It was already afternoon, the setting sun was blood-red, the Crimson Flame Army flag fluttered in the wind, and the cavalry had already slaughtered all the bandits outside Black Tiger Stronghold.
Some bandits escaped back to the mountain stronghold. They wanted to close the gate to stop them, but how could they possibly close the gate in time when faced with the fierce cavalry?
Dian Wei took the lead and charged into the mountain stronghold with his cavalry, immediately beginning to wipe out the remaining bandits.
In the previous battle, Zhao Yuan's troops attracted most of the bandits' attacks, so the Chiyan Army did not suffer many casualties.
At this moment, thousands of Crimson Flame Army soldiers rushed into the mountain stronghold as if it were empty land. Dozens of cavalrymen would chase after a bandit, and the bandits had no power to resist at this moment.
They had already suffered heavy casualties in the battle outside the stronghold, and now, facing a cavalry force several times their size, they were completely unable to resist.
Screams echoed continuously through the mountain stronghold, and within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all the bandits who had fled back to the stronghold were killed.
Qin Ze did not enter the camp; instead, he led two thousand cavalrymen to block all exits outside the camp.
As the last bandit was killed, the system's voice rang in Qin Ze's mind.
[Ding! Detected that the host has killed a faction. Reward: Base points +1.]
Seeing that the points had increased to 4 points per second, Qin Ze was overjoyed.
What does 4 points per second mean? You can earn more than 340,000 points in a day. If you exchange them for infantry, that's more than 4,000 people. If you exchange them for cavalry, that's 2,000 people!
In this way, we can freely build a large army in Jubeichuan!
In ten days, I can build an army of tens of thousands of people!
Now that these bandits have been wiped out, at least within Jubeichuan, no one can pose a threat to him anymore!
Moreover, Qin Ze already had a plan in mind.
This plan is crucial to whether I can safely develop my troops in Beichuan.
After all, the Empress sealed the Qin family in Beiliang, her wicked intention being to kill the Qin family there.
Qin Ze knew that he had to ensure the Empress couldn't do anything to him since his troops were not large enough to contend with the imperial court.
And the plan is quite simple.
That is to spread the news of his killing of the bandits in Jubeichuan throughout the entire territory of Beiliang!
The people of Beiliang had long suffered from bandits, and everyone wished they could kill them with their own hands. Now that he had killed three bandit families, totaling more than 10,000 people, the people would surely praise him when they heard the news.
This can be seen from the people in Shifeng City.
With this in mind, Qin Ze led his troops toward Zhao Yuan, who was waiting on the outskirts.
After Zhao Yuan withdrew his troops, he reorganized them at the foot of Shuangqi Mountain and assessed the casualties.
During the initial charge, his men fell into a bandit trap and were hit by a volley of arrows, resulting in many casualties.
Of the 8,000 men he brought, more than 1,500 were killed in battle, and many others were wounded, which enraged Zhao Yuan.
He participated in this battle out of sheer desperation. Black Tiger Stronghold was the very organization he supported, and he could profit from these bandits' looting of money and supplies.
But now he has no choice but to send troops to kill the bandits. It's like fighting with his left hand against his right. Zhao Yuan has never felt so frustrated.
But now that things have come to this, there's no other way. I can only blame myself for underestimating Qin Ze at the beginning. Now that he's outmaneuvered me, I can only grit my teeth and swallow this bitter pill.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yuan's eyes were filled with resentment and malice.
Qin Ze now has troops, and I can't do anything about him, but that doesn't mean I'll swallow this insult.
As the Crimson Flame Army stormed into Black Tiger Stronghold, Zhao Yuan secretly dispatched his men with an urgent message to the capital...
At this moment, seeing Qin Ze leading his troops, Zhao Yuan composed himself, bowed, and said:
"General!"
Qin Ze nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Yuan and the soldiers behind him, before he smiled faintly and said:
"Commander Zhao, today's annihilation of the Black Tiger Stronghold bandits shows that you are indeed not what the bandits described."
"Hehe, if we had shown this attitude in clearing out the bandits of Beiliang on ordinary days, the people would have been able to live in peace sooner. Commander Zhao, you must remember today's battle."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan felt a surge of anger rising within him. He lowered his head and said in a deep voice:
"Yes, General! This subordinate will remember it forever!"
Qin Ze narrowed his eyes, watching Zhao Yuan's ever-changing expression, and chuckled inwardly. How could he not understand what Zhao Yuan was thinking?
I love how you can't do anything to me when you're unhappy with me! What can you do about it? Heh.
"Alright, Commander Zhao, you may go back now!"
"Although the bandits in Jubeichuan have been wiped out, there are still many bandits in Beiliang. The task ahead is arduous and the road is long!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yuan was so angry he wanted to bite his teeth.
This is simply treating me like a sucker. So many of my men have died, yet they come and go as they please. And they won't even give me a penny of the money and provisions from Black Tiger Stronghold?
This is absolutely shameless!
Thinking of this, Zhao Yuan said in a deep voice:
"General, what do you think of the money and provisions in Black Tiger Stronghold..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qin Ze nodded and continued:
"Oh right, the Black Tiger Stronghold has been burning, killing, and looting the people of Jubeichuan over the years. It's time to return all the ill-gotten gains they've made to the people."
"It's admirable that Commander Zhao is so meticulous. Don't worry, I will return the money and grain in Black Tiger Stronghold to the people. Commander Zhao rushed here today, and many of your soldiers died. After returning to Beiyuan City, remember to comfort these wounded and injured soldiers. We must not let our blood be shed in vain!"
At this point, Qin Ze patted Zhao Yuan heavily on the shoulder, and then led his troops to Black Tiger Stronghold.
Zhao Yuan watched Qin Ze's departing figure, his face ashen, he was practically bursting with rage.
Qin Ze's words, spoken in front of so many subordinates, were tantamount to a veiled attack on their hearts!
Zhao Yuan had never suffered such a humiliating loss in his entire life. He gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Qin Ze's back, and cursed inwardly.
"If I can't deal with you, surely the Great General Who Protects the Nation can!"
Muttering to himself, Zhao Yuan, filled with rage, led his troops back to Beiyuan City.
When Qin Ze returned to Black Tiger Stronghold, Dian Wei came to report with a big laugh.
"My lord, these bandits have hundreds of thousands of catties of grain stored in their granaries! In addition, there are countless amounts of gold and silver treasures. These bandits are really making a fortune!"
Qin Ze nodded slightly, then said in a deep voice:
"Starting today, the people of Shifeng City will be allowed to cross the border and engage in trade!"
"Reject the news that the bandits of Beichuan have been completely wiped out; let them spread it throughout Beiliang!"
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