“Ah? Did I just kill a commanding officer a moment ago?”
Seeing the soldiers in disarray and with no will to resist, Wu Tiehu glanced at the corpse that had been beheaded and mused silently.
“Honored General, we are from the Wang and Chen families within the city. We had previously made contact and came especially to welcome the royal army!”
Cavalry poured in continuously, eliminating the last remnants of resistance.
From the group of village guards who had earlier disrupted the city gate, several men stepped forward. Dressed in leather armor, their bodies bore bloodstains, yet they couldn’t hide their scholarly air.
“Hmm… Where is the county magistrate now?”
Without their assistance, capturing the city wouldn’t have been so easy. Wu Tiehu’s expression softened slightly as he asked casually.
“Well… County Magistrate Zhao Lü has already been placed under house arrest by Shan Xiong. We owe much gratitude to the General for personally slaying this villain!”
“Enough!”
Looking at the guards and village warriors behind these clan leaders, Wu Tiehu considered them usable and immediately said, “My troops will now occupy the county office and seal the county treasury. You are to maintain order on the streets, open the city gates, and welcome the main force. If you accomplish this, I will credit you with a great merit!”
“At once, we will surely fulfill the assigned tasks!”
The clan leaders exchanged glances, secretly delighted. Their successful gamble not only meant their families wouldn’t face retaliation and their estates would be preserved, but also offered an opportunity to profit handsomely.
With Shan Xiong dead and the local gentry surrendering, resistance in Hui Zeng County was minimal.
After Wu Tiehu led thousands of troops into the city, order was quickly restored.
Inside the county office,
Wu Tiehu casually flipped through household registers and official documents, then addressed Zhao Lü who stood respectfully beside him, “Since County Magistrate Zhao has sincerely pledged allegiance, naturally I will accept it. However, our army has a rule: all defectors, regardless of civil or military rank, must undergo several months of reeducation in the rear before being reassigned elsewhere. Guards, escort the magistrate out!”
Compared to these local gentry snakes, Wu Tiehu actually preferred such itinerant officials, but unfortunately, he still needed to deal with the gentry cautiously for now.
Stepping out of the county office, gazing into the distance, a thought occurred to him, “Hui Zeng County was captured too easily. Our troops are not yet fatigued, and the cavalry is still ready for battle… Another city lies not far from here. If we can capture it, the road to the commandery capital will be wide open. I don’t need many troops—five hundred cavalry and two thousand infantry should suffice!”
“As for this county? Leaving twenty-five hundred men under the deputy general should be more than enough to maintain control!”
Although he knew this idea was somewhat risky, Wu Tiehu’s eyes burned with intensity, unable to let go of the notion.
If Wu Ming were present, he would have seen that Wu Tiehu’s astral power was flourishing, his fortune rising another level, as if blazing like a roaring flame.
Born under the Sheep Pole Star, it meant constant advancement and unmatched bravery!
…
“Report!”
Behind the lines, Chen Jingzong calculated the timing. Hearing the approaching messenger, he smiled at Chen Shuncheng, “General Wu must have good news!”
He immediately ordered the messenger inside and heard the report, “General Wu has captured Hui Zeng County with minimal losses!”
“Excellent!”
Although somewhat expected, joy still surfaced on Chen Jingzong’s face, “This victory greatly boosts our army’s prestige!”
In ancient warfare, momentum was extremely important. If the army suffered defeat at the outset, the soldiers would become disheartened, making subsequent battles extremely difficult.
This auspicious start was quite suitable. As Chen Jingzong pondered how to draft the victory report, the messenger continued, “Also… General Wu has left the deputy general and 2,500 troops to defend the city and has already marched towards Huayang County!”
Bang!
Chen Jingzong’s eyes widened, his mouth agape for a long time, “What… What recklessness! How could he do such a thing?”
Cold sweat immediately beaded on his forehead. “The greatest taboo in warfare is taking unnecessary risks. Capturing Huizeng County was already sufficient; why press further? Doesn’t he fear overextending the troops, leading to collapse at a single strike?”
He immediately ordered, “Shuncheng, issue orders for the entire army to accelerate its advance! You lead the cavalry ahead at full speed to reinforce him, no delay!”
“Understood!”
Chen Shuncheng acknowledged, and soon a cavalry unit detached from the main force.
“Attacking Huayang County at this moment might still have some chance… but… sigh…”
Chen Jingzong gazed at the distant dust trail, letting out a deep sigh.
Evening fell, the setting sun like blood.
Chen Jingzong arrived at Hui Zeng County, only to be met by Chen Shuncheng with a surprised expression, bringing unexpected news, “What? General Wu arrived at Huayang County, and it surrendered without a fight?”
Seeing his nephew’s envious look, even Chen Jingzong couldn’t help but exclaim, “This Wu Tiehu indeed has great luck, capturing two counties in one day—he truly is a tiger general!”
With both Hui Zeng and Huayang Counties secured, the commandery capital Rinan came clearly into view.
Rather than rashly advancing, Chen Jingzong opted to methodically clear out the remaining counties.
By the time Wu Zhi and Qi Lin led the other two armies to rendezvous, most of Rinan Commandery was already under their control, leaving only one isolated city.
“Advancing like a knife through bamboo!”
Inside the military camp, Wu Ming gazed at the shifting fortunes and sighed.
Wu Tiehu’s consecutive victories were already within his expectations—not only due to astral fate but also the natural course of great momentum!
This campaign, Wu Zhi led a total of thirty thousand troops, publicly claiming fifty thousand. With four of the seven commanderies in hand, she carried the prestige of a decisive victory against the regional marquis Shi Tai, annihilating his clan and forcing the provincial governor’s army into retreat. Her forces were strong, and the odds of victory stood at no less than eighty percent!
Under such overwhelming momentum, Wu Tiehu, on Wu Zhi’s side, naturally experienced a surge in fortune.
Conversely, even if the provincial governor had any capable talents, facing soldiers without the will to fight and generals without the heart to resist, there would be nothing they could do.
When Heaven’s favor tilts, can human effort alone reverse it?
“Even with prior expectations, I never imagined this campaign would proceed so smoothly!”
Wu Zhi had unknowingly arrived beside him, speaking calmly.
Wu Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly, instantly seeing the vigorous vapor above her head, with the red dragon swimming joyfully, causing him to smile inwardly.
“With the commandery capital now surrounded, what’s your plan?”
“Traditionally, the best strategy in attacking a city is to attack the heart first, and the city second. Rinan’s walls are high and its moats deep; I don’t wish for many casualties among my soldiers…”
Wu Zhi gently touched her abdomen.
This campaign marked a rare occasion where she didn’t ride horseback but instead traveled in a palanquin. With Wu Ming protecting her, she encountered no mishaps.
“Indeed, by now the provincial governor Xu Chun, the inspector Gao Shun, and the general Zhang Wenzhen should have received the news…”
Even though Wu Zhi used her pregnancy as a ruse to buy time, that time was only enough to capture Rinan Commandery and catch the enemy off guard.
Once Rinan fell, the provincial capital would surely prepare defenses, leading to a decisive battle against the thirty thousand provincial troops.
War is perilous and ever-changing. Even with Wu Zhi holding an overwhelming advantage, she dared not claim certain victory.
Fu Jian saw enemies in every grass and tree, and Cao Cao suffered defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs. The Zhou Dynasty naturally had its own examples.
“If it’s only this Rinan Commandery city, I actually have a method!”
Wu Ming rubbed his nose and continued, “Let me recommend someone to you—the Lin family’s legitimate son, Lin Xi, from last time. While the Xie family hesitated, the Lins had little doubt. I specifically ordered him to join the campaign. He came to see me last night, confident in persuading the city’s governor to surrender!”
“Oh?”
Wu Zhi’s phoenix eyes lit up, showing clear interest, “What’s the likelihood of success?”
“He’s a gentry scion, accustomed to luxury, and values his life highly. Moreover, the Lin family holds significant influence in Rinan. I’d estimate a seventy to eighty percent chance…”
Wu Ming’s gaze casually swept over the city’s skyline.
In reality, such persuasion depends on the overall situation.
With Wu Zhi’s rising fortune, Lin Xi not being a short-lived man, and the city’s fortune appearing chaotic with unsettled hearts, Wu Ming estimated a ninety percent chance of success, though he didn’t voice it.
“That’s sufficient. Send him immediately!”
Wu Zhi decided without hesitation, “If the city’s governor surrenders, I’ll promote him one rank; other officials will retain their positions!”
…
Dingzhou City.
“It’s finally come!”
The fall of Rinan Commandery meant even the province’s spies knew trouble was brewing.
However, upon hearing the news, Xu Chun merely slightly furrowed his brows and softly replied, then fell silent.
“My lord…”
Zhang Wenzhen stood beside him, his eyes filled with sorrow.
Ever since the Dingzhou rebellion began, not only had Gao Shun fallen, but Xu Chun’s health had also deteriorated. Seeing his benefactor in such a state naturally caused him great grief.
“Life and death are predestined… cough… cough…”
Xu Chun coughed, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief stained dark red, and sighed, “I just never thought Wu Zhi would be so cunning—or perhaps so resolute—that we men should feel ashamed…”
“This woman ignores heavenly timing, driven by greed for power. This long campaign, hehe… may well end in her defeat amidst the sands!”
Zhang Wenzhen sneered coldly.
Ancient hygiene conditions were poor, and military life was harsh. Campaigns could drag on for years, even decades.
If Wu Zhi, pregnant and visibly showing, encountered an epidemic in the army or went into labor in ten months, under military conditions, even with other advantages, the risks were enormous—possibly ending in both mother and child perishing!
Such a dark thought even made Xu Chun feel somewhat ashamed, yet he said nothing more, merely waving his hand for Zhang Wenzhen to go handle military matters.
Ever since receiving the report that only one city remained in Rinan, they knew Rinan was beyond saving.
With equal forces of thirty thousand each, even Zhang Wenzhen had no confidence in open-field combat.
Their only hope lay in Dingzhou City, the largest in the province, relying on its natural defenses to force Wu Zhi to retreat.
After all, in ancient sieges, even small towns could withstand years of siege if united in defense, let alone a major city like Dingzhou.
As for those gentry families, Xu Chun believed he still had control over them.
Thinking thus, his gaze involuntarily turned outward, his eyes flashing with sharpness.
By the Luo River, inside the Xie family mansion,
Xie Xingshan, the head of the Xie family, looked at the intelligence report in his hand, his face showing deep contemplation.
After a long while, he put down the paper, opened the window, seemingly sensing an approaching storm. After another long silence, he quietly sighed, “General Wu…”
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