Chapter 49: The Defense of Xianyang

  Bin Cheng, the Yiqu Prefect, excitedly ran into the city guard headquarters.

  The spoils have just been counted, and this battle has killed a total of 4,256 Qin soldiers, obtained more than 3,500 usable war horses, 1,300 sets of iron armor, 2,000 sets of intact leather armor, and countless weapons.

  Although the victory was great, our casualties were not small, with over 2,300 people killed and over 1,000 seriously injured. The armor of the Qin army was really good, but Yiqu lacked iron, and most soldiers didn't even have the lowest level of leather armor. This time, despite having the upper hand, Yiqu still suffered such heavy casualties due to equipment issues. Nevertheless, this is a rare major victory.

  When the Yiqiu school lieutenant entered the main hall, Yiqiu Hong had already tidied up. The disheveled appearance from earlier was gone, and he was now chatting with the merchant from earlier.

  "Chancellor!"

  "Alarmed, have all the invading Qin troops been killed?"

  "Kill them all! Leave none alive!"

  "Ah, well done! The vengeful spirits of our clan can finally rest in peace. Come, let me introduce you to this noble from Korea, Zhang Lu. Mr. Zhang is a relative of the Prime Minister of Korea. This time, thanks to Mr. Zhang's help, I wouldn't have died in Qin State."

  "Ah!?" Yi Qu looked at "Merchant Zhang Lu" in shock and surprise.

  "Chancellor, actually I've already met Commander Huan earlier. He's quite a straightforward person! After I explained the situation to him, he immediately led his troops to rescue you. Otherwise, it would have taken some more trouble." Fan Jue chuckled.

  "Oh? Is that so?" Yi Quhong looked at Xiaowei in shock.

  "Yes, Prime Minister!" Although he didn't know why "Merchant Zhang Lu" didn't pursue the matter of his embezzlement, he was happy to accept this favor.

  "I have taken note of your merits. The State of Qin has broken its promise and killed our King of Yi Qu, and the two princes also met with misfortune. The most urgent task now is to quickly return to Qingyang, gather a large army to avenge the great king. Huai, you immediately lead 5,000 troops to escort me back to the capital."

  "What? The king is dead? And the two princes are also dead. Isn't that making the prime minister the only heir?! Before he could even consider this major turn of events, Yi Qu was shocked and subconsciously realized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

  First rescue the prime minister, then escort the prime minister to ascend to the throne, and suddenly become a dragon's minister! And there is also the great merit of saving the master, oneself has risen to prominence! Really risen to prominence!

  "Yes!" Yi Qu responded loudly, without showing any sign of sadness for King Yi Qu's death.

  That drunken and dreamy King of Yiqu has long been dead in the hearts of the people of Yiqu. Now, in the hearts of the people of Yiqu, there is only the Prime Minister. The Qin people can tolerate the assassination of the King of Yiqu, but attempting to assassinate the Prime Minister would be an enemy that the people of Yiqu would fight to the death against.

  That night, 50,000 troops escorted Yiqi Hong into the city of Qingyang. A series of events followed, and history took a drastic turn tonight.

  In the city of Xianyang, Yi Quhong summoned all the dignitaries in the country overnight. As soon as they met, Yi Quhong asked: "The envoy was ambushed, and more than 800 people were left with only me. The king is trapped in Xianyang, and it must be a disaster. I want to attack Qin to avenge my hatred, what do you think?"

  Many people argued endlessly, some said the situation was unclear and it's best to send an envoy to investigate; some said the king's life or death was unknown and it's not suitable to act rashly; some said that the alliance was weak while Qin was strong, so they should think about long-term plans; of course there were also those who said that blood debts must be repaid in blood, and vowed to die fighting against Qin.

  Yi Quhong took note of everyone's reaction. With a single order, the Imperial Guards rushed forward. Anyone who spoke of peace and did not seek war was beheaded! The sixteen heads dripping with hot blood demonstrated Yi Quhong's determination to attack Qin, and the court was stunned, filled with those opposing Qin!

  That night, countless messengers were sent to various cities to gather a large army. That night, Qingyang was a sea of blood, and those who were loyal to Qin and feared Qin were beheaded in droves. Yiqu Hong wore mourning clothes and succeeded to the throne. The state of Yiqu mourned as one, and launched an attack on Qin.

  The king said: Qin Guo is not benevolent, killed my brother, humiliated my people. The deep hatred of the bloody sea cannot be shared under the same sky. I now lead 150,000 wolf riders to avenge the shame of the blood oath. Whoever speaks of peace will be beheaded! Whoever does not advance to meet the enemy will be beheaded! Whoever has complaints and does not use their full strength will be beheaded! Three days later, the great army will set out on an expedition, those who delay the time will be beheaded!

  Xianyang City, Qin Wang Palace.

  The King of Qin had already learned that Wang Ling's army was defeated and he died, and Yiqiu Hong escaped back to Qingyang. Surprisingly, the King of Qin did not get angry, but instead remained calm and composed.

  Having gone through so many setbacks, King Qin seemed to have gotten used to receiving bad news. Only his piercing gaze revealed his thoughts.

  "Your Majesty, it's better to recall the great army of Wu An Jun back to Xianyang! Now that Yi Qu Hong has escaped, it won't be long before the wolf cavalry of Yi Qu will invade Xianyang." Wei Rang gritted his teeth and spoke up first.

  "Chancellor! Are you doubting that our army can't hold Xianyang?!" The Qin Emperor was furious.

  "The king's body is worth a million gold, and he cannot personally take risks. Xianyang is the foundation of our great Qin, as solid as metal and stone. However, I am worried that the Yiqu cavalry will gallop in the vast fields of Guanzhong, damaging the king's prestige and the prestige of the Great Qin!"

  "Hum! Who do they think they are, treating my Guanzhong as their racing ground? I'll mobilize the entire nation's millions of troops. If they dare to come, I'll make sure they never return."

  Wei Ran's heart sank, the Qin state was a million-strong nation, but its territory was too vast. Within a 200-mile radius of Xianyang, the capital city, only about 100,000 troops could be mobilized, with only 50,000 elite soldiers among them. Adding the 30,000 regular troops stationed in Xianyang, this military strength was not advantageous.

  Thinking of this, Wei Rang still gritted his teeth and replied: "What the king said is not wrong, but my great Qin country is vast, and each county needs to be garrisoned. If we gather all the troops around Xianyang, it would be easy to annihilate the Yiqu army. But if we do so, the surrounding cities will definitely be empty, and once Yiqu takes advantage of this and enters, the consequences are unthinkable. For the king's sake, for the sake of Great Qin, I beg the king to recall the Wu'an Army. Once Yiqu is destroyed, our great Qin's heart disease will no longer exist, and the city of Yique can be taken at any time."

  "We, your subjects, concur! We beg Your Majesty to consider the interests of Great Qin and recall the army led by Lord Wu'an." All the ministers knelt down on the ground, pleading aloud.

  The King of Qin looked at the people speaking in unison and sighed helplessly. What he said earlier was just a bluff, but no matter what, Wu Anjun had to end the action at Yique prematurely. It's just...what a pity! How infuriating!

  "Everyone loves you, get up! Where is Wei Wu?" King Qin weakly responded.

  "I am here."

  "Immediately dispatch a messenger to hurry back 800 miles and order the Marquis of Wu'an to return and reinforce Xianyang. From today on, increase the deployment of scouts to investigate the movements of Yiqu. I am tired, let us adjourn the court!"

  "Ah!"

  "Long live King Wang!"

  Yi Guan City, Han Yan gazed at the slowly retreating Qin army, revealing a tired expression.

  It has been twenty days since the 100,000-strong army of Qin and Bai Qi's army merged, and the allied forces of Han, Zhao, and Wei have been at a disadvantage.

  Within three days, the Wei army was forced to retreat into the city of Ique. Five days later, the Zhao army also had no choice but to enter the city to avoid the brunt of the Qin army.

  Bai Qi showed the style of a famous general, and Lian Po also demonstrated his great talent in defense. Day and night, the Qin army either harassed or launched fierce attacks, using fire or water to attack, making the allied army exhausted. The allied army responded to each move, not daring to relax at all. At the most critical moment, the Qin army used sandbags to build a ramp that was almost level with the city wall. If it weren't for the three armies fighting with their lives, Yique might have been breached.

  "Fan Yi, you mustn't disappoint me!" The crown prince murmured to himself as he gazed out at the western horizon.

  The great camp of the Qin army, Bai Qi furrowed his brow deeply.

  It seems that although we have the upper hand, our advantage cannot be converted into victory, which is really frustrating. On the 20th, our strong attack resulted in a loss of 50,000 troops. The three Jin armies also suffered greatly, especially the Wei army, which lost nearly 20,000 troops under its own strategy of feigning attacks to the east and west! Calculating the losses over the past few days, the total loss for the allied forces on the 20th was at least 50,000 troops. The casualties on both sides were roughly 1:1.

  Looking at the Qin King's 800-mile urgent decree, Bai Qi knew that for now he could only give up on Yique. With the death of the King of Yiqu, the state of Yiqu wanted to raise its entire army to avenge itself against Qin, and the Battle of Xianyang was about to begin. His main force army had no choice but to return to Xianyang.

  "Next time, you won't be so lucky!" Bai Qi gazed out at the Yique City shrouded in night, and suddenly clenched his fist.

  "Pass on the order, the entire army will depart in batches! Return to Xianyang!"

  There's still one more update tonight! Please collect!