The restoration of the Han Dynasty began with the Horus Rebellion.

Chapter 83 A Different Landing Point Massacre

Chapter 84 A Different Landing Point Massacre

The Battle of Istfan V is also known as the Landing Point Massacre.

After the massacre and purge of the loyalists at Istvan III, the Horus rebels established a base at Istvan V. Upon receiving the news, Terra immediately summoned seven Astartes legions, preparing to wipe out the four rebel legions under Horus Mo.

With seven against four, the Empire seemed to have a clear advantage.

But in reality, it's eight against three—

This was a massacre trap orchestrated by eight rebel groups against three loyalist legions.

The Word Bearers, the Midnight Lords, the Iron Warriors, and the Alpha Legion, who were supposed to provide backup, had already accepted Horus's offer. However, their sudden betrayal and the combined attack with Horus resulted in the near annihilation of these three loyalist legions...

That's how it should have been.

Without a doubt, history has undergone tremendous changes, or rather, dramatic changes.

The butterfly flapping its wings is very likely...

"I take responsibility for this."

In the corridor of the Tyrant, Sun Qian spoke with a slightly bitter expression.

Upon learning of the complex situation and the urgency of the matter, Liu Bei decisively agreed to go with them to the so-called "coronation ceremony" location.

However, on the way, he was also quickly reading through Qi Le's memoirs, while Sun Qian told him more important information.

Especially regarding the Battle of Istvan V, Qi Le's manuscript contains almost no specific description. According to her, as a professional chronicler, she would not record uncertain events based solely on hearsay.

Even Sun Qian could only make a preliminary reconstruction of this battle based on the intelligence he obtained through the current empire's propaganda and reconnaissance, combined with his own speculation.

"On the day of the Istvan III massacre, before I left the Eisenstein, I told Captain Gallo some secrets..."

There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that I obtained certain important information through psychic divination.

The situation was urgent, and Sun Qian had no idea whether his crazy plan to seize the Great Tyrant would succeed. So, for him, Garo might be the only hope to save the empire and the future of humanity.

Therefore, he wanted to change the fate of István V no matter what.

Liu Bei frowned slightly, but he did not press Sun Qian about the source of his intelligence. Instead, he lowered his voice and asked.

"Is this intelligence useful?"

"It's not so much that it's effective—it's that its impact is so great, it's completely beyond my imagination."

Although we don't know what hardships he went through, one thing is certain: Garo definitely made it back to the solar system.

The best evidence is...

"Soon, the Primarch of the Fist of the Empire, Rogdorn, in the name of the Emperor, ordered the seven Astartes Legions to assemble in the Istvan system to completely annihilate the Horus rebels. However... the Marksman, Macado, later urgently added specific tactical arrangements."

Liu Bei's pupils contracted slightly. As an experienced veteran, he naturally knew that this was not normal.

Due to the Primarch's transcendent status as the heir of the Emperor and the relative independence of the Astartes Legion, even the Emperor often only gives strategic tasks, leaving the specific tactical arrangements to the Legion Commander who is on the battlefield to study and decide.

After all, any commander with even a little military knowledge knows that battlefield conditions can change in an instant, and ordering a machine gun position to move five meters to the left from a distance of thousands of miles away is simply absurd and absurd.

"Originally, the Iron Hand, Salamander, and Raven Guard legions had assembled first and planned to launch a ground offensive directly. However, due to the direct orders from Macado, they could only conduct probing bombing while waiting for the other four legions to arrive."

Although many Primarchs had reservations about the Handler, no one could deny Macardo's wisdom and ability. Even Feralus Manus, who was most eager to attack at the time, would have had no choice but to reluctantly follow the arrangement.

"A few hours later, the Iron Warriors, the Midnight Lords, the Word Bearers, and the Alpha Legion arrived, but at the same time they received Makado's next tactical order—the Marker discovered that the main force of the Sons of Horus rebels was not in the Eastvan system and was now returning from the Morlock system. He ordered the Word Bearers and the Alpha Legion to intercept them at Mandeville Point; and the World Eaters rebel forces did not actually appear, so only the Iron Warriors and the Midnight Lords would descend as the vanguard to fight, while the Iron Hands, Salamanders, and Raven Guards would be responsible for orbital fire support."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei, combining it with Sun Qian's earlier words, immediately and keenly realized something.

"Could it be that the one who holds the seal has already doubted the loyalty of those four legions...?"

"7

"Maybe yes, maybe no, but it is definitely the safest option."

Sun Qian sighed softly, admitting that Makado's decision was absolutely correct.

From a normal perspective, this tactic doesn't have any major problems. Assuming Horus is not in Istvan 5, the only hypothetical enemies on the ground battlefield are the Death Guard, the Emperor's Son, and the World Eater.

Of course, Sun Qian knew that the so-called World Devourer rebels were definitely not capable of fighting at that time.

Whether it's five against three or five against two, the force allocation of Istvan V is sufficient; and having two legions intercept Horus can prevent the enemy from having the opportunity to receive support or retreat.

However, if we consider the premise that "the four legions are known to be likely to betray us," this tactical arrangement becomes even more ingenious.

Sending the Iron Warriors and Midnight Lords as the vanguard of the ground war presents them with a dilemma—either they fight the Death Guard and the Emperor's Sons as loyalists, or they tear off their disguise and turn against them. In any case, the Iron Hand, Salamanders, and Ravenguard legions are in a superior position on orbit.

As for the Word Bearers and the Alpha Legion, they had even less choice. If they did not do their best to intercept Horus's legion after it arrived, the loyalists would immediately notice the anomaly and, in the worst case, be able to maintain their formation and retreat safely.

Even Sun Qian, who had access to intelligence from God's perspective, couldn't come up with a more perfect decision.

but.

"So those legions fought to the bitter end as loyalists?"

Liu Bei's expression was somewhat complicated, and then he sighed softly.

"But regardless, at least the rebels were defeated with minimal casualties."

"No, that's the problem, brother... The Empire did achieve final victory, but that doesn't mean casualties have decreased."

Sun Qian's expression was gloomy. To others, this war seemed to have nothing to do with him, but only he knew how much impact he had on history.

That's why he finds it hard to accept this outcome, and even harder to tolerate the current situation.

"The betrayal still happened—as did the massacre at the landing site."

Liu Bei looked on incredulously.

"How exactly did the rebels manage under these circumstances...?"

'

"The Legions that have openly betrayed us include the Midnight Lords, the Word Bearers, and the Iron Legions—"

'

"The Hand!"