I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 397 Triumphant Return! It’s not too late today!

The championship battle begins on October 15th.

On October 23, Han Shao killed all nine true immortals of the barbarians in one battle, and returned with all nine heads of Shi Bi.

At this stage, the war can actually be declared over.

The remaining barbarian soldiers either fled in all directions or sought death, no longer having the will to fight.

Those who seek death will naturally obtain benevolence.

Faced with the 60,000 Zhenliao cavalry who had been trapped in the city for nine days, they all fell down under the Guanjun City after just a few charges and were trampled into a pulp.

What really gives people a headache is the defeated barbarian troops who are fleeing in all directions in panic.

Those stragglers heading south are easier to deal with.

Before the battle began, Han Shao had anticipated this situation and made corresponding arrangements.

They were hunted down by the trap woven by the Six Gates' Tiqi, and assisted by the forces left behind by the noble families in their respective territories.

These scattered soldiers and guerrillas will never amount to anything.

It is even more impossible for him to stage a legendary act like Han Shao did last year by attacking the Dragon Court.

Therefore, in the final stage of this battle, the main target was still the large number of defeated troops fleeing northward.

The grassland is vast, and it is almost impossible to capture it all in one fell swoop unless someone in the upper three realms makes a desperate move.

Therefore, Han Shao's instructions to Li Jing consisted of only four words.

【Focus on the big and let go of the small】.

Concentrate all your strength to completely wipe out the remaining power of those large tribes.

Doing so will not only make the subsequent Northern Expedition smoother, but also lay a solid foundation for the subsequent rule and suppression of the grassland.

……

October twenty-seven.

The 60,000 Zhen Liao cavalry who had gone out of the city to pursue the defeated barbarian army returned one after another.

Also returning at the same time were the 10,000 White Horse Volunteers who had not appeared in this battle.

As expected, it was not only Gongsun Xun, who led the 10,000 White Horse Volunteers, who looked unhappy.

Even those loyal soldiers seemed quite indignant.

This is also understandable.

Because of Gongsun Ying's deliberate suppression, these people have been suffocated in the Gongsun clan for so many years.

I thought this battle would be a satisfying one.

Not only will they accomplish great deeds and fulfill their manly ambitions, but they will also be able to make the reputation of Gongsun Baima once again resound through Youzhou and throughout the world.

But who knew that from beginning to end I was just a spectator, watching the fierce battle in Champion City in the distance.

It was not until the very end that I scooped up some leftovers to satisfy my craving.

How could these arrogant and powerful soldiers accept this?
However, Han Shao simply ignored their dissatisfaction.

Under the champion city.

Han Shao rode a black horse and wore a black armor of the Mohist school. He personally walked out of the city for several miles.

Seeing this, Li Jing and his three companions, who had returned with their armies from four directions, hurriedly abandoned the armies behind them and rode away in a hurry.

When he arrived in front of Han Shao, he immediately dismounted and knelt on one knee.

"It is already dark, and I am ashamed that you, my Lord, have come to welcome me in person!"

Among the four generals, Li Jing had the highest status.

So Zhao Mu and the other two intentionally lagged behind him by one position.

After he opened his mouth, he said hurriedly.

"It's a very cold winter, why would you welcome me in person?"

Han Shao, who was sitting high on the back of Wuzhui horse, lowered his eyes to look at them, chuckled, and dismounted.

There was a clanging sound of armor, and Han Shao stepped forward to help them up, saying with a smile.

"I'm not here to welcome you."

"I am here to welcome my soldiers."

After saying that, he walked straight past Li Jing and the other three and headed towards the 60,000 fierce and wolf-like cavalrymen who were running towards them with blood all over their bodies.

After a silent reining of horses, the 60,000 cavalry finally stopped in front of Han Shao.

Everyone looked at the figure standing against the cold wind. After a moment, the originally tall and straight figure bent his waist and bowed to them.

"Thank you for your hard work. I welcome you back in triumph!"

After hearing Han Shao's words, the Xianzhen Camp in the front row was fine, but the rest of the Zhenliao soldiers were stunned for a moment.

When everyone reacted, there were bursts of exclamations.

"Your Excellency, you cannot do that!"

"Yes! How can we be worthy of such a great gift from you, my Lord!"

Leaving the city at starry night and standing in the cold wind to welcome their return is already a great courtesy.

How could they accept such a great gift from the Lord?
Then one figure after another hurriedly dismounted and knelt on one knee.

Han Shao stood up and glanced at the 60,000 Zhen Liao cavalry in front of him. Seeing that no one was sitting upright on their horses, the corners of his mouth curled up in an imperceptible arc.

"It seems... there will be no more obstacles to taking over the entire Zhen Liao Army."

After a little trial, Han Shao felt completely at ease.

While signaling the soldiers to stand up, he laughed.

"It's getting late, and the winter is harsh. I am still here blocking your way. It's my fault!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand.

"The city's fine wine and hot soup are ready! All we have to do is wait for you victorious heroes to drink to your heart's content!"

"Let's go! Enter the city!"

"Today, I will not go home until I am drunk with you all!"

Hearing Han Shao's words, all the soldiers were immediately excited.

The winter in the north is so cold that it can kill people.

The pursuit for several days in a row was extremely torturous, even though it was unstoppable.

It is a great blessing to be able to drink a sip of hot water at this time, not to mention good wine!

Thinking of this, the soldiers felt warm and even hot in their hearts.

However, what warmed their hearts was not the hot soup or the fine wine, but the thoughtful consideration shown by this young prince.

So the next moment, a burst of fanatical shouts from the heart suddenly rang out outside the Champion City.

"Thank you for the reward!"

"I am willing to die for you!"

The shouts shook the heaven and earth.

It even shook away a dark cloud in the sky.

Under the tangled moonlight, the figures of tens of thousands of soldiers kneeling on one knee, against the backdrop of their horses at their sides, looked like a roaring giant beast.

At this moment, Han Shao let out a light sigh.

"Keep your voice down. It's getting late. Don't disturb the people in the city from resting."

The sound was not loud, but with the blessing of magic power, it fell clearly into the ears of every soldier.

In an instant, the originally intense shouts came suddenly.

What is prestige?

This is prestige!
Even if it is not a military order, it can still be enforced.

In this brutal battle, Han Shao not only defeated the huge fortune of the Wuhuan that had been accumulated for more than a hundred years.

It also left a deep mark on himself in the hearts of these soldiers.

His power...has been established today!
Han Shao smiled with satisfaction, then turned around and mounted the black horse.

With Li Jing and his four companions, they brought an army of 60,000 men... and the 10,000 white horse volunteers of the Gongsun clan—

Enter the city!

……

The city gate was wide open, and the fire burning on the top of the city wall was roaring in the cold wind.

But because it was already late, this little light source was not enough to brighten the sky.

Instead, the open city gate seemed somewhat deep, as if it were a savage beast with its mouth open to devour everything.

As they were about to enter the city, the soldiers, remembering Han Shao's words, deliberately slowed down the pace of their horses.

So as not to disturb the people in the city.

But just as they stepped into the city gate, they were startled by the sudden bright lights on both sides of the long street in the distance.

Having just walked out of a sea of ​​blood and corpses, they almost instinctively drew the Zhenliao swords from their waists and looked alert.

But when they got used to the light and saw the figures standing quietly under the light, they all looked stunned.

Common people, as far as the eye can see, stood quietly on both sides of the long street.

Are they the people in this city?

And just when they looked confused, someone spoke first.

"We, the Li people, respectfully welcome you all back in triumph!"

"You have used your own flesh and blood to protect us. We, the people of Li Shu, are deeply grateful for your life-saving grace!"

"Please accept our greetings!"

As they were talking, a group of soldiers hesitated as they stepped into the city gate. The soldiers walking on the long street saw a figure from afar bowing to them.

Then comes the second, the third... and so on to infinity.

"Welcome to your triumphant return!"

"Welcome to your triumphant return!"

"Welcome to your triumphant return!"...

The shouts were initially faint, vague, and not uniform.

But in the blink of an eye, it became grand.

It was so grand that all the soldiers who heard it were trembling in their souls and almost lost their composure.

The soldiers in the front, who thought something had happened suddenly and drew their swords subconsciously, were now at a loss.

Until someone among them suddenly spoke in a trembling voice.

"We did what we promised them..."

Although the voice was not loud, it shocked the comrades around him.

Yes, we did what we promised them!

At the beginning of the year, tens of thousands of people from ten thousand households migrated into the city. When they were in a state of panic, the prince and his soldiers swore an oath at the city gate.

'Since I have received your salary, I will definitely protect my family.'

"If this city is robbed one day, we will die before you!"

"This oath is witnessed by the heaven and earth, the sun and the moon, and you too!"

"If you break this oath, you will be punished by heaven and earth!"

A year passed so quickly, and today, they finally fulfilled their promise.

During those nine days of fierce and desperate fighting that lasted day and night, countless comrades fell on the top of the city walls and died in the charge below the city walls.

Some people have been drained of all their blood and energy, leaving only bones and muscles.

Some people were killed by the barbarians' knives and not even an inch of skin or flesh was left intact.

There was a man wearing broken armor, with a broken arm and a sword, shouting "Zhen Liao Army! Charge!"

Someone held an iron shield on his body, and in order to give his comrades behind him a chance to breathe, he pushed more than a dozen barbarian soldiers down from the city wall.

someone...

There are too many of these people...

There were so many that those who survived didn’t even have time to recall them.

But now, looking at the people in front of them waving their arms and shouting "Triumph" to them, they suddenly realized that it was all worth it!
Even the Liao-guarding soldiers who had not participated in the initial establishment of the city gate were the same.

They are very lucky!
Be thankful for your bravery and fearlessness, be thankful for fighting to the death!

I am glad that I did not end up like last year, looking at the two huge mountains of corpses piled up in Langju and Dingbei cities, and could only feel angry and question myself in my heart.

'Why are you so late!'

Some soldiers silently put on the black, hideous mask to hide the embarrassment of their silent tears.

But his back was straight!

He wanted to let these people see the power of their army that suppressed Liao!
See how powerful they are!
From now on, trust them without any worries and believe that they can protect them!
"You won, enjoy this moment of glory."

"You deserve this."

"Just remember this honor and don't let it down in the future."

The words with a hint of laughter rang in their ears.

It’s you, my Lord!
Some soldiers who had never seen such a scene and were at a loss were suddenly shocked when they heard Han Shao's words.

'Yeah! We deserve it!'

'Not just us, but also those comrades who died in battle!'

"How can we be worthy of our dead comrades if we shrink from our fears?"

As the thought came to mind, everyone instantly perked up.

The helmet was held high, and its tassels fluttered in the cold wind.

Since the people were still awake, there was nothing to worry about.

He swung his arm with the Zhenliao sword already unsheathed in his hand and roared.

"Champion! Victory!"

The champion is the one who is bravest among all the troops!

Their black armor is the best among all the armies in the world!

"Champion! Victory!"

"Champion! Victory!"

The war horses are tall, and their steps on the stone slabs of the long street are sonorous and majestic.

The black-armored soldiers sitting high on their horses, waving their swords and arms, look like tigers and wolves, but they make people feel particularly reassured.

This scene fell into the eyes of the people on both sides of the long street and was imprinted in their hearts.

Perhaps even after many, many years, I will still not forget it.

I wonder how many people with lofty aspirations would sigh, "A real man should be like this!"

……

The Champion City is destined to stay awake tonight.

The soldiers celebrated the victory and glory they had already achieved.

The people are happy too!
Most of them are just uninformed, but not stupid.

This can be seen from the barbarian corpses they have cleared out outside the city in recent days.

After this battle, those wild dogs will probably not move south for at least several decades.

From today on, they no longer have to worry about being killed in a hurry, their wives and daughters being raped and humiliated, or their property being taken away.

They could boldly go out of the city to the north to open up wasteland and farm, and they could even learn from the barbarians to enclose a grassland and raise some cattle and sheep.

As long as you can endure hardship, not to mention wealth, at least your life will definitely get better and better!
In fact, this is what they have been fighting with the grassland people for all these years.

It's called clan destiny.

In fact, to put it bluntly, it is living space!
That's why you and I have been enemies for generations!

Han Shao drank a few glasses of wine with the soldiers and then quietly withdrew. Looking at the city that never sleeps in front of him, he suddenly smiled.

"Isn't this what you and I are looking for?"

Hearing Han Shao's words, Li Jing's four generals, Zhong Xinggu, secretary Lang Zhouxuan and others who followed behind him were unable to react for a moment.

When I realized what was happening, I laughed too.

"Yes, that's right."

Compared with Li Jing's four generals who deeply agreed with it, the light flashing in the eyes of secretary Zhou Xuan and other clerks in the city was even more intense at this moment.

Men of letters are different from men of war, as they have more twists and turns in their minds.

But at this moment, facing Han Shao's seemingly simple words, all these twists and turns were straightened out in an instant.

There is no scholar in this world who does not have the ideal of governing the world.

But before today, this ideal was extremely vague.

What is a prosperous age?

What is universal peace?

These seemed to have only a vague concept in their minds.

But as Han Shao said this, and looked at the whole city reveling in joy below, they seemed to have been enlightened at that moment.

What was originally blurry became completely clear at this moment.

'That's it! That's it!'

The people live in peace and have no worries about survival.

They abide by the law strictly and do not commit crimes.

As life becomes more prosperous, we walk with our heads held high!

This is the prosperous age! This is the world of peace!
Just like the city before them, it was built up bit by bit by them from the initial chaos!

They practiced the highest ideals of Confucianism!

They did it!
Therefore, this great victory not only belongs to those unruly warriors, but also to them!

And it was not others who gave them this opportunity.

It was this extremely young prince before him.

"Thank you, my Lord, for helping us achieve enlightenment!"

His eyes were fanatical and he bowed deeply.

Han Shao glanced at them, feeling the surging aura caused by the restlessness of their cultural context, and couldn't help but smile.

With a wave of his hand, a thick blood cloud was summoned and bestowed upon them one by one.

Until now, with the explosive growth of his cultivation, Han Shao's control over the blood cloud is no longer what it used to be.

Not only can it be captured from a longer distance, it can even be stored.

And this 'gift' ability became more and more handy as the Book of Earth had become one with his inner world.

"Do your job well. I will never forget anyone who has made contributions."

He gave some sweet treats and sent these clerks away.

Han Shao looked at County Lieutenant Ding Sheng, who was standing between the civil and military officials, feeling somewhat at a loss as to what to do.

"Although you did not fight in the battle this time, you have maintained order in the city, and the Bad People have made great contributions."

"It's worth the reward."

As he spoke, he pulled a piece of blood cloud from the void and gave it down.

After finishing all this, Han Shao was not in a hurry to continue with the remaining rewards.

He turned and looked at Li Jing's four generals.

"You guys come with me."

……

(End of this chapter)