On the tenth day of their march, the army arrived at the northern foot of Yinshan Mountain.
"Grand Commandant," a scout reported, "a large number of Xianbei cavalry, at least 20,000, have been spotted ahead. They seem to have learned of the Wuhuan's destruction and are gathering their forces to resist."
The wicked man sneered, "It seems these barbarians have finally learned their lesson. But that also saves us the trouble of searching everywhere. Order the entire army to prepare for battle!"
The Qin army quickly formed ranks, thousands of soldiers swarming together, ready to meet the enemy once they entered firing range.
In the distance, the Xianbei cavalry marched in a mighty procession. Clad in animal skins, wielding long spears, and riding tall warhorses, they exuded an imposing aura. Leading them was a middle-aged man, presumably the Xianbei leader Zang Muhua.
"This humble general requests to fight!" Wang Li volunteered.
"No rush," the wicked man stopped him. "Since these barbarians have come to us of their own accord, let them see what real war is like!"
He ordered, "Send word to the archers, prepare for battle!"
The Xianbei cavalry were getting closer and closer, and were now within firing range.
";put!";
At a command, thousands of "swarms of bees" opened fire simultaneously. A dense rain of arrows fell like a storm, sending the Xianbei cavalry flying and their horses crashing to the ground. Their prized leather armor was rendered useless before the improved "swarms of bees," and in the blink of an eye, a large number of them fell.
"Withdraw! Withdraw quickly!" Seeing the situation was not good, Jun Zang Muhua hurriedly ordered a retreat.
However, the Qin army's range far exceeded his expectations. A second volley of arrows followed, and many more Xianbei cavalrymen fell from their horses. Junzang Muhua himself was also hit by several arrows, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, leading his remaining troops in a fighting retreat.
"Chase them!" the wicked man ordered. "Don't let them get away!"
The Qin army pursued the remnants of the Xianbei like wolves and tigers. Those cavalrymen who tried to escape were riddled with arrows, and those who wanted to surrender were hacked to death.
Despite being seriously wounded, Jun Zang Muhua still led his elite troops in a desperate resistance, buying time for the main force to retreat.
";kill!";
After a fierce battle, the Xianbei elite forces were almost completely wiped out. Junzang Muhua was also killed by a hail of arrows, and his body was left on the grassland by the Qin army to be eaten by vultures.
In this battle, the Xianbei suffered heavy losses, with at least 10,000 people dying. Even more horrific was the death of their leader, Junzang Muhua, which was a devastating blow to the entire tribe.
"Order the entire army," the wicked man said coldly, "pursue the remaining enemy! Don't let a single one escape!"
The army continued its advance northwest, pursuing the fleeing remnants of the Xianbei.
Three days later, the army caught up with the Xianbei army and reached a grassland. In the distance, countless yurts were scattered along the riverbank; this was the Xianbei's main camp.
"Grand Commandant." A scout reported, "The Xianbei people are in chaos after learning of Jun Zang Muhua's death in battle. The tribe is divided into two factions, one advocating surrender and the other insisting on continuing the resistance..."
"Very good!" the wicked man sneered. "Taking advantage of their internal strife, we will annihilate them in one fell swoop! Order the entire army to prepare for the general offensive!"
The Qin army split into three routes, forming an encirclement of the Xianbei camp.
"Release the arrows!"
A dense rain of arrows covered the entire camp from three directions. The yurts were set ablaze, flames shooting into the sky. The panicked Xianbei rushed out of their tents, only to run right into the Qin army's blades.
";kill!";
The Qin army surged into the Xianbei camp like a tidal wave, unleashing a frenzied massacre. They killed indiscriminately, regardless of age or gender. Those who knelt and begged for mercy were hacked to death, while those hiding in tents were burned alive.
Blood quickly stained the grass red, and corpses littered the ground.
"Grand Commandant!" an officer reported, "We've discovered the newly chosen leader of the Xianbei, fleeing north..."
"Chase him!" the wicked man shouted. "We must capture him! We must never let the Xianbei have another chance to rise again!"
The cavalry charged out like arrows, pursuing the leader. After a fierce chase, they finally captured him alive and brought him back to the camp.
"Kneel down!"
The new Xianbei leader was brought before the wicked man, his face covered in blood, but his eyes remained defiant.
"Are you the new leader of the Xianbei?" the wicked man asked coldly.
"So what if it is?" the other replied, head held high. "We Xianbei have roamed the grasslands for generations and have never submitted to anyone. Even if we perish today, we will never bow our heads to you Qin people!"
"Heh heh." The wicked man sneered, "Well said! However, today I, the Grand Commandant, am not asking you to bow your head, but rather for the complete annihilation of the Xianbei! Men, cut off his head and hang it at the camp gate!"
A flash of light, and the head of the new Xianbei leader rolled to the ground. Blood gushed out, staining a large area of land red.
"Order the entire army," the wicked man said coldly, "Continue the search and extermination! Not a single Xianbei shall be spared!"
The Qin army divided into countless small teams and conducted a thorough search of the grasslands. Any Xianbei people they found, regardless of age or gender, were killed on sight.
Those hiding in the caves were driven out by the smoke and killed on the spot. Those hiding in the bushes were discovered and shot dead with arrows. Some Xianbei people even jumped into the river to commit suicide, but were pulled out by the Qin army and beheaded as a warning.
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