Shuhan

Zhang Bao, who had just occupied Shan County, was a burly man. The mottled marks on his armor recorded the fierceness of the battle. His eyes were as sharp as torches, scanning the surroundings to make sure that every inch of land was under the control of the Han army.

When he cleared out the remaining Wei troops in the city, his movements were swift and precise, and every swing of the sword was accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder. However, he was not in a hurry to pursue, nor did he rashly set out on the road to Hangu Pass.

Shan County, the throat connecting the two sides of the river, is of self-evident importance. It is not only a military stronghold, but also a key node for the transportation of materials.

Zhang Bao knew very well that if this place was not stable, the rear would be in danger and the road ahead would also be blocked.

As the sun sets, the afterglow shines on the city walls of Shan County, covering this war-torn city with a layer of golden battle robe.

Zhang Bao stood on the top of the city wall, looking at the surging river in the distance, deep in thought.

He understood that although the Wei army was defeated here, the ancient saying "arrogant soldiers will be defeated" was like a wake-up call. Especially under the halo of victory, he should remain sober and cautious.

His eyes revealed a calmness that transcended his age, which was the wisdom accumulated from countless battlefield experiences.

So Zhang Bao began to arrange the city defense. He personally supervised the battle and directed the soldiers to reinforce the city walls, set traps, and pay attention to every detail.

His figure shuttled among the busy soldiers, sometimes bending down to check the stability of the stones, and sometimes looking up to observe the advantages and disadvantages of the terrain.

At the same time, he sent out elite scouts, who moved through the mountains and forests as agilely as cheetahs, searching for the movements of the Wei army to ensure that they had a full understanding of the enemy situation.

The next morning, a thin mist lingered, adding a sense of mystery and tension to the battlefield.

As the sun gradually rose higher, the situation on the battlefield gradually dissipated like morning mist and became clearer.

News came that Qin Lang had retreated to Hangu Pass and showed no signs of coming out to fight back.

This news made Zhang Bao's brows relax slightly, but then they frowned again. He knew that the real challenge was still ahead.

For Hongnong to leave Luoyang, Hangu Pass is the only way to go and also the last obstacle.

Zhang Bao decided to rest in Shan County for three days, firstly to allow the tired soldiers to recover their strength, and secondly to commend those brave and fearless soldiers in the battle.

During these three days, Shan County was bustling with activity. Zhang Bao hosted a banquet to entertain his meritorious officials. The aroma of wine and laughter were intertwined, and the air was filled with the joy of victory and longing for the future.

Zhang Bao sat in the main seat, wearing a gorgeous battle robe, with a smile on his face, and toasted to the heroes one by one.

His words were brief and powerful, and every sentence was inspiring: "Brothers, although we have achieved initial victory, the real battle has just begun. Outside Hangu Pass, there are more difficult tasks waiting for us. I, Zhang Bao, hereby promise that as long as we unite as one and move forward courageously, we will be able to break through Hangu Pass and take Luoyang directly! After that, I will reward you with more, and you can be granted titles for your wives and children, and be made a marquis and appointed a general. It's not a problem!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the morale of the army naturally boiled.

Three days later, at the first light of dawn, the Han army was ready to go.

Zhang Bao, wearing armor and holding a spear, stood at the front of the team. His upright figure was like a mountain, giving people endless confidence and strength.

The soldiers were all in high spirits and morale, their eyes sparkling with desire for victory and trust in their leader.

With a loud horn sound, the army slowly set off and embarked on the journey to Hangu Pass.

As they marched, Zhang Bao's heart was filled with complex emotions.

He had received an imperial edict from the Emperor of the Han Dynasty and knew that if he could capture Hangu Pass as soon as possible, he would be able to allow the warships upstream to sail downstream, providing strong support to the Han army on the north bank of the Yellow River, thereby breaking through Luoyang in one fell swoop and achieving the great cause of destroying Wei.

This important task made him feel both honored and pressured.

This battle not only concerns personal honor and disgrace, but also the fate of the country and the life and death of countless people.

Along the way, Zhang Bao constantly encouraged the soldiers, told them stories of heroic deeds in the past, and inspired everyone's fighting spirit with the bravery and sacrifice of their predecessors.

His voice was deep and powerful, and every word he said was like a war drum beating in the soldiers' hearts, inspiring them to keep moving forward.

Finally, the outline of Hangu Pass gradually became clear on the horizon. That ancient pass, having witnessed countless wars, was now about to usher in another decisive battle.

Zhang Bao stopped and stared ahead, with an indescribable feeling of ambition and pride welling up in his heart.

Hangu Pass is located on the plateau in the west, faces a steep ravine in the east, connects to the Qinling Mountains in the south, and is blocked by the Yellow River in the north. It is the throat that leads to Luoyang in the east and Chang'an in the west. It is known as "Heaven opened Hangu Pass to make Guanzhong strong, and the dust from thousands of valleys is shocking to the north", and "Two peaks stand tall beside the river, and Hangu Pass has been a battlefield since ancient times". It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times.

In the third year of King Shenjing of Zhou, King Huai of Chu led the armies of the six states to attack Qin. Qin relied on the natural barrier of Hangu Pass and caused the armies of the six states to "lose millions of corpses and flow blood."

In the sixth year of Emperor Qin Shihuang's reign, the armies of five countries including Chu, Zhao and Wei invaded Qin, "and when they reached Hangu Pass, they were all defeated and fled."

"Liu Bang guarding the pass to resist Xiang Yu" all took place here.

Zhang Bao stood solemnly in front of Hangu Pass. The pass meandered like a giant dragon between the mountains, with towering cliffs and shrouded in clouds and mist, which made it even more steep and dangerous.

He gazed deeply at this strategic pass, which has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times, and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion in his heart.

This pass is truly like an iron wall. If we force our way through it, I wonder how many brave soldiers will die here.

However, if extraordinary measures are not taken, how can we capture this crucial place that determines the outcome of the battle?
Zhang Bao frowned and after thinking for a moment, he decided to look for a breakthrough among the locals.

He turned to the deputy general behind him and said, "Pass the order down, search the nearby villages immediately and look for locals who are familiar with the terrain. Maybe they can find a secret passage to the back of the pass."

The deputy general took the order and left, while Zhang Bao continued to stare at Hangu Pass, silently considering various possibilities in his mind.

Over the past three days, Zhang Bao's men searched almost every corner of the surrounding area and finally found several local people.

Whether old or young, they all had simple smiles on their faces. However, when Zhang Bao asked if there was a small path that could bypass Hangu Pass, everyone shook their heads and said they didn't know.

Just when Zhang Bao was feeling disappointed, a hunter dressed in coarse cloth and with a sturdy figure stood up.

There were several cracks on his face caused by the mountain wind, his skin was dark, and there was a cunning light in his eyes. It was obvious that he was a veteran who had been working in the mountains and forests for many years.

"General." The hunter said with a bow, his voice trembling slightly, obviously fearing the majesty of the Han army.

"My family has been hunting here for generations, and we do know a dangerous path that leads past Hangu Pass. However, that path is extremely difficult to travel, and only those with agility can pass it."

When Zhang Bao heard this, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes. He stared into the hunter's eyes, as if trying to read the truth from them.

Seeing this, the hunter hastily added: "If the general does not believe me, I am willing to lead the way myself to prove that what I said is true."

Zhang Bao nodded and thought to himself: Since this person dares to volunteer, what he said must be true.

He immediately decided to lead an elite team and follow the hunter to explore the so-called dangerous road.

The group walked along the winding mountain road, going deeper and deeper into the forest.

Zhang Bao was wearing iron armor and holding a spear, walking at the front of the team. His face was full of determination, but his eyes could not hide his vigilance against the unknown.

The sound of birds singing in the mountains and forests and the rustling sound of the breeze blowing through the leaves seem like the whispers of nature.

However, beneath this peaceful appearance, endless crises are hidden.

The hunter walked in front. He was agile and moved among the trees like a monkey in the mountains.

Zhang Bao and others followed closely behind, but they couldn't help stumbling and often needed the hunter to turn back and pull them up.

After walking like this for a while, everyone finally arrived at a cliff.

The cliff seemed to be cut by a knife or an axe, and it went straight into the sky. It seemed that there was no way to go forward.

The hunter stopped and turned to Zhang Bao and said, "General, this is the dangerous road. From here, we can climb up the mountain and cross a few valleys to get to the back of Hangu Pass. However, this road is extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, you will be crushed to pieces."

Zhang Bao frowned slightly when he heard this. He looked up at the cliff, and his heart was beating fast.

However, now that we have come here, there is no reason to retreat.

He took a deep breath and said to the soldiers behind him: "Are you willing to take the risk with me?"

When the soldiers heard this, they all showed determination and answered in unison: "We are willing to follow the general!"

Zhang Bao nodded. He knew that this trip was dangerous, but for the sake of the overall situation, he had to take a chance. He took the lead, took off his armor, and began to climb the cliff.

On the cliff, the rocks are jagged and the sharp edges seem to be able to cut through everything.

Zhang Bao carefully looked for a foothold, held on to the cracks in the rocks with both hands, and moved up step by step.

Seeing this, the hunter also began to climb up.

He was extremely agile and jumped on the cliffs like a monkey.

Zhang Bao saw this and couldn't help but admire him secretly.

However, as he climbed deeper, he felt more and more the horror of this dangerous path.

From time to time, rubble rolls down the cliff, and if you are not careful, you will be hit.

Moreover, the higher you go, the stronger the wind becomes, making people feel shaky.

As a last resort, he had to throw down his sword to relieve the pressure.

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Zhang Bao gritted his teeth and insisted on climbing up.

His hands were cut bloody by the rocks, but the faith in his heart kept him moving forward.

Finally, after experiencing countless hardships and dangers, he successfully climbed to the top of the mountain.

Standing on the top of the mountain, Zhang Bao looked around and saw endless mountains surrounded by clouds and mist, as if he was in a fairyland.

However, this beautiful scenery cannot conceal the horror of the dangerous road.

He turned to look at the soldiers behind him, only to see that they were all in tattered clothes and covered with scars, but there was a determination gleam in their eyes.

Zhang Bao patted the hunter on the shoulder and said, "You really didn't lie to me. Although this dangerous road is extremely dangerous, it is a road to victory. You have made a great contribution, and I will definitely reward you handsomely."

Upon hearing this, the hunter showed a simple smile on his face.

However, when Zhang Bao looked at this dangerous road carefully, he couldn't help feeling a little troubled.

This is not a road at all. Instead, you need to climb up the mountain and overcome numerous obstacles before you can cross the valley.

Not to mention wearing armor, you can't even carry a sword. If you are not careful, you will fall to death.

The value of this dangerous road does not seem to be high, and it can even be said that the cost outweighs the gain.

But Zhang Bao was a far-sighted general after all. He knew very well that in a war, every way out could become the key to determining victory or defeat.

Therefore, he decided to reward the hunter handsomely as an encouragement.

At the same time, he also began to think about how to use this dangerous road to prepare for the next battle.

On the other side, in Luoyang City, the imperial palace is deep and solemn, and the magnificent palace looks even more majestic under the afterglow of the setting sun.

Cao Rui sat on the dragon throne with a frown and a serious expression.

He clenched his hands into fists and unconsciously hit the armrests, making a dull sound.

Inside the hall, the air seemed to have frozen. It was so quiet that only Cao Rui's heavy breathing could be heard.

"Shan County... was lost!" Cao Rui sighed secretly in his heart, with a trace of worry in his eyes.

He was well aware of the importance of Shan County. Once it was lost, the Han army's boats would be able to go downstream and head straight for the Mengjin ferry.

By then, the defense line on the north bank will be in jeopardy and the situation in Wei State will become increasingly serious.

"Someone come!" Cao Rui suddenly shouted, breaking the silence in the hall.

A general of the imperial guards came in and knelt before Cao Rui.

"I order you to immediately dispatch 3,000 elite soldiers from the imperial guards and rush to Hangu Pass for support!" Cao Rui's tone was firm and powerful, and every word seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight.

The commander of the imperial guards took the order and left, and peace returned to the hall again.

However, Cao Rui's heart was difficult to calm down.

He knew very well that it would be difficult to turn the situation around by relying solely on these three thousand elite soldiers.

But at this moment, he had no choice but to do his best and leave the rest to fate.

At the same time, Yingchuan County south of Luoyang was also caught in the flames of war.

The Wei army led by Guo Huai and the Han army led by Guan Ping engaged in a fierce battle for this land.

Guo Huai was a tall and strong man with a resolute face and an unyielding light in his eyes.

He was wearing iron armor and holding a spear, standing on the battlefield like a god of war.

However, facing the fierce offensive of the Han army, Guo Huai seemed somewhat overwhelmed.

The Han army was in high spirits and well-equipped, and with Guan Ping's good command, the Wei army suffered repeated setbacks.

Every battle is a contest of blood and fire, and every charge is a choice between life and death.

"Oh!" Guo Huai sighed again, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

He knew very well that he had tried his best, but the Han army was too powerful and he was no match for them.

Now, most of Yingchuan had fallen into the hands of the Han army, and the Wei army was forced to retreat.

The army was divided into two parts, one stationed in Liang County and the other stationed in Guangcheng Pass.

Guo Huai stood on the city wall of Liang County, looking at the Han army rolling in from afar, his heart full of worry.

Although Liang County is the former capital of the Liang State and can be considered a big city, it is probably still unable to withstand the fierce offensive of the Han army.

Sure enough, not long after, the Han army launched a fierce attack.

They used a variety of sophisticated siege equipment and even used gunpowder, a powerful weapon.

There was continuous artillery fire and smoke everywhere, and the entire Liang County was shrouded in a sea of ​​fire.

Guo Huai stood on the city wall and witnessed this tragic scene with his own eyes.

His heart was filled with grief and helplessness, but more of it was firmness and determination.

He knew that he couldn't just give up and had to find a way to keep the remaining territory.

"Pass the order down, the army will retreat immediately to Guangcheng Pass!" Guo Huai ordered loudly.

Upon hearing this, the Wei army soldiers retreated and fled towards Guangcheng Pass.

Guangcheng Pass is strategically located and easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Guo Huai stood on the pass, looking at the Han army pursuing him in the distance, and felt a little relieved.

As long as they could hold Guangcheng Pass, they would be able to stop the Han army's advance and buy the Wei State a chance to catch its breath.

Just hope of winning
He hasn't seen it yet. (End of this chapter)