The weaponry of the firearm troops was entirely different from that of the other soldiers.
While they carried swords, their primary weapon was the firearm.
The firearms were significantly shorter than other weapons.
Therefore, to others, the firearm troops appeared more like irregulars, vastly different from the regular army.
It was for this reason that the escaped slaves targeted the firearm troops.
Many of them lay in wait nearby, ready to strike at any moment.
When they discovered the firearm troops approaching without any apparent defenses, their excitement grew.
"Everyone prepare yourselves, we're about to make our move!!"
"Yes! Everyone get ready, our time to strike has come!!"
"Haha! This time we will surely defeat the Great Qin army and leave them with no escape!!"
Hearing these words, the escaped slaves became extremely agitated.
Hadn't they done all this precisely to resist Great Qin?
Now, the moment for their genuine rebellion had arrived, filling each of them with exhilaration.
Many of them were already itching to act.
Fortunately, they possessed a degree of discipline.
They did not rush forward impetuously but awaited their leader's command.
Their leader, too, was waiting for the opportune moment.
Upon noticing the firearm troops drawing nearer, he hesitated no longer and finally issued his order.
"All soldiers, heed my command, attack the Great Qin army!!"
"Roar! Charge!!"
"Brothers, advance! Our time for slaughter has arrived!!"
"Kill! Make these Qin soldiers pay with their blood!!"
These slaves harbored deep hatred for the Qin soldiers and had long yearned for revenge.
For them, this was their moment of retribution.
Thus, without hesitation, they surged madly towards the firearm troops.
This ferocity immediately drew the attention of the firearm troops.
The firearm troops had not anticipated such a large number of slaves lying in ambush here.
When the slaves charged, the soldiers of the firearm troops were indeed somewhat surprised.
However, they did not panic.
After their initial surprise, they immediately organized a counterattack.
Their general was the first to issue his orders.
"Slaves detected, everyone prepare for combat!!"
This command sounded less like an ambush and more like a standard response to an enemy.
It was precisely because of the general's composure that the soldiers below remained unfazed, raising their firearms without delay.
They then aimed at the charging slaves, ready to fire at any moment.
The slaves, however, remained completely unaware of this.
Although they saw the firearm troops react, they felt no fear.
On the contrary, at this moment, they couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha! The Qin irregulars have spotted us, and they're going to fight back!!"
"They're so amusing, how will they counter us with such short weapons? How can they possibly be a match for us??"
"These Qin soldiers are just the first step in our victory over the Great Qin army. Once we deal with them, the time for our true rebellion against the Great Qin army will arrive!!"
"Roar! Charge!!"
The slaves charged with great speed and abandon.
This recklessness brought them ever closer to the firearm troops.
With only ten-odd paces left, they were about to crash into the firearm troops.
It was at this precise moment that the general of the firearm troops gave his command.
"Fire!!"
Upon hearing this order, the soldiers of the firearm troops’ spirits surged.
Then, without any hesitation, they fired frantically.
They pulled their triggers with abandon, shooting down the enemies before them.
The sound of furious gunfire echoed in everyone's ears.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
This sudden noise was something the slaves had never anticipated.
Because of this, they were all startled.
However, what instilled even greater fear in them was the inexplicable death of those at the forefront of their charge.
The bullets from firearms were different from arrows. Arrows were large and, although fast, were visible to the enemy.
But the bullets from firearms were tiny and completely invisible once fired.
Even when they struck an enemy, the victim often didn't know how they had died.
Therefore, to these slaves, the deaths of their comrades were baffling.
This instilled in them a fear of the unknown.
A slave who had been charging at the front suddenly halted, his heart filled with dread.
He had no idea what was happening, but he had a premonition that if he continued forward, he would likely die.
Thus, a strong urge to flee arose within him.
However, it was too late for such an impulse.
He had already entered the firearm troops' firing range, and now he had nowhere to escape.
The next instant, the sound of firearms rang out once more.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!"
After the volleys were unleashed, the terrifying power of the firearms was fully displayed.
Many slaves, simply by charging forward, died instantly.
They perished at the hands of the firearm troops before they could even get close.
This massive casualty from two waves of attack finally made the slaves realize something was wrong.
"This is bad! Their weapons are terrifying; we can't get close to them at all!!"
"Damn it! They're not irregulars at all; their weapons are the most terrifying. Our men are no match for them!!"
"Escape! Escape now, flee this place! Only by escaping will we be truly safe!!"
As the word "escape" was uttered, the slaves, without hesitation, began to flee rapidly.
It had to be said that in the art of running for one's life, they had a certain talent.
With virtually no hesitation, they took off, their legs churning.
This headlong flight allowed some of them to successfully escape.
They broke free of the firearm troops' firing range and scattered in all directions, not daring to pause.
Although a portion of them were pursued and killed, the remaining ones managed to get away.
Upon their escape, they spread the word of the firearm troops' existence.
Soon, all the escaped slaves knew that Great Qin possessed a force armed with firearms, and their weapons were incredibly potent.
These slaves were simply incapable of approaching the firearm troops; to approach was to die.
Upon seeing the firearm troops, they had only one choice: to flee.
...