We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Kaifu Munemasa fled all the way to Kyoto, passing through several cities along the way, many of which contained retainers and subordinates of the Kaifu family.

When Kaibu Munemasa came here in person and saw how miserable Kaibu Munemasa looked, the defenders of each city were shocked.

Knowing that the Fengtian Army was about to arrive and was at the end of its strength, they all expressed their willingness to defend the city to the death.

The samurai class is loyal to their lord, but that doesn't mean they are fools.

There were some who figured out the cause of the incident by observing Kaibu Munemasa's miserable state, and fled the city after Kaibu Munemasa left.

These smart people managed to save their lives temporarily, but the others were in a miserable situation.

After three days of rest outside Xiaguan City, the Fengtian Army set out further north.

The three-day rest was just a brief respite for the Fengtian Army soldiers who had just experienced an unprecedented bloody battle.

But Li Che raised the central army's banner high again, and the Fengtian Army soldiers looked at the banner and instantly recovered their health.

There were no lengthy oaths or passionate speeches. The Fengtian Army, which had already been ready for battle, left the camp and marched along the official road leading to Kyoto.

The first small town that blocked the road was called Shanyang City.

The city walls were low, and the defenders consisted of only a few hundred old and weak people, plus the farmers who were temporarily recruited, who could barely gather two or three thousand people.

When the Fengtian Army's flags that covered the sky appeared on the horizon and the heavy thunder-like marching footsteps were getting closer and closer, there was a desperate silence on the top of Shanyang City.

The lord guarding the castle is an elderly samurai and a die-hard fan of the Kaibe family.

He ordered his men to raise the battle flag on the city walls and shouted at the top of his lungs to boost morale, declaring that reinforcements were on the way and that the Fengtian Army was at the end of its rope.

However, before he could finish his words, several roars streaked across the sky.

The Fengtian Army's vanguard did not even set up camp. Dozens of light artillery pieces were quickly pushed to the front of the formation and bombarded the thin city gate and parapet.

Even the sturdy Xiaguan City was plowed into flat land, let alone this small Shanyang?

After just one round of volleys, half of the city gate tower collapsed and a section of the city wall collapsed.

Amidst the smoke, the Fengtian Army's swordsmen and spearmen poured into the city unhindered like a black tide.

The defenders were already frightened out of their wits, and the Fengtian Army encountered very little resistance. Only a few warriors rushed forward roaring, but were instantly submerged in the torrent, without even a ripple.

The old warriors were dumbfounded.

Didn’t Lord Haibu say that the Fengtian Army was already a spent and exhausted force?

More people were frightened by the devastating artillery fire. They dropped their weapons and fled in all directions crying.

However, they had nowhere to escape.

Li Che's royal flag moved slowly outside the city. He did not even go to the city to command, but led a large army straight past the city.

His order had already been issued to every division, regiment, and battalion, and had not been rescinded until this moment:

"In this battle, no prisoners will be taken!"

This was not for venting anger, but the most efficient means of conquest, to completely crush any thoughts of resistance from the Japanese with mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

The fierce resistance of Xiaguan City must be repaid with a hundred times the blood!

The Japanese should understand that resistance means extermination without leaving any room for mercy!

Shanyang City instantly turned into a hell on earth.

Fengtian Army soldiers worked in groups of three, clearing every street and every house in an orderly manner.

Whether it was the soldiers kneeling and begging for mercy, the militiamen trembling in fear, or the civilians hiding under their beds...

When the blade fell, the blood it brought up was all red. People who were killed would die, and these humanoid creatures in Japan were no exception.

Crossbowmen took the high ground and indifferently shot anyone who tried to escape.

Houses were set on fire and thick smoke rose, blocking out the rising sun.

In less than half a day, Shanyang City fell completely silent.

The Fengtian Army did not stop and set fire to the dead city as a warning to subsequent Japanese cities.

In the following days, the second city, the third city...

The Fengtian Army's advance was getting faster and faster, and its methods were becoming more and more sophisticated.

The Japanese cities along the way were like dominoes being pushed down, one after another turning into ruins under the iron hooves and blades of the Fengtian Army.

Some cities tried to hold on to their positions, but the result was that the Fengtian Army only had to spend several more rounds of artillery fire and several more hours to clean up.

Some cities attempted to surrender, with the city gates wide open and officials crawling on the ground, begging for mercy from the Fengtian Army.

However, what awaits them is still the cold sword, and Li Che's will cannot be shaken.

Surrender? Too late!

The battle between the two countries is a life-and-death showdown. Mercy, such a useless thing, has been forgotten by the Chinese people as early as the day the Japanese set foot in China in the previous life.

The news spread like wildfire throughout Honshu and towards Kyoto at a speed faster than the Fengtian Army could march.

"Changbin Castle... was taken in half a day... The entire city was slaughtered! Not a single person was left alive!"

"Lord Sakai surrendered... The lord's entire family was beheaded... The Fengtian Army massacred the city for three days! The fire burned for three days and three nights!"

"The Fengtian Army is a devil! They are evil spirits from hell! They don't want prisoners! They don't accept surrender! Wherever they go, there is only death! Only burning! Only killing!"

Fear began to spread, Kaibu Munemasa's lies were self-defeating, and the defenders of the cities along the way completely collapsed.

When the blood-red flags of the Fengtian Army appeared in sight, the defenders in many cities had already fled without even waiting for the cannons to sound.

The common people fled into the mountains with their families, and entire cities became deserted.

. . . . . .

Li Che rode on a warhorse and marched in the center of the Fengtian Army's mighty army.

His eyes calmly swept across the burning ruins of the city on both sides of the road, and also across the corpses of the Japanese casually abandoned in the ditches in the fields.

There was no emotion on Li Che's face, as if he was just enjoying the scenery along the way.

Wen Zaiyin followed him on horseback, his face pale, and he seemed to want to say something but stopped himself several times.

Such brutal killing, even if it was against the Japanese, was too against the harmony of nature.

But when he looked at Li Che's calm profile, all the words of advice were stuck in his throat.

He understood Li Che's intention. This was the fastest and most effective way to undermine Japan's will to resist and force Kyoto to surrender using naked terror.

But... the price is too bloody and too heavy.

"Mr. Wen, do you have something to discuss with me?"

Wen Zaiyin turned his head and saw Li Che's gentle smile.

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, the Japanese are well aware of the might of our army. I, your humble servant, believe that..."

Li Che immediately understood what Wen Zaiyin meant and said slowly, "Master Wen, do you think that I am too cruel?"

Wen Zaiyin said nothing.

Li Che said to himself, "In fact, the killing should have stopped long ago. If it continues like this, it will probably lead to more radical resistance."

Wen Zai Yin looked at Li Che in confusion: "Then... why is your highness?"

"I had no choice but to do this... We are running low on food." Li Che sighed, "Master Wen, our army has penetrated deep into the heart of Japan, and supply is becoming increasingly difficult."

"Since ancient times, the only way for a surprise attack deep into the hinterland is to fight to support the enemy. Plundering the enemy's food and supplies for your own use is safer than waiting for additional food."

"If we capture those Japanese, not only will it greatly slow down our army's march, but we'll also have so many more mouths to feed every day. Sooner or later, they'll wear us down."

Wen Zaiyin asked tentatively, "Why not... let him go?"

"We can't let them go." Li Che shook his head. "If we let them go, they will flee to Kyoto, and Kyoto is preparing for war."

"Giving them one more person means one more defensive force, and one more obstacle for our army."

"So... we have no choice but to kill him?" Wen Zaiyin sighed, "That's a bit..."

Li Che smiled lightly: "Master Wen, don't forget that we are not here to rule them."

"In a fight of life and death, there is no room for softness."

Wen Zaiyin remained silent for a long time and finally stopped trying to persuade him.

The Fengtian Army continued to advance, steadily advancing at the rate of conquering several cities every day.

Finally, after burning down more than 20 cities of various sizes and slaughtering countless Japanese, the Fengtian Army's advance finally slowed down.

This time it was the Dongfeng Army that couldn’t keep up.

The heavy artillery was dragged along the rugged and muddy road with difficulty. Many of the artillery wheel axles could not bear the weight and began to deform and break after continuous high-intensity use.

During frequent firing, the gun barrel accumulated minor damage that was difficult to repair, and the risk of barrel explosion increased day by day.

What’s more fatal is that the supply of artillery shells began to become scarce.

The army's ammunition reserves had long been exhausted, and the supplies shipped thousands of miles from the rear were far from keeping up with the terrifying consumption rate at the front.

When the Fengtian Army arrived at another fortified city called Hiroshima, the artillery array was no longer as majestic as before.

The number of artillery pieces that could be pushed onto the battlefield had dropped dramatically, and the density and power of the roars were also much less than before.

After several rounds of bombardment, although the gates of Hiroshima Castle were shaken and the city walls collapsed in several places, they failed to create a crack as usual.

The Japanese troops defending the city seemed to have noticed the weakening of the Fengtian Army's artillery fire and actually regained a bit of courage to resist.

Arrows, rolling logs and boulders rained down from the top of the city wall, causing considerable casualties to the Fengtian infantry who were trying to climb.

The Fengtian Army's offensive was delayed for the first time.

Under the central army flag, Li Che looked at the stalemate in front of him with an expressionless face.

A hint of loss flashed across those deep eyes.

What a pity. I wanted to replicate the Hiroshima incident and bring more familiar people to this city, but the logistics just couldn't keep up.

However, Li Che was not anxious because of the artillery failure.

It was satisfying to rely on artillery to crush the enemy, but when this weapon temporarily failed, some other things in his mind were released without hesitation.

"Order, stop the artillery bombardment."

Li Che's voice was calm, but it made the generals around him feel inexplicably nervous.

Xue Wei, who was in charge of commanding the siege, came hurriedly from the front line and asked with a puzzled look on his face:

"Your Highness? Why did you stop the artillery support?"

Li Che cast his gaze towards the walls of Hiroshima, and the cold arc of his mouth made people shudder: "There are only a few small-caliber mortars left. How can we take them down? Don't waste any more ammunition."

Xue Wei said, "Your Highness, are you saying... that we won't fight anymore?"

Li Che shook his head: "If the cannon doesn't work, then use other methods. I remember we just captured a small city a few days ago, didn't we?"

Xue Wei nodded in confusion and said, "Yes, it's just twenty miles away, it's the Acropolis of Hiroshima Castle."

Li Che paused and said calmly: "Go and drag all the bodies of those Japanese here, and use the catapults to throw them into the city for me!"