lcionline Chapter 405 The End
Chapter 405 The End
Duan Tianyang handed over the captives of the Panda army to Sa Ding, and Sa Ding executed them all without exception.
When clearing the battlefield, the Hongxing Army dug on the spot and turned the Panda people's residence into a huge mass grave. The bodies were thrown into the bottomless pit one by one, and were eventually completely buried by the thick loess, leaving no trace.
For the soldiers of the Hongxing Army who died in battle, they erected a monument in another place to commemorate them so that they can rest in peace.
This battle was another genocide war directed by Duan Tianyang in the Xifan region. The Panda tribe, a once notorious clan, withdrew from the stage of history, and its vast territory was taken over by the ambitious Wild Wolf tribe.
The reason why Duan Tianyang adopted the Mad Wolf's plan and carried out this cruel genocide was that he had a far-reaching strategy behind it.
On the one hand, he aimed to consolidate the alliance with the Wild Wolf Tribe and add a formidable backup force to the Hongxing Army in Xifan; on the other hand, he took this opportunity to demonstrate the iron fist and determination of the Hongxing Army to the entire Xifan region and warn potential enemies that if they become enemies of the Hongxing Army, they will face catastrophic disaster.
As the Hongxing Army is about to enter the territory of the Jin Kingdom, the position of the Xifan region as its rear base is crucial.
Duan Tianyang knew very well that if the Western Fan tribes were bribed by the Jin Kingdom, formed an alliance and cut off his retreat, the consequences would be disastrous.
The war of genocide came to an end. Sading found Duan Tianyang, smiling widely, with the corners of his mouth almost touching his ears. He sincerely praised: "The Hongxing Army under Lord Duan is truly brave and invincible. It is amazing, haha!"
Duan Tianyang smiled calmly upon hearing this, and responded modestly: "This great victory is the result of the Wild Wolf Tribe fighting side by side with our army."
Hearing this, Sading laughed even louder, scratched his head and said with a smile: "Master Duan, you are too kind."
Between countries, strength is respected. After witnessing the combat power of the Hongxing Army with his own eyes, Sa Ding's attitude towards Duan Tianyang has quietly changed. His former arrogance has gradually subsided, and has been replaced by full respect and humility.
Duan Tianyang looked solemn and said, "Our army will rest here for one night. Tomorrow, our army will continue to set off for the Kingdom of Jin."
Sading coughed lightly, lowered his voice, and said earnestly: "Lord Duan should be able to feel that my father has high hopes for you. He has repeatedly dissuaded you from going deep into the Kingdom of Jin, and there must be a deep meaning behind it. I hope you will think twice."
Duan Tianyang raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes deep, as if thinking about what Sading said.
After a moment, he slowly shook his head, his tone firm: "This battle with the Kingdom of Jin is inevitable. For both public and private reasons, I will not retreat."
"Since Lord Duan has made the decision, I will not say anything more. Lord Duan is going deep into the heart of the Jin Kingdom to fight. Although I want to help, I feel that I am not capable enough." Sading sighed lightly, and then a gleam of inspiration flashed in his eyes. He smiled and suggested: "But I can offer Lord Duan a few falcon trainers in the tribe, who may be able to help you."
Duan Tianyang was quite surprised when he heard this. He had never expected that Sading would make such an arrangement.
Sading then waved his hand, and a dark-skinned, extremely strong young man came over.
Sading solemnly introduced: "Master Duan, this is Miller, the falconer in my tribe, whose falconry skills are unmatched."
After that, he whispered something to Miller in the foreign language. Miller was stunned at first, then he touched his chest and saluted Duan Tianyang to show his respect.
Duan Tianyang had long experienced the convenience and efficiency of falcons in transmitting messages.
There are no mobile phones here, and falcons are more convenient and flexible than carrier pigeons.
Carrier pigeons are limited to fixed routes, but falcons can fly across thousands of mountains and rivers. As long as they recognize human voices and eagle calls, they can quickly and accurately find and deliver information no matter where the other party is.
If the gift was something else, Duan Tianyang might have declined, but if the gift was a falcon trainer, he would gladly accept.
Miller has a lot of men under his command, and they are all experts in falconry. Their joining has undoubtedly injected new vitality into the Hongxing Army, enabling a qualitative leap in the army's ability to coordinate operations.
As night fell, Sading and Duan Tianyang said goodbye to each other reluctantly, then turned around and led his people back to the Wild Wolf Tribe to discuss with Mad Wolf the takeover of the Panda territory.
The next morning, Duan Tianyang led the Hongxing Army to continue their journey. They crossed the Panda tribe and after six days, they finally arrived at the border between the Jin Kingdom and Xifan.
There is a border city here, named Jinguan, which has now been captured by the imperial army and is garrisoned.
The one guarding this place was a battalion commander in the imperial army named Lei Jin, who had only 500 men under his command, as well as 2,000 temporarily recruited volunteers.
Upon hearing the news that Duan Tianyang was coming with a large army, Lei Jin immediately led 500 of his men out of the city to welcome them. Seeing the vast and endless Hongxing army, everyone could not hide their excitement.
Lei Jin walked quickly to Duan Tianyang's horse and bowed: "I am Lei Jin, and I pay my respects to Master Duan!"
Lei Jin had met Duan Tianyang once when Yi Shuirou assisted the Hongxing Army in conquering Shengluo City, so he recognized him at a glance.
Duan Tianyang immediately dismounted, helped Lei Jin up, and said, "General Lei, please don't be polite."
Lei Jin was grateful, stepped aside to make way, and respectfully invited: "Sir, please enter the city!"
Duan Tianyang then said to Xiao Fang and Guan Hu beside him: "Xiao Fang, Tiger, you are responsible for setting up camp outside the city."
The two of them responded in unison and left immediately after receiving the order.
Afterwards, Duan Tianyang entered Jinguan City with generals including Qiu Tieyi, Lu Jingyuan, and Hua Duoer.
Jinguan, once the territory of a small foreign country, was incorporated into the territory of the Jin Dynasty due to its conquest. Many exotic buildings are still preserved in the city. Many of the residents have white faces with deep eyes and high noses, showing different racial features.
In Duan Tianyang's eyes, these people look similar to modern Europeans and Americans, with no difference.
As they walked, Duan Tianyang turned his head and asked, "General Lei, has the princess sent any news about the battle situation on the front line recently?"
Lei Jin smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Master Duan, I was just a centurion in the past. Fortunately, I was appreciated by the princess and was promoted to the battalion guard leader after the battle of Jinguan. I also took on the responsibilities of the lord of Jinguan and the chief of the city guard. I am of low rank and my words are not taken seriously. How could the princess' important battle report be passed to a small soldier like me?"
Duan Tianyang understood Yi Shuirou's intention. To capture the Jin city, he would have to send troops to garrison it. However, generals were scarce and it would be difficult to cover every city.
It is a reasonable arrangement to send a battalion guard commander to a rear-defense town like Jinguan.
While the two were talking, there was a sudden commotion in the alley beside the road.
Then, several burly foreign men in black military uniforms appeared, escorted several young men dressed as Jin people to the side of the road, and forced them to kneel down.
A strong man of a foreign race stood on the ground with a knife in his hand, and said arrogantly: "If you resist the army, you will be executed on the spot!"
The order was given and the big men carried out the attack with their swords. The young man's head rolled off, blood splattered everywhere, and passers-by screamed in fear and fled in all directions.
Before the killing stopped, another large foreigner came out of the alley with several young women.
Witnessing the tragic scene, the women cried and wailed.
The foreign man remained unmoved and dragged them away.
Duan Tianyang frowned and stared at these foreign men in military uniforms. Their uniforms were neither the imperial court style nor those of the Jin army. There were round pieces of cloth with white characters sewn on their chests and backs, with the word "Yi" written on them. Their identities remained a mystery.