12dz Chapter 2218 Must Not Kill!
Chapter 2218 Must Not Kill!
"fart!"
Han Xing trembled with rage and retorted sharply, "His Majesty has swept across the land, a peerless and mighty ruler! The unification of Great Chu is imminent, how dare you distort the truth here!"
"Even if... even if His Majesty truly meets with misfortune, there are still the two princes!"
"His Highness the Crown Prince is intelligent and benevolent; he will surely be a wise ruler in the future! How dare you, a traitor, covet the throne!"
"Prince?"
Chu Xuan's mockery deepened, his eyes flashing with undisguised contempt and coldness.
"You mean my two grandnephews? One is a five-year-old child, and the other is still an infant. What do they know about governing a country?"
"When the ruler is young and the country is in turmoil, power will inevitably fall into the hands of others. At that time, the court will be in turmoil and the country will cease to exist!"
"Only I, in my prime, having ruled Youzhou for many years with efficient governance, harmonious people, well-trained troops, and ample provisions, can immediately stabilize the situation and lead Great Chu to true prosperity!"
"With Chu Ning dead, who else but me can claim the throne?"
He paused, looking at the raging anger and unbelievable despair in Han Xing's eyes, as if savoring the last emotional fluctuations of his prey, his tone turning utterly cold and impatient:
"Han Xing, I admire your loyalty and bravery, but unfortunately, you followed the wrong person. If these useless accusations and delusions are your last words..."
Chu Xuan slowly straightened up, raising his right hand.
He made a clear and decisive downward slashing gesture towards the Youzhou army's strong bows and crossbows, which were arrayed in a forest behind him, and the Scorpion Clan cavalry on both sides, who were eager to attack.
"Then you may set off with your blind loyalty."
As his gesture fell!
"Fire arrows!"
"Cavalry, charge!"
The final order to attack, like the pronouncement of death, suddenly resounded through the blood-red dawn!
The morning light pierced the last darkness, but it could not penetrate the haze formed by gunpowder smoke, blood, and death that covered the western plains of Jianghuai City.
The fierce battle, or rather, the one-sided massacre, continued for another brutal fifteen minutes.
After Chu Xuan issued the order for a general offensive, the arrows of the Youzhou army swarmed like locusts, covering the small patch of land where Han Xing and his remaining troops had finally taken their place.
Immediately afterwards, Gongsun Yi's most valiant Scorpion Clan Iron Cavalry, like a swarm of sharks smelling blood, launched a desperate charge from three directions.
Horse hooves trampled the muddy, blood-soaked earth, while scimitars flashed with arcs of death.
The two thousand-plus fierce Chu soldiers who had survived countless battles beside Han Xing melted away like ice and snow under the scorching sun under this final, saturation attack.
They shouted and cursed, putting up a futile resistance with their mutilated limbs and dulled weapons, before falling in droves.
Almost every Chu soldier who died in battle would take one or two enemy soldiers down with him, but this did nothing to change the outcome.
Han Xing himself is like the last reef in a storm.
He brandished the long iron sword, which was completely chipped and almost turned into a blunt iron bar, like a mad tiger.
The captain of the guard blocked a spear that came from the side for him, at the cost of being pierced through the chest and abdomen.
A guard rushed forward and used his body to block the cold arrow that was aimed at his back.
People around him fell one after another, and blood mist kept exploding around him, staining his vision and the land beneath his feet, which was soaked with the blood of both sides.
Finally, when the last volley of arrows and the aftershocks of the cavalry charge subsided, only a dozen or so guards, centered around Han Xing and standing back to back, remained standing.
They were all wounded, their clothes were tattered, their armor was almost completely torn to shreds, and most of their weapons were broken and damaged.
Han Xing himself was in an even worse state; his left leg was pierced by a broken spear, and blood was gushing out. He could only barely stand by leaning against the corpse of an enemy soldier.
The wound on his right shoulder was so deep that the bone was visible. His entire right arm hung limply, and he could only grip the hilt of the knife, which was almost unrecognizable, with his left hand.
His face was covered in blood, soot, and sweat, but his eyes still burned with an indomitable flame, staring intently at Chu Xuan on horseback not far away.
Within a radius of several dozen feet, corpses lay strewn across the field, with severed limbs and broken banners and weapons mixed together, creating a hellish scene.
Chu Xuan's Youzhou army and Scorpion Clan cavalry regrouped on the outer perimeter, completely surrounding the dead zone and the dozen or so swaying figures in the center.
They did not immediately step forward, but looked at the last Chu army with cold, numb, yet slightly awe-inspiring eyes.
Chu Xuan rode his horse, surrounded by his guards, and slowly approached a spot less than thirty paces from Han Xing.
He looked at the scene before him with satisfaction, surveying Han Xing's miserable state as if admiring a work of art that was about to be completed.
There was no pity in his eyes, only utter coldness and a hint of relief at achieving his goal.
Han Xing, this tough nut to crack, is finally about to be cracked.
Eliminating Chu Ning's most capable and loyal general undoubtedly cleared a huge obstacle for his future ambitions.
He raised his hand, preparing to give the order for the final kill, to completely eliminate these last dozen or so eyesores—
"Wait a minute!"
A slightly hoarse voice, yet carrying an undeniable authority, came from another direction on the battlefield.
Following the sound, everyone looked and saw Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, escorted by a team of elite Tang soldiers, walking through the gap between the Youzhou army and the Scorpion Clan cavalry who were clearing the battlefield.
His imperial carriage had long been abandoned, and he was now dressed in military attire. Although his face was still pale and his injuries had not yet healed, his imperial majesty had been somewhat restored in the morning light.
Generals like Zhang Wu followed closely behind, warily watching their "allies" around them.
Chu Xuan frowned almost imperceptibly, lowered his raised hand, and turned to face Li Shiming.
He forced a polite smile, but his tone clearly betrayed his displeasure:
"Your Majesty the Emperor? This place is dangerous, and Your Majesty's injuries have not yet healed. Why would you personally come to this bloody place?"
"Han Xing has put up a stubborn resistance and will soon be executed. This is a trivial matter and Your Majesty need not worry about it."
Li Shiming walked closer, his gaze lingering for a moment on Han Xing, who was covered in blood and almost unable to stand, yet still stood upright. A complex emotion flashed deep in his eyes.
There was admiration for such a loyal and brave general, fear of the enemy having such a capable general, and a touch of regret for his impending demise.
But this feeling was quickly replaced by a deeper calculation.
He looked at Chu Xuan, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable air: "Prince Xuan, this man cannot be killed for the time being."
"Can't we kill him?"
The smile on Chu Xuan's face vanished completely, replaced by undisguised gloom and doubt.
"What does the Tang Emperor mean by this? Han Xing is Chu Ning's number one henchman, brave and skilled in battle, and poses a great threat to our army."
"Now that we have finally managed to trap them here, it is the perfect time to nip this in the bud and eliminate any future troubles! Could it be that Your Majesty has developed a fondness for talent?"