PDLP Chapter 12 Occupying Tianshan City
Chapter 12 Occupying Tianshan City
A solemn atmosphere prevailed in Tianshan City!
With the entry of the Shence Army into the city, the original garrison troops surrendered and were captured one after another.
After a brief period of chaos, everything returned to normal in a short time.
Many civilians who were hiding at home were surprised to find that these soldiers, apart from their murderous aura, did not cause any trouble.
"Pass down the order: no one is allowed to harass the people, let alone burn, kill, loot, or plunder. Anyone who violates this order will be killed on the spot."
Feeling refreshed and invigorated, Guo Huan had just cleaved the quartermaster in two with a single blow, and then sternly issued post-battle orders.
This has always been the Shence Army's style, especially since these are all citizens of the Great Qi.
"Monkey, lead the way."
Guo Huan gripped his military knife and shouted loudly.
Then a thin figure rushed over like a ghost and jumped onto the horse in an instant. It was the dwarf who had opened the city gate earlier.
"Brother Guo, it's great to see you again!" The monkey excitedly danced around on Guo Huan, just like a real monkey.
"Stop fooling around, take me to those wealthy merchants right now. The prince is going to war with the Jurchen Kingdom when he returns to the northern border."
Guo Huan gave a warning, and the monkey immediately jumped off the horse and let out a strange scream like a monkey.
Then, one by one, ragged beggars emerged from the streets and alleys.
Guo Huan immediately understood and promptly divided into twenty small teams of twenty people each, which then went out to follow.
With these beggars leading the way, Guo Huan had sealed off all the mansions of merchants in Tianshan City in just one hour.
Meanwhile, the Shence Army had just turned the entire government office upside down, finding seven million taels of silver, eight hundred thousand taels of gold, pearls, agates, and twelve boxes of precious calligraphy and paintings. This was only a portion of the embezzled funds from Song Zhiyuan.
"Everyone says that my Great Qi Empire is poor, but it seems that only the common people are poor."
Qin Xuan gave a cold laugh and looked at Song Zhiyuan, saying, "Should I send people to search your private residence, or will you voluntarily pay the price yourself?"
"I'll give you everything, as long as you don't kill me, I'll give you anything."
Song Zhiyuan and even the King of Chu's methods were those of a ruthless warlord who, in the three hundred years since the founding of the Great Qi Dynasty, was the only one who could lead troops to force the emperor to abdicate and almost successfully usurp the throne.
If it weren't for the current retired emperor intervening and His Majesty issuing an edict of self-reproach, the empire would probably already belong to the person before us.
"Guan Xingsheng, I'm leaving this matter to you!"
"I have accepted the order!" Guan Xingsheng clasped his fists together, and then led Song Zhiyuan to the Song residence.
"These damned corrupt officials have amassed so much wealth from the people; their crimes are utterly unforgivable," Zhao Luoying said indignantly, looking at the boxes of gold and silver jewelry.
Qin Xuan shook his head helplessly and laughed, "There are people like this in every dynasty. Heaven has eyes, otherwise how would Song Zhiyuan have fallen into my hands?"
"Mmm!" Zhao Luoying smiled faintly, then asked, "Your Highness, what should we do next? Should we let those refugees into the city?"
Qin Xuan broke through the city using a strategy of attack from both inside and outside, so the 100,000 Shence Army soldiers actually only numbered 50,000.
Of these 50,000 men, some were used to guard the original city garrison, some to maintain order in the city, and Qin Xuan planned to let the remaining men act as "bandits" and squeeze some fat off the wealthy merchants of Tianshan City.
Therefore, there are still 50,000 Shence Army soldiers and more than 35,000 refugees outside the city at this moment.
"The number of refugees is too large; rushing them into the city would cause unnecessary chaos." Qin Xuan shook his head and rejected the suggestion.
It wasn't that he was heartless, but that once so many refugees entered the city, it would inevitably cause many problems, such as food, accommodation, and even violence.
Humans are the strangest of creatures; when they are starving, they can find even a bowl of porridge to be sweet.
But if they really get into the city and have better conditions, they'll be asking for plain rice.
But the people of Tianshan City are also human beings; there is no reason to sacrifice them to benefit another group of people.
"Mr. Zhuge, please go back to the military camp and have someone take stock of the elderly, women, and children. When the time is right, bring these people into the city."
Qin Xuan seemed to have an idea and gave the order.
Zhuge Xuan nodded slightly and asked, "What about the others?"
"I have other uses for you if you stay in the military camp for now." Qin Xuan pondered for a moment, and Zhuge Xuan, not wanting to ask any further questions, went to carry out the order.
"Are you up to something again?" Zhao Luoying asked, revealing a rare girlish side when she saw that only she and Qin Xuan were left.
She gently hooked her arm around Qin Xuan's, gazing at him with her captivating eyes full of adoration.
Qin Xuan couldn't stand those captivating eyes the most, so he had no choice but to surrender and say, "Actually, it's not a brilliant plan, it's just a delaying tactic."
"What do you mean?" Zhao Luoying leaned closer, and a refreshing fragrance wafted over her.
Qin Xuan quickly composed himself and said, "The emperor ordered Tianshan City to delay us for a while longer, but he would never have imagined that we could break through the city in just two days."
"So I thought of leaving a portion of the Shence Army outside the city to create the illusion that Tianshan City has been delaying us. In this way, we can get back to the Northern Territory as quickly as possible."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Luoying's eyes lit up, but after thinking for a while, she worriedly said, "But what if the Jurchens are waiting for us in the north right now? With our 50,000 troops, I'm afraid we won't be able to fight them."
"My little fool, I meant leaving behind a portion of the Shence Army, not 50,000."
Qin Xuan smiled and explained further, "Actually, as long as we can control the government office and the city garrison, it would be enough if we didn't leave a single soldier behind. But to be absolutely sure, we must leave two thousand people behind to deter and manage the situation."
Tianshan City is far from the imperial city. Even if the emperor were to send someone to investigate, it would take five or six days. By the time the investigation is exposed, Qin Xuan's side would probably be almost at the northern border.
"What about the refugees? Are they also left behind?"
Zhao Luoying pressed for an answer.
"Of course. To others, these are refugees, but to me, they are all future productive forces."
The North's biggest disadvantages are its cold climate, barren land, and sparse population.
Climate can be adapted to, and land can be improved, but population is something you really can't create out of thin air unless people come of their own accord.
“I not only want to take the refugees back, but I also want to swindle some more from Tianshan City.”
A glint of light flashed in Qin Xuan's eyes: "Luo Ying, you must remember one thing: people are the foundation of all things. If the Northern Territory wants to become a country within a country, it must have a certain population."
Looking at the man she loved, Zhao Luoying's eyes were filled with admiration and adoration.
"I believe you can do it!"
Zhao Luoying gently hugged Qin Xuan from behind, pressing her face against his back: "Your Highness, Luoying is willing to stay by your side forever."
Qin Xuan turned around and pulled her into his arms.
Zhao Luoying blushed slightly and shyly wanted to lower her head.
But at that moment, Qin Xuan suddenly kissed her, and only slowly released her when the person in his arms could hardly breathe.
He gazed at Zhao Luoying's stunningly beautiful face and whispered, "In this life, whether for you, for me, or for the people of this world, I, Qin Xuan, must reach the pinnacle!"