Mengxia County!
The massive counterweight trebuchets roared, exerting immense force, hurling boulders weighing nearly a hundred jin each onto the city walls. The crashing impact sent sprays of blood and flesh into the air.
Besides the trebuchets, there were also siege rams, cloud ladders, and archery towers—all modified by military strategists into terrifying war machines. These devices not only assisted in the siege but also harvested countless enemy lives.
“Kill!”
The Southern Feng soldiers roared as they bit down on sharp knives, swarming up like ants to engage in bloody combat atop the city walls.
“Those defending the walls—aren’t they the Jinwu troops?”
Below, Chen Jingzong’s gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s. Watching the elite soldiers clad in leather armor with golden embroidery, a cold smile curled his lips: “It seems the situation inside the county is dire. Lord Shi must have deployed his last resort to maintain his marquisate… However, after daily losses, their numbers have been reduced by nearly half. How can they continue to hold on?”
This siege was personally led by Marquis Shi Tai of Ding, who had brought ten thousand troops in support. The two armies had been stationed here for half a month already, locked in battle.
With renowned generals like Chen Jingzong commanding the forces, the defending troops suffered losses far beyond Shi Tai’s expectations. Forced to deploy the Jinwu soldiers, he had no other choice.
Jinwu was a famous county in Dingyuan Prefecture, known for its fierce and fearless people. The Jinwu elite soldiers were renowned throughout the land.
After the rebellion of Huang Jie, large bandits plagued Dingyuan Prefecture. Shi Tai’s father had once raised five thousand troops at great personal expense, creating the Jinwu Volunteers. This force not only quelled the bandits but also marched a thousand miles to rescue the provincial capital, earning great merit. As a result, the imperial court conferred a marquis title upon him.
Even though a generation had passed, the Jinwu Volunteers had not yet fully declined. They remained Shi Tai’s most elite force.
“In warfare, at times like these, it’s essentially a matter of attrition,” Chen Jingzong mused silently.
“Our side controls two prefectures, with ample supplies. Our rear, due to the policy of granting land for military merit, has men who take pride in martial valor, eagerly enlist to obtain land, and we’ve already established ten new training camps, constantly replenishing our ranks with fresh recruits. However, although the Jinwu Volunteers are excellent, they are as unruly as elite guards. With their armor and meat rations, each of them costs as much as five of my new recruits, while their combat effectiveness is at most only equivalent to two or three of my men. Accumulating this over time, without external intervention, it’s inevitable that their side will collapse first!”
That “external intervention” referred, of course, to the provincial capital and Pingshan Prefecture.
“Recently, Qi Lin of Pingshan Prefecture has fallen seriously ill. Even if the new governor takes office, it will take time to consolidate military power. They lack the capability to oppose our garrison. The only one worth concern is General Zhang Wenzhen of the provincial capital!”
At the thought of the latest intelligence, even Chen Jingzong’s face darkened slightly.
Zhang Wenzhen was a military prodigy who understood the importance of speed in warfare. It was said that he had already reorganized most of his forces, and his three hundred thousand troops could strike at any moment.
At that time, with attacks from both inside and outside, the twenty thousand Southern Feng troops would face imminent destruction!
…
On the opposite side, atop the city tower,
Marquis Shi Tai of Ding wore a dragon-embroidered robe, his face stern and cold like a rock, watching the tide-like enemy forces retreat.
“My lord! The enemy has withdrawn!”
A general stepped forward, bowing respectfully, his eyes filled with sorrow: “Three hundred and twenty-seven Jinwu Volunteers have fallen on the city walls, with another two hundred lightly or severely wounded. We’ve already ordered the baggage troops to carry them down for medical treatment… My lord, we can’t continue like this anymore!”
“I know!”
Shi Tai pressed his lips together: “Just a mere heir apparent—compared to the greater cause, I naturally know how to choose, and I’m not only son to lose… But…”
He pointed his hand toward the enemy army below: “This woman, Wu Zhi, has the heart of a wolf! If I don’t strike first, she will eventually swallow me whole. She is an overlord with ambitions for the entire Ding Province! Today’s events are proof enough!”
It must be said, Marquis Shi’s insight was indeed accurate.
His conflict with Wu Zhi had never truly been about the death of his son. For an overlord, for the sake of a greater cause, what was the loss of a mere son?
Take for example Cao Cao and Zhang Xiu from Wu Ming’s previous life. Back then, Zhang Xiu had surrendered and then rebelled again, resulting in the deaths of Cao Cao’s eldest son Cao Ang, nephew Cao Anmin, and his mighty general Dian Wei amidst the chaos—events far more severe than what Shi Tai had experienced.
Yet later, when Zhang Xiu sought surrender again, Cao Cao still accepted it gladly, recommending Zhang Xiu for the title of General Yangwu, and even arranged for his son Cao Jun to marry Zhang Xiu’s daughter.
A schemer is someone who can endure what others cannot bear!
Shi Tai was no different. Gazing at the scarred city behind him, he suddenly smiled: “If our forces are like this, how much better off can the Southern Feng troops be, despite their reinforcements? I’ve already received intelligence that General Zhang Wenzhen of the imperial court has led three hundred thousand troops out of the provincial capital and will arrive shortly!”
His eyes darkened with cold intent: “At that time, we will strike from within and without, and must annihilate this woman once and for all!”
Although he was well aware that this campaign had severely weakened his forces, with most of his elite Jinwu Volunteers either dead or crippled, leaving him with no hope of competing for the throne, at least there was still a glimmer of hope.
Compared to the fate of certain death and destruction after Wu Zhi’s conquest of Dingyuan Prefecture, this was still far preferable.
“My lord! Urgent news from a hundred miles away!”
At that moment, a messenger, covered in dust, rushed in: “Reporting, my lord! Great calamity! Governor Qi Lin of Pingshan Prefecture has personally led troops, breached the Tiger-Killing Pass, and two thousand cavalry have advanced within thirty miles of the Dingyuan Prefecture capital, with over ten thousand infantry following behind! The second young master has sent a horseman for aid!”
“What?!”
Shi Tai stood in shock, his vision suddenly blurring: “Qi Lin! Wasn’t he gravely ill? How dare that scoundrel deceive me!!”
Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood and swayed unsteadily.
“My lord!”
The generals were alarmed and rushed forward to support him, only to see Shi Tai collapse limply…
…
Dingyuan Prefecture had always been roughly equal in strength to Pingshan Prefecture, and even at times found itself at a disadvantage in their confrontations.
Now, with Marquis Shi leading his elite forces away, the sudden stab in the back left them struggling to cope.
Especially with Wu Zhi’s army still at the front, hastily withdrawing to reinforce the rear would also lead to certain doom!
Without the city walls, the morale of Marquis Shi’s army would plummet immediately. If pursued and attacked from behind, the collapse of ten thousand troops overnight would be entirely normal.
“Haha!”
Inside the main command tent, Wu Zhi looked at the letter from Qi Lin in her hands, unable to conceal the smile spreading across her face: “Issue orders! Spread this news throughout the entire army. Also, command the spies within Mengxia City to do their utmost to disseminate the information. Starting tomorrow, we will surround three sides and leave one open, and launch a full-scale assault on the city!”
Dingyuan Prefecture, facing a siege from two prefectures, was already struggling. Now struck from behind by Qi Lin, it would be unnatural if they didn’t suffer defeat!
On the eighteenth day of the fourth month in the sixth year of the Peaceful Reign, the sudden news of the prefectural capital being under attack caused panic within Shi Tai’s army. Seizing the opportunity, Wu Zhi launched a fierce assault, breached Mengxia County, and Marquis Shi Tai was killed in battle, with countless soldiers surrendering!
On the twentieth day of the fourth month, news from the rear also arrived: Qi Lin had captured the Dingyuan Prefecture capital, taking the second son of Marquis Shi and over a hundred members of the Shi family captive, executing them all in mass graves!
The counties of Dingyuan Prefecture were terrified and quickly pledged allegiance to Wu Zhi, leading to the unification of the entire Dingyuan Prefecture.
The two armies then merged into one, preparing to face the provincial forces.
At this time, General Zhang Wenzhen led an army of three hundred thousand, publicly claiming six hundred thousand, and stationed himself in Rinan Prefecture. He immediately received the front-line reports, leaving him in a dilemma regarding his next move.
In terms of sheer strength, after merging with Qi Lin’s forces, Wu Zhi’s side also had three hundred thousand troops. If including the surrendered and auxiliary forces, their numbers would be even greater, making them no less formidable.
Moreover, at this point, the four prefectures combined controlled most of Ding Province, while behind Zhang Wenzhen were only the three prefectures of Rinan, Zhuwu, and Jiude, causing a reversal in the balance of power.
However, not advancing was also not an option. Zhang Wenzhen was well aware that if he withdrew now, giving Wu Zhi time to consolidate her rear, the gap would only widen further, leaving him with no chance of resistance.
Yet, there remained an opportunity!
That was the fundamental conflict of interest between Wu Zhi and Qi Lin, who were ultimately serving their own agendas.
If he could incite them to turn against each other, such as creating disputes over the control of Dingyuan Prefecture, that would be ideal.
At the very least, if Qi Lin occupied Dingyuan Prefecture, the two warlords would inevitably grow suspicious of each other. The imperial court and provincial governor could then mediate, playing both sides to maintain a fragile balance.
Thus, he stationed his forces in Rinan Prefecture without advancing, while sending waves of envoys and provocateurs to Wu Zhi and Qi Lin, aiming to incite mutual suspicion and buy time for the imperial court and provincial authorities.
Titles, enfeoffments, honors… In short, the imperial court had spared no effort, employing every conceivable tactic, enough to dazzle the eyes. Unfortunately, in this time of chaos, such nominal things were practically worthless.
However, these well-laid plans were shattered the moment Qi Lin announced his allegiance to Wu Zhi!
“What? Has Qi Lin gone mad? If he had occupied Dingyuan Prefecture, I would certainly have supported him, and he could have obtained the imperial court’s marquis title, enabling him to stand on equal footing with Wu Zhi!”
“Wu Zhi too—how could she accept so readily the surrender of a warlord and regional governor without a hint of suspicion?”
Inside the military camp, Zhang Wenzhen stood up abruptly, sending cups, goblets, and documents flying to the ground, revealing the turmoil within his heart.
“He refuses an opportunity for independence, choosing instead to submit to a woman. What a fool!”
Zhang Wenzhen roared, his voice filled with hysteria. All the officers and officials in the tent kept their eyes lowered, too afraid to utter a single word, lest they incur his wrath. They too were filled with astonishment in their hearts.
Qi Lin, renowned for both literary and martial prowess, had long been a celebrated figure in Ding Province! Yet he had so easily submitted to Wu Zhi.
Could it be… this woman truly possesses the Mandate of Heaven?
Regardless of whether Wu Zhi truly had the Mandate of Heaven, this declaration meant that Zhang Wenzhen’s strategy of waiting for internal conflict had completely failed. He had no choice but to advance his forces.
On the twenty-fifth day of the fourth month,
The two armies met on the Giant Stone Plains. Qi Lin led two thousand cavalry in a charge, causing chaos in Zhang Wenzhen’s ranks, killing several thousand men, resulting in an inauspicious start for Zhang.
After a prolonged standoff, Zhang Wenzhen still could not find an opening, while his army’s food supplies dwindled day by day. Eventually, he had no choice but to withdraw.
Wu Zhi and Qi Lin, considering their unstable rear areas, the continuous campaigns, and the fact that the provincial army still possessed considerable strength, did not pursue the retreating forces.
This great war that swept across Ding Province finally came to a gradual end. However, to any clear-eyed observer, it was evident that, following this momentum, Wu Zhi’s unification of Ding Province was almost unstoppable.
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