strictlysupreme Chapter 1862 The morale of the army has already collapsed!
Chapter 1862 The morale of the army has already collapsed!
Chu Ning suddenly sneered. His voice was not loud, but it was filled with a resolute determination that instantly drowned out all the whispers.
"Even Heaven is helping him? Haha... That just proves that this beast has a strange destiny. If we don't get rid of him today, he will become a great threat to our Great Chu in the future, and even bring disaster to the world!"
He turned his head abruptly, his gaze like an icy blade sweeping over the kneeling Xue Huaide, Zhao Yu, and all the surrounding generals with fearful expressions. His voice suddenly rose, carrying a resolute and domineering aura that defied all odds:
"But I don't believe in heaven! I only believe in the sword in my hand and the bravery of my soldiers!"
"If destiny favors him, I will defy it! I want to see whether that illusory heaven is more powerful or my will is stronger!"
His words were like a heavy hammer, striking everyone's heart and forcibly suppressing the spreading fear.
"Liu Xiu must die! If he escapes today, I will be uneasy!"
Chu Ning's tone left no room for doubt: "How can a temporary abnormality in the celestial phenomena hinder my ambition to sweep across the world and unify the world? Man can conquer nature!"
He paused for a moment, then made a quick decision: "Order! The entire army rests for an hour! Treat the wounded, gather the frightened horses, and replenish food, supplies, and arrows!"
This order made Xue Huaide and Zhao Yu stunned for a moment. Xue Huaide couldn't help but look up and said, "Your Majesty, the soldiers are still in shock. Should we give them a rest before pursuing them?"
"An hour!"
Chu Ning interrupted him, his eyes cold and sharp: "In one hour, the entire army will move out and continue the pursuit!"
"Xue Huaide, Zhao Yu, reorganize your cavalry and continue to serve as the vanguard! I want you to be like hunting dogs, holding onto Liu Xiu and never giving him a chance to escape into Kunyang City!"
He pointed to the west and said in a stern tone: "Liu Xiu has God's help, but I have hundreds of thousands of soldiers who are loyal to me until death!"
"I want to see, is he lucky, or is my sword faster?"
After saying this, Chu Ning said no more, turned his horse around, and personally inspected the troops to stabilize their morale.
Against the devastated backdrop, his figure appeared unusually resolute and cold.
Xue Huaide and Zhao Yu took a deep breath, suppressed the complicated emotions in their hearts, and clasped their fists firmly: "I obey your command!"
One hour is very short, but it is enough for this powerful army to recover some strength and courage.
Chu Ning's firm will stabilized the army's morale like a rock, and forcibly transformed the fear caused by the strange phenomenon from the sky into absolute obedience to the emperor's orders and a trace of aroused rebellious psychology.
The order to rest and regroup was quickly passed down. The Chu army began to quietly lick their wounds and regroup on this seemingly cursed land.
Every soldier knew that in an hour, this endless pursuit to the death would continue.
And their emperor will lead them to launch a final, heaven-defying charge against the enemy that seems to be protected by God!
At midnight, the low and ancient city wall of Kunyang City finally revealed a vague outline in the endless darkness.
For the Han army behind them, which was in ruins and had almost exhausted its last bit of strength, this not-so-majestic city was like a life-saving harbor at this moment.
"We're here! We're at Kunyang City!"
"Open the city gates! His Majesty has arrived!"
On the top of the city wall, the few Han soldiers guarding the city saw the flags and the embarrassed troops below, and hurriedly opened the city gate in shock and confusion.
Liu Xiu led the remaining 30,000 or so defeated soldiers and rushed into Kunyang City like a flood breaking through a dam.
The city gate closed heavily behind them with a reassuring thud, temporarily isolating them from all dangers from the outside world.
As soon as they entered the relatively safe city, the nerves that had been tense for a whole day and two nights suddenly relaxed, and extreme fatigue and pain swept over everyone like a tide.
The soldiers could no longer hold on, and many of them collapsed on the sides of the streets and under the eaves. They didn't even have time to find a barracks before they fell into a coma.
The entire city was soon shrouded in a dead silence of exhaustion, with only the occasional painful groans of wounded soldiers and the sporadic footsteps of patrols breaking the silence.
The central army was temporarily stationed in the dilapidated county government office. The flickering candlelight illuminated Liu Xiu's exhausted yet incredibly excited face.
Advisor Zhou Yongxin looked at the soldiers lying on the ground outside the city, and walked forward worriedly. He bowed deeply to Liu Xiu, who was drinking water and resting:
"Your Majesty, Kunyang City is small with low walls and limited food reserves. It is definitely not a place to stay for long."
"Although the Chu army has suffered a divine punishment, its main force is intact, and its cavalry is still there. If Chu Ning pursues us recklessly and besieges this city, our army will be trapped here with no food or reinforcements. The consequences will be disastrous!"
"In my humble opinion, it would be better to let the soldiers take a breather, then set off immediately tonight and continue retreating westwards. Only by entering the dangerous mountainous areas can we truly escape danger!"
However, at this time, Liu Xiu had already been dazzled by the two consecutive experiences of "auspicious signs from heaven".
Hailstones blocked the enemy and meteorites broke the army. In his opinion, this was no coincidence, but the most clear blessing and recognition from God to him, the true emperor!
He placed the water bag heavily on the table. Instead of worry, his face showed an almost fanatical confidence and determination.
He interrupted Zhou Yongxin, his voice particularly loud due to excitement: "Mr. Zhou, you worry too much!"
Liu Xiu waved his hand, as if everything was under control. "The Chu army? Humph, they've suffered two consecutive divine punishments, with heavy casualties. Their morale has long been broken!"
"Those Chu soldiers are probably already scared out of their wits by now. How could they still have the courage to pursue me?"
He stood up, walked to the window, pointed at the dark night sky outside the city, and said with great confidence:
"Heaven has shown its mercy twice, helping me escape from hardship and slaying the traitor! This is clear proof that it is destiny!"
"If Chu Ning dares to pursue me again, he will be defying Heaven and will be punished even more severely! I'm certain he doesn't have the courage!"
He turned around, his eyes sweeping over the equally exhausted generals in the county yamen, his tone becoming unquestionable:
"Pass on my order. The entire army will rest in Kunyang tonight! Let the soldiers get a good night's sleep and recover their strength! We will discuss the march tomorrow morning!"
"Your Majesty!" Zhou Yongxin became very anxious upon hearing this and wanted to persuade him again.
"Excuting an order!"
Liu Xiu's face darkened, and his tone suddenly became stern, revealing the majesty of an emperor: "I have made up my mind, and there is no need to argue!"
Seeing the emperor's insistence and his conviction, the generals recalled the "miracle" of the day. Although they were still uneasy, they dared not disobey him anymore and bowed their hands one after another.
"I will obey your orders!"
Zhou Yongxin looked at Liu Xiu's back, which was full of inexplicable confidence, opened his mouth, and in the end all his words of advice turned into a silent sigh.
He knew that at this moment, His Majesty was so overwhelmed by "heaven's will" that he would not listen to any rational analysis.