Chapter 722 The Great Han Martyrs' Cemetery



After a day of reorganization, under the control of Han soldiers and Goguryeo prisoners, Sifang City was completely under their command.

As dusk approached, Zhu Yao also arrested all the noble officials of Goguryeo who were close to Li Xiao.

"Your Majesty, I have captured 134 nobles and officials and seized a large amount of gold, jewelry, jade, and medicinal herbs, totaling approximately 5 billion coins."

As he spoke, Zhu Yao took out a list and held it in his hands: "This is the detailed list, please take a look, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Rang, who was serving nearby, quickly stepped forward, took the list, and handed it to Liu Hong.

"Good, well done!"

Looking at the detailed list, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction.

Liu Hong then looked at Zhu Yao: "Your contributions are considerable. I hereby bestow upon you the title of Second-Class Earl of Lougui, and you may retain your family property!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

Seeing that the emperor had spared him and even granted him a title, Zhu Yao was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to kowtow and express his gratitude.

Liu Hong nodded: "Get up. You will have to work a little harder to gather the people of the various tribes of Goguryeo. I will send ten thousand soldiers to accompany you!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!!"

Zhu Yao nodded in agreement and then quickly retreated.

Before long, Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and others came to report on the success of the siege.

Huangfu Song said excitedly, "Your Majesty, in this campaign to capture the capital of Goguryeo, our army suffered a total of two hundred dead, eight hundred lightly wounded, and fifty seriously wounded..."

Apart from the 3,000 defenders who were killed by catapults, our army killed 10,000 enemy soldiers and captured 130,000, but only 40,000 of them were able-bodied men, the rest were the elderly and children. In addition, 160,000 civilians in the city were all brought under control.

A total of 300,000 shi of grain and fodder, and 200,000 shi of various dried fish, dried meat and other food were seized.

An inventory of the Goguryeo treasury revealed a total of various valuables, with a total value of approximately 50 billion coins.

As for the wealth and possessions of the remaining tribal cities and fortresses within Goguryeo territory, they can only be tallied after our army has recaptured them.

After Huangfu Song finished reading, everyone showed a hint of excitement on their faces.

Before attacking the capital of Goguryeo, everyone was prepared for a fierce battle, but unexpectedly, they not only captured it in one day, but also suffered very few casualties.

Amidst their excitement, everyone also cast grateful glances at Mo Shang, who had created the catapult.

Liu Hong, seated at the head of the table, nodded in satisfaction, then asked in a deep voice, "What was the total casualty situation of our army on this expedition?"

"Your Majesty, in this campaign, our army suffered a total of 4,123 casualties, while the Buyeo New Army suffered more than 500 casualties."

Among the military officers, one cavalry commander died in battle, two centurions, ten captains, thirty squad leaders, and five guardsmen.

There were over 12,000 people with minor injuries and over 2,300 with serious injuries. Due to timely medical treatment, most of the lightly injured have recovered, 1,200 are disabled due to serious injuries, 700 have died, and the rest are recovering.

"Alas, they are all fine men of my Han Dynasty, yet they die far from home!"

Listening to Huangfu Song read out a long list of casualty figures, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh.

"Your Majesty need not be distressed. In such severe weather and in a battle of this scale, it is truly remarkable that our army has suffered such low casualties."

Huangfu Song had been well-versed in military strategy since childhood and knew that in a war, the deadliest people were not on the battlefield, but wounded.

If 10,000 people die in a battle between two armies, then at least 8,000 of them will die in the wounded soldiers' camp.

Even a small wound can take a soldier's life.

With the medical team now in place, the wounded soldiers have received proper medical treatment. Once these soldiers, who have experienced the great battle, recover and return to the army, they will be rare elites.

Liu Hong nodded solemnly and said, "The remains of those fallen soldiers must be properly preserved. After the army returns, I will build a mausoleum for them outside Luoyang, named the Great Han Martyrs' Mausoleum, and bury them there."

At the same time, I will send people to build a stone tablet and inscribe their heroic deeds on it so that future generations can admire them!

From now on, all soldiers who died in battle for their country will be enshrined in the Han Dynasty Martyrs' Cemetery. April 5th will be designated as a memorial day, and all military personnel and students are required to visit and pay their respects.

"Your Majesty is merciful; we are willing to follow you to the death!!"

As Liu Hong finished speaking, the officers felt a chill run down their spines, and all of them looked at their emperor with bloodshot eyes.

Soldiers are not afraid of death; what they fear is dying without meaning and being forgotten after their death.

The fact that the emperor is building the Han Martyrs' Mausoleum today is undoubtedly the greatest affirmation for soldiers.

Liu Hong then took out paper and pen and personally wrote an edict demanding that the court immediately build a mausoleum. He then handed the edict, along with the list of fallen soldiers, to a messenger.

Soon, the messenger, escorted by several Imperial Guards, carrying Liu Hong's edict, sped off towards the Han Dynasty.

When the news spread, all the soldiers were instantly excited.

An old soldier took out his comrade's belongings and gently stroked them.

"My comrade, you're so lucky! His Majesty said that a mausoleum for the martyrs of the Han Dynasty will be built for you. Not only will you be able to keep your comrades company, but you'll also be able to enjoy their worship. I'm so envious!"

As he spoke, two lines of tears slid down the veteran's cheeks.

Like this veteran, countless soldiers were both happy for their fallen comrades and deeply moved.

That night, Liu Hong held a grand celebration in the palace to commemorate the victory in this great battle.

Before the banquet, in addition to the generals, Liu Hong also personally met with some brave soldiers and personally rewarded them.

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