Volume 1: Entering Great Qin for the First Time Chapter 13: Rapid Advance

  Upon hearing Wang Li's words, all the generals in the tent changed color. It was clear that everyone who heard this news was greatly shocked.

  Huhai heard Wang Li's words and was stunned for a moment, then asked: "Wang Ai, what month is it now? Have there been any rains in the past few days?" He remembered that Chen Sheng and Wu Guang should have encountered heavy rain during the autumn and summer seasons and could not arrive at their garrison posts on time. According to Qin law, they would be beheaded, which was why they were forced to rebel.

  Although Wang Yi did not understand what Hu Hai meant, seeing that Hu Hai was calm and composed, he replied: "Your Majesty, it is now the fourth month of the first year of Er Shi. There has been no rain in these few days."

  Huhai sighed inwardly after hearing Wang Li's words, and indeed the original history had taken a drastically different turn due to his arrival. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, who were supposed to rebel in three or four months' time, had now risen up in revolt ahead of schedule.

  "Is it written in the letter why the people are rebelling? Who is their leader?" Hu Hai asked after some thought.

  The king looked at the bamboo slips carefully and said: "Your Majesty, there are three factions of rebels. One faction is led by Zhang Er and Chen Yu in Suiyang County, Guangling Prefecture, killing officials and gathering over 10,000 rebels; another faction is led by Xiang Liang, a remnant of the former Chu state, with the slogan "Restore Chu and destroy Qin", leading an army of over 20,000 men and has already attacked Xiang County; the third faction is led by Liu Bang, the original head of Pei County, who privately released prisoners to gather crowds in Mangdang Mountain, responding to Zhang Er and Chen Yu."

  "Is there no Chen Sheng and Wu Guang?"

  "There are no such two people in the letter. Your Majesty." Wang Li heard Hu Hai's words and carefully looked at the bamboo slips in his hand, affirming.

  Hu Hai was a bit stunned, the first peasant uprising in Chinese history was suddenly launched ahead of schedule by Zhang Er and Chen Yu, while Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were completely unknown.

  However, Xiang Liang and other Chu nobles who should have risen after Chen Sheng and Wu Guang defeated the Qin army and declared themselves king appeared now. Even Liu Bang, who should have waited to see which way the wind was blowing before rising in revolt, emerged prematurely.

  What's all this about? Hu Hai cursed and spat out a foul word.

  He is now in a state of despair, having just eliminated Zhao Gao and planning to return to Xianyang to enjoy the good life as the supreme ruler, appreciate his beautiful women, and then properly govern Qin, deal with the Xiongnu, occupy the Korean Peninsula, eradicate the roots of a certain barbaric nation, and so on. He wants to do too many things.

  But the wish is beautiful, and reality is cruel. Before I even arrived in Xianyang, people from all over this vast Qin Empire are like they've eaten ***, one by one jumping out impatiently, each thinking of taking advantage of me, am I that easy to bully?

  Wang Li had just said that the letter from Prime Minister Li Si was dated today, and there was no excessive delay. However, Hu Hai did not know how long it would take for a message to be transmitted from Sishui County to Xianyang, so he asked: "Royal Love, how many days will it take for a messenger to arrive in Xianyang from Sishui County?"

  "This express mail should arrive in Xianyang around 7 to 10 days." Wang Li thought for a moment before answering.

  If it were ten days, the rebellious soldiers in Sishui County and other places would definitely not stay in one place waiting for the imperial army to come and suppress them. The scope of the rebellion is now even larger, and the number of people is also vastly different from before. Hu Hai thought to himself. He knew a bit about the situation of the heroes rising together at the end of the Qin Dynasty.

  Hu Hai looked up and saw Wang Li and others staring at him with a look of wanting to speak but hesitating. He knew what they wanted to say, but he felt that it was not yet time to send troops to quell the rebellion. At least in Xianyang City, there were still many followers of Zhao Gao who had not been dealt with, and then there was Li Si, a tragic figure who had served as the Prime Minister of Qin for over a decade before being torn apart by chariots on the streets by Zhao Gao.

  Li Si is now the only person who knows about the plot of the sand dunes. With his arrival, history has already undergone tremendous changes. Hu Hai does not want to leave any hidden dangers by his side, and for his own ambitions, he cannot let anyone tie up his hands and feet.

  If Li Si doesn't know his place, he won't mind letting Li Si follow in the footsteps of Zhao Gao, no matter how capable Li Si is at governing the country; and there are many kings, nobles, and ministers in Xianyang who have doubts about their own imperial throne. These 200,000 elite Qin troops are the foundation for quickly silencing all opposing voices when they return to Xianyang.

  Only with a stable rear can he deal with the giant crocodiles that are about to appear, wanting his life and blocking his way.

  Huhai's expression turned serious as he said, "Wang Ji, listen to the decree."

  "Your Majesty's subject Wang Li has received your order." Wang Li heard Hu Hai's voice and hastily knelt on one knee, saying loudly.

  "Notify the entire army, after starting a fire and having a meal, immediately break camp and set out. Leave behind 10,000 Imperial Guards to follow with the baggage train, while the rest of the army leaves all baggage behind and rushes overnight. Must arrive in Xianyang by tomorrow afternoon. Those who disobey orders will be beheaded."

  "Ah!"

  "Marquis Wu, Marquis Li, listen to the imperial edict. You two lead a thousand cavalry each and go separately to welcome back Meng Tian and Meng Yi who are in prison. If you encounter any obstruction, behead them. After picking up Meng Tian and Meng Yi, immediately hurry back to Xianyang without delay."

  "Yes!" Meng Ke and Meng Li responded loudly with joy on their faces.

  "Zhang Han, holding the tiger tally, can lead 10,000 elite soldiers to advance lightly. Must arrive in Xianyang tonight to take over the Xianyang garrison troops. If obstructed, behead."

  "Ah!"

  Hu Hai's three consecutive beheadings made the crowd in the grand tent feel a wave of murderous aura, and amidst the chill, everyone felt more excitement and agitation. This was the true Emperor of Great Qin.

  Hu Hai watched as Wang Li, Zhang Han and four others took their orders and left. He swept his gaze over the remaining dozen or so Imperial Guard generals who stood respectfully at attention: "The rest of you generals return to your camps immediately to prepare your troops. The entire army will set out in one hour."

  "Ah!"

  ……

  Soon after Zhang Han and Meng Yi led the troops to receive orders, Hu Hai again instructed them in a good voice, and the three of them each led their army to go their separate ways, soon disappearing into the vast night.

  Huhai hastily ate a few mouthfuls of dinner under the service of Lüzhu and Cuiniang, changed into a suit of black soft armor with a long sword hanging from his waist, mounted his horse and loudly ordered: "The whole army sets out."

  The messenger quickly conveyed Hu Hai's order to the front and rear armies. Except for the 10,000 elite soldiers who escorted the baggage and eunuchs and palace maids, the remaining tens of thousands of troops only brought a day's worth of rations, advancing lightly with the rolling black tide surging forward.

  Lu Zhu and Cui Niang repeatedly begged Hu Hai to ride together and serve Hu Hai, but were firmly rejected by Hu Hai. Hu Hai knew that this was not the time for romantic feelings, the battlefield changed in an instant, every minute and every second was extremely precious for him now.

  At this time, Hu Hai sat high on a black horse, with Wang Li and more than a dozen imperial guards closely guarding him. Looking at the two women with red eyes, Hu Hai waved his hand to the two women: "I will wait for you in Xianyang."

  "Go!" With a burst of speed, the horse galloped away, leaving a cloud of dust behind. Wang Lei and others hastened to follow on horseback.

  (I received the editor's contract email today, and Jiuzhou has more motivation to write. Busy with the contract, so I'm updating now, please forgive me, the contract will be sent out tomorrow. Now this book is already A-signed, so everyone can rest assured to collect it. As a newcomer, there are many shortcomings, but Jiuzhou will definitely work hard to write and strive to produce a book that satisfies everyone. Also, please click on collection and recommendation!)

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