Chapter 491: Chapter 491

Shi Le’s gaze swept over the Zhao Family Army and Xiliang Army behind Zhao Hanzhang, then landed on the Jin Army.

The Jin Army had been completely dispirited, but just now Zhao Hanzhang and Beigong Chun fought their way through, giving them immense confidence, so now at least fifty to sixty thousand Jin soldiers stood behind them.

Absolutely cannot let them rejuvenate their fighting spirit!

So Shi Le directly pointed his long knife, ordering to set a fire that would burn Prince East Sea and his coffin together.

Torches were thrown onto the coffin and Prince East Sea, the fire instantly engulfing the corpse, not only the Jin Army behind Zhao Hanzhang, but also the officials and soldiers taken by Shi Le, all had faces filled with grief. Someone shouted and ran directly towards Prince East Sea’s corpse, only to be slain by a barbarian’s blade. Everyone’s internal sadness was halted, and they turned with anger towards Shi Le.

Shi Le rode forward, pointed at the burning corpse, and shouted loudly: "This person wrought chaos in the realm, I avenge the world by burning his bones to inform heaven and earth!"

Shi Le looked straight at Zhao Hanzhang, seeing that her face showed none of the Jin officials’ and civilians’ grief and anger, only calmness, so he smirked and said: "General Zhao, Sima Yue was your great enemy, I avenge you, shouldn’t you thank me?"

Zhao Hanzhang calmly watched Prince East Sea being consumed by the fire, her gaze moved to Shi Le’s face, "General Shi, there is no need to sow discord in front of the world. My enmity with Prince East Sea is personal. If I were to seek revenge, I would do it myself, without needing you to take on the task. Besides, the people you are capturing are my Great Jin’s officials and civilians, this is a national vendetta."

Her gaze moved beyond Shi Le to the tens of thousands of officials and civilians behind him, she raised her spear at him and said: "Leave the people, I’ll let you go."

Shi Le sneered, "General Zhao thinks you can detain me with these people?"

Zhao Hanzhang then shouted loudly: "I have twenty thousand soldiers and horses, now there’s also a hundred thousand Jin Army, and even fifty thousand behind you; General Shi, with what will you fight against me?"

Shi Le couldn’t help but laugh mockingly, pointing at the officials and soldiers behind him who were collapsing to the ground, "General Zhao, are you talking about these weaklings?"

Zhao Hanzhang shouted, "Yes!"

"It’s them!" Zhao Hanzhang shouted: "Who amongst men does not have guts? Even women know to resist, what are you afraid of? Now your lives are in Shi Le’s hands, since you’re going to die, why not fight once more!"

"He wouldn’t even spare the Great King’s corpse, how would he spare you living people?"

Seeing that the Jin people were getting agitated, Shi Le knew they were being stirred up. He immediately had someone pull out a trembling official, and placed a long sword at his neck, saying: "Will you surrender to me?"

The official, pale-faced, said: "I will!"

"Good!" Shi Le responded joyfully and said: "Then tell them why you are willing to surrender to me, speak the truth!"

The official, feeling the pain at his neck, knew the sword had cut into his skin, so he dared not delay, and quickly said: "Because following her will definitely lead to death, but surrendering to General means I can live."

Shi Le laughed heartily and told the Jin State officials and civilians swept up behind him: "Indeed, as long as you surrender to me, I will spare your lives."

Wang Yan, who was under heavy guard, saw the situation and closed his eyes tightly, realizing the opportunity had slipped by.

Many Jin State officials and soldiers behind Shi Le became cold-hearted; they did not want to die. Just as the thought emerged in their minds, Zhao Hanzhang sneered, extended her hand, and said: "Bow, now."

The personal guard presented a bow to Zhao Hanzhang, who drew an arrow and fit it to the bow. Shi Le, seeing her aiming the bow at him, sneered, waiting for her to shoot.

Unexpectedly, the arrow suddenly pressed down, shot out rapidly, and with a thud, pierced the neck of the Jin official on the ground.

The other party widened his eyes in disbelief and fell.

Zhao Hanzhang shouted: "Whoever disrupts the army’s morale shall be killed!"

"Men, seize our Jin State civilians, don’t let them become slaves!"

Zhao Hanzhang kicked the horse’s belly and led people to charge forward, Beigong Chun followed closely behind, the Jin Army behind, shocked by the Zhao Family Army and Xiliang Army’s vigor, also felt a surge of fighting spirit, raising their swords and blades they charged behind.

Shi Le shouted fiercely, and charged at Zhao Hanzhang.

The two faced each other, within moments exchanged seven or eight moves, Zhao Hanzhang had progressed significantly in the past two years, Shi Le had also improved, they were evenly matched.

Amidst the Jiehu’s encirclement, the Jin officials and civilians swept here, truly unable to tie even a chicken, were drenched in sweat, fearing both Shi Le’s men’s swords and spears without eyes aimed at them, and Zhao Family Army’s arrows would harm them, thus as soon as both sides clashed, they ran in chaos, trying to escape.

Shi Le’s large army saw this, casually cut down those trying to run. The Jin officials and civilians had already been disarmed, now apart from their hands, had nothing to resist with, terrified, could only squat back down on the ground.

Zhao Hanzhang, with her people, fought fiercely with Shi Le, with no time to attend to them.

Wang Si Niang helped Wang Hufeng avoid the chaotic crowd, running outward, but in the chaos she was pushed, falling to the ground, bringing down Wang Hufeng as well.

Wang Hufeng raised her head, seeing those trying to run outward were all killed by the barbarians, her face paled, urging Wang Si Niang to get up, "Quick, go to father’s side."

Wang Yan was a high official and a famous scholar, Shi Le would not kill him; Si Niang following him would have a chance to live.

Wang Si Niang was unwilling, pulling Wang Hufeng continuously towards outside, "Sister, let’s find Third Lady, she will definitely save us. I do not wish to be like father, submitting to the barbarians."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hufeng pulled Wang Si Niang and ran outward.

Zhao Hanzhang thrust her long spear swiftly towards his neck but Shi Le still dodged by tilting his head, his saber fiercely swept forward, Zhao Hanzhang leaned back to avoid.

The Jin officials and civilians swept up by Shi Le’s men were dispersed and forced forward by the barbarians, but the Jin Army behind Zhao Hanzhang had their fighting spirit stirred. Googlᴇ search novel★fire.net

Seeing this, Shi Le knew prolonging the fight would only lead to losing. He decisively ordered the Jin State officials and civilians captured to be taken away while he personally stayed behind to cover.

Amidst the chaotic battle, Wang Si Niang and Wang Hufeng were swept away by Shi Le’s army, just that little bit short, they could have entered the battlefield and met up with the Zhao Family Army.

While being pushed forward, Wang Si Niang couldn’t help but look back, shouting towards Zhao Hanzhang’s direction, "Third Lady, Third Lady—"

Zhao Hanzhang seemed to hear, spearing down a Jiehu soldier from his horse, turning her head to look towards the sound.

Wang Si Niang shouted, "Third Lady, save me—"

Zhao Hanzhang could only take a glance before several Jiehu soldiers charged over. She immediately returned her focus, raising her spear to block.

Shi Le’s army retreated swiftly, he personally covered the rear, Zhao Hanzhang and Beigong Chun could only save less than ten thousand, the rest, especially Great Jin’s high officials and aristocratic families, were all taken by him, completely unable to rescue.

Beigong Chun saw so many Jin officials and Han civilians being taken by Shi Le, feeling indignant, and led people to pursue.

Zhao Hanzhang extended her spear to block, "Don’t chase!"