Regarding Dian Wei's ennoblement, the soldiers had no other thoughts besides envy.

After all, he captured the ruler of a country alive amidst a vast army; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it his greatest achievement.

"Sun Jian, for killing three enemy leaders and forty-seven enemy soldiers in battle, is hereby granted the title of Second-Class Earl of Wucheng, promoted to Cavalry Commander, and awarded two million coins and four thousand mu of fertile land!"

"Cao Cao killed thirty-six enemy soldiers and was specially granted the title of Third-Class Earl of Qiao'an, promoted to Yamen General, and rewarded with one million coins and two thousand acres of fertile land."

"Liu Bei killed 38 enemy soldiers and was specially granted the title of Third-Class Earl of Zhuoning, promoted to Yamen General, and awarded 1.2 million coins and 2,100 mu of fertile land."

Subsequently, Yuan Shao, Hua Xiong, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and the soldiers all received corresponding titles and rewards, and most of them were promoted from commanding ten men to commanding five hundred to a thousand men or more, such as the position of Yamen General and Cavalry Commander.

As for the fertile land granted to them, it was all taken from the territories of Buyeo and Goguryeo, and the government would measure and distribute it after the war ended.

After this battle, these young military leaders officially stepped onto the military and political stage of the Han Dynasty.

Because they still had to march the next day, at the victory banquet, the generals and soldiers only toasted Liu Hong a few times before stopping and not drinking.

Early the next morning, under Huangfu Song's arrangement, Zhu Yao led 5,000 newly recruited soldiers disguised as defeated Goguryeo troops toward Sifang City.

Liu Hong, leading the assembled 50,000 troops, followed behind at a leisurely pace, escorting the prisoners and Li Xiao's prison cart.

Along the way, the Han soldiers not only did not harm the women and children who were left in the Goguryeo towns, but also provided them with a lot of food.

This made the oppressed and ravaged lower-class people of Goguryeo feel very goodwill towards the Han army, especially the young women. Looking at the strong and gentle Han soldiers and eating the food they brought, they really wanted to throw themselves at them.

The strong young men of the Imperial Guard were especially warmly welcomed by the Goguryeo women, who invited them to stay overnight in their homes.

Faced with the fiery passion of the Goguryeo women, the group of hot-blooded young men were at a loss. Fortunately, they had been trained for many years and were disciplined, so they did not cause any trouble.

After discussing this matter, Liu Hong, Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and others unanimously agreed that in order to conquer Goguryeo, they must first conquer these women. In addition, in order to assimilate Goguryeo as quickly as possible, these women should also become the women of the soldiers.

So the men issued several military orders:

First, as long as you have the ability to gain the approval of the Goguryeo women, and with their consent, you may allow soldiers to stay overnight in their homes, without forcing them.

Secondly, any soldier who has had a sexual relationship with a Goguryeo woman must accept her as his wife and treat her properly, and must not abandon her after starting the relationship.

Third, women who accompanied the soldiers were allowed to march with them, but they could only follow behind the main army and were not allowed to be brought into the camp.

Upon receiving these military orders, the soldiers who had been single for a long time cheered.

Within three days of marching, more than 20,000 soldiers had each found a young woman they liked.

After the pleasure subsided, the women tidied up their homes and followed the army. Now they were the soldiers' women, and wherever the soldiers went, they would naturally follow.

Thus, a "Ladies' Army" composed of Goguryeo women followed behind the main army, working alongside the transport teams to provide logistical support.

February 19th.

In Sifang City, Gongsun Zan, leading his White Horse Cavalry and three thousand Northern Army soldiers, was quietly arrayed on a hill twenty miles north of the city.

"Report!!"

Just then, a scout suddenly rode a fast horse from the north.

"General, a Goguryeo reinforcement force of four thousand men is approaching from thirty miles away!"

Upon hearing that there were only so few people, Gongsun Zan frowned.

"Investigate again!"

"promise!"

The scout responded loudly, then turned and left.

After the scouts left, Gongsun Zan looked at his adjutant beside him and asked in a low voice, "Which unit is this?"

The lieutenant replied, "Reporting to the general, if we include this unit, it's the tenth. Previously, we've killed a total of 20,000 and captured 40,000!"

Gongsun Zan nodded: "What about the other routes?"

The lieutenant reported: "General Ma Teng's side killed 15,000 and captured 37,000, while General Gongsun Du killed 13,000 and captured 32,000."

"Haha~, excellent!!"

Upon learning that he had completely crushed Ma Teng and Gongsun Du, Gongsun Zan couldn't help but burst into laughter.

An hour later, the scouts returned with another report that the 4,000-strong force was less than ten miles away.

Growing impatient, Gongsun Zan led his White Horse Cavalry and Northern Army cavalry to abandon the ambush and instead launched a preemptive strike.

Before long, the Goguryeo reinforcements came into view.

"Kill!"

Seeing the slowly advancing Goguryeo reinforcements, the White Horse Cavalry and the Northern Army cavalrymen excitedly spurred their warhorses forward.

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves reached the ears of the Goguryeo reinforcements.

"Quickly, drop your weapons! Don't resist!!"

Seeing the Han cavalry charging towards them, the leader of the reinforcements immediately dismounted and squatted on the ground, and his soldiers followed suit.

"Um?"

Seeing the other side surrender without a fight, Gongsun Zan frowned.

Upon approaching, Gongsun Zan looked at the leader of the reinforcements and demanded, "Where do you come from? Why did you surrender without a fight?"

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