Chapter 110: A Resounding Victory

The ruler of Ju, Jikuang, looked upon the scene with disdain and spoke coldly.

“I’ve heard that this Meng Zi recently defeated the Qi army with just a few thousand cavalry, yet judging by the current situation, he doesn’t aim to crush our forces head-on. Instead, he divides his troops. Truly, he understands nothing of warfare. Issue orders to prepare for the enemy’s arrival!”

But no sooner had this command been given than the two pairs of cavalry had already reached the gap in the front lines and launched a swift charge. At such speed, the war chariots could not possibly turn their heads in time.

More importantly, the commanding officers were caught off guard by this tactic; the cavalry’s speed was overwhelming. By the time they noticed, the enemy had already charged. The infantry—over a thousand men—were hastily ordered to resist and attempt to turn the chariots around.

These foot soldiers had never encountered such a situation before. Their confusion was palpable as the cavalry smashed into them, scattering them in all directions. The tide of battle shifted suddenly, and the front lines descended into chaos.

Seizing the opportunity, Meng Di accelerated his advance but then circled around when both sides were close. The prominence of chariots during the Spring and Autumn period was for good reason: in a frontal assault, cavalry was at a disadvantage.

Thus, cavalry relied on their high mobility to evade the chariots’ head-on attacks, leading the enemy in circles to prevent timely reinforcements. Meanwhile, Ju’s chariot formation was in utter disarray.

The front and rear could no longer support each other, and many swiftly retreated. As the saying goes, a defeated army collapses like a landslide. The scene before them was precisely such.

Jikuang, positioned with the rear forces, watched helplessly as two hundred war chariots descended into disorder. His face was filled with disbelief.

Fear soon took root in his heart. No longer did he think of defeating Meng Di; his sole concern became preserving his own life. He had not expected the enemy cavalry’s assault to be so fierce, so swiftly toppling the front lines.

In truth, had he dispatched reinforcements promptly, the tide might have turned. But fear gripped him, and he ordered the rear forces to withdraw into the city—a decision with grave consequences.

At the wave of the royal banner, Ju’s soldiers retreated like a receding tide. Upon receiving this intelligence, Meng Di’s face broke into a joyous smile. He bypassed Ju’s vanguard and pressed the attack from behind.

There were still many infantrymen surrounding the chariots, and amid the chaos, those retreating slowly were trampled underfoot, further slowing the chariots’ withdrawal.

At this moment, Han Zhan, Liu Xiatun, and Meng Di’s three cavalry units pursued relentlessly to the gates of Nan Ju city. Only about a hundred chariots made it back, causing Jikuang’s expression to darken as he hastily ordered the city gates closed.

Fearing a swift cavalry breach, he was cautious. Yet Meng Di remained calm, organizing his troops to clean up the battlefield. Most of Ju’s soldiers surrendered outright.

Only a few resisted, and Meng Di executed their commanding officers without mercy.

Nearly twenty thousand captives were taken, and almost a hundred war chariots were seized intact. For Meng Di, these were all valuable spoils—assets that could be sold later for a substantial sum.

After securing the field, Meng Di set camp outside Nan Ju and dispatched envoys into the city.

Jikuang’s mind was still unsettled, gripped by fear and anxiety. Ju’s forces were nearly depleted. Even if he scraped together a few hundred chariots, he had no confidence to face Meng Di again.

In the midst of his panic, a report arrived.

“Your majesty, the Lu army outside the city has sent an envoy requesting an audience.”

Upon hearing this, Jikuang’s expression shifted rapidly. The situation was dire; unable to win a fight, he resolved to defend the city while seeking aid from Qi—a process that would take time. For now, he decided to meet the envoy.

“Let him in.”

Liu Xiatun entered the hall with an arrogant, dismissive air, bowing perfunctorily.

“I have met the Marquis of Ju before. Today, my lord sends me with a single message: the king is urged to surrender the city. Should you do so, my lord may show mercy.”

Infuriated, Jikuang slammed the table, shouting hoarsely.

“Does Meng Zi not know that Ju has an alliance with Qi? If you dare attack Nan Ju, when Qi’s army arrives, they will surely show no mercy!”

Liu Xiatun smiled disdainfully, his face cold.

“Your majesty errs. Did you not hear? Not long ago, when Qi’s army invaded Lu, it was my lord who repelled them with just a few thousand troops. Allow me to remind you—do not cling stubbornly to Nan Ju. You have surely heard what happened to Zhongqiu. If you persist, tomorrow our army will begin the assault on Nan Ju.”

Jikuang’s face changed repeatedly. Clenching his fists tightly, he eventually loosened them with a weary sigh.

“Esteemed envoy, please report to Meng Zi that our king needs time to deliberate before making a decision. We ask for a few days’ grace.”

“Three days then. I hope after that, your majesty will make a wise choice. I take my leave.”

Liu Xiatun held up three fingers for emphasis, then turned and left.

At this moment, Jikuang was filled with regret. Had he known Meng Di’s strength, he would never have sent men to plunder the merchant caravans. But now, it was too late. The pressing matter was how to survive the crisis before him.

At the army camp outside Nan Ju city, Meng Di listened as Liu Xiatun detailed the situation. He shook his head. Zhongqiu was a small city; with crossbows, it would fall within days.

But Nan Ju was different—Ju’s capital, naturally fortified and backed by thick walls. It would not fall quickly. Liu Xiatun’s mission was little more than an attempt to extort concessions.

Smiling with contempt, Meng Di said, “Your actions will surely keep Jikuang awake at night in fear. We have no intention of destroying Ju outright. If we can secure sufficient benefits, we will withdraw. It is not yet time to go to war with Qi.”