Chapter 556

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The scorching sun baked Pengzhou City, making people unwilling to stay outdoors.

After entrusting the bounty matter to Fiji, Xiao Ming and the others went to the main hall of the Mi family. The smooth progress of the battle for Pengzhou City this time somewhat surprised Xiao Ming.

After inquiring about the details of the battle from Lu Fei and Luo Xin, he gradually understood. The reason for the rapid collapse of the Pengzhou army was entirely due to their unfamiliarity with the Southern Expedition Army’s tactics. They still employed traditional combat methods against his army.

Therefore, under the long-range firepower of cannons and firearms, the Pengzhou army suffered heavy casualties, which further exacerbated the soldiers’ fear, leading to a significant drop in morale after the city gate was captured.

Given this, Xiao Ming said to Lu Fei, “Now that Pengzhou City has been taken by us, Wei’s territory will no longer have natural defenses. From now on, it will be a flat plain. You are to use Pengzhou City as a base to continue southward, conquering cities and seizing land, while also replenishing troops.” Xiao Ming said contemplatively.

These days, he had been pondering the current strategy. According to his plan, he wanted to annex Wei’s territory as quickly as possible. This way, he would not be attacked from the flank and could focus on dealing with the vassal kings in the west.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Lu Fei bowed.

After giving the order to Lu Fei, Xiao Ming said to Fiji and the other officials, “Now that the Southern Expedition Army has taken Pengzhou City, managing it is your responsibility. In these two days, you are to tally the land and actual population of Pengzhou City and distribute the land to the common people.”

Equal distribution of land was a policy Xiao Ming insisted on. It was precisely this policy that gained Xiao Ming the support of the people in his fief. Fiji, after arriving in Qingzhou, had truly felt the benefits brought by the changes this policy brought.

Fiji nodded and suggested, “Your Highness, in addition to the normal equal distribution of land, I believe that a portion of good land should also be awarded to the common people who join the army to encourage local people to join the Southern Expedition Army. This way, the Southern Expedition Army can continuously grow stronger.”

“Hmm, you’re right. That’s exactly what I am thinking. The fief can no longer continue to provide soldiers for the Southern Expedition Army. We can only rely on recruiting from the captured cities. Besides setting aside a portion of good land, you must also post notices to appease the common people and win their hearts as quickly as possible.” Xiao Ming said sternly.

Fiji and the other officials bowed in agreement.

With that, he led the officials to the Pengzhou government office to formally take over the administration of Pengzhou City and its surrounding counties and villages.

…

Jinling City.

News of the great defeat in Pengzhou City arrived here, accompanying the fleeing powerful families.

When Mi Wenyi told the Prince of Wei everything that had happened, the teacup in the Prince of Wei’s hand fell to the ground, and the Prince of Wei’s face turned pale, his body trembling slightly.

“Royal Uncle!” Xiao Qi immediately stepped forward to support the Prince of Wei.

“Fifty thousand elite troops from Pengzhou City, plus the private armies of the local powerful families, couldn’t even hold out for a single day! What use are you all to me?” After gasping for a few breaths, the Prince of Wei angrily said, “Guards, take Mi Wenyi away! Execute him tomorrow!”

“Your Highness, it wasn’t my dereliction of duty or premature collapse. It was truly because King Qi’s firearms and cannons were too powerful. Although the soldiers resisted with their flesh and blood, it was completely useless.” Mi Wenyi was greatly alarmed.

“I don’t need your explanation! I valued your Mi family in vain; I didn’t expect you were just a bunch of useless scoundrels! No need to speak! Pengzhou City is the gateway to Wei territory, and now that it’s lost, Wei territory has no natural defenses left. If I don’t kill you, won’t the generals guarding other cities all imitate you!” The Prince of Wei cursed.

“Your Highness, spare my life!” Mi Wenyi cried out as he was dragged away by the guards.

Xiao Qi sighed. He said to the Prince of Wei, “Royal Uncle, calm your anger. The current priority is how to preserve the fief’s territory. This time, Xiao Ming came prepared and is very aggressive. We cannot sit idly by.”

The Prince of Wei’s chubby face was filled with despair. He said, “Pengzhou City was breached in just one day. How many days can other cities hold out? Is heaven truly going to destroy me?”

“Royal Uncle, is this the time for self-pity? Xiao Ming has little land and few people, and has many enemies. Most of his troops are currently used to defend against the Prince of Zhao. Although Pengzhou has fallen this time, King Qi’s army has also suffered casualties. It’s impossible for them to fight again without a period of rest. We should seize this opportunity to make horizontal and vertical alliances, leaving King Qi with no time to move southward.”

“How do you mean that?”

“Mi Wenyi said that King Qi’s army did not violate the common people after entering the city, which shows that Xiao Ming’s ambition lies in unifying the world. This action is to win the hearts of the people. If so, King Qi’s next target after Wei’s territory must be Yan’s territory. I believe that we should now send an envoy to ally with the Prince of Yan to jointly resist King Qi.” Xiao Qi said.

The Prince of Wei frowned, “But I and the Prince of Yan have always been at odds. Will he agree?”

“If Wei’s territory falls, the Prince of Yan will directly face Xiao Ming’s military might. The Prince of Yan naturally knows what is more important. Wei and Yan are comparable in strength; even with some friction, they cannot overthrow each other. But Xiao Ming is different. His ability to easily take Pengzhou City is enough to show his strength. Facing such a powerful enemy, only by joining forces can we resist.”

“Hmm, you’re right. Not only the Prince of Yan, but I will also send envoys to Chang’an and Liang. If we can successfully form an alliance, we will destroy Xiao Ming!” The Prince of Wei said hatefully.

Xiao Qi nodded and bowed, saying, “Royal Uncle, I am willing to undertake the mission, to repay Royal Uncle’s kindness in taking me in.”

The Prince of Wei looked at Xiao Qi with pity. He said, “Why would you personally undertake such a task? Sending a few officials would suffice.”

“Royal Uncle, this matter is of great importance. If other officials go, I’m afraid it will ruin the alliance. I have no other abilities, except for having studied the art of vertical and horizontal alliances from ‘Gui Guzi’.” Xiao Qi said.

The Prince of Wei sighed, “Virtuous nephew, I had wanted to seize the imperial throne of Great Yu Empire for you, but now I cannot even protect myself. I am truly ashamed towards you.”

Hearing this, Xiao Qi hesitated. He said, “Royal Uncle, I have long since let go. Why can’t Royal Uncle let go? If Royal Uncle can listen to my words, why not submit to King Qi from now on and become a carefree prince? This way, you can preserve your honor for the rest of your life. In my opinion, only King Qi can restore the former lands of the imperial family.”

“Xiao Qi, this is boosting others’ morale and diminishing our own prestige!” The Prince of Wei said angrily, “I will not submit to that young Xiao Ming!”

Sighing, Xiao Qi said, “In that case, I will follow Royal Uncle to the very end.”

Gazing steadily at Xiao Qi, the Prince of Wei wanted to say something but ultimately did not. Waving his hand, he dismissed Xiao Qi.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, ever since the Battle of Cangzhou, he had understood that he would forever live under Xiao Ming’s shadow. And now, everything proved his intuition was correct.

But as a highly favored vassal king, how could he bow to Xiao Ming?