"How goes the battle?" Zhao Feng asked.
"Reporting to the lord."
"The army’s results are remarkable."
"With the royal edict bearing the King of Chu’s seal in hand, nearly every city we encountered opened its gates and surrendered."
"Within ten days, our Wu’an Camp has successively captured more than twenty cities. If it weren’t for the long distances and the vastness of Chu’s territory, we would have captured even more and larger cities."
"Of course, there were so city commanders who were obstinate and inflexible, and upon breaching their cities, we exterminated them directly," Zhang Ming reported imdiately.
"Quite so." Zhao Feng nodded.
"There is another matter."
"Chu State now has a new king."
"Xiang Yan has installed the traitorous Mi Qi as king."
"He has already ascended the throne in Huainan City," Zhang Ming added.
"Mi Qi."
"It seems he would indulge in the pleasures of being a king even if it kills him," Zhao Feng chuckled, then continued, "Tu Sui and the others should already be advancing their troops over there, right?"
"Just as the lord anticipated."
"Though the three generals have divided their forces, the final convergence point is set for Huainan."
"Within a month, they will surely reach Huainan City."
"Additionally."
"The army from the Hangu Pass Camp is also pressing towards Huainan."
"Within a month, the two camps will unite," Zhang Ming replied.
"Transmit my order: within twenty days, the army must be at Huainan."
"I will attend in person," Zhao Feng said solemnly.
"Understood," Zhang Ming replied respectfully.
...
Huainan City!
The forr main hall of the Prefect’s Mansion!
At this mont, it has beco a small court.
Mi Qi, dressed in the king’s robe and crown, sat solemnly on the throne.
Though he had only beco the King of Chu for a few days, once adorned with the king’s robe and crown, an unprecedented feeling swept over Mi Qi.
He had done it!
He truly beca the king of Great Chu.
Even if this king had no real power, and even if the kingdom he inherited was shattered, teetering on the brink of collapse, he was still a king.
"We pay our respects to the Great King."
Led by Xiang Yan, dozens of civil and military officials in the court bowed to Mi Qi.
Amidst the resonant cries.
Mi Qi’s face was filled with intoxication, wholly imrsed in the mont.
"Rise."
Mi Qi commanded loudly, expanding his arms.
If any minister from the Great Qin Dynasty court witnessed Mi Qi’s actions at this mont, they would realize he was totally emulating the postures of King Ying Zheng of Qin.
"Report to the Great King."
"Our forr capital of Great Chu has been completely breached by the Qin Army, and they are pursuing aggressively."
"I ask the Great King to make a decision," Xiang Yan said loudly.
Even at this mont, he was deeply troubled.
"Did the Shangjiangjun not say that many soldiers and officials from across Great Chu have fled to Huainan?"
"In my view, imdiately reorganize all the escaped soldiers into the military to defend Great Chu."
"Any who dare resist integration, kill them," Mi Qi declared at once.
On the day the Qin Army attacked Chu’s capital,
not all Chu officials stayed obediently within the main hall.
Many ministers had fled, and upon learning of the Qin’s advance, nurous aristocrats had already sent their families away.
Perhaps the most unexpected were the three influential families. They initially believed that, given their power in Chu State, Zhao Feng would consider their influence beneficial for swiftly pacifying Chu with reduced losses and would hence accept their allegiance.
However, the outco was completely opposite to their expectations, leaving them unable to flee.
Of course.
As the Qin advanced, considerable numbers of the Kuibao Army from different parts of Chu also fled.
There were those who took refuge in other unconquered cities of Chu, those who fled to the mountains to beco bandits, and those who escaped to Qi —people were everywhere.
Such scenes were quite common among the fallen Three Jins and Yan State.
Of course.
In the Three Jins, there were many.
High-ranking aristocrats turned bandits, along with their forr soldiers, populated many mountain hideouts, unwilling to fall into Qin captivity and beco slaves.
As for Yan State, things were slightly different, for King of Yan’s betrayal and becoming a clan traitor left them in ruins. Zhao Feng avenged Yan’s Northern Frontier, fearlessly marching into the foreign lands, where he slaughtered the tribes in revenge, earning the undying respect and gratitude of millions of Yan citizens.
It is even rumored among Yan lands that once the Qin unites the world, should honors and domain titles be granted, the people of Yan would inevitably petition Zhao Feng to beco their king.
Such is Zhao Feng’s prestige in Yan State!
Venturing alone deep into enemy territory.
Devastating the Eastern Barbarian Royal Court, annihilating countless Donghu tribes, and beheading the Donghu King.
Zhao Feng in Yan is like a legendary figure, with tales of his deeds echoed throughout the land, earning great reverence.
Naturally.
That is rely a side note.
War begins, leading to the destruction of nations and the loss of lives.
This is no empty talk.
As Qin engages in warfare, countless displaced persons and bandits erge in the besieged nations.
This will require future governance from the Qin Court.
Upon hearing Mi Qi’s words, Xiang Yan nodded approvingly, "The Great King is wise."
"All who fled to Huainan, I have already intercepted. As soldiers and officials of Great Chu, they ought to serve their country."
"Now with the Great King’s command, I have no worries."
Seeing Xiang Yan’s response, Mi Qi also nodded in satisfaction, "Shangjiangjun, as Great Chu is in dire peril, only you can turn the tide and protect our Chu."
"I here vow that for the sake of Great Chu, I shall endorse all of your decisions."
At this mont, Mi Qi promptly showed goodwill towards Xiang Yan.
He naturally understood that he needed to rely on Xiang Yan to stabilize his reign.
Just then!
"Report."
"Reporting to the Great King."
"To inform the Shangjiangjun,"
"The Qin Army is already at the gates."
A Chu soldier ca forward in a panic to report.
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