stonecrandall Chapter 799: The march begins, Gongzi Gao’s killing game!
Chapter 799: The march begins, Gongzi Gao’s killing game!
"Okay!" Gao Yao's voice suddenly rose, filled with the passion and urgency of a decisive battle. "Pass the order! Three days from now, the army will march out, divided into three groups, and head straight for Nanjun!"
He walked to the huge sand table, his finger like a sword, pointing to the key point:
"Ying Bu!" He looked at the fierce and powerful general. "I want you to lead the Third Legion. Using Hanzhong as a springboard, launch a surprise attack and strike directly into the heart of Nanjun! I want you to be like a sharp knife, tearing through the Chu army's defenses!"
"Erniu!" He turned his gaze to the honest general who had followed him from humble beginnings to where he was today. "The Fourth Legion is in your hands. March north from Dongting County. Target—Hengshan County! Advance steadily and cautiously. Nail Hengshan and cut off any possible southern reinforcements for the Chu Army!"
"Cao Shen!" Finally, he looked at this wise and courageous minister. "You will command the Second Legion. Depart from Jiujiang County and head towards Nanyang! This route is crucial. You must advance with lightning speed, clearing all obstacles along the way and marching straight to the city of Nanyang! Remember, speed means victory!"
"Three fronts advancing simultaneously, supporting each other and echoing each other!" Gao Yao's fist slammed heavily on the edge of the sand table, making a dull sound. "I want this land of Nanjun to be mine within a month! Gentlemen, do you have confidence?"
"Yes!" Ying Bu, Erniu and Cao Shen responded in unison, their voices shaking the house.
Gao Yao's gaze swept across the faces of every general present, finally resting on Xiao He. His voice was filled with unquestionable authority and immense encouragement: "This battle is extraordinary! Order the soldiers of the three armies: the merits of this battle will be doubled! Slaying generals, capturing flags, conquering cities, and all other military merits will be recorded at double the rate!"
He paused, his tone becoming more profound and suggestive. "At the same time, from today onwards, the new achievements made in this battle will be recorded under a new military merit system! The details of this system will be announced to the world on the day of our triumphant return to Xianyang, and rewards will be given according to merit! Do you understand?"
"Yes!" The audience responded in unison, but this time the "Yes" contained not only obedience, but also irrepressible excitement and eagerness!
Even the calm and composed Xiao He, Cao Shen, and the others all showed a slight change in expression, their eyes gleaming. "A new military position?" And the king specifically emphasized it was a "position," not a "title" according to the old system! The difference was like thunder!
What does this mean? It means that the military system under Gao Yao will usher in a deeper transformation! Since his rise, although the Qin Dynasty's complicated and rigid system of twenty levels of military merit and nobility was abolished,
However, the military's organizational structure and promotion pathways largely continued the Qin Dynasty's old system, with titles like "Xiaowei," "Duwei," and "Jiangjun" remaining largely unchanged, with no fundamental, systematic reforms to their ranks and responsibilities. Yet, the mere mention of "a new system of military meritorious service positions" was like a key, instantly unlocking the floodgates of public imagination.
This was more than just a name change! It was a clear move to fully implement the unfinished second half of the previous military reforms! It was about establishing a completely new, independent career path for officers, one closely tied to military merit! A system that could transcend the limitations of the old nobility and focus more on the effectiveness of the military and the hierarchy of command!
The word "position" carries immense weight! It represents real power, a command structure, and a central position within the vast machinery of the military! It's more than just a noble position with a fiefdom and a salary. For generals eager to achieve success on the battlefield and seize true military power, the allure is unparalleled!
Wang Gaoyao's move was not only intended to boost morale, but also to lay the foundation for building a more efficient and cohesive professional army in the future! A solemn atmosphere of excitement, anticipation, and deep thought quietly permeated the hall. Everyone was rapidly pondering the upcoming war and the subsequent "rewards" that would determine the future and fate of all warriors.
Gao Yao's order was like a beacon, instantly activating the entire vast war machine. The three armies, already well-prepared and ready for battle, their commanders Ying Bu, Er Niu, and Cao Shen issued the final order to advance almost immediately upon receiving the king's order. It was Gao Yao's resolute "March!" Instantly, the military camps in Hanzhong, Dongting, and Jiujiang were in an uproar. Banners covered the sky, drums and gongs roared. A torrent of steel began to follow its predetermined route, rolling forward towards Nanjun!
At the same time, another invisible front was also in high gear. Gao Yao's sharpest and most secretive dagger, the Qingyi Society, had already quietly struck like a ghost. Their mission was even more dangerous and more crucial:
The primary target: Gongzi Gao, an important figure in the Xiang clan, must be killed! Gongzi Gao's existence itself is a banner, a reason, and a potential huge threat.
Key Strategy: Carrying Gao Yao's handwritten orders and tokens, contact those generals under King Hengshan (Wu Rui) who have already been infiltrated by the Qingyi Society or who have wavered under Gao Yao's overwhelming pressure and promises. Gao Yao's instructions are clear and cold: "The time has come. Those who wish to surrender, raise your flags and turn against us immediately! Prove your sincerity with actions, and when you succeed, you will be rewarded handsomely!"
Gao Yao's foresight was fully revealed at this moment. It wasn't that he couldn't have accepted the surrender of these wavering generals earlier. But he deliberately held back, holding this card tightly in his hand, awaiting this moment—the moment of the massive army's approach, the thunderous final assault! When the Southern Border Army launched its three-pronged attack, heading straight for Nanjun, these generals suddenly turned against the Chu army in its heartland. The chaos, morale, and defenses caused by the combined efforts of the internal and external forces far outweighed the value of their early surrender. It was a risky move, but also a brilliant one, unleashing the power of the internal forces at the enemy's most vulnerable point, instantly detonating!
Having received the killing order, the members of the Qingyi Society acted with lightning speed and ruthless silence. Like the most sophisticated killing machines, they had already laid a tight net along the route that Gongzi Gao must take to reach the Nanjun County capital. After careful reconnaissance, the optimal location was selected: a narrow pass just ten miles from the county seat, with slightly complex terrain, suitable for ambush and escape. Their only goal was to kill Gongzi Gao in one fell swoop before he could enter the county seat and seek the protection of Wu Can's main force!
Gao Yao was always very careful about his plans when it came to assassination. He knew that any assassination attempt would likely fail. Therefore, he carefully prepared a double kill for Gongzi Gao:
The first killing move: The elite members of the Qingyi Society will ambush and assassinate outside the city. This is the most direct and fastest method.
The second killer move: If Prince Gao manages to evade the attack outside the city and successfully enters the prefectural capital, then the key generals, bribed by Gao Yao and lurking within the Hengshan King's inner circle, will, at the opportune moment, execute the "cleaning house" mission. Gao Yao's secret order is both a token of allegiance and a death warrant for these generals—compliance with it will fully prove their loyalty and secure their lives and future.
Therefore, no matter whether Gongzi Gao could dodge the fatal arrow outside the city, no matter whether he could step into the seemingly safe city gate of Nanjun County, the outcome waiting for him was already a foregone conclusion - death.