Chapter 144: It is advisable to pursue the fleeing enemy with remaining vigor

The rebel forces were quickly surrounded by the flanking navy and Wei Qing's pursuing troops.

Jin Ridi fought desperately in the encirclement, his arms sore from wielding the long saber for a long time, but his ferocity did not diminish in the slightest.

With a clang, his long saber collided with that of a soldier, sending sparks flying.

Wei Qing did not want to waste more time, fearing it would create further complications.

Thus, he swiftly assembled elite troops, encircling the place where Jin Ridi was and continually tightening the siege.

The Han Army's Divine Machine Battalion formed ranks, and a hail of cannonballs like locusts shot toward Jin Ridi and the others.

The rebel soldiers beside Jin Ridi were hit by gunfire and fell, crying out in pain.

Jin Ridi, relying on his agility, dodged left and right.

However, as time passed, Jin Ridi's strength waned, he suffered multiple wounds, and blood soaked his clothes.

But his gaze remained resolute, and he continued to fight the Han Army to the death.

Just as Jin Ridi was nearly exhausted, he caught a glimpse of Sang Hongyang's splendid figure in the corner of his eye.

Sang Hongyang looked terrified, ignored the battlefield chaos, turned his horse, and fled desperately to the rear.

Jin Ridi's heart tightened; he was about to curse, but he saw that the southern clan leaders who had fought alongside him now also showed hesitation, exchanged glances, and then all turned and fled with Sang Hongyang.

You bunch of traitors!

Jin Ridi finally could not hold back and roared, his voice hoarse from anger, echoing across the battlefield.

His eyes bulged almost to bursting, his eye sockets filled with bloodshot veins, staring fixedly at the fleeing backs.

His lips trembled violently, but the words he cursed were drowned out by the battlefield's clamor.

Jin Ridi knew the situation was lost; he brandished his long saber, trying to block the Han Army's advance, but the rebel soldiers around him fell one after another, and he gradually found himself isolated and helpless.

An arrow flew in, striking his left arm; he winced, and his long saber nearly slipped from his grasp.

He pressed the wound, gazed at the chaotic battlefield, and felt a mixture of emotions.

At that moment, scenes from the past rose in his mind.

Once, he enjoyed the trust and favor of Emperor Wu of Han; although he was a Xiongnu who had surrendered, he was able to display his ambitions at court.

Emperor Wu of Han even treated his son as a plaything, bringing him to the palace to personally raise him.

He always kept Emperor Wu of Han's appreciation and cultivation in mind.

Emperor Liu Ju also once held high hopes for him, frequently discussing statecraft with him; the bond between ruler and subject, he never forgot.

But now, due to a moment of folly, he embarked on the path of rebellion, betraying Emperor Wu of Han's trust and failing Emperor Liu Ju's expectations.

Thinking of this, Jin Ridi's eyes filled with tears of regret. He looked up and let out a long sigh.

"Your Majesty, I am sorry to you…… I am foolish……"

No sooner had his words fallen than his personal guards pulled him onto a horse.

"Sir, as long as the green hills remain, let's leave quickly."

Jin Ridi was pulled away in flight.

Meanwhile, seeing Jin Ridi flee, Sang Hongyang in the distance grew even more panicked, taking a handful of defeated troops and fleeing desperately toward the south.

Behind him, the Han Army's cries of battle faded, but he knew his ambitions had been utterly shattered, and regret welled up in his heart.

But more than that, it was replaced by hatred and unwillingness.

Wei Qing stood on the battlefield, gazing at the scene of devastation, his brow furrowed, his heart filled with worry.

Although this battle was won, the rebel leader Sang Hongyang escaped amid the chaos, leaving him deeply uneasy.

That Sang Hongyang is full of tricks; if not captured quickly, he will become a grave threat to the Han.

For now, the urgent task is to clear the battlefield and comfort the wounded soldiers.

On the battlefield, Han Army soldiers orderly cleared the field, treated their own wounded, and simultaneously counted the rebel corpses and prisoners.

Dongfang Shuo's navy also successfully landed and joined forces with Wei Qing's army.

Dongfang Shuo came before Wei Qing, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "Defense King, we have not failed our mission; our navy arrived in time to lend you a hand."

Wei Qing returned the salute, saying, "This time we owe it to Mr. Dongfang for leading the navy to support us; otherwise, today's victory would be uncertain. It's just a pity that Sang Hongyang and Jin Ridi managed to escape."

Dongfang Shuo nodded slightly and said, "General, you need not worry overly; although Sang Hongyang is cunning, the rebel forces have already been crushed, and he is now a desperate fugitive. His Majesty said, 'It is advisable to pursue the fleeing enemy with remaining vigor.' Our army will seize this moment, press the victory, thoroughly eradicate the rebel remnants, and consolidate our Han rule in the south."

Wei Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Dongfang is quite right. Issue the order: the entire army will rest for one day, then tomorrow we will divide forces on multiple routes to pursue the rebels, making sure to capture them all."

The next day, Wei Qing mustered the troops, and together with Zhao Chongguo, Sang Hongyang and the remaining forces.

Sang Hongyang, aware of his grave crime, knew that if captured by the Han Army he would face severe punishment; thus he fled southward madly, like a desperate dog.

Wherever he passed, he burned, killed, and looted, committing every evil; the people of the south suffered greatly, beyond endurance.

Villages were swallowed by fire, farmland trampled at will, and innocent people lost their homes and loved ones amid wailing.

The Han Army led by Wei Qing and Zhao Chongguo pursued relentlessly.

He rode on a tall horse, his gaze like a torch, fixed firmly on the direction Sang Hongyang fled, his heart full of anger.

He said to Zhao Chongguo beside him, "Sang Hongyang this traitor has committed heinous crimes; he must not be allowed to escape, otherwise the people's anger will be hard to appease, and we cannot answer to His Majesty."

Zhao Chongguo nodded and replied, "General, rest assured; I will surely exert my utmost to bring this traitor to justice."

As the pursuit deepened, Sang Hongyang's troops became ever more chaotic, the soldiers exhausted, morale low.

The Han Army, however, maintained high morale, relying on tenacious will and superb military skill, continually narrowing the distance to the rebels.

In a fierce skirmish, the Han Army successfully routed Sang Hongyang's rearguard, seizing a large amount of supplies and weapons.

Yet Sang Hongyang was not resigned to being captured thus.

He quickly fled to a port and seized the fishing boats moored there.

Sang Hongyang's soldiers swarmed onto the ships like hungry wolves, looting all the cargo.

When Wei Qing and Zhao Chongguo led the Han Army to arrive, they saw only a scene of chaos at the port.

They watched as Sang Hongyang's fleet had already set sail, their hearts filled with anxiety.

Wei Qing seized the reins, looked out at the sea, and said through gritted teeth: "This traitor actually let him escape onto the ship. But even if he flees to the ends of the earth, I will still capture him back."

Zhao Chongguo also spoke with a solemn expression: "General, we must quickly think of a plan; we cannot let him get away."

At that moment, Dongfang Shuo arrived, looked at the distant ships, pondered briefly, and said: "Wei King, the southern sea area is complex; a rash pursuit could be dangerous. However, we can send people to track along the coastline, simultaneously notify the coastal cities to strengthen defenses, and once we find Sang Hongyang's trail, immediately encircle him."

After hearing this, Wei Qing felt the plan was feasible and immediately ordered it to be carried out.

Immediately, Dongfang Shuo gazed at the vast sea where Sang Hongyang had disappeared, and said:

"Now we have yet another reason to go out to sea."

At the same time, the defeated Jin Ridi and Sang Hongyang fled in separate directions in panic.

Wei Qing's pursuit of Sang Hongyang came to nothing; he led his elite troops back to pursue Jin Ridi.

However, Jin Ridi was extremely familiar with this land; using his years of accumulated experience, he skillfully moved through the mountains and ravines, and Wei Qing's troops gradually lost his trail in the complex terrain.

Just as Wei Qing was anxiously worried, Jin Fu, Jin Shang, and Jin Jian hurried over.

Jin Fu, with a solemn expression, said to Wei Qing: "Wei King, we know that our sinful father may have fled to our Jin clan's secret manor. That manor is extremely hidden; outsiders would find it hard to locate, and Father likely considers it a safe place."

Wei Qing, upon hearing this, saw a glimmer of hope and joy in his eyes, and immediately ordered his troops to follow the three sons of the Jin clan to the secret manor.

Everyone rode swiftly all the way and finally arrived at the secret base hidden deep in the mountains.

The manor's gate was tightly shut, and all around was silent.

Jin Fu shouted loudly: "Father, we know you're inside—come out!"

After a long while, the gate slowly opened, and Jin Ridi appeared before everyone, holding a long sword.

His face was gaunt, his eyes revealing despair and unwillingness.

"You unfilial sons, you actually brought outsiders to capture me!"

Jin Ridi roared angrily.

Jin Fu's eyes brimmed with tears as he said: "Father, you have committed a grave error; now there is no escape. For the sake of the Jin clan and the peace of the Great Han, please surrender."

Jin Ridi, however, unwilling to be captured thus, brandished his long sword and charged at the crowd.

The three sons of the Jin clan and Wei Qing's soldiers all raised their weapons to block.

After a fierce struggle, Jin Ridi gradually ran out of strength.

Jin Fu seized the moment, stepped forward with a quick lunge, and pressed his sword against Jin Ridi's throat.

Jin Ridi looked at his son before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He now had no face to meet the Son of Heaven Liu Ju, nor the deceased Grand Emperor, Emperor Wu of Han, nor the ancestors of the Jin clan.

"Fu'er, Father has let you down, has let down the Jin clan..."

Jin Ridi's voice trembled as he said sorrowfully: "To preserve the Jin clan, I have only one death; I hope Your Majesty will show mercy and spare the Jin clan."

Having said that, he firmly grasped the sword at Jin Fu's side and thrust it hard into his own chest.

Blood instantly soaked his garments, and Jin Ridi slowly collapsed.

"Father!"

The three Jin brothers cried out in grief in unison.

The sword slipped from Jin Fu's hand; he fell to his knees with a thud beside Jin Ridi and burst into loud weeping:

"Father, father..."

Jin Shang and Jin Jian also shed tears, slowly walking to their father's side, kneeling and weeping bitterly.

Seeing this, Wei Qing's expression grew complex; he let out a long sigh and said:

"Jin Ridi, you ought not to have ended up like this."