Chapter 91: Evil Spirits
Before the Lao City siege battle began, Wu Hanluan gazed into the distance. Civilians bustled on the city battlement, steam rose thickly, clearly indicating many defensive equipment. Rashly charging the whole army up would be throwing away lives, forcibly taking golden juice and rolling logs.
Wu Hanluan looked at his own disciples beside him, intending to test them and see how much they had learned from Wu Fei.
These non-commissioned officers spoke up one after another, with Squad Leader Wu Lijun answering swiftly like in an exam: “First shoot a few rounds of bow and arrow, drag it out for a few hours. Deplete the fuel for boiling golden juice, exhaust the civilians’ courage, then attack!”
Wu Hanluan nodded at this suggestion from his own disciple, then raised his hand, and the military order flags beside him waved accordingly. Wind riders in the sky, hugging runes, boarded the observation kites as they rose into the air.
Following Wu Hanluan’s orders, these Wu Family disciples and non-commissioned officers began drawing the city defense map, adjusting deployments; on the sand table, outside the city walls, on the city walls, inside the city walls, chess pieces representing enemy and friendly troops were quickly arranged, and fences and earthwork fortifications observed by the wind riders were also marked.
Meanwhile in the military tent, Chu Nan and other poor family squad leaders from the prefecture factions silently accepted orders. An hour later, Chu Nan looked at the rows of lined-up catapults, his expression not happy at all, even starting to speculate: Did Wu Fei have informants by the Marshal?
These poor family disciples even further speculated: Otherwise, why at the exact moment of the siege did this batch of siege weapons arrive? The Marshal and Young Marshal (Wu Hengyu) had never ordered it for him.
Blue light flashed slightly in his eyes, soon replaced by a sickly pallor, and a fever blister appeared on his lip.
Chu Nan touched the fever blister on his mouth, suddenly feeling ashamed of his own narrow-mindedness.
Chu Nan: Whether Wu Fei or Wu Hengyu, for now they are all striving together for the Northern Army’s victory; it’s just that our side didn’t gain much merit in this battle, and in anxious frustration, so many stray thoughts arose.
After straightening his armor, he resolved to perform well and win back the main general’s attention.
…Kind father said: Unity and friendship…
The catapults began with one round of bombardment; incendiary charcoal projectile heads constrained by iron shells, and rock projectiles bound with lime, fell on the city walls. Golden cauldrons were smashed flying by stones, clanging as they rolled down below the city battlement. The civilians on the city battlement panicked, even under knife threats from behind, they crouched in corners unwilling to move.
After the fifth round of bombardment, the Wu Family Army’s guided explosive projectiles also arced through the air. These yellow rune explosive bombs, in flight, unfolded wings like a satellite deploying solar panels.
The cannonballs, boosted by wings, struck precisely like fingers poking a map, hitting high observation platforms in the city one by one. People on the observation platforms were all blasted out of position by the explosion shockwave, falling from the air.
Previously, the catapults had fired 35 explosive projectiles, 133 charcoal projectiles, and over three hundred earth and stone projectiles.
Earth and stone projectiles were heavy, smashing into the city wall barriers, causing wall bricks to cascade down, exposing the rammed earth inside. This allowed first climbers to find footing (step).
Charcoal incendiary projectiles flew far, over the city walls into the city’s shanties, creating numerous fire points; smoke shrouded everything, making it impossible to discern shapes fifty paces away in the city.
As for the explosive projectiles? They caused massive psychological trauma to the battle soldiers gathered on the city walls. After several rounds of bombardment, now hearing whistling from high above, they scattered rushing toward the city base, some even squeezed off the damaged walkways.
The city garrison general shouted: “Brothers, hold on, the Great King (Prince Lelang) has already brought troops over! Once the Great King’s reinforcements arrive, we can coordinate inside and out to annihilate the false Yao troops!”
The garrison general’s roar had a “mental hypnosis”-like encouragement, so some elites with red patterns on their bodies, ignoring burns and the itching of maggots in wounds, continued running to the city walls.
When the first round of artillery paused, Wu Hanluan ordered Prince Lelang’s “reinforcements'” armor and the head of the captured alligator turtle strange beast to be hung high for display; the garrison on the city walls simultaneously tried to find the general to confirm the situation, but were met with the general’s mad laughter.
This general erupted with sky-high blood aura, jumping down the city wall to stand before the city gate like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, but soon was pinned to the city gate by close-range ballista bolts.
The garrison watched their leader suddenly transcend, self-sacrificing for “life’s great thrill,” yet dumping the burden on them to bear.
But such defensive pressure, these squad leaders loyal to blood couldn’t shoulder! Thus, command chain chaos began to collapse in a chain reaction, toppling like dominoes.
The reason they hadn’t surrendered yet was Prince Lelang’s lingering brutal prestige.
Not waiting for surrender, Wu Hanluan saw they didn’t know the times, so ordered the siege to continue!
…Gong sounded once, drums beat again…
Crossbow soldiers pushed bed crossbows to the frontline, after stepping on stringing mechanisms like bicycle pedals, these dozens of groups of heavy crossbows with two torsion arms began point-shooting flag bearers on the city battlement.
The formal ant climb attack began; at the city base, a batch of nearly two-man-tall “humanoid” troops appeared.
They were great white apes. These white apes were ones Wu Hengyu encountered and subdued from mountain strongholds in Donghua Commandery.
The white apes were greedy and vile, often blocking mountain paths to rob goods, and frequently abducting women for rape; Wu Hengyu captured them and infused them with “slave runes.”
Leaving aside that dark history, afterward these “sentient” apes under Wu Hengyu were extremely loyal, obeying only Wu Hengyu; when Wu Fei tried to command them, the white apes all turned their backs and ignored him.
At this moment, the apes wore armor, spiked bracers on wrists, and carried wolf-tooth mace iron clubs on their backs.
With drumbeats rising, catapults began covering the white apes; projectiles smashed toward the city battlement one by one, the already few able-bodied men there fleeing completely.
Prince Lelang’s rebel soldiers had no reverse slope tactics; when shelling stopped, they surged out from behind the city walls to fight back on top, but after this chaotic group of able-bodied men ran down, because no waves for each squad ascending the walls were arranged properly, soldiers from several squads squeezed up and down the same road, coffee and milk powder shaken together, soon all mixed up.
Plus the Wu Family Army bed crossbows targeted “flag bearers,” garrison soldiers couldn’t find leaders. Even the most authoritative squads wanted to issue orders, pointing to a squad leader to lead up, but he couldn’t find his own soldiers.
A red-eyed squad leader on the wall rode a dragon horse flying high, seeing white apes charging, drove the dragon horse to dive down, roaring at the chaotic soldiers: “Up, get up there, the bandits are sieging!”
But the response was blank stares; he drew his knife and hacked several, still couldn’t shock them, instead causing greater rout.
When white apes neared within one hundred paces of the city wall, rear archers also closed in. Whoosh whoosh, heavy arrows stabbed into the already crumbling city wall; arrowheads embedded in marked bricks and tiles, forming firmer climbing holds (hand grips).
White apes like a reverse waterfall reached the city battlement in ten breaths, beginning to move along the walls slaughtering garrison in other sections.
Rebel king’s garrison at this point had their red pigment faded; facing such inhuman monsters, they quickly dropped weapons.
The city wall was a mess of ruins. Unglanced rolling stones, flowing golden juice everywhere, and more corpses strewn about. The scene could be described as “a total mess.”
…In the smoke and dust, more soldiers climbed the city walls…
Half an hour later the city fell; the dead-drunk-as-a-pig city lord was dragged out, along with his intact seal captured; his family wailed.
Wu Hanluan glanced at this now-useless man, snorted coldly to his son: “Do three things for this general, and your family will be safe.”
Scared to tears by the Winged Tiger under Wu Hanluan, the rebel general’s son, who had been taught by his father to maintain “integrity” and curse the enemy general, couldn’t utter a word.
Facing the tiger gesturing on his forehead how to bite, this youth dared no defiance, as if the next second his skull would crack under sharp teeth.
Wu Hanluan: “These three things: first, ‘stabilize city residents, post pacification notices’; second, send proclamations to all prefectural offices in this prefecture that the area has been pacified; and third—denounce the many great crimes of the false Prince Lelang.”
Ten hours later, proclamations issued from Lao City; sheets of bright yellow silk proclamations flew from the city tower, falling into cities across the Chong Land, including Lelang City.
In Lelang City, Prince Lelang, who had retreated in defeat and was regrouping remnants, saw the bright yellow proclamation; glancing over, discovering it was written by his subordinate in Lao City, flew into rage again. Immediately twisting off the head of a cowering soldier nearby, he madly chewed a big bite, crunching the hardest part of the skull like an apple.
Then a great roar, finally spewing the remnants like a volcanic eruption. Thus, ignoring obstructions, he decided to lead troops out to continue fighting.
For Wu Hengyu, this was more action. He mounted Wuzhui to clash with that fool for the third time.
…Perspective shifts to the North…
Inside the Great General’s Mansion in Guotai, Zhao Cheng quickly and earnestly flipped through western battle reports; after the last bamboo slips, he asked the messenger: “Today’s? Not sent yet?”
Confirming today’s hadn’t arrived, Zhao Cheng ordered to hurry and send someone to urge. While looking at the map situation, Yongzhou and Zhenzhou developments were beyond his expectations; resources he had deployed here were preempted by others. But he wasn’t angry, instead rationally analyzing point by point.
Pu E then arrived at the Great General’s Mansion; upon arrival, she directly brought the imperial decree, forcibly taking the military tally back from Guotai’s little emperor, then delivering it to Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Cheng didn’t take the military tally immediately, but explained the situation.
Zhao Cheng pointed to the Yongshui line on the map: “Yongzhou’s losses look heavy, massive supplies stockpiled here lost, but relatively speaking, letting our army learn of this enemy early makes it all worthwhile.”
Pu E looked at the enemy army on the map, stunned at Zhao Cheng’s high evaluation, but soon felt it natural.
When she toured near Yongzhou and Zhenzhou mountains, avoiding Yongzhou’s killing intent and looking south to Zhenzhou’s killing intent, she had already confirmed: her lost divine general card was on that Zhenzhou route.
Pu E naturally thought Zhao Cheng spotting “Hengyu”‘s prowess at a glance was admiration between famous generals.
Seeing Pu E approve, Zhao Cheng didn’t continue.
He saw in the Zhenzhou battle, the Wu Family Army corps forcibly going north to flank the enemy rear, as hero pitying hero.
He had received intelligence that the Wu Family Army’s current young general was leading this battle. This battle was still very green; in mobilizing troops to sweep Yongzhou, there was a bit of lack of confidence; if it were him Zhao Cheng, Yongzhou would already be fully taken.
Zhao Cheng’s thinking: Yongzhou side had no preparations at all; just smash core cities, then one or two field decisive battles. No need for current Wu Fei river standoff.
“That Wu Family young general achieved long-distance raid, entering deep enemy territory without realizing it was a nation-destroying opportunity.” Zhao Cheng inwardly critiqued Wu Fei a thousand li away: Clearly lack of experience. That blade edge in Yongzhou shouldn’t have backfed grain and supplies to Zhenzhou; Zhenzhou troops could have been bolder, withdrawing north to Wo Niu Pass, letting false Prince Lelang sweep emptily then march to exhaustion. Anyway Wu Family Army’s southern big camp could sustain Prince Lelang dying on two fronts.
Zhao Cheng to Pu E: “This military strategist disciple is very spiritual. If possible, must prioritize crushing on the battlefield; if can capture alive, then capture.”
Pu E nodded at this; she also wanted to recover lost divine generals, so queried the system.
System: “Very difficult; due to clashing personalities, the two divine generals don’t cooperate. Forcing it would lower both divine generals’ loyalty.”
…Switch to Da Yao Mountains and Rivers Lord’s perspective…
In the Da Yao Dynasty, Emperor Shu looked at the southwest on the Map of Mountains and Rivers.
On the Map of Mountains and Rivers southwest section, imperial aura remained, but the map had an extra unusual color. As if an additional path layered on.
In peaceful prosperous times, colors on the Map of Mountains and Rivers were uniform; same color meant the “lord” revered by the world was one house, one surname, one person. When a area’s color slightly changed, it meant locals’ “lord” concept had shifted.
When the Map of Mountains and Rivers gradually seeped multiple colors, that was fiefdoms rising everywhere.
Emperor Shu diagnosed the empire’s changes like a doctor examining a patient, judging color sources.
Such color sources sometimes were princes enfeoffed by Da Yao royal family, like Zhenzhou’s Prince Lelang. He was like a drop of blood staining Da Yao’s west. Emperor Shu deliberately sent an imperial envoy to burst that blood blister and let it fully spread.
Meanwhile, currently in the north, though local imperial auras had no huge changes, those camps grown to tens of thousands of troops were already distinct “color sources” from the world; these “color sources” showed faint spreads on various prefectures.
Faint spread didn’t mean full rebellion, i.e., still acknowledging Da Yao Son of Heaven, but military first reveres general lord, then loyal to Son of Heaven.
In chaotic times, generals’ officers and soldiers, advisors, and attached noble families grew, gradually spreading.
Court failed timely pacification, army corps became huge “color source collective.”
Relying on Map of Mountains and Rivers “popular sentiment” color shifts, Da Yao imperial court clearly knew who first harbored disloyalty! That year’s Marquis of Qi showed slight disloyalty and was summoned to Divine Capital and boiled alive.
Wu Family Army internal situation was undeniable even for Wu Hanluan types with clever words.
Yet Emperor Shu didn’t linger gaze on Lingnan long, instead eyeing north’s “color spots.” Because though Lingnan unusual color widespread, Southern Route Wu Family Army as “color source” wasn’t deep, meaning military still loyal to Da Yao, a benign tumor.
But places Wu Family Northern Army passed—prefectures, Zhu Prefecture, Donghua, Zhenzhou—though color blocks not expanded, were malignant tumors.
Comparing both, Emperor Shu quickly judged: Lingnan as distant border, where soldiers know general lord but not court is common, but generals still diehard loyal.
Emperor Shu also saw on Map of Mountains and Rivers, as Wu Family Army color blocks spread, also massively spread Da Yao colors south of Yongji Pass. Meaning these two years Southern Route Wu Family Army expanded land in Da Yao’s name; rashly touching here would only lose Da Yao popular sentiment here.
Now Zhenzhou situation truly offended Emperor Shu.
Though Wu Hanluan’s war of attrition was very covert, after Wu Family Northern Army routed Prince Lelang, the color block differing from Da Yao mountains and rivers didn’t fade, but deepened along Wu Hanluan’s route, so deep Emperor Shu couldn’t clearly see local population and produce.
Even so, Emperor Shu currently not preparing to tear “ruler-minister amity” face directly with Wu Family.
…Sunbeams outside great hall gradually shifted, mechanism immortal crane with lit wick walked in and stood…
Emperor Shu to the Minister of Rites beside: “I hear the Wu Family’s thousand-li colt now seeks a good match?” He now paced to Yongzhou spot on mountains and rivers map.
Minister: “Yes, Wu Hanluan because his nephew reached marriageable age, is corresponding by letter with Central Plains Li Family.”
Emperor Shu: “Yes, Elder Li’s family?” Footsteps ground.
Minister heard displeasure in emperor’s tone: “Precisely.”
Emperor Shu’s tone still steady and harmonious: “Heh, crack in golden cup, these brocade carp all thinking of changing to earthen basins.”
