Chapter 171 – Sun Ce Is Exterminating Wu Clan
Translated by Bloodfalcon
“NO, NO, NO!!! THIS IS MASSACRE!!!” Responded Lu Su toward the event that he saw at city wall. At the city wall, noble private soldiers are quickly running toward scaling ladder but one by one was broken by their weight and fall down to Wancheng city wall. Sun Ce’s eyes only sees fear in their eyes. Earlier the situation still good. All of the noble’s soldiers are climbing up with vigor, but right now they are the one pushed back.
But even they are pushed back, they should not be scattered and destroyed like this. Some of Sun Ce’s sergeants are helping to kill those noble private soldiers to alleviate their suffering.
Sun Ce punched the nearby wooden pillar into pieces and gritted his tooth while saying “DAMNED HEAVY INFANTRY!!!! WHERE THE HELL THAT HEAVY INFANTRY COMES FROM?” Sun Ce really miscalculated Liu Mang. He thought “If that person have heavy infantry, why did not he use it yesterday?!” If yesterday he dispatched heavy infantry, then it is impossible for them to almost recapture Wancheng city.
Sun Ce once again misunderstood Liu Mang. Yesterday, Liu Mang not yet had Black Flag. At that time, Black Flag and Liu Mang still enemies and Sun Ce army was the ally of Black Flag. And right now, the former ally is killing Sun Ce’s noble private soldiers.
Sun Ce indeed want Liu Mang to kill those nobles, but he really did not want for Liu Mang to destroy them all completely because he still have use for those soldiers. Looking again, 12,000 troops is finished. Every last one of them.
“DAMNATION!!!!” Bao Zhong curses once again. Earlier he already have Prince of Shu in the bag and almost break Wancheng city. But right now, the situation is reversed quickly.
Bao Zhong ponders who are these Black heavy infantry is. Bao Zhong then test to shoot an arrow, the result is they can be injured but their pain tolerance is so high that they did not care at all, and just keep charging. Moreover, Bao Zhong also still felt the threat from Huang Xu who still want to claim his life.
Huang Xu then shoot ricochet arrow using Urban Army great shield that is lying beside Bao Zhong. Because the arrow is not shooting toward him right now, Bao Zhong just stayed on the spot. But when the arrow is doing it ricochet, Bao Zhong did not have enough time to react and it quickly buried into his left shoulder. "AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!" Screamed Bao Zhong and quickly dropped his bow. Huang Xu then move forward to tie up Bao Zhong and proceeded to throw him into prison.
“Get out of my way, get out of my way!!!!” Zhang De also panicked. He must escape therefore he has been pushing his own soldiers to their own death. He also regretted that he was so arrogant toward Liu Mang. If he was more respectful at that time, maybe he will be granted reprieve and become a prisoner. But now, only death is waiting for him therefore his fear is maxed.
While Zhang De was fleeing suddenly his leg was grabbed by Liu Shang. “Oh, brother Zhang De!!! Please save me, please save me!!!” Liu clan and Zhang clan has been friends for many generations. Zhang De also called Liu Shang as elder brother. Right now Liu Shang already cannot run away as his right leg already bleeding, got shot by an arrow that was shot by Black Flag to cover Liu Mang. If Sun Ce’s noble army is winning this battle, he can just find secluded place to recuperate but right now, all of Sun Ce’s noble army is fleeing and all enemies’ wanted him dead, how can he do not want to escape.
“FUCK OFF!!! FUCK OFF!!!!” Zhang De screamed and prepared to kick Liu Shang and said “Hey brother Liu, your leg is already injured right? So, please die for me. I will pray for you at home. Otherwise, none of us will survive!!!!”
Zhang De finally knows how much terrifying Liu Mang is. He is the one who killed all of Wancheng city nobles without batting an eye. He is much more terrifying than Lu Bu. Even Lu Bu who exterminated Chen clan got a butcher title on him. Now what title will Liu Mang get now?
“Brother Zhang De, please, you cannot leave me, cannot!!! Please help me, please…!!!” Liu Shang not yet finished his sentence but was kicked in the face by Zhang De, his face is full tears and blood. Liu Shang is already 40 years old but Zhang De is still 30 years old, so his strength is bigger than him, but he still cannot cut him loose.
“Brother Zhang De, brother Zhang De” Liu Shang’s kept helding to Zhang De’s leg. He will not let him go, for he also want to escape, even now he is stomped by Zhang De, he still will not let him go. Liu Shang then make final offer “Oh, brother Zhang De. Please save me. I will reciprocate your debt after you save me. I will give you 10,000 taels of gold. I will give you my He Shi Bi jade at my home. Please save me, save me!!!”
Last year, when Zhang De visited Liu Shang’s house, he saw a piece of He Shi Bi jade at Liu Shang’s house. This piece was taken by force by Liu Shang from a descendant of Meng Yi who was killed by Emperor Qin Er Shi of Qin Dynasty. At that time, Zhang De offered half of his estate to get Liu Shang’s He Shi Bi jade but Liu Shang rejected as that treasure is too valuable. But right now, when his life in danger, even he is offered Imperial Seal, Zhang De will not accept it. He just thought “Sorry, I, myself unable to save my own skin. Let alone yours!!!”
Looking Liu Shang will not let go his hand, Zhang De raised his sword and screamed “Old fart, you forced me to do this!!!” and proceeded to cut his hand.
“Poof!!!” His sword cut Liu Shang’s shoulder, blood bursting like a faucet turned full open. “AAAHHHHH!!!!!” Liu Shang screamed. With Liu Shang’s right hand loose, Zhang De truly must escape in order to survive another day but Liu Shang’s left hand quickly hold Zhang De’s left leg and kept saying “Please save me, please, please……!!!!”
“LET ME GO!!!” Zhang De screamed. The enemy who is similar to hell’s gate guardian getting nearer and nearer. Zhang De quickly stabbed Liu Shang’s forehead in order to escape. Flesh, blood and bone all flew upwards. Zhang De just killed an ally of his family for generations because the circumstances in order to survive compels him to do so.
With Liu Shang already released his grip, Zhang De kicked Liu Shang’s corpse and quickly go to scaling ladder but it is already full with soldiers.
Because he already bloodied with Liu Shang’s blood, Zhang De also become crazier and crazier. He directly shoved off his own soldiers and even slashed some of them, but because of that treatment of him, some of his soldiers actually rebelled and tied him up.
Seeing Zhang De already tied up, Black Flag did not attack them anymore. Even Xu Sheng comes out of the line and put Zhang De in a secluded place as a prisoner but after that, he also ordered his Black Flag to kill those remaining soldiers.
But in all scaling ladders, rampage between noble clan reps and their own private soldiers still raging.
“This massacre is terrible!!!” Said Huang Zhong who just arrived after cleaning another city wall. He also felt very uncomfortable seeing this. Huang Zhong who just killed around 1,000 troops did not have this kind of bloody scenery. Everywhere is red crimson, wall is dyed with blood, stone cavity were filled with organs and blood. People skin, people fat, people bones, are spreading as if they are trash.
Liu Mang himself just sit without showing any emotion. He is too tired, he did not have mood to watch the slaughterfest like this, what he knows that he had won this battle. He had completed his mission, he managed to make their Urban Army to vent their anger, he managed to save most of them. So right now, Liu Mang just want to rest, to save strength for next battle with Sun Ce core army.
But in Xu Sheng’s eyes, Liu Mang’s calm state actually scare him a lot. Xu Sheng being the leader of Black Flag, has been slaughtering here and there. Bones, blood, head, intestine are flying through the air. Those things made Xu Sheng’s body crimson red and have very ungodly odor. Earlier, Xu Sheng has been really angry because of his unit was restrained by Liu Mang. So Xu Sheng want to use this ungodly odor and scenery to scare Liu Mang and to let Liu Mang know that this Xu Sheng is not good to offend but now he is disappointed, because Liu Mang did not have any reactions at all.
Liu Mang just kept calm in front of bloodied scenery as if he is as calm as Taishan mountain. As if Liu Mang understood Sun Tzu’s Feng, Lin, Huo, Shan (Furinkazan). This place is a real hell, everything is slaughterfest. It can make average man to vomit immediately. Even experienced general will also felt uncomfortable with this scenery.
And Liu Mang has no response, as if he is empty inside as if there is no event happening now. Xu Sheng pondered “What kind of man is this? Is he really a man of heaven?!” Xu Sheng then remembered that Urban Army said their general is a man from heaven. Earlier, Xu Sheng just smiled disdainfully and thought “Pah, what man from heaven?! He still bleeds red blood!!! Maybe it is just a propaganda in order to get more soldiers” but seeing Liu Mang right now, Xu Sheng truly believed it but he believe that this man is not man from heaven, but god of hell incarnate.
“SHA, SHA, SHAAAA!!!!” Black Flag just slaughter and throw their discontent toward noble private soldiers. Since childhood they have been training and now, they are able to show the fruit of their labor. As a result, noble private soldiers numbers are getting thinner and thinner as more and more of them escapes through scaling ladder.
“Aiyah, nobles private soldiers are all finished!!!” Lu Su said it while shaking his head. From his vision, there is no more paths for those noble private soldiers to escape and already backed into a corner. The only option left for them is to die or surrender. Also there is no way, they can be reused as soldiers, they can only face total annihilation.
“GRRRR, LIU MANG, LIU MANG, LIU MANG!!!!” Sun Ce call Liu Mang’s name three times. There is no one, NO ONE that has ever made Sun Ce lost again and again. Only this Liu Mang managed to do it. Not only able to defeat him, but he made Sun Ce’s soldiers annihilated.
His casualties now: 5,000 Danyang Zuo soldiers,, Bian clan and Zuo clans private soldiers which numbered 10,000 troops, added 12,000 troops of noble private soldiers. In just two days, Sun Ce army lost 30,000 troops from 100,000 troops, he also lost 4 generals: Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Chen Wu and Dong Xi. If this trend kept going, how long can 100,000 troops can persist fighting him. The opposite Liu Mang is different, although Liu Mang lost 90% of his original roster, but it is only around 10,000 troops and he only lost Su Fei. Such big is Sun Ce’s loss now.
Sun Ce has never been defeated in a battle where his numbers are superior. The reason that Sun Ce bring 100,000 troops to do battle is because he want to fight Lu Bu, but his opponent right now is not even Lu Bu and can make his loss big like this.
Sun Ce finally start to recognize this Liu Mang as a person and as Prince of Shu. Sun Ce really not expected this development. He thought that he is just Lu Bu’s subordinates, just Lu Bu’s puppet. Who ever thought that his prowess and ability is very big.
Lu Su and Sun Ce thinking the same thought "That man managed to save Lu Bu from Xiapi, at Kaiyang he insult Cao Cao so great that he is unable to think any stratagem. In Shouchun, he insult Yuan Shu directly to his face. In Bagongshan battle, he destroyed Yu Province Cavalry along with Chen Lan and Lei Bo with only infantries. At Wancheng city banquet, he insulted two of Jiangdong top advisors elegantly." Lu Su really thought that even his lord, Jiangdong’s Little Conqueror and even his lord's brother, Sun Quan, are unable to be compared to Prince of Shu. He is really adept in civil and military matters and have Lu Bu’s deep trust. In Lu Su’s mind, there is nobody in Jiangdong and even in this nation that can compare with Prince of Shu. Not even his friend Zhou Yu Zhou Gongjin.
Sun Ce then said to Lu Su “Zijing, tell Ziyi to prepare himself!!! I must attack the city personally!!!” Sun Ce already could not bear such big losses, he must retaliate immediately and that is in line with Sun Ce’s character.
“Milord, don’t. Your wound is still not yet healed!!!” Lu Su remonstrated Sun Ce.
“Zijing, we don’t have much time left!!!” Sun Ce shook his head. He really thinks that at least noon can enter Wancheng city but now, all is lost. Sun Ce then said “Zijing, I believe you know that Lu Bu Lu Fengxian is already on the road. I calculate the day after tomorrow, he will arrive and smite us all. If tomorrow we cannot recapture Wancheng city, then we can only retreat our troops!!!”
Bing Province Heavy Cavalry, which represent Lu Bu’s main unit, is already not far from here. 5,000 wolves are about to arrive here to smite them. Sun Ce had seen them, because when he welcomed Lu Bu with Zhou Yu, he also rode inside Bing Province Heavy Cavalry. All of them are expert equestrians and also expert mounted archer. All of them are veteran of hundred battles, also all of them are riding the same type of horses just like Lu Bu’s Red Hare and his Oolong. They are really infantry killer.
Even though heavy infantry can be used to fight against heavy cavalry soldiers, but they lack mobility and it is causing lack of battle efficiency when fighting heavy cavalry. Those heavy cavalry can just spinning those heavy infantry like wolves and will take down them one by one like hungry wolves. Right now Sun Ce army is just like those people who are seeking shelter in Wancheng city, in order for wolves not to eat them. So, today Wancheng city must be recaptured at any costs.
Lu Su then said his concern “Milord, what about those nobles?!” He needs to ask, what to do if Lu Bu army had taken hostage of those nobles. They represent nobles who also provide troops in all Jiangdong, if Sun Ce did not process their bail out, then Sun Ce will not be able to take a single step further from Jiangdong.
“Oh, those nobles? Did not they all die in battle?!” Sun Ce just said it with very cold tone.
“All died?!” Lu Su surprised at Sun Ce's respond. “What does Milord think? Lu Bu army is not so crazy to kill all nobles!!! They will definitely capture some of them! But Milord's words just now, does he meant to kill all nobles in Jiangdong?!” Thought Lu Su.
“Zijing. Spread the word to all noble's remaining army. 'Your masters have been annihilated by Lu Bu army. Join me to avenge your masters!!!'” Sun Ce stressed his order word by word while kept his gaze toward Lu Su.
Lu Su is really speechless. Obviously those noble clan reps are just arrested. Is Milord want to absorb their soldiers?
Lu Su's guess is bullseye. Sun Ce really wanted to absorb their soldiers. Their threat to Sun Ce's rule in Jiangdong is too big. So no matter, whether this Wancheng city can be overcome today or not, Sun Ce will not give them back. Those nobles only willing to help of their own interest. Now, they are helping Sun Ce, the next day, they maybe helping Lu Bu or Cao Cao or even Liu Biao to destroy Sun Ce. So Sun Ce will definitely not let that happen.
“What about those nobles assistants or butlers?!” Lu Su asked again. Those noble clan reps all accompanied by their own assistants and butlers. All of them are only obeying the clan reps, all of them definitely will not believe the “news” if they did not see any corpse.
“Is there?! Just treat them the same as their masters!!!” Sun Ce just said that lightly but Lu Su's heart sank when hearing those words. He wants to kill them all, cleaning all potential rebellion seeds.
“Ah, Milord. What about Wu clan?!” Lu Su added the information. Wu clan has been sprinting like a wuss when Black Flag was unleashed, so right now their roster is almost complete but tired and terrified.
“Wu clan!!!” Sun Ce muttered that name in low voice. This Wu is his mother's clan and has continuously supported his Sun but Sun Ce's eyes is flashing dangerously. Since Sun Ce has said to Lu Su to spread the news that all noble's clan reps died in battle, he will not let Wu escape their fate, provided they have twice offend military law.
“Kill all of them!!!” Sun Ce said it decisively.
Lu Su really surprised. Sun Ce dare to kill his family clan, the Wu clan. The Wu clan has given everything to support Sun clan but right now, Sun Ce is willing to kill his mother's clan. This is really ruthless but decisive and effective.
Sun Ce then said “Spare no one. Cut them down now in order to prevent future trouble!!!”
Lu Su lowered his head and said “Yes sir!!!” and did not dare to look at Sun Ce. His impression toward Sun Ce had changed. Suddenly Sun Ce can become this decisive? This killing intent is not a lie. Lu Su really confused because Sun Ce's character from being tolerant quickly changed into iron-fisted. In Lu Su's heart appeared Liu Mang's form. Sun Ce has grown to resemble him a lot although they are opposition now. Lu Su now pondered which people who shall be his wise lord and receive his service, is it Sun Ce, Sun Quan or Liu Mang?