Chapter 258 – Temple Of Heroes (1/2)
Chapter 258 – Temple Of Heroes (End of Guandu Naval Battle)
Yuan Shao army now, closing in again, all of them had been raging all this time. Out of 100,000 original roster, only left less than 60,000 troops but they are still vastly outnumbered Cao troops who numbered only 27,000 troops and 3,000 of them were killed by friendly fire just now.
If this is a regular engagement, Yuan Shao should have retreated when 30% of his original roster were wiped out and Cao Cao would have been declared as victor from this engagement. However, Yuan Shao is already a deranged man caused by gaining more loss than gain in this battle. All that he wanted is to fight for the very last man. And it is also supported by the fact that all of Cao Cao’s ballistaes is already out of ammo.
Seeing this situation, Cao Cao tries to instigate morale again, he pulled out his Sword of Heaven and bellowed “Officers!!! This Cao thanks all of you for all of your service in upholding Han Dynasty. However, please help Cao once again, in order for Han Dynasty to stand once more. Cao beg all of you!!!” Cao Cao then knelt after saying that, cupping his fist toward all of his men. Guo Jia then thought Milord, well done. And he quickly changed his expression to helplessness and said “Milord, please don’t do this.” And held Cao Cao’s arm. Cao Cao is known to be adaptable in every situation he is in, proven when he is about to kill Dong Zhuo with Seven Stars Knife, he quickly changed his demeanor and presented it in front of him. This is one of the trait that Guo Jia liked about him and this time, seeing the situation is dire, he quickly do acting like him.
Seeing their lord and vice-lord like that, a lieutenant said “Prime minister, please don’t be like this!!!” Cao Cao then shoved that lieutenant hand as he speaks “Officers, we stood in this battle as the forefront of our Yan Province, our Xudu. We can flee from this battle if we wish and stay in Zhili or Xiliang, however… Our families and our people; those who remains of Han, shall perish under these villains’ blade. Do any of you want this?!” All soldiers in his vicinity, shouted in one voice “NO, IT MUST NOT HAPPEN!!!” Cao Cao then continued “We, soldiers, can die in battle, we can be destroyed. But our home must not be allowed to suffer our fate!!! This Cao give his words unto you. Every soldiers’ families whose died in battle, shall be taken care of. As long as this Cao lives, none of your families members will suffer hunger and cold!!!!” Cao Cao then sliced his forearm with his Heaven Sword and said “Those words are sealed with my blood!!! Also if we lose in this battle, we shall become fugitives, hunted, despised. This Cao Cao guaranteed that also.”
All those who heard were touched especially those of Qing Province Soldiers. Their lives had improved so much after Yellow Turban Rebellion. There is no way they are going to throw away their improved lives like that, and quickly they are reinvigorated.
Whilst in Yuan Shao’s side, when Yuan Shao heard that, he just sneered and thought So, you were hoping to rouse morale eh? Keep dreaming!!!! You will not see the end of this day, for I will swarm you like ants.
Guo Jia then bellowed “CAO ARMY VICTORIOUS!!!!” and lift his fist to the air. Quickly all of soldiers around also inspired and shouted “CAO ARMY VICTORIOUS!!!!” Cao Cao then bellowed “Officers, come with me, kill the enemy!!!!” While thrusting his Heaven Sword toward enemies, then he jumped down and proceed ahead, followed by his soldiers said “SHAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” All of them had been made mad by Cao Cao’s words.
Yuan Shao then said “Oh, good. Finally you are no longer being defensive!!! This Yuan Shao will now give you your last rites!!!” Yuan Shao then unsheathed his sword and bellowed “SOLDIERS!!! STRIKE BATTLE DRUM!!! ALL OUT ATTACK!!!!” Then Yuan Shao jumped down his s.h.i.+p and along with his men do battle. Right now, two deranged sides are finally doing decisive battle.
Above the Yangtze River the flames of war day after day, above the Yellow River slaughter unceasingly, now most peaceful instead is Liu Paopao and Liu Mang in Shouchun. The Southern Yangtze River is unceasingly fighting everyday, Central Plains is b.l.o.o.d.y. The most peaceful region which are interlocked in battle is only Lu Bu’s Yang Province and Liu Bei’s Yu Province.
Right now, Liu Mang is really busy rebuilding Shouchun, he is now inside side hall of Shouchun palace. Shouchun need to be repaired from bottom to top and he need to replace Guan Yu’s defense mechanism with his own. Also since governing such a big place, also need many personnel, Liu Mang sent his scouts as far as possible as Shouchun already had no more population. Also regarding the recruitment, Liu Mang also gave out big idea for advertis.e.m.e.nt. The ad said “Those who join Lu Bu Army, regardless of their ranks and merit, will be given 50 mu of farmlands.” And these words made Liu Mang’s civil officers and military officers roared in disagreement.
With the most disagree come from Yang Hong. Yang Hong said “Milord, although Shouchun is vast and wide, 100,000 mu divided by 50 mu for every soldiers. It is too lacking. Also don’t forget that even though this place is desolate, the moment this place is lively again, there will be n.o.bles who will come with deeds. And as per law spoke; Milord, you as the reigning lord, will need to relinquish their lands back to them!!!” Liu Mang then said “TO h.e.l.l WITH THOSE n.o.bLES!!! Me and n.o.bles are irreconcilable, if they want their lands back. They have to step on my dead body first!!!” With that words, Yang Hong was silenced. Xu Shu then said “Milord, regarding lands belonging to those n.o.bles, we can put aside for a while. However, Milord. Did not your rewarding is a bit too generous?! 50 mu of fertile farmland, can produce 200-s.h.i.+ of food.”
Liu Mang stunned and muttered “Hmm, my ad is too generous eh?!” He knows that Xu Shu’s words of “too generous” meaning that those people who were given that kind of reward, will naturally lost their morale and they will be more unwilling to fight. And in this kind of time where everything is uncertain, morale of soldiers is an utmost importance.
Hmm, then how do I reward them? Thought Liu Mang while looking at his civil and military officers. Liu Mang just realized that he is now entering the phase of managing in Dynasty Warriors Empires game series by Koei. However, there is no choice or anything in his hands and there is no savepoints either.
Liu Mang then stand up and said “Urban Army!!! All of you are this Liu Mang’s personal troops. The original roster is 1,000. Out of 1,000 all died 432 troops. During Battle of Wancheng, the squadron was annihilated. All veterans who deserved to be rewarded heavily already died. And now, Urban Army comprised of new recruits, do you all think that those new recruits, deserved to be rewarded heavily?! Same with Black Flag, out of 3,000 original roster; 1,800 troops were wiped out in Battle of Wancheng! Now, all of 5,000 Black Flag, do all of you need to be rewarded the same merit as those veterans?!” All of officers said “No, the reward must be distributed accordingly!!!” Liu Mang smiled and said “Very well then. 50 mu farmland are to be given only to Black Flag veterans. Those of Urban Army who survived two battles will obtain the same 50 mu farmland. While the others will only get 5 mu farmland. But this prize is not taken for granted, for those who disobey military law, shows cowardice in battle, disobey military order. All those will be s.n.a.t.c.hed back from you!!!”