Double penetration: This Three Kingdoms has dragon energy

Chapter 157 A Great Victory: One Killed, One Surrendered.

The thunder of cavalry shook the earth.

Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao each led their Iron Cavalry Battalion and Wolf Cavalry Battalion towards the Xuzhou army.

They each employed several secret techniques to enhance their combat effectiveness, transforming the two cavalry battalions into two sharp daggers that plunged deep into the abdomen of the Xuzhou army.

The Xuzhou army was naturally terrified when faced with the sudden appearance of the Iron Cavalry and Wolf Cavalry.

Although they already knew that Ji Qiu possessed the ability to transport troops regardless of distance and could launch a surprise attack on them at any time.

But knowing something and experiencing it are two different things.

Some things can only be understood when they experience them firsthand, and only then can they truly understand how terrifying they are!
The only saving grace is that they don't need to be afraid for too long.

Because the dead don't feel fear!

At this time, the Xuzhou army had three major disadvantages.

Firstly, they lack dragon energy.

Zhao Yu had already used the remaining 500 points of dragon energy to set up a scam.

He originally intended to use this deception to give the entire army a chance to catch its breath.

But Ji Qiu didn't fall for it, so all his efforts were in vain.

Without dragon energy, the secret techniques of dragon energy cannot be used, which instantly reduced the combat power of the Xuzhou army by 80%.

Secondly, they changed commanders at the last minute.

This led to command failure, making it difficult for the army to exert its normal combat effectiveness.

In particular, the soldiers from Xuzhou and Danyang found it difficult to form effective coordination, which significantly reduced their overall combat effectiveness.

Third, they have a disadvantage in terms of the types of troops they employ.

This is a disadvantage that has not been mentioned before.

On the Xuzhou side, both the Xuzhou soldiers and the Danyang soldiers were infantry.

The terrain of the battlefield where they are currently located is flat.

On flat terrain, no infantry can stand against cavalry!

Even if the Xuzhou army were in good condition, it would be difficult to deal with a surprise attack launched by a strong cavalry force of 20,000 men.

Even when the Xuzhou army was marching in a state of combat readiness, if Ji Qiu had wanted to, he could have easily wiped them out with his Wolf Cavalry and Iron Cavalry battalions.

The reason they didn't do that was simply because it would have caused Ji Qiu a huge loss as well.

According to Xi Zhong's prediction, if the Xuzhou army were forcibly defeated in this way, then these two cavalry battalions would be essentially rendered useless.

Ji Qiu was naturally reluctant to part with his two cavalry battalions.

After all, he had spent considerable resources training these two cavalry battalions!

They can die, but they must die with meaning!
In Ji Qiu's mind, how could the value of 100,000 Xuzhou soldiers be compared to his two cavalry battalions?

Of course, this is mainly because he has a better way!
Therefore, he chose to use Yuan's army camp to block the Xuzhou army.

Now, sending these two cavalry battalions, whose combined combat strength is at its peak, to launch a surprise attack on the Xuzhou army, which is suffering heavy losses and is in extremely poor condition, the outcome is predictable.

However, it is also worth mentioning that Zang Ba and his two companions were always on guard against Ji Qiu's surprise attack, but they never dreamed that Ji Qiu would launch a surprise attack with two cavalry battalions.

They knew that although Ji Qiu could move troops regardless of distance, it would cost him a huge amount of dragon energy.

They had already wasted half a day's worth of dragon energy against Yuan's army camp. Although they ultimately failed to outlast Yuan's army camp, they certainly caused Ji Qiu to lose a large amount of dragon energy.

Under these circumstances, Ji Qiu would not have been able to move two cavalry battalions.

Unfortunately, they miscalculated.

The amount of dragon energy within Ji Qiu's body far exceeded their expectations.

Of course, there's no point in saying all this now.

In essence, the outcome of any war is the result of multiple causes.

Most people don't care about the reasons; they only care about the results.

An hour later.

Zhao Yun carried Zang Ba's head in one hand, came to Ji Qiu, and knelt down on one knee to present his merit to Ji Qiu.

It has to be said that when it comes to stealing kills, Zhang Liao is no match for Zhao Yun.

In fact, not to mention Zhang Liao, few of Ji Qiu's other generals could rival Zhao Yun.

Don't let Zhao Yun's low rank fool you; he's incredibly fast.
Whether it's an innate secret technique or an acquired one, they all increase attack speed.

This is a huge advantage when it comes to beating weaker opponents.

Of course, Zang Ba is not a complete novice.

If we were to quantify martial prowess, then Zang Ba would be a master with at least 90 points in martial prowess.

Unfortunately, Zhao Yun's martial prowess could reach 99 points.

Therefore, Zang Ba, who wasn't exactly weak, seemed a bit outmatched by Zhao Yun.

Especially when Zang Ba was unable to use the Dragon Qi Secret Technique, while Zhao Yun used five or six different Dragon Qi Secret Techniques to increase individual strength.

This gap becomes even more pronounced.

When the two met on the battlefield, Zhao Yun killed Zang Ba with a single move.

As promised, Zhao Yun was awarded the greatest credit for this great battle.

However, Zhang Liao didn't suffer any losses.

Perhaps knowing he couldn't outmaneuver Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao didn't attack the Danyang troops led by Zang Ba during the surprise attack, but instead attacked the Xuzhou troops.

Compared to the Danyang soldiers, the Xuzhou soldiers were actually less effective in combat.

This was partly because the Xuzhou soldiers had suffered heavy losses in previous battles, and their morale was low.

On the other hand, it is because the Xuzhou soldiers, as a ranged unit, are inherently high in attack but low in health.

Their attacks are extremely powerful, but their defenses are extremely weak.

Especially when they lose their protection and are surrounded by other powerful military branches, they are no different from lambs to the slaughter.

Therefore, Zhang Liao easily defeated the Xuzhou army and captured Zhao Yu and Wang Lang.

For Ji Qiu, Zhao Yu and Wang Lang were actually more valuable than Zang Ba.

Of course, this is all based on the premise that they are still alive!

"Mr. Jingxing, Mr. Yuanda, I have long admired your names. Today I am finally able to meet you in person. I wonder if you two would be willing to submit to me?"

In the main hall of Yuan's military camp, Ji Qiu sat in the main seat, looking at Wang Lang and Zhao Yu, who were kneeling on the ground bound hand and foot, and said calmly.

Wang Lang said angrily, "Ji Qiu, you are despicable, shameless, treacherous, vicious, and tyrannical. You think you can make me subdue you? You're dreaming!"

"Hmm, I understand. Men, drag him away and behead him! Also, pass down the order that if we ever breach the Wang family's fortress, all members of the Wang family will be executed!" Ji Qiu said calmly.

Wang Lang's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in shock and anger, "How dare you slaughter the entire Wang clan? Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of the people?"

"Public outrage? So what? Countless noble families have died in my hands long ago, what difference does it make if it's your Wang family?" Ji Qiu chuckled.

Wang Lang remained silent, knowing that Ji Qiu was right.

If Ji Qiu hadn't been so strict with the powerful clans under his rule, the powerful clans all over the world wouldn't have been so hostile towards him!
At the same time, with this crushing defeat, the entire 100,000-strong Xuzhou army was wiped out, and it was only a matter of time before Ji Qiu occupied Langya County and Donghai County.

The fact that Ji Qiu occupied these two prefectures meant that the Donghai Wang clan would become subjects under Ji Qiu's rule.

Ji Qiu could decide how to deal with them with just a word!
In fact, he himself is not afraid of death.

Although later generations have various opinions about the scholars of this era.

However, there is one thing that made the scholars of this era superior to modern people: they valued their reputation.

Sacrificing oneself for righteousness is the mainstream social trend of this era.

Driven by their ideals, people of all social classes, from humble backgrounds to powerful families, are unafraid of death.

But their self-sacrifice for righteousness here refers only to themselves.

When it comes to their clan, they have to think things through carefully.

Because in their hearts, the continuation of their lineage and sacrificing their lives for righteousness are equally important.

Wang Lang's expression changed several times before he finally lowered his head and said, "I am willing to surrender."

"Trying to surrender again? Too bad, I only extend an invitation once. Since you've already refused, there's no chance now!" Ji Qiu said calmly.

Then he casually waved his hand, signaling the soldiers on both sides to pull Wang Lang out.

Wang Lang's expression changed drastically again, and he started cursing at Ji Qiu.

But Ji Qiu ignored him completely.

A short while later, a shrill scream was heard from outside, and then there was silence.

Ji Qiu's original plan regarding the treatment of Wang Lang and Zhao Yu was to kill one and have the other surrender.

Killing is done to intimidate people.

The purpose of surrendering is to win over people's hearts.

The powerful and influential families are a class with inherent weaknesses.

But to force out their weakness, you must first put a knife to their throats and make them feel the pain!

Why are the powerful families of Qingzhou so obedient?

That's because they have experienced the pain firsthand.

Having witnessed Ji Qiu annihilate more than a dozen disobedient powerful families, they naturally dared not disobey.

However, Xuzhou is quite far away, and the powerful families there have only heard of Ji Qiu's reputation but have not yet witnessed his ruthlessness firsthand.

So we have to kill a chicken first, to open their eyes!
Ji Qiu was already considering whether Zhao Yu or Wang Lang should be the chicken.

Actually, he was more inclined towards Zhao Yu.

One reason was that Zhao Yu's family, the Langya Wang clan, was closer to him, but they were quickly dealt with.

Then it can exert its effect of deterring powerful and influential families.

On the other hand, Wang Lang's reputation is greater than Zhao Yu's, so the impact of subduing Wang Lang would naturally be greater than that of subduing Zhao Yu.

But I never expected Wang Lang to jump around like that.

They openly insulted him and were eager to die.

What else is there to say?

Of course we'll satisfy him!
After Wang Lang died, Ji Qiu looked at Zhao Yu and said with a sinister smile, "Mr. Yuanda, what is your opinion of me? Do you agree with Mr. Jingxing?"

"I dare not presume. Your Excellency is wise and intelligent, skilled in both literature and martial arts, truly a hero of the world. It is my great fortune to have gained your favor. I am willing to pledge my allegiance to you and serve you!" Zhao Yu said immediately.

Zhao Yu's personality was clearly not as strong as Wang Lang's, and he was also calmer than Wang Lang when things happened.

This can be seen from the fact that he did not join Wang Lang in insulting Ji Qiu earlier.

Ji Qiu's invitation to surrender was extended to both Wang Lang and Zhao Yu at the same time.

This is one of the reasons why Ji Qiu ultimately decided to choose Zhao Yu.

A person with a weak personality and relatively calm demeanor is naturally easier to control.

"Very good. Indeed, in this world, hearing is believing, and seeing is believing."

Mr. Jingxing is more famous than Mr. Yuanda, but in my opinion, Mr. Yuanda's wisdom and insight far surpass Mr. Jingxing's!

"Since Mr. Yuanda is willing to surrender to me, then please, Mr. Yuanda, play your part and assist our army in capturing Langya County as soon as possible," Ji Qiu said with a light laugh.

Killing Wang Lang and subduing Zhao Yu would not be as effective as killing Zhao Yu and subduing Wang Lang.

But from another perspective, it may not be a bad thing.

Zhao Yu was born into the Langya Wang clan.

Therefore, his defection also represents the defection of the Langya Wang clan.

The surrender of the Langya Wang clan enabled Ji Qiu to quickly occupy Langya County.

Of course, it would take some effort to attack Donghai County later.

Especially when attacking the Donghai Wang clan's Wubao, because Wang Lang was already dead, the Donghai Wang clan knew they could not survive and would inevitably fight back to the death.

However, this is a price that should be paid, so there's no need to dwell on it.

"Yes, your subordinate has done his best to help you obtain Langya County as quickly as possible!" Zhao Yu said in a low voice.

He knew that this was where his value lay, so naturally he dared not refuse or neglect it.

……

After dealing with Wang Lang and Zhao Yu, Ji Qiu left the Yuan clan's camp and returned to Taishan County.

Although this war is not over yet, it can even be said to have just begun.

But he no longer intends to intervene directly.

Ji Qiu has always been a person who clearly distinguishes between power and responsibility. As the lord, he only does what the lord should do.

If the lord insists on doing everything personally, then what is the point of having subordinates?
This is also detrimental to the growth of subordinates and internal unity.

Why did the Shu Han state, under Liu Bei, have an abundance of talented individuals, but under Zhuge Liang, it suffered from a shortage of talent?
It is obvious that Zhuge Liang's hands-on approach to everything had significant problems when it came to cultivating talent.

Of course, Ji Qiu believes that Zhuge Liang did this not entirely because of his personality.

The bigger reason was that the national strength of Shu Han at that time simply could not afford to be wasted.

Therefore, Zhuge Liang dared not take risks and dared not entrust important matters to others.

After all, if the goal is to train subordinates, then one must be prepared to pay for their education.

However, Ji Qiu's current situation clearly indicates that she has the ability to pay tuition fees.

Therefore, he can take full advantage of the opportunity to play simulation games.

So the rest of the battle was left to my subordinates.

Ten days later, the battle report arrived: the entire Langya Commandery had been occupied.

However, among the powerful clans, led by the Zhao family of Langya, only a few accepted Ji Qiu's demands, agreeing to hand over their people and land and relocate to Beihai County.

The other powerful families continued to resist Ji Qiu.

Twenty days later, the Wang family's Wubao in the East China Sea fell.

Of the 386 members of the Wang clan of Donghai, 76 died on the battlefield, and the rest were all killed.

This move greatly intimidated the powerful families of Langya and Donghai counties.

The powerful families of Langya County who had previously secretly resisted the relocation immediately fell silent and obediently followed orders.

The powerful families of Donghai County were terrified and readily responded to Ji Qiu's request.

However, Ji Qiu had not yet occupied the entire territory of Donghai County at this time.

To be precise, he had only occupied six of the thirteen cities in the East China Sea at this time.

As for the other seven cities, they were controlled by the Mi family, a powerful clan in the East Sea.

(End of this chapter)