empire wars

Chapter 140 The Change of Shizhen
"In Shangling County, Jiangling Fortress, Shangling City, Liancheng City, and Ningcheng City have been captured. The remaining eight cities, including Luoshan City, Xigu City, and Shizhen City, are still in the hands of the Heavenly Dao Army."

Along the way, Meng Tian introduced the situation of Shangling County to Qin Yuan.

"The Dao of Heaven is weak. When I go back to the City of Heaven, I can fully capture Shangling County. It will take seven days at most."

Previously, Meng Tian and Ma Feiteng captured Jiangling Fortress, and after entering Shangling County City all the way, the original plan was to capture other cities one after another, completely occupying the entire Shangling County territory.

Because of the development of the situation in Yidu, Liancheng and Ningcheng, which are adjacent to Shangling County City, have only been captured. The other cities have not had time to occupy them. Today, the main controllers of these cities are still the Tiandao Army.

However, as the Tiandao Army transferred all its troops to Yidu County, there were actually not many remaining Tiandao defenders.

"Lord, next we will enter the territory of Shanling County. The first city we encounter is Shizhen City, which is one of the important cities from Shanling County to Yidu County."

Monty said.

The army entered the realm of Shanling, but it was still dozens of miles away from Shizhen City.

"Find a small town or village first, rest for a day, and then make plans for the next step, and don't rush to attack the city."

Qin Yuan thought for a while, and gave up his plan to capture Shizhen City.

After a whole night of fighting this time, even Qin Yuan was a little tired, let alone the soldiers under him.

He fought a battle with King Nanjing from Youjiang City, a battle with the Tiandao army outside Youjiang City, and continued on the road without stopping to participate in the battle of Yidu City, and finally captured Yidu City and defeated the head of the Earth Sect.

During this period, there was no rest time for a quarter of an hour, and it was several hours of rushing to leave Yidu County and arrive at the boundary of Shangling.

"My lord, less than four miles away from here, there is a pass called Dongfeng Pass, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. I have sent people to investigate, and there are no more than [-] defenders inside. I personally led [-] Northern Qiang cavalry. Take it down quickly."

Ma Feiteng said from the side.

Northern Qiang iron cavalry are basically native Northern Qiang people. They grew up on horseback since they were young. They are proficient in horse bows and horses. A pass with less than [-] defenders only needs to break through the gate, and then it will be crushed. levels of combat.

"Tian Er, you lead the Tianyi team, assist General Ma, and take Dongfeng Pass as soon as possible."

Qin Yuan turned his head and gave orders to the leader of the second team of Tianyi sharpshooters.

Qin Yuan summoned a total of [-] Tianyi sharpshooters, divided into three teams, with three centurions. Qin Yuan called them commanders. They were all at the third level of acquired heaven, named Tianyi, Tianyi, and Tiansan respectively. .

Tianyi and the hundreds of Tianyi archers led by him have lost their combat effectiveness due to the repeated use of the bow of the arrow god and the explosion of Tianyi's arrows that consume blood and blood.

However, the Tianyi team led by Tianer and Tiansan had only used the Bow of the God of Arrow once, and now they have almost recovered and have peak combat effectiveness.

Now the two hundred Tianyi sharpshooters are special elite units with the best combat effectiveness under Qin Yuan's command, with well-preserved physical strength.

"Yes, my lord!"

Tian Er respectfully took orders.

"Subordinates will not disgrace their lives!"

There was a smile on Ma Feiteng's face, even his tiredness was covered up.

Ma Feiteng has seen the strength of the Tianyi sharpshooter with his own eyes, and even the innate warriors have to stay away.

With the help of the Tianyi sharpshooter, the gate of Dongfeng Pass can be broken through without paying much price, while the Northern Qiang Iron Cavalry only needs to enter it and destroy the defenders inside.

The barriers of the city gates do not exist at all.

Ma Feiteng led a hundred Tianyi sharpshooters and ten thousand Northern Qiang cavalry, speeded up, headed west, passed through the jungle and mountains, arrived at Dongfeng Pass, and immediately launched an attack on the city.

"What do you think of Ma Feiteng?"

Qin Yuan asked the army to slow down the marching speed. At this time, he had already entered the boundary of Shangling, so he would not encounter too much danger and gave the soldiers time to breathe.

"This man behaves in a well-behaved manner and is loyal to his lord. He is on the front line in every battle and never flinches when encountering difficulties. He has made many military exploits and is a loyal minister and good general."

Meng Tian thought for a while and made an evaluation.

"Ma Feiteng used to be the leader of Northern Qiang, and he took the initiative to join the lord. After joining, he has been doing his best to perform, and he has not done anything beyond the slightest. He has already surrendered in his heart, which can be of great use."

Zhuge Mo commented objectively.

Ma Feiteng's performance was indeed beyond ordinary people. He rushed to the front line in every battle. Although he won many battles, the Northern Qiang soldiers under him suffered constant casualties. However, Ma Feiteng did not back down a step.

Just like just now, when Qin Yuan just asked a question, Ma Feiteng volunteered.

Dongfengguan may not be difficult to capture, but it is a siege after all, and there will be more or less battle losses.

The Northern Qiang Iron Cavalry Army is different from the other six legions. The soldiers are all Northern Qiang people. There have been casualties and the number of troops has been reduced. Only by transferring soldiers from the Northern Qiang tribe can the supply of troops be replenished.

And the other six legions, even the Xuanyong Legion in the hands of Meng Tian, ​​can recruit soldiers from the cities within the power to replenish the source of troops once there is a state of attrition.

When Ma Feiteng defected to Qin Yuan, he had an army of [-], and now it has increased to [-], forming a Northern Qiang army of [-] Northern Qiang cavalry.

The other legions have increased from the original 1 to more than 60, with a total of more than [-].

Therefore, Ma Feiteng's original command of troops accounted for half of Qin Yuan's soldiers, and became one-seventh. The gap between the two was very large.

Because of this, and Ma Feiteng's performance was good, Qin Yuan gradually relaxed his authority and stopped staring at him as closely as before.

Even if Ma Feiteng had rebellious intentions, these soldiers and horses would not be able to make waves.

However, if Ma Feiteng is not stupid, he will not have a rebellious heart.

Qin Yuan's rise is already doomed, and it is much better to follow Qin Yuan as a servant of the dragon than to stand on the top of a mountain.

Both Zhuge Mo and Meng Tian expressed their opinions, and Bai Qi was also on the side, but he was closing his eyes to heal his wounds, maybe he didn't hear it, or he didn't want to express his opinions.

"Since this is the case, let Ma Feiteng be made the general of the Northern Qiang Army, lead the Northern Qiang Army, and be the head of the army."

Qin Yuan thought for a while and made a decision.

Although Ma Feiteng had been commanding the [-] Northern Qiang cavalry before, he was not formally appointed as the head of the Northern Qiang Army.

This canonization is considered to have completely accepted Ma Feiteng, and expressed Qin Yuan's trust in him.

After Qin Yuan's army arrived at Dongfeng Pass, Ma Feiteng had already been waiting outside the pass.

There was a mess at the gate, half of the city gate collapsed, and the flames were still burning, obviously it was the credit of the Tianyi sharpshooter.

The terrifying nature of Tianyi sharpshooter lies in its strength. An acquired archer is enough to threaten any acquired master.

Just like the previous Dai Long Biao and Dai Hu Biao in the Tiandao Army, the power of the arrows burst out was extremely powerful.

But now under Qin Yuan's command, there are [-] acquired archers who are comparable to Dai Longbiao, and they are also good at the art of team attack, which can threaten the innate realm.

Qin Yuan wondered whether to let the Tianyi sharpshooter bomb first when attacking the city. No matter how strong the city is, it cannot withstand the indiscriminate bombing of the Tianyi sharpshooter.

Especially the third legion effect skill of Tianyi Archer, Void Strike, can perform ultra-long-range attacks on any target within twenty miles, ignoring any obstacles in front of the target.

However, at least a thousand Tianyi sharpshooters are needed to do it.

If there is such a blow from the void, Qin Yuan can snipe and kill the head of the Dizong in the city outside Yidu City.

When entering Dongfeng Pass, the light of dawn quietly shed.

Although it was daytime, Qin Yuan was going to rest for a day. After the soldiers had recuperated, they would continue marching tomorrow.

At Dongfeng Pass, Qin Yuan handed over the already decided appointment letter to Ma Feiteng.

Ma Feiteng was conferred the title of General of the Northern Qiang, a fifth-rank official position, but he would only be recognized by the court and the world after the emperor's official decree was issued.

However, for Ma Feiteng, Qin Yuan's approval is the most important thing, whether it is court or not is not important at all.

And Ma Feiteng was officially appointed as the head of the Northern Qiang Army, and became one of Qin Yuan's most important generals.

"Thank you, my lord, for your trust. This subordinate will definitely go through fire and water."

Ma Feiteng led a group of Northern Qiang generals to kowtow in thanks.

Shizhen City belongs to Shanling County, Yizhou, Tianchuan, and is adjacent to Yidu County.

Tianchuan Yizhou has a steep geographical location, mostly in mountainous basins. There are only a few important official roads to enter Tianchuan Yizhou. As for the mountain roads, it is not only difficult, but also dangerous.

The location of Shizhen City, connecting Shangling County and Yidu County, is the transportation hub of the two counties and one of the important commercial roads.

It is somewhat similar to Mingwu City in Wuwei County.

However, compared to Mingwu City, it has now developed towards a giant city. Shizhen City has suffered several wars, and the people have been displaced, and now it has become very desolate.

In a luxurious mansion, a group of people gathered and were discussing intensely at this time.

They are all famous families in Shizhen City, rich merchants and landlords, and even the magistrate of Shizhen County.

The leader was the aged Shizhen County Magistrate, with bloodshot eyes, leaning weakly on the grand master's chair.

If it was a year ago, the county magistrate was the undisputed figure in the entire Shizhen city, but after the Tiandao uprising, the Tiandao army captured Shizhen city forcefully, and he became a puppet figure from the county magistrate who kept his word.

Not only did he not get any benefits, but he was also criticized and scolded by the people, and most of the family's property was confiscated by the Heavenly Dao Army.

Not only his family, but all the people present were raided by the Heavenly Dao Army.

After paying a terrible price, their family survived. As for the people in the city, they were not so lucky. Displacement is considered good, and family ruin and death abound.

The population of Shizhen City has gone from 31 at its peak to less than 10 now, less than half of whom are members of major families or landowners.

"Everyone, let's make a decision, whether to fight or avoid."

The county magistrate of Shizhen said in an old and feeble manner.

Shizhen City is the site of the Heavenly Dao Army. Although many soldiers have been transferred away, there are still three thousand Heavenly Dao soldiers in the city at this time.

In the hands of the major families, there are many private soldiers and family members, which can add up to 5000 people, which is more than enough to deal with the [-] Heavenly Dao Army.

In fact, the three thousand Tiandao Army soldiers are not terrible, but they are afraid that the Tiandao Army will arrive in Shizhen City again. Their fate will not be as simple as just giving a part of their money, they may even lose their lives.

The reputation of the Tiandao Army is not as good as it was when the uprising first started, and now it is a symbol of cruelty, tyranny and ruthlessness.

Especially the news of the Yidu battlefield spread all over the world, causing everyone to be shocked and angry, but also fearful.

"I will take the lead in the battle, take back Shizhen City from the Heavenly Dao Army, and take the initiative to surrender to Qin Yuan and seek asylum."

A handsome middle-aged man spoke first. "About Qin Yuan's deeds, I won't mention much. Shangling City will fall into Qin Yuan's hands sooner or later, and I am willing to gamble. Of course, if there are any among you who do not want to fight, you can leave voluntarily. Remember Keep the news secret. Don’t ask for nothing, but ask for nothing. If the news is leaked to the Heavenly Dao Army, even if I give up everything and give up dealing with the Heavenly Dao Army, I will kill you and other traitors.”

The middle-aged man who spoke was the speaker of the Liao family, one of the wealthy families in Shizhen City, and Liao Zhe, the eldest son of the county magistrate of Shizhen.

"Patriarch Liao was joking, how could we join the rebels?"

A man with a round head and a fat face stepped forward. He used to be the chairman of the largest chamber of commerce in Shizhen City, and his name was Wan Xuefu.

However, now it is just a relatively wealthy businessman.

All of this is thanks to the group of bandits from the Heavenly Dao Army.

"I am willing to fight side by side with the Liao family. I have a guard team under my hand, more than 500 people. The strength is not bad, and I am willing to contribute a small amount." Wan Xuefu said, shaking the fat on his face.

Others stood up to vote one after another. Among the 20 people present, only two people did not express their opinions, and sat silently in the corner.

The main battle is naturally a battle with the Heavenly Dao Army in the city.

If you avoid it, you will not be an enemy of the Heavenly Dao Army, nor will you be an enemy of other people. You will not seek no merit, but seek no fault. There will be no risks and no benefits.

As for the benefits of the main battle, it is to take control of Shizhen City and surrender to Qin Yuan's forces, increase the weight of his words, and secure the family's property in Shizhen City under Qin Yuan's protection.

After all, the city's first change of ownership and the interests of the forces in the city will usher in a new reshuffle.

If Qin Yuan took the initiative to offer the city, no matter how domineering Qin Yuan was, at least he would not attack them. If he performed well, Qin Yuan's forces would even give in to a large extent and maintain the status quo of the city.

Of course, there is one drawback, that is, if the Heavenly Dao Army is not dealt with, before Qin Yuan's army arrives in Shizhen City, their families who oppose the Heavenly Dao Army will suffer disaster.

"Without further delay, we will start an attack tonight. Everyone quickly mobilize your troops, follow my command, and launch a surprise attack on the Tiandao Army camp." Liao Zhe said decisively.

"So anxious?" The others were taken aback, as if they were in a hurry.

"First, speed is the most important thing to do. The longer the delay, the more unstable factors will become." Liao Zhe looked around and said in a cold voice. "Secondly, Qin Yuan's army is already madly capturing the city. If we don't act sooner, when Qin Yuan's army breaks through Shizhen City, we might be accused of being an accomplice to the rebels. You should consider the consequences yourself."

"understand."

When everyone heard it, they all agreed.

The meeting ended quickly, and everyone left quickly.

For a time, the atmosphere in Shizhen City became very tense.

Half a day later, the defending generals in Shizhen City received the news and immediately left the city gate, preparing to rush to the barracks.

"Kill kill kill!"

"Kill these rebels!"

"Brothers, it's time for revenge, think about your dead relatives and friends!"

Private soldiers from various families, and even common people's rebels, formed a team of no less than 5000 people and launched an attack on the Tiandao Army in the city.

The 5000 people were divided into two teams. One of them, under the command of Shizhen County Magistrate and Wan Xuefu, arrived at the gate of Shizhen City to deal with the thousand Tiandao Army soldiers guarding the city.

Second, under the leadership of Liao Zhe, they besieged the barracks in the city and killed the soldiers in the barracks.

"If you go against you, kill me!"

The general guarding the city said angrily, he didn't expect these families in the city to dare to rebel.

"Heavenly Dao traitor, everyone can get it!"

Wan Xuefu shouted loudly, venting the anger in his heart.

The same was true for the soldiers, servants, and civilians behind him. Countless sorrows and indignations in their hearts completely broke out at this moment.

(End of this chapter)