Chapter 172 - Vanquishing Private Soldiers (1/2)
Chapter 172 – Vanquis.h.i.+ng Private Soldiers
Translated by Bloodfalcon
Liu Mang finally regained his consciousness and he is really surprised with the amount of casualties in front of him and said “What the h.e.l.l is this scenery?!”. He is really unable to believe that this is the result when heavy infantry clashes with light infantry and because the battle took place at a “confined” s.p.a.ce, right now those n.o.ble private soldiers are cornered like rats. Even when at Bagongshan battle, when Yu Province Cavalry trampled upon supply troops, the scenery is not as pitiful as this. But even then, that battle took place in an open s.p.a.ce where people can still escape and scattered in all directions so at that battle, all remaining 3,000 supply troops are able to escape.
Those n.o.ble private soldiers who are cornered right now, only have two choices. First is to commit suicide by jumping from city wall, second is to be executed by Liu Mang’s soldiers. Liu Mang’s decision this time is a bit too harsh.
Liu Mang unleashed what we called a barrage of mortar bombs in our modern time terms toward those n.o.ble private soldiers. Such is The Black Flag comparison during ma.s.sacre just now. Infantries did not stand a chance from mortar barrage and after the a.s.sault stopped, what was left is only a scene from h.e.l.l.
When Liu Mang awakes Huang Zhong quickly got to Liu Mang’s side and said “Little lord, please order them to stop!!!” Huang Zhong already seen that these Sun Ce army already lost courage and already wanted to surrender. These remaining 5,000 troops are all still human not pigs. If they still have courage to fight, Huang Zhong will not spare them, but all of them already throw down their swords and screaming for surrender.
Some of those private soldiers who heard Liu Mang and Huang Zhong’s word started to speak up “Yes, general. I am willing to surrender. I am willing!!!” They all know that Liu Mang is Lu Bu army’s leader also Black Flag who have heard Huang Zhong’s words also stop their advance in order to hear Liu Mang’s words.
Surrender?! Even if you surrender, all of you already useless. Fear has gripped their heart tightly, they will not be able to fight against Sun Ce army. All of them already feared these Black Flag as their nightmares. They are monsters. One strike from them, casualties amounted to 6,000 troops. So only these 5,000 troops are left and right now they are surrendering and looking at Liu Mang for hope of mercy.
Liu Mang closed his eyes and tighten his brow. He knows that these Sun Ce’s n.o.ble private soldiers are all commoners and are all Han Dynasty’s subjects. Liu Mang really did not want to kill his fellow Han but they are forced to battle against him by Sun Ce who wants to avenge Da Qiao and Zhou Tai’s death. Liu Mang also forced his own soldiers to do battle in order to avenge Su Fei’s death and to avenge his brothers-in-arms who were killed by Zhou Tai. Hearing their pleas, Liu Mang’s heart began to soften. His thought began to stream. He thought maybe they are the only son in the family whose mother now is sewing his cloth and waiting for him to comeback, or they maybe a sole pillar of support for their own family. No one is willing to go to war, only those greedy n.o.bles who want this war.
Looking Liu Mang closed his eyes, Huang Zhong think that Liu Mang will spare them. Once Liu Mang said his order, he will relay it to all Black Flag. But Liu Mang next words made every people stunned.
Liu Mang opened his eyes and said these words in cold tone “SPARE NO ONE!!!!” But his face expression is one of struggling expression. Liu Mang’s deepest wish is to spare them, but considering their mentality, they will be unusable again for the next battle, also Liu Mang can no longer reserve his soldiers to guard them, for all of Wancheng city’s n.o.ble private soldiers from the one that did not partic.i.p.ate in n.o.ble’s rebellion are all exhausted. Lu, Xu, Han and Liu, all has been decimated by Danyang soldiers. Regarding Black Flag, because Xu Sheng already subjugated by Liu Mang, all Black Flag is obedient toward him. But these n.o.ble private soldiers? They are not disciplined, they are afraid and only able to do orgy. Liu Mang will not use them. Furthermore, if they rebelled again, Wancheng city will not hold on a.s.saults from inside and outside. Might as well kill them all.
“WHAT?!” Xu Sheng and Huang Zhong all shocked, disbelief to their little lord’s words.
“DO I NEED TO REPEAT MYSELF? SPARE NO ONE!!!!” Said Liu Mang coldly. His eyes shows more struggle, but now, he must be merciless toward enemies. Finally he knows how heavy is a responsibility to be general. A general need to sacrifice in order to achieve victory, since Liu Mang’s own men cannot be sacrificed, then surrendered enemy who shall be the sacrifice.
“YES SIR!!!” Xu Sheng said it with respectful tone. Xu Sheng concluded that his little lord is a very ruthless person. Xu Sheng himself is ruthless in battle, and if the one who subjugate them is less ruthless than they are, maybe they will rebel.
Yesterday, Liu Mang decisively threatened Black Flag with starvation. And now Liu Mang ordered death for these 5,000 lives in one breath. This made Xu Sheng realize that Liu Mang is a very decisive person and the one needed to quell the flames of war. Xu Sheng himself find that he is liking Liu Mang more and more. Xu Sheng is a restless person, he cannot wait to show this nation the prowess of his Black Flag and help his little lord win the hegemony compet.i.tion.
“GENERAL, WE SURRENDER, WE SURRENDER!!!!” The n.o.ble private soldiers start to break down. They already threw down their swords and spears to the ground, already kneel down toward Liu Mang to spare them, but unexpectedly, Liu Mang their death altogether. Black Flag quickly execute his order as if they are Liu Mang’s arms and legs.
When Liu Mang see and hear their pleas, he can only said “Forgive me!!!!” in his heart. If Wancheng city has enough defenders, Liu Mang will accept them but now, Liu Mang can only ask all of you to die. Liu Mang thought “I am sorry, I will give you all some paper money offering after the battle is finished, so you can rest peacefully!!!”
“SPARE NO ONE!!!! KILL ALL OF THEM!!!!” With Liu Mang roared his order again, no one hesitate anymore. If some people question his order again, it might be like Xiapi where he killed 3 soldiers for insubordination.
“SPARE ME, SPARE ME!!!!!” “GENERAL WE SURRENDER, DON’T KILL US!!!!” “I DON’T WANT TO DIE!!!! I HAVE MY FAMILY!!!! PLEASE SPARE ME!!!!” Such words and pitiful sound are now very common among n.o.ble private soldiers.
“MOTHER, I CANNOT RETURN HOME, I CANNOT HAMMER NAIL IN YOUR COFFIN!!!!”
“MURDERER, BUTCHER!!!! WE HAVE SURRENDERED BUT YOU STILL KILL US!!!!”
“LIU MANG, YOU WILL DIE LIKE A DOG!!!! WE SHALL WAIT FOR YOU DOWN BELOW!!!! GENERAL SUN CE WILL TAKE REVENGE FOR US!!!”
Liu Mang clenched his fist unconsciously. Haha, murderer? Butcher? Since when Liu Mang’s name is a.s.sociated with those words?! 5 months ago, he has never killed a chicken. But right now, there is blood of 100,000 people in his hands.
“BUTCHER HUH?!” Liu Mang’s eyes began bloodshot and said “If it is for my brothers-in-arms, I will be more than willing to become a butcher to ensure their safety and prosperity. You dare to kill them, then I will kill you all mercilessly!!!” Liu Mang then slashed several soldiers, several heads flying up.
Liu Mang then strangely chanting some curse in his mouth “Karma for killing a person is suffered forever!!!” Liu Mang’s hand began quicker and killing those soldiers, because of blood spurting here and there, his Aries gold-cloth now dyed red without any gold color.