"My lord, the King of Qin, swept through the southern regions with only 30,000 troops, capturing the leader first.
Admittedly, they fortified themselves deep in the mountains and forests, but a single fire, a scorched-earth policy, and they were denied a single grain of food.
We held the passes, slowly starving them to death.
Even if they didn't come out for a decisive battle, they would be starved to death within six months.
Gentlemen, the Taihang Mountains don't produce salt…
And the importance of salt, I need not elaborate!"
Mi Heng's expression was filled with utter arrogance, as if he had done all this himself. Such shameless behavior was simply the epitome of depravity.
"Without salt, over time, flesh and blood will atrophy, spirit will weaken…
And many diseases will arise.
Gentlemen, if our army were to use this tactic on you, I wonder how long you could withstand it?"
Mi Heng sneered, mainly targeting the leaders who disobeyed Zhang Yan; as for his trusted confidants, they could be trusted.
Yu Du's expression changed, and he said, somewhat angrily, "Why are you looking at me like that!
You think I'm afraid of your mother?!"
"Heh, Yu Du, is it? Today, I represent my lord, the King of Qin, to offer you all amnesty.
Relinquish your military control and go to Chang'an to live a life of wealth and honor. My lord guarantees you a life of riches and glory.
Resist to the bitter end, and you will die."
Mi Heng looked at Yu Du, seemingly wanting to make an example of him. "You rebelled, and your entire family should be executed. His Highness the King of Qin is benevolent and righteous, compassionate towards the people, and has reduced taxes and levies. He is a righteous army that will cleanse the world. To oppose the imperial family is to die. Heh, General, think it over!"
Bang!
"You think I'm afraid of your mother!
You dare to burn down the Taihang Mountains? Do you dare commit such an outrageous act?!
Aren't you afraid your descendants will suffer short lifespans?!"
Yu Du's face was ashen. He was both shocked and furious. If things continued like this,
it would definitely be terrible.
Because what restrains behavior and the scale of war is only morality.
Once morality disappears, one can be considered invincible.
"You stubbornly resist, leading over a million Black Mountain Yellow Turbans to their deaths. Then I must ask you, aren't you afraid your descendants will suffer short lifespans, and that people will speak ill of you behind your back?"
Mi Heng's face was also filled with rage and contempt. "Oh, I forgot, you have no descendants. You're childless!"
"You scoundrel, how dare you bully me like this!"
Yu Du drew his long sword, ready to strike at Mi Heng. "I'll kill you!"
Thud!
Before the poison had even subsided, a sharp pain shot through his waist. Turning around, he saw his sworn brother, Sui Gu, had plunged a dagger into his lower back, damaging his kidney. "You!"
"Brother, don't blame me.
You stubbornly contacted the commander, plotting a rebellion…
And you even accepted gifts from Yuan Shao, contacting Brother Zhang's enemies.
Even as your sworn brother, I cannot stand by and watch you lead the soldiers and their families into the abyss!"
Sui Gu wore a helpless expression. Betraying a sworn brother was a despicable act.
But if it meant certain death, there was no need to go through fire and water with him.
People would truly die!
"You! You beast! You betrayed me!"
Yu Du knelt on the ground, spitting blood, his eyes fixed on Sui Gu. He never imagined his good brother would betray him!
"This isn't my fault. You're dragging everyone down with you. I can't do that.
Brother Yu, if you die, I'll take care of your mother. Don't worry."
Sui Gu didn't want to be marginalized later, so he could only try to salvage the situation later. It wasn't because of anything else, but because doing so meant he could at least stay alive.
Mi Heng, though disdainful of this behavior, had to agree.
Before he set off, Lu Ming had given him authority, including the authority to mobilize troops to attack Black Mountain.
How to fight was none of his business, nor was it his place to decide, but he could decide whether to fight or not.
This time, as the main force, capturing Black Mountain was certainly a great achievement.
However, he wasn't satisfied. Lu Ming had already won over Zhang Yan. With Zhang Yan's consent, taking over Black Mountain was actually a simple matter.
If an ordinary scholar had come, they would likely have accepted this achievement, since it was practically a free gift.
But Mi Heng wasn't satisfied. It wasn't that he felt the merit was insignificant, but rather that this didn't showcase his abilities.
So he stood up, clapping his hands. "Good, General Sui Gu, is it? I'll toast you! Come on!"
"I wouldn't dare presume, Your Excellency, please feel free to drink. I'll drink it all."
Sui Gu, not daring to be presumptuous, quickly picked up his cup and raised it to Mi Heng.
Mi Heng glanced at the assembled leaders; there were thirteen of them, large and small.
He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Zhang Yan. "General, I have been entrusted by the King of Qin to take full charge of the Black Mountain affair.
This is a great achievement; you all have contributed, and so have I.
Another 50,000 troops are rushing here day and night. Now I have a plan that will allow you all to achieve further great merit, establish yourselves in rank and titles, and benefit your descendants. I wonder if you are interested?"
Zhang Yan frowned, sensing something was amiss, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Please speak freely, sir. We are all straightforward men.
Since you are entrusted by the King of Qin, you must possess extraordinary talent. We trust you."
The other Yellow Turban leaders also looked at Mi Heng with questioning eyes, a mixture of doubt, excitement, and a hint of confusion.
To surrender to Lu Ming and then relinquish military power—this seemed like an insecure situation.
"Gentlemen," Mi Heng said, "Yu Du has defected to Yuan Shao, and I have already seen their correspondence.
Why don't we use this to our advantage, lure Yuan Shao's army here, and then slaughter them all?
This would surely clarify the situation in Hebei.
Gongsun Zan in the north, if he wants to advance south, will inevitably have to eliminate Liu Yu and Yuan Shao.
The Governor of Ji Province, Han Fu, has already decided to defect to my lord. If you can eliminate Yuan Shao's army at this time, you will undoubtedly be the first to receive credit.
I am willing to guarantee with my position that I will recommend you for this honor!"
Mi Heng thought that they should launch a decisive attack and wipe out the combined forces of Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan.
The Black Mountain Army was said to number a million, but nearly 800,000 of them were elderly, weak, women, and children. Zhang Yan only controlled 100,000 of the fresh troops.
The remaining 100,000 were controlled by other tribal leaders and could not be infiltrated.
This is a hidden danger. Rather than letting something happen in the future, it's better to start wiping them out now!