After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 952 - 937: Driven to Fury

They naturally wanted to return to Bingzhou, where they had lived for nearly a century. Not only they, but their forefathers, were also born and raised there, having long regarded Bingzhou as their second homeland.

Although Zhao Hanzhang didn’t immediately agree, her words showed signs of wavering, giving them the impression that she was about to consent. The Xiongnu people’s expressions improved significantly.

For the Xiongnu who steadfastly refused to surrender, Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of attacking violently or slaughtering them. She still hoped that Liu Yi and others could persuade them to surrender, and for this, she devised a series of persuasion strategies, most of which required the Xiongnu to execute.

Among the people Liu Yi brought out were not only soldiers but also many ordinary Xiongnu civilians. Interestingly, these included people from all five tribes of the Xiongnu, who were related by blood or marriage.

At that time, they were just outside Anle County in Yan Country. Anle County was defended by Liu Yan, Director of the Imperial Secretariat of the Xiongnu Kingdom, and Liu Cong’s eldest son, Liu Jie. At this time, Liu Cong had retreated from Lu County to Hunlu County, east of Anle County.

Lu County had already been captured by Beigong Chun, who was attacking from the south of Hunlu County, while Zhao Ju was in the east of Hunlu County. If Zhao Hanzhang captured Anle County, then Liu Cong would be trapped in Hunlu County.

By the way, to the north of Hunlu County is Hunlu Mountain, a difficult terrain for large armies to cross.

Liu Yi followed orders and brought dozens of women related to the city’s defenders to stand under the city gates and persuade them to open the city and surrender.

"A Jin, your mother was left in your homeland. Are you willing to leave her alone there?"

"Huyan Xin, your family had four brothers, and now only you are left. If you keep fighting, your family will be wiped out," shouted an elderly woman. "Can’t you at least leave a bloodline for your family? Surrender."

The calls from below the city wall unsettled the Xiongnu soldiers inside. Their thoughts involuntarily followed the words being shouted. They too had families, either following the army, getting lost on the way, or left in Bingzhou without an escape.

In this battle, they couldn’t know if they’d live or die. Even if they survived, life within the pass would be difficult, let alone returning to Bingzhou.

So, this separation truly might be a final farewell.

They didn’t understand the considerations of those in power, nor the political struggles. They just thought, what was the point of this fight dragging on to the present?

Their wise Majesty had died, and the new emperor hadn’t been on the throne for three months before being replaced. Although the Great General was formidable, he still fell short of Emperor Gaozu.

At least Emperor Gaozu wouldn’t continuously lose territory; now, they could only shrink back into two counties, surrounded by the Zhao Family Army.

Could they really break out?

And where would they go even if they did?

Perhaps it would be better, as the King of Beihai said, to surrender to Zhao Hanzhang. She would give them land where they could live like their ancestors. It would just be a return to the past.

They wanted to return to the past.

While the soldiers’ minds were unsettled, the two generals defending the city looked serious. Liu Jie immediately ordered, "Archers, prepare to shoot and kill that group of people spreading discord at the city gate!"

Liu Yan hurriedly stopped him, "Your Highness, you mustn’t. Those are our clansmen. Killing them could lose us the people’s support."

Liu Jie sternly asked, "What clansmen? They are all traitors now, having already surrendered to Zhao Hanzhang. They are no longer our people. Or does Doctor Liu wish to follow Chen Yuanda’s example?"

Mentioning Chen Yuanda pained Liu Yan, yet he dared not strongly oppose and only softly suggested, "Why not drive them away as a warning?"

Liu Jie refused, wanting to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. He intended not only to warn the Xiongnu who surrendered but also the city’s defenders. He would kill anyone who dared to surrender!

He didn’t believe anyone would dare to surrender under the threat of execution.

As the archers on the city wall prepared, Zeng Yue immediately beat the drum, signaling a retreat. The persuaders quickly turned and ran back.

The Xiongnu soldiers on the wall had received orders, but the shooting was both precise and imprecise. So in this instance, every shot missed, with arrows thudding into the ground nowhere near the targets.

Liu Jie was infuriated, "You dare to disobey orders!"

Immediately, a soldier defended, "I wouldn’t dare, this is..."

Before he could finish, Liu Jie drew his blade and beheaded the soldier.

Holding his knife, he coldly stared at them, "Useless people deserve to die. This is your last chance. Do you know how to shoot?"

The soldiers’ faces changed dramatically, and following orders, they drew their bows and shot... 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The arrows flew high, arching down. Upon Zeng Yue’s command, soldiers rushed up with shields, passing the women and raising the shields to catch the falling arrows, most of which clinked harmlessly against them.

Only a few arrows flew over the shields but were hacked down by the Zhao Family Army, injuring no one.

By then, they had run far away, beyond the archers’ range.

Seeing that they were unharmed and chattering amongst themselves, going to Liu Kun for promised rewards, Zeng Yue couldn’t help commenting, "Indeed, the Xiongnu are bold."

Liu Kun, surrounded by a group of middle-aged and elderly women, only felt overwhelmed by their body odor and had to hold his breath, shouting, "The money is there; come one by one."

Unwilling to handle such trivial chores, he hastily called for his follower to distribute the rewards.

Liu Kun squeezed out of the crowd, finally daring to breathe deeply only when far away.

He sniffed his sleeve with distaste, realizing he hadn’t bathed for over half a month.

Liu Kun went to find Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was sitting on the ground, drawing and discussing battle plans with the generals. Seeing Liu Kun approach, she asked, "How did it go?"

"Liu Jie was furious and wanted to kill to make an example, but they ran fast and weren’t harmed at all."

Liu Kun squatted down to inspect the diagrams she drew in the dirt, asking, "When will we attack the city? I’m willing to lead a group."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "To climb scaling ladders?"

Liu Kun fell silent.

For an assault lacking a surprise element, the key was timing the offensive correctly. As a general, leading an attack meant not climbing the ladders personally after all.

Seeing his discontent, Zhao Hanzhang patted his shoulder, "No rush, we have plenty of opportunities. I’ll be sure to give you a chance to fight."

Liu Kun’s eyes brightened, "Really?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

How else would he know his own abilities before committing obediently to Xuzhou?

Zhao Hanzhang decided to pick a worthy opponent for him.

She continued, "Since Liu Jie is embarrassed, it shows some effectiveness. We’ll continue tonight, and my brother’s band can be utilized."

Liu Kun had specially trained a band to play Xiongnu homeland tunes, using instruments like the reed pipa and huqin.

Zhao Hanzhang even asked Liu Yi to find a hundred Xiongnu known for their long songs to perform authentically. Late at night, outside the city, they would play music and sing.

Just as he could drive the enemy back with music, he could also weaken their will to fight, making those inside want to surrender.

Zhao Hanzhang made the best use of resources, human as well as material.