Zhang Qi pushed aside his confidant, grabbed the sword from the table, and roared:
"Run away my ass! I am the King of Jingzhou! How can I desert my post in the face of battle?"
"Pass down the order: tell all the soldiers to hold the line! I'm going to fight them to the death!"
After saying that, Zhang Qi stumbled and rushed out.
He had intended to personally go on stage to boost morale, but as soon as he rushed to the gate, he was stunned by the scene before him.
His once-proud Jingzhou army was now like a pack of stray dogs.
They scattered and fled, crying for their fathers and mothers. Even the cavalrymen didn't care about formation and just ran for their lives.
The once mighty army is now utterly defeated and devoid of fighting spirit.
"What happened? What happened?!"
Zhang Qi grabbed a deserter and roared at the top of his lungs.
"What are you doing? Why aren't you resisting?!"
The deserter trembled with fear and shouted incoherently:
"Your Majesty...the Imperial Guards...they have sorcery! They can explode!"
"The city gates have been blown open! All my brothers... have been killed!"
Just then, several deafening explosions rang out nearby.
Flames shot into the sky, and thick smoke billowed.
Zhang Qi was so frightened that he lost all his "heroic spirit" from before.
He slammed the door shut, bolted it, and ran into the hall.
"Hurry! Hurry! Let's go!"
Zhang Qi shouted at his trusted confidants and several servants who were still standing there in a daze.
"Quickly pack your things and escape through the secret passage!"
The confidants then realized what was happening and hurriedly began to pack up their valuables.
With trembling hands, Zhang Qi pulled a jade pendant from his pocket, the only keepsake his wife had left him.
He clutched the jade pendant tightly, his eyes filled with despair and regret.
If only I had known then what I know now!
As dawn broke, the smells of blood and gunpowder lingered in the air.
Chen Qingwan stood on the city wall of Jingzhou, looking down at the devastated scene inside the city.
Corpses lay strewn across the fields, and blood flowed like rivers.
The cruelty of war was vividly displayed in this once prosperous city.
The fighting throughout the night had dulled the edge of Chen Qingwan's steel knife.
She also had a new wound on her arm, the blood of which had already congealed.
A shocking mark was formed on the fair skin.
Qiao'er carefully bandaged her wound, and Chen Qingwan didn't even frown.
"Your Majesty, it's all better now."
"Qiao'er said softly."
Chen Qingwan glanced at the wound casually. "Has the governor of Jingzhou been captured?"
"No, that bastard Zhang Qi probably escaped in the chaos."
Qiao'er's tone carried a hint of annoyance.
"Heh, at least he ran fast," Chen Qingwan sneered.
"What's the casualty situation? Have the statistics been compiled yet?"
"Your Majesty, our army suffered heavy casualties in this battle, with a total of 372 dead."
One hundred and eight people were seriously injured, and six hundred and fourteen people were slightly injured.
The enemy suffered over 3,200 dead and over 7,300 captured.
Two thousand one thousand one hundred and three fine horses, along with countless weapons and supplies, were captured.
They also seized 10,500 shi of military rations.
Qiao'er's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a mosquito's hum.
"Only a little over ten thousand shi?"
Chen Qingwan's tone also turned somber.
Ten thousand bushels of grain would be enough to feed her army of ten thousand men for at most a month.
"Your Majesty, although Jingzhou City is wealthy, it has long been plundered by Zhang Qi."
"This 10,000 shi is all the grain we can find."
Chen Qingwan rubbed her temples in frustration. Although they had won the battle, the casualties were staggering.
She deployed 10,000 troops, suffering nearly 1,000 casualties—a ratio so high it terrified her.
Then think about that scoundrel Lu Yan, who attacked Southeast Pass and Yunyang City back then.
With over 50,000 troops, they achieved numerous victories, yet suffered pitifully few casualties.
"She still can't compare to that bastard!"
Chen Qingwan slammed her fist on the battlement, feeling both resentful and furious.
"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much. Now that we have occupied Jingzhou, we can use it as a base to expand outwards."
"As long as we wipe out those rebels in Zhongzhou, our rear will be safe."
Qiao'er quickly comforted her.
Chen Qingwan took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
"You're right, this is just the beginning."
What Lu Yan can do, I can definitely do too!
At this moment, Li Mu, stepping over the rubble and broken tiles, came to Chen Qingwan's side and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on capturing Jingzhou!"
He deliberately lowered his voice, afraid of disturbing Chen Qingwan's thoughts.
Chen Qingwan snorted coldly, glanced at the corpses scattered all over the ground, her eyes showing no joy, only deep exhaustion.
"Congratulations? Ha, this battle was a complete disaster, a loss of both wife and army!"
"Is 10,000 shi of grain enough to fill a tooth gap?"
Li Mu coughed lightly.
"Your Majesty, Jingzhou has been captured. Our army has finally gained a foothold in a province, and the foundation for restoring the Great Tong Dynasty has been laid."
"With this as our foundation, we can expect to achieve great things and dominate the future in no time!"
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"I believe that we should take advantage of this victory and march east or west to strengthen our Imperial Guards!"
Chen Qingwan rubbed her temples and said softly:
"I understand. From now on, the affairs of Jingzhou City will depend on you and Qiao'er!"
"Your subject will do his utmost to serve you!"
Li Mu and Qiao'er responded in unison.
"Next, I will clean up Qingzhou. You should be prepared."
After saying that, she turned and left, her back view desolate, as if she were carrying a heavy burden.
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