Chapter 16: Farewells

Guan Suo inspected his troops in Jiang Xia, 100,000 strong ready to mount a full scale invasion into Wu southern territory. Jiang Wei promised this will take less than a year. If this is the final push, then no efforts must be spared. No tricks, no plots, just a brutal thrust to stop the heart of the dying Wu Empire.

His thoughts were interrupted by a messenger from Emperor Meng Huo.


"My prince, His Highness Emperor Meng Huo wishes to notify you that your wife, Princess Hua Man has fallen ill and is on her death bed in Jiang Ling."

"What? I must see her immediately then!", Guan Suo begin to walk away.

"No milord, His Highness insists that you stay and lead the invasion. He understands the situation and wish you well."

"Very well, please deliver my condolences to His Highness." Guan Suo gritted his teeth. This war has taken so much. Hua Man and he never lived like a normal couple. Both always seperated by war, she is always with her father's army to the west while he handles the eastern theater with Jiang Wei. Rest in peace, it will be over soon. He sought the solace of his quarters leaving the training grounds.

"My condolences, brother." Jiang Wei stepped into his office, "I've heard the news."

"It's alright. After Aunt Huang Ying passed away to join Kong Ming, I'm quite used to it."

"I promise you, this is the final campaign. We will work on peace after all this is over. No more bloodshed." Jiang Wei puts a reassuring hand on his brother's left shoulder.

"Damn that Sun Quan! Why won't he just surrender? Thousands die for his ambition! Why can't he just admit defeat and work together for peace?!" Guan Suo banged his table in frustration.

"We'll march tomorrow. Rest well tonight." Jiang Wei walked outside.

The next day, Emperor Meng Huo ordered his troops to march ahead without him to the city of Wu Ling. He wishes to oversee the burial of his only daughter. The city of Wu Ling, protected by only a garrison fo 15,000 fell quickly to the 50,000 strong invasion force.

At the same day, Guan Suo leads his 90,000 strong out of Jiang Xia to hit southwards. Right before they set sail, tragedy struck. Zhang Bao fell ill and passed away. Guan Suo quickly dispatched Wang Ping to replace him.

The eastern garrison of Lu Jiang and Shou Chun combined together to muster a 90,000 strong task force as well under the command of Empress Zhu Rong to take on Wu's coastal city of Jian Ye. Not a single naval force of Wu showed up to defend the waterways.

Wu's final moments in history is about to unfold.

Meng Huo's forces was unstoppable to the west. Wu Ling's garrison completely overrun, and summoning additional troops from Xiang Yang, Meng Huo blitzed towards the city of Ling Ling within two months. Resistance was minimal, with other Nanman attacks taking hold elsewhere, the rest of Wu cities have to reinforce their own defenses.


Not satisfied, Meng Huo purchased additional supplies and mounted a third attack within 4 months towards the city of Gui Yang. Once again, not prepared for such a ferocious rapid attacks, Wu defenders fell easily.

His men totally exhaused yet jubilant was shocked by his final orders to march northwards to Chang Sha. They were promised tax breaks and high rank on their return to their homeland.

Elsewhere, Zhu Rong forces marched from the freshly captured city of Jian Ye for Hui Ji. The catapults thunderous attack proving too much for the defenders to withstand.

With Hui Ji taken over, the entire Western and Eastern cities of Wu is under Nanman's control. And all that's left is Chang Sha.

On his way to Chang Sha, Guan Suo spotted Sun Quan and gave chase. Surrounding the port of Lu Kou, they set the port ablaze but could find no sign of the Sovereign of Wu. But at the urging of Jiang Wei, Guan Suo marched into the hills to the south, towards Chang Sha where the rest of his forces are besieging the final Wu Stronghold.

On his way to Chang Sha, Guan Suo cavalry was ambushed by three units of Wu defenders.
"Out of my way, cretins!" Guan Sou shouted as he tore them apart one by one, bloodlust overcoming him. He can see Chang Sha burning at the distance. The defenders morale rapidly diminishing.

"Yearghhh!" Wen Yang cried in pain as flames engulfed him.

"Wait, be patient! The rest will be here soon, the city's bound to fall!" Guo Huai cried out to his comrade.

E Huan forces of 16,000 arrived after crossing the river from Wu Ling. Together they take on the city gates as Guan Suo kept the other three units occoupied in the northeastern forest. Moments later, the catapults arrived and delivered the knockout punch to the city defenses.

Chang Sha has fallen! Wu is no more!

Immediately the rest of the defenders threw down their weapons and surrendered. Amidst the chaos and ransack of Chang Sha, Sun Quan, the sovereign of Wu was nowhere to be found.

But that was no concern to Emperor Meng Huo who rejoiced upon recieving the news.
"Tell the people that the war is over. Tell them their Emperor declares that this nation is under one rule: the rule of Nanman!", Meng Huo commanded.

"At once, Sire!"


Meng Huo immediately set about restoring the exhausted lands that had been brought under the control of the Empire, travelling the realm, reassuring the people that the war has indeed ended. The government was reformed and new laws were promulgated.

In the windy hills of northern China, two brothers stood upon the grave of their mentor, praying deeply to the heavens.

-The End-