Xianyang, the Grand Commandant's residence.
"Grand Commandant! Urgent military report!" A scout rushed in, "Remnants of the Xiongnu have been spotted in Beidi Commandery. They've contacted local tribes and seem to be planning a rebellion!"
The wicked man put down the bamboo slips in his hand, his eyes flashing with cold light: "Explain yourself."
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant," the scout said, bowing. "The remnants of the Xiongnu have infiltrated our territory during the border troop rotation, spreading rumors that the Crimson Cloud Wolf is still alive and inciting the local people. Riots have now broken out in three counties..."
"Damn it!" The wicked man slammed his fist on the table. "These barbarians are incorrigible! Send the order to the border troops immediately..."
Before he could finish speaking, another Black Ice Guard spy burst in: "Reporting to the Grand Commandant, bad news has also come from the southwest. The remnants of the Dian Kingdom and Yelang have gathered in the deep mountains, and tens of thousands have already responded. They are using the banner of 'restoring their kingdoms' to incite the mountain people..."
The wicked man stood up and strode to the huge map on the wall.
The map is densely marked with various newly occupied territories. To the north lie the former lands of Goryeo and Sushen, and to the south the ruins of the Dian Kingdom's Yelang. These places had already been rebuilt into Qin-style prefectures and counties, but now they are once again in turmoil.
"Summon Zhang Erhe to see me!"
Before long, Zhang Erhe arrived in a hurry.
"Your subordinate is here!"
"You've been guarding the North for so long, why haven't you noticed anything unusual?" the wicked husband asked coldly.
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant," Zhang Erhe said with a look of shame, "the recent rotation of border troops did indeed lead to some oversight. However, I have already ordered a thorough investigation, and I believe it will be resolved soon..."
"Soon?" the wicked man sneered. "By the time you've investigated, the rebellion will have already spread like wildfire! Men, pass on my orders!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Order Meng Tian to immediately lead troops north to annihilate the remaining Xiongnu forces. Remember, it's not about capturing people, but about eradicating them completely! Not a single seed of rebellion can be left alive!"
"Your humble servant obeys!"
"Furthermore," the wicked man continued, "order Wang Li to lead 50,000 elite troops south. Find all those remaining rebels in the deep mountains and kill them without mercy!"
"promise!"
Just then, another spy rushed in: "Grand Commandant, news has also come from the former territory of Buyeo. A local shaman claims to have received a divine oracle and is calling on his people to revolt..."
"Hmph!" The wicked man sneered. "It seems these barbarians are truly tired of living! Order the Northern Commandery to mobilize troops. This Grand Commandant will go personally and teach these ignorant fools what true iron-fisted rule is!"
The order spread like wildfire throughout the army. The Qin army's war machine was set in motion once more, this time targeting the remnants who dared to resist.
Three days later, in Beidi County.
When Meng Tian arrived with his army, the rebellion had already spread to five counties. The remnants of the Xiongnu, under the banner of the Red Cloud Wolf, incited local tribes to rebel. Panic gripped the people, and the situation became extremely precarious.
"Order the entire army to form ranks!"
The Qin army deployed outside a rebellious county town. Thousands of guns swarmed towards the city walls, awaiting only the general's command.
"put!"
A dense rain of arrows blanketed the entire city. Arrows struck the thatched huts, instantly igniting them. Flames shot into the sky, thick smoke billowed. Before the panicked rebels could react, they were engulfed by a second volley of arrows.
"Charge in!"
The Qin army poured into the city like a flood. Anyone found resisting was killed without mercy. Those who knelt and begged for mercy were hacked to the ground, and those hiding in houses were burned alive. Blood stained the streets, and corpses piled up like mountains.
"General! We've discovered remnants of the Xiongnu!" an officer reported.
"Kill! Leave no one alive!" Meng Tian roared. "Especially those leaders, make sure they die a horrible death! Let everyone know the consequences of betraying Qin!"
The massacre lasted all day.
By evening, the entire city had been reduced to ashes. All the rebels had been killed, and their bodies were left outside the city to be cleared away by vultures.
"Give the order to the entire army," Meng Tian said coldly, "Continue the suppression! Attack one county at a time, and make sure the rebellion is completely quelled!"
The Qin army's iron hooves trampled every corner of the Northern Commandery. Wherever they went, nothing grew. Anyone involved in the rebellion was executed, and even their families were not spared.
"kill!"
Another rebellious city fell. The Qin army unleashed a frenzied massacre within the city, indiscriminately slaughtering men, women, and children. Those who had sided with the remnants of the Xiongnu were dragged out and publicly executed by slow slicing. Their heads were hung on the city gates as a warning to all.
"Reporting, General!" an officer reported, "A fleeing army has been spotted outside the city, seemingly attempting to escape north..."
"Chase them!" Meng Tian shouted sternly. "Don't let a single one escape!"
The cavalry pursued them like wolves and tigers. Those rebels who tried to escape were shot to death by a hail of arrows, their bodies scattered across the wilderness. Even their horses were killed to prevent future trouble.
Thus, the rebellion in the Northern County was gradually quelled by bloody suppression.
Meng Tian summoned his generals for a meeting: "Let's take stock of how many rebel soldiers we've killed this time."
"Reporting to the General," the lieutenant said, flipping through the records. "According to statistics, over 30,000 rebels and their accomplices were executed. Of these, approximately 5,000 were remnants of the Xiongnu, and the rest were civilians who had been incited."
"Very good!" Meng Tian nodded in satisfaction. "Send the order to build mounds of skulls throughout the land. Use these rebel heads to create these mounds, so that everyone will remember the price of betrayal!"
Meanwhile, in the deep mountains of southwest China.
Wang Li's forces also launched a purge. Those remnants of the Dian Kingdom and Yelang who were hiding in the mountains were dragged out one by one and executed on the spot.
"Kill! Leave no one alive!"
The Qin army carried out a massacre at a mountain stronghold. All those involved in the rebellion were killed, and their bodies were thrown into a ravine. Their stronghold was burned, their food was destroyed, and even their livestock were not spared.
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