HCT – Chapter 230 The Prestige of Lord Wu’an

Meng Ao, Wang He, and Sima Jin were all veteran generals of Qin, having fought in countless battles over their lifetimes. Yet even they had never witnessed a scene like this.

At Shanwu City, the gates were wide open, and the entire city donned mourning attire. The armored commanders themselves carried the coffin out of the city.

When Meng Ao first saw this army, his heart tightened. He was utterly stunned upon learning that they intended to surrender.

Sima Jin, who had come to personally negotiate the surrender and was prepared to accept Sima Shang’s capitulation, was equally shocked. He had never expected that Shanwu City would surrender en masse.

Sima Jin knew exactly how difficult Zhao’s strongholds were from his campaigns alongside Bai Qi in the lands of the Three Jin states. Sima Shang might surrender out of fear of being killed, but the other commanders in Shanwu City would not. The Zhao soldiers there would not. With the formidable Zhao general Pang Xuan still in the city, the situation should have been under control.

But as soon as Sima Shang submitted to Qin, opened Shanwu City’s gates, or caused any confusion in its defenses, the Qin army could quickly seize the city.

Sima Jin had not lied to Sima Shang. The smoother Qin’s conquest of Shanwu City, the less harm would come to the Zhao people in Yanmen Commandery. But if Shanwu resisted too fiercely, Qin’s losses would be heavy, and even with General Meng Ao restraining his troops, Qin forces might still massacre the city out of vengeance.

To outside observers, such acts would hardly even be seen as a massacre. Every person in Shanwu City was an enemy of Qin; the army was merely cleaning the battlefield.

Sima Jin had never imagined such an outcome. The notoriously difficult Shanwu City had surrendered so easily. All Qin soldiers were baffled.

Lin Zhi and Meng Ao gathered information from the city and pieced together the full situation from firsthand accounts, falling into a long silence.

Meng Ao changed into plain clothes and personally sent Sima Shang off. Lin Zhi, meanwhile, wrote to Qin King Zichu, instructing him to issue a decree praising and rewarding Sima Shang, to treat his family generously, while also personally arranging Sima Shang’s funeral.

“He was ready to surrender. His family is in Handan,” said one of Sima Shang’s colleagues.

In actual history, Sima Shang, along with Li Mu, had been executed by King Qian of Zhao. Not all generals could escape when the monarch turned against them. Sima Shang was just an ordinary general; even if he had fled, he could not erase the negative consequences of being deemed a traitor. He could only become a commoner.

Historically, Lian Po, enraged, attacked Le Cheng; both eventually fled Zhao and were never reinstated. In this world, Le Cheng had also fled, nearly disappearing from records after Lian Po’s massacre of the Yan people.

Generals “delivered” by the monarch, like Lian Po, Li Mu, or Tian Dan—the hero who restored Qi—could find favor in other states. Others, like Meng Ao or Zhao She, who resigned and joined other states, were usually accepted elsewhere.

But even if a general was falsely accused, once he defected, his military career was essentially over. Monarchs demanded absolute loyalty; even if the ruler was in the wrong, generals could not betray him. Otherwise, with so many soldiers under their command, how could the monarch rest easy?

Sima Jin thought that giving Sima Shang a reason—“Come to Qin, I’ll promote you, and Lord Wucheng will continue to use you”—would ensure he would surrender to survive. Yet Sima Shang rejected this lifeline, choosing death to fulfill the true surrender Sima Jin had envisioned.

“As fellow Sima clan members, I will unite our families. Your kin are mine. Travel safely,” Sima Jin promised before Sima Shang’s coffin.

Lin Zhi sighed, assuming his role as Qin’s chancellor to pacify Shanwu’s troops and citizens, arranging the surrender of generals and soldiers. Because Yanmen Commandery was a border region, most soldiers were locals, making organization easier. With Sima Shang dead, Shanwu City was unlikely ever to return to Zhao. Lin Zhi disbanded willing Zhao troops and integrated them into Qin forces, helping them adapt to Qin’s laws and regulations.

Lin Zhi knew that even though Li Mu had left Yanmen for over a decade, his reputation remained. He promised the former Yanmen commanders that if they wished to join Li Mu, he would arrange it immediately, and future affairs of Yanmen would be entirely entrusted to Li Mu. The old commanders trusted Lin Zhi completely. His status as Lin Xiangru’s son and friend to Lord Changping and Lord Wucheng made him one of the best candidates to reassure Shanwu City.

Qin King Zichu felt conflicted upon learning of Yanmen’s surrender. Despite being unwell, he personally visited Yanmen to comfort the Zhao people, promising one year of tax and labor relief for recovery. He also wrote a eulogy for Sima Shang.

By facing Zhao’s false accusations and dying, Sima Shang upheld “righteousness” toward Zhao’s king; by causing Shanwu City to surrender to Qin, he showed “benevolence” toward his subordinates and the Zhao people of Yanmen. Such is the essence of “righteousness and benevolence.”

King Yan also learned of Shanwu City. He immediately rewarded Guo Kai lavishly, acknowledging that Sima Shang and other former Yanmen generals had long intended to betray him. It was a pity he hadn’t realized their true intentions sooner.

“Had I known, I should have replaced all Yanmen generals right after Lord Xinling’s death,” King Yan said in anger.

Guo Kai replied, “Anyone with prior ties to Zhu Xiang, Lian Po, or Li Mu surely leans toward Qin. Rumor has it Zhu Xiang practices sorcery and manipulates minds. The king must be wary!”

King Yan agreed. He attempted to imprison Sima Shang’s family but lacked the courage to target the Lin family. Sima Shang’s relatives had already been secretly sent to Qin. Among them were Zhao nobles, wandering knights, and people arranged by Qin. Multiple forces, uncoordinated yet acting in harmony, protected Sima Shang’s family into Qin.

The Lin family, upon hearing the news, secretly planned to move to Qin, even preparing coffins for their ancestors, fearing King Yan’s petty wrath. In that era, officials moving between states generally did not endanger their families, unless the unwritten rules were violated, which would deter talent from serving the state.

Pang Xuan, caught off guard, was caught immediately as his troops hesitated. Qin King Zichu tried to persuade him to surrender. But Pang Xuan, personally elevated by King Yan, would rather die than betray him. Lin Zhi’s persuasion led Qin King Zichu to release Pang Xuan alone, citing admiration for his loyalty. Pang Xuan, believing Lin Zhi still cherished Zhao, was deeply grateful.

“King Yan is even going to disturb your tomb, yet he still trusts your loyalty to Zhao,” Qin King Zichu said dryly.

Lin Zhi did this because Qin could not conquer Zhao in a year or two. King Yan, narrow-minded and suspicious, would continue to rely on the aging Pang Xuan. Once Pang Xuan died, Zhao would no longer be a threat. Additionally, someone in Handan would inevitably challenge Pang Xuan’s leadership over Yanmen, exacerbating internal conflict—even though King Yan’s side was currently in the right.

Lin Zhi said, “What can I do? I’m Lin Xiangru’s son.”

Qin King Zichu replied, “…If your father were alive, he’d strike you with thunder.”

Boom! Thunder crashed through the cloudy sky.

Lin Zhi: “…“

Qin King Zichu: “…“

“Your Majesty, Chancellor, it’s raining—take cover… Huh? Why do you both look so pale? Are you catching a cold? Imperial physician!”

The physician arrived, giving calming medicine to Qin King Zichu and Lin Zhi.

“Curse you!”

“Hah, I speak nothing but truth!”

Meanwhile, news of Zhao’s events hadn’t yet reached southern Qin. By the time Li Mu learned of Yanmen, six months had passed, and Jiuyuan and Yunzhong Commanderies had surrendered.

These commanderies were heavily influenced by Li Mu and Lord Xinling, with many former subordinates in their ranks. Seeing Yanmen’s valiant defense and Sima Shang executed by King Yan, they naturally felt despair and feared Zhao’s distrust. With Yanmen lost, Jiuyuan and Yunzhong were isolated; further resistance would be futile. Better to surrender, perhaps even gaining a chance to serve under General Li Mu in Qin.

Qin generals, however, told them bluntly: “Not a chance.”

Just as everyone once wanted to serve under Lord Wu’an, now Qin generals coveted Li Mu and Wang Jian’s command, leaving no room for Zhao’s soldiers.

The Zhao commanders protested: “?”

They understood Li Mu’s status in Qin, but they were his original loyal subordinates! Returning to him was their rightful place!

The surrendered generals of Zhao and the Qin commanders had a serious dispute over the matter of Lord Wucheng, which ultimately escalated into a duel—but in the end, they were all punished. Afterward, their relations improved dramatically, and they even began slinging arms around each other like old friends.

Meng Ao said bitterly, “If my son weren’t utterly useless, I would definitely be jealous of Li Mu and try to trip him up.”

The Qin King and the Prime Minister had already returned to Xianyang, so he could say whatever he pleased.

Wang He reminded him, “Isn’t Meng Wu already Li Mu’s deputy general? The position they’re fighting over belongs to Meng Wu. Not just Meng Wu—your grandson Meng Tian is already serving under Li Mu as a general and has distinguished himself early.”

Meng Ao’s envy vanished instantly; he laughed heartily three times, finally feeling vindicated.

Sima Jin muttered, “I still want to continue following Lord Wu’an. I heard Lord Wu’an is also in Southern Qin—perhaps he will don armor once more.”

Wang He was silent for a long moment before saying, “I want that too.”

Meng Ao: “……” Not bad, not bad at all! Practically invincible! And yet, all of you are openly thinking about serving another commander right in front of me! Infuriating!

He slapped his forehead. “If Lord Wu’an commands, then my son and grandson are also his deputies!”

Wang He and Sima Jin: “……” There it is—they’ve turned sour again.

Meanwhile, Bai Qi, unaware of the situation in Yanmen Commandery, had already donned his armor.

Zhu Xiang and Ying Zheng had planned to mobilize their forces during the transitional months of March and April, but Bai Qi struck during spring plowing, catching Zhu Xiang completely off guard.

Spring plowing lacked manpower. Lord Wu’an, listen to reason!

Clearly, Bai Qi, Lord Wu’an, was usually a mild-mannered man, but when it came to warfare—even facing King Zhaoxiang of Qin—he could be stubborn to the death. Spring sowing and autumn harvests were matters for others to worry about.

Once appointed as commander, his only concern was maximizing the expansion of his victories.

While Zhu Xiang and Ying Zheng were caught unprepared, Bai Qi led his troops day and night, covering more than half of Southern Chu, marching at a breakneck pace toward Juchao.

Southern Chu’s capital was Shouchun. Originally, Shouchun was intended by the Chu king to become the new capital. After Chu split, the partially constructed city fell into the hands of the Southern Chu ruler. Shouchun had the Huai River to the north and Chaohu Lake to the south as natural barriers.

Juchao, next to Chaohu, was the most important city and the key granary of Southern Chu. No one knew how Bai Qi silently arrived beneath Juchao’s walls—just as during the Battle of Huayang, no one knew how Bai Qi, averaging a hundred li a day, arrived silently in eight days.

For soldiers of that era, an eight-day forced march of a hundred li per day while maintaining strong combat capability was unimaginable. Few modern nations could match such a feat.

Even more astonishing, many of the troops Bai Qi commanded were not originally his own. It was as if any soldiers under his command would awaken with immense willpower, combat ability, and obedience, responding to his commands as if his own limbs.

Juchao fell in a single day—no time for reinforcements. Though nearby, when Bai Qi rested his army inside the city, Shouchun was still reveling in music and wine.

Qin was fighting Han and Zhao; Southern Qin was far from the battlefield, so the rulers and ministers of Southern Chu had no sense of vigilance.

Although Qin had rebuilt cities north of the Yangtze, they relocated Chu populations from the land between the Yangtze and constructed a long defensive line, with fortresses every thirty li, claiming it was as solid as the northern walls built by Zhao, Yan, Wei, and Qin against the northern barbarians.

Displaced Chu citizens became the best laborers, building Southern Chu’s Great Wall under heavy forced labor.

The Southern Great Wall was completed this year, and Southern Chu’s rulers thought they could finally rest easy, indulging in pleasure.

But Bai Qi, like a satellite on autopilot, slipped past the Southern Great Wall unnoticed, avoiding scattered patrols. In this way, the supposedly secure no-man’s land became perfect cover for the Qin army.

With supplies of food and water, the Qin army seized Juchao with minimal loss, displaying tremendous perseverance. After a day’s rest, Bai Qi advanced toward Shouchun, arranged his troops at the gates, and established camp. One city—Shouchun—was easy to capture, but Bai Qi’s strategic goal was never merely a single city; it was to annihilate the enemy’s living forces.

Using Juchao’s granary, he encircled the city without attacking directly, intending to lure Southern Chu’s few elite troops into battle. If possible, he even hoped the Chu king would send reinforcements.

He would not attack Chu directly now, but every young soldier lost weakened Chu further, as their territory had already shrunk considerably.

Bai Qi openly displayed his banner, allowing Southern Chu and Chu to respond freely.

When the six states learned of Bai Qi’s redeployment, Lord Wu’an had already besieged Shouchun, the capital of Southern Chu, overshadowing the surrender of Yanmen Commandery and becoming the most pressing matter in the seven states. Even the Chu king sobered in fright.

Fame precedes reality. The moment Lord Wu’an appeared, even the famed Lord Wucheng could not compare.

Lord Wu’an had reduced Wei and Han to third-rate states, crushed Zhao, and burned the Chu king’s ancestral tombs. Such a man, even after over a decade of dormancy, could silence crying infants when recalled.

Moreover, the children once intimidated by Lord Wu’an were now grown into young adults. They had grown up hearing tales of his reputation. Though never seeing him, the long period of dormancy did not diminish their fear—it amplified it.

Inside Shouchun, the Southern Chu ruler was paralyzed with indecision, wanting to seek reinforcements but too afraid to send anyone out.

Bai Qi, growing impatient, even sent men disguised as the Southern Chu ruler to request aid from various regions.

The Chu king, abandoning ceremonial pretense, convened an emergency council to discuss who could save Southern Chu. Shouchun was near Chen, and if it fell, Southern Chu would be destroyed, leaving Chu truly vulnerable.

Li Yuan, usually scrambling for credit, shrank back. Even arrogant and foolish, he knew he could not defeat Bai Qi. The god of war would leave no survivors.

After much deliberation, the Chu court decided only Xiang Yan could be entrusted. Xiang Yan wrote from his fief to volunteer, but the king feared Bai Qi, haunted by nightmares for over a decade. Bai Qi had driven his father north, burned Chu’s capital and ancestral tombs, making his father one of the most powerless kings in history. The king, once a hostage in Qin, was almost terrified to death.

He needed reassurance. He knew Xiang Yan was the best choice but could not send him out. He summoned Xiang Yan to Chen. Only with Xiang Yan nearby could he sleep safely.

Once Xiang Yan arrived, he again requested to lead troops. If Southern Chu fell, even Xiang Yan could not reverse the outcome; under a southern and northern squeeze by Qin, Chu would perish. The only chance to preserve Chu was to save Southern Chu. Xiang Yan persuaded the king that rescuing Southern Chu would allow it to reintegrate into Chu. Rationally, the king agreed, but emotionally, he could not act. Thoughts of Bai Qi made him palpitate, his dreams haunted by Bai Qi’s victorious silhouette in Xianyang.

The pressure was immense; the king showed signs of madness. Already old and traumatized by Lord Chunshen’s death, he often dreamt of being questioned at his bedside by Chunshen, leading him to obsess over spirits and rely on numerous shamans to sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation had destroyed his mind.

Bai Qi’s return as Lord Wu’an was the final straw, crushing him completely.

Not only did the king forbid Xiang Yan’s deployment, but most nobles and ministers also opposed him leaving Chen. They knew Xiang Yan was Chu’s finest general—if he went south, who could defend the north?

Now Han had surrendered, and the three northern Zhao commanderies had been annexed by Qin. What if Qin’s army advanced south? Who could stop them? Southern Chu, protected by the Huai River, was safer than Chu’s northern borders.

Bound in Chen, Xiang Yan could only station his troops in the north to prevent Qin’s advance. The king randomly appointed a general and sent 100,000 troops across the river to aid Southern Chu.

Bai Qi had already reached the Huai River. Upon arrival, the Southern Chu lords dared not relieve Shouchun—they fortified nearby but stayed inside their walls. No one dared face Bai Qi’s army in open battle.

Bai Qi rested around Shouchun, awaiting Chu reinforcements. When the Chu army crossed the Huai, Bai Qi’s ambush struck halfway, causing panic; many soldiers jumped into the river. The casualties were so severe, the corpses nearly blocked the river.

Chu forces on the north bank dared not cross nor retreat, watching helplessly as their comrades were cut down.

Old Bai Qi no longer personally fought; he sat in his war chariot like an ordinary elder, yet his cold eyes pierced the soul. Watching the wailing soldiers, his expression remained unmoved, as if observing frozen battle achievements.

At the Huai, Bai Qi decisively defeated Chu forces, preventing further reinforcements. The Southern Chu ruler had no choice but to surrender. Bai Qi did not need to assault the city—Shouchun fell under the sheer psychological pressure of Lord Wu’an’s reputation.

After Shouchun’s surrender, Bai Qi slowly captured other Southern Chu cities. Wang Jian, already deployed as Bai Qi’s auxiliary, coordinated with him; if Southern Chu lords or Chu forces tried to intervene, Wang Jian would strike from another direction.

Southern Chu was already unpopular. Zhu Xiang’s reputation in Southern Qin had attracted many Chu refugees, and the remaining populace willingly submitted to him.

Everyone knew Bai Qi’s ruthlessness. His epithet, “Human Butcher,” did not originate at the Battle of Changping—it had been earned early in his career. Though Qin now claimed to be benevolent in war, this was still Bai Qi: the “Human Butcher.”

When Bai Qi declared he would not harm surrendering forces, the words were interpreted as “surrender too slowly and die.” Consequently, Southern Chu cities surrendered en masse, requesting to see Lord Changping, whose benevolence reassured them. Without him, they panicked.

Zhu Xiang, busy with spring plowing, was called to the front to negotiate surrenders. Wherever he went, the cities opened their gates immediately. Bai Qi dispatched small detachments to hold each city, letting Zhu Xiang mediate in turn.

Within six months, all Southern Chu cities surrendered to Qin. Southern Chu was annihilated.

Once again, Lord Wu’an Bai Qi’s name resounded across the world.