In order to complete the peaceful reunification of Wu as soon as possible, Xiao Yuan did not use absolute force to suppress it, but relatively chose gentle methods.
The advantage of this is that it can stabilize the political system and prevent chaos from happening everywhere.
To put it simply, we will first give you the official positions of these big noble families, so that the whole land of Wu will be brought under the rule of Qin, and then we will purge the official positions.
In this matter, many ministers of Wu State have kept Wu Sha, and they can be said to be satisfied. However, only a few people such as Prime Minister Wu and Yu Shi Zhongcheng have been kept aside. They were neither dismissed by Xiao Yuan nor had any It means to appoint.
You know, Prime Minister Wu is still living in the Prime Minister's Mansion. Logically speaking, based on his status, he should be the first to be mentioned by the King of Qin, but there is no movement.
The other ministers of the State of Wu all have official positions. Isn't it embarrassing that you, the prime minister of a country that has perished, are still here?
Wu Xiang was not a fool, so he naturally understood what Xiao Yuan meant.
On this day, he had to find Xiao Yuan.
In the study room of Prince Wu's palace, after waiting for him to salute, Xiao Yuan put down the bamboo slips in his hand and said with a smile: "Ah, it turns out he is the old prime minister. I don't know why I asked to see you today."
Wu Xiang secretly sighed and said: "Your Majesty, I have long been old and have been ill recently. I am really unable to handle any affairs, and I am no longer able to serve as an official. I just want to retire and return to my hometown. I have come here to resign and return it." I hope your Majesty will grant you permission."
"That's it..." Xiao Yuan pretended to ponder, and then said without even pushing, "Since the old prime minister has said so, it's not easy for me to force you, so I'll grant your request."
Upon hearing this, Wu Lian hurriedly knelt on the ground and said in a trembling voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty——"
Following the resignation of Prime Minister Wu, Yu Shi Zhongcheng and several others also felt sorry for themselves and began to ask Xiao Yuan to resign one after another.
They were all former ministers of the old King Wu and veterans of the two dynasties of the Wu Kingdom. After resigning, Xiao Yuan approved them one by one, but later called Lin Chu.
In the palace study room, the latter stood bowed down, Xiao Yuan simply stretched out his palm and made a gesture on his neck.
Lin Chu's heart moved, and he immediately clasped his fists and said: "I understand, I will do it now, please don't worry, Your Majesty."
"Be clean."
"yes."
Wu Xiang and Yu Shi Zhongcheng are definitely not allowed to stay. Regardless of whether they resign or not, it will be easier to deal with them if they resign. Needless to say, Lin Chu's ability is enough to cause a horse bandit robbery on their way back home. If you kill something, you can easily solve the trouble.
Things in Wu Di seemed to be simple, but in fact they delayed Xiao Yuan for a long time. At this time, his order had already reached Yan Qi.
The latter had no intention of allowing the Southern Barbarian King to retreat easily, let alone after receiving the king's order.
At this time, Jiaoyang City had been violently attacked by the Qin army for more than ten days. The Nanman King had also made preparations to evacuate before and escorted all the captured Central Plains women and looted materials back to the country. Seeing that he could no longer hold it. , began to decisively abandon the city.
The barbarian army abandoned Jiaoyang and fled, and the Qin army took advantage of the situation to attack it. At the same time, a powerful force dispatched by Yanqi was traveling at night and under the stars, detouring around the small road and rushing to Nanping Pass, preparing to cut off the retreat of the barbarian king.
Jiaoyang City was devastated after being occupied by a hundred thousand barbarian troops.
The street was in a mess, with scattered tables and chairs everywhere, street restaurants, old canvases still fluttering in the wind, and not a single pedestrian.
If there were still people in the city who knew that the foreigners had been repulsed, they would definitely come out to greet the Qin army and cheer. There is no doubt about this. But when the army entered the city and walked to the streets, they saw only broken walls and some killed people. Blood stains, but no trace of a human figure.
This place is already an empty city.
Tian Shou followed Yan Qi on horseback and couldn't help but said sadly: "The king of Chu let the southern barbarians enter, which will inevitably lead to this result. It's over for Yang!"
Yan Qi also took a deep breath, looked at a general and said: "General Wu, I order you to lead our cavalry to pursue us along the way! We must attack and kill the Southern Barbarian rear army!"
"No!" General Qin cupped his fists and followed the order.
The Qin army did not rest and recuperate in Jiaoyang. They pursued the cavalry first, followed by the infantry. This pursuit lasted for two full days.
During this period, due to the speed of Qin's cavalry, the Nanman King had no choice but to leave two small groups behind. It was not until the third day that they finally arrived at Nanping Pass.
Once this level is passed, you can safely return to the Southern Barbarian tribe. The Barbarian King was somewhat excited. He was riding a horse directly in front of the team. He was about to let people step forward to switch, but soon, the expression on his face froze.
Because at that moment, on the top of the city of Nanpingguan, countless Qin army soldiers stood up. All they could see were black armor and red tassels. Amidst the sound of armor scraping, they all drew their bows and arrows and aimed them in unison. below.
This Qin army, numbering about 10,000, came over the mountains and around the path earlier. The general who led the army was named Zhao Xiong. When he saw the Nanman army, he didn't say anything and waved his hand directly: "Fire the arrow!"
Following his order, a volley of arrows shot out from the city. Amidst the rain of arrows, the guards around the Barbarian King hurriedly waved their scimitars and shouted loudly: "Protect the king! Protect the king quickly——"
The horse neighed, mixed with some pitiful howls, and the Nanman King quickly turned the horse's head and hurriedly withdrew from the distance of the arrow.
After being pushed back by a hail of arrows and leaving behind some corpses, the Southern Barbarian King said angrily: "Where did the Qin army come from! Why did they appear here!?"
When Wu Tu heard this, he said in a trembling voice: "King, the sudden appearance of the Qin army at Nanping Pass will definitely cut off our army's retreat, and the pursuers behind us are coming. If we don't break through the pass, we won't be able to return home!"
Hearing this, the Southern Barbarian King was furious and drew out his scimitar: "Kill! Kill all these Qin troops -"
"Only by killing them all! Can we return to the country-"
"Kill--"
Now he had no choice but to storm Nanping Pass. The way back was blocked. All the barbarian troops knew this. Therefore, this first round of offensive was very fierce.
Dust was flying on the ground, and countless barbarian troops rushed towards the city gate like they were desperate for their lives.
As for the Qin army, because they were crossing mountains and ridges, they could not carry any luggage at all, and they only had some dry food with them. Fortunately, Nanping Pass was a place that had always resisted the southern barbarians. Although the Chu army had withdrawn before, there were still defensive equipment here. Stones, rolling wood, etc. are all available.
Arrows rained from both sides, shooting back and forth in the sky. During the charge, many barbarian soldiers were shot to the ground before they reached the city, and were trampled to death.
Of course, there were also soldiers of the Qin army who were shot by random arrows and fell down from the city with howls.
Several ladders were set up on the city wall.
While the battle was going on, Zhao Xiong ran back and forth at the top of the city with his sword in hand, shouting loudly:
"All soldiers must not take a step back!"
"If this barrier is lost, we will all be national sinners!"
"Hit me hard!"
(End of chapter)
