Just kill them?
Hearing Qiandu's answer, the generals looked at each other. This is Her Highness's way of dealing with it? Do they really have to obey the order and kill all the surrendered soldiers?
General Mu Qiang was experienced and prudent. He was also the old general that the Peacock King Ying Boyan had specially sent to assist his daughter. Seeing that everyone was looking at each other, and then at him, he knew that he had to stand up and say something.
"Your Highness — — is it really going to kill all the surrendered soldiers?"
"What does General Mu Qiang think is wrong?"
"Military orders must be obeyed, Her Highness is the commander of the army, naturally she will carry out the order — — it's just that, I think — — the number of surrendered soldiers is too large, it's not appropriate to kill them all — —"
"Oh? How many surrendered soldiers? "
"At that time, Her Highness personally led the Ghost Dancer Corps to break the gate from the sky, so most of the soldiers in Luo City are still intact and there are very few casualties — — Luo City is an important city of the Great Zhou, there are sixty thousand soldiers stationed in the city. If we kill all sixty thousand people, it will most likely cause fierce resistance from the people of Luo City, which will be disadvantageous to our defense of the city in the future — —"
"Sixty thousand — —" Qiandu thought for a moment, and also felt that the order she issued was somewhat ridiculous.
If she were to kill all sixty thousand people, she would most likely end up with the title of 'Butcher Princess'? At that time, the other countries would be outraged and would certainly resist the conquest of the Peacock Kingdom.
Even in the prestigious Peacock Imperial Court, the people would not be willing to do such a crazy thing — —
But, why would she say such a way to deal with it?
Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and said the answer that she had been waiting for a long time.
Could it be that, deep in her bones — — was such a bloodthirsty person?
Not only Qiandu, but everyone present looked at her with curiosity and doubt in their eyes.
Princess Qiandu's magnanimity, kindness, wisdom and kindness had spread throughout the divine continent. Especially the people of the Peacock Imperial Court, who really loved their Little Princess. They were also deeply proud of her, and when they talked to their friends and businessmen from other countries, they would all address her as' our Princess'.
Even when the people were wronged, she would personally investigate the truth and give them justice. Several disabled veterans had worked hard to bring back from the battlefield to reunite with their families.
But now she opened her mouth and said to slaughter sixty thousand prisoners of war? If this matter were to spread out, I'm afraid … countless people would not be able to sleep, right?
This was the Princess of the Peacock Imperial Court, the future Peacock Empress, and possibly the only Emperor of the entire Divine continent.
If she really had such a temperament, then everything she did before was just a facade. Who would be willing to work under such people?
Therefore, they had no choice but to be cautious.
"Do the generals have any suggestions?" Qiandu looked at Mu Qiang and the others and threw the question to them.
"Killing them is inauspicious, and it will damage the reputation of the Empire and Her Highness. But if we simply imprison them like this, it's not good for us to watch over them … There are 60,000 surrendered soldiers, and there are millions of civilians in Luoyang City. If there's a mutiny, I'm afraid they'll turn the tables and regain control of Luoyang City. " Mu Qiang frowned deeply and said, "Originally, I wanted to leave 30,000 soldiers to take over Luoyang City, but if that's the case … I'm afraid that 30,000 soldiers are far from enough."
"It's even more disadvantageous for us to have too many soldiers. If we split our forces like this, I'm afraid we won't have many soldiers left before we even reach the capital of Great Zhou …"
"Why don't we listen to Her Highness and slaughter them all … We took so much effort to retake Luoyang City, we can't let them take it back …"
"If we slaughter the 60,000 soldiers in Luoyang City, I'm afraid we'll have to invest several times or even dozens of times more soldiers' lives in the future to take the city … Since surrendering is also a dead end, why not resist with all our might and still have a chance of survival …"
* * *
The generals had different opinions, but no one could come up with a satisfactory answer after much discussion.
Soon, everyone's eyes focused on Qiandu again, waiting for her wise decision.
Qiandu pondered for a moment and said, "Since we can't kill them, and we can't let them go … then let them starve."
"Starve?"
"Yes. Only a bowl of thin soup a day, "Qiandu said firmly.
"Your Highness, the captives are all young and strong men. If they only eat a bowl of thin soup a day, I'm afraid … there will be heavy casualties." Mu Qiang could not bear to see it and advised.
Qiandu glanced at Mu Qiang and said firmly, "War has always been a cruel thing."
"Yes, Princess …"
"Tang Haoying will lead the 30,000 firearms troops to guard Luoyang City. The rest of the troops will be deployed tomorrow. Are there any other questions? "
"Yes." The generals cupped their hands in agreement.
Walking out of the mayor's residence, Mu Qiang looked up at the sky with a grave expression.
Zhu Rong walked to Mu Qiang's side and whispered, "General Mu, are you worried?"
"A bowl of thin soup a day in the dead of winter … I'm afraid half of the 60,000 soldiers will be lost. This is not a trap to kill, but it's even crueler than that … Her Highness's move will probably cause chaos. "Mu Qiang said worriedly. "Her Highness is not an ordinary person. If it was someone else who did this, we wouldn't say anything. But Her Highness is about to … to inherit the world. To do this at this time, I'm afraid it will damage Her Highness's reputation. "
"Yes." Zhu Rong nodded and said, "The generals have tried to persuade Her Highness, but Her Highness did not allow it. This means that she has made up her mind. Don't we know Her Highness's character well enough? Who could change the things she had decided on? Even His Majesty will have a hard time convincing her … "
"I feel that Her Highness … has become a different person after waking up."
"Ah, General Mu Qiang also feels this way? I thought it was strange just now. Whenever I see Her Highness, I feel a sense of unfamiliarity … but I don't know what the problem is. If it was Her Highness's previous personality, even if one of us suggested this method, she probably wouldn't accept it. This time, not only did she proactively say that she wants to kill the 60,000 surrendered soldiers, she even deliberately left 'Eagle King General' Tang Haoying to guard Luo City … as if she's afraid that the other generals won't follow her orders and have the intention to disobey. When has Her Highness ever doubted our loyalty? "
"It's not that she doubts our loyalty …" Mu Qiang comforted. "But, I still feel that this is not appropriate … Luo City is to the north, and it's currently the bitter cold season. Every drop of water has turned into ice. If there's another heavy snowfall … I'm afraid that all 60,000 soldiers will die. I have to go talk to Her Highness again and ask her to reconsider. "
Zhu Rong grabbed Mu Qiang and said, "General Mu Qiang, if you go now, I'm afraid it'll only add fuel to the fire … Think about it, why did His Majesty send you to Her Highness and give you the power to supervise the army? It's because His Majesty thinks that Her Highness is young and not experienced enough … The decision made by the princess is now publicly rejected by you. How will others look at Her Highness in the future? What will Her Highness think of you, General? "
"General Zhu, what do you mean?"
"Why don't we do as Her Highness says first. This will also boost Her Highness's reputation and authority. "Zhu Rong said. "Then, we can send a letter to His Majesty from Chu Die and ask him to rectify this matter … At that time, Her Highness will be busy with other wars and naturally won't have time to care about Luo City. And His Majesty will directly give an order to Tang Haoying. Would General Tang dare to disobey? "
Mu Qiang looked deeply at Zhu Rong and said with a smile, "This is a good plan. Then let's do as General Zhu says."
"We're all thinking for Her Highness … The Empire is sending troops this time, and His Majesty is here personally. What is it for? It's for … Her Highness to be able to rule the world one day. At that time, Her Highness will be the ruler of the Divine Prefecture. How can she be burdened by such a bad reputation? "
"General Zhu is young and promising. In the future, you will definitely be the pillar of our Empire."
"I still have to rely on General Zhu to train me." Zhu Rong bowed deeply to Mu Qiang.
※ ※ ※
※ ※
Yan City. Simapo.
The Peacock army charged down from the Yellow Earth Slope and pounced on the Great Zhou army like wolves and tigers.
"Kill them all." Qiandu stood on the peacock and shouted in a deep voice.
"Her Highness, they're about to surrender …"
"Leave none alive."
※ ※ ※
Tai City. One Line of Sky.
Princess Qiandu took the lead, the long sword in her hand cutting off the head of an enemy general. Her voice was like a blade as she shouted, "Kill."
The three thousand Ghost Dancer Corps followed closely behind, the Zhanmadao in their hands cutting off one head after another.
※ ※ ※
Li Zhou. Along the Yellow River.
The Peacock army pursued and killed the defeated Great Zhou soldiers. Those despairing soldiers wailed like ghosts and howled like wolves as they plunged into the surging Yellow River.
He pounced on another path of certain death.
※ ※ ※
Zhongzhou. The central military tent.
The Peacock King Ying Boyan's face was grim. He looked at a map on the table and was silent for a long time.
Imperial Advisor Ying Wuyu stood by his side and comforted him, "Bo Yan, you don't have to worry. We watched Qiandu grow up. There must be a reason why she is acting like this … When a general is outside, the emperor's orders must not be obeyed. Since you have appointed her as the commander of the army, then you should give her enough trust. "
"You really think … I should give her enough trust?" Ying Boyan turned to look at Ying Wuyu and said, "Did Second Uncle not notice that she is different from before?"
"She is a little different from before. Perhaps, this is also because of the change in identity … She used to be a leisurely little princess, but now she is a General with heavy responsibilities …"
"Second Uncle, Qiandu is my daughter. No one knows a daughter better than her father … People will change because of external forces, but their temperament will not change so much … She used the 'one soup a day method' to starve thousands of surrendered soldiers to death in Luo City. She massacred in Yan City, Tai City, Li Zhou and other places, leaving almost no captives … Mu Qiang, Zhu Rong and the other generals have repeatedly spread the news, hoping that I will personally come forward to solve the problem and appease the princess …"
"Why did they beg me to come forward? That is because it is difficult to persuade them if they come forward themselves … Qiandu used to be an arrogant and willful person who did not listen to others? "
"Of course not."
"I let her lead an army, that is because I want to build her reputation and establish her dignity, and not because she is so arrogant and despotic … Do you know how the outside world is saying about her now? They say that she was bewitched by the evil dragon Li Muyang and turned into an evil dragon princess who likes to eat people's hearts and livers … The hearts and livers of the soldiers she killed were dug out and eaten by the evil dragon princess … "
"This is a trick of the enemy country …"
"Of course I know this is a trick, but do the people of China know? If people spread it like this, how can they take over the throne in the future … How can they become the ruler of the world? "
"Bo Yan, don't be angry …"
"Second Uncle, I have to stay in the middle army, so I can't go to the front to see her personally. Now, only you are suitable to see her, because she will listen to you. If others go … I am afraid it will be difficult to persuade them. Bo Yan wants to ask Second Uncle to go to Li Zhou … "
"If I go, the strong people outside who want to assassinate Bo Yan will find a gap. Although the guards around Bo Yan are strong enough, I still can't feel at ease. You have to know that if you are lost, the three armies will automatically collapse … "
"Then what should I do? I only have this one daughter, and I have high hopes for her … I can't just watch her destroy herself … "
Ying Wuyu pondered for a moment and said, "I have a suitable candidate in mind …"
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