The Rise of History’s Most Powerful Empire

Chapter 62: Slaughter

The clans in the Fangling Region had around 5,000 members. Killing them would get him 200 fortune.

While the whole region except Shuiqing County, who needed 1,000 troops to protect it from Shuiqing County's attacks, the other county cities needed but 200 soldiers.

That meant he had to leave 1600 men behind when going on campaigns.

He reckoned using the same swift tactics with his cavalry, he'd get five more county cities.

But luck would only get him so far. By that time he'd be close to the regional city and the Hanzhong would've noticed him by now and got ready for his coming.

That would also mean a month had passed and the fortune would roll in.

Those extra five counties would have clasmen as well, around 8,000. Plus the previous ones that died, that would make the death toll close to 9,000.

All that death ought to give him 350 fortune, while the land he gained along the way 700, to a total of 150.

Enough to get 2,100 soldiers.

Having settled on causing a slaughter, Zhong Yu got right to it. He called his soldiers, sending them to the areas within the city and outside that the clans occupied.

Yu Guan was in a foul mood as of late. It had something to do with the county city being taken over by a traitor coming out of nowhere with his army.

With such a well trained force, his clan did not dare fight back. Just bowing their heads and biding their time for when the imperial army came to free them.

He often went to the county city to hang out with a buddy of his. They'd go on a stroll around the area, enjoy the views and recite poetry.

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It's been a week since he last saw him, which bore down on his nerves, having enjoyed much freedom since then. Sure his life in the clan didn't lack a bit, not with his wife and concubines tending to his needs and enjoying the fine food, but hanging out with his pal was way better.

He had to admit the enemy was tough, but that was it. The Fangling Region was still his clan at the end of the day.

As far as he knew, he just had to get in touch with the other clans and gather 3,000 men and should topple this traitor.

Now though, he could only stay cooped up and drink the days away.

A sudden clamor reached him from outside, soon turning into shrill cries.

Yu Guan got his curiosity piqued. He saw outside how the servants were scrambling everywhere, bursting into the clan head's hall. Others were hauling anything they got their hands on as they feld.

Wretched bastards! You take my clan for a dying old man?'

He rushed outside and grabbed someone:

"What do you think you're doing? Yu clan will never die. You take my words for nothing? You dare do this while the elders and leader are still around?"

"Young master, disaster is upon us. We only do it out of survival. Those traitors are here with hundreds of soldiers. They have us surrounded and are charging in, killing and pillaging. The old master went to reason with them only to be cut down. Young master leave at once!" The servant blurted in panic.

"The traitors, here? The old master is dead? What do I do, what do I do? I must flee. You, come here and help me gather some things."

"We'll leave for the mountains where we gather the rest of the clan to fight back these savage traitors."

He rushed back inside, getting his things in a bag then ran away with the servant.

A bit naive such simple actions wouldn't be foreseen by the attackers.

Yu Guan and his servant took the back door only to run into soldiers. Words didn't help him here.

The soldiers ignored his pleadings, unleashing a volley of arrows at the orders of a rider.

Yu Guan fell in cries of agony as the rider shouted: 

"By order of His Grace, everyone is to be cut down, down to the last woman and child."

The soldiers were pained to hear such cruelty but they were exchanged soldiers Zhong Yu bought, holding implicit loyalty to him.

It was only a matter of time before the Yu manor's shouts and wails made way for a deathly silence along with compounding death.

The soldiers scoured the buildings, sometimes finding women or children in hidey holes.

Hidden among the clothes of their parents, it was the final resting place of these children as no matter how much sympathy they instilled into the soldiers, they had orders to follow.

This was the main attraction to system bought troops, their full loyalties.

In their minds, these soldiers had Zhong Yu imprinted to the deepest level.

While each was his own person, Zhong Yu's orders came first and foremost. It was why he was so confident in killing the clan to the last man. He would not be dragged down as the imperial court was by the clans.

His actions defied the natural order. And only men of true loyalties could ever do such atrocities.

It was common knowledge the armies of vassals had officers coming from wealthy and wise clans.

But he could forget everything and get loyal soldiers just by using fortune.

He would bypass all the time needed to nurture these men, their minds, their discipline, their training, skipping straight to using them.

In a sense, the only thing limiting his complete victory in these lands were the short amount of fortune on hand. A huge army bought through fortune would sweep anything in its path, be it vassal armies or imperial ones.

As for governing the remains in its wake, it was done through the talents bought through fortune as well. Every single aspect was easily achieved with minimum effort.

So why the hell would he leave these useless peons alive, to block him every step of the way?