Chapter 197 Operation Mountain Hammer (1/2)
Chapter 197 – Operation Mountain Hammer
As soon as Ju Shou arrived at the central government hall, he sat on the main government seat.
”Summon all government workers and all remaining officials in this city. Should anyone resists, arrest them.”
”Second order, change all flags of this city. We will use our yellow ”Zhang” flags instead of the purple ones. All this city military attires will have to change into our designated uniforms.”
…
It did not take long before all officials gathered. When they arrived at the central government building and saw the yellow flags with the word ”Zhang,” they were confused.
”Isn't our lord's flags purple?”
”Why are these yellow?”
Their questions were answered the moment they saw Ju Shou, Zhang He, and hundreds of burly soldiers inside the hall. Looking at their different armor sets and their clothing, they knew that the city was secretly taken by this group of men.
”I knew that you're confused, so I'll keep it short. This city has been taken by our Lord, Zhang Tong. I want all of you to choose if you want to surrender unconditionally, or you will be expelled with your families.”
The officials gulped.
Ju Shou affirmed again to quicken their decision, ”I'll give you one incense stick time to decide. Anyone who wants to surrender, walk toward the guards on my left and report your name and your address. Our soldiers will inspect your residence later, and we shall inform you what to do next.”
”However, if you don't want to surrender to us, you can report yourselves to the officers on my right. We will have our men escort you and your family out of this city. We will not harm you unless you resist.”
The officers and government workers panicked and murmured. Their eyes widened, and their faces paled. They were so shocked that they could not make a decision.
”Screw you and your Lord!” An official protested, ”Do you think we're herbivores!? We will not surre-*SOEK*.”
However, before he could finish his sentences, a guard stabbed him with his spear through the official's back. The tips of the spear appeared from his chest along with his blood.
The soldier pulled his spear back and returned to his previous position, glaring at the remaining officials.
”Please choose wisely.” The soldier said in a soft voice.
The murmur stopped like magic. Every eye was on the corpse of the protested official and the soldiers around them. Seeing the blood pool below the body of the dead officials, every civil officer trembled.
…
Within a day, Ju Shou consolidated Shangdang Commandery into Tong's system. All private forces of the nobles were transfer to the central military camp in peace while the stubborn nobles were chased outside of the wall and were left to their fates.
By the end of the day, the original troops of 10,000 men increased to 15,000 men by absorbing the remaining noble private forces and the city garrison forces.
Although Ju Shou stole the troops from the local nobles, he had not touched the merchants yet as the foundation of this city was not as stable as Julu. There was a lot of work to do in this city.
…
October 23rd.
A messenger showed up in front of the north gate of Shangdang City. He was wearing a uniform of Jinyang military soldier with grey clothes, and he carried the messages from Ding Yuan.
The messenger passed the letter to Ju Shou.
[I am Li Feihong, the military strategist of Jinyang Commandery Army. I'm assuming that Sir Jia Xu had already told you about the ”Operation Mountain Hammer” details so I will keep it short.
Our task force is currently under the disguise of Xiangnu barbarians, and we are lurking around in your vicinity. Should your scouts detected us, please ignore our existence and pretend you see nothing.
Secondly, I'm sending this letter here to inform you that Liu Ping has sent a force of 120,000 men to reclaim Henei City, which they should show up in front of your city tomorrow. We want you to reveal your identities and fortify the city, so we can deal with these Liu Ping troops from the back to help you.
By the way, if our general happens to show up in front of your gate and demands wines and food, I will have to apologize in advance. Please let him and his men inside and comply with his demands before he gets angry, or he will create a mess again.]
Ju Shou read the letter and recollected his thought. He passed the note to Zhang He while he was thinking about what he should do next.
…