Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

The difference between an elite army and a mob is that even in an unfavorable situation, the elite army can still advance and retreat in moderation and remain calm; while the mob, on the other hand, scatters like monkeys when a tree falls, each looking for their own family.

Even though the Nian Army still had seven or eight hundred people, they were in complete chaos after being knocked unconscious by the Qing Army. Tie Huai tried his best but was unable to restrain the fleeing Nian bandits. He watched helplessly as his brothers were hacked to the ground by the cavalry of Baoding Town!

The situation is over, it’s completely over!

Tie Huai gritted his teeth and shouted, "Order, kill all of Zheng Yi's family except that young lady. Take that beautiful woman with you and evacuate Gaotang Prefecture immediately!"

If we don't leave now, I'm afraid the Qing army will really keep us here. This group of people is too powerful. Our thousand men are no match for them!

Ding Xianda, who was standing by, said anxiously, "Sir, at this moment, our lives are most important. Why are we killing innocent people?"

"Shut up!"

Tie Huai shouted coldly, "This Zheng Yi actually dared to lead the elite warriors in the city to oppose me. Be prepared for your entire family to be killed! Act immediately!"

The surrounding Nian troops rushed in and broke into the yamen again. At this time, Zheng Yi's family was still tied up in the lobby. The Nian troops rushed in, no longer polite, and killed everyone they saw. They only left behind a little girl, tied up her warhorse, followed Tie Huai, and hurriedly withdrew from Gaotang Prefecture.

There was only a difference of one hour between Tie Huai's occupation of Gaotang Prefecture and the Qing army's occupation of Gaotangzhong. Before they could even get comfortable, the Nian Army changed hands again. This time, the Nian Army was really scared!

It didn't take long for the cavalry from Baoding Town to wipe out the Nian bandits in Gaotangzhou City, killing more than 200 people and forcing more than 300 people to surrender. The rest either followed Tie Huai to escape from Gaotangzhou or fled to an unknown place.

When Liu Ye and Guo Songtao arrived in Gaotang Prefecture, they were completely shocked by the tragic scene in the government office. More than 20 members of Zheng Yi's family, including even the servants, were hacked to death in a pool of blood!

Liu Ye clenched his fists tightly. These Nian bandits are just a bunch of beasts!

"Bastards! Bastards! Damn the Nian bandits, so inhumane, so inhumane!"

Guo Songtao picked up Zheng Yi from the ground, but Zheng Yi's body had already stiffened!

"Brother, we must completely wipe out all of these Nian bandits without a single one left alive. They are a bunch of inhumane beasts!"

Guo Songtao roared in grief and anger.

Liu Ye's face turned pale as he shouted, "Zhu Hai, Gao Qi, gather the troops immediately and pursue the Nian bandits. We must annihilate them completely. If you are not their leader, don't come back to see me!"

As soon as Liu Ye finished speaking, Yan Chunyu walked in from outside and said, "Your Excellency, a bandit from the Nian Army came outside and asked to see you!"

Liu Ye was startled and asked, "Nian bandit? Ask him to come in?"

Immediately, a Nian bandit walked in. Liu Ye said coldly, "Who are you and what do you want to see me for?"

The man knelt on the ground and replied, "I am Ding Xianda, an officer of the Blue Banner Battalion of the Nian Army. I bow to General Liu!"

Battalion officer?

Liu Ye didn't expect that the person who wanted to see him was actually a small leader of the Nian Army!

Liu Ye asked, "Why do you want to see me?"

Ding Xianda stammered, "General, I'm originally from Anhui. Because I was poor and had no one to rely on, I joined the Taiping rebels and tried to make a living. Later, I joined the Nian Army and became a battalion officer. However, over the years, I've seen the Nian bandits in chaos, looting and harming the people. I really don't want to help them anymore. This time, the Nian Army was defeated. Before their leader Tie Huai fled, he wanted to massacre the entire family of Zheng Zhizhou. I tried to persuade him, but he insisted on doing it. More than 20 members of Zheng Zhizhou's family, except for the young lady, were all killed. The young lady was also abducted by them. I was indignant and rescued the young lady on the way and fled back to Gaotang. I've heard of your great reputation for a long time and am willing to serve you as a vanguard. I have no regrets even if I die!"

Liu Ye really didn't expect to encounter such a thing. Tie Huai's direct subordinates actually defected and rescued the lady he kidnapped!

Guo Songtao, who was standing by, asked, "Where is that young lady?"

Ding Xianda replied: "He's outside now."

Guo Songtao whispered, "My dear brother, I met Zheng Yi several times when he was in the Hanlin Academy. He is a man of integrity and devotion to his country. Now, with only this young lady left in his family, we cannot let her be without support..."

Liu Ye nodded. Even if Guo Songtao didn't say anything, the matter couldn't be let go. After all, Zheng Yi was loyal to the country and died for it. His children must be treated with preferential treatment.

Liu Ye shouted, "Chun Yu, please invite that young lady in!"

Soon, a young lady walked in. Her clothes were a little torn and her hair was messy. However, even though her face was haggard, it still couldn't hide her pretty face.

Yan Chunyu shouted from the side, "This is Shandong Governor Liu Ye, and this is Shandong Provincial Commissioner Guo Songtao. Why don't you pay your respects?"

Upon hearing this, the young lady quickly bowed and shouted, "I, Zheng Qingxue, greet you two lords. I beg you to avenge my family!"

Guo Songtao, standing by, quickly called out, "Alright, my dear niece, get up quickly. Your father and I have known each other for a long time, but I never thought our separation in the capital would be forever. Don't worry, this matter will naturally fall on us!"

Zheng Qingxue had not expected that one of these two adults was actually an acquaintance of her father. She was overwhelmed with grief and cried like a pear blossom in the rain. If they had arrived one day earlier, Gaotang Prefecture would not have fallen, and her family would not have suffered such a tragedy!

Zheng Qingxue quickly knelt on the ground and said sadly, "Uncle, please help me!"

Guo Songtao said sternly, "Don't worry, my dear niece. This Governor Liu is the now world-famous General Liu Ye. He even defeated the foreign devils, let alone a small Nian Army. This revenge will definitely be avenged for you! Sir Liu, what do you say?"

Liu Ye couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. This Guo Songtao actually dragged him in. This time he had to catch Tie Huai no matter what. He couldn't let his sworn brother lose face, right?

Zheng Qingxue said anxiously, "Sir, as long as you can bring the enemy to justice, I will be willing to work like a slave for you!"

Liu Ye nodded and replied, "Okay, Miss Zheng, there's no need for that. Your father and I served in the same court, so naturally we have comrades' loyalty. I'll take care of this matter. I'll lead the army to personally hunt down the Nian bandits. Tie Huai, hehe, his end has come!