nucmednet Chapter 538: Bauhinia Pass Bloodbath
Chapter 538: Bauhinia Pass Bloodbath
The sudden airdrop explosion was so powerful that it was like the collapse of the sky and the earth, and it instantly blew Dun's army into pieces.
The thunder-like explosion seemed to shatter the entire world. Thick smoke wrapped in scorching flames rose into the sky, illuminating half of the sky red.
The originally neat formation of Dun's soldiers fell into chaos in an instant, with cries and screams intertwined together, like a sad song of purgatory on earth.
At the center of the explosion, a huge pit about ten feet deep was blown out on the ground, and the surrounding land was turned over beyond recognition, like a scorched earth.
Those soldiers who did not have time to dodge were instantly swallowed up by the powerful air waves and flying shrapnel and turned into powder.
The nearby tents, food supplies and other supplies were almost completely burned in the raging fire. The pungent smoke filled the air, making it difficult to breathe.
The survivors in the team all looked pale, their eyes filled with fear and despair.
They were so frightened by this horrific scene they had never seen before that their souls were terrified and their legs went weak. How could they dare to talk about fighting anymore?
That night, like frightened birds, they fled desperately towards the north.
Even the important city of Wuyuan was abandoned, fearing that the terrible "heavenly punishment" would come again, and who knew what even more terrifying thing would suddenly fly from the sky.
Everyone was shocked by this mysterious power. They had no idea what was in the sky and were filled with doubts and fear.
Only Xiao Ran, with his keen intuition, vaguely felt that this astonishingly powerful attack might come from the Great Zhou.
Afterwards, Xiao Ran did not dare to delay for even a moment and immediately reported this series of thrilling events to Yelu Qing in detail.
When Yelu Qing received the news, he was half-believing and half-doubting. After all, such a bizarre and powerful event was hard to believe.
It was not until someone went to the explosion site in person and came back to describe to him the huge pit that was ten feet deep and the tragic scene around it that he began to believe it more or less.
On the other hand, Xing Shuren was ignorant of the danger and brazenly issued orders to forcibly capture Zijing Pass.
He led his army and charged forward like a demon, launching an inhumane massacre against the Yang family army guarding there, creating the Zijing Pass Massacre that shocked the world.
For a time, blood flowed like a river in Zijing Pass. The blood of Yang's army soldiers dyed the earth red, and the cries of the people echoed throughout the pass.
Zhao Hui, who was far away in the capital, received a report from Sun Jiping in Guangchang County.
"Your Majesty, please read:
I have heard that Guangchang County is part of the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty and is under the jurisdiction of Yanzhou.
Although Dingzhou had been governing Yanzhou in the name of leasing in the past, within a few years, the city was repaired and strengthened, and the people also benefited from having enough food and clothing.
Now I suddenly heard that the general guarding Yanzhou has issued an order to massacre the Yang family in Zijing Pass.
I am truly puzzled. Why is this happening? Could it be that Yanzhou is no longer under the control of the imperial court, allowing them to commit such tyrannical acts?
The imperial court governs the world with benevolence and has clear laws. How can it tolerate such wanton behavior?
If Yanzhou has indeed disregarded the imperial court and rebelled against moral principles, I am willing to lead the military and civilians of Guangchang County to fight Yanzhou to the end to protect the imperial court's discipline, even if it means sacrificing my life.
I humbly hope that Your Majesty will exercise wise judgment, rectify the state laws, reassure the people, and ensure the stability of our Great Zhou.
I am terrified and bow my head again."
This memorial was first passed to Wei Rong, and after his careful review and approval, it was forwarded to the Imperial Study.
Zhao Hui unfolded the report and read it carefully. The more he read, the gloomier his expression became. After he finished reading, anger instantly rushed to his head.
He couldn't help but curse Xing Shuren for being extremely stupid, while secretly thinking that he might have acted too hastily, causing the situation to get out of control.
The news of the Zijing Pass bloody incident spread quickly to Dingzhou and Luancheng as if it had wings.
With Li Xin's calm and steady temperament, he was well aware of the complexity of the situation. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided not to interfere in this matter.
But after Zhao Sheng learned about this, he remained calm and quietly asked Zhao Long to send out ten airships.
That night, the moonlight was like water and the night sky was silent.
Ten airships flew quietly over Zijing Pass like ghosts. The soldiers on the boats had stern expressions and determination in their eyes.
With an order, incendiary bombs poured down like meteors. In an instant, the military camp sent by Yi County in Zijingguan was engulfed in flames.
A raging fire shot up into the sky, illuminating the entire night sky. Under the light of the fire, the panicked figures of the soldiers fled everywhere, and screams were heard everywhere.
Xing Shuren's nephew Xing Erhu was also burned to death in the camp in this fire.
Among the 50,000 people sent out this time, 30,000 participated in the Zijing Pass bloody incident, and that night, more than 20,000 of these 30,000 people were mercilessly swallowed by the fire.
Just when Zhao Hui was still racking his brains over how to punish Xing Shuren, an urgent military report suddenly arrived from eight hundred miles away.
Zhao Hui hurriedly opened the urgent military newspaper. After taking a look, his face instantly turned as ugly as white paper.
Qin Lian's heart tightened when he saw this, and he hurried forward and asked with concern:
"Your Majesty, what exactly happened?"
Zhao Hui did not answer immediately, but handed the military report in his hand to Wang Defa beside him, indicating that he should pass it on to Qin Lian.
Qin Lian took the military report, glanced at it quickly, and was immediately shocked. He couldn't help but say in a lost voice in the hall:
"What? Over 20,000 people were inexplicably burned to death overnight? Yi County General Xing Erhu also perished in the flames?"
When the civil and military officials around heard this, they were all shocked, with disbelief written all over their faces.
"Who on earth has such great power that he can quietly destroy an army of over 20,000?"
As a close minister of Zhao Hui, Si Shitong couldn't help but ask with full of doubts.
However, the entire palace hall was silent and no one could answer this question.
When Fan Wenyuan heard the news, his body unconsciously leaned forward, but he quickly reacted and adjusted his posture.
Zhao Hui saw this subtle movement clearly, but he was upset at the moment and had no mind to ask any further questions.
After a while, there was a lot of discussion in the hall, and the ministers whispered to each other, their faces full of worry and confusion.
Zhao Hui was upset and had no intention of listening to people's discussions anymore, so he finally announced his withdrawal from court.
But Fan Wenyuan was called to the imperial study by Zhao Hui alone.
As soon as he entered the imperial study, Zhao Hui couldn't wait to ask:
"Prime Minister, do you already know who did this?"
Zhao Hui's words were brief and powerful, and Fan Wenyuan naturally understood them.
Fan Wenyuan frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said slowly:
"Your Majesty, I do have suspicions about someone, but I have no solid evidence yet."
"Tell me, I want to know if the person you are thinking of is the same as what I have in mind."
Zhao Hui looked at Fan Wenyuan with burning eyes.
Fan Wenyuan gently stroked his beard, finally hardened his heart, and said slowly:
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, the only person in the Great Zhou who could have done this is probably Zhao Sheng. As for outside of the Great Zhou, I really don't know."
After hearing this, Zhao Hui nodded in agreement. In fact, he also felt that only Zhao Sheng had such means and courage.