Upon receiving the surrender decree, all the soldiers of Da Qian, including Liang Xiao, were ecstatic!
"Our Marshal is truly steady!"
Even those who had been eager to storm the city were now utterly impressed by Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao himself couldn't help but chuckle.
He now deeply understood why "observing Li Jing's use of troops was like chewing on dry wax."
The Tang Dynasty's God of War, Li Jing, was invincible in his campaigns.
There was no stunning, heart-stopping battle like Han Xin's fight with his back to the river, nor the world-shattering massacre at Changping by Bai Qi…
Regardless of the enemy's numbers, Li Jing would simply push through without suspense. This was due to meticulous training, strategic deployment during battles, elite troops, and precise capture of opportunities, leading to the enemy's swift collapse…
"Those skilled in warfare in ancient times first made themselves invincible, and then waited for the enemy to be vulnerable!"
Compared to the heroic feat of slaying the barbarians, taking Jiange without shedding blood, accepting the surrender of ninety thousand men, and annihilating tens of thousands of rebel troops, while lacking thrilling combat, it preserved more of Da Qian's fighting force, allowing for more soldiers to guard the borders and confront foreign tribes in the future.
After a great battle and two attempts at surrender, Liang Xiao was certain that this action had dealt a devastating blow to the morale of Helian Heng's garrison in various parts of Xichuan, and more enemies would surrender in the future!
This would also validate the righteousness of the Da Qian army, making the populace firmly believe that this was the arrival of the royal army to liberate Xichuan!
Furthermore, the "Tanding Rumian" (tax levied per person converted into a land tax) and the high-percentage split of land for屯田 (state-managed agricultural farms) could serve as subsequent measures to strengthen the Xichuan people's sense of national identity and belonging!
Of course, he also had the opportunity to return to the capital sooner and see Xiao Qing and Zhuo Xun…
Amidst the excitement, Liang Xiao immediately issued an order: "We will enter the pass after dark tonight and rest tomorrow. The cavalry will reinforce Fuling!"
Yue Qingtian couldn't hold back and stepped forward: "Marquis! I request to lead the cavalry and personally execute Helian Heng!"
Yue Yun and others also stepped forward to request battle.
While taking the city without bloodshed was gratifying, they felt an inexplicable emptiness without having accomplished something.
The troops sent by Helian Heng to Fuling had to be annihilated, naturally becoming a coveted target for everyone…
The next day, the Jiange garrison successively came out of the pass to surrender, disarming themselves.
After Liang Xiao treated the surrendered soldiers with good wine and meat, they were overjoyed. Some even expressed their gratitude tearfully: "Indeed, he is our Da Qian's Marquis Anguo!!"
The garrison commander Helian Qiu, reverting to his original name Lu Qiu, kowtowed and begged for mercy.
"Marshal, I did not engage in wanton killing under Helian Heng's command. The Marshal can send people to verify! I do not seek rewards, only that the imperial court pardon my entire family!!"
Liang Xiao immediately told Lu Qiu to rise and said sternly: "I keep my word. Only the ringleaders will be punished. All those who surrender will be spared, and their families will not be implicated. General Lu has rendered meritorious service by surrendering the pass, and he shall be rewarded with three thousand taels of silver."
In reality, those who were unwilling to surrender had either died in mutinies or were beheaded by the Da Qian soldiers on the battlefield northeast of Jiange.
Those who harbored ill intentions or felt guilty were often resistant to surrender, fearing retribution from the imperial court.
Lu Qiu was immensely grateful and presented a detailed map of the Jiange area and its defenses, along with the logistical inventory.
Liang Xiao glanced at it, quite satisfied, and ordered three thousand taels of silver notes to be presented to Lu Qiu.
Lu Qiu received the banknotes in a daze and knelt to express his thanks, still in a daze.
He had merely acted on impulse, decisively surrendering the pass to save his life, and unexpectedly earned three thousand taels!
Lu Qiu knew that it would be wrong not to show some initiative: "Marquis Anguo's benevolence is great! This humble subordinate is willing to serve as the vanguard and persuade the surrender of various parts of Xichuan! Especially in the Bazhong and Mianzhu areas, I can attempt to do so!"
Liang Xiao was surprised and agreed on the spot.
The Da Qian army captured Jiange without a single soldier lost!
Upon entering Jiange, Liang Xiao immediately assigned Yue Qingtian as the main general and Yue Yun as the deputy. With the Da Qian Zhenwei and the cavalry from the Qingtian Guard, a total of twelve thousand cavalry was dispatched to reinforce Fuling.
Liang Xiao personally led forty thousand troops towards Fucheng, preparing to capture Jincheng along the way.
Liang Zhan, leading the remaining troops, was responsible for guarding the surrendered soldiers of Jiange while defending Jiange, to prevent any enemy counterattack.
Carrier pigeons were also dispatched to the capital to report the good news.
Twelve thousand Da Qian cavalry, with imposing momentum, first rushed towards Fucheng.
Meanwhile, in the capital, prosperity and stability were greater than ever. The only one in decline was the Duanmu family.
Last year's bumper sugarcane harvest had led Liang Xiao's sugar refinery to produce a large amount of white sugar, which was transported nationwide, completely extinguishing any chance of the Duanmu family reviving their sugar business.
Fearing that the imperial court would discover their past support for the barbarians and their collusion with the three great clans, the Duanmu family began selling off their assets and preparing to relocate their entire clan.
The Duanmu family's properties in the capital were acquired at low prices by the wealthiest Liang Xiao and Gongsun Ye.
Four days had passed since Nan Jiyun entered Fucheng. The people of Fucheng found that the Da Qian Zhenwei did not harass them and strictly controlled the original garrison of Fucheng, much to their delight.
Countless citizens brought food and wine to the military camp to entertain the Da Qian Zhenwei.
Upon learning that Helian Heng might return to attack Fucheng, the people of Fucheng were initially in a panic. It was only when Nan Jiyun came forward to read Liang Xiao's dispatch, guaranteeing the city's absolute safety, that the people breathed a sigh of relief and returned to their normal lives.
Pei Gan and his family were all protected. Although he lost his position as Prefect, he received Nan Jiyun's promise of a reward of a thousand taels of gold, which filled him with joy.
As the Prefect of Fucheng, he had always been afraid of retaliation and had never dared to exploit the common people, only occasionally taking small profits and using his position to provide some convenience for his clan.
A thousand taels of gold was more than half of his family's assets…
The original garrison of Fucheng also received Nan Jiyun's promise: after pacifying Xichuan, they could continue to serve as soldiers or return home to farm.
Consequently, the situation in Fucheng was more stable than before the surrender.
A day later, Nan Jiyun and Liu Fan, guarding the northern city wall of Fucheng, finally saw banners filling the horizon in the distance.
It was Helian Heng and the King of Jinpao, leading fifteen thousand men, heading towards Fucheng!
"The enemy is returning! Defend the city immediately!"
Nan Jiyun gave the order, and the prepared Da Qian Zhenwei immediately readied their crossbows and rolling stones, strictly defending the city.
The rebel army, arriving three miles north of the city, found Fucheng to be quiet and were puzzled.
"Why is no one attacking the city? Wasn't Fucheng in distress?"
From the city walls, there were no signs of damage!
The King of Jinpao exclaimed: "Could it be that Pei Gan deceived us!"
Just then, scouts reported back with trembling voices: "My Lord! The guards on the walls of Fucheng are flying the banners of 'Da Qian's Marquis Anguo' and 'Da Qian's General of Cavalry'!!"
Upon hearing this, Helian Heng almost fell from his horse.
"The garrison of Fucheng numbered several thousand men. They could have held out for a month with ease. How could it have been taken so quickly!"
The King of Jinpao angrily said: "Do you even need to ask? It must be that Pei Gan surrendered the city! We've fallen into a trap!"
Helian Heng exclaimed: "How could Pei Gan and Hao Ping betray this general!"
The King of Jinpao glared at Helian Heng impatiently and sighed: "How would I know? We were so focused on reinforcing Fuling that we didn't even bring any siege equipment. There's no way we can take Fucheng!"
Helian Heng's breathing hitched, and he gritted his teeth: "We will first try to intimidate them for two days outside the city. If Fucheng does not change its allegiance again, we will have to retreat to Jincheng!"
And fifty miles away, the Da Qian iron cavalry, after resting, set off again, with Yue Yun as their guide, heading straight for Fucheng!