Chương 196: The Extinction of the Wuhuan in Western and Eastern Liaodong

Nearly six thousand elite cavalrymen, like evil spirits from hell, relentlessly reaped the lives of the Wuhuan people.

Xue Rengui charged ahead, his halberd gleaming coldly in the moonlight. He rushed into the royal court, and with a flick of his halberd, sent two Wuhuan cavalrymen who had just mounted their horses flying.

"By order of the General of the Flying Cavalry, annihilate the rebels! Those who surrender will be spared!"

Qin Qiong swung his double maces like windmills, aiming to smash people's heads; Yuchi Gong's iron whip was used to strike the horse's body, and once the horse fell, the cavalryman was rendered useless.

Lu Bu slashed left and right, yelling, "This is boring! These Wuhuan bastards are too weak to fight!"

The charge of three thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry was like a black whirlwind passing through. Heavy armor and cavalry were simply overwhelming against the lightly armed Wuhuan soldiers.

The three thousand cavalrymen of the Flying Cavalry Battalion were all brave and fierce, wielding spears and riding swift horses.

The five thousand Wuhuan soldiers left behind were routed before they could even put up a proper resistance.

Someone tried to escape on horseback, but Qin Qiong struck the horse's rump with his mace, causing him to fall and be trampled to death by the horses behind him.

Some people tried to hide in the tent, but Yuchi Gong set it on fire, causing the people inside to scream in agony.

Xue Rengui spurred his horse straight into the central command tent.

The general who stayed behind had just organized a few hundred men when he was killed by Xue Rengui with a single halberd thrust.

Xue Rengui, carrying the general's head, spurred his horse up a small hill, hung the head high above the ground, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Qiuliju is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed; those who do not surrender, this is their fate!"

Under the moonlight, the human head swayed back and forth, terrifying the Wuhuan people to the point of utter panic.

The remaining Wuhuan people's legs went weak, and they all knelt down and surrendered.

"Count the prisoners and seize their property!" Xue Rengui ordered.

"promise!"

...

Liaodong Wuhuan tribe Xu Da, Zhao Yun, and Xu Chu traveled the furthest.

However, Xu Da was a steady and methodical strategist, and his army marched in an orderly manner. Three days later, he arrived at the stronghold of the Wuhuan people in Liaodong.

He first let the troops rest and sent out scouts to investigate and find out the layout of the tribe and the distribution of its forces.

First, send Zhao Yun to lead the elite battalion in a feint attack from the front to draw attention away from the enemy.

While the Wuhuan people were focused on the front, Xu Chu led the Iron Pagoda Cavalry in a sudden attack from the flank.

The sight of heavy cavalry charging into the enemy lines was simply... incredible.

The Ironclad Cavalry were heavily armored, even their horses were covered in iron armor, and when they charged, they were like a moving city wall. The arrows of the Wuhuan people were deflected with a "clang, clang," and their swords did not even leave a mark.

But when the Ironclad Pagoda's sword slashed down... it cut them in two.

The battle... was pretty much a foregone conclusion.

Zhao Yun, wielding his white horse and silver spear, weaved through the enemy ranks like a dragon; Xu Chu was even more ferocious, charging at the forefront with his broadsword, hacking down anyone in his path as easily as slicing melons and vegetables. The Iron Pagoda was like a bulldozer, leaving men and horses in its wake.

Xu Da commanded with composure, changing formations to divide and surround the Wuhuan people.

In less than an hour, the Liaodong stronghold was captured, and prisoners knelt on the ground.

......

One week later, Lulongsai.

The three armies returned one after another.

The spoils were piled up like a real small mountain—cattle, sheep and horses neighed incessantly, and wagons came one after another, loaded with furs, gold and silver utensils and grassland specialties.

The prisoners lined up, dejected, as soldiers led them toward the temporary camp.

Liu Ce listened to reports from various routes in his tent, while Jia Xu was responsible for compiling and summarizing them.

Jia Xu held the account book and read it aloud, item by item:

"About 110, 000 Wuhuan people were captured—mainly the elderly, women, and children. There were not many able-bodied men."

Liu Ce glanced at Gongsun Zan, who shrank back.

"About 30, 000 Han Chinese slaves were rescued. Most of them were border residents who had been captured in recent years."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "Take good care of them. Those who want to go home should be sent home, and those who have nowhere to go should stay in Youzhou and be allocated land."

"There are about 85, 000 horses, of which about 25, 000 are warhorses—all good horses, which can bolster the cavalry."

"There are about 73, 000 cattle and about 420, 000 sheep. These cattle and sheep are enough to feed Youzhou for several years."

"In addition, there are approximately 5, 000 gold and silver artifacts, about 100, 000 furs, and about 8, 000 tents..."

A collective gasp filled the tent.

So many?

The generals beamed with joy upon hearing this.

We're rich! We've struck it rich!

Liu Ce was also astonished: "The three Wuhuan tribes... are they that rich?"

Jia Xu laughed and said, "My lord, the Wuhuan have occupied Liaoxi, Liaodong, and Youbeiping for many years, accumulating wealth through plunder. Now, all of this has fallen into the hands of Youzhou."

Liu Ce was also satisfied and said, "Good! Take all the spoils and prisoners back to Zhuo County. Dispose of the prisoners according to Wenhe's plan, and the spoils... divide them up as they should, and store them in the warehouse as they should. Rest for two days, and then return to Zhuo County!"

...

Ten days later, outside Zhuoxian County The civil and military officials who remained in Zhuo County were already waiting outside the city.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai... as well as Cai Yong, Zhen Yi, and others, all came.

Dust and smoke rose in the distance as the army returned in triumph.

Liu Ce rode at the head of the procession. Behind him were his generals, and behind them was a vast and imposing army, along with an endless convoy of spoils.

"Welcome back in triumph, our lord!" the crowd shouted in unison.

Liu Ce dismounted and helped Guan Yu and the others up, saying, "You've all worked hard! During my absence, Youzhou has been well taken care of by you all."

Guan Yu said solemnly, "This is my duty. It is my elder brother who has truly worked hard to pacify the Wuhuan and expand our territory."

Zhang Fei sidled up, gazing expectantly at the generals behind Liu Ce: "Brother, you must take me with you next time you go to war!"

Liu Ce patted him on the shoulder: "Don't worry, we'll have a battle to fight. Let's go into the city!"

When the army entered the city, the people lined the streets to welcome them.

"Look! That's the Champion Marquis!"

"How impressive!"

"I heard they utterly thrashed the Wuhuan people!"

"Serves them right! They used to come and rob us all the time!"

"The Champion Marquis is mighty!"

"May Youzhou be victorious!"

Cheers and exclamations of praise filled the air.

Liu Ce smiled and waved all the way, feeling incredibly happy.

...

After entering the city, Liu Ce explained the details to the people left behind at the governor's mansion.

Fang Xuanling and the others listened with astonishment.

"My lord, in this battle, you have quelled the Wuhuan border troubles in one fell swoop, a feat that will last for generations!" Xun Yu praised sincerely.

Liu Ce waved his hand and said, "It's all thanks to everyone's efforts. Alright, the spoils and prisoners are yours to handle. Follow Wenhe's plan and make proper arrangements."

Fang Xuanling took the account book, looked at the astonishing figures, and his hands trembled slightly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, we will handle it perfectly."

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xun Yu were tasked with managing the spoils of war and prisoners of war—a huge undertaking, but all three were capable of governing the country and handled it with ease.

......