"Stop the attack!"
The strong smell of blood filled their nostrils as they raised their arms and roared. The flag bearer of QianFeng's flagship quickly passed down the order, and the sound of cannons became less and less frequent.
"What's wrong, Marshal?" QianFeng narrowed his eyes and said, "Didn't we decide not to keep any captives?"
"That was then, and this is now."
Lin Muyu said, "The overall situation is uncertain, and keeping captives is a burden. But now that the overall situation has been set, bring these captives back to the Celestial Pole Continent, give them three months' worth of rations and military expenses, and then give them grain seeds and let them go home to farm. This way … they can spread the wisdom of the Qin Empire to the entire Celestial Pole Continent. What a good deal."
"But …"
QianFeng was somewhat hesitant and said, "In the naval battle of Changyuan Island, we almost annihilated nearly 500,000 Shang army soldiers. Our reputation for killing has already spread. Isn't it futile to accept them now?"
"Don't worry, the Shang army near Changyuan Island has already been wiped out. No one knows that we slaughtered 500,000 people." A hint of killing intent flashed in Lin Muyu's eyes as she said, "After entering Xiping City, immediately put up a notice to pacify the people. Tell the world that the Shang army captives near Changyuan Island have been left on Changyuan Island because of the shortage of warships. They will be sent by fishing boats to the Shattered Tripod Realm to serve as farm laborers."
QianFeng smiled slightly and said, "Marshal is wise. To attack the world, attack the heart. Marshal is indeed an expert."
Lin Muyu couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "Marshal, why tease me? Do you think I, Lin Muyu, want to be such a scheming person who stirs up the storm? But if I don't do it, won't someone else have to suffer? "
QianFeng knew that she was talking about Qin Yin. He smiled and cupped his fists, saying, "QianFeng swears loyalty to Marshal and Her Highness Yin in this life. Even if I die in battle, I will never regret it!"
"Thank you."
Lin Muyu patted his shoulder lightly and said, "But now is not the time for you to climb a mountain of swords and dive into a sea of flames. Now is the time for you to make contributions. take the captives and the warships."
"Yes!"
…
A speedboat sped away, slowly docking at the edge of the Shang army's flagship. Lin Muyu and QianFeng leaped onto the flagship. Both of them were wearing the armor of the Qin Empire, and their military insignias were flashing, making them easy to recognize.
The commander of the fleet, Shi Yuqiu, had also seen some generals of the Qin Empire before. The one with two golden stars was Captaincy, and the one with three stars was the commander. Shi Yuqiu had seen two stars, but he had never seen a higher one. This time, two people came, one with three stars and the other with five stars. One could imagine their status in the army.
"Surrendering General … Shi Yuqiu greets the two sirs!"
Shi Yuqiu knelt down, and the commanders, deputy commanders, Captaincy, and chiliarchs behind him also knelt down.
Lin Muyu raised her hand and said, "Commander Shi, please rise. I am Great Qin's Lin Muyu. I represent the Qin Empire to accept your surrender. Now, please put down your weapons."
"Yes!"
Shi Yuqiu put down his sword and put it on the deck in front of Lin Muyu's feet. With a bit of doubt on his face, he asked, "How does the Marshal plan to deal with us?"
"Don't worry. Since I have accepted you as captives, I won't kill you. After you go ashore, disband your army. I will give you food, travel expenses, and grain seeds. You can go back to your hometown to reunite with your families. "
"Really? Thank you, Marshal … thank you, Marshal! "
Shi Yuqiu kowtowed again and again.
Lin Muyu nodded and didn't say anything more. She just ordered the sergeants to raise the purple flag of the Qin Empire on the flagship.
…
The fierce battle on the East Sea finally ended after nearly a day and a night. In the end, the Qin Empire won completely. The warships carrying the captives sailed eastward with the wind and arrived at the Xiping Port before dark. At this time, the flag of the Qin Empire was flying over the Xiping Port. The town of Tang had lived up to expectations and had taken the city.
One by one, the warships docked at the port. At the same time, the magic crystal cannons, shells, and warhorses were transferred to the shore.
In the evening, a celebratory dinner was held in the residence of the Xiping Port. However, it wasn't really a celebration. It was more like reorganizing the three armies. Everyone looked gloomy and didn't feel the joy of a wild victory.
The empress Qin Yin sat at the head of the table, while Lin Muyu and Tang Xiaoxi sat on both sides. Feng Jixing, QianFeng, and the others sat next to them. Everyone was waiting for the staff officer to finish the statistics.
Zhang Wei tore off a chicken leg and ate it as a sign of respect.
On the other hand, Wei Chou smiled faintly. He rested his chin on his hand and seemed to be in a daze.
The lights in the residence were a little dim. Xiang Yu, Chen Xiaoli, Qin Yong, Baili Cang, and the other generals looked at Qin Yin and Lin Muyu with burning eyes. The atmosphere of this celebratory dinner was a little too heavy.
Not long after, Guan Xing walked into the hall with a list in his hand and said respectfully, "Your Highness, the statistics are out."
"Read it," Qin Yin said.
"Yes."
Guan Xing looked at the list and said, "In this battle, our army lost a total of 1,844 warships, more than 84700 soldiers, 52100 missing, and about 70,000 injured. More than 80% of the magic crystal cannons were used up, and more than 100,000 warhorses were lost. In addition, nearly half of our rations and equipment were lost. After distributing the Jinyin coins to the captives, we were left with less than 30%. The combat strength of the entire army was greatly depleted."
All the generals were stunned. Only now did they know why Qin Yin and Lin Muyu didn't have any smiles on their faces. Although the fierce battle at the East Sea was considered a great victory, the losses were far beyond anyone's imagination.
"More than 50,000 people are missing, which means that 130,000 people died in battle." Lin Muyu's eyes were somewhat dull as she said, "In addition to the 70,000 injured, only half of our 450,000 soldiers can fight in the battle at the East Sea."
Wei Chou cupped his fists and said, "Marshal, the most important thing is that our rations have been exhausted. There is no food in this Xiping Port. When the enemy retreated, they burned the granary. We don't even know where the rations for tomorrow's noon are. After all, we still have 300,000 soldiers, and the daily rations are an extremely terrifying number. General Ding Xi, as the commander of the Supply Department, what do you have to say?"
Ding Xi frowned and said, "Even the cleverest housewife can't cook without rice. This is all I have on hand. Most of the warships are occupied by warhorses, weapons, armors, and heavy artillery. I can't do anything about it."
Chu Yao said, "Also, there is a serious shortage of medicine. Half of the warships that were responsible for transporting medicine were sunk by Filet when he broke out of the encirclement. Now there are more than 70,000 wounded soldiers in need of medical treatment. Bleeding control, anti-inflammatory medicine, and other medicines are extremely insufficient."
Xiang Yu said, "Lin General, Xiping Port is only a port. It is not a place to stay for long. We must quickly capture a large city as a foundation, otherwise … … we will be trapped here. Although the Shang army was routed at sea, their land army didn't suffer the slightest loss. Once they attack, we will be caught off guard."
Lin Muyu only felt an incomparably big headache. She said, "One by one, let's talk about the rations first. How much gold coins have we brought? Quickly send people to the nearby areas to purchase food and livestock."
"I'm afraid this is just a drop in the bucket." Tang Xiaoxi said, "Mu, Chen Yu is such a powerful person. He has already ordered to fortify the walls and clear the fields. The civilians near Xiping Port will not have any food, unless we are like Gong Shangming and Beiming Huan, capturing and eating people."
"The Qin army will never eat people." Lin Muyu looked at Si Kongyao with pleading eyes. She said, "Yao, think of a way!"
Si Kongyao pursed her red lips. "You finally thought of me?! Hmph, I do have a way, but it depends on whether you want to use it or not. "
"Yes, tell me."
"Xiping City, such a huge city, one of the famous cities in the Celestial Pole Continent. Right now, there are only Chen Yu's 10,000 old, weak, and sick soldiers defending it. Once we take Xiping City, will we have to worry about food?"
"Will Chen Yu give Xiping City to us so easily?" Lin Muyu was a little suspicious. She frowned and said, "If I were Chen Yu, I would burn down Xiping City and not leave it for us."
"I think Chen Yu has already done that," Qin Yin said.
Situ Sen raised his eyebrows and said, "If I were the marshal, I would not waste time chatting here. Instead, I would send an armored cavalry with armor-piercing bows to attack Xiping City. Xiping City is only 400 miles away from Xiping Port. We can reach Xiping City in one night and attack it before Chen Yu has time to burn down the granaries. This is the best strategy."
"I think so too." Lin Muyu smiled and picked up an arrow of command. She said, "Situ Sen, listen to my order. I order you to immediately lead 20,000 armored cavalry from the Longdan Army Camp to attack Xiping City overnight with the aim of seizing the provisions. You must solve the problem of the provisions before dawn."
"Damn …" Situ Sen grinned. "Is it just because I spoke too much?"
"Yes, what else do you have to say?"
"Can I finish the soup before I leave?"
"No, I can't. Servants, fill a pot of thick soup for General Situ Sen and let him drink it on the way."
"Yes, marshal!"
Situ Sen did not know whether to laugh or cry. He cupped his fists and said, "I understand! Marshal, if you torture me like this, I will definitely get hemorrhoids. "
"Even if I get hemorrhoids, I must take Xiping City. Go quickly."
"Yes!"
Everyone laughed. Looking at the three armies, perhaps only Situ Sen dared to speak like this to the marshal of the empire without being punished. However, Situ Sen was indeed a famous general and a fierce general. He would definitely complete the orders given by Lin Muyu. As for the methods used, that was secondary.
A few minutes later, Situ Sen carried a pot of thick soup and left.
Lin Muyu said, "Continue, tell me how to solve the problem of the lack of medicine."
"This is relatively simple."
Si Kongyao replied, "Less than seventy li from here, there is a county city called Fei County. Fei County is a city famous for its medicinal herbs. It was once the city where all the herbs in the West Mountain Province were concentrated. I can immediately dispatch five thousand cavalry to Fei County. Before dawn, they will bring back a large amount of hemostatic and anti-inflammatory medicines."
Chu Yao said happily, "If that can be done, that would be the best!"
At this moment, Qin Yan, who was guarding the door, walked in and said, "Big Brother, it's starting to snow again."
"It's snowing again …"
Lin Muyu frowned and said, "Let's not care about that. Order the three armies to rest and reorganize tonight. We will leave for Xiping City tomorrow morning."
"Yes!"
"Wait a moment, Commander Baili Cang. I have an order for you."
"Marshal, please instruct me!" Baili Cang cupped his fists.
"Tomorrow morning, bring dry rations and water and leave Xiping Port with 30,000 of the empire's navy. Return to Lingdong Province and transport the rest of our troops and supplies over as soon as possible. We have captured nearly 3,000 Shang army warships, enough to be your cargo ships. "
"Yes, understood!"
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