95: Wu State Begs for Surrender

Chapter 95 Wu Country Sues for Peace

zhengyong Year 5, November 5th.

Xu Mujun used the power of Thunderbolt Mines and the Red Barbarian Cannon to bombard Black Mountain Pass.

In half a day, the city walls of Black Mountain Pass collapsed, more than half of the houses inside the pass collapsed, and countless Wu Country soldiers were crushed beneath the ruins and rubble.

Xu Mujun led one hundred thousand iron cavalry to charge into Black Mountain Pass, engaging in street fighting with the surviving soldiers of Black Mountain Pass.

After a mere half a day's effort, the Great Yu soldiers, who had fought strenuously through the night, finally occupied Black Mountain Pass.

Of the five hundred thousand defending soldiers in Black Mountain Pass, fewer than fifty thousand managed to escape.

The remaining soldiers were either blown to death by Thunderbolt Mines, crushed to death by collapsed houses, or died in battle, with only a very small fraction kneeling on the ground to be captured as prisoners.

In this battle, Great Yu suffered no more than ten thousand casualties among its soldiers.

Black Mountain Pass of Wu Country was once again occupied by Great Yu.

In this battle, Yin Mountain Old Ancestor, the sole Innate Realm Martial Artist of Wu Country, was also slain by Xu Mujun!

And those things such as Thunderbolt Mines and the Red Barbarian Cannon that appeared in the skies above Black Mountain Pass that night, which nearly blew the entire Black Mountain Pass into ruins, quickly spread to other countries through the dissemination of spies from various nations.

With Black Mountain Pass breached, the southern border of Wu Country had no more natural barriers left to defend.

Xu Mujun left behind two hundred thousand infantry and logistics troops to firmly guard Black Mountain Pass, while simultaneously digging through the collapsed houses to see if there were any surviving Wu Country soldiers.

He then utilized the rocks and timber from both sides of Yin Mountain to repair Black Mountain Pass, striving to rebuild it.

As for himself, he divided the remaining cavalry into two factions, charging toward the two prefectural cities of Mang Prefecture and Huang Prefecture in the southern border of Wu Country!

Mang Prefecture and Huang Prefecture were the two prefectures in the southern border of Wu Country, bordering Bin Province and You Province of Great Yu, separated by Yin Mountain.

And Black Mountain Pass was located at the border of these two prefectures.

One army, led by Xu Mujun, moved at lightning speed and pounced toward Mang Prefecture.

The other army, with Chen Hongxiu and Zhao Tieshan as generals, pounced toward Huang Prefecture.

zhengyong Year 5, November 11th.

Xu Mujun breached Mang Prefecture's prefectural city, Mang Prefecture City, killing countless enemies and capturing the King Wumang of Wu Country who garrisoned Mang Prefecture, causing a massive shock throughout Wu Country.

zhengyong Year 5, November 13th.

Chen Hongxiu and Zhao Tieshan used the Red Barbarian Cannon as a weapon to bombard Huang Prefecture's prefectural city, Huang Prefecture City, in Wu Country.

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the city walls of Huang Prefecture City in Wu Country were blasted down, and one hundred thousand iron cavalry swarmed forward, breaching Huang Prefecture City.

Killing countless enemies, the King Wuhuang of Wu Country who garrisoned Huang Prefecture rose up to resist, but was accidentally injured by a stray projectile and died of heavy injuries!

Subsequently, Xu Mujun ordered the defending garrison of Black Mountain Pass to continuously reinforce, steadily encroaching upon the other commanderies and cities of the two major prefectures, Mang Prefecture and Huang Prefecture.

The entire southern border of Wu Country was under the direct threat of Xu Mujun's military might!

Most importantly, the troops led by Xu Mujun did not plunder the common people of Wu Country, but instead firmly held their ground while awaiting reinforcements.

He...

intended to occupy Mang Huang Two Prefectures!

After the news of Xu Mujun breaching Black Mountain Pass and occupying Mang Huang Two Prefectures spread back to the homeland, the entire military and populace of Great Yu instantly erupted in excitement.

"As expected of General Xu Mujun! He is truly amazing, actually managing to trample across Black Mountain Pass!"

"I've long said that General Xu Mujun is the number one general under heaven, he is truly terrifying!"

"I wonder what Your Majesty will reward General Xu Mujun with? A Prince of Equal Rank?"

"Hush...! Silence! The Grand Ancestor decreed that none bearing a surname other than Zheng may become a prince; you are putting His Majesty and the general in a perilous position with this!"

"Hehehe, now our Great Yu has fifteen prefectures!"

"Newspapers! Latest intelligence! Marshal Xu Mujun has broken through Qingzhu Commandery of Mang Prefecture, and henceforth Mang Prefecture is entirely under the rule of our Great Yu!"

"Child! Get me a newspaper!"

"I want one too!"

"Quickly see what is written on it...!"

Folk discussions easily triggered countless speculations.

And the matter of Xu Mujun occupying the two major prefectures of Wu Country undoubtedly raised the morale and cohesion of the Great Yu common people to an unprecedented level.

The recruitment stations of the Imperial Guards and other units were nearly packed with people, all fantasizing about following General Xu Mujun to expand the territory and fight across the world for Great Yu!

Such was the case among the common people, and even more so within the imperial court.

After Xu Mujun's military reports were sent back, Zheng Yi had already held three grand court assemblies in succession.

The intelligence transmitted back every day could ignite frantic heated discussions among the court officials.

Because the distance between the two places was truly too far and intelligence had a time lag, Zheng Yi's latest intelligence was that Xu Mujun had occupied Qingzhu Commandery of Mang Prefecture.

As for where he had fought to by now, he truly did not know.

"Your Majesty! Great General Xu has rendered monumental service and richly deserves a generous reward!"

"Granted! Instruct the Ministry of Rites to discuss the matters of enfeoffment and rewards."

"Understood!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty! Great General Xu has submitted a memorial hoping to continuously dispatch reinforcements to Black Mountain Pass to firmly hold the two prefectures!"

"Granted!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty! Great General Xu submitted a memorial stating that although Mang Huang Two Prefectures are barren and desolate, they are a Holy Land for horse-raising. He hopes Your Majesty will dispatch special personnel to go to Mang Huang Two Prefectures to herd horses."

"Granted!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty! Great General Xu..."

Amidst rounds of heated discussions, almost an entire day was spent debating Xu Mujun's glorious achievements.

At this moment, Lu Xiangqing, standing at the very front of all officials, suddenly said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Great General Xu has rendered monumental service and breached Black Mountain Pass before the beginning of the year, but the merit of breaching Black Mountain Pass also belongs in part to the Shenji Camp."

"Your subject requests that the Shenji Camp be lavishly enfeoffed!"

"Granted!"

Cabinet Assistant and Grand Censor Wang He suddenly stepped out of the ranks and said: "Your subject has a memorial to present."

"Speak!"

"Your Majesty, Black Mountain Pass is the primary majestic pass between our Great Yu and Wu Country, spanning across our nation and Wu Country. Now that the general is conquering cities and seizing territory within Wu Country, this is truly the fortune of our Great Yu."

"However, Great General Xu is good at fighting but not skilled at defending. For the sake of the general and Great Yu, your subject requests replacing the defending general of Black Mountain Pass so that Great General Xu can focus entirely on conquering cities and seizing territory for our Great Yu."

As soon as Wang He's voice fell, the originally lively grand hall instantly quieted down.

The officials slightly lowered their heads with flickering eyes, not daring to look at Your Majesty on the steps, and nobody knew what they were thinking inside.

Only Wang He alone looked calmly at Your Majesty.

Zheng Yi said indifferently: "I trust Great General Xu; the defending general of Black Mountain Pass need not be replaced."

"Your Majesty!"

Wang He argued forcefully: "Your subject's action is for the sake of our Great Yu!"

"Moreover, this strategy is also out of consideration for Great General Xu..."

"I have said before, this matter requires no further discussion!"

Zheng Yi flicked his sleeves and left, leaving behind the officials and ministers who looked at each other in dismay.

Some officials approached Wang He and asked in a low voice: "Lord Wang, why are you in such a hurry?"

"Hurry?"

Wang He said coldly: "Black Mountain Pass is situated on a natural chasm. Once Xu Mujun seals off Black Mountain Pass, he can declare himself king. For the sake of His Majesty and Great Yu, we cannot afford not to guard against this."

"You..."

"This old man's action is merely taking precautions against potential troubles."

"Sigh...!"

After returning to the palace, Zheng Yi went directly to Hundred Flowers Palace.

During these past few months, he frequently stayed overnight at Hundred Flowers Palace.

While indulging in pleasure, he was also continuously winning over the three women, having already extracted quite a few secrets regarding the Baihua Sect from their mouths.

And within these few months, the three women had successively become pregnant.

For a time, the Alliance of the three women caused their prestige to soar greatly within the inner palace, ranking almost just below Consort Duan and the Empress.

Even Consort De Li Changle had to lower her head upon seeing the three women.

After a few days, news came again.

Xu Mujun resigned from the post of defending general of Black Mountain Pass to focus on conquering Mang Huang Two Prefectures.

At the same time, Xu Mujun actually submitted a memorial requesting His Majesty to reward his clansmen with large tracts of land, gold and silver, beauties, and so on.

He even sent letters to move all his Family members and clansmen into the capital city.

Under repeated requests to resign, Zheng Yi had no choice but to agree to Xu Mujun's request.

After much consideration, he recalled Chen Wannian, who was firmly guarding Cangkuan, and appointed him as general to garrison Black Mountain Pass.

zhengyong Year 5, December 1st.

His Majesty issued an order: Consort Duan Xu Qingluan is virtuous and pure in nature, diligent and gentle, harmonious and immaculate, mild and good-natured in character and conduct, proficient in inner virtues, and possesses outstanding virtue and hidden elegance. She is hereby enfeoffed as a Noble Consort!

Named: Consort Xu!

From then on, Zheng Yi already had three noble consorts.

Consort Cui.

Consort Yang.

Consort Xu.

For a time, the Xu Family held unrivaled momentum and was peerless within the imperial court.

His Family members and clansmen also held a transcendent status within the capital and the court, being courted, befriended, and curried favor with by countless people.

zhengyong Year 5, December 10th.

The special envoy of Wu Country knelt outside the imperial palace, begging for surrender and peace!

According to the latest battle report, Xu Mujun had already fought to Meng Prefecture adjacent to Mang Huang Two Prefectures.

If he were allowed to take down Meng Prefecture as well, then this place would be only a thousand li away from the imperial court of Wu Country.

A fast horse could reach it in half a month.

Wu Country summoned all loyalist troops nationwide, with over one million people rushing toward Meng Prefecture.

The armies of both sides had already engaged in several fierce battles on the Manghuang Grassland at the border of Meng Prefecture and Mang Prefecture, leaving behind over one hundred thousand corpses!

And in the warring parties, it was always the large army led by Xu Mujun that emerged victorious.

For a time, within Wu Country, people paled at the mere mention of Xu, and no one dared to challenge his vanguard.

Having no other choice, the imperial court of Wu Country could only dispatch a special envoy at the fastest speed to sue for peace.

At the grand court assembly, Zheng Yi casually tossed Wu Country's state letter aside and said: "Wu Country has dispatched an envoy to sue for peace, what do you beloved ministers think?"

Lu Xiangqing stepped out of the ranks and said: "Your Majesty, Great General Xu's military might is at its peak; he has already occupied Mang Huang Two Prefectures, and Meng Prefecture is also under the threat of his military might."

"However, our Great Yu has been at war for consecutive years, with countless soldiers killed or wounded, and moreover, Mang Huang Two Prefectures are truly too far from the hinterland of our Great Yu, making the southward transport of logistics difficult."

"Therefore, your subject proposes making peace."

"Your subject seconds this!"

"Your subject seconds this!"

"Your subject seconds this!"

Consensus echoed across a large section of the officials, but there were also a tiny minority of military officials who held different opinions.

Regrettably, their words carried little weight, and their numbers were few, making it impossible for them to form a unified voice.

Zheng Yi also knew in his heart that what Lu Xiangqing and the others said made sense, and moreover, the Thunderbolt Mines and Red Barbarian Cannon shells carried by the Shenji Camp had already been exhausted, with no way to replenish them locally.

Xu Mujun being blocked at the Manghuang Grassland could prove this point.

An Innate Realm powerhouse was a match for ten thousand men.

But not a match for one hundred thousand or one million men!

Great Yu also needed to recuperate and build up its strength.

Thunderbolt Mines and the Red Barbarian Cannon also needed replenishment.

As well as new weapons.

Since he already had a plan in mind, Zheng Yi immediately said: "Summon the special envoy of Wu Country!"

"Summon the special envoy of Wu Country!"

Soon, a middle-aged man with naturally curly hair strode up.

"Foreign minister Meng Zhan pays respects to Your Majesty of Great Yu!"

"Special envoy of Wu Country, why do you seek an audience with Us?"

Meng Zhan's mouth twitched, but he still gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty of Great Yu, our two nations of Wu and Yu have always been on friendly terms, but now Xu Mujun alone has arbitrarily invaded our Wu Country, killing our people and plundering our cattle and sheep. This is truly heinous."

"We implore Your Majesty of Great Yu to punish Xu Mujun, decree that he withdraw his troops and exit Black Mountain Pass, and compensate Wu Country for its losses..."

"Men!"

Zheng Yi couldn't be bothered to listen to this person's defense and directly ordered: "Beat him out of here with random cudgels!"

Four fierce Imperial Guards pounced forward, picked up clubs, and struck toward Meng Zhan's head.

"Your Majesty of Great Yu! What are you doing! Ah!"

"Great Yu is a land of etiquette... Ah!"

Meng Zhan screamed and cursed in anger, but was still beaten out by the Imperial Guards.

Zheng Yi sneered: "What kind of nonsense did the emperor of Wu Country send over?"

"If you want our Great Yu to withdraw troops, send a smart person instead!"

"Court dismissed!"

That night, the Wu Country diplomatic mission went crazy, carrying massive amounts of gifts and continuously seeking out ministers within the capital.

Especially the thresholds of Lu Xiangqing, Wang He, and others, which were nearly trampled flat by people.

Even the outer residence frequently visited by Liu Chengen was found by the Wu Country mission, and a large quantity of gifts was presented.

And half of these gifts also flowed into the imperial palace.

A few days later, the Wu Country mission finally couldn't hold back anymore, kneeling at the gate of the imperial palace and crying out in loud supplication.

In just these few short days, Xu Mujun's large army had already fought into the territory of Meng Prefecture!

Finally, Zheng Yi once again agreed to receive the Wu Country mission.

"Your Majesty of Great Yu!"

The envoy who came this time was an elderly man in his sixties. The moment he met him, he dropped to his knees before Zheng Yi with a 'thud'.

"Your Majesty of Great Yu! As long as Xu Mujun withdraws his troops, our Wu Country is willing to pay any price!"

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