Chapter 1700 - 538: Apprehension and Mutiny, Double Betting, Sky-Banning Pill_2
Chapter 1700: Chapter 538: Apprehension and Mutiny, Double Betting, Sky-Banning Pill_2
Isn’t the frequent glancing westward by the soldiers just a longing for home?
If the Wuchuan soldiers only started looking westward frequently upon approaching the Hanzhao Region, then the soldiers from Jin Mountain, who were leading the way, looked south the entire journey. Additionally, a small number of soldiers escaped at regular intervals, clearly intending to return to Aikou.
The army of one hundred thousand was simply too large. Although Cai Qiu had many strong fighters, they couldn’t watch over everyone. Initially, when only a few people escaped, the high command of Jin Mountain executed them and suppressed the situation for a while. However, as more soldiers began to flee, they dared not kill randomly anymore and could only try to persuade them.
But in such matters, going soft only makes things worse.
"Without a home, what’s the point of fighting the Xia Army? If my wife, children, and parents are killed by the Xia Army, can Cai Qiu’s army bring them back to life?"
Just now, a Cold Resistance Level officer from Jin Mountain shouted these words in front of thousands of soldiers. General Shangguan Ning from Jinshan Town tried hard to persuade him for a long time, but still failed to convince him, and the officer left.
By now, when a few more people escaped, the Xianyang Level from Jin Mountain simply pretended not to see and ignored it.
Qin Shan was hanging at the back of the troop, observing that clearly from the start at Aikou to over two hours now, over a thousand soldiers of Jin Mountain’s army at the front had fled, and more continued to escape.
Once they truly leave the Hanzhao Region, the Wuchuan army should likely start fleeing as well.
Qin Shan’s face suddenly turned very grim.
"The Jinshan army, now managed by Shangguan Ning, implies that Lord Shangguan Yang has also been controlled by Cai Qiu. Even if we want to resist, there’s no chance anymore. Should we continue blindly following Cai Qiu to the end?"
At this point, Qin Shan no longer had the heart to resist the Great Xia.
If his father were still in command and insistent on resisting the Great Xia, he naturally wouldn’t dare disobey, as he was incredibly loyal to his father and deeply concerned for the fortune of Wuchuan Town, unmatched by anyone.
But the key point is, his father is already under control.
Judging Cai Qiu’s behavior, even if the army marched south and blocked the Great Xia, the outcome for Wuchuan is unlikely to be good.
Given the situation of being annexed either way, it would be better to join the Great Xia. After all, knowing the past transitions of Muyin, Jiangxia, Bashang, and Chui Mountain into the Great Xia, the outcomes for their upper echelons were quite favorable.
As for Cai Qiu, it obviously doesn’t treat them as human.
But now, do they have any way out?
"Second brother, when you just went to see Father, what did he say to you?"
In his heart of panic, Qin Shan suddenly heard his elder brother Qin He’s inquiry, he quickly looked up and answered: "Father said, at the time of disbanded morale, what are you doing coming to me? Stay below with the soldiers and beware of a mutiny!"
Without thinking, he repeated his father’s recent words.
Upon hearing this, Qin He remained silent for a moment, then turned back to look at Qin Shan and said: "Father just passed a message to me, saying the exact same thing, to watch over the army and beware of a mutiny..."
At the mention of this, Qin He’s tone was notably unusual.
Of course, only Qin Shan could perceive this unusual tone.
Elder brother Qin He was not like him; having early been designated as the Wuchuan Young Lord, he often spoke decisively, with a strong voice, but the end of this sentence carried a hint of hesitation.
Qin Shan noticed this peculiar tone, his expression slightly startled, then he lowered his head to contemplate for a moment, reacting abruptly, raising his head to look at his elder brother, his pupils suddenly contracting.
His father Qin Feng was not someone prone to repeating himself unnecessarily. If relations among the brothers were always harmonious, Father would assign tasks to only one and never repeat twice.
To emphasize twice, to be cautious of a mutiny.
This means...
At this moment, Qin He at the front also happened to look back. The two brothers exchanged glances, their pupils suddenly reflecting something more.
Qin Shan instantly understood!
Yet Qin Shan still dared not affirm, his heart anxious for a long time. He first looked up toward the high sky, where Cai Qiu’s lot occupied a high place, visible only vaguely. He dared not speak casually and quickly wrote two words in his palm. Then, he stepped forward to approach his elder brother and casually showed him his hand.
[Mutiny]
Mutiny is what is meant by a mutiny.
Seeing the two words in his brother’s palm, Qin He did not speak; he simply nodded slightly, walking quickly forward, first distancing himself from his brother before solemnly giving orders to the generals present:
"All commanders are to go down to reassure the generals and officers of each army and camp; once we leave Hanzhao, no soldiers are to flee, and precautions against a mutiny must be taken!"
"We obey the order!"
Understanding his brother’s intent, Qin Shan nodded alongside the other generals to receive the order, and as he went down, he quickly relayed the message to a few of them.
Of course, still without speaking, only using written communication.
After receiving the message, several generals also showed a sudden change of expression, but they quickly returned to normal and continued into the army without a fuss.
The allied forces soon reached the western edge of the Hanzhao Region, and the Jin Mountain army at the front seemed to have resigned themselves, heading directly north toward Yinhe Valley.
The Wuchuan army at the rear could only follow behind them.
But just as they were about to emerge from the Hanzhao Region, a voice suddenly rang out from the front row of the Wuchuan army.
"Brothers, if Wuchuan can’t be protected, why head to Jinyang? If our families are killed by the Xia Army, what good is winning? I’m returning to Wuchuan City to protect my family, and not going to Jinyang!"