Chapter 679

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“Your Imperial Majesty, this subordinate understands. I will go discuss this matter with Song Changping now.”

Lu Tong’s expression was somewhat excited. He was quite interested in this type of percussion cap.

Xiao Ming nodded. Overall, Qingzhou’s current firearm standard was basically no different from Europe’s. Both sides used flintlock guns, small batches of rifled guns, field guns, and other firearms.

If fighting with the same weapons as Western armies, Xiao Ming would basically have no advantage and would likely fall into a prolonged war of attrition.

Therefore, any progress was needed at this moment. If the percussion cap manufacturing succeeded this time, he could gain a slight edge over Europe in firearms.

Just as Lu Tong was about to leave, Xiao Ming suddenly remembered something. He said, “By the way, you, Lin Wentao, Song Changping, Chen Qi, and others should communicate frequently. In this way, you can exchange information. Perhaps what Lin Wentao manufactures is what you need, and what you manufacture is what Lin Wentao needs. This way, Qingzhou’s technology can improve as a whole, instead of each of you doing your own thing.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty, this subordinate has noted it.” Lu Tong bowed.

After discussing this, Xiao Ming asked Lu Tong about the chemical industry, and then dismissed him.

Now, the north was about to be unified. After unification, it would be a phase of recuperation and industrial upliftment. He was already preparing for this.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but think of Niu Ben and the others. The war in the north was now in their hands. He only hoped it would end quickly.

After all, the situation was constantly changing, and the longer it dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for them.

Qingzhou (Liang Capital).

After the Battle of Juyong Pass, Niu Ben concentrated most of his forces in Qingzhou. At the same time, he had the Prince of Huainan and Chen Xinran each leave 20,000 men to guard Juyong Pass, and the Western Expeditionary Army also left 20,000 men to assist them in battle.

On the day the Zhao army was defeated, the barbarians chose to retreat. The barbarians were not foolish; if they stayed, they would only suffer greater casualties.

“After the Battle of Juyong Pass, the Zhao army suffered heavy losses and is no longer able to fight us in the open. They can only rely on natural barriers to stop us. Overall, the balance of offense and defense has changed. Now, we should take the initiative to completely deal with Prince Zhao.”

Niu Ben said in the camp.

The Prince of Huainan nodded, “General Niu is absolutely right. That day at Juyong Pass, the barbarians and the Zhao army colluded, which shows that these barbarians intend to profit from the situation. If this war continues to drag on, it will only become more difficult once the barbarians intervene.”

“General Niu, just give the order. Speed is of the essence in war. As long as we capture Hulao Pass and Chang’an, the Great Yu Empire will be settled.” Chen Xinran said. Now, the only remaining rebel in the Great Yu Empire was Prince Zhao.

Although the King of Chu still occupied the area south of the Yangtze River, he had, after all, pledged allegiance to Xiao Ming.

Niu Ben nodded upon hearing this. “This is also why this general gathered you all here today. Starting today, the grand army will set off, determined to take Hulao Pass and Chang’an in one fell swoop, and pacify the north.”

“Yes, General.” The generals said in unison, their expressions excited. They were waiting for the day they could ride into Chang’an.

The Prince of Huainan and Chen Xinran exchanged glances, and also had their subordinates gather soldiers to prepare for sallying forth.

Three days later, the allied forces appeared before Hulao Pass.

Hulao Pass was a formidable pass east of Luoyang. Capturing this pass would allow them to occupy Luoyang, and from Luoyang, they could then attack Tong Pass to reach Chang’an directly.

This time, with the determination to capture Chang’an, Niu Ben immediately subjected Hulao Pass’s city walls and gate to merciless artillery bombardment.

In the Battle of Juyong Pass, Prince Zhao had committed almost all of Zhao’s elite forces. The commander left at Hulao Pass was merely a surrendered official who had pledged allegiance to him when Chang’an was breached.

The general of Hulao Pass had never seen such a formation. He was immediately terrified, his legs trembling from the cannon fire.

Being able to beg for mercy from Prince Zhao, the commander of Hulao Pass could naturally also beg for mercy from Niu Ben. In the fourth round of cannon fire, the commander of Hulao Pass ordered the city gate to be opened and personally came out to welcome Niu Ben.

“Chen Guodong, you’re quite the opportunist.” Luo Hong was familiar with the general of Hulao Pass and couldn’t help but speak sarcastically at this moment.

Chen Guodong was a man of medium height with a dark complexion. Seeing Luo Hong and Niu Ben, he immediately put on a subservient demeanor and said, “General Niu, General Luo, although this subordinate served in the Zhao camp, my heart has always been with His Imperial Majesty. Precisely for this reason, this subordinate took the initiative to come out and surrender. I hope the generals will understand.”

Niu Ben and Luo Hong, upon learning that the commander of Hulao Pass was still Chen Guodong, decided to bombard him to scare him. They both knew this Chen Guodong well, being fully aware that he was a very adaptable man.

“Let’s not talk about this for now. I only ask you how many people and how many troops are in Luoyang City?” Niu Ben asked.

Upon this, Chen Guodong sighed deeply. He said to Niu Ben, “General Niu, you might not know, but Luoyang is now an empty city!”

“Empty city!” Niu Ben was greatly alarmed.

Chen Guodong nodded, “Just ten days ago, Prince Zhao suddenly ordered the common people of Luoyang City to be driven inside Tong Pass, and then set the entire Luoyang City ablaze. Any common people who refused to leave were tragically killed. Moreover, Prince Zhao spread word that if the General attacks Tong Pass, he will burn Chang’an and drive all the common people back to Zhao.”

“Outrageous!” Niu Ben roared in anger. He cursed, “How is this fellow any different from Dong Zhuo?”

Chen Guodong wore a sorrowful expression. He said, “General, it is precisely because this subordinate was unwilling to collude with Prince Zhao that I refused to go to Tong Pass and waited here for the General’s arrival.”

“Nonsense! It must be that Prince Zhao looked down on you and left you here in Hulao Pass to risk your life for him. You certainly speak well,” Luo Hong snorted.

Chen Guodong’s words also enraged him. His relatives were in Chang’an City.

Scolded by Luo Hong, Chen Guodong dared not speak again, trembling with fear.

Lu Fei then said to Niu Ben, “General, Prince Zhao is forcing us to retreat. If we fall for his trick, and the barbarians arrive, this war will be difficult. At the very least, we must take Tong Pass. In this way, if the barbarians want to enter, they must break through the pass.”

Niu Ben’s gaze gradually became resolute. He said, “You are right. At this time, one cannot sacrifice the greater good for a minor act of benevolence.”

He looked at Chen Guodong and said, “If you want to live, you must obey this general now. You are to immediately order your soldiers to take off their military uniforms.”

“Take off military uniforms?” Chen Guodong asked, puzzled.

“Less nonsense!” Luo Hong rebuked.

Chen Guodong seemed to fear Luo Hong somewhat and immediately had his soldiers take off their armor.

At this time, Niu Ben ordered the Qingzhou army to take off their own military uniforms and change into the military uniforms of Chen Guodong’s soldiers.

“Chen Guodong, this is your chance to live. If you can help this general take Tong Pass without anyone noticing, this general will speak a few good words for you before His Imperial Majesty.”

Niu Ben said thoughtfully, having already formed a plan in his mind.