On the third day after the fall of Youzhou, heavy snow once again covered the war-torn city.
The bloodstains on the streets were buried by the fresh snow, and the ruins of collapsed houses, like the skeletons of a giant beast, silently told the story of that fierce battle.
The ruins at the North Gate were the most shocking—the concentrated explosion of three hundred thunderbolts not only destroyed the city gate but also blew down more than thirty steps of the city wall.
The bricks and wood were mixed together, forming a huge, charred gash.
Fengtian Army soldiers are clearing the battlefield and separating the bodies of those killed in battle from both sides.
The corpses of the Northern Di people were piled up outside the city, doused with oil, and burned; the fallen soldiers of the Fengtian Army and the Hedong Army were registered one by one, and preparations were made to choose a place for their burial.
Zhao Muyun stood beside the ruins of the North Gate, watching the engineers move rubble with makeshift tools.
His face showed no joy of victory, only deep exhaustion.
Of the four thousand elite troops who went out to attack, only three thousand returned.
Liu Yi's Shenji Battalion suffered more than half its casualties in the explosion, the heavy cavalry battalion lost more than 100 riders in the street fighting, and the infantry battalion suffered the heaviest casualties.
What this exchange brought was nothing more than the capture of Youzhou City and Yang Yan's superficial "thank you".
"Grand Commander, Chief Steward Yang has sent someone to invite you to a victory celebration banquet tonight at the government office to reward all the generals."
Shen Qian hurried over and reported in a low voice.
Zhao Muyun nodded: "Understood. How is the distribution of pensions to our soldiers going?"
"We are currently taking the tally. Each fallen soldier will receive twenty taels, the wounded ten taels, and the remaining participants five taels. However..." Shen Qian hesitated for a moment, "...the army's reserves are insufficient."
“From my private treasury,” Zhao Muyun said without hesitation. “Add ten taels to the pensions for the fallen soldiers and make sure they are delivered to their families.”
Shen Qian's eyes reddened slightly: "Yes!"
Zhao Muyun turned and walked towards the temporary camp.
The camp of the Hedong Army was located in the north of the city, separated from the main force of the Fengtian Army by two streets, clearly distinct.
This was Zhao Muyun's special request—he didn't trust Yang Yan and needed to maintain a certain distance and vigilance.
Yang Yan did not dare to make a move rashly at this moment.
His 100,000-strong army also suffered heavy losses in this siege.
Moreover, he was extremely wary of the firearm in Zhao Muyun's hand that could blow open the city gate.
The atmosphere in the camp was solemn, with the occasional groans of wounded soldiers.
The physicians were busy shuttling back and forth, but the medicinal herbs were already in short supply.
Zhao Muyun entered the largest wounded soldiers' camp and saw Wu Shangzhi personally changing the dressing of a soldier with an abdominal injury.
"Grand Commander." Wu Shangzhi looked up, his eyes bloodshot.
"How is the situation?"
"One hundred and twenty-seven people are seriously injured, and more than four hundred are slightly injured. If we had better medicine, we could save at least 30% more lives," Wu Shangzhi said in a low voice. "But the Fengtian Army's medical officers said that their medicine is also insufficient, and they can only prioritize supplying the headquarters."
A cold glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes: "I understand. Shen Qian!"
"exist!"
"Send men to all the pharmacies in the city to buy all the wound medicines at high prices. If that's not enough, go to the villages outside the city to find herbs. If you don't have enough money, put it on the tab; I, Zhao Muyun, will not renege on my debts."
"Yes, sir!"
After arranging these things, Zhao Muyun returned to his temporary military tent.
Guo Luo, Murong Chunhua, and others had been waiting for a long time.
“Grand Commander, Yang Yan’s victory celebration banquet is probably a trap,” Guo Luo said bluntly. “I’ve heard that he’s been secretly contacting some of our generals, promising them high-ranking positions and generous salaries.”
Zhao Muyun was not surprised: "Who has been contacted?"
Murong Chunhua handed over a list: "Seven people have been identified so far, all of them mid-level generals. But Grand Commander, rest assured, they have all reported the situation truthfully."
“Very good.” Zhao Muyun glanced at the list. “Tell these generals that they can play along and see what Yang Yan really wants. But there’s one rule—anyone who dares to truly betray the Hedong Army will be executed without mercy.”
"yes!"
“I will attend the victory celebration banquet, and I will go in style,” Zhao Muyun said coldly. “Old Tang, bring one hundred elite scouts, fully armed, to the banquet with me.”
"Murong Chunhua, you lead the light cavalry to guard the perimeter of the government office. If anything changes, provide immediate support."
"Grand Commander, isn't this a bit too much..." Wu Shangzhi said worriedly.
"Too ostentatious?" Zhao Muyun sneered. "I want Yang Yan to know that the Hedong Army is not a pushover. We blew up Youzhou City, and no one can take away our credit."
As dusk fell, the snow stopped, but the cold wind grew stronger.
The Youzhou government office was brightly decorated, and the Fengtian Army generals filed in.
Although the city had just fallen, Yang Yan still managed to obtain wine and meat, intending to hold a grand banquet for his generals tonight.
When Zhao Muyun led a hundred cavalrymen to the government office, the Feng Army soldiers guarding the gate became visibly nervous.
Although these 100 elite scouts dismounted and walked, each of them was fully armored, armed with swords, and had eyes as sharp as eagles.
"Grand Commander Zhao has arrived—" As the announcement was made, Zhao Muyun strode into the main hall of the government office.
The hall was already filled with Fengtian Army generals, and the atmosphere immediately froze when Zhao Muyun led his troops in.
Yang Yan sat in the main seat, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he quickly put on a smile.
"Grand Commander Zhao has arrived! Please take a seat!"
Yang Yan pointed to the first seat on his left, "At tonight's victory banquet, the Grand Commander should be credited with the greatest merit!"
Zhao Muyun clasped his hands in greeting and took his seat with composure.
His hundred personal guards remained outside the hall in the corridor, standing opposite the guards of the Fengtian Army, creating a delicate stalemate.
The banquet began, and after several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually became lively. The generals talked about the process of capturing the city, and when they mentioned the explosion of the north gate, they were all amazed.
"General Zhao's military strategy is divine; blowing open the north gate of Youzhou was truly earth-shattering!"
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