"With this lineup, it seems only the full strength of the Mohist School could counter it," Daniel Davis thought as he observed Qin's military forces. Besides the sixty thousand soldiers mobilized for the invasion of Korea, the Gongshu family had also deployed a large number of mechanical beasts. Just within Nei Shiteng's division, there were four Mechanical White Tigers and eight Earth-Breaking Sabres, along with nearly a hundred Mechanical Bats and ten trebuchets.
Other siege weapons, such as ladders, battering rams, and covered rams, were also present. These siege machines had all been upgraded. For example, the covered rams, which were previously reinforced with multiple layers of cowhide, now combined cowhide and steel for even stronger defense, better protecting the soldiers inside.
Under Daniel's advice, the Gongshu family had even developed automatic barricades. With these, the Qin army could quickly set up camp or defensive positions anywhere.
In ancient warfare, choosing the right location to set up camp was a critical skill for commanders. The campsite needed to be easily defensible, offer good visibility, and have access to fresh water. For example, setting up on open plains would make the camp vulnerable to enemy cavalry charges. Without adequate defenses, a cavalry attack could cause devastating losses. But with these new barricades, cavalry would find it impossible to break through.
This advancement was likely to change the future of warfare, especially for cavalry units, which would have to adapt to these new defenses. For now, since only Qin possessed this technology, their heavy cavalry would continue as usual, but the Meng family had already begun reducing its investment in heavy cavalry in anticipation of the future shift in warfare.
As mechanical engineering continued to develop, it was clear that future wars would likely center around mechanical beasts. Units like the Mechanical White Tiger Corps, the Vermilion Bird Corps, and the Earth-Breaking Sabre Corps were the future of warfare.
Previously, the high cost of these machines had prevented anyone from fielding large mechanical armies. But with the recent advancements in smelting technology, while it was still difficult to mass-produce complex machines like the Mechanical Vermilion Birds, producing legions of Mechanical White Tigers and Earth-Breaking Sabres was entirely feasible.
The Gongshu family's Mechanical White Tigers differed from the Mohist School's versions in several ways. The Gongshu Tigers emphasized offensive power, though this came at the cost of speed and agility. This was primarily due to the materials used—the Mohist White Tigers were made primarily from special woods, while the Gongshu versions were constructed from steel.
If Daniel were to assist, this wouldn't be an issue. In fact, if he wanted, he could easily produce thousands of Mechanical White Tigers in just a month, whether they were steel or wood-based versions.
In the world of Attack on Titan or One Piece, there were plenty of materials like fire-resistant wood and steel, and modern technology could create even more advanced materials. High-density polymers, for instance, would allow for truly formidable mechanical beasts.
But Daniel had no real need for these machines. For him, creating these mechanical beasts wasn't particularly useful. He'd rather focus on more practical applications, like developing steel-based battle armor.
"Master Gongshu, I didn't expect you to personally come to the frontlines. It must have been a tiring journey," Daniel greeted the head of the Gongshu family, Gongshu Qiu, as they stood together on a temporary observation platform along the Qin-Korea border.
"You flatter me, Master. I'm only here to observe. The real effort comes from you, traveling all the way here."
Gongshu Qiu had come to witness the power of his family's mechanical beasts firsthand. After this war, the Gongshu family's reputation would spread across all of China, surpassing that of the Mohist School. Gongshu Qiu wouldn't miss such a moment for the world.
"I haven't been working hard at all. I'm only here to check on my estate in Xinzheng, taking the opportunity to claim it," Daniel replied casually, referring to his property, the Lanxiu Villa in Xinzheng.
This, of course, was just an excuse. His real reason for being in Korea was to restrain the Qin army and minimize the bloodshed. In this era, military discipline wasn't as strict as it would become in later centuries. Pillaging after a successful siege was common, and as long as it wasn't too excessive, the higher-ups would turn a blind eye.
Even if Daniel spoke to Ying Zheng about it, it wouldn't change much. The only way to ensure the Qin soldiers behaved was for Daniel to be present in Korea himself, using his status as National Master to command respect.
"It's starting."
As the war horns blew, the Qin army launched its assault. Both the ground forces and the air units moved out simultaneously. The air units were composed of Mechanical Bats, not Vermilion Birds, and their purpose was to suppress the soldiers on Korea's walls, creating an opening for the Qin soldiers to scale the walls.
As the Qin soldiers reached the walls and engaged the Korean forces in close combat, several loud explosions were heard. Eight massive objects launched from the Qin camp, flying over Korea's fifty-meter-high walls and landing behind them. All eight Earth-Breaking Sabres had been deployed.
To compensate for the Earth-Breaking Sabres' lack of mobility, the Gongshu family had equipped them with catapults. Normally, these catapults wouldn't have been able to launch the machines over such high walls, but with Daniel's improvements, they were now capable of doing so.
The impact of eight Earth-Breaking Sabres landing behind the walls was immediate and devastating. Simultaneously, four hot air balloons drifted over, each carrying a Mechanical White Tiger suspended beneath it.
Faced with such an onslaught, the Korean army didn't last more than a quarter of an hour before the border defenses collapsed. Once the walls were breached, Nei Shiteng ordered the army to advance, aiming to take the second line of defense as quickly as possible.
The Qin army's progress was unstoppable. The subsequent Korean fortifications offered only token resistance before surrendering. Within seven days, Qin's forces had broken through every defense and were on the verge of capturing Korea's capital, Xinzheng.
"Useless, all of you are useless!" In the Korean capital, chaos reigned as King Han raged at his ministers. None of them dared to speak, bowing their heads like quails before their furious king.
The strength of the Qin army had been beyond their worst fears. No one wanted to be the first to step forward and take responsibility. Even Chancellor Zhang Kaidi remained silent.
At first, Korea had been optimistic about the invasion. After all, Zhao, Wei, and Chu had all promised to send reinforcements to help. But now, before any sign of aid had arrived, the Qin army was already at Xinzheng's doorstep.
"Your Majesty, at this point, the only option is to retreat and bide our time," Zhang Kaidi finally suggested after a long silence. His plan was for King Han to flee to Wei, where the royal family had ties. Once they had regrouped, they could join forces with the allied armies to reclaim Korea.
"Chancellor, you're right," King Han agreed after a moment of reflection, though his face was filled with bitterness. He knew that Xinzheng, and perhaps all of Korea, would fall soon. He had no intention of dying alongside his country.
Besides, he told himself, it wasn't really an escape—it was merely a strategic withdrawal. History had seen kings flee and later return to retake their thrones.
"Han Yu, from today, you are the crown prince of Korea. You will be in charge of defending Xinzheng." King Han gave his reluctant son Han Yu the title of crown prince, much to Han Yu's chagrin. He knew that being made crown prince in such circumstances was more of a burden than an honor. Still, he had no choice but to accept the king's command.
"Congratulations, Fourth Prince," Han Yu's adopted son, Han Qiancheng, greeted him after leaving the palace.
"What is there to congratulate? Get ready. If things go south, we'll leave immediately," Han Yu ordered. Like his father, Han Yu had no intention of staying to defend Korea.
In truth, most of Korea's upper class had already fled. Only those who couldn't leave remained in the capital.
"As king, to abandon your country in its hour of need is laughable." At the Zilan Xuan, members of the assassin group Li Sha, including Wei Zhuang, Zhang Liang, Princess Honglian, Bai Feng, and Nong Yu, gathered to discuss the situation.
The king's decision to flee wasn't a secret to the members of Li Sha. Both Zhang Liang and Princess Honglian had direct access to Korea's highest circles.
"If the Ninth Prince were still here, things might have been different," Nong Yu's comment caused a heavy silence to fall over the room. Wei Zhuang's face darkened.
"This is no time to dwell on what might have been. Wei Zhuang, we need to focus on what to do next. Ying Zheng won't stop until Korea is completely destroyed. The situation is beyond saving," Zhang Liang said with a deep sigh, the sudden and rapid collapse of Korea weighing heavily on him.
"What do you suggest?" Wei Zhuang asked.
"My advice is to retreat from Korea and preserve our strength. Later, we can find another way. Qin's display of power has surely caught the attention of the other states. They won't sit idly by while Qin picks them off one by one. When that time comes, we'll have our chance," Zhang Liang explained.
"I agree, but there's something I need to do
first." Wei Zhuang nodded after a long pause, accepting Zhang Liang's plan.
"What about the girls at Zilan Xuan?" Nong Yu asked. While they could abandon the brothel's business, the fate of the women working there was another matter. Although many were spies for Li Sha, most were simply ordinary women.
"We can't worry about them now," Wei Zhuang replied coldly. He was not a man for sentimental attachments.
"It's lively here, isn't it?" A familiar voice suddenly interrupted the conversation. In an instant, Wei Zhuang was at the table, his Sharktooth Sword in hand, pointing toward the window from which the voice had come.
Outside, a familiar figure dressed in black stood quietly. It was Mo Ya.
"You've got guts showing up here alone," Wei Zhuang said, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
"Alone? Is that really what you think?" Mo Ya replied with a mysterious smile, staring at Wei Zhuang.
"What do you want?" Bai Feng asked, breaking the tension.
"Don't forget my position. This place will soon belong to Qin. I'm just here to inspect the land ahead of time, figuring out how to manage things once it's under Qin's control," Mo Ya replied nonchalantly.
As the former top assassin under Ji Wuye, Mo Ya was intimately familiar with Xinzheng. He had now become the head of Qin's law enforcement, overseeing the reconstruction of Korea's judicial system. There was no one better suited for the job.
Mo Ya's words darkened the faces of everyone in the room. Despite Korea still standing, it was clear that the Qin conquest was inevitable.
"Are you done with your last words?" Wei Zhuang asked icily.
"Oh, one last thing. I almost forgot, this letter is for you," Mo Ya said, tossing a small copper tube onto the table.
"It's from Sister Zinu," Nong Yu said, recognizing the seal on the tube.
"Well, now that my message has been delivered, I'll be on my way," Mo Ya said, waving casually at Bai Feng before turning to leave.
"You think you can just walk out of here?" Wei Zhuang growled, instantly closing the distance and driving his Sharktooth Sword through Mo Ya's body. But the next moment, Mo Ya's figure burst into a flock of crows, disappearing from sight.
"I'm not here to fight," Mo Ya's voice came from across the street as his figure reappeared on the rooftop opposite Zilan Xuan.
"Your skills have improved. It seems you've found yourself a good master," Wei Zhuang remarked, his gaze cold and sharp.
"I'd say I've just been lucky," Mo Ya replied with a sly smile.
"Hmph." Wei Zhuang snorted, sheathing his sword. He didn't bother pursuing Mo Ya any further, returning instead to the brothel.
"Seems like Wei Zhuang has finally made his move. And the Yin-Yang School too—looks like Donghuang Taiyi hasn't given up on his plans for the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations. Well, it makes sense. After all, it's the Canglong Qisu," Daniel mused, shaking his head as he observed the flames engulfing the Korean royal palace from afar.
Within the palace, chaos reigned. Wei Zhuang had launched an assassination attempt on King Han, while the Yin-Yang School, led by Star Soul and Moon Goddess, searched for a mysterious box.
As the flames consumed the palace, Nei Shiteng's forces launched their final assault on Xinzheng. Already demoralized, the city's defenders offered little resistance, and the capital fell before dawn. Order was slowly restored as the first light of day broke over the horizon.
"Nong Yu, it's been a while," Daniel said, greeting the talented musician at Lanxiu Villa. Beside her were her mother, Lady Hu, and her aunt, Lady Hu Mei.
The villa had become a refuge for many civilians. The letter that Mo Ya had delivered to Zilan Xuan was from Zinu, suggesting that the women from the brothel take refuge at Lanxiu Villa, which belonged to Daniel. As the estate of the Qin National Master, it was one of the few places safe from the army's chaos.
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