Chapter 623: Zhenbeiguan
This war was good news for the Jin army, but it was a disaster for the entire foreign race in Hetao.
The land of the Hetao is thousands of miles of fertile wilderness and has dozens of tribes, large and small. Of course, it cannot only have a population of 150,000.
Hetao itself originally had more than 300,000 foreigners.
In the frontal battle, the Bingzhou coalition killed as many as 40,000 enemy troops and captured 20,000.
During the subsequent purge, nearly 30,000 Xiongnu and foreign stubborn resisters were killed and 50,000 were captured.
In literal terms alone, the Bingzhou coalition killed 80,000 foreigners and captured 80,000 prisoners.
As for the actual total number of deaths, it must be higher than this. A rough estimate is that it is at least close to 100,000 people.
The 70,000 prisoners of war who were captured were an important labor force in the development of the Hetao. Their efforts were needed to build cities, build roads, and farm fields, so naturally they could not be released.
In other words, after the war, the overall population of Hetao was reduced by more than half, and the casualties were really heavy, which fully shows the brutality of this battle.
In order to ensure their absolute dominance in the Hetao, the Jin army used the most iron-blooded method to kill the remaining dozens of tribes in fear. The foreign tribes in the Hetao will never dare to rebel easily in the next ten years.
As for the large amount of materials, money and food seized, it is naturally insignificant in the eyes of the Jin army. After all, as long as the treasure land of Hetao is in hand, it is only a matter of time before it can create thousands of times wealth.
The Jin army did not care about this part of money, food and materials, but the four princes accompanying the army could not care less. Their losses in this battle were not small, and they needed to use this to recover their losses.
Although Zhang Yang, Zhang Chao, Wang Kuang and Wang Shichong were 'forced' to send troops to assist in the battle, they did play an important role in this battle, so they naturally have the right to divide the spoils.
None of the prisoners of war would be given away, so Qin Wen could only make up for it in terms of money and food, and finally paid 60% of all the captures. Only then did the four princes return satisfied.
"Brother, why did you agree to Wang Shichong and the others? We only sent 20,000 troops, but they had to take 60% of the captured troops. Isn't this too much of an appetite?" Qin Jian said with a dissatisfied look on his face.
Qin Wen, who was sitting in the main seat, smiled lightly after hearing this and said softly: "Those seizures are just small profits. The biggest benefit has been taken by my family, so what is there to be dissatisfied with?"
Small profit?
Not only Qin Jian, but also most of the generals present, including military advisor Xi Zhicai, smiled bitterly.
Sixty percent of the seizure was enough to support an army of 50,000 people. Is this still a small profit?
Of course, in a certain sense, what Qin Wen said is correct. After all, compared with the Thousand Miles of Hetao, an army of fifty thousand is nothing.
"Lord, although our army has captured the Hetao, its vitality has been severely damaged."
Xi Zhicai stood up with a solemn expression and said in a deep voice: "When Temujin completely defeats Xianbei, our army will definitely fight for the Hetao again. It will be very difficult for our army to defend this Hetao."
All the generals present looked solemn when they heard this. Although the Jin army had grown a lot over the years, it was still not as fast as the Xiongnu's growth rate.
After Temujin became Shan Yu, he first unified Mobei and then defeated the grassland overlord Xianbei. The strength of the people in the territory increased several times compared with before, and the military front was at its strongest.
The Jin army had just captured the Hetao and had not had time to digest it. With the troops exhausted and trapped, it was indeed difficult to hold the Hetao.
"Why do military advisors say such depressing words?"
Yang Ye stood up with a calm face and said loudly: "The soldiers will block it, and the water will cover it. As long as our Jin army is united, even if the Huns have millions of cavalry, what do our soldiers have to fear?"
"well said."
Qin Jian said with admiration: "Brother Yang is so courageous."
Not only Qin Jian, but also generals such as Zhao Yun, Qin Qiong, and Li Dingguo were also infected by Yang Ye's fearless spirit, and the atmosphere at the scene became lively.
"General Yang is right, no matter how strong the Huns are now, they are still the Huns." Zhao Yun said sonorously and forcefully.
"Yes, my lord has led us to fight against the Huns for seven years, but have we ever lost a single battle?" Xu Huang said solemnly.
"Yes, the Xiongnu only bullied Mobei and Xianbei. If they dare to provoke our Jin army, then continue to teach them how to behave." Qin Yong said.
"well said……"
"That's how it should be..."
"The four generals are overly praised."
Seeing that the generals were not frightened by the huge force of the Xiongnu, Qin Wen nodded happily and said confidently: "Although the Xiongnu is strong, our Jin army is also different from what it used to be. Coupled with the help of many helpers, our Jin army is not what it used to be." Why should the army be afraid of fighting the Huns? Temujin?"
Seeing the confident lord, the generals were equally excited, and then they shouted in unison: "We will swear allegiance to the lord to the death, wipe out the Xiongnu, and pacify the northern border."
Xi Zhicai spoke again at this time.
"My lord, although the Hetao plain is thousands of miles away and there is no danger to defend, the only dangerous place, Yinshan Mountain, has now fallen into the hands of our army.
If the Xiongnu wants to attack Hetao, they can't go around Yinshan Mountain. They just need to rebuild a pass here..."
Qin Qiong's eyes suddenly lit up and he said excitedly: "Yes, and our army is good at defending the city. As long as the Xiongnu can build a pass on the Yinshan dangerous road before the Xiongnu return to the army, they can rely on the pass to block the Xiongnu from the Hetao. outside."
Xi Zhicai was also very surprised by Qin Qiong's performance, and then smiled and said to Qin Wen: "My lord, I recommend General Shu Bao to serve as the new gate guard."
Qin Wen glanced at Qin Qiong, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Shu Bao is still too young. The new pass is related to the safety of Hetao and the three counties of Zhongbei. It cannot be defended unless a steady general."
Qin Qiong is the leader of the young generation of the Qin family, so why would Qin Wen be willing to put him in Yinshan? Accompanying Qin Hao to conquer the world is his true destination.
Qin Wen ignored Qin Qiong who looked disappointed. After scanning the generals again, his eyes finally stopped on Yang Ye.
"General Yang Ye, I don't know if you dare to take on this important task?"
Yang Ye immediately opened his eyes, feeling both surprised and moved.
This new pass is not just a pass, but the military center of the Hetao in the future. The guard of the new pass is not so much a guard as a general of the Hetao on the governor's side.
For such an important position, Qin Wen did not appoint a member of his own family, but handed it over to a person with a foreign surname, which shows his trust in Yang Ye.
Yang Ye suppressed the excitement in his heart, clasped his fists respectfully, and said in a deep voice: "I will definitely live up to my lord's trust."
Qin Wen smiled and nodded, and then said: "Guan Sheng and Qin Yong, you two will serve as the deputy generals of General Yang Ye."
"I will obey my orders."
"There is no need to delay the construction of the new pass. I will order 200,000 laborers to be dispatched. We must build the new pass as quickly as possible."
"promise."
Yang Ye and other three generals said in unison, and then Yang Ye said again: "Please, my lord, name the new pass."
Qin Wen looked at the north and fell into deep thought. After coming back to his senses, he said solemnly: "Just call it... Zhenbeiguan."
