Chapter 114: The Divine Martial Great General’s Valor Can’t Be Fully Captured In A Single Page Of History; Any Mention Of The Man-slayer Must Include You
Soldiers clad in armor, having experienced the previous massacre, no longer held back. The Japanese people were easily recognizable by their attire, discernible at a glance.
Even if they changed their clothes, they could still be identified.
The main reason was that their hairstyles were impossible to change.
Some Japanese ronin, in fear, exchanged words with those around them, chattering a great deal. Seemingly unwilling to await their demise, they raised their katanas, roared, and charged towards the soldiers.
With a *thwack*.
The Japanese ronin looked down at the spear piercing his abdomen, then up at the fully armored soldier. He opened his mouth slightly, spat out blood, his body went limp, and he toppled to the ground, lifeless.
“Kill them for me,” Lin Fan commanded emotionlessly. The armored soldiers swung their scythes like reapers, frantically harvesting lives.
In an instant, the scene was filled with screams.
The group of Central Plains merchants stared, watching the scene before them in terror. Their minds were blank, completely unaware of what was happening.
They could naturally discern that the soldiers in armor were all soldiers of the Central Plains Dynasty, meaning they were their own people.
Therefore, that sense of fear was greatly diminished.
*Dada-da!*
The sound of horse hooves approached.
The Central Plains merchants looked up, their eyes filled with dread as they gazed at the general on horseback, his expression indifferent. They didn’t know who he was, but the current situation made them realize he must be the leader of these armored soldiers.
“General, hello, we are all merchants from the Central Plains,” one merchant fawned obsequiously.
Lin Fan showed no expression, his gaze falling on the people confined in cages. He asked, “Are you all from the Central Plains?”
The imprisoned people nodded frantically.
“General, save us, save us.”
Upon seeing the majestic and imposing Lin Fan, they felt as if they had seen a savior, crying out for help. When they were captured and transported to Japan, they had already despaired.
But now, hope had appeared.
Lin Fan said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the Divine Martial Great General, sent by imperial decree to conquer Japan. Since you are subjects of the Central Plains Dynasty, I will surely ensure your safety.”
At this moment, the common people imprisoned in the cages felt a sense of pride in being subjects of the Central Plains Dynasty for the first time so strongly.
After an unknown amount of time, the armored soldiers returned, their bodies stained with blood. Liu Canjiang respectfully reported, “General, all Japanese bandits in sight have been killed. Please issue your orders.”
“Are they all truly finished?” Lin Fan asked.
Liu Canjiang dared not say with 100% certainty that they were all finished. “General, your subordinate will have the brothers conduct a thorough sweep again.”
“Mm, remember, even if it’s just an egg, I want the yolk shaken out,” Lin Fan said.
“Yes.”
Liu Canjiang deeply understood that General Lin intended to truly initiate a full-scale slaughter, a genocidal war against Japan. Yet, with their mere three thousand men, how long would such a genocide take?
After Liu Canjiang departed, the Central Plains merchants trembled. They had naturally heard the words their general had just spoken.
He intended to kill all the Japanese here, to the last one.
As they were in a state of panic, Lin Fan’s thunderous roar reached their ears.
“How dare you! You sold your own compatriots to Japan to be insulted by the Japanese! I think you are tired of living!” Lin Fan said angrily.
*Plop!*
The merchants, terrified, knelt down one after another. “General, spare our lives, General, spare our lives.”
Lin Fan said coldly, “Don’t worry. I won’t kill you now. After the conquest is over, I will bring you back and let you witness firsthand the ruin of your families and homes. You used the silver earned from selling your compatriots to live a luxurious life in the Central Plains, so I will make you witness firsthand how your homes were destroyed and your relatives died.”
At these words.
The faces of the merchants instantly turned pale, devoid of any color.
Lin Fan looked at the compatriots and said, “I must continue my campaign. You can follow the army and assist with logistics. When we return to the Central Plains, I will reward your merits. Do you agree?”
“General, we are willing.”
“General, this subordinate is willing to go through fire and water.”
The captured common people never imagined they could follow the army and march into battle. This was something they had never dreamed of in their lives.
Lin Fan led the army to sweep through an area, ordering the soldiers to collect all the wealth there and load the grain onto carts to advance with the army.
War sustains war.
The more they fought, the richer and more abundant they became.
The original three thousand men had now grown to over three thousand.
Although those who joined later could not be considered soldiers, they could still handle tasks requiring strength, such as pushing carts for logistics.
Several days later.
The Imperial Court.
The Emperor sat on his throne, his enthusiasm for the morning court not very high.
“Your Majesty, the envoy from Mengye Country has arrived. When will Your Majesty be willing to receive them?” the Grand Tutor asked.
The Emperor waved his hand. “Let them wait. My beloved minister is currently conquering Japan. Without my minister, there is nothing to discuss.”
The Grand Tutor said, “Your Majesty, the envoy from Mengye Country has come with great sincerity from the Mongol King. Perhaps Your Majesty could receive them first and see their sincerity?”
The Emperor frowned. “Grand Tutor, haven’t I made myself clear enough? Without Lin Ai Qing here, I do not wish to discuss this matter. If they cannot even wait this long, then in my opinion, they have no sincerity.”
For the Emperor, he was currently in a state of extreme pleasure.
Full of arrogance.
He felt as if he could look down on the entire world.
The Grand Tutor lowered his head, not saying anything further. The main reason was that the envoy had personally come to pay a visit, offering lavish gifts, and hoped he, the Grand Tutor of the current court, could put in a good word.
But he was helpless. The current favorite of the Emperor was the Divine Martial Great General, making him, the Grand Tutor, insignificant. He couldn’t say anything about anyone connected to the Divine Martial Great General.
Several more days passed.
The people of the Imperial Capital noticed something strange happening today.
That is, a group of strangely dressed Japanese people suddenly appeared at the city gate. Upon entering the city, they showed no other behavior but to immediately kneel and shout.
“Great Central Plains Nation, Your Majesty’s mercy, Your Majesty’s mercy!!!”
Kneeling every three steps.
They prostrated themselves in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
The common people murmured amongst themselves.
“Our Divine Martial Great General went to conquer Japan. Are these Japanese here to beg for mercy?”
“What exactly happened there?”
“Not entirely clear, but the Divine Martial Great General only brought three thousand soldiers. While a force not to be underestimated, to have Japan send people to beg for mercy seems too incredible.”
The Imperial Court.
The Emperor was holding court as usual.
Suddenly.
“Report!!!”
“Speak.”
“Your Majesty, a group of Japanese people are currently kneeling at Xuanwu Gate, requesting Your Majesty’s mercy.”
The officials in the court exchanged whispers and discussions. The First Prince frowned slightly, thinking that the Toyotomi regime of Japan couldn’t be this incompetent.
I already secretly notified you that Lin Fan only brought three thousand soldiers. If you had set a trap, you could have annihilated them easily.
How could it have turned out like this, as if they were overwhelmed?
The Emperor waved his hand. “Let them in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After the person left, the Emperor turned to the civil and military officials and said with a smile, “It seems our Divine Martial Great General is truly valiant and invincible, forcing Japan to send envoys for peace. Who else can achieve such a glorious feat? My dear ministers, what rewards do you think I should bestow upon our Divine Martial Great General when he returns triumphantly?”
The ministers blinked.
Still rewarding him?
Don’t be so excessive.
The Divine Martial Great General is already second only to the Emperor and above all others. Does he really want to be enfeoffed as a living king?
This would completely violate ancestral teachings.
The officials looked at the Grand Tutor. After the last incident, no one was willing to step forward to deny the Emperor’s idea. After all, the Grand Tutor could change sides at any moment, and they would be the ones to bear the consequences.
Not long after.
The Japanese envoys appeared. As soon as they entered, they immediately knelt in the hall and cried out, “Your Majesty is benevolent, Your Majesty is eternal! We beg Your Majesty to recall the Divine Martial Great General. Our country truly cannot bear it anymore.”
There were no flowery words, only extreme sorrow and fear.
“Oh? What happened? Tell me about it,” the Emperor asked with a smile.
“The Great General has captured four cities consecutively, leaving no survivors in his wake, and has already massacred tens of thousands of civilians!” the envoy cried with tears of blood. “Japan is willing to be a vassal forever. We beg Your Majesty’s mercy!”
At these words.
All the civil and military officials widened their eyes in shock.
What?
The Divine Martial Great General committed massacres?
The Emperor frowned slightly. Seeing the historian recording the events, he suddenly roared, “Bold Japanese! Why are you speaking nonsense in the hall, accusing my Divine Martial Great General of massacring cities? It must be that you Japanese people disguised yourselves as commoners to sneak in and attempt an ambush, and my Divine Martial Great General discovered you, isn’t that right?”
“Your Majesty, you are wrongly accusing us! The Divine Martial Great General didn’t even spare children. The piles of heads are like mountains! We beg Your Majesty for mercy and to recall the Divine Martial Great General!” the envoy sobbed, his eyes full of despair.
He had never imagined that someone could be so terrifying.
With just one person and a club, he had easily smashed down the city gates and charged in. One person had thrown the entire army into disarray, and even the leading general was killed with a single blow.
It was truly a defeat like a collapsing mountain, with no chance to resist.
“Bold! You dare to speak nonsense again! Guards, drag them out and have them beheaded! Such utter nonsense, slandering my Divine Martial Great General!” the Emperor roared.
As Emperor, he had naturally read many historical texts. History clearly recorded that those who had committed massacres and exterminations had poor reputations.
In later generations, through retelling and slander, they would be directly called butchers and madmen, known for their bloodlust.
He did not want his beloved minister to have a bad reputation in the future.
After all, massacres and exterminations touched upon moral ethics.
Coupled with the verbal attacks from scholars, who could withstand such a barrage?
The Grand Tutor said, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The fact that the Japanese envoy has come to beg for mercy is enough to show that the military might of the Divine Martial Great General has deeply intimidated them. Since that is the case, why not recall the Divine Martial Great General to display Your Majesty’s glorious heavenly might and also Your Majesty’s benevolence?”
The officials murmured amongst themselves. They fully believed what the Japanese envoy had said. The Divine Martial Great General had likely indeed massacred cities and exterminated families in Japan. Regardless of how it was said, it was somewhat unacceptable to them.
Although foreign peoples were all called barbarians by them.
However, their Central Plains Dynasty ruled by Confucianism, with benevolence towards all beings at its core. Furthermore, the concept of not killing surrendered enemies was deeply ingrained, and those who surrendered were not to be killed, lest they incur heavenly wrath that would affect their descendants.
The Emperor did not answer the Grand Tutor but looked at the historian.
“How are you recording it?”
The historian calmly replied, “Your Majesty, I am recording it as follows: The Japanese envoy wept and lamented the Divine Martial Great General Lin Fan’s act of massacring cities and exterminating families. Your Majesty reprimanded them for speaking nonsense, but there was no concrete evidence…”
“Silence! I order you not to write that. You should write that the Japanese people are treacherous and cunning, mixed among the commoners, attempting to ambush the Divine Martial Great General, and that the massacre and extermination of families are pure fabrication,” the Emperor said sternly.
“As a historian, I only record the facts,” the historian stood firm. “If I were to bend the truth to please, what use would a historian be?”
“You…” The Emperor glared at the historian, truly angered by him.
The Grand Tutor chuckled inwardly, “Well done. The historian is not disgraced; he has to stand his ground.”
He had also approached the historian for a chat recently, asking if he could omit the matter of the Grand Tutor being beaten from the historical records. But who would have thought this historian was impervious to bribes and insisted on recording the truth? He stated that the incident of the Grand Tutor being publicly beaten had never happened in any dynasty, and in the future, for a hundred or even hundreds of years, the historical events he recorded would cause a sensation.
The Grand Tutor had nothing to say about this.
He even dared not offer a bribe, fearing that this scoundrel would add a note in the historical records about the Grand Tutor attempting to bribe him. If that were to happen, he would be laughed to death by future generations.
The Grand Tutor said, “Your Majesty, why not dispatch someone to Japan to see for themselves if it is true?”
The Emperor pondered for a moment. “Summon the Commander of the Imperial Guards.”
“Summon the Commander of the Imperial Guards!!!”
The eunuch’s voice boomed out.
Soon, the Commander of the Imperial Guards entered the hall and immediately sensed the wrong atmosphere. He knelt on one knee. “Your subject, greets Your Majesty.”
“Commander Li, I now order you to go to Japan to investigate the local situation. If you encounter the Divine Martial Great General, tell him that the Japanese bandits have slandered him with massacres and exterminations,” the Emperor said.
“Yes, your subject accepts the order.”
The historian stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, your subject is willing to accompany Commander Li.”
“Granted.”
The Emperor did not refuse and stood up. “Court is dismissed. Commander Li, follow me. I have a few words to entrust to you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Imperial Study.
Commander Li’s expression was calm, but his heart was already in turmoil. “Your Majesty, your subject understands.”
He hadn’t expected His Majesty to tell him that if he went there and truly saw the Divine Martial Great General massacring cities and exterminating families, he was to kill the historian. This matter must not be recorded by the historian. “I want my beloved minister to be renowned for eternity, not to bear the infamy of a butcher and exterminator.”
At this moment, Commander Li deeply understood how high the Divine Martial Great General ranked in His Majesty’s heart.
It was likely that even the princes did not rank as high as the Divine Martial Great General in His Majesty’s heart.
Outside the Imperial Court.
Many officials surrounded the historian. Some directly gave him a thumbs-up, hailing him as having a strong character and being worthy of being the foremost historian of the Central Plains Dynasty.
The Grand Tutor, however, looked at the historian as if he were already dead.
A few more glances.
He would likely not be able to see him again.
It was true that stubborn yet meticulous people could not hold official positions.
He had even volunteered to go to Japan, thinking he wasn’t living long enough. Did he truly think that the Emperor’s private instructions to Commander Li were mere words?
It was likely all arranged: if the Divine Martial Great General was indeed massacring cities and exterminating families, and he still dared to record it, then it would truly be his death sentence.
Soon.
With the deliberate dissemination by some civil officials, within half a day, the people of the Imperial Capital were all aware that the Divine Martial Great General had gone to conquer Japan and had actually massacred cities and exterminated families, not even sparing children.
This immediately caused a polarization. Some people supported the Divine Martial Great General, while some scholars who had read the classics vehemently criticized him, questioning how he could have committed such a heinous act, truly unafraid of divine retribution.
The Emperor in the Imperial Palace, upon learning that within half a day the news had spread to all the people in the city, became truly enraged and immediately ordered a thorough investigation into who was spreading such falsehoods.
Regardless of their rank.
They were all to be apprehended and held accountable.
……
Several days later.
“General, the Japanese ran fast enough. The place is completely deserted.” Liu Canjiang looked at the surrounding chaotic scene with helplessness.
The Japanese were truly terrified by our Great General.
Lin Fan said, “It’s fine, this was expected. The main base of the Toyotomi regime is in Heian-kyo. The people there won’t be able to escape.”
Liu Canjiang had immense admiration for the Great General before him. In his life, he had never admired anyone, but after following the Great General into battle.
He suddenly realized that fighting wasn’t that difficult.
The general would lead from the front, fight in the thick of it for a while, then kill the enemy commander, and then order them to charge. Facing the leaderless Japanese soldiers, their mounted charge was like entering an uninhabited land, easily clearing them out.
At the same time, he also realized how terrifying the elite armored soldiers were.
They were like sharp blades on the battlefield.
One hundred elite armored soldiers might not be much, unable to change the tide of battle, but after a thousand, the impact was immense.
These local men, though not considered elite soldiers, became incredibly brave when clad in armor.
He also noticed that these soldiers were undergoing a great transformation. The fear in their eyes was gradually dissipating, replaced by a sharp killing intent.
……
At this time.
Commander Li led a group of people to a Japanese village. He looked at the historian, who was thin and over fifty years old, with a sense of helplessness. Why did he have to be so stubborn?
Throughout history, how many historians had died?
How many had been exterminated along with their families.
The current Emperor was benevolent. In the past, he would always laugh and not inquire or demand anything about how historians recorded events. But now, for the sake of the Divine Martial Great General, the Emperor was truly considering killing.
Any smart historian would know how to choose.
“Historian Wang, you should understand His Majesty’s intentions,” Commander Li said.
Historian Wang replied, “Commander Li, I know that I may not return safely from this trip, but as a historian, I must record the truth. Only then can I be worthy of the title of historian. If everyone feared and wrote falsehoods, how much truth would there be in the history books?”
“How can future generations learn the essence from history and avoid going down the wrong path? Haven’t you noticed that the events happening in the court have occurred throughout history, and history books clearly provide solutions to these problems?” Historian Wang said.
Commander Li shook his head and said no more.
When they entered the village.
A pungent, stimulating stench assailed them. When they saw the scene before them, they were all stunned into place, their eyes wide, looking at the scene as if they had seen a ghost.
The ground covered with rotting corpses was enough to indicate what a tragic scene had unfolded there at that time.
Commander Li’s hand involuntarily moved to the hilt of his saber.
Historian Wang began to record. “Commander Li, don’t be in a hurry to kill me. I only wish to record the truth as it is. When we eventually find the Divine Martial Great General, I will not need Commander Li to act. I will hang myself.”
“After all, if you take action, it will be His Majesty’s decree. His Majesty is a rare wise ruler. I do not wish to leave a stain on His Majesty’s history.”
Hearing this.
Commander Li released his hand from the saber hilt and said with emotion, “Master Wang, why must you do this?”
“You don’t understand,”
Historian Wang shook his head.
Several days later.
Historian Wang had become numb. He hadn’t expected the Divine Martial Great General’s methods to be so brutal; it was truly an act of massacring cities and exterminating families. The scenes he witnessed had given him psychological trauma.
Commander Li considered himself decisive in battle, but after witnessing these scenes, his fear of the Divine Martial Great General reached its peak.
Today, they had caught up to the Divine Martial Great General’s pace.
From afar, they saw the city gate of a city smashed to the ground, with black smoke rising into the sky. As they approached the city, armored soldiers discovered them.
“Stop! Who are you?” an armored soldier asked angrily. The killing aura emanating from him startled Commander Li slightly. “What imposing presence, as if they fought their way out of a pile of corpses.”
Commander Li said, “We are here by order of His Majesty from the Imperial Capital. We do not know where the Great General is.”
“The Great General is inside,” the soldier said.
Commander Li said, “Please lead the way. We wish to see the Great General.”
At this moment, Lin Fan, mounted on his horse, calmly observed the situation. Hearing the commotion, he looked back and saw a familiar face.
“Commander Li, why are you here?” Lin Fan asked with a smile.
He naturally recognized the Commander of the Imperial Guards at a glance.
Commander Li said, “Great General, His Majesty ordered me to come. A group of Japanese people came to the Imperial Capital, requesting His Majesty to recall the Great General, saying that the Great General was massacring cities and exterminating families. His Majesty’s intention is that these must be Japanese bandits who infiltrated the commoners.”
His meaning was clear.
His Majesty had already thought of an explanation for you.
Just follow this explanation, and it would be fine.
However, to Commander Li’s surprise, Lin Fan smiled and said, “Haha, His Majesty is overthinking. I am indeed massacring cities. Upon conquering a city, I order the slaughter of all Japanese people.”
“Ah…” Commander Li was stunned.
Historian Wang looked at the surroundings and said, “General Lin, why are you engaging in acts of massacring cities and exterminating families? Are you not aware of how heinous such actions are?”
“Who are you?” Lin Fan asked.
Commander Li said, “Great General, this is Historian Wang. He volunteered to come.”
“Oh, so you are a historian. It’s alright. Ask whatever you wish to ask. As for you saying this is a heinous act, I only wish to say that the extermination of Japan is inevitable and must be done.”
“The Japanese people are cruel, cunning, greedy, despicable, shameless, perverted, bloody, and sneaky learners of the Central Plains Dynasty’s path to power. The current Toyotomi regime even boasts of conquering Silla in three years and pacifying the Central Plains in five. How can I spare such a wolf-hearted and ambitious race?”
Lin Fan’s voice grew cold. No one could stop the extermination of Japan.
Historian Wang quickly recorded. After writing everything down, he went to find a rope alone, tossed it over a nearby roof beam, brought a stool, and prepared to stand on it to hang himself.
“What are you doing?” Lin Fan was somewhat confused.
Historian Wang said, “Great General, this old official is a historian. His Majesty does not wish for the historical records to document the Great General’s massacres and exterminations. However, this old official will never change it. Since that is the case, this old official will hang himself, as I do not wish to leave a stain on His Majesty.”
“Hahaha…” Lin Fan waved his hand. “Historian Wang, come down. Record it as it should be recorded. If I dare to massacre cities and exterminate families, why should I fear being recorded as a cruel butcher?”
Commander Li said softly, “General, if it is recorded in history, in a thousand or even a hundred years, future generations will likely condemn you.”
Lin Fan said, “I, Lin Fan, stand tall and have a clear conscience. Why should I care about how future generations evaluate me? Exterminating Japan is my top priority now. Historian Wang, don’t commit suicide. Since you are here, stay by my side, watch carefully, record well, and write about the human butcher demeanor of this Great General, so that future generations will understand how ferocious and overbearing the Divine Martial Great General of the Central Plains Dynasty once was.”
“Hahahaha…”
Hearty laughter echoed.
Historian Wang, standing on the stool, gazed blankly at the Divine Martial Great General on his horse.
“Great General, do you truly not care about these things?” Historian Wang asked.
Lin Fan waved his hand. “I couldn’t care less. Perhaps you think my methods are too cruel, but for me, as long as it can benefit future generations, I am content with everything.”
“His Majesty will not spare me.”
“It’s alright, I’ll speak to His Majesty for you, ensuring your safety. You just need to record accurately, without fabricating anything,” Lin Fan said.
At this moment.
Historian Wang looked at Lin Fan, knowing that the Divine Martial Great General was not joking.
Several days later.
Heian-kyo.
The high-ranking officials of the Toyotomi regime were all kneeling there. The light in the room was dim. Toyotomi Hide sat there with a serious expression, and his confidants on both sides also felt very suppressed.
“What should we do? The three thousand iron cavalry of the Central Plains Dynasty’s Divine Martial Great General have reached the city gates,” Toyotomi Hide said with a hoarse voice.
The militaristic faction on the left and the bureaucratic faction on the right.
For a moment, they did not know how to answer.
“My Lord, Heian-kyo currently has thirty thousand troops stationed within. As long as we defend the city walls, the advantage will be ours. The various daimyo have already received the news and are bringing their troops to relieve the siege. Once the daimyo’s forces arrive, they will surely annihilate the Central Plains Dynasty’s army.” The first strategist under Toyotomi Hide spoke.
According to the reports, the commander of the Central Plains Dynasty’s army this time was the Divine Martial Great General, who possessed an unmatchable power, truly a monster.
At this time.
Outside the city.
Lin Fan, mounted on his horse, looked at Heian-kyo and smiled. “Historian Wang, look, this is Heian-kyo. These Japanese have been conserving their strength and secretly accumulating power. When the time is ripe, they will invade the Central Plains Dynasty. In recent years, if you had visited the coast, you would know that there are frequent infringements by Japanese pirates. But those are not pirates, they are regular Japanese soldiers.”
“Their purpose is to secretly accumulate wealth and test the combat strength of the Central Plains Dynasty.”
Historian Wang said, “Great General, the enemy has closed their city gates. I wonder how you plan to breach the city. If you choose to assault the walls directly, the casualties will likely be heavy.”
Lin Fan said, “Take out your notebook and pen, and watch and write carefully. The bravery of the Central Plains Dynasty’s Divine Martial Great General is unparalleled in the world, like a divine being descending upon the earth.”
After speaking, Lin Fan pulled on the reins of his horse and approached the city gate.
On the city walls.
The confidants of Toyotomi Hide, the Seven Spears of Ii-Masamune, were responsible for the safety of the city walls. These were seven young samurai who had achieved great merit in the Battle of Shizugatake.
Now, they looked at the Central Plains Dynasty general approaching alone on horseback.
Their faces were filled with rage.
They had learned that the Central Plains Dynasty general would massacre the city after breaching it, which had already ignited their anger, making them wish to tear Lin Fan to pieces.
“Central Plains General, why do you kill my countrymen, and dare to march upon Heian-kyo? Do you truly believe the Toyotomi regime is someone you can offend at will?”
The young man speaking was Kato Kiyomasa, a fierce general under Toyotomi Hide, renowned for his bravery in charging into battle. He was known as Tiger Kato in Japan, possessing the ferocity of a tiger, and there were even rumors that he had truly fought with tigers and loved eating tiger meat.
Lin Fan looked up at the people on the city wall, grinning. Suddenly, he supported himself with one hand on his horse, stomped his foot, and leaped high, appearing in their sight like a soaring eagle.
When the Japanese generals on the city wall saw this, their eyes widened as if they had seen a ghost.
Before they could recover.
Lin Fan wielded his club, and with a *bang*, he exploded Kato Kiyomasa’s head, the one known as Tiger Kato, with a single blow.
In an instant.
Blood and flesh mixed together, blurring everyone’s vision.
“Nattering on, I don’t know what nonsense you’re spouting,” Lin Fan cursed angrily. The other six were stunned. They hadn’t expected the most ferocious Kato Kiyomasa to be killed like this.
Before they could recover.
Lin Fan had already swung his club and initiated a direct engagement. In an instant, screams filled the air, and bodies continuously fell from the city walls.
Historian Wang watched the scene before him, his hand trembling as he held his pen. For a moment, he didn’t know what to write.
He had found it difficult to write about Lin Fan’s single-handed intimidation of the royal army a while ago, mainly because it was too incredible and defied common sense. He had thought there was a high possibility of exaggeration.
Therefore, in his record of this part, he chose a simple description, leaving it to future generations to explore its truth.
But now, he was truly bewildered.
He personally witnessed Lin Fan leap several meters high to appear on the city wall, and then, like a god descending from heaven, he sent Japanese soldiers flying everywhere with his blows.
With a *rumble*.
The tightly shut city gate was violently blasted open. The churning dust obscured their vision. Only when the dust settled did they see Lin Fan standing proudly, holding an iron rod.
“Enter the city, kill.”
Having said that, Lin Fan turned and charged in alone.
Heian-kyo had thirty thousand soldiers, but to Lin Fan, thirty thousand or fifty thousand was not important. His immediate destination was the Toyotomi regime’s main base in the city.
“Kill!!!”
Liu Canjiang roared and led the troops into the city.
Commander Li stared blankly, then looked at Historian Wang. “Historian Wang, how will you record this?”
Historian Wang looked at Commander Li and replied, “I will record it truthfully. Upon our return, I will revise what I have written before. The Divine Martial Great General’s might cannot be clearly described in a few words, and a single page of history will not suffice. Let’s go, take me into the city. I want to witness this historically astonishing event firsthand.”
At this time.
Toyotomi Hide was still discussing matters with his confidants when suddenly, a soldier rushed in.
“My Lord, bad news! They have broken in! The city gate has been breached, and the seven lords have died tragically on the city walls! We cannot hold them back. The Central Plains Dynasty soldiers are all armored and impervious to blades and spears. We are not their match!” the soldier exclaimed in terror.
“What?” Toyotomi Hide shot up, his expression aghast.
He hadn’t expected them to be unable to hold out.
“Who? Who opened the city gate? Weren’t you ordered to defend the city?” Toyotomi Hide roared.
The soldier said, “My Lord, we did not open the city gate. Instead, the enemy leaped onto the city wall and began a massacre, then kicked the city gate open with a single blow. That is a monster, a monster!”
Toyotomi Hide cursed, thinking the soldier was talking nonsense and refusing to believe him. He immediately led his men to prepare to meet the enemy.
The chaotic situation outside also gave Toyotomi Hide a premonition of disaster.
When he led his [Truncated: Max tokens]
“This…” Toyotomi Hide was stunned, frozen in place, his mind blank, completely at a loss for words.
A confidant said, “My lord, let’s go. These are not humans, but ghosts and spirits. The soldiers can’t stop them at all.”
“No…” Toyotomi Hide roared, “How can we flee? Kill him! Give me the order to kill him.”
Before Toyotomi Hide could finish speaking, he saw the group of iron cavalry clad in armor appear. They charged forward on horseback, their flesh and blood unable to resist, and were all trampled to death.
With the addition of the iron cavalry.
The thirty thousand soldiers within the city were decreasing at a rate visible to the naked eye.
With every swing of Lin Fan’s club, several people, and even more than ten, died horribly.
“Refreshing!”
Lin Fan’s spirits were incomparably refreshed, filled with an ineffable joy. Slaughtering Japan had long been something he desired, and now that he was taking action, he naturally felt invigorated.
I don’t know how long.
Before Lin Fan, no soldier dared to appear. He held his bloody club and walked step by step towards Toyotomi Hide, his immense pressure like a mountain, enveloping Toyotomi Hide and his confidants.
Plop!
Some could not bear such pressure, collapsing to the ground in a sorry heap, sweating profusely and trembling.
Lin Fan’s palm landed on the saber hilt, and with a swish, it unsheathed and reaped. A confidant clutched his neck, let out a low roar, and then fell to the ground, motionless.
When he reached Toyotomi Hide, his confidants had already been killed clean.
“Are you even human?” Toyotomi Hide’s voice trembled.
Lin Fan looked down at the other person from a commanding height, his Wild Goose Feather Dagger resting on the other’s shoulder, “Toyotomi Hide, the lord of Japan, who claims to have grand ambitions, to conquer Silla in three years and pacify the Central Plains in five years. What audacity! Pacifying the Central Plains in five years, do you think that’s enough time?”
“Or, if this general took about twenty days to reach Heian-kyo, what would you think of this general’s methods?”
While Lin Fan was communicating with Toyotomi Hide.
Historian Wang hurried over and stood to the side, listening to their conversation. The pen in his hand did not stop, frantically recording.
“The Divine Martial Great General took twenty days to lead three thousand iron cavalry, break through Heian-kyo, Japan, and capture Toyotomi Hide alive.”
Toyotomi Hide took a deep breath and, forcing a calm demeanor, said, “Great General, why does the Toyotomi family, who pledges allegiance to the Emperor of the Central Plains Dynasty, wish to dispatch troops to attack us?”
“Stop messing around. I’m asking you, I brought my troops from afar, how did you know I would appear? Who told you?” Lin Fan asked.
Toyotomi Hide said, “It was your First Prince.”
As soon as these words were spoken.
Lin Fan’s expression faltered slightly, as did the historian, who suddenly opened his mouth, disbelieving.
What?
The First Prince colluded with the enemy?
If this were recorded in history books, the First Prince would truly be damned for eternity, let alone what his fate would be upon his return.
“You said who?” Lin Fan asked.
Toyotomi Hide said, “Your First Prince sent a confidant to inform me.”
*Hiss!*
Lin Fan swung his dagger, directly slitting his throat.
Toyotomi Hide’s eyes widened, his head lolled to the side, and he died with his eyes open, clearly not expecting to die so hastily. He was the lord of Japan, and according to reason, shouldn’t he have been captured alive and sent to the Imperial Capital?
This process is not right.
Lin Fan wiped the blood from his Wild Goose Feather Dagger, then looked at Wang Shi Guan, “Don’t record this part. These mere ruffians from a tiny territory, knowing their certain death, attempted to sow discord between His Majesty and the Prince. Their hearts are punishable, do you understand?”
Wang Shi Guan’s mouth was open, and after looking at General Lin for several seconds, he nodded, “Your subordinate understands.”
“Yes, a good historian needs a smart brain that can distinguish right from wrong. Wang Shi Guan is indeed a role model for historians,” Lin Fan said.
While they were communicating.
Liu Canjiang hurried over, “General, most of the soldiers in the city have laid down their weapons and surrendered. What should we do next?”
Lin Fan said, “Do I need to say? Slaughter!!!”
“Yes.”
Liu Canjiang nodded.
He also did not expect these Japanese soldiers to not resist to the end, but instead to directly throw down their weapons and surrender.
Capturing them to kill.
It was quite simple.
Wang Shi Guan said, “Great General, killing surrendered enemies is inauspicious.”
Lin Fan chuckled, “Inauspicious? Then I really want to know how inauspicious it is. Wang Shi Guan, just record it truthfully, say that I, the Divine Martial Great General Lin Fan, kill surrendered enemies.”
Wang Shi Guan said, “Great General, do you have any insights on killing surrendered enemies? Do you suspect they surrendered falsely, and you killed them to be safe?”
Lin Fan waved his hand, “No, I just want to kill them all. Throughout history, Wang Shi Guan, how many people have earned the title of ‘Butcher of Men’?”
“Three.”
“Good, then I will be this fourth Butcher of Men,” Lin Fan said.
Wang Shi Guan wanted to speak but stopped. He did not expect that someone would actually add the title ‘Butcher of Men’ to himself. From now on, when mentioning the Butcher of Men, he could never be bypassed.
Four days later.
Lin Fan stayed in Heian-kyō for four days.
For Wang Shi Guan, he was truly numb. Every day was filled with killing, and every day he personally witnessed countless Japanese people being killed. The vast Heian-kyō was already permeated with the smell of blood.
Taking even a slight breath made one’s nasal cavity feel bloody.
