12dz Chapter 2296 Battle Losses and Remaining Force
Chapter 2296 Battle Losses and Remaining Force
On the city wall.
Su Tingmei closed her eyes again, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, as if she wanted to expel all the pent-up emotions in her chest along with this bloody end.
Chu Ning stood there quietly, gazing at the pool of blood on the ground that was rapidly darkening, and the execution ground that was quickly cleaned up.
His face was expressionless, showing neither joy nor sorrow, only a deep, still calm, like an ancient, cold well.
He executed his traitorous brother, eliminated internal troubles, and upheld the law of the land.
But this strike not only severed Chu Xuan's life, but also completely shattered the fragile illusion of warmth within the royal family.
He knew that tonight's events would be circulated in various versions.
But he knew even better that, as an emperor, some decisions had to be made and some blood had to be shed.
The night wind blew by, carrying the chill of late autumn and also dispelling a trace of the heavy stench of blood.
Chu Ning took one last look at the empty execution ground, then slowly turned around, his black cloak tracing a deep, solemn arc behind him.
"Everyone, go back and rest. We will hold a meeting tomorrow at 7:00 AM to tally the battle damage and discuss the next phase of operations."
He spoke calmly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, and took the lead in walking down the city wall. Feng Mulan immediately followed, and the others followed silently as well.
On the city wall, only the soldiers on duty remained, along with the lingering faint smell of rust and blood.
Under the starlight and torchlight, everything that had just happened was told in silence.
This night in Jianghuai City is destined to leave a profound and complex mark on history.
The following day at Chenshi (7-9 AM), in the council hall of Jianghuai City.
After a night of bloodshed and power shifts, this hall, originally used for deliberation by the Jianghuai garrison, was destroyed.
This gathering brought together almost all of Chu's senior generals and core strategists who had led the southern expedition and quelled the rebellion.
The hall was spacious, with simple yet solemn furnishings. Under the plaque inscribed with "Loyalty and Righteousness Under Heaven" hanging high, the main seat was empty.
On both sides, people were already standing and waiting according to their official rank and seniority.
On the left, the generals are led by Xue Huaide, followed by Zhao Yu, who is still in silver armor, with a slightly tired face but sharp eyes.
Ran Ming, with a calm expression and deep gaze; Ma Chao, still exuding the fierce spirit of Xiliang; and Xue Dingshan, standing behind Xue Huaide, full of heroic vigor.
Han Xing was also standing in this line, but his position was slightly at the back, as if he deliberately didn't want people to see him.
His face was ashen, and his body seemed more hunched than usual. He would occasionally press his fist to his lips, suppressing a low cough, each cough adding to the ashen look on his already bloodless face.
The right side was mainly composed of civil officials and guest ministers.
Su Tingmei changed into a clean blue cloth robe, her expression calm, and stood at the front. However, she had some dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she had not slept well last night.
The air was thick with the somber and weary feeling of a great battle, mixed with a faint scent of herbs.
Everyone kept their eyes down, no one spoke, except for the occasional cough from Han Xing, which he tried hard to suppress but couldn't help but let out, and which sounded particularly clear in the quiet hall.
At exactly 7:00 AM, the side door opened.
Chu Ning, dressed in a black casual outfit, walked steadily into the hall, while Feng Mulan, dressed in a dark red palace dress, followed half a step behind.
She had removed her armor and regained the dignified demeanor of a noble consort, but the heroic spirit and composure tempered by the flames of war between her brows were even more striking.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects to the Imperial Concubine!"
Everyone bowed in unison, cupping their hands in salute, their voices echoing across the rooftops.
"All of you, rise."
Chu Ning walked to the main seat, but did not sit down immediately. His gaze slowly swept over every face in the hall, especially lingering for a moment on Han Xing's unusually pale face before raising his hand to support him.
Feng Mulan nodded slightly and stood slightly behind Chu Ning.
The crowd thanked him and rose to stand on either side. Chu Ning then took his seat, and Feng Mulan also sat down on the brocade stool that had been set up nearby.
"After a fierce battle last night, I am now summoning all of you for a meeting. Thank you for your hard work."
Chu Ning spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Although the Jianghuai region has been pacified, many things still need to be done. We especially need to clearly understand the gains and losses in order to determine future strategies, General Xue,"
He looked at Xue Huaide, who was leading the group on his left: "Tell me, from the fierce battle with Guo Ziyi to the end of the battles at Changtingpo and Yingzuiwan yesterday, what has been the loss of our troops and the number of enemy soldiers we have killed?"
Xue Huaide stepped forward in response, his steps still steady, though his face showed the weariness of days of battle.
He cleared his throat and began his report in a loud and clear voice, clearly having already organized the data:
"Your Majesty, before this war began, the total strength of my Northern Expeditionary Army was around 350,000."
He paused, his tone becoming heavy: "After repeated back-and-forth battles with the main force of Guo Ziyi's army of the Tang Dynasty on the outskirts of the Jianghuai region."
"Afterwards, he engaged in a series of bloody battles with the reinforcements personally led by Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, the Youzhou army of the rebel king Chu Xuan, and the cavalry of the Scorpion Khan Helian Hui and his general Gongsun Yi."
"Especially in the pursuit and encirclement battle at Changtingpo yesterday, our army suffered heavy casualties."
He hesitated for a moment, then delivered the somber figure: "As of this morning's preliminary count, the total number of troops that are still in good standing and capable of fighting is approximately... 120,000."
"120,000..."
Chu Ning repeated it softly, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest of the seat.
The atmosphere in the hall froze.
The number dropped from 350,000 to 120,000, meaning that more than 230,000 soldiers of the Great Chu were killed or wounded on the battlefield.
This number weighs on everyone's heart like a boulder.
Xue Huaide continued to report on the battle results, trying to lighten the somber atmosphere: "However, the enemy suffered even greater losses."
"On the Tang side, Guo Ziyi's troops suffered losses of about 100,000 in the early stages. In the Battle of Changtingpo yesterday, the main force led by Emperor Li Shimin and the last mobile troops suffered a total loss of about 50,000. The Tang Dynasty lost a total of 150,000 troops in this battle, which severely damaged its strength."
"The 50,000 troops of Youzhou under the command of the traitorous King Chu Xuan!"
Xue Huaide's tone turned cold: "Apart from the approximately 3,000 captured at Luoyan Gorge yesterday, the remaining 45,000 have been annihilated at Changting Slope and during their escape."
"As for the Northern Desert Scorpion Clan,"
Xue Huaide raised his voice slightly, with a hint of grim satisfaction: "Khan Helian Hui personally led 30,000 of the royal court's main force, plus the 40,000 cavalry that his general Gongsun Yi had brought earlier, for a total of 70,000 Scorpion Clan Iron Cavalry."
"After the ambush at Jianghuai City, the fierce battle at Changtingpo, and especially yesterday's encirclement and annihilation at Yingzuiwan, it has been confirmed that the entire army has been wiped out! Not a single man or horse has returned north!"
270,000 enemy troops were annihilated!
The Scorpion Clan's cavalry, which marched south, was completely annihilated!
This was a brilliant victory, especially the complete annihilation of 70,000 main cavalry of the Scorpion Clan, which was enough to shake the northern frontier and intimidate the various Hu tribes.
However, Chu Ning did not show much joy on his face.