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墨書 Inktalez
Hu Shang, who was running joyfully, suddenly realized that someone was missing. After looking around, he confirmed that indeed one person was absent. He then recalled the reason for the disappearance: since this morning, there had been issues with stomach troubles. It was possible that while the Army was preparing to withdraw from Shanhou Village, the Map Manager was suffering from diarrhea.
Oh no! This is bad!
Hu Shang loudly called to the generals who were busy betting on horse races and asked if anyone had seen the manager. After receiving negative responses from everyone, he quickly ordered all combat personnel to halt their advance.
The generals in charge of various divisions had a private agreement when taking the Map Manager: they must guarantee that the Military Map would not be lost under any circumstances. Even in special situations, they had to personally confirm that the Military Map was destroyed; they could not later infer that it might have been destroyed.
The current situation violated both of these rules. Hu Shang had not personally witnessed the destruction of the Military Map and had even lost the Map Manager. The Military Map involved many secrets, and the tools carried by the manager were unique to the Qin State. Losing the map was already a serious crime, let alone this kind of double loss!
Thinking about this made Hu Shang's heart race as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He told everyone that they could not run any further; if possible, they seemed to need to head back to Shanhou Village to rescue their comrades trapped inside.
For the generals, it didn't matter who they were going back to save. The General's orders were paramount; even facing hundreds of thousands of enemies, there was no hesitation. Upon hearing they needed to turn back, they immediately shouted for their respective Soldiers to change direction.
On the battlefield, promises made regarding prisoners do not need to be fulfilled, especially in such confidential matters. After dealing with the prisoners, Zhao Kuo wiped the blood off his Sword and just sheathed his Bronze Sword when he heard a commotion outside. Seeing that panicked Soldier rush in again with news of another incoming Qin Army, he decided it was time to change personnel.
Zhao Kuo asked irritably, "What now? Who died?!"
The reporting Soldier knelt down and loudly announced that another Qin Army had arrived outside, demanding Zhao Army's General to come out or else they would flatten Shanhou Village!
Zhao Kuo ordered his Soldiers to carry out the bodies of the prisoners before nonchalantly heading off to wash his hands. The Commander of the Qin Army had already fled; how much trouble could a few bundles of green onions cause? After wiping his hands clean with a cloth and looking at an infuriating face, he asked, "How many troops are outside?!"
"Big! Big... Grand Commander! Outside... Outside is just..."
Zhao Kuo slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Stutter again! And you'll be dragged out and executed!"
"Yes!" the soldier delivering the message quickly took a deep breath to steady himself. "G-Grand Commander! This is not just a few thousand Qin Army troops outside; there are over ten thousand of them!"
Having sent all the capable elite forces to engage with the Qin Army, Zhao Kuo was left with only five thousand troops. This made the soldier delivering the news feel terrified. He had previously fought alongside the main forces of Zhao Army against the Qin Army at Shangdang, and the rapid assaults and frenzied crossbow fire from the Qin were like a nightmare.
It was unclear whether it was fear of Zhao Kuo or another reason, but the current Qin Army was completely different from the one a year ago. They were fleeing in all directions and had abandoned the Dan Shui River Defense Line, which had cost countless Qin soldiers' lives. Even so, many still remembered the traditional bravery of the Qin Army.
At this moment, Zhao Kuo had every reason to feel proud, and this mindset was recognized by many from the Feudal States. To understand the current situation, one must first disregard the territories seized by Qin State. The original fiefs of Qin State were mostly located in remote wilderness areas. In contrast, the fiefs of other Feudal States were situated in prime central plains.
All Feudal States outside of Qin considered themselves people of the central plains, including Chu State. In their eyes, the Qin people were merely uncultured barbarians without knowledge. Thus, they earned the nickname "Qin Barbarians." Regardless of one's noble status or high official position, people living in various Feudal States referred to them as Qin Barbarians.
Moreover, before Gongsun Yang was appointed, Qin State's national strength had been stagnant for a long time, and Qin people were often unwelcome in other Feudal States. However, diligent governance could change fate. After Gongsun Yang became Chancellor, the national strength of Qin State grew day by day. Although their economic development started later than any other state, they gradually surpassed many Feudal States.
No pressure means no motivation!
The entire Qin State united as one to create an immortal miracle with their own hands amidst an atmosphere filled with more disdain than respect! With their powerful resurgence, they taught a unique lesson to all Feudal States. The leap in national economy led to significant improvements in Qin Army's equipment. Capturing cities and lands became commonplace, giving weight to King Qin's words in joint discussions with other states.
Even so, other Feudal States merely put on a show. The deeply ingrained concept of social hierarchy had long been entrenched in people's minds; it could not be changed overnight! Each Feudal State still looked down on Qin people privately and maintained their original views about them.
As a member of Zhao State located in the central plains, Zhao Kuo naturally inherited this mindset. Even when surrounded by the Qin Army, he would never admit that Qin people were anything but barbarians. Not only him but even military generals shared this unified thought.
As a legitimate member of Zhao Royal Family, Zhao Kuo held this belief more strongly than anyone else. Hearing that more ignorant wild men had come from outside, he snorted disdainfully and said nothing further. He grabbed his general's helmet and walked out of the main tent, calling for his subordinates to assemble and prepare to leave the camp.
The anxious General Hu Shang of the Qin State returned unexpectedly, not part of the original plan devised by Bai Qi, as the strategy was to repeatedly engage and defeat the Zhao Army, drawing them into a siege. However, due to the unexplained loss of the Military Map, he had no choice but to return and seek a decisive battle with Zhao Kuo's forces.
Seeing Zhao Kuo leading his troops forward, Hu Shang took the reins of his warhorse and stepped out of the Qin Army's Defensive Formation. "Zhao Kuo! I was in a hurry earlier and left a personal guard behind in the village. In the spirit of friendly relations between our two nations, I hope you will hand that person over! If you release him, we will withdraw immediately! Otherwise..."
Hearing a defeated general threaten him, Zhao Kuo, armed with a long spear, sneered. "Indeed! That soldier you mentioned has already become a prisoner of my Zhao Army! I was just considering returning him to you, but... I've changed my mind! Keep talking! Otherwise, what will you do?!"
Hu Shang's initial retreat was actually part of the Qin Army Commander's plan; this time he intended to fight to the death. Seeing Zhao Kuo acting shamelessly, he suddenly shook his Long Spear. "Otherwise, I recognize you, but this spear does not!"
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