and he tactfully avoided making any further fuss about it.

  At this time, no matter what he said, Hu Zhi would absolutely not listen, and instead invite a scolding.

  "That's it, disperse and make haste to have fun."

  "Hu Zhi laughed lewdly and said: 'It's not easy to come to Nanyang once, brothers, go ahead and burn and loot, turn Nanyang upside down for this general. Just be careful not to kill women, anyone who delays military affairs tomorrow will have their dog head chopped off by this general.'"

  "Roger that!"

  The crowd of generals responded with a loud "Yes", and they all burst out laughing.

  "Get out!"

  Hu Zhen waved his hand and immediately stood up and left the main hall.

  The crowd burst out laughing and rushed out of the county government's main hall, each finding a woman for themselves.

  Luo Zheng then hastily returned to the military camp, strictly restraining his soldiers, and forbidding them from harming civilians or women.

  This has nothing to do with morality, but rather that he doesn't want his soldiers to become a group of uncontrollable beasts.

  The next day at dawn, before it was light, Hu Zhi led his army out of Nanyang and rushed to Wan City.

  The 80,000-strong army marched to fight and feed on the war, without carrying grain or heavy baggage, and arrived at Wan City in one day. However, as expected, the news of the Western Liang Army's surprise attack on Nanxiang had already reached Wan City, and at this time, Wan City was closed with four gates, and a solemn killing atmosphere prevailed.

  Unlike Nanyang County, Wan City is not only the seat of Nanyang Prefecture but also a truly fortified city.

  The entire city was built with bluestone, the walls were high and thick, and the moat was as wide as three zhang. Wanting to forcefully break through such a strong city, even thinking about it with one's toes would make one realize that an unimaginable price would have to be paid.

  The 80,000-strong army had besieged Wan city, but did not immediately launch an attack.

  In fact, the Western Liang army did not bring any siege engines at all, and a strong attack would be suicidal.

  Yancheng West Gate, Yuan Yin was fully armored and standing on the city wall, looking around cautiously. Despite having over a dozen personal guards forming a human wall in front of him, Yuan Yin's face was still pale white, and it took him more than half a day to calm down from the shock.

  Although the Western Liang army was undisciplined, it was indeed one of the most elite cavalry forces in the world.

  Especially when the Western Cool Iron Cavalry charges forward with a momentum that is unstoppable and overwhelming, it gives people a strong visual impact.

  If it weren't for having a strong city to defend, Yuan Yue would have fled long ago and wouldn't have the courage to resist anymore.

  Fortunately, the Western Liang rebels did not have siege engines, and I had a strong city to defend, so the situation was not too bad.

  "Big brother, what should we do now?"

  Hu Mao urged his horse forward and asked Hu Zhen, "Do you want to attack the city?"

  "Get out of here!"

  Hu Zhi scolded: "Without siege engines, what do you want this general to use to attack the city?"

  Hu Maogan smiled and quickly closed his mouth.

  Niu Jin Dao said: "If we can't take Wan City, let's attack other counties. As long as we make the blood of Nanyang flow like a river, then the remnants will not believe that Yuan Shu dares to abandon Nanyang and still has the mood to attack Tiger Trap Pass."

  Luo Zhen hastily said: "General, I have a plan to capture Wan City."

  Hú Zhěn suddenly said with joy: "What plan will ensure safety?"

  Luo Zheng spoke out a few words of calculation, and Hu Zhu immediately applauded with joy.

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