Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Chapter 1188 – Killing Themselves For Their Country
Wei Qing was not willing to be captured just like that, but there was nothing he could do.
In the next three days, using the occupied castle as a breach, the Great Xia army continued their furious attacks and quickly reached the foot of the imperial city. In the two days, the Han army was obviously unwilling to show much resistance. They often surrendered after fighting for a short amount of time.
This was something that Wei Qing could not control.
At such a stage, no one would be able to save Great Han.
At this very moment, Great Xia Grand Council minister and southeast warzone commander Han Xin represented the Great Xia Imperial Court to send the final surrender notification, “Great Han has two days to surrender. The Xia King is merciful and promises the continuation of the royal family bloodline. If not, and you continue to fight stubbornly, we will wipe out the Liu bloodline.”
The moment the surrender notification was received, not only was the Great Han Imperial Court astonished, but even Liu Fuling could not sit still.
If he could not protect the Liu family bloodline, Liu Fuling would be the sinner of Great Han and would not be able to face his ancestors. He did not hesitate at all, as he had no choice. The next day, Liu Fuling expressed his intentions to surrender.
When Wei Qing saw that, he was helpless to reject.
7th month, 28th day, after receiving the order from the Imperial Court, the Han army all surrendered. Han Xin led the Great Xia army to swiftly take control of Luoyang City to defend the important pass and the remaining granary.
The Battle of Luoyang had come to an end.
Just as the Great Xia army was busy taking control of Luoyang, a shocking piece of news spread out.
Once general Wei Qing returned to his residence, he commited suicide to die for his country. Apart from him, Sima Qian and Zhang Qian also committed suicide in their respective residences. They would rather die than surrender.
They wanted to die for Hanwu Emperor and die for Great Han.
The most elite talents often died during their best years.
After hearing about the news of Wei Qing committing suicide, Ouyang Shuo, who was in Shanhai City, was speechless for a long while. This was a general that he looked up to for a long time, but he chose such a method to protect the final honor of the Han army.
After a long while, he ordered, “Give Wei Qing a proper burial!”
Wei Qing’s suicide caused huge waves within the Great Han army. When they got the news, hundreds of soldiers killed themselves in their camps, following Wei Qing on his path.
The spirit of the Han family had never withered.
…
Gaia 6th year, 8th month, 1st day, Luoyang City.
On the square where the imperial city teleportation formation was located, the Great Xia army was on alert, locking down the entire imperial city. Random people could not enter.
On the square, Han Xin led a bunch of generals and stood on the left side, and Great Han crown prince Liu Fuling led his bunch of generals and civil servants on the right, waiting for Ouyang Shuo to arrive.
Amongst the group was Tingyu Floor guild leader Jianqi Leiyin.
9 AM.
Ouyang Shuo brought along Cabinet Grand Secretary Jiang Shang and Honglu Temple minister Zhang Yi. Under the protection of Divine Martial Guards, they entered Luoyang City to officially accept the surrender of the Great Han Imperial Court.
“Welcome, my king!”
Once Ouyang Shuo appeared, people on both sides all bowed in unison.
Under Zhang Yi’s leadership, the former Great Han crown prince wore a mourning dress as he handed over the seal of Great Han. Ouyang Shuo took it and asked Jiang Shang to read the decree.
Jiang Shang understood, taking out the imperial decree, “Liu Fuling, accept the decree!”
Seeing that, Liu Fuling bowed once more, “Sinner Liu Fuling receives the decree.” As he said that, a look of shame flashed across his eyes. In the blink of an eye, he went from a crown price to a sinner.
This showed how things in the world changed quickly.
“Xia King decrees that former Han crown prince is given the title of Han Prince, former princess as Han princess. Crown prince manor becomes Han Prince manner, and without receiving an order, you will not exit Luoyang City. You are not to meet with officials, and you are not to train soldiers.”
“Thank you, my king, for your kindness!”
Respectfully accepting the imperial decree, Liu Fuling’s eyes were filled with unconcealable shock.
Although the Han prince did not have any power and land and was just a prince in name, he was the first prince from another race, which was a great honor.
Liu Fuling had just wanted to protect the bloodline of the Liu family, and he did not expect that he would receive such a title.
Not only him, but even the Great Han officials who followed behind him were astonished and were surprised by the kindness of Great Xia.
Ouyang Shuo made such a decree to settle down the Han Dynasty officials.
The officials he referred to was not only the people who stood behind Liu Fuling, but even Xiao He, Huo Qubing, and other former Han officials who were in Great Xia.
Treating the descendants of the Han ancestor well showed the magnanimity of Ouyang Shuo. With the Han royal family leading the way, when other dynasties joined Great Xia, the same thing would happen.
This was really beneficial for Great Xia’s future strategy.
After a simple ceremony, Ouyang Shuo was led to a residence within the city. He did not move into the Great Han palace. In truth, it would be demolished, and the provincial Governor office would be built.
Wiping the traces of Great Han in Luoyang was much needed.
After settling them down, Jiang Shang stepped out to represent Ouyang Shuo to calm down all the officials. Ouyang Shuo only met two people, Han Xin and Jianqi Leiyin.
Meeting Han Xin was naturally to understand the detailed frontline report.
Apart from accepting Luoyang City, Han Xin also did two things. First, he locked up the 100 thousand Han prisoners for the Privy Court to organize. Secondly, he sent troops to take down other cities.
In the next few days, the Cabinet would arrange officials to be appointed in Zhongyuan Province.
“How long can the military grain last?” Ouyang Shuo asked.
Han Xin understood and knew that this was the important point, so he did not dare to hide everything, “Although we took down Luoyang City and saved half of the grain from the granary that was burned, we can at most last 20 days.”
Ouyang Shuo fell silent in thought, “If we gathered grain from the prefectures and county?”
Based on the rules, Zhongyuan Province was already under Great Xia rule. Apart from agriculture tax, the people did not need to hand over military rations. Forced grain gathering was only used during war periods, and it would be easy for one to lose the peoples’ sentiment.
Especially doing that right after they had just taken down Zhongyuan Province. it would make it difficult for the Provincial Governor office in the future.
Ouyang Shuo did not want to do that, but as the flames of war blazed in Zhongyuan, after taking down Great Han, Great Xia would not stop and would strike out once more.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
When Han Xin heard that, he did not hesitate and replied, “If we go all out, with how rich Zhongyuan Province is in grain, it has huge potential and lasting two to three months would not be a problem.”
“Then go ahead!” Ouyang Shuo made up his mind.
“Yes, my king!”
Han Xin’s eyes lit up, having a rough understanding of the king’s intentions.
Logically speaking, after they took down Great Han, based on the plan set by the Imperial Court, the Leopard Legion Corps should go from attacking to defending, replacing the Imperial Court to defend the province.
Now that the king was in a rush to gather up grain, it was obvious that he had other intentions.
Han Xin was not willing to probe anymore, so he only focused about following the order. What he wanted to do was to take down Zhongyuan Province and let the Leopard Legion Corps recover to their peak combat ability.
He could feel that the large war in the mid plains had just begun.
