Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 157 The Pacification of Xiliang

The dust had not yet settled on the desolate wilderness outside the North Gate. The setting sun, like blood, cast long, distorted shadows of the defeated soldiers and their abandoned baggage. Han Sui, protected by his remaining hundred or so wolf guards and trusted generals, galloped wildly, no longer caring about the dignity of the King of Xiliang. Only one thought remained in his mind—escape! Escape as far as possible! Escape to the Western Regions, or even further west, where there might be a chance to rise again… or at least a place to survive!

However, the increasingly clear and dense sound of hooves behind him struck his heart like a death knell. The Xinghuo Army's cavalry, especially the volunteer cavalry composed of Hu people, pursued the fleeing soldiers across the open field like hawks swooping down on rabbits.

"Your Majesty! This won't do! The pursuers are too close! I'll lead my men to cover the rear. You change horses and take the back road!" a general with a blood-stained face roared, his eyes filled with desperate loyalty.

Looking at his remaining subordinates who were willing to die for him, Han Sui felt a pang of sorrow, but more than that, he felt a sense of desolation and resentment at the end of his rope. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat too dry to produce a decent sound, so he could only nod forcefully.

The general turned his horse around, drew his dulled sword, and roared at the remaining dozens of wolf guards, "Those who are not afraid to die, follow me! The time has come to serve the king!"

However, before they could even organize a proper defensive formation, the pursuers were already closing in. Leading the charge was a general in red robes and silver armor, her black hair flowing—it was none other than Murong Mingyue! Despite her pregnancy, she hadn't stayed behind to defend the rear. Chen Xing hadn't been able to dissuade her from joining the battle, only ordering her to lead the cavalry in pursuit, without personally engaging in frontline combat. But now, with Han Sui so close, Murong Mingyue's phoenix eyes flashed with murderous intent; how could she let him go?

"Han Sui, you old scoundrel! Prepare to die!" Murong Mingyue shouted, brandishing her specially made steel spear. Instead of charging directly into the enemy lines, she raised her hand and waved it.

The Hu Yi cavalry behind her, along with some elite cavalry from the Starfire Fortress headquarters, instantly split into several groups, like a nimble pack of wolves, flanking from both sides, drawing their bows and nocking their arrows—some of the elite were equipped with a modified version of the lightweight crossbow, which was easy to use for mounted archery!

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh-!"

A hail of arrows rained down, precise and deadly. The wolf guards and generals who tried to cover the rear fell from their horses with screams, like wheat cut down by a scythe. The loyal general, struck by several arrows, still brandished his sword and roared, only to be speared away by the Starfire cavalry charging after him.

Han Sui was terrified and whipped his horse, wishing it could go even faster. He now had fewer than twenty guards left.

Murong Mingyue's gaze locked onto the hastily departing figure, and she waved again. Several of Hu Yi's most skilled archers, steadied themselves while running at high speed and pulled the triggers of their crossbows.

"Pfft!"

One after another, Han Sui's guards fell from their horses. A crossbow bolt grazed his ear, drawing a trail of blood, and startled him so much that he almost fell off his horse.

"Protect the King!" The few remaining wolf guards frantically tried to block the arrows with their bodies.

Seeing this, Murong Mingyue knew that arrows alone could not guarantee that Han Sui would be captured. A fierce glint flashed in her eyes, and she spurred her horse on. Her magnificent white warhorse neighed and suddenly accelerated, breaking away from the main formation and chasing after Han Sui like a silver lightning bolt! Several of her most trusted female cavalry attendants were shocked and hurriedly tried to catch up.

"Madam! You must not take this risk!" a general exclaimed from behind.

Murong Mingyue, however, was no longer listening. Han Sui, the culprit of Xiliang, was also one of the possible masterminds behind the Black Mountain Army's siege of Xinghuo Fortress. Without eliminating this villain, Xiliang would be in turmoil, and her husband's ambitions would be jeopardized! She gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, silently praying, "My child, watch as your mother rids your father of this formidable enemy!"

The distance between the two sides closed rapidly. Han Sui turned around and saw that the female killing god had closed to within a hundred paces. Terrified, he frantically whipped his warhorse and, in his panic, rushed into a desolate earthen fortress ruin.

Without hesitation, Murong Mingyue spurred her horse and gave chase. The ruins limited the horse's speed, but they also became the last barrier. Han Sui's horse stumbled, and he fell with a scream against a half-collapsed earthen wall. He struggled to his feet, drew his sword, and leaned against the broken wall, his face covered in blood and despair, looking like a vengeful ghost.

Murong Mingyue reined in her horse, pointed her spear diagonally, and looked at him coldly. Her female cavalry retinue quickly arrived and surrounded her.

"Murong Mingyue...cough cough..." Han Sui gasped for breath, his voice hoarse, "Spare me...I...no, I can tell you about the treasure trove of Xiliang...a treasure trove richer than a country..."

"Xiliang has already fallen to Xinggong; why should I need you to inform me of the treasure?" Murong Mingyue's voice was icy. "Han Wenyue, you are tyrannical and cruel, betrayed by all; today is your death day!"

Knowing he had no hope of survival, Han Sui's eyes flashed with a crazed venom: "You vile woman! You're nothing but a barbarian woman, relying on Chen Xing's favor, how dare you bully me! Even as a ghost, I will not let you go!"

He roared and charged at Murong Mingyue like a mad tiger, sword in hand, making a final desperate attempt.

Murong Mingyue's eyes narrowed, but she did not personally engage in combat; instead, she simply waved her hand lightly.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Three crossbow bolts shot out simultaneously from different angles, accurately piercing Han Sui's chest and throat! His forward momentum came to an abrupt halt, his longsword clattered to the ground, and he looked down in disbelief at his bleeding wound, making a strange "hoarse" sound in his throat. He fell backward, his eyes wide open, and his breath quickly dissipated.

Han Sui, the king of Western Liang who had reigned supreme for nearly twenty years, perished amidst the ruins of his desolate fortress.

Murong Mingyue rode forward, confirmed that he was dead, and said in a deep voice, "Sever his head and properly collect it. As for the rest of the body... bury it on the spot." She was not a bloodthirsty person and retained a basic respect for the dead, even though he deserved to die.

"Here you go!"

When Murong Mingyue returned to Guzang with Han Sui's head and news of the victory, the fighting within the city was essentially over. The Xinghuo Army had taken full control of the Western Liang capital and was currently mopping up the remaining enemies, pacifying the people, and inventorying the treasury. Chen Xing had taken over the former Western Liang royal residence and temporarily designated it as his headquarters.

Upon hearing of Murong Mingyue's return and her successful slaying of Han Sui, Chen Xing was overjoyed and personally went to greet her. Seeing his beloved wife, travel-worn but radiant and unharmed, he was completely relieved. He grasped her hand in front of everyone and praised, "Mingyue's achievement will be recorded in history!"

Murong Mingyue smiled slightly and presented the wooden box containing Han Sui's head.

News of Han Sui's execution spread rapidly throughout the city, and the remaining resistance vanished completely. Upon learning of the fall of Guzang and Han Sui's death, the morale of Yan Xing and Liang Xing's forces collapsed. One force was defeated by a combined attack from Chen Wei and Zhang Heng, with Yan Xing being killed in battle by Zhang Heng. The other force, led by Liang Xing, surrendered to the approaching Xinghuo Army detachment. Cheng Yin then seized the opportunity to lead his troops out of the city to join forces with the Xinghuo Army, together pacifying the surrounding counties.

At this point, the entire territory of Western Liang, except for a few remote areas in the far west that still require time to be pacified by issuing proclamations, has been basically pacified.

A few days later, a grand ceremony was held in Guzang City to present the captives and celebrate the victory. Chen Xing publicly listed Han Sui's crimes and announced the pacification of Xiliang. After Han Sui's head was displayed to various prefectures, it was buried. The surrendered Xiliang generals and officials were appointed, resettled, or dismissed according to their talents, merits, and past actions. The policy of leniency and severity was balanced, and the situation was quickly stabilized. Zhang Heng was officially appointed as General Zhenxi for his merits and temporarily took charge of the military affairs of Longxi and Hexi; Cheng Yin was appointed as the Prefect of Jincheng and given the title of General Yangwei for his merit in surrendering the city; the other surrendered generals were also rewarded.

As for Li Kan, who opened the city gates at a crucial moment, Chen Xing, following Jia Wen's advice, rewarded him with gold and silk, but did not grant him any real power or high position, only giving him a sinecure. His troops were disbanded and incorporated into various armies. Although Li Kan had some complaints, seeing Han Sui's fate, he dared not say anything more.

Chen Xing issued a special order to search for Pang De's whereabouts and publicly exonerated him, praising his loyalty and bravery. Soon after, Pang De, upon hearing the news, returned from his hiding place with his remaining troops. Chen Xing personally received him, comforted him with kind words, praised his integrity, and appointed him General of the Vanguard, ordering him to command a portion of the Hu Yi Cong and selected warriors from the surrendered Xiliang soldiers. Pang De, deeply grateful for Chen Xing's kindness, wept and bowed in thanks, vowing to serve him to the death.

Under Jia Wen's leadership, the Supervisory Office quickly took over the original intelligence network of Xiliang and vigorously rectified officialdom, investigated the remaining followers of Han Sui, and brought some cruel and corrupt officials who aroused great public resentment to justice. At the same time, it selected local talented and virtuous people to supplement the official ranks, winning the hearts of many people.

Militarily, the main force of the Xinghuo Army began to withdraw in batches, leaving only Chen Wei, Zhang Heng, Pang De and other troops to guard key locations, reorganizing the surrendered soldiers of Xiliang, eliminating the old and weak, retaining the elite, and retraining and reorganizing them according to the standards of the Xinghuo Army.

After this battle, Xinghuobao's territory expanded westward by a thousand miles, gaining full access to the fertile lands of Liangzhou and its source of warhorses, greatly replenishing its population, resources, and military strength. More importantly, it completely eliminated the biggest threat to its flank, significantly improving its strategic situation.

Standing atop the newly renovated city of Guzang, Chen Xing gazed towards the vast Western Regions and said to Jia Wen, Murong Mingyue, and the others beside him, "With Xiliang secured and our rear stable, it's time for us to turn our attention to an even wider world."

Standing atop the newly renovated city of Guzang, Chen Xing gazed towards the vast Western Regions and said to Jia Wen, Murong Mingyue, and the others beside him, "With Xiliang secured and our rear stable, it's time for us to turn our attention to an even wider world."

Jia Wen stroked his beard and smiled, replying, "What my lord says is absolutely right. Xiliang is newly annexed; we should garrison it with elite troops, govern it with capable officials, expand its agricultural settlements, and solidify our foundation. The people here are fierce, the warhorses are excellent, and the people are a mix of Han and non-Han; with proper management, it can become a solid foundation and source of elite troops for our southward or westward advance within three years." He paused briefly, his gaze becoming distant, "And after this battle, our army's fame will surely spread throughout the north and south of the Yangtze River. The southern alliance of warlords will likely no longer be able to sit idly by. In this grand game of the world, we have already seized a crucial piece; now, it is our turn to dominate the game."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xing laughed heartily, his spirit soaring. The pacification of Xiliang had eliminated the greatest threat to their flank, gaining invaluable strategic depth and resources. The path to establishing a dukedom and dominating the north was now laid out before him. He turned, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers busily reorganizing below the city walls, and towards the southeast. There lay a more prosperous land, more complex forces, and… a battle for supremacy destined to be even more intense.