The rough results of the battle were quickly tallied.
Taking advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness, they had launched a sudden and deadly attack, achieving a glorious victory.
Over 1,200 enemy heads were taken, more than 800 were captured, and the rest of the bandits had scattered.
Their fate wasn't much better—those near Luoyang might fare decently, but further out, the local warlords and estate owners would capture them, turning them into slaves.
Few would make it back to Hebei.
Mi Huang was extremely pleased with the outcome.
As soon as he saw Shao Xun, he laughed heartily, "I expected us to win this battle, but I didn't think it would be such a decisive victory. You, Shao Jun, charged left and right, inflicting heavy casualties. You deserve the most credit."
Shao Xun smiled modestly, "It was just a matter of preparation against an unprepared enemy. These bandits aren't elite troops, so this result is nothing extraordinary."
"It's not as simple as you make it sound," Mi Huang sighed.
"I just spoke with the vanguard officers, and they all said you led from the front, cutting through the enemy like a hot knife through butter. If it were someone else, we might still have won, but not so decisively. You deserve the credit, and I will report your achievements to the Minister of Works."
Shao Xun smiled again but said nothing.
What good would reporting do? At best, he'd get some money or silk as a reward.
There were no official positions available for him at the moment, and he was too young.
Rising too quickly would only invite jealousy—he wasn't a member of the Sima clan or a scion of a powerful family who could command armies in his twenties.
As Mi Huang spoke, He Lun and Wang Bing arrived together.
Wang Bing didn't say much, but He Lun was genuinely impressed.
"Two hundred elite troops broke into the enemy camp and threw three thousand bandits into chaos. By the time I arrived with the main force, all that was left was mopping up. This battle was truly impressive."
He Lun was a general of the Upper Army, and his words carried weight.
Wang Bing had no choice but to chime in, "Such bravery and skill are rare in this world. I'm also convinced."
Everyone was eager to praise Shao Xun, as his valor reflected well on them too.
After all, the three thousand soldiers of the Wang Kingdom Army were a unified force.
One by one, officers came to pay their respects, offering sincere or insincere compliments.
Shao Xun didn't take all of it to heart.
While He Lun and Wang Bing might be effusive in their praise now, when it came to actual利益, they would cool down and act as they always did.
People needed to distinguish between truth and lies—or half-truths, or words spoken in hesitation that could go either way.
Yang Bao was the last to approach.
After most of the others had left, he sidled up mysteriously and whispered, "Commander, the vanguard officers are singing your praises, even worshiping you. They all say they want to keep following you and don't want to return to their original units."
"Is that all?" Shao Xun took a sip from his leather water flask and asked casually.
Yang Bao chuckled awkwardly, then revealed his true intent.
"Commander, these men are so brave and skilled, and they all admire you. Why not have the Commandant promote them to squad leaders and platoon leaders, replacing He Lun's men? The soldiers he recruited from Luoyang hesitated and were timid during the battle, only mustering some courage when they saw we were about to win. Their officers aren't up to par and should be replaced."
Shao Xun was silent for a moment, then smiled.
"I appreciate your loyalty, but now is not the time for that."
"Why not?"
"A major battle is imminent. Some things need to be done gradually; we can't rush."
"Understood," Yang Bao nodded, disappointed.
It had been six months since he was transferred to the front unit, and he had his doubts.
At first, he reported every little thing diligently, but after a few months, his visits became less frequent, showing his wavering loyalty.
However, after seeing how Gao Yi had been completely subdued, he changed his stance again and started reporting frequently once more.
This slippery fellow was beyond help!
"Go tell Gao Yi to gather the troops. We're entering the city," Shao Xun handed his water flask to Wu Qian and ordered.
"Yes, sir," Yang Bao replied obediently.
After Yang Bao left, Wu Qian couldn't help but ask, "Commander, why are we entering the city?"
"The battle here is over. The bandits won't dare return. I just heard from the Commandant that the bandits at Guangmo Gate have also been routed. The northern part of the city is secure. Why wait outside? I'll discuss it with the Commandant. You gather the men and prepare to move."
"Yes, sir."
There were only two gates on the northern side of Luoyang: the Great Xia Gate to the west and the Guangmo Gate to the east.
With thousands of Ye troops scattered, the battle here was indeed over.
Only a small force needed to remain to guard the gates, while the main army could enter the city.
On the smooth imperial road inside the Great Xia Gate, thousands of soldiers marched into the city in orderly ranks.
The sounds of battle at the twelve city gates—clashing weapons, whistling arrows, and dying screams—had already filled the city's residents with fear.
The wealthy families had their own private guards brought from their hometowns.
These guards were equipped with military-grade weapons, armor, bows, and spears—who knows where they got them.
When they heard the marching troops, the guards tensed up.
The younger members of the families climbed onto the walls to observe, while the older ones organized the servants, handing out whatever weapons they could find—sticks, choppers, anything.
Even some strong women held sticks, their faces tense.
As the saying goes, "Long illness makes a good doctor."
After being plagued by so many disasters, if the people of Luoyang didn't improve their home defenses, they'd be fools.
Not just against rogue soldiers, but even bandits were becoming bolder, forming larger groups.
You had to be prepared.
Besides the wealthy families, there were also merchants who had come to the capital.
Don't underestimate them.
In these times, traveling across provinces to do business required some skill to survive.
Shi Chong had set a bad precedent by robbing merchants, and it had left an impression on traders everywhere.
They recruited strong men from their clans and hometowns, practicing their fighting skills in case of bandit attacks.
The added costs were naturally passed on to the prices of goods.
Such was life in troubled times; everyone had to make do.
The arrival of the Donghai Kingdom Army made the merchant guards nervous.
Some even pulled out powerful crossbows, strictly forbidden among civilians, and stared at the intersections, silently praying no foolish soldiers would come their way.
As for the common folk, they could only shut their doors and tremble in fear.
Though a few brave families had agreed to protect each other, they were the exception.
"Donghai Kingdom Army has crushed the Ye bandits!"
"Return to your businesses, do not wander!"
"Those who cause trouble will be killed without mercy!"
A dozen loud-voiced soldiers marched at the front, carrying the severed heads of Ye officers on their spears, shouting as they went.
Occasionally, masked youths appeared on the imperial road, only to be swiftly killed by the soldiers' spears.
During times of war and chaos, "troublemaking youths" would often band together to loot, rob, or even commit arson and murder.
They wore masks to avoid being recognized by acquaintances or to prevent social disgrace if they robbed someone they knew.
The Donghai Kingdom Army's announcements had a strange effect.
They didn't loot or kill indiscriminately.
Instead, they marched in orderly ranks, occasionally encountering bandits or disoriented Ye soldiers who had fled into the city, and swiftly dealt with them.
They were there to restore order.
The tension in people's hearts gradually eased, and some even cheered softly—likely those who had been harassed by the Ye soldiers.
It was at this moment that the reputation of the Donghai Kingdom Army began to spread further.
The people of Luoyang gradually learned that, aside from the central army, there was another force in the city—a disciplined and capable one.
If Luoyang faced another war, perhaps they could rely on this army.
Reputation might be intangible, but sometimes it could play a crucial, even decisive role.
Shao Xun carefully observed the expressions on his soldiers' faces.
He saw pride, especially when some of the civilians cheered.
The soldiers stood taller, their ranks becoming more orderly.
People needed affirmation, especially after a victory.
It boosted their confidence.
With confidence, they could perform at a higher level.
Without it, even their training would falter.
A strong army needed rigorous, systematic training, but it also needed the kind of confidence that said, "No one can stand against us."
They still had a long way to go, but Shao Xun was already consciously nurturing this mindset, especially among his prized student soldiers.
They needed victory after victory to "feed" them until they became a formidable force.
The Minister of Works' residence soon came into view, now heavily guarded.
Gou Xi, the Minister's new favorite and a general of the imperial guards, had stationed five hundred elite soldiers here, filling the area.
The Donghai Kingdom Army didn't stop.
Some entered the barracks, while others took up positions at street corners to guard against any remaining enemies.
It might not have been necessary, but the gesture was important.
At the same time, it was a signal Shao Xun was sending from afar.
Simа Yue had already entered the imperial palace.
He had thought this would be the hardest fight, given the palace's strong defenses.
But when the sounds of battle erupted at the gates and no orders came from Shi Chao, the defenders had surrendered.
Despite his usual composure, Simа Yue couldn't help but show his joy.
"The soldiers have surrendered to me. This is heaven's will. Quickly, enter the palace and protect the emperor."
"Yes, sir," replied Cheng Fu, a general of the imperial guards, who ordered his men to enter through the Duan Gate and disarm the surrendering soldiers.
After tidying up, Simа Yue mounted an ox-drawn carriage and, accompanied by hundreds of advisors and attendants, entered the palace in full armor, weapons in hand.
The emperor, surrounded by ministers, had come to the Taiji Hall.
When he saw Simа Yue, he asked, "The fighting in the city—was it your doing?"
"Your Majesty," Simа Yue first paid his respects, then said, "Prince Ying previously raised an army to attack Luoyang, causing great suffering and chaos. Now, in Ye, he imposes heavy taxes, builds lavish palaces, enforces harsh laws, and appoints his own people. As Minister of Works, it is my duty to assist the court and uphold the state. I could not stand by and watch the achievements of our ancestors be destroyed. Thus, I gathered loyal men and rose up to punish the disloyal."
Emperor Simа Zhong was baffled.
His intelligence was limited.
While his ministers debated the merits of various princes, to him, they all seemed the same.
They fought each other, killing back and forth, at times leaving no one to grind grain or even fetch water.
Just when things had settled down, they were fighting again?
A few days ago, he had heard that items had been stolen from the palace.
The guards said it was because Luoyang lacked soldiers, allowing bandits to run rampant.
He believed it.
But that raised another question: if they kept fighting, wouldn't the soldiers dwindle, and the bandits grow bolder? No one could answer that.
"Your Majesty," Wang Yan, the Left Deputy Director of the Secretariat, reminded him, "The Minister of Works has quelled the chaos and deserves a reward."
"What title should I grant?" Having been coerced several times before, Emperor Simа Zhong glanced at the soldiers behind Simа Yue and asked.
"How about Grand Commander, overseeing all military affairs?" Wang Yan suggested.
"Where is the Secretary? Draft the edict at once!" the emperor immediately called out.
Wang Yan smiled at Simа Yue, who nodded in silent understanding.
Wang Yan was a man who never concerned himself with state affairs, only his own survival.
When the crown prince had been falsely accused by Empress Jia, instead of defending him, Wang Yan had gone out of his way to have his daughter divorce the prince.
After obtaining the prince's written consent, he hid it, waiting to see if the prince would survive the crisis.
If he did, his daughter would remain the crown princess.
He was a fickle man, and Simа Yue knew his nature well, but for now, he needed to work with him.
The edict was quickly drafted.
Simа Yue respectfully accepted it, glanced over it, and handed it to Cheng Fu, ordering him to announce it at the gates.
If any Ye soldiers were still resisting, this edict might break their morale and hasten the end of the fighting.
Before entering the palace, Simа Yue had already received news that both the Great Xia and Guangmo Gates had been taken, with over four thousand enemies captured or killed.
Now, reports came in that the West Bright Gate, East Sun Gate, and Spring Gate had also fallen, with over ten thousand enemies slain.
The sounds of battle at the other gates were fading, signaling the end.
This had been a highly successful surprise attack, dismantling Simа Ying's grip on Luoyang in one stroke.
Once they captured the Golden Valley Garden and captured or killed Shi Chao, it would all be over.
Feeling triumphant, Simа Yue wanted to shout to the heavens and vent his joy.
A victorious first battle—what a glorious start!
Standing behind Simа Yue, Wang Dao glanced at his elder brother, then quickly looked away.
Wang Dun, the Grand Herald, was also present.
He smiled mysteriously at Wang Dao, who understood his meaning.
If the northern expedition to Ye succeeded, and he earned some merit as a military advisor, with his brother Wang Yan's help, the governorship of Xuzhou would be within reach.
At the same time, he felt a pang of shame.
He still couldn't secure a provincial position on his own merit; he still needed his family's support.
In some ways, he was even inferior to Lu Ji, who, though also relying on his family, had served as the Prefect of Pingyuan and commanded over two hundred thousand troops, advancing further in his career than Wang Dao.
Moreover, newcomers like Wang Cheng in the secretariat, relying on their family backgrounds, often bossed him around.
All of this easily made him feel defeated, but it also brought some enlightenment: one shouldn't be arrogant; there were many talented people in the world.
This was why he had felt stung when he heard his cousin's critique of Tao Kan recently.
Only through experience could one refine their character.
Only by doing could one hone their abilities.
If he remained stubborn, twenty years from now, he would still be the same, unchanged.
People had to grow and improve constantly.
The experiences of the past year in office were invaluable, far more so than a decade of idling at home.
As the sun set, the sounds of battle at the gates grew fainter.
Luoyang had once again returned to the hands of the "righteous."
For a moment, Wang Dao felt as if he had touched the edge of victory.
But was it real, or just an illusion? Once brimming with confidence, Wang Dao now hesitated.
(End of Chapter)