Chapter 578: Linyuan City Falls, Duan Qifeng Flees in Defeat
Yang Zhenshan stayed in Yemi City for five days, and only when the number of Northern barbarian riders around Yemi City began to increase did he lead his soldiers to leave.
Although they had captured Yemi City, there were still many settlements of the Wuliang Tribe around Yemi City; most of their elite forces had followed Wu Tuo south, but there were still many young and strong individuals left.
As time went on, many young people from these settlements began to gather, and soon more than ten thousand people converged around Yemi City.
However, these young Wuliang tribesmen were disorganized; although they were gathering, none stepped forward to lead them. The reason was simple: the high-ranking members of the Wuliang Tribe had either followed Wu Tuo south or had been slaughtered in Yemi City by the army under Yang Zhenshan's command.
Now, only some minor leaders of the Wuliang Tribe remained, who lacked the charisma and authority to organize an effective counterstrike.
Although these disorganized masses posed no threat to Yang Zhenshan, this place was still the Royal Court of the Wuliang King. As time progressed, more and more young Hu Clan members were likely to converge here, so Yang Zhenshan did not plan to stay too long.
After the soldiers had rested, and the warhorses were well-fed, they slowly withdrew from Yemi City, taking carts of treasures and food with them.
Of course, they would not return Yemi City to the Wuliang Hu Clan.
Before withdrawing from Yemi City, they set massive fires within the city; simultaneously, Yang Zhenshan took the opportunity to store the treasures that could not be openly removed, in the Spiritual Spring Space.
Various precious furs, rare medicinal herbs, various types of jade, and scarce minerals, among others; even the remaining food supplies were stored in the Spiritual Spring Space.
Even if the food could not be taken out, it could be used in the space to feed livestock and poultry.
Now in the Spiritual Spring Space, besides horses, there were many other animals.
Cows, sheep, chickens, and ducks were common, along with many other birds and beasts.
Previously, during his time with Yu Qingyi in Wanshan Ridge, he had even captured a nest of tiger cubs and was raising them in the Spiritual Spring Space.
Currently, a biosphere had formed inside the Spiritual Spring Space. Although not yet perfect, Yang Zhenshan planned to gradually add more species to make it a stable and sustainable ecosystem.
Of course, this is an extremely slow process, and Spaces might need to become even more extensive.
For now, Yang Zhenshan is too preoccupied to focus on these, as he is leading his soldiers on a slow retreat north.
At the end of Mulu Ridge, the army is navigating around the ridge moving north, and Yang Zhenshan, riding Red Cloud, looks towards Yemi City to the west.
Yemi City is engulfed in thick smoke, turning the skies and land for dozens of miles around into a dark grey hue.
This fire is likely to burn for a very long while, not only because of the buildings inside the city but also because of the large amount of biological fuel available, such as corpses!
Before leaving, Yang Zhenshan had ordered his soldiers to set ablaze hundreds of houses that were easily flammable, and many contained numerous corpses.
Even from several miles away, one could smell the scorched odor of burning bodies.
"Marquis, they are following us!" Yang Chengxu rode up to Yang Zhenshan, pointing towards the banks of Suluo'er Lake to the south, and reported.
Yang Zhenshan coldly responded, "After nightfall, lead the soldiers to strike them, just a rabble!"
"Yes!" Yang Chengxu complied.
This surprise attack on Yemi City caused great losses to the Wuliang Royal Court, but the biggest loss was to the Wuliang Tribe itself.
The Wuliang Royal Court has nine tribes, besides the meager Wula and King Liang tribes, among the remaining seven, the Wuliang Tribe was the strongest.
After all, the Wuliang Tribe was the ruling tribe owned by the Royal Family of the Wuliang Royal Court. Wu Tuo's control over the Wuliang Royal Court was supported by the Wuliang Tribe behind him.
Attacking Yemi City had little impact on the other tribes, such as the Chi Ci Clan, Kerelie Tribe, Alaman Tribe, etc., their losses in Yemi City were almost negligible.
However, it was different for the Wuliang Tribe, as this King City was also the flag ground of the Wuliang Tribe.
When the flag ground was destroyed, hundreds of years of accumulated wealth went into Yang Zhenshan's pocket. Although Wu Tuo still had 120,000 elite cavalry, without these treasures, how could he sustain such a large force?
In short, Wu Tuo would face challenging days ahead; he not only had to take care of his people but also watch out for possible rebellions from other tribes.
Previously, Wu Tuo could intimidate other tribes, but now it might not be so easy.
Perhaps soon, there would be internal rebellions within the Wuliang Royal Court.
For Yang Zhenshan, however, this was the best possible outcome.
Internal turmoil within the Wuliang Hu Clan still posed a threat to the borders of Da Rong, implying that Chongshan Town and Beiyuan Town were still necessary, and Da Rong Court would likely have no other designs on Chongshan Town.
That night, Yang Zhenshan and his men rested on the eastern slope of Mulu Ridge.
During the night, Yang Chengxu led five thousand soldiers to attack the pursuing Hu Clan youths, just as Yang Zhenshan had said, they were merely a disorganized crowd and not to be feared.
Just one charge, and ten thousand Hu Clan youths scattered like birds and beasts.
Over the next two days, Yang Zhenshan led the remaining army north.
Since the army was carrying substantial treasures and provisions, their marching speed was not very fast, covering only about a hundred miles per day.
And on the third day after leaving Yemi City, Wu Tuo, far outside Linyuan City, finally received a call for help from Yemi City.
In the camp's main tent, Wu Tuo, face flushed with anger, listened to a tired Hu Clan soldier report.