In the year thirty of the Wei Empire's calendar.
Under the scorching sun of the August summer heat, within the predominantly blue palace of the Han Kingdom's headquarters.
King Han Han sat upon his throne, his gaze fixed on the report in his hands for several minutes before taking a deep breath.
He placed the report on the table, then raised his head to look at a naval admiral standing before him.
...
Han Han's expression was grave, and he spoke with anger, "Are you trying to tell me that Wei Sixiu has blockaded the surrounding coastlines, preventing us from buying essential supplies like grain, meat, medicine, and arrows?"
"Yes, Your Majesty King Han. It is not that our procurement teams are not entering the mainland to purchase the supplies we desperately need. It is because Emperor Wei, Wei Sixiu, has stationed elite troops and skilled generals along the coastal borders."
"While our navy can handle their ships at sea, we are no match for them once we disembark."
The naval admiral kneeling on the ground looked embarrassed, his head lowered as he spoke to Han Han with a lack of confidence.
King Han Han, though a ruler controlling a vast, boundless sea and possessing many islands, commanded considerable overseas trade with surrounding nations, making him immensely wealthy.
However, the Han Kingdom suffered from severe shortages in grain, meat, medicine, and arrows, unable to achieve self-sufficiency and relying heavily on imports.
This was because Han Han had to feed not only the hundred thousand young, robust, and battle-hardened sailors but also millions of their families, putting immense strain on his logistical capabilities.
Especially critical resources like grain and medicine required constant purchase from continental nations.
"Since we cannot enter Wei Sixiu's territory, have people been sent to other surrounding countries? As long as we bring enough silver, and considering my influence, they should make accommodations, unless they are being threatened."
Han Han stood up, his voice deep as he asked.
...
"Your Majesty King Han is absolutely correct. Emperor Wei, Wei Sixiu, has threatened the surrounding continental nations. He declared that any who dared to sell us grain would face a million-strong army, their nations annihilated, and their kin slaughtered. Therefore, all our subordinates sent to purchase grain, medicine, and other supplies have been turned away."
...
"Excellent! Excellent! Very good! For so many years I have not shown anger, and they have all treated me like a sick cat. This time, we will show them some colors, letting them know that we are not only the overlords of the sea but kings on land as well!"
Han Han turned his head, his gaze fixed on the passing sailors and soldiers outside the floor-to-ceiling window. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Then, in a chilling tone, he gave the order, "Prepare the men. Set a date, and we will raze a coastal city of the Wei Kingdom, giving Emperor Wei Sixiu and the kings of the surrounding continental nations a lesson.
...
One month later.
On the vast expanse of the sea, great waves churned and rolled, and warships appeared like clouds, their sails obscuring the sky.
The main fleet of the Han army arrived at Taihai City of the Wei Empire precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon.
A total of fifty thousand Han sailors, piloting their warships, descended upon Taihai City like hungry wolves, showing no mercy.
...
Waves crashed against the coastal rocks, sending up spray and emitting a deafening roar.
The Wei soldiers guarding the area at this moment felt an involuntary tremor of fear.
Furthermore, the docks, battered by the constant impact of the waves, were swaying precariously.
Creaking sounds echoed continuously, mingling with the roar of the waves, creating a tremendous din.
The sight was profoundly unsettling.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of bells and drums from Taihai City rose in succession.
The sudden appearance of enemies on the sea threw Taihai City into chaos, with alarms sounding everywhere.
No one had expected that King Han's warships would so brazenly steamroll their way in from the front.
Due to the unusually large waves and wind that day, the ships of Taihai City were all docked within the harbor, rendering any counterattack impossible.
Upon seeing the countless fluttering Han army banners on the horizon, the high officials of Taihai City suddenly felt their scalps tingle, many staring blankly, unsure of what to do.
To fight would be certain defeat. Although this was a heavily fortified coastal city, its garrison numbered only ten thousand. The warships docked by the sea were generally civilian vessels, and the disparity was immense.
The only recourse now was the old method: retreat into the city, hold out, and await reinforcements.
However, the main force of the Han army was clearly prepared for this engagement.
...
On the other side.
"Your Majesty King Han, everything is ready. May we commence the attack now?"
A naval commander approached from behind, speaking respectfully to Han Han, who stood at the bow of the flagship, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Yes, begin!" Han Han nodded, a subtle, wicked smile playing on his lips.
The sea breeze grew fiercer with the passage of time, the strong winds driving the waves.
Hundreds, even thousands, of warships, like a colossal sword, sliced through the azure sea before them with their prows.
The dense fleet of warships landed forcefully on the beach in front of Taihai City. Fifty thousand sailors, each armed with a strong bow or crossbow, advanced towards the city, which was largely constructed of massive stones.
Taihai City had stood for a considerable time, and over the years, its population had grown to between seven and eight hundred thousand.
News from the port had already instilled panic within the city, and everyone's thoughts were consumed with how to survive.
...
The sight of fifty thousand sailors armed with strong bows and crossbows amassed outside the city plunged the seven to eight hundred thousand residents within into despair.
The brutal tactics of the Han navy, the overlords of the sea, were known to all the world.
Once the city walls were breached, Taihai City would likely be plundered entirely. It would not only be a loss of property; everyone would suffer a gruesome fate, a scene of utter desolation.
All the old, weak, and infirm would be culled and mercilessly killed on the spot, a tradition the Han army had maintained for over a decade.
They sought valuable, able-bodied men, not burdens who consumed food. The old, weak, and infirm held no value.
Even women would be discarded after being used, only to be executed on the spot!
As the Han soldiers outside the city continued to swell in number, the over ten thousand defending soldiers within the city also brought forth their siege equipment and placed it on the city walls.
The defending soldiers appeared highly vigilant and cautious, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Liu Donglai, a second-rank high official overseeing the defense, stood on the city walls and frowned. He then pointed to a subordinate officer and ordered him to advance to the front and shout a message to rally and bolster the morale of the defending soldiers.
This subordinate officer muttered his displeasure but could not disobey his superior's command, so he stepped forward with forced resolve to shout.
"Soldiers of the Han Kingdom, my lord orders you to retreat immediately, or when the Great Wei Empire settles accounts in the autumn, we will surely slaughter you all and exterminate your nine generations of kin!"
The officer from Taihai City shouted at the top of his lungs, making a final effort.
No one was willing to fight a war they were destined to lose.
...
Go to hell!
No matter what anyone says today, it's useless. I intend to raze this city!
Han Han's eyes flashed with a cold light. He took a thirty-stone strong bow from a nearby admiral.
With the bow in hand, Han Han knelt on one knee, drawing and nocking the arrow in a fluid motion.
With a *whoosh*, the bowstring vibrated, and the arrow flew like a meteor, covering several thousand meters in an instant, disappearing into the chest of the officer.
The next second, a fist-sized bloody cavity appeared on the chest of the officer who had been shouting on the city wall. Blood erupted like a fountain, spraying far and wide.
The officer swayed a few times, let out no sound, and then toppled over, becoming a cold corpse.
On the city walls of Taihai City, the defending soldiers, who had just begun to regain some morale, fell into a sudden silence, like eggplants struck by frost.
The battlefield, moments ago taut with tension, experienced a brief pause.
"Your Majesty is mighty!"
On the Han army's side, there was a moment of silence, then someone began the cheers, which echoed through the heavens. Ten thousand soldiers had flushed faces, beaming with joy, their morale soaring, their fighting spirit ignited.
"My apologies. Because your Emperor Wei Sixiu has angered me, I have made the harshest decision: to slaughter you all, leaving no one alive, as a warning to all the world.
Han Han stood straight as a pine, his gaze filled with extreme, chilling coldness.
In this cruel and realistic world, there is no choice between the sainted figures of history and the notorious villains; there is only the fate I am chosen for.
Perhaps the me who once vowed to protect all the common people of the world no longer exists...!
The brave dragon-slayer of yesteryear has now become a ferocious, venomous, and ruthless dragon!
Perhaps, the inherent nature of the human soul is bloodthirsty, or perhaps this is the price of growth.
Behind him, tens of thousands of Han troops had assembled. Unlike their King, these soldiers' eyes gleamed with terrifying intensity, and their hearts burned with fervent desire.
Before them lay Taihai City, a city rumored to be filled with gold and jewels.
Once Taihai City was captured, wealth and beautiful women would be within their grasp. The thought sent a flush to the soldiers' eyes, like a horde of impoverished beggars discovering a mountain of gold.
"Han Army Regulation: Half of all spoils must be surrendered!"
Even if it was only half, it was enough to excite the soldiers for several months.
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