Chapter 47: Li Shimin’s Shock
“Did the Qing really lose?” Li Shimin stroked his beard, a look of surprise crossing his face.
Changsun Wuji gave a wry smile.
“That was my reaction when I first heard the news, too. But it’s true… even their Grand Minister of Military Affairs, Niohuru Nianqi, has been captured.”
Nearby, Li Jing, Hou Junji, and Fang Xuanling exchanged puzzled glances.
“Although the Zhou Dynasty isn’t small, its strength shouldn’t surpass the Qing,” Li Shimin said, his brows furrowed.
“How could they defeat them? The Jurchens are famed for their bravery and martial prowess. Even I wouldn’t underestimate their Iron Pagoda troops. How long did this battle last for them to lose a city so quickly? Niohuru Nianqi is no fool.”
A strange expression appeared on Changsun Wuji’s face.
“Your Majesty, the reason for their swift defeat lies in a treacherous plan by the Zhou.”
Li Shimin narrowed his eyes.
“Oh? What kind of strategy could enable the Zhou to conquer the Qing so easily?”
Fang Xuanling, intrigued, furrowed his brow.
“One side has a city to defend, the other a camp. The Zhou shouldn’t have outlasted the Qing. With the city providing support, what could the Zhou possibly do?”
Li Jing, Hou Junji, and Cheng Yaojin nodded in agreement. Cheng scratched his head.
“Changsun Wuji, stop keeping us in suspense. I’ve fought my share of battles, but I’ve never heard of a city falling this quickly, with both the city and its commander captured. This is outrageous.”
Changsun Wuji sighed and met their gazes before addressing Li Shimin directly.
“Your Majesty, Niohuru Nianqi was safe behind the fortified walls, but a plague broke out in the Zhou camp. In response, the Zhou threw the bodies of infected soldiers into the city…”
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
Changsun continued, “In a panic, Niohuru Nianqi led his troops out to confront the enemy. But this was exactly what the Zhou intended. By luring him into battle, they defeated him swiftly.”
Li Jing and Hou Junji gasped. The hall remained eerily still as they processed what they’d heard.
Li Shimin’s eyes widened.
“They threw plague-infected corpses into the city?” His voice held a mix of disbelief and horror.
Changsun Wuji nodded gravely.
“The information is accurate.”
A shiver ran down Li Shimin’s spine. Though he had been on the battlefield since his youth and had faced the likes of Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande, never had he encountered a strategy so ruthless.
Damn it, this is too vicious.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who had been wondering how the Zhou managed such a swift victory, were equally stunned. This plan is truly hair-raising, they thought. Cheng Yaojin let out a nervous laugh. “Damn, those Zhou people are ruthless.”
Li Shimin massaged his temples, trying to make sense of it all.
“Who could have devised such a sinister strategy? Is there really a treacherous strategist in the Zhou army?”
The hall fell into deep contemplation.
The war between the Zhou and Qing had garnered attention far beyond their borders, especially since the Central Plains hadn’t witnessed such a major conflict in years. Now, that conflict was being shaped by a cruelty none of them had anticipated.