At dawn, the battle was completely over.
The results of the battle were tallied: more than 2,200 enemy soldiers were killed, more than 1,800 were captured, and countless weapons and armor were seized.
Zhao Guang led his remaining troops to surrender.
On the other hand, the Yin army suffered only over four hundred casualties, which can be described as a great victory.
Xiao Cheyun ordered his men to clear the battlefield and disperse the surrendered soldiers, incorporating them into various units.
Zhao Guang was placed under separate surveillance—this was specifically instructed by Zhao Muyun.
"General, Liu Song's main force is only twenty miles away from here. We'll get the news soon," Xiao Dayong reminded him.
"It's alright," Xiao Cheyun said with a smile. "Military Advisor Yang's feint should be effective now."
As they were talking, the deafening sound of war drums and faint shouts of battle came from the south.
"They've arrived." Xiao Cheyun climbed to a high place and looked south.
Ten miles south of Mount Lu, billowing smoke and banners obscured the sun, suggesting that tens of thousands of troops were engaged in battle.
But in reality, it was a deception created by Yang Chao with eight hundred feints—burning firewood to create smoke and dust, sounding drums and horns to imitate battle, and moving banners to create shadowy figures.
Twenty miles away, Liu Song received news that the vanguard had been wiped out. He also saw dust rising in the north and the sounds of battle deafening. He thought that the main force of the Yin army was encircling and annihilating Zhao Guang, and he was terrified.
"Quickly! Withdraw the troops! Retreat to Ye County!" Liu Song urgently ordered.
Ten thousand soldiers from Jingzhou and Xiangyang retreated without a fight.
The ambush at Lushan has thus come to an end.
Xiao Cheyun did not pursue them—Zhao Muyun's military orders were clear: defeat the Nanyue troops, and there was no need to entangle with Liu Song's main force.
That afternoon, Xiao Cheyun led his troops back to Dengzhou, escorting the prisoners and spoils.
Zhao Muyun personally went out of the city to greet him.
"General, I have fulfilled my mission!" Xiao Cheyun reported after dismounting.
Zhao Muyun helped him up and looked at Zhao Guang, who was hanging his head in dejection, behind him: "General Zhao, have you thought it through?"
Zhao Guang smiled wryly: "General, your strategies are truly brilliant; I am completely convinced. However... regarding the situation in Lingnan..."
"Don't worry," Zhao Muyun said, "I keep my word. But before that, I need you to write a letter."
"What letter?"
"A letter for your uncle, Zhao Mu, the King of Nanyue."
A glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes. "Tell him that Li Jingang's defeat is inevitable and that he should make plans as soon as possible. If he is willing to submit to the Great Yin Dynasty, the court can recognize his title of King of Lingnan, which will be hereditary."
Zhao Guang hesitated: "My uncle is old and stubborn, I'm afraid..."
“He will listen,” Zhao Muyun said calmly, “because he has no choice. What Li Jingang cannot give him, I can; what Li Jingang cannot protect him, I can protect.”
He patted Zhao Guang on the shoulder: "Go ahead and write!"
......
East wing of the military governor's residence in Dengzhou City.
The candlelight flickered on the bronze lampstand, illuminating Zhao Guang's pale face.
He sat at his desk, raising and lowering his brush, the ink dripping onto the rice paper and spreading into a black stain.
Half an hour has passed, and the letter is still not finished.
Footsteps sounded outside the door, and Zhao Muyun pushed the door open and entered, carrying a bowl of hot soup.
"General Zhao, it's cold. Have a bowl of ginger soup to warm yourself up."
Zhao Guang hurriedly stood up: "General..."
"Sit down." Zhao Muyun placed the soup bowl on the table, glanced at the blank letter paper, and asked, "Can't continue writing?"
Zhao Guang smiled wryly: "This humble general...does not know how to begin writing."
"Is it that you don't know how to write it, or that you don't know what the consequences will be after you write it?" Zhao Muyun sat down opposite him.
Zhao Guang remained silent.
“I understand,” Zhao Muyun said slowly. “Once this letter is sent, you will have no way out. You can’t go back to Nan Yue, and Li Jingang won’t tolerate you either. You have no choice but to follow the Da Yin to the bitter end.”
“Since the General understands, why force this humble general…” Zhao Guang’s voice was hoarse.
"I'm not forcing you, I'm giving you a way out." Zhao Muyun looked directly into his eyes. "General Zhao, you're thirty-two this year, aren't you? How many years have you been in the Lingnan army?"
"I joined the army at sixteen and have been here for sixteen years."
"It's not easy to rise from a platoon leader to a general in sixteen years."
Zhao Muyun nodded, "But think about it, for whom have you fought in these sixteen years? For the King of Nanyue? But what did he give you? A lieutenant general, five thousand soldiers, and you were used as cannon fodder."
Zhao Guang pursed his lips.
"Think about it again. Your uncle Zhao Mu is seventy-three this year, isn't he? How many more years can he live? After he passes away, who will inherit the throne of Nanyue? You? Or his two sons in Panyu?"
"This humble general dares not covet the throne..." Zhao Guang said in a low voice.
"Is it that you dare not, or that you cannot?" Zhao Muyun asked bluntly. "Zhao Mu's two sons, though mediocre in talent, are still his own flesh and blood. What can you, a mere nephew, use to compete?"
He paused, then continued, "Even if Zhao Mu takes family ties into consideration and lets you assist in governing, will your two cousins tolerate you? Since ancient times, the struggle for the throne has been the bloodiest. At that time, you may not even be able to save your life."
Zhao Guang's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
"So this letter is not only about saving South Vietnam, but also about saving yourself."
Zhao Muyun's voice turned cold, "Li Jingang's defeat is inevitable. I might as well tell you the truth. The current situation of the world is already clear."
"Li Jingang was born into humble circumstances and was short-sighted. After becoming emperor, he appointed mediocre people like Feng Liang and Li Hu, while capable people like Yang Yan and Ma Zongliang were not given important positions."
"If it weren't for the Great Yin Dynasty setting aside our grudges and joining hands to resist the Tartars, Fengchao would have been gone long ago!"
"It's a miracle he's held out this long. Now that our army is at Dengzhou, only 500 li from the capital, who can he call for reinforcements? Li Bao of Xiangzhou? Does he dare to make a move? If he does, we'll cut off his escape route."
Zhao Guang was terrified.
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