The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 550: Stay Away from Central Plains
The generals gathered together and looked at the map in front of them, hoping to find a suitable way.

"Ma Han has 50,000 soldiers and is defending in a strategic location. A strong attack may result in too many casualties," Zhou Yu analyzed. "But their navy is weak. We can break through from the sea."

Lu Xun added: "The capital of the Ma Han Kingdom is Jincheng, which is close to the sea. If our army can land unexpectedly from the sea and attack Huanglong directly, we can decide the outcome in one fell swoop."

Qin Shou pondered for a moment and made a decision: "Gongjin will lead the main force of the navy to feint to the east coast of Mahan to attract its attention; I will personally lead the elite troops to land on the west coast by speedboat; Zilong and Gongming will each lead an army, and after I send a signal, they will attack Jincheng from the north and south."

The strategy was set, and the Tang army began to act. Zhou Yu led a large fleet to the east coast of Mahan with great fanfare, which really attracted the main defense of Mahan. Qin Shou, Dian Wei, Xu Chu and other generals led 5,000 elite troops on 30 fast ships, and quietly went to the west coast of Mahan under the cover of night.

At dawn, Qin Shou led his troops to land on the beach 20 miles west of Jincheng. The defense here was weak, with only a few sentries, and they were quickly cleared by the Tang army.

"The entire army must advance rapidly and must arrive at Jincheng before noon!" Qin Shou ordered.

Five thousand elite soldiers rushed to the capital of Mahan like arrows from a bow. At the same time, Zhao Yun and Xu Huang also approached Jincheng from the north and south as planned.

Jin Shande was discussing with his ministers in the palace how to deal with the threat of Zhou Yu's navy, when suddenly the guards rushed in in a panic: "My king, this is bad! The Tang army has arrived at the city!"

"What?" Jin Shande was incredulous. "Where did the Tang army come from?"

When he climbed up the tower and saw the Tang Dynasty flag flying outside the city and the elite troops lined up in neat formation, his face turned pale instantly. What made him even more desperate was that Tang Army flags also appeared on the north and south sides at the same time. At this moment, Jincheng was surrounded on three sides, with only one retreat route left, which was to the east by the sea.

Qin Shou rode on his warhorse, his golden helmet and armor gleaming in the sun. He sent messengers to the city to shout: "Listen, King Mahan, the Emperor of the Great Tang is here in person. Open the city and surrender immediately to save your life and wealth! If you resist stubbornly, when the city is broken, you will be destroyed together with him!"

Jin Shande looked ashen, and the ministers around him tried to persuade him to surrender. At this moment, the sound of war drums came from the east sea - Zhou Yu's navy broke through the Mahan navy's defense line and was approaching the Jincheng port.

Surrounded by enemies on all sides, Kim Sun-deok finally collapsed. He took off his crown, ordered people to open the city gates, and personally went out of the city to kneel and surrender.

"The guilty minister Jin Shande has no knowledge of the power of heaven and attempted to resist. I now wish to submit to the Tang Dynasty and be its vassal forever!"

Qin Shou dismounted and personally helped Jin Shande up: "Since you have surrendered, your previous crimes will not be pursued. The royal family of Mahan can keep its wealth and the people can be spared from war. This is a good deed."

With the surrender of Mahan, the land of the Three Han was returned to the Tang Dynasty. Qin Shou changed the Three Han into the Andong Protectorate, established prefectures and counties, sent officials to govern, and retained some of the original privileges of the nobles to appease the people.

Before returning to the capital, Qin Shou held a grand surrender ceremony in Jincheng. The nobles and tribal leaders of the Three Han came to pay homage and offer tribute. Qin Shou announced in public: "Since the Three Han have returned to the Tang Dynasty, they should be united with the Central Plains and enjoy peace together. Taxes will be exempted for one year, border trade will be opened, and the children of the Three Han will be allowed to study at the Imperial College in Chang'an."

This series of conciliatory policies quickly stabilized the situation in the Three Kingdoms of Han. Many tribes that had originally been on the sidelines surrendered, and the Three Kingdoms of Han gradually became stable.

On the eve of his departure, Qin Shou stood on the highest tower in Jincheng, looking out over the Three Han lands under the stars. Zhou Yu quietly approached, "Your Majesty is a man of great talent and strategy. You have pacified Liaodong and conquered the Three Han within half a year. Your achievements will be remembered for thousands of years."

Qin Shou shook his head, "It's not my achievement alone, but the result of the dedication of all the generals and the planning of the counselors. Moreover..." He turned his eyes to the sea level farther to the east, "Although the Three Kingdoms of Korea have been pacified, there is still Japan in the east that has not been pacified. When the national strength is stronger, we will send envoys to the east to publicize the power and virtue of our Tang Dynasty."

Zhou Yu followed Qin Shou's gaze and seemed to see a more distant future: "Your Majesty has ambitions for the whole world, and we are willing to serve you." The next day, the Tang army returned to the court. Flags were flying and triumphant songs were sung.

Raindrops dripped down the gray eaves of Chang'an City, hitting the stone slabs with a crisp sound. Crown Prince Qin Chengqian stood in the corridor of Jia Xu's mansion, looking at the rain curtain outside the eaves, frowning. Behind him, his personal guard Zhao Wuji held an umbrella for him, and the rain slid down the ribs of the umbrella and formed a small puddle on the ground.

"Your Highness, it's getting late and the dew is heavy. Why bother to come here in the rain?" Jia Xu's voice came from behind, a little hoarse.

Qin Chengqian turned around and saw Jia Xu wearing a dark robe and holding a dim lantern in his hand. Under the light, the wrinkles at the corners of the counselor's eyes appeared deeper.

"Mr. Jia, this matter is of great importance. I cannot wait until tomorrow." Qin Chengqian lowered his voice, the rain soaking the tips of his boots.

Jia Xu nodded slightly, stepped aside to make way, and invited: "Your Highness, please follow me."

The two walked through the winding corridor and came to a secluded study. Jia Xu signaled the attendants to leave and personally poured a cup of hot tea for the prince. The fragrance of the tea was thick, but it could not dispel the haze between Qin Chengqian's brows.

"Your Highness, are you here to discuss the Second Prince's pacification of South China?" Jia Xu went straight to the point, his eyes flashing with an all-seeing gleam.

Qin Chengqian clenched the teacup tightly, his knuckles turning white, and smiled bitterly, "Has Jia Gong heard about it?"

"The news spread throughout Chang'an in the evening." Jia Xu took a sip of tea. "The barbarian king Meng Huo was captured and released seven times, and was finally persuaded by the second prince to surrender. All 36 tribes in the south surrendered. This is an unprecedented achievement."

The teacup made a slight clinking sound in Qin Chengqian's hand. He put down the cup, his voice filled with anxiety that could not be concealed: "Chengji's achievements this time have shocked the court and the public. Some people in the court originally wanted him to be the crown prince, and now that he has made outstanding military achievements, I will take the crown prince position."

Jia Xu raised his hand to interrupt the prince and said, "Your Highness is worrying too much. Although His Majesty favors the Second Prince, deposing the eldest and enthroning the youngest is a move that will shake the foundation of the country. Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and will never do so."

"But if my father makes him a king, grants him a fiefdom, and builds up his power..." A gloomy look flashed in Qin Chengqian's eyes.

"Your Highness!" Jia Xu suddenly raised his voice, then lowered it again, "Be careful with your words."

The study was silent for a moment, with only the sound of rain hitting the window. Jia Xu stood up, took a map from the bookshelf, and slowly unfolded it on the desk.

"Your Highness, please look," he said, moving his skinny fingers on the map, "The Second Prince has made great contributions to the pacification of Nanzhong, and his title of king is a foregone conclusion. Instead of obstructing him, it is better to go with the flow."

Qin Chengqian stared at the map: "What does Jia Gong mean?"

"I will take the initiative to ask His Majesty to make the second prince a king." Jia Xu moved his finger from Nanzhong to the northeast and said with a smile, "Besides, I expect His Majesty will enfeoff him here, of course, it is also possible to be Nanzhong."

A trace of doubt flashed in Qin Chengqian's eyes: "Stay away from the Central Plains!"

(End of this chapter)