Chapter 167: with translation of chapter title

When the sun rose again, the battlements of Indravarman IV's city were already covered with the Later Zhou dragon banners and the Guo-character great flags.

When the sun rose again, the battlements of Indravarman Bu Luo's city were already filled with the Later Zhou dragon banners and the Guo-character great flags.

Later Zhou dragon banners and Guo-character great flags.

"The battle lasted less than a day."

"The 50,000-strong 'great army' of Champa, before the 30,000 elite troops of Later Zhou, was as fragile as clay chickens and pottery dogs, collapsing at the first touch."

clay chickens and pottery dogs

"At the moment the city fell, King Indravarman Bu Luo IV, accompanied by a few close aides, fled in panic from the north gate, but had not gone far before being overtaken by the cavalry led by Deputy Commander Zhang Yongde, who captured him alive."

Deputy Commander Zhang Yongde

"Guo Rong did not kill him."

"He merely had people bind this once-arrogant king with iron chains and escort him to the palace square."

He was bound with iron chains and escorted to the imperial palace square.

"On the square lay piles of gold, silver, and jewels as high as small mountains, and crate after crate of neatly stacked spices and ivory."

"These were all looted from Champa's royal treasury and noble mansions."

"Their value was so great that even Guo Rong, the future emperor, gasped in amazement."

"\"These were originally yours. \" Guo Rong pointed at the treasures and said to Indravarman Bu Luo IV in a flat tone."

"Indravarman Bu Luo IV gazed at the wealth that had once been his, now become others' spoils, and his intestines turned green with regret."

"\"If I had known earlier, if I had known the enemy was this strong, I would have surrendered the city no matter what! \" he exclaimed."

"\"Now, they all belong to my Great Zhou. \" Guo Rong smiled. \"Of course, according to the agreement, one-tenth of them belongs to Li Jing, the ruler of Southern Tang. Another tenth belongs to the Wang Family. \""

Li Jing, ruler of Southern Tang, and the Wang family.

"\"Wang Family? \" Indravarman Bu Luo IV stared, startled."

"\"That's right. \" Guo Rong pointed at the black giant ships docked in the harbor. \"Without them, my great army could not have arrived here. \""

"The great army began tallying its military merits."

"The clerks of the Military Merit Accounting Office were busy to the point of not touching the ground."

The clerks of the Military Merit Accounting Office were busy to the point of not touching the ground.

"They took the ledgers and, one by one, verified the military merits reported by the soldiers."

"\"Wang Erzhaizi, beheaded eight, captured five, first to climb the city wall. Total military merit: 135 points! Reward: 300 taels of silver! First-class merit! \""

First-class merit!

"When the clerk announced this result, the entire camp erupted in an uproar."

"Wang Erzhaizi, this once-obscure foot soldier, became famous overnight!"

"He not only gained a fortune, but more importantly, his military merit points were already enough for him to be promoted three ranks in succession, directly from squad leader to military marquis!"

Squad leader and military marquis.

"Guo Rong personally received him, and before the entire army, he draped a brand-new set of military marquis armor over him."

"Wang Erzhaizi trembled with excitement, fell to his knees, and wept like a child."

"Your Highness! This humble officer… this humble officer's life henceforth belongs to you! If you order me east, I will never go west!"

"\"Good! Good! Good! \" Guo Rong patted his shoulder, saying \"good\" three times."

"That's exactly the effect he wanted!"

"Wang Erzhaizi's success was like a living advertisement, stimulating the nerves of every soldier."

"They looked at Wang Erzhaizi, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy."

"They all thought, next time, next time whoever achieves such a great feat will surely be me!"

"The southern campaign against Champa concluded in a manner that could be called perfect."

"Guo Rong returned to court with the enormous spoils he had seized and the army that had been baptized in blood and become even more elite."

"When the news reached Kaifeng, the atmosphere of the entire court improved."

"The common folk even stepped out of their homes, eagerly awaiting the sight of the royal army returning to the city."

"In the palace, the ailing Guo Wei personally went out of the city to welcome them."

"Looking at the son he had adopted, riding a tall steed, clad in golden armor, full of vigor, Guo Wei's old eyes filled with tears."

"\"Good! Good son! You have done well! \" He tightly grasped Guo Rong's hand, excitedly saying."

"The Great Zhou's realm now has a successor."

"He can now entrust this all-under-heaven to him with peace of mind."

"The victory celebrations lasted three days in a row in the palace."

"Guo Rong became the focus of the entire banquet."

"Civil and military officials vied to toast him, saying all kinds of flattering words."

"Although Guo Rong disliked such occasions, he did not refuse to give everyone face, and obliged each in turn."

"Nevertheless, amidst the clinking of cups, he still keenly sensed a subtle discordant undercurrent."

"When his good cousin Li Zhongjin offered a toast, his eyes revealed a barely concealed jealousy and hatred."

"\"Congratulations, Prince Jin, on your victorious opening and unparalleled achievement, \" Li Zhongjin said with a false smile."

"\"It's just that you took a tiny Champa, and now they think you're capable. Those who don't know might even think you've already wiped out the Khitan. \""

"His words were full of sarcasm and sourness."

"Everyone knew that Li Zhongjin had been dissatisfied ever since Guo Rong was named heir apparent."

"Yet no one expected him to dare openly provoke in such a setting."

"Guo Rong's smile remained unchanged."

"\"Cousin, you're joking. \" He raised his cup and lightly clinked it against Li Zhongjin's, \"A mere Champa is naturally not worth mentioning. However, food must be eaten bite by bite, road must be walked step by step. This world must be gradually pacified. \""

"\"As for the Khitan... \" a flash of confidence crossed Guo Rong's eyes, \"One day, I will personally lead troops to trample their royal court, making them pay for the blood debt they owe from years past! \""

"His words were spoken with firm resolve, full of authority."

"Li Zhongjin was cowed by his aura and, for a moment, could not speak."

"He could only resentfully drink the wine in his cup."

"In a corner of the banquet, Wang Hao silently observed all this. Though originally merely a scholar, his position as Secretary of the Prince Jin's mansion had already begun to turn him into a competent politician."

Although he was originally just a scholar, his position as Chief Secretary of the Prince Jin's mansion had already begun to gradually transform him into a qualified politician.

"He saw Guo Rong's vigor and also Li Zhongjin's jealousy and unwillingness to accept defeat."

"He knew that although Guo Rong had solidified his position through this southern campaign,"

But the path of imperial power has never been smooth.

As long as Guo Wei remains alive even a single day, Li Zhongjin and these imperial relatives and nobles can never be disregarded.

He serves as the Wang Family's agent in the north, and as Guo Rong's most important strategist.

All he needs to do is help Guo Rong in advance, clearing away these obstacles.

A thought quietly formed in his mind.

After the banquet ended, Wang Hao went to his study alone.

He spread out a sheet of paper and began writing a letter to his family far away in Yangzhou.

In the letter, he not only gave a detailed report of the southern campaign's progress and results.

Furthermore, at the end of the letter, he put forward a bold suggestion.

"Li Zhongjin and the like, harboring resentment, will ultimately become a disaster. I believe we should follow the example of Emperor Wu of Han's policy of extending grace, using titles and land to divide their military power, clip their wings, so that they retain only honorable names but no real authority."

After finishing the letter, Wang Hao sealed it with wax, handed it to his personal attendant whom he had brought from home, and who was trustworthy.