Chapter 1015: Iron and Blood

"The General's literary talent is truly growing with each passing day; this subordinate is full of admiration." While Qin Shan was lost in thought, Shang Yi flattered him profusely.

Guo Yong and Mu An exchanged a glance and curled their lips.

Qin Shan shook his head; this kid Shang Yi could fight and could flatter, a real character.

But most importantly, he still valued his ability.

As for his flattery, he simply treated it as wind passing by his ears.

Only this time, Shang Yi's flattery was misplaced.

The sentence he spoke was not his own creation, but a casual remark Yan Wang had made while lecturing at the Military Academy.

Other commanders heard it and let it pass, but he had carefully memorized it.

Because some Jiaozhi soldiers were still hiding within the city, sporadic fighting continued until dusk.

Night fell, and only then did Zhiling County quiet down.

At this time, Qin Shan summoned Guo Yong and the other two again to assign them tasks.

Before long, Mu An and Shang Yi arrived at the Government Office, but Guo Tu was late to arrive.

Just as the three were finding it strange, a man suddenly arrived in the room, supported by soldiers; it was indeed Guo Yong.

"What is the meaning of this?" Qin Shan looked over.

He saw that Guo Yong's leg was wrapped in white cloth, and bright red blood was seeping through it.

The soldier supporting Guo Yong said with annoyance: "It is our failure to protect the General well. These Jiaozhi people are too despicable; they let some women act pitiful in front of us, but as soon as we turned our backs, they attacked us. Now they have even started using children."

"It was this subordinate's negligence," Guo Yong said, feeling somewhat depressed.

When facing Jiaozhi soldiers, he never showed mercy.

But when facing Jiaozhi civilians, especially women and children, he could not help but feel a sense of compassion.

Yet the Jiaozhi people were precisely exploiting the soldiers' compassion to ambush them while they were mopping up the remaining Jiaozhi soldiers.

During the day, many soldiers had suffered losses.

Originally, he had a shred of vigilance, but he had not expected to encounter a frail child while coming over.

He didn't take it to heart and continued on his way.

Exposing his back, the child pulled out a Dagger and stabbed his leg.

From this point, one could also see how deep the Jiaozhi people's hatred for the Great Song was under the rule of the Ruan Dynasty.

"Then you truly brought this upon yourself!" Qin Shan did not comfort Guo Yong, but instead rebuked him.

After a pause, he said: "These Jiaozhi people are not Great Song subjects. Great Song subjects are merely misled by powerful clans; treat them well, and they can be brought back to the right path."

"But the Jiaozhi people fear power but do not cherish virtue, viewing the Great Song people as mortal enemies; how can they be treated the same! According to His Highness's plan, only after occupying Jiaozhi, unifying the script, standardizing the wheel tracks, and applying education can Jiaozhi be integrated into the Great Song after three generations. For now, iron-blooded means must be applied to Jiaozhi."

Arriving outside the door, he pointed outward, "Now, you will kill everyone who instigated this child to strike, to intimidate the Jiaozhi people and make them understand that attacking Great Song soldiers requires paying a heavy price. Otherwise, such incidents will continue to happen. Only by making them afraid will our soldiers be safe, and they themselves will be able to continue living their own lives."

Guo Tu looked ashamed, answered in the affirmative, and went out supported by soldiers.

After a while, several gunshots rang out in the city.

Qin Shan and the other two looked at each other and nodded one after another.

At this time, Qin Shan said to Mu An, "No need to wait for Guo Yong. You immediately lead the central army to set off for Longyou County. Take advantage of the fact that the Jiaozhi people haven't reacted yet to capture the county seat. I don't want to see the Marine Corps flag planted there when I arrive at Hanoi."

"Yes, General. Those brats in the Marine Corps are resting and waiting to snatch our credit." Mu An gave a military salute and turned to leave.

At the same time.

In the Imperial Palace located in Hanoi, the civil and military officials of Jiaozhi gathered around Ruan Chushan, each with a look of panic.

They had already received news of the fall of Zhiling County.

Because after Zhiling County fell, the Beacon Tower had once again sent up thick smoke.

Hanoi was only a little over two hundred li away from Zhiling County.

Within an hour, the Beacon Tower closest to Hanoi had been lit.

"Your Majesty, this time the Great Song army is coming aggressively, with the clear ambition to destroy our Jiaozhi. Currently, the 100,000 troops commanded by General Ruan Youjin have been disastrously defeated at Zhiling County, and Longyou County is empty of troops. I fear that within three days, they will be able to strike into Hanoi," one official urged bitterly. "The only plan now is to retreat southward and seek protection from the Frankish people."

Ruan Chushan was very tempted upon hearing this.

Currently, about 8,000 Frankish troops were stationed in Jin'ou County.

This was the southernmost county of Jiaozhi and also the trading port they had promised to the Frankish people.

Previously, 2,000 Frankish troops were stationed here, but since the arrival of the Western Lands Allied Forces, the force had expanded to 8,000.

Clearly, the location of Jin'ou County was a link in this war between the Western Lands Allied Forces and the Great Song.

Just as the British wanted to defend Tianzhu, the Frankish people also wanted to hold onto their Southeast China.

For this reason, they would certainly fight the Great Song.

And once the Frankish people engaged the Great Song army in battle, the Western Lands Allied Forces, who advanced and retreated together, would have no choice but to support the Frankish people.

At that time, they might be able to block the Great Song's military momentum.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to retreat from Hanoi immediately. Why not request the Frankish army to come and assist? This Hanoi is the most prosperous place in Jiaozhi, with a thousand miles of fertile land. Would it not be a pity to hand it over to the Great Song people?" one general said. "This subordinate is willing to lead troops to Longyou County to resist the Great Song army."

"Nonsense! General Ruan's 100,000-strong army was defeated by the Great Song army in just two days. What will you use to fight the Great Song army? We only have 100,000 troops left now; we should preserve them," an official retorted.

"Cowardly rat! When have we Jiaozhi people ever feared the Great Song army? We should resist to the death and let the Great Song people see our power."

"Arrogant! How can today's Great Song be the Great Song of the past?"

"..."

Both sides spoke one after another, gradually beginning to argue.

Just at this moment, a general suddenly burst into the great hall, looking anxious.

Kneeling before Ruan Chushan, the general said: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Great Song fleet ambushed our Navy at Haiyang Wharf. Our 120 Warships were instantly reduced to dust. Afterward, Great Song soldiers landed in small boats. Our wharf garrison could not resist, and they are already killing their way toward Hanoi!"

"What!" Ruan Chushan was so shocked upon hearing this that he almost fell to the ground.

Haiyang Wharf is no more than two hundred li away from Hanoi.

The time it takes for the news to reach Hanoi is enough for the enemy to advance a hundred li.

The officials and generals of Jiaozhi were also quite shocked.

It was precisely because they feared the Great Song army would launch an attack from the sea in the east that they kept half of their troops in Hanoi.

Now, the Great Song army has indeed arrived.

But before this, they had not expected the Great Song army to be so formidable.

Now, the army from the North Territory is charging toward Hanoi, and those from the east are also charging toward Hanoi.

It is highly probable that Hanoi cannot be held.

Thinking of this, Ruan Chushan said urgently, "Retreat south immediately."

Just as his voice fell, another general hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, the Great Song army has captured Qinghua County."

Ruan Chushan felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

The terrain of Jiaozhi is long and narrow; the coast is a Pingyuan, and the border with Funanguo to the west is entirely made up of high mountains.

This Qinghua County is located eighty li south of Hanoi and is the narrowest part of Jiaozhi.

The Great Song army has cut off this place, making their escape to the south impossible.

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