Chapter 1003 Even Caesar would have to kneel down

Chapter 1003: 1003 Even Caesar would have to kneel down

After a brief preparation, Lu Ming led two legions of elite troops, totaling 100,000 men, on their journey.

Follow-up operations were left to Tian Feng; road construction could be delayed.

This kind of work could be left to the locals; road construction would ultimately benefit them.

Roads should only be built where important resources have been discovered, facilitating resource plunder.

The goal was to recoup the cost of road construction tenfold, even a hundredfold.

That way, it wouldn’t be a loss.

When Lu Ming proposed this plan, Tian Feng and others were not entirely in favor.

Because it was against the natural order.

However, when Lu Ming pointed out that building bridges and roads would inevitably result in many deaths, should they prevent the colonized people from dying, or should they let their own people die?

While this might seem selfish, what did it matter if foreigners died?

This involves a matter of perspective.

Clearly, people automatically categorize themselves at all times.

One family sees others as outsiders, a village sees others as outsiders, a county sees people from other cities as outsiders, a prefecture sees others as outsiders... and the people of Qin certainly see barbarian tribes from other states as outsiders.

When Tian Feng learned that Lu Ming had already set off several days before informing him, he was furious and burst into a tirade.

He had promised that he wouldn’t risk his life while personally leading the expedition, but now, the Emperor had gone to the front lines!

If the news reached the cabinet, he would probably be torn to shreds!

Reluctantly, Tian Feng had to activate the contingency plan. He had long suspected that the Emperor would be dishonest, but that was the Emperor; could he really dare to point his finger at him and curse him?

Therefore, the contingency plan had to be activated.

This plan was simple: to send out a large number of Legalist disciples to supervise the project.

Ensuring each section of the project could be completed within the stipulated time was key. Reclaiming farmland wasn’t a problem; with fertilizer and water, and pesticides, there wouldn’t be any issues.

The real difficulty lay in road construction. It required laying foundations, mixing cement, paving, and then ongoing repairs.

This seemed simple, but it actually required surveying. Only after surveying could the work be planned.

Some areas needed foundations, others didn’t.

Plus, materials needed to be prepared; it wasn’t something that could be done on a whim.

Furthermore, with so many people, their eating, drinking, and even basic necessities required planning.

These things were simply beyond the capabilities of anyone other than a Legalist scholar.

Being merely supervising, without actual involvement, made things much easier.

Leaving aside how Tian Feng surveyed the land and marked almost every section, it was a matter of speed.

Seven days later, Lu Ming’s army met Caesar’s army.

As Lu Ming observed the legendary Roman figure head-on, Caesar was also sizing him up.

He had already received news of the vanguard’s annihilation and had deliberately waited here to prepare for a decisive battle.

"The Emperor of Qin, before you stands the great General Caesar of the Roman Republic!"

Bang!

Before the messenger could finish speaking, Lu Ming released his bowstring, nocked the arrow, aimed, and fired in one fluid motion.

Even Lü Bu, standing nearby, hadn’t noticed.

This skill made Lü Bu’s brow twitch; he was still quite wary of Lu Ming.

Moreover, his daughter had returned home to visit.

Each time, she walked with a limp, clearly overindulged in favors, making walking difficult and requiring several days of rest to recover.

This reminded Lü Bu of how he had once offered his wife, Lady Yan, to Lu Ming as a pledge of loyalty. What had become of Lady Yan then? A green hat was stuck on his head, impossible to remove!

Caesar was still in astonishment; he couldn’t even see how his opponent had attacked.

His 20,000 men were fighting against 100,000—this was completely different from what he had expected!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The first volley of crossbow bolts came flying, piercing through the shield-bearing heavy infantry in the front!

The gruesome sight of blood flowing freely was horrifying; the sharp crossbow bolts ignored shields, reaping mercilessly.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Caesar looked up at the sky; many dark objects were flying towards him.

They crashed into the formation, killing many soldiers.

The round objects landed on the ground, carrying the smell of gunpowder!

Boom!

The gunpowder exploded instantly, blasting a dozen or so Roman soldiers away.

This savage power was something the Roman army had never seen before!

The explosions caused the horses to lose control, galloping wildly and trampling their own soldiers!

Even well-trained warhorses can be startled and trampled!

Facing a legendary figure, Lu Ming showed no mercy, unleashing full firepower from the very first contact.

Using ballistae and catapults with gunpowder, he shattered the enemy’s formation, followed by Lu Bu’s cavalry charging forward, with infantry following to finish them off, dividing and encircling the enemy, annihilating them one by one!

This Roman army had achieved many feats and was a renowned legion.

However, faced with such overwhelming force, they collapsed after only half a day!

Everywhere they went was the enemy, and all they saw were the severed limbs of their own men!

They couldn’t find their commander, nor their captain!

The sharpshooters, perched twenty meters atop the well curb, used unique sniper crossbows to kill—they located the commander and then shot him.

Infantry can annihilate a disorganized, leaderless army, thus minimizing casualties.

When Caesar awoke, he was surrounded only by a few trusted followers, who were leading him on a relentless, day-and-night march.

"How long have I been unconscious?"

Caesar clutched his head. He only remembered exchanging blows with a general, being sent flying, and crashing to the ground, unable to rise.

"Three days, Commander.

Our army has been routed. Few survived; they are all surrounded."

His follower, loyal and devoted, stood guard.

His voice was heavy as he spoke.

In Rome, defeat meant certain death upon return.

If Caesar perished,

they perished too.

Caesar was also in disbelief; his legion had been defeated so easily!

After a brief moment of thought, he made up his mind. "Go to Pompeii, contact Sparta, we still have a chance to turn the tide!

The Qin people are too formidable; the Senate needs us, and the King needs us too.

If they reach Rome, Rome will be in grave danger!"