Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 328

At this time, Lu Wei, who was of the same generation, not only became the top expert of the Farmer's School, but also expanded the influence of the Gonggong Hall to the states of Zhao and Wei, developing from the bottom of the six halls to the top of the six halls.

Although the Quicksand organization, which had only been established for a little over ten years, could grow into a fearsome assassin group in the martial arts world, its strength was only lacking in terms of foundation compared to the major schools of thought, but this was already the limit of the Quicksand.

Among assassin groups, it is no match for the Net. In the martial arts world, its methods are not as convenient as those of the various schools of thought.

The biggest reason for all this is that Quicksand is ultimately too small. It lacks sufficient assassins at the lower levels and has no fixed, stable base. The development ceiling of a nomadic organization has come to an end.

The biggest problem that caused this stems from Wei Zhuang's own 'theory of the strong'.

Only the strong can become friends or business partners with him and Quicksand, and only those targets that Wei Zhuang deems 'interesting' can join Quicksand.

But Wei Zhuang was incredibly proud and had extremely high standards. There were indeed many people in the world whom he could approve of, but few of them would join an organization like Quicksand; they all had better options.

The best example of this is Zhang Liang joining Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

This resulted in the core strength of the Quicksand organization always being the same group of people who existed before the fall of Korea, preventing them from expanding.

Elites cannot be replaced by ordinary people, but ordinary people will always be the majority.

In response, Wei Zhuang's reflection after parting ways with his senior brother concluded that he was not strong enough and that the elite strategy of the Quicksand organization was not thorough enough.

'If I could gain greater power and the ability to control the world, then my influence would naturally increase, and those ignorant beings would naturally obey the commands of the shifting sands.'

'The problem isn't that things are like quicksand; the problem is that they're not extreme enough.'

Based on this theory, Wei Zhuang saw the uprisings in the two counties as an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Quicksand.

After all, war is naturally the stage where strategists and diplomats can exert their influence...

The war to suppress the uprising by the Qin army would not begin for several more months. Just as Li Mu had predicted, Ren Xiao organized his army to march north to Shu, preparing to launch a combined land and water offensive by taking advantage of the natural transportation properties of the Yangtze River.

A steady stream of supplies has been transported to Ziyang City in Qutang Gorge. The terrain here is treacherous, the canyon is narrow, and the water is turbulent, making it an extremely difficult destination for the rebels to attack.

This city will be the starting point for the army to quell the rebellion.

If history had unfolded as it did, Ziyang City would have been renamed Baidi City more than two hundred years later!

In the Shu region, after returning to his hometown, Yu Ziqi won over the hearts of the people of Shu under the guise of protecting Yu Yuan. He quickly assembled an elite force of two thousand men, who secretly infiltrated the Qin army's controlled territory, ready to respond to the Central Plains at any time.

He received news of the uprising in the two counties, and he also received a letter from his younger sister, Xiaoyu.

The news in his sister's letter that "the leader of the heroes has captured Yun Zhongjun and promised to send him to Shu Mountain in the future" excited him. Although he was a little surprised by his sister Xiao Yu's special note at the end that "Shu Mountain must obey the orders of the farmers," he still planned to do so.

The Shu Mountains and the Qin State were mortal enemies, and they could not defeat the Qin State on their own, so they had no choice but to seek refuge with a stronger anti-Qin force.

Because the Qin army had to transport all its supplies into Shu as a safe rear area in order to suppress uprisings in two counties, Yu Ziqi saw an opportunity for Shu Mountain to play a significant role!

He then took the initiative to send envoys to contact Jing County, making the Shu Mountain army a secret force for Li Mu in the rear of the Qin army.

Upon receiving this unexpected surprise, Li Mu felt that the advantage in the war was steadily tilting in his favor. The Qin state's past actions of forcing Shu Mountain to obtain a Fusang divine tree from the Mirage would bring them endless suffering in the future.

"According to reports from Yue scouts, Ren Xiao has taken away the vast majority of the Qin army from Lingnan this time. The number is estimated to be no less than 100,000, and may even reach 300,000 at most, a huge force."

Like the Shu people, the Yue people sided with the two counties, so the Qin army's movements would be clear throughout. However, due to the Yue people's low skill level, it would be difficult for them to ascertain the exact number of Qin troops.

However, Li Mu was not concerned. The current war conditions had already shifted the tide of victory in his favor, and he already had a strategy for how to fight this battle: "The terrain around Fan County is flat. Although there are mountains to the north for defense, they are not enough to withstand the Qin army's encirclement. We need to push the battlefield further upstream along the Yangtze River."

"What does General Li mean?" Yan Shen gazed at the map spread out on the table, his eyes following the flat plains, and his gaze fell upon the Yishan mountain area of ​​Dongting County, where the mountain range stretched for hundreds of miles:

"To obstruct the Qin army at Yishan? This would not only force us to launch an immediate attack on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to take Changsha County as soon as possible, but would also lengthen our supply lines by half again in future battles."

“Jing County and Fan County have strong naval forces, and our water transport is unimpeded. If it is only 50,000 troops heading north, I can arrange the logistics for you.” Xiao He immediately offered his opinion upon hearing this. He did not need to go to the front line, but no one dared to underestimate his role.

“That’s enough.” Li Mu nodded and said, “The army’s formation cannot be deployed in the mountainous area, and the Qin army’s numerical advantage will be weakened to the greatest extent. Fifty thousand troops will be enough to block the Qin army in the Yishan Mountains.”

"Master Ban of the Mohist school recently arrived at our mechanical workshop. I have spoken with him. He can modify our mechanical ox production line to manufacture, transport, and construct mechanical beasts. With the help of the Qin army's gathering time, these mechanical beasts will be able to build cities from the ground."

"The most urgent task is to lead the army to conquer Changsha and Dongting counties. All generals must go all out to take them down as soon as possible, which will give us more time to set up defenses."

"Yes, sir!" Li Mu made the decision, and Yan Shen, Li Zuoche, and Peng Yue accepted the order with clasped hands without any questions.

...

After the Qin forces withdrew from Sanghai City, Lu Wei still had one last thing to resolve.

The Gongshu family, including Gongshu Qiu himself, were imprisoned on the mirage!

The Mohist mechanism allows wood and stone to move freely; the bronze mouth opens, so ask Gongshu.

The role of mechanical arts in war is irreplaceable. The Mohist school is now under the control of the Heroic Leader. If the Gongshu family can be subdued as well, the anti-Qin alliance's technology will surpass that of the Qin army in the upcoming military operations.

Even in the worst-case scenario, if Lu Wei fails to gain the Gongshu family, the Qin state will certainly lose them.

Chapter 411 The Deaths of Fusu and Meng Tian

Gongshu Chou and a group of elites from the Gongshu family were forcibly kept on the Mirage after the death of Donghuang. Unaware of the truth, they had long been harboring resentment.

The Gongshu people were brought in to sail the ship as part of Donghuang's plan, but sailing was not their primary interest.

For a group of mechanics, being left idle for a month or two was torture. Therefore, even Gongshu Chou, the head of the Gongshu family, who was usually polite to others, began to get irritable.

However, when Xinghun said that he was sent by Lu Wei, the leader of the Farmer's School of Chivalry, to persuade the Gongshu family to surrender, Gongshu Chou's anger instantly turned into confusion: "What?"

"Ying Zheng is dead, and a new king will be established in the land of Qi and Lu. If the Gongshu family surrenders at this time, they can still receive titles and rewards."

Xinghun gave a brief explanation of the external changes, but the subsequent invitation was clearly insincere and his attitude was not very enthusiastic.

Gongshu Chou had heard of the name Lu Wei, but he never imagined that such a drastic change would occur: the First Emperor was dead? A new king was to be established in the land of Qi and Lu? And he himself had become a prisoner?

"This...this..." Gongshu Chou's exceptionally clever mind, skilled in mechanical arts, momentarily went blank. He had many questions he wanted to ask, but didn't know where to begin. Fortunately, Xinghun, understanding his situation, said:

"I am only here to inform Mr. Gongshu about the changes in the outside world. The Gongshu family still has plenty of time to stay here and slowly consider their own position."

He slowly turned halfway around: "Anyway, the leader of the Farmer's School of Heroes has already subdued the Mo family. Mo Ban's demonstration of the Mo family's mechanical arts has won the leader's trust. It seems that Lu Wei may not necessarily need the help of the Gongshu family. In that case, perhaps... But don't worry, the Yin Yang School has a deep cooperation with the Gongshu family after all. I can still protect you for the time being."

Having said that, Xinghun was about to leave.

"Lord Xinghun, please wait a moment!" Gongshu Chou's mind was still in a daze, but he heard one name very clearly in Xinghun's words: Mo Family Mechanical Arts!

The leader of the Gongshu family's expression became uncertain. The Mohist and Gongshu families had been fighting for hundreds of years, and it was only in his generation that he finally defeated them with the help of the Qin state. But now it seems that the Mohist family is going to rise again with the help of the peasant family.

Gongshu Chou had no idea what the political situation was like outside. Logically speaking, Qin should not have suddenly lost the lands of Qi and Lu. However, the Yin-Yang School had no reason to deceive themselves. Perhaps the winds of change in the world had really shifted, and the peasant uprising had taken control of Qi and Lu.

However, the most important thing is that, regardless of whether the peasant rebellion can go to the end, he and the core disciples of the Gongshu family are confined to the mirage. Even if the peasant family is to lose, those bastards from the Mo family might ask to kill him after they know his situation.

In that case, the Gongshu family, relying solely on the remaining talented but ordinary members in Xianyang, would quickly decline...

Gongshu Chou didn't really care which faction he served; what he cared about was that the Gongshu family must surpass the Mohists and continue its lineage. However, due to his long-standing habit, he still placed himself on the side of the Qin state.

Even so, it is not unacceptable to serve the enemy temporarily to protect oneself and the other Gongshu people on the mirage!

Thinking of this, Gongshu Chou immediately revealed an ugly smile and said, "Lord Xinghun, I have made a decision and am willing to serve the Farmer's School. May I ask if you could introduce me to Lord Lu Wei?"

"You've made a decision so quickly?" Xinghun shook his head, his eerie face showing some regret: "But the leader of the Farmer's School has already returned to Daze Mountain, and the leader of the Mohist School is also there. The Yin-Yang School can only convey the message to Mr. Gongshu. In the meantime, Mr. Gongshu might as well give it some more serious consideration."

"No need to consider it, no need to consider it." The calmer Xinghun's attitude was, the more anxious Gongshu Chou became: "In my opinion, those blockheads of the Mo family don't know anything about mechanical arts. I have personally broken through their mechanical city. Lord Xinghun has also witnessed the power of the domineering mechanical arts in the Mirage cooperation, which can be said to be far superior to the Mo family!"

"Lord Lu Wei, there's no need to waste your time on a bunch of useless people. My domineering mechanical skills are the best in the world!"

"I will convey Mr. Gongshu's message." Xinghun smiled slightly with his back to Gongshu Chou, and continued to disappear in a flash.

"Ah..." Gongshu Chou, left alone with a face full of sorrow, scratched his sparse remaining hair, his anxiety growing stronger: he was at the mercy of others, like fish on a chopping board. The Gongshu family was grateful for Qin's support over the years, but they were not willing to pay the price of decline for it, and Gongshu Chou himself did not want to die.

What if the Mohists have bewitched Lu Wei...?

Gongshu Chou's plan was progressing as scheduled. Xinghun left the detention room and came to the deck of the Mirage Tower, where Lu Wei, whom he had mentioned returning to Daze Mountain, was present.

“Gongshu Chou’s temper can be suppressed a couple more times, and then he will be more obedient than anyone else.” Having stated his judgment, Xinghun naturally changed the subject to more important matters: “When do you plan to lead the Daze Mountain uprising?”

"According to news from the south, Li Mu believes that defeating the Qin Southern Army will have to wait until June of next year. Meanwhile, the spy in the Northern Wolf Clan claims that Zhao Gao wants to arrange a great victory for Wang Li as soon as he takes over the Great Wall Army, which is expected to happen next spring. Therefore, Dazeshan will immediately advertise to the world and launch an uprising after the Great Wall Army sets off."

Lu Wei nodded in satisfaction with the progress in subduing Gongshu Chou, and confidently answered his next question.

Upon hearing this, Xinghun pondered and said, "After defeating the Southern Legion, the only remaining opponent will be Wang Li, who carries the prestige of annihilating the Wolf Clan. He is a formidable foe."

“How can 300,000 Great Wall troops withstand the hearts of the people of the entire Central Plains?” Lu Wei smiled. “In the past, the six kingdoms were corrupt and scheming against each other. Now these traditions are being carried forward in Guanzhong. The old empire’s consistent methods have been gradually abandoned by itself.”

Most of the time, the hearts of the people are with the victor. The peasants could not possibly defeat the 300,000-strong Great Wall army just by talking about the will of the people, but in many cases, this was an answer that would never be wrong.

------

The elite armored infantry were primarily infantry, with the smaller number of cavalry used mainly as scouts.

However, in order to execute Meng Tian as soon as possible, Wang Li ordered the infantry to advance faster, and then, with only scouts and the Dragon Tiger Cavalry, he rode one horse and several riders, rushing north day and night.

Upon arriving in Shangjun, he first used the Black Dragon Scroll to obtain the 50,000 Anbei Garrison troops entrusted by Zhao Gao. Only after gaining sufficient military support did he arrive at Meng Tian's main camp as the emperor's special envoy.

Wang Li's actions in Shangjun were not kept secret from Meng Tian from the beginning, but because he possessed the Black Dragon Scroll and the identity of the emperor's special envoy, even the commander-in-chief of the Great Wall Legion could not send anyone to question or obstruct him.

It wasn't until Wang Li arrived at his camp that Meng Tian, ​​clad in his Azure Cloud Armor, knelt down with the somewhat frail Fusu to receive the imperial edict.

When he heard that he was to be sentenced to death, Fusu closed his eyes in anguish and swayed uncontrollably, showing no doubt about the contents of the imperial edict.

As the eldest son of the empire, Fusu had always suffered many reprimands from the emperor. With the assassination attempt at the Sanghai Banquet, Ying Zheng's words, "In the end, you still disappointed me," echoed deeply in his mind on his way to exile, and the idea that he was not favored by his father gradually took root.

Meng Tian resolutely did not believe that the imperial edict was real: he knew that since His Majesty the Emperor had already demoted the eldest son to the Great Wall Army, he would certainly not issue another order to kill him. Moreover, he was leading the Great Wall Army to launch a northern expedition against the grasslands, so why would he order his own death for no reason?

This imperial edict must be a forgery!

Meng Tian insisted on writing a letter to His Majesty the Emperor to inquire about the authenticity of the order, but Wang Li would not allow it. With a wave of his hand, he ordered the Dragon Tiger Cavalry to arrest Fusu and Meng Tian.

As Meng Tian's guards were about to draw their swords, Wang Li immediately raised the imperial edict and shouted sternly, "The emperor's decree is here! Anyone who disobeys will be executed! Do you intend to implicate the families of the entire country and have them executed as well?"

With the imperial edict and the combined force of the imperial guards' Dragon Tiger Cavalry, no one dared to step forward.

After being captured, Fusu and Meng Tian were imprisoned in two different places. Fusu resolutely drank poison and died not long after, while Meng Tian firmly refused to obey and committed suicide.

"If he doesn't want to be dignified, then help him be dignified."

Wang Li coldly issued the order: this trivial matter should not be allowed to delay his unparalleled military achievement of slaughtering the grasslands!

Chapter 412 Returning to Xianyang

The news of Fusu and Meng Tian being sentenced to death was also kept secret, because Huhai had not yet returned to Xianyang, and it was not yet time to spread these things.

Wang Li's subsequent takeover of the Great Wall Army went smoothly. His family background and the emperor's orders provided him with the greatest support. Apart from the resentment that lingered among the Golden Fire Cavalry, he had complete control over the other troops.

Wang Li did not rush into dealing with the Golden Fire Cavalry, an elite force closely associated with the Meng clan, as he had with Fusu and Meng Tian, ​​but instead reserved sufficient patience.

Although he was greedy for credit, his military skills, honed by his family upbringing, were not lacking. He knew very well that if he pressed too hard, it could cause the Golden Fire Cavalry to mutini.

With the commander's authority in place, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with them later!

Wang Li gazed at the military deployment map of the northern border inside the main general's tent, a dangerous smile appearing on his lips before he frowned again: