Chapter 3: The Troops Arrive at Wudu
Escaping from disaster and letting Yaoli go was the first step for Qingji to change the course of history.
As for Yaoli, Qingji had thought about killing him as soon as possible.
However, after careful consideration, he decided to let Yao Li go.
Why?
This is because Yaoli was indeed a ruthless person. In order to establish his own reputation and leave his name in history, he did not hesitate to destroy his own body and family, and used the method of self-torture to assassinate Qingji.
Moreover, Yaoli is a man of both courage and wisdom, a rare talent!
Qingji valued and loved talented people, so how could he execute Yaoli just to vent his momentary hatred?
Besides, Qingji needs to pay more attention to his reputation.
The Spring and Autumn Period was certainly an era of the collapse of rituals and music, but the princes and nobles still had to pay attention to their own words and deeds, and be cautious in what they said and did!
If Qingji killed Yaoli, he would certainly feel relieved, and it would be natural and logical, without having to face criticism from the world.
However, what impact would it have if Qingji could let Yaoli go?
Just imagine, Qingji could even forgive Yaoli who came to assassinate him, which shows his tolerance.
At that time, it will not only greatly increase Qingji's popularity, but also attract more talents to join his team.
Moreover, those Wu generals and officials who were originally wavering between Qingji and Helu will probably turn to Qingji's side!
The power of the name of benevolence and righteousness is self-evident.
Of course, if Qingji wanted to attack and kill Helu and take back the throne that originally belonged to him, it would not work just by relying on benevolence and righteousness!
…
"kill!"
The shouts of killing that rose into the sky shook the clouds.
On the shore of Wuhu Lake (Taihu Lake), thousands of Heluo army soldiers were drawing their bows and arrows, shooting the enemies on the opposing warships!
Dense and powerful arrows fell like a flood, instantly filling the deck of the warship and killing many unlucky soldiers of the Qingji Army.
In this era, no matter which country the soldiers were from, it was impossible for them to be equipped with a complete set of armor.
The same goes for the soldiers of the Qingji Army!
Moreover, even fully armed and well-armored warriors may not be able to withstand the penetrating power of arrows.
Therefore, the soldiers who were hit by arrows often fell in a pool of blood with screams and died.
"superior!"
"Come closer!"
"Shoot!"
Qingji was personally in charge, standing on a warship at the front of the fleet.
He waved the bronze sword in his hand and pointed at the enemy troops on the shore!
The soldiers nearby were afraid that Qingji would be hurt, so they immediately raised their rectangular shields and formed a crescent shape to protect Qingji firmly.
Of course, sometimes there would be stray arrows shot at him, but they were all shot down one by one by Qingji's sword!
The soldiers of the Qingji Army who were attacked were unwilling to be outdone. They immediately drew their bows and arrows, and fired round after round of arrows at the enemy troops on the shore.
“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!”
"Uhhhhhhhhh!"
A rain of arrows fell from the sky like a swarm of locusts, instantly killing dozens of Helu army soldiers and causing considerable damage.
“Boom boom boom!”
The sound of war drums exploded like thunder in the sky.
The warships of Qingji Army cut through the waves at an extremely fast speed and rushed towards the shore!
The soldiers on the warships were all bare-chested, rowing hard.
There were also many fearless soldiers who took small boats and tried to reach the shore first.
The defense line built by Helu's army on the shore was ultimately very fragile!
After a while, the warships of Qingji Army came ashore one after another. The soldiers on the warships shouted loudly, waved their weapons, and quickly rushed towards the enemy in front.
"Follow me!"
"kill!"
Qingji led the charge and threw a bronze sword. With a "swish" sound, the sharp sword pierced through the chest and killed an enemy who was coming towards him.
He gave a clear shout, and charged into the enemy camp with a spear in his hand.
"puff!"
With a thrust of the spear, a soldier of Helu's army was immediately knocked flying.
Wherever Qingji's spear went, it could be stabbed, swept, chopped, or thrust, and no one could match him!
Seeing how brave Qingji was, the nearby enemies were frightened and retreated one after another.
The soldiers of Qingji's army were greatly encouraged and followed Qingji to kill in all directions!
At the main banner of the central army of Helu Army, Grand Marshal Fu Gai watched as Qingji Army pressed forward step by step while his own soldiers retreated one after another, and he could not help but feel anxious.
“Run!”
"Retreat quickly! "
The Helu army's originally relatively tight formation eventually collapsed.
When one defeated soldier appeared, the second, the third... more defeated soldiers turned around and ran away.
When Fu Gai saw this, he couldn't help but get furious!
"Go back! Go back quickly!"
"Anyone who dares to escape from the battlefield will be killed without mercy!"
Fu Gai, who was on the chariot, was so angry that he shouted and tried to stop the fleeing soldiers, but it was of no avail. No one paid any attention to him.
Fu Gai was furious, so he jumped off the chariot and killed two defeated soldiers in a row, but he still could not reverse the situation.
At this time, a general on one side trembled with fear and advised: "Grand Marshal, retreat! We can't stop Qingji's army!"
"Da Sima, look! Qingji is coming towards us!"
Fu Gai was startled and looked back. Sure enough, he saw Qingji leading a team of elite soldiers, charging left and right like a tiger descending from a mountain, and rushing towards him.
Everyone knows how brave Qingji is.
After all, Fu Gai was a member of the royal family of Wu, the younger brother of Helu, and the cousin of Qingji. How could he not be aware of Qingji's bravery?
"withdraw!"
Fu Gai gave the order to the army to retreat without any hesitation, and then he got on his chariot and fled.
Seeing Fu Gai running so fast, the soldiers of Helu Army around him all fled in all directions!
However, Qingji did not kill all of them. After seeing that Helu's army had completely collapsed, he immediately shouted loudly, "Those who surrender will not be killed."
As a result, the soldiers of Helu Army, who originally had little will to fight, threw down their weapons and knelt on the ground in surrender.
After landing, Qingji's army defeated Helu's army led by Fu Gai, beheaded more than 800 people and captured nearly 1,000 people!
The Qingji army marched non-stop across Gusu Mountain and headed straight for Hongshang.
At this time, Qingji's army was less than thirty miles away from Wu, the capital of Wu State!
Seeing that it was getting late, Qingji's army set up camp at Hongshang to recuperate and prepare for a major battle .
…
Night falls.
King Wu’s Palace!
At this time, Helu, who had usurped the throne and became the King of Wu, was sitting in the main seat, looking worried.
Opposite him, kneeling was a middle-aged man with mottled white hair but no signs of old age on his face!
This person was none other than Helu’s trusted adviser Wu Yuan—Wu Zixu!
Helu was worried about the fact that Qingji's army was approaching the city.
When news of the defeat at the front came, Helu even cursed his younger brother Fu Gai!
She scolded her husband so much that he was spitting blood.
But, this obviously doesn't help!
For now, what Helu needs to consider is how to resist the attack of Qingji's army.
