Lei Ming was observing Yingzhou through his telescope.
Upon arriving at Yingzhou City, he did not immediately order an attack. Instead, he had his soldiers encamp around Yingzhou City, planning to attack the city after a night’s rest.
Yesterday, the hunter cavalry who arrived early at Yingzhou City killed a team of barbarian cavalry heading to Yingzhou. This group of cavalry had been sent by the Great Khan Dolgor to deliver orders to Yingzhou.
Knowing this, he naturally saw no need to rush the attack. Instead, he allowed his weary soldiers to rest before making further plans.
Compared to the six cities in Guandong controlled by the barbarians, Yingzhou City was the smallest. It could only house over thirty thousand people, and all four of its city walls were earthen, not stone.
Such a city was too weak for Lei Ming; it could be captured in just half a day.
However, Niu Ben’s instruction to attack Yingzhou this time was clearly not just for Yingzhou. His mission also included cooperating with Ye Qingyun to put high pressure on Goryeo.
Because the Great Yu Empire was about to take action against Goryeo.
After a night’s rest, the next day, Lei Ming launched the attack as planned. Under the Great Yu Empire’s artillery fire, Yingzhou City’s walls were simply vulnerable.
Amidst flying dust, the earthen walls collapsed in swathes. After only a short bombardment, huge breaches appeared in all four city walls of Yingzhou City.
At this time, the five thousand barbarian soldiers inside Yingzhou City were desperate. Facing the Great Yu Empire’s superior firearms and tens of thousands of troops, they had no chance of victory. However, they still chose not to surrender.
“Sound the charge bugle.”
Lei Ming lost patience. They would no longer show any forbearance towards the barbarians. At this point, tens of thousands of musketeers charged towards Yingzhou City, roaring.
For the soldiers, this was entirely a battle for easy merit. They could effortlessly capture the city without arduous combat.
An hour later, the Great Yu Empire’s dragon flag rose inside the city. Looking at the flying flag, a smile appeared on Lei Ming’s lips. The days of the Great Yu Empire being bullied were gone forever.
Meanwhile, the main army led by Lu Fei was on its way to Jianzhou. Compared to Raozhou and Yingzhou, Jianzhou was a bit further away.
However, this did not dampen the soldiers’ high spirits. Two days later, on June 7th, the main army arrived in Jianzhou.
Although summer had already begun, the early morning climate in Jianzhou was still very cool. Facing this northernmost city of the Great Yu Empire, a hint of nostalgia flickered in Lu Fei’s eyes.
In the history of the Great Yu Empire, the furthest extent of its influence had reached Jianzhou. And now, he was leading the Great Yu Empire’s army back.
“Army Commander, we arrived a step too late. This Jianzhou is already an empty city.”
Before reaching Jianzhou City, Lu Fei saw the Jianzhou city gate wide open. Puzzled, he dispatched soldiers to scout the city.
“Damn it! I wanted to fight a fierce battle,” Lu Fei said, somewhat dejectedly.
Compared to Yingzhou, Jianzhou was only slightly larger. And due to its remote location, it was sparsely populated, with few barbarians living in Jianzhou City.
On the way here, he had already thought about how to quickly capture this city, but now his plans were all for naught.
“Enter the city.”
Lu Fei merely snorted and gave the order. Even if the barbarians fled, they still had many things to do. This Jianzhou City was the Great Yu Empire’s northern bridgehead. After the war ended, Guandong common people would be migrated here.
Moreover, he also had to leave a portion of soldiers stationed in Jianzhou City to guard against barbarian harassment.
Just as the soldier said, there wasn’t a single soul in Jianzhou City now. Occasionally, one could see slaves who had died tragically on the streets. The entire city was like a ghost town.
Having the soldiers locate the Jinzhou City military camp, Lu Fei immediately ordered hunter cavalry to relay the news of occupying Jianzhou City back to Jinzhou.
Four days later, Lu Fei’s news reached Niu Ben. Niu Ben had been waiting for this intelligence for three days.
Because three days prior, Luo Xin and Lei Ming had already sent back their battle reports.
“This war is basically over for now.”
In the General Staff Department, Luo Quan’s gaze swept across the six cities in Guandong. They had now completely occupied the Guandong region, and the barbarians had been driven back to the grasslands, their strength greatly diminished.
Niu Ben put down Lu Fei’s battle report and smiled, “The Great Yu Empire has finally recovered its largest territory from the past. His Majesty is truly a reincarnation of Emperor Wu of Han.”
Luo Quan nodded lightly. A Great Yu Empire that was almost annihilated had been brought back to life in Xiao Ming’s hands. Now, he had even driven the Golden Tent Khanate in the north back to the grasslands. Such monumental achievements had not even been reached by Great Ancestor Xiao Yuanzhi.
“You’re right. Our Emperor can truly be called a monarch of restoration. But from His Majesty’s intention, the Great Yu Empire will continue to expand its territory,” Luo Quan said excitedly.
Niu Ben also felt some anticipation. “No one can know how great an empire His Majesty can build for the Great Yu Empire.”
After a pause, he said, “Oh, by the way, this news must be sent to Qingzhou Province as soon as possible. Although the barbarians have migrated west, some petty trouble-makers still need to be dealt with.”
“Are you referring to Japan?” Luo Xin asked.
Niu Ben nodded. “Ye Qingyun transferred a translator from Haigucheng. After severe interrogation, those five Japanese men confessed everything. They were envoys sent by Japan to Jinzhou to ally with the barbarians, to jointly attack our northern expeditionary army from both east and west. Unfortunately, they arrived a bit late; the barbarians were already defeated when they got here.”
“Hmph, a tiny island nation dares to covet the territory of my Great Yu Empire. They are simply seeking death!” Luo Quan snorted angrily.
Now, although he and Niu Ben were not arrogant, they were very confident. The Great Yu Empire army was no longer the weak, sick, and old force it once was.
For the two of them, they feared no army in battle.
At this point, Niu Ben no longer wasted words. He sent someone to deliver the battle report to Qingzhou Province, then he and Luo Quan began studying the map.
Currently, there were two armies located on the Goryeo border: Ye Qingyun’s army in Liaozhou and Lei Ming’s army in Yingzhou.
These two armies combined had over seventy thousand musketeers and over forty thousand cavalry. They could launch an attack on Goryeo at any time.
…
Ryukyo City.
The Golden Tent Khanate’s loss of Jinzhou, followed by the loss of Yingzhou and Raozhou, had reached here through merchants.
For a time, the Goryeo court was shaken, and civil and military officials were all in a state of panic.
In the royal palace at this moment, the King of Goryeo held a precious sword, his body stained with blood. Lying on the ground was the Queen, who had once had a private affair with Beishan.
“Don’t you love that dog-villain Beishan? Go meet him in the underworld then! Bitch! Bitch!” The King of Goryeo’s face was twisted in fury. With every shout, the King of Goryeo plunged his sharp sword into the Queen’s body.
The thick smell of blood in the entire bedchamber made the palace maids and eunuchs dare not even breathe.
As the King of Goryeo was in a state of madness, a group of officials appeared at the bedchamber door. State Councilor Hwang Ja-man said loudly, “Your Majesty, all the ministers have arrived.”
The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/caleredhair