Chapter 108.2
Now tired and hungry, and with the rain coming down, their bodies became extremely cold, and many fell ill as a result, collapsing one after another.
Even those who didnt fall ill were shivering uncontrollably, their faces pale with cold.
General, we cant go on, let us rest for a while!
This pouring rain could freeze a person to death!
Im so cold and hungry, I really cant go on!
I might have already caught a cold!
An Lushan also noticed this and shouted loudly, Halt the troops! Its raining now, and the weather is freezing, which is not conducive to marching! Everyone should rest well for a day, and we will continue our journey tomorrow!
So, they settled down in the nearest city.
After resting for a day, the rain stopped, but even more people fell ill.
Among the million-strong army, as many as 200,000 people had caught a cold.
Out of every ten people, two have fallen ill.
And the situation for those who have not contracted the disease is also very grim.
Elder brother, what do we do now? Shi Siming asked with a grave expression.
How should I know? An Lushan roared in a fit of rage.
They had initiated the uprising in haste, thinking that they could change the dynasty within a few days. How could they have anticipated the need for such detailed planning?
The disappearance of the food supplies dealt them a fatal blow!
Now, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers afflicted with colds, they have been struck yet another blow!
With such a sickly army, theres no need for the imperial forces to attack; theyll be finished on their own!
Who did I offend to deserve this?
An Lushan bellowed, What are you standing around for? Hurry up and send people to find medicinal herbs to brew medicine and cure their sickness! And food, prioritize finding food!
Yes, General!
Thus, on the fourth day, the million-strong army rested in place and did not continue their march.
Later, the foraging team returned once again. They had not only failed to find any food but also had not found any medicinal herbs.
A sense of despair spread throughout the entire army, and everyone was in a state of panic.
Im still young! I dont want to die!
It must be because weve done something that has enraged both heaven and humanity, thats why the heavens are punishing us!
Youre right. This is a battle that should never have been fought!
I want to go back! I dont want to march to my death!
Lets flee, if we keep fighting, well all die!
An Lushan stood at the city gate, cutting down dozens of fleeing soldiers, and bellowed, Who is fleeing? Who is spreading deceitful talk? All of you, get back to your positions! If you dont heed my advice, Ill personally send you to your deaths!
With that, he temporarily quelled the entire army.
By the fifth day, the army continued to endure hunger and cold, with even more people falling ill; the number had reached 300,000.
Coughs echoed throughout the city.
At this time, people had begun to die from the illness.
An Lushan was deeply pained by this sight.
His great army was effectively ruined!
Such a large army, let alone a million, even ten million would not be able to defeat the imperial courts 500,000 elite troops.
What he feared most now was the sudden attack of the imperial troops.
His million-strong army would have no power to resist at all.
Could it be that his great undertaking was going to end just like this?
Without even reaching the capital city, without even harming a single hair on that foolish emperor, was he going to be finished?
An Lushan simply could not accept this reality!
No! I have not lost yet! How could I, An Lushan, lose?
An Lushans eyes were filled with madness: Even if I have to send this entire million-strong army to their graves, I must sit upon that supreme imperial throne and taste what its like to be an Emperor!
Immediately, he issued an order: Sound the horns, we depart at once!
Shi Siming hesitated: But elder brother, the soldiers
An Lushan roared: Did you not hear my command? Set off immediately, no mistakes!
Yes, elder brother! Shi Siming replied reluctantly.
However, General Liu of Great Yue held a different opinion.
March now? No, no! Look at our soldiers, theyre not only starving but theyve also caught colds. Theyre simply not in any condition to march or fight! You may not think of your soldiers well-being, but I have to be responsible for mine!
General Liu, do you think we still have a way out?
An Lushan spoke through gritted teeth, Our soldiers are either starving or sick, our combat strength is barely a tenth of what it was! If the imperial court learns of our situation, they will surely send troops to attack us, and we will have no strength to resist!
Therefore, staying here is just waiting for death! We have no choice now but to follow this path to the end! Only by fighting our way to the capital city do we have a chance to survive!
We cant find food here, but there will definitely be food in the capital city! We dont have medicine here to treat the soldiers, but the capital city will surely not be lacking!
As long as we take down the capital city, all our problems will be solved!
After pondering for a while, General Liu of Great Yue found the argument very convincing, so he rallied his troops and set off once again.
At this moment, the once again departing army seemed lifeless.
They did not appear to be heading into battle but rather marching towards their doom.
Along the way, many men fell and never rose again.
An Lushan witnessed this scene with great heartache, but he could only pretend not to see and urged, Everyone, keep moving and quicken your pace! Once we reach the city ahead, there will be food! There are also enough medical supplies there to ensure your ailments can be treated! Hope lies ahead, we must not give up!
Just then, a soldier collapsed to his knees with a thud, weakly saying, General, I truly cant go on
You must go on even if you feel you cant. Dont you see that everyone else is moving?
But I really cant move any further, Im so tired so very tired
An Lushan was furious: If you dont leave now, Ill beat you to death!
Then beat me to death
Fine, Ill beat you to death!
An Lushan pulled out a whip and lashed it fiercely across the soldiers back, flaying the skin and flesh until it was a bloody, mangled mess.
However, at that moment, the soldier, as if revived with a sudden burst of energy, stood up and let out a hoarse, desperate roar: The general is tyrannical, pushing us to our deaths. Run, we must run, or well all be dead!
Run!
I dont want to stay here anymore!
I want to go home!
Everyone scattered in a hubbub, fleeing in all directions.
An Lushan, furious as a thunderstorm, bellowed, Who dares to flee? Capture them all! If they resist, kill them all!
Thus, An Lushan carried out a bloody massacre on the deserters.
After killing thousands, he finally managed to intimidate the rest, stabilizing the ranks.
However, the soldiers no longer looked at An Lushan with respect. Instead, their faces were filled with anger and complaints, daring to be angry but not speaking out.
But An Lushan clearly could no longer care about that.
Ever since he embarked on the path of rebellion, he could only follow it to the bitter end.
Whether others blamed him or hated him, it could no longer shake his heart of stone. As long as he could achieve his grand ambitions, any sacrifice was worth it.
Continue the march! Whoever wavers the armys morale, whoever turns deserter, this general will execute without mercy!
Thus, the army continued its march.
Thus, after three days, the million-strong army, having paid the heavy price of losing 200,000 men, finally arrived at the capital city.
Gazing at the distant capital city, An Lushan let out a sigh of relief: Weve finally arrived!
Inside the imperial palace.
The soldiers hurriedly reported: Report to Your Majesty, the rebel An Lushan and Shi Siming, traitors and rebels, have led their forces to the capital city. They are currently just 30 li outside the city!
Lin Beifan stood up with a slight smile: Since they have come, let us go out to meet General An! It has been many days since we last met, and I have missed him greatly!
***
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11/17
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