Longxi Camp.
"Grand Commandant!" A scout rushed into the tent. "We've obtained information about the Xiongnu. After being severely wounded, Red Cloud Wolf retreated to the northern desert. Now, thirty percent of his tribes have broken away from his rule and are scattered throughout the grasslands."
The wicked man put down the bamboo slips in his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Tell me in detail."
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant," the scout said, "after the previous battles, the Xiongnu have suffered heavy losses. Although the Crimson Cloud Wolves are barely holding on, their injuries are slow to heal. Some small tribes, seeing the situation is dire, have already begun to break away..."
"Very well!" the wicked man sneered. "Trying to kill a snake only to have it harmed instead. Since Heaven has given us this opportunity, let's wipe out the entire Xiongnu forever!"
He walked to the sand table and traced his finger across the grassland: "Where are the scattered tribes located?"
The scouts marked the locations of the various tribes with red flags: "The largest is on the northern slopes of the Yin Mountains, with about 100,000 people. The second largest is on the shores of Lake Baikal, with 70,000 to 80,000 people. In addition, there are more than a dozen smaller tribes scattered throughout the desert..."
The wicked man carefully observed the terrain: "Summon Meng Tian, Wang Li, and Zhang Erhe to see me!"
Soon, the three generals gathered in the military tent.
"Gentlemen," the wicked man said, pointing to the sand table, "the Xiongnu are now fragmented, making this the perfect opportunity for us to annihilate them. This battle is unlike any before; I, the Grand Commandant, will make these nomadic barbarians vanish from this grassland forever!"
He turned to Meng Tian: "You will lead the main force of 100,000 men straight to Yinshan. Remember, not only must you kill all the Xiongnu, but you must also burn their livestock and tents. Leave no trace whatsoever!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"Wang Li! You will lead 50,000 elite troops to deal with that tribe by Lake Baikal. Make sure to cut off their retreat. These nomadic peoples are masters of escape; we cannot let them get away!"
"Your humble servant obeys!"
"Zhang Erhe! You will command 30,000 cavalry to specifically hunt down and wipe out those small tribes. Leave no corner untouched; exterminate men, women, and children alike!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Outside the tent, the autumn wind was bleak.
Three armies began their advance into the northern desert.
An unprecedented ethnic cleansing has begun!
Northern foothills of Yinshan Mountain.
The Xiongnu tribe had just set up camp when the sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.
"Oh no! The Qin army is here!" the scout reported in a panic.
The tribal chief's expression changed drastically. They had heard of the Qin army's brutality before, that they not only killed people but also slaughtered livestock. Now it seemed that this fate had finally befallen them.
"Run!"
The tribe began a hasty retreat. Unfortunately, it was too late; Meng Tian's army had already surrounded them from all sides.
"Release the arrows!"
Thousands of arrows were fired simultaneously, a dense rain of arrows covering the entire camp. Those who tried to escape on horseback were riddled with arrows before they could get very far.
Even more terrifying were the rockets. The Qin army had specially prepared flammable materials, and would launch rockets wherever there was a dense crowd. Instantly, flames shot into the sky, turning the entire camp into a sea of fire.
"Help! Help me!"
Amidst piercing screams, countless people were burned alive. Those who managed to escape the inferno were also cut down by the waiting Qin army.
"Keep chasing! Leave no one alive!" Meng Tian urged his troops on horseback. "These nomadic bastards are masters of guerrilla warfare. Today, we'll teach them a lesson in true slaughter!"
Some tried to hide in caves, but were suffocated by the torches. Others tried to hide in the grass, but were trampled to death by horses. Many more trampled each other in the chaos, their deaths gruesome and unspeakable.
The Qin army's methods were exceptionally bloody. Not only did they intend to exterminate all the Xiongnu people, but they also slaughtered all the livestock on which the Xiongnu depended for survival. They even burned their tents and belongings.
All traces of a nomadic tribe must be completely erased from this land!
Just then, a scout reported: "General! A defeated army has been spotted fleeing north..."
"Chase them!" Meng Tian shouted sternly. "We absolutely cannot let them escape. Otherwise, they will definitely tell the Crimson Cloud Wolves, and then the other tribes will be on guard, making it much harder to wipe out our entire clan!"
The cavalry pursued them like wolves and tigers.
Although the defeated army numbered only a few hundred, it was clearly an elite force. They were skilled horsemen, moving swiftly across the grasslands.
Unfortunately, the Qin army was prepared. A surprise force had been laid in ambush twenty miles ahead.
"Release the arrows!"
A dense rain of arrows poured down from both sides of the hillside, instantly engulfing the routed army. Countless arrows whistled through the air, turning men and horses into pincushions.
By nightfall, the entire foothills of Yinshan Mountain had turned into a living hell.
Corpses lay scattered across the ground, blood flowing like a small river. The wounded who were not yet dead groaned in pain on the ground, but no one paid them any heed.
"Take a headcount!"
"Reporting to the General, in this battle, over 90,000 Xiongnu were killed, and the rest fled north. However..."
"But what?"
"Your subordinate sent men to track them, and they discovered they fled towards the Crimson Cloud Wolf's camp. I'm afraid..."
"Hmph!" Meng Tian sneered, "Let them escape. Once they relay the news back, the other tribes will know what true fear is!"
Meanwhile, on the shores of Lake Baikal.
Wang Li's army also launched a bloody massacre.
The tribes there initially tried to resist, but they collapsed instantly under the overwhelming onslaught.
The Qin army's massacres were exceptionally cruel. They killed indiscriminately, regardless of gender or age. They even slaughtered cattle and sheep and burned tents.
The entire lakeside echoed with agonizing screams. Countless people struggled in the flames, while many more were hacked to death.
Blood stained the lake red, and countless corpses floated on it, a nauseating sight.
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