Chapter 185: The Marquis is the embodiment of heaven and sun, bearing the form of dragon and phoenix

Jia Jing gave his promise, and Zhou Yingyuan and You Shiyong's eyes instantly reddened.

Thinking of the countless brothers like Old Li who were killed by the Ji An Marquis, being able to close their eyes, the heart felt somewhat relieved.

Both of them and the Yu Lin Cheng soldiers also felt a bit more grateful toward Jia Jing.

Thank you, Marquis! The Marquis's grace, we will never forget!

Zhou Yingyuan and You Shiyong, eyes brimming with tears, bowed deeply to Jia Jing once more.

Rise! Those who loyally shed blood for our Da Han Empire, the marquis and the court will never let you down!

Jia Jing waved his hand, signaling everyone to rise.

Marquis, what should we do with these Northern Yuan prisoners?

At that moment, Zhu Que beside him suddenly spoke up.

Hearing this, Jia Jing coldly glanced at the Northern Yuan soldiers detained outside the city by the Han Army troops and at the Northern Yuan Crown Prince Ba Ya'er beside him, feeling no pity.

After seeing the miserable state of Han civilians on the way to Yu Lin Wei Cheng, his heart had already sentenced the Northern Yuan to death.

Compared to the suffering endured by Han civilians and soldiers at the frontier over these years, not a single Northern Yuan soldier deserves sympathy.

He slowly urged his horse to Ba Ya'er's side.

At this moment, the Northern Yuan Crown Prince had already had the arrow in his leg pulled out by the Han Army soldiers, and he knelt on the ground in a sorry state, his eyes filled with both fear and humiliation.

Seeing Jia Jing urge his horse closer, he crawled to the ground and loudly shouted:

I, Northern Yuan Crown Prince Borjigin Ba Ya'er, son of the Northern Yuan Great Khan, am willing to surrender to the Da Han Empire and serve as a general!

Ba Ya'er took out a blue silk item from his bosom, folded the seam upward, and presented it with both hands raised to Jia Jing.

This is the Northern Yuan's unique highest etiquette of presenting a khata, a way to express the utmost respect to elders, honored guests, and buddhas.

White khata is the most precious, symbolizing purity and flawlessness;

Blue khata represents reverence for Eternal Heaven, and is especially common in the steppe regions.

Ba Ya'er now presented a blue khata to Jia Jing, not knowing whether he lacked a white one or regarded Jia Jing as Eternal Heaven to show respect.

However, it is certain that, in order to save his life, Ba Ya'er's attitude has already been lowered to the utmost.

Jia Jing looked at Ba Ya'er, who dared not even breathe in front of him, and felt a sense of contempt.

Compared to Tuo Tuo Bu Hua, this Northern Yuan Crown Prince is indeed somewhat cowardly and lacking courage.

However, such a personality can actually be put to use.

Just as the False Qing used the Grand Emperor Emeritus to call the gate, this Northern Yuan Crown Prince, as the foremost person under the Northern Yuan Great Khan, could certainly help the Han Army call the Northern Yuan's gate.

Jia Jing thought for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice:

Take him away and keep him under guard!

As for the other Northern Yuan prisoners, don't let them become our burden; handle them as you see fit!

Jia Jing's light sentence decided the fate of four thousand Northern Yuan prisoners; the coldness in his tone, under the midday sun, made people feel chilly.

Zhu Que immediately ordered someone to press down Ba Ya'er, and then loudly shouted to the Han Army:

Shoot all these prisoners dead! Forge the fame of my Han Army with their blood!

Zhu Que's words echoed outside Yu Lin Cheng, carried by the cool wind into every Han Army soldier's ears.

The Han Army immediately raised their blades and spears, and roared in unison:

Kill! Kill! Kill!

The captured Northern Yuan soldiers squatted on the ground, horrified at this scene, their bodies constantly trembling.

The next moment, they faced a barrage of cold light, countless arrows flying toward them, harvesting their lives.

Except for Ba Ya'er, none of the Northern Yuan soldiers escaped the Han Army's slaughter.

Many Northern Yuan soldiers, although crying out for mercy, still could not escape death's fate, only able to become souls beneath the Han Army's arrows.

In this battle, there were no prisoners.

Jia Jing quietly watched this scene, without the slightest emotion.

Now the Han Army in Yu Lin Cheng numbers only a few thousand; he is about to launch the next counterattack against the Northern Yuan, and cannot keep these Northern Yuan soldiers as baggage and variables.

Only a dead enemy is the best enemy!

This time he took the offensive in the northwest, never thinking to be merciful and gentle toward Bei Yuan, Hunxie, and other states!

Toward enemies, he has always had methods as harsh as severe winter; toward his own people, he would show tolerance and gentleness.

In this northwest campaign, he will only use the heads and blood of Bei Yuan people, Hunxie people, and False Qing Tatars to defend the glory of the Da Han Empire!

He will only use the most brutal means, making enemies feel the Han Army's majesty and inviolability!

He will only use iron blood and slaughter to forge the Da Han Empire's new military spirit!

He wants the Da Han Empire's northwest to have no worries of war and chaos!

He wants to tell all foreign tribes that the Da Han Empire's territory is something they must not infringe upon!

Whoever offends our strong Han, no matter how far, will be punished! He has always been practicing this saying!

…………

Half an hour later,

Yu Lin Wei Cheng, Commandery Headquarters.

The main hall of the official office, composed of five rooms, Jia Jing, without yielding, sat behind the commander's desk, waved his hand, and summoned the generals to take their seats.

Although everyone was now quite exhausted, each face was brimming with smiles.

After this great victory over the Northern Yuan troops, a bout of slaughter made their blood boil with excitement.

Their hearts remained unsettled for a long time, and they also felt deep admiration and reverence for Jia Jing.

Niu Jizong looked at Jia Jing, seated properly behind the commander's desk, and suddenly said:

After this battle, I am completely convinced by the Marquis! From now on, I, Old Niu, will follow the Marquis's horse's head wherever his banner points, that will be the direction of my sword!

"Lord, the embodiment of daylight, the bearing of dragon and phoenix…"

Jia Jing originally had a face like dark water; upon hearing Niu Jizong's words his expression changed, and he couldn't help but wave his hand to interrupt, saying in a deep voice:

"Very well… The reason this battle was won is wholly thanks to our Han soldiers risking their lives, abandoning life and death."

"Especially General Zhou and Colonel You and the soldiers under their command, who fought to the death without retreat, safeguarding Yu Lin Cheng from being captured by the Northern Yuan army."

"This Lord, though possessing a bit of bravery, is merely adding flowers to brocade!"

"We all serve the court, serve His Majesty; just fulfill our duties sincerely. If something is detrimental to unity, don't mention it!"

Jia Jing did not expect that Niu Jizong, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, would suddenly display such loyalty to him.

It appears that in this battle, riding alone he shattered fifty thousand, beheaded generals and seized banners, truly delivering a shock beyond expectation to all present.

This defiant martial might, in everyone's eyes, never lacked a trace of destiny's decree and the opportune moment.

Of course, he also understood that Niu Jizong's words were more about expressing a desire to unite, like the founding lineage once united under the banner of the Second Duke of Rongning.

Forming a new Da Han military interest group, rather than indicating any disloyalty to the court.

But damn it, aren't you using the words I once said?

"Lord, I dare not agree; the reason this battle could be won, your merit is so great, cannot be simply summed up by a phrase like 'adding flowers to brocade'!"

Beside them, Feng Tang clasped his hands and said earnestly.

"Indeed, indeed! This overwhelming victory is entirely thanks to your merit, Lord!"

Han Wu followed closely, agreeing.

"Without you, Lord, this battle would have had little chance of victory!" Zhou Yingyuan added.

The generals each hurried to voice their opinions, fearing to fall behind.