Chapter 217: Bombarding Fanyang

The Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Xu entered the Council Hall with officials and generals such as Liu Fu and Zhong Li.

The cheers of the common people had not yet ceased at this moment.

Yan Wang had defeated the Yuan Family and repelled the Northern Di, which undoubtedly saved the lives of the people of Yanzhou, sparing them from the enemy's slaughter.

How could they not be grateful to Yan Wang?

"Everyone, although the siege of Yancheng is lifted, the remnants of the Rich Clan are still wreaking havoc in Yanzhou; we must continue to suppress them." After the initial joy, Zhao Xu's mood became heavy.

Yancheng was held, but they had also paid a heavy price.

According to Liu Fu, there were at least four thousand casualties among the new recruits.

And the number of common people outside Yancheng who had suffered at the hands of the Rich Clan was countless.

These Rich Clan members had caused immense destruction, like a plague of locusts passing through.

"Your Highness is absolutely right; this matter cannot be delayed," Zhong Li said with a stern expression.

The Yuan Family had attacked Yanguan, but these Rich Clan members were spread across every commandery in Yanzhou.

Now that the Yuan Family had been defeated, they would certainly fall into a state of hysteria.

It was feared they would burn, kill, and loot before fleeing Yanzhou.

Liu Fu nodded, "The siege of Yancheng is lifted, but I wonder how Shanggu Commandery is faring?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu said, "There is no time to lose. Zhong Li, take a short rest, then immediately head to Shanggu Commandery, and proceed to the other commanderies to clear out the remnants of the Rich Clan."

Looking at Chen Hu, he added, "You will act together with Zhong Li."

Both of them commanded Cavalry, and combined, they had over six thousand men.

Such a large-scale force of Cavalry was enough to sweep away the remnants of the Rich Clan in every commandery.

"Yes, Your Highness," Chen Hu cupped his hands.

Zhao Xu then said to Qin Shan, "I give you five thousand men and ten pieces of Field Artillery to assist the two of them in capturing cities and seizing territory; anyone who resists is to be killed without exception."

"This general understands!" Qin Shan said loudly.

Having given the orders to the three, Zhao Xu commanded them to depart immediately.

The three received their orders and left.

With only officials like Liu Fu remaining in the Council Hall, Zhao Xu said, "The fighting has come to an end. You must immediately pacify the people of the two commanderies, and at the same time, mobilize the Village Soldiers to strictly search the countryside and surround and capture the fleeing Rich Clan members and their lackeys."

"Yes, Your Highness," Liu Fu responded.

At this moment, Zhao Xu stood up and walked straight out of the Prince's Mansion.

Liu Fu asked in surprise, "Your Highness is leaving again?"

"Yuan Li is cowering inside Fanyang City; I intend to take him down personally," Zhao Xu said.

Recalling the continuous persecution he had suffered from the Yuan Family during this time, he felt a deep, itching hatred.

Now that they had caused chaos at Yanguan and resulted in such heavy casualties, how could he possibly let him go?

Liu Fu understood and followed behind Zhao Xu.

Feng'er and Luan'er had been waiting outside the door, and seeing that Zhao Xu was leaving again, their expressions immediately became tense.

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "You two wait at the Prince's Mansion for a few days; I am going to Fanyang to capture Yuan Li and bring him back."

"Your Highness, please be careful." The two were helpless; they had wanted to express their worries to Yan Wang later.

Now Yan Wang was setting off again.

However, they also understood that this matter had been stirred up by the Yuan Family.

Yan Wang would not rest until he had captured Yuan Li.

After leaving the Prince's Mansion, Zhao Xu had not walked many steps when he saw Ma Yuan running over with a joyful expression.

Arriving at Zhao Xu's side, Ma Yuan panted heavily; he had known the moment Yan Wang returned.

It was just that there were too many people on the road, and it took him a long time to squeeze through.

"Your Highness has turned the tide; this old official admires you, truly admires you. Upon returning to Jingshi, I will certainly request a reward for Your Highness, a great reward," Ma Yuan said, cupping his hands, full of respect for Zhao Xu.

If not for Yan Wang, he could not imagine what Yanzhou would be like now.

"That goes without saying; our Prince's contribution cannot be obscured by anyone," Liu Fu said.

He had felt displeased when Ma Yuan was investigating Yan Wang.

Even now, he remained full of distrust toward this Censor who had come from Jingshi.

In his view, if not for these court officials, Yanzhou would not have fallen into such a great mess.

If they had just taken Yuan Li down in the first place, none of this would have happened.

Liu Fu's displeasure was written on his face; Ma Yuan felt a wave of shame and naturally had no temper.

He then asked, "Where is Your Highness going now?"

Ma Yuan was currently the highest-ranking official in Yanzhou in name.

After all, the Imperial Edict had granted him the authority to act at his own discretion.

Although they had won this time, Zhao Xu had not been carried away by the victory.

He still had to be subject to the constraints of the Imperial Court.

Moreover, in his view, this Ma Yuan was not bad; he was an upright official.

There was no need to offend him, so he glared at Liu Fu and stated his purpose.

Ma Yuan nodded, "Your Highness should be careful on this trip. If Yuan Li can be captured alive, then capture him; if he cannot be captured alive, killing him on the spot is also fine. This old official will return to Jingshi now to report the events in Yanzhou during this period to the Emperor."

"Then I will trouble you, Censor Ma," Zhao Xu said.

Having said that, he cupped his hands, led his troops out to the east, and headed southeast toward Fanyang.

One day later, he arrived at Yuanyang County, and after passing through Yuanyang County, he stepped into the territory of Fanyang.

Another day nearly passed, and he arrived outside Fanyang City.

At this time, every vital route of Fanyang City was guarded by the Wangfu Army.

Upon learning that Zhao Xu had arrived, Chang Wei came out to greet him.

"How is it?" Zhao Xu asked.

"Reporting to Your Highness, according to the captured deserters, there are approximately fifty thousand Yuan Family troops inside Fanyang City," Chang Wei said, pointing at the city wall.

At this moment, Yuan Family soldiers could be vaguely seen standing guard on the city wall.

Zhao Xu nodded; once a great army is routed, it is very difficult to pull them back together.

These fifty thousand troops are likely the core forces of the Yuan Family.

Otherwise, they would only have fled in panic and would not have returned to Fanyang City.

"How many days can the grain and fodder inside the city last?" Zhao Xu asked again.

"It is said they can hold out for three months," Chang Wei said.

"Three months?" Zhao Xu frowned.

Defending a city is easy, but attacking one is difficult; he did not want to attack the city recklessly right now.

After all, although the Armor of the Wangfu Army is sturdy, it cannot withstand being crushed by stones or falling from the top of a city wall.

He must take Fanyang with the minimum cost.

"By the way, Your Highness, Mo Yu sent word half a day ago that the Northern Di great army continues to retreat north from Ning City; they will not continue to attack Yanguan," Chang Wei said. "Should we move the Artillery from Yanguan over now and blast Fanyang City to pieces?"

Upon learning this news, Zhao Xu felt a sense of relief in his heart.

If the Northern Di had truly continued to fight to the death, it would have been hard to say whether Yanguan could have held out.

After all, the Northern Di people were certainly shocked the first time they saw such a powerful Weapon as the Artillery.

But as long as they were mentally prepared, it was not impossible for them to attack while risking casualties.

After all, the power of modern Artillery is even greater, yet soldiers are still able to charge while under fire.

"Since that is the case, call the Artilleryman back from Yanguan; let us have a quick battle to force a quick decision," Zhao Xu said.

Two days later, the Siege Cannon were transported to the foot of Fanyang City.

Seeing the Artillery arrive, the Yuan Family soldiers on the city wall were visibly panicked, each one shrinking back and cowering.

He ordered five thousand soldiers each to guard the East Gate, West Gate, and Nanmen.

Zhao Xu concentrated the remaining ten thousand plus soldiers at the North Gate.

At the same time, all the Artillery were positioned at the North Gate.

He intended to use all the Artillery to blast the North Gate of Fanyang until it collapsed.

"Fire!"

Everything was ready, and Zhao Xu gave the order.