In the sixth year of Dading.
The bitter winter had just passed when a shocking piece of news spread throughout the Great Zhou.
Wu Zhi, the Chancellor of Great Zhou and the King of Ding, dispatched a combined force of 300,000 troops by land and water, and marched majestically into Tai Prefecture, thus initiating the unification war.
Great Zhou originally had nineteen prefectures. At this time, Wu Zhi already controlled Ding, Ling, and Xu prefectures, which formed a strategic triangle. With well-trained troops, ample supplies, and the authority of the imperial court, local warlords in Tai Prefecture submitted one after another. Even those who attempted resistance were quickly crushed, often with their entire families implicated and publicly declared to the empire.
By March, among the three largest warlords—Tong Ying, Xu Yusheng, and Lin Chong—Tong Ying and Lin Chong had surrendered and were being reorganized and awaiting orders. Xu Yusheng resisted the imperial army but was pacified within ten days, his family property confiscated and his entire clan exterminated.
By then, the entire Tai Prefecture had been subdued. In the same month, Lü Xiang of Qing Prefecture requested to surrender.
Lü Xiang came from a prestigious aristocratic family and had already occupied most of Qing Prefecture. However, under the multi-pronged attacks by Wu Zhi’s forces, he realized there was no hope of victory. For the sake of his family, he could only present his register of officials and official seals and beg for submission.
After all, Wu Zhi still represented the authority of the Great Zhou court. As a former subject, surrendering was still considered loyal service, and his honor and reputation remained intact.
Thus, Wu Zhi now controlled five prefectures, sweeping across the south, and the trend toward unifying the empire was already clear, causing great fear among the other warlords.
Great Zhou had nineteen prefectures in total. The Tianhe River, the imperial dragon vein, ran from west to east, dividing the empire into north and south. Flowing through Shuangfeng Commandery, it irrigated hundreds of miles of land. The Nu Long River, guarded by Ao Nu as its river god, was merely a small tributary of the great Tianhe dragon vein.
To the south of the Tianhe dragon vein lay Ding Prefecture, Ling Prefecture, Xu Prefecture, Tai Prefecture, Qing Prefecture, Ye Prefecture, Jin Prefecture, Hai Prefecture, and Ze Prefecture—nine in total—which were traditionally considered the southern regions.
In the north, there were Shang Prefecture, Yun Prefecture, Meng Prefecture, Qian Prefecture, and ten other prefectures, which were vast and sparsely populated. Since the southern migration of the Great Zhou court, these northern prefectures had become overrun with warlords constantly fighting each other, leaving the region fragmented and disunited.
Now that Wu Zhi had conquered five southern prefectures, the remaining four—Ye, Jin, Hai, and Ze—were thrown into panic. Though they were riddled with internal conflicts, under the immense pressure of potential annihilation, they formed an alliance and raised a joint army of 500,000 to confront Wu Zhi.
Jinsha Plains.
Located upstream of the Tianhe River, this area was the key to controlling the region’s water resources.
On both sides of the plains, rows of military tents stretched like dark clouds, their banners blotting out the sun. Nearly a million troops gathered here, ready to fight for supremacy in the south.
An army of a million strong!
Only a vast empire like Great Zhou could muster such a massive force in a regional conflict.
The mighty military aura rose into the heavens, and ominous stars like Qi Sha, Po Chün, and Tan Lang shone brightly. The resonance between heaven and humanity caused countless stars to fall, each vying for the heavenly mandate.
“With such intense martial malevolence, even a terrestrial immortal would be sealed away, and even a celestial immortal would retreat in fear!”
In the camp, General Chen Shuncheng gazed at the scene, murmuring with fervent eyes: “If my uncle were here, he would surely exclaim that to witness this battle would make life worthwhile!”
Chen Shuncheng’s uncle, Chen Jingzong, was a renowned military strategist who had won countless victories. Unfortunately, he had been transferred out of the military early to take charge of the Ministry of War, in order to pave the way for his nephew’s career.
Now Chen Shuncheng had grown into a middle-aged man, with sharp eyebrows and a strong, angular face: “But I will make sure this battle is fought brilliantly, so my uncle can see it from the rear!”
In his eyes, though the enemy’s army was slightly larger, their banners were chaotic, indicating multiple commanders.
Not to mention, supplying such a massive force daily was an astronomical burden. Simply dragging out the conflict would wear them down!
After all, Wu Zhi was now the most powerful warlord in the realm, controlling the majority of the south. In terms of resources, no one could rival her.
“Since the two armies began their standoff, our lord has remained within the camp, sending out elite cavalry daily to harass and tire the enemy. Now the effects are showing—spies from the enemy camp have reported shortages of food, and desertions have begun. When our lord finally orders a full-scale attack, it will be overwhelming force against a weakened foe—this is the orthodox way of warfare!”
War is deception, but the orthodox path of military strategy is to crush the enemy with sheer strength, wearing them down until they are utterly destroyed!
This was an open and unavoidable scheme—though the enemy knew it, there was no way to counter it!
Dong Dong!
Dong Dong!
Accompanied by the deep sound of war drums, the army advanced steadily, their formations neat and orderly.
On the opposite side, the allied forces of several hundred thousand were in disarray, their banners scattered as they shouted and struggled to form a unified formation.
“Beat the drums and advance!”
Suddenly, a signal flag was raised from the central command platform.
The war drums thundered, shaking the entire battlefield.
“Ten thousand victories!”
“Ten thousand victories!”
The entire army roared, their momentum shaking heaven and earth. Seizing the chaos, they immediately launched an attack.
Bang!
Horses neighed, arrows rained like rain.
After the cavalry and archers, it was time for close combat. In ancient times, once the two armies became entangled, even the most brilliant and capable commander could not maintain perfect control over the entire battlefield. They could only issue general orders, and often could not even withdraw their forces intact before victory or defeat was decided.
At this point, it came down to the soldiers’ willpower, training, and the individual prowess of the commanders.
“Kill!”
Chen Shuncheng raised his dragon-scale spear and roared.
His cavalry charge pierced through an enemy formation like a spear, and he personally impaled the opposing general, sending him flying.
“Hmph? Seems like he was a general marked by the stars, destined for greatness. But who cares…”
The enemy general was a martial arts master at the peak of his abilities, but on the battlefield, especially against Chen Shuncheng—a military strategist capable of drawing on the collective battle aura of his troops—his skills were useless. He resisted for only a few moves before the spear pierced his body, blood gushing like a spring.
“Haha… continue!”
This cavalry unit of ten thousand was the cream of Wu Zhi’s forces. At this moment, there was no room for doubt—only complete trust.
Chen Shuncheng proved with his actions that Wu Zhi’s choice had been absolutely correct.
“Kill!”
Even in the midst of the bloody melee, he constantly monitored the battlefield. First, he joined the battles where his side already had the advantage, crushing the enemy with overwhelming force, then charging into the next, creating a snowball effect.
By the time afternoon arrived, as if the final straw had been added, the enemy could no longer hold, and a full-scale collapse began.
Just as a hundred thousand troops, once engaged in close combat, could not be recalled by even the most brilliant commander, so too, once a rout began, even the greatest general could not stop the tide of disaster.
The demoralized, defeated soldiers fled in panic, breaking up their own formations in the rear, and even turning their swords on their former comrades to carve a path to survival.
The scene was brutal and chaotic, but all Chen Shuncheng could do was drive the fleeing soldiers forward, expanding the collapse until it engulfed the entire enemy army.
“Kill! Today is the day to achieve glory, to earn titles for our families and honors for our descendants!”
Wu Tiehu rode furiously, filled with excitement.
He was the true master of the Qiangyang Star’s destiny. As a victor, waves of visible star power fell upon him, invigorating him and making him feel no fatigue.
“Advance! Advance! Advance again!!!”
Wu Tiehu roared, his vision suddenly clearing.
Apparently, at some point, he had broken through the enemy lines and reached their rear, where he could see a small cavalry unit galloping in panic, fleeing for their lives.
“Is that… the Grand Alliance Leader and rebel king Chen Jie?!”
Wu Tiehu’s sharp eyes quickly recognized the central figure and he rejoiced: “Charge! Charge! Chase them down! Capturing or killing Chen Jie will be a monumental achievement!”
“Understood!”
His personal guards around him naturally knew that the greatest military honor of the day was right before them. Their eyes turned red as they charged recklessly after Wu Tiehu.
…
At the central command platform of the main army, Wu Zhi, clad in golden phoenix armor, sat upright.
Beside her, Zeng Yu and others offered their congratulations: “Congratulations to Your Majesty, after this battle, the unification of the south is within reach. May Your Majesty soon unify the entire realm!”
After this great victory, there would be no further resistance in the south. And with the momentum of this triumph, the northern warlords would certainly be terrified, possibly even surrendering without a fight.
“He who travels ninety miles still has half the journey left. The closer we get to victory, the more cautious we must be!”
Wu Zhi smiled.
“Your Majesty!”
At this moment, a minister stepped forward and spoke loudly: “Since the chaos of the Shang dynasty, the people have suffered greatly from war. Now Your Majesty commands a million troops and a thousand generals, so mighty that they could block a river with their bridles. I beg you, let us launch a northern campaign!”
“A northern campaign?”
Wu Zhi’s smile became even more enigmatic.
In truth, this great victory had come at minimal cost, and she had indeed considered launching a northern campaign.
However, before departure, Wu Ming had earnestly warned her that this campaign’s primary goal must be the unification of the south. If she could hold the Tianhe River and divide the empire along the river, that would already be sufficient. She must not be greedy or overextend herself.
Now, seeing the ministers so full of confidence and eager for glory, she began to understand the reasoning behind his words.
Although the army now seemed unstoppable and unification of the empire was within reach, if she forced a northern campaign and marched her southern troops north, a single major defeat could lead to the collapse of her entire foundation!
“We will discuss this matter further!”
At this moment, she said nothing else, merely noting the name of the minister, to be dealt with at a later time.
“Report!”
Suddenly, a messenger rode in at full speed: “General Wu Tiehu has captured and killed the rebel king Chen Jie!”
“Haha! Excellent!”
Wu Zhi was immediately delighted: “Where is he now? I must reward him handsomely!”
Chen Jie had been the leader of the allied forces. Capturing him was of great significance, effectively declaring the campaign a complete success.
“Wu General…”
The messenger’s voice suddenly became choked: “The rebel king was cunning and laid a trap. Although Wu General fought bravely and defeated the enemy, he himself sustained several wounds. After cutting off the rebel king’s head, he… fell in battle…”
“What?”
Wu Zhi was shocked, then sighed deeply: “I have lost a great general. What a tragedy!”
“Your Majesty, the most important thing now is to clean up the battlefield and reorganize the prisoners. Please take care of your health!”
Zeng Yu immediately stepped forward to persuade: “General Wu was loyal to the nation and died bravely in battle. He must be honored and compensated generously!”
“Indeed, I will enshrine him as a deity, granting him official worship and offerings in his honor!”
Wu Zhi murmured.
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