Great Han Empire

Chapter 720
September of the second year of Xingping in the Han Dynasty (AD 195).

=

In order to ensure the safety of the emperor, Dong Cheng quietly moved the emperor's camp to the opera pavilion ten miles away from Xinfeng City in the middle of the night.

Zhang Ji led his troops in ambush at the Hongmen Pavilion five miles outside the city, preparing to attack Yuan Shao from behind.Wang Fang, Huang Fuhong, Yang Feng and others led troops to station in the city, preparing to meet Yuan Shao from the front.

Everything is ready, just waiting for Yuan Shao to attack Xinfeng City.

Yuan Shao arrived as promised.

=

The scouts flew to report to Zhang Ji that Yuan Shao's army had approached Xinfeng City.

"How many people are here?" Zhang Ji asked nervously, "Can you see the battle flags of Jingzhou Kuai Yue and Xiliang Ma Teng?"

"My lord, Yuan Shao's army is overwhelming, stretching for ten miles, and there are at least [-] troops." The scout shouted in panic, "Although we did not see the battle flags of Jingzhou Kuaiyue and Xiliang Ma Teng, we did see Yuan Wei, Zhu Ling, Gao Gan, and Gao Rou's battle flags. My lord, Yuan Shao's reinforcements have arrived."

Zhang Ji's scalp went numb, and he asked sharply, "Have you seen clearly? If you delay the military plane, you will be beheaded."

"My lord, it is absolutely true."

Zhang Ji was flustered, turned his hands behind his back a few times, and ordered decisively, "Retreat, retreat to the opera pavilion, and rush to Tongguan with the emperor's battalion."

"Urgently tell my lords Wang Fang and Huangfuhong that Yuan Shao is powerful and we cannot compete against them. Please retreat to Tongguan immediately."

Zhang Ji ran away with his men and horses.

=

In Xinfeng City, Wang Fang, Huang Fuhong, Yang Feng, Li Le, Han Xian, Hu Cai and others were also arguing fiercely.

Yuan Shao's reinforcements came so quickly, far beyond everyone's expectations.Yang Feng, Li Le, Han Xian, and Hu Cai resolutely demanded to give up the attack strategy, and retreat back to Tongguan to preserve their strength, and then Xu Tu plans later.However, Wang Fang and Huang Fuhong insisted on their own opinions and insisted on launching the attack according to the original plan.

"Recently, we have been keeping in touch with Kuai Yue and Duan Yan. We have never heard that Yuan Shao's reinforcements have entered the customs." Huangfu Hong calmly analyzed, "This must be Yuan Shao's suspicious strategy. He has 10,000+ civilians. It is entirely possible to find some strong men, put on leather armor, take up weapons, and pretend to be tens of thousands of reinforcements. Let's not fall for his tricks."

"Brother Jianshou, we deceived Yuan Shao, so Yuan Shao can't deceive us?" Yang Feng sneered, "Duan Yan and Ma Teng are ungrateful people, and they will take refuge in whoever gives them money. Such people are not worthy of trust. There is also Kuai Yue, he and Yuan Shao are like dogs of a feather, he is eager to kill us. In my opinion, although these people are not Yuan Shao's reinforcements, they are by no means Yuan Shao's suspicious strategy. They must be Kuai Yue, Duan Yan, Ma Teng's army. Yuan Shao has a plan and wants to put us to death. We can't beat them, so we should withdraw quickly."

While arguing, Zhang Ji's urgent report arrived, and he withdrew first.

As soon as Zhang Ji withdrew, no one attacked Yuan Shao from behind. This battle was already lost before it was fought.

Wang Fang and Huangfu Hong cursed in anger.Yang Feng, Han Xian and the others no longer entangled with them, and hurried out of the city with their soldiers and horses.Wang Fang and Huangfuhong had no choice but to withdraw.

Looking at the big "Han" banner fluttering on the tower, Huangfu Hong smiled sadly, "Is there any chance for me to come back?"

=

Yuan Shao took Xinfeng City without any effort, and drove the emperor and the Guanzhong army to Tongguan.

Yuan Shao found it a little unbelievable, and Tian Feng, Shen Pei and others also found it unbelievable.Just use tens of thousands of civilians to pretend to be reinforcements to scare the rebels away?Guan Zhong got it so easily?
"Catch up and see what kind of tricks Zhang Ji and Wang Fang are playing?"

Yuan Shao ordered Yuan Tan to follow with a thousand cavalry in pursuit.

Huangfu Hong personally led the army to cut off the rear.Yuan Tan didn't dare to get too close, so he had to follow all the way to Zheng County.

Huangfuhong and Tianziying joined forces, and the army quickly entered Huayin County in Kansai.Huangfuhong volunteered to stay in Huayin, and Zhang Ji, Wang Fang and others immediately entered Tongguan to protect the emperor.

Guanzhong has been completely lost so far.

=

Yuan Shao then led his army to Zhengcheng.

The sudden victory made everyone very excited.Now what everyone is discussing is not how to kill the rebels and rescue the emperor, but how to take advantage of the victory to win Kansai.

The Guanzhong army hijacked the emperor and suddenly retreated. Yuan Shao believed that the main reason was the lack of food. The Guanzhong army had lost their combat effectiveness, so they had to withdraw to Tongguan and resist stubbornly based on the high pass.

"The armies in Guanzhong withdrew to Tongguan, and after entering Guanxi, the Northern Army, proceeding from their own interests, must shake hands with them and give them assistance in terms of food, grass and troops, in order to defend Guanxi and wait for an opportunity to counterattack." Yuan Shao was triumphant. He said, "This method is still correct, but Beijiang cannot protect itself, and even if we want to help them, it is very limited.

"The general wants to take back the emperor all the time, but Zhang Ji and the others now only have the shield of the emperor, and they will not give up until they die. The conflict between the two sides will become more and more intensified with the shortage of food and the pincer attack from the east and the west. It's going to explode." Feng Ji said with a smile, "When the northern border army and the Guanzhong army fight, that is when we occupy Guanxi." Then he cupped his hands at Yuan Shao and complimented happily, "Your official Here, I would like to congratulate my lord on the success of the overlord."

Yuan Shao was elated. He tried his best to suppress his emotions, said a few words humbly, and then asked: "There is still a very difficult problem, what should the emperor do? The army and we have both been dragged to the same battlefield, which is actually equivalent to sending the emperor to the hand of the general Li Hong again. If the emperor is rescued by Li Hong and returned to Hedong, how will we deal with it?"

Tian Feng, Shenpei and Guo Tu looked at each other with worried expressions on their faces.Yuan Shao occupied Guanzhong, the meaning behind these words is very obvious.

"If the emperor is rescued by Li Hong, the fate of the emperor can be imagined. Li Hong will immediately become the second Dong Zhuo. This is a good thing for us." Just like the previous crusade against Dong Zhuo, we will form an alliance with all states and counties to crusade against Li Hong."

"Five years ago, the strength of the adults was weak, and there were only a few major generals in various states and counties. Dong Zhuo had the power of the emperor and had a hundred thousand soldiers. Therefore, everyone looked forward and backward, and then there was the rampage of the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army. The fight against Dong finally failed. "

"What about now? Now, once my lord conquers Kansai and unites Guanzhong, Kansai, and Kanto as one, he will be successful and his strength will increase sharply. Liu Biao of Jingzhou, Yuan Wei of Yuzhou, Cao Cao of Yanzhou, and Tian Kai of Qingzhou are your loyal allies. Liu Bei of Xuzhou and Yuan Shu of Yangzhou were able to win the banner of King Li Qin. In this way, the strength of the lord can be imagined. On the contrary, after Li Hong hijacked the emperor, he not only lost the support of some states and counties, Furthermore, because Hebei suffered a severe flood that was rare in a century and its strength was greatly damaged, it is difficult to turn around in the short term. Under the long-term and the disappearance, the adults can completely lead the world and gather troops from all states and counties to attack Li Hong. The world can be determined."

The big tent suddenly became quiet.

After a long time, Yuan Shao asked again, "If the Son of Heaven is unfortunately killed..."

"The world will be settled immediately." Geng Bao continued immediately, "Luoyang is in our hands. Your Excellency can call together the officials of various states and counties to discuss the rebuilding of the imperial line as quickly as possible. If the new emperor succeeds, if Li Hong refuses Not respecting is treason, and everyone in the world can punish him. If Li Hong respects, he can let him guard the desert and wait for the opportunity to cut down his military power and eradicate his power, so that the society can be revived quickly."

Yuan Shao smiled slightly and stopped talking.

=

Yuan Shaoshu told Kuai Yue, Duan Yan, and Ma Teng to detail the future development of the situation, and asked the three of them to put the great Han society in mind, abandon their prejudices, and lead the army to Zhengcheng to meet up and attack Tongguan together, punish the rebels, and save the emperor.

Duan Yao immediately led his army to join Zhengcheng.

Ma Teng hesitated for a long time.The general is now in danger of protecting himself, and even if the generals in Guanzhong retreat to Guanxi, it is difficult for them to make a comeback one day.Ma Teng immediately rectified the army and horses, and rushed to Zhengcheng.

Kuai Yue was extremely angry at Yuan Shao's unauthorized attack on Xinfeng, which caused the emperor to be taken to Kansai by rebels.The army is now rushing to Zheng County, it is false to save the emperor, and it is true to help Yuan Shao fight in Guanxi, he does not want to go.Kuai Yue urgently wrote to Liu Biao, demanding that the troops be withdrawn.In Kuai Yue's view, the emperor's refuge in Kansai was a dead end.According to the development of the situation, the emperor was either snatched by Li Hong and taken to Hebei in the end, or killed by a rebel.Even if Yuan Shao really saved the emperor, the emperor would not be able to do it, and sooner or later he would die.Kuai Yue was completely desperate, and without waiting for Liu Biao's reply, he led the army south to Wuguan.

In September, Zhu Ling led his army to Guanzhong.In mid-September, brothers Gao Gan and Gao Rou arrived in Zhengcheng with soldiers and horses.

Yuan Shao gathered another [-] troops and attacked Huayin City.

=

October of the second year of Xingping in the Han Dynasty (AD 195).

=

In early October, Ju Shou, Xu You, Yuan Wei, Chun Yuqiong, Tao Sheng, and Han Hao assembled an army of [-] to conquer Hangu Pass.Yang Feng, Zhang Baiqi, Yushi, and Hua Xiong led the Northern Xinjiang Army to retreat to Xin'an and Mianchi to resist tenaciously.

At the beginning of October, Yuan Shao conquered Huayin, and his army stormed Tongguan. Zhang Ji, Wang Fang, and Huangfuhong defended the pass. The battle was very fierce.

=

On October, Hedong, Pubanjin.

The Emperor's decree was sent to the camp in a hurry, and he begged General Xu Rong of Zhengxi and General Qu Yi of Zuo to lead their troops for support.

Xu Rong and Qu Yi urgently wrote to Handan, which was related to the safety of the emperor and the survival of Kansai. The two dared not make decisions without authorization, but the general Li Hong did not give a reply for a long time.

=

Lou Chuan Captain Yang Hua rushed into the big tent out of breath, "I tell you two adults that the warship is ready and the soldiers can get on board."

"What ship? What are you urging?" Qu Yi stared, and shouted loudly, "The general hasn't given any orders so far, just wait."

Xu Rong sat behind the table and waved to him, signaling him to sit down and rest for a while.

"Is there any movement in the direction of Fenglingdu?"

"There are a lot of people on the other side. If there is a boat, some people must flee to the east." Yang Hua looked at Qu Yi fearfully, and walked carefully to Xu Rong's side.

"Have you warned the boat owners? If anyone dares to send the boat to the other side without permission, I will kill you first." Qu Yi pointed at Yang Hua and shouted.

Yang Hua was startled, stood up hastily and said: "My lord, don't worry, there are warships patrolling the river all the time, no one can escape, but..."

"But what?" Qu Yi asked with a frown.

"But there must be boats on the other side. If the emperor or the ministers of the court come by boat, we..."

Qu Yi was startled, and turned to look at Xu Rong.Xu Rong shook his hand, "At present, this possibility is very small. If Tongguan is captured by Yuan Shao, the rebels will fight on their own, and the emperor will be in danger." Then he pulled Yang Hua to sit down, and asked with a smile, "I entrust you with the matter, Is it done?"

"It's done." Yang Hua hurriedly took out a piece of silk from his bosom and handed it to Xu Rong, "When my people sent the ordnance to Tongguan, they met Master Huangfu."

"Not bad, not bad..." Xu Rong patted Yang Hua's shoulder happily, "If you can rescue the emperor, you will have made a great contribution."

"You still believe in Huangfu's longevity? This kid has deceived us so much. If it wasn't for him, why would the emperor be in such a desperate situation?" Qu Yi said angrily.

"Yuntian..." Xu Rong's face darkened, "Don't worry, I believe we can rescue the emperor."

=

Lu Bufei rushed into the big tent, "The general has come to order? Shall we set off now?"

Xu Rong smiled, and handed the silk in his hand to Lu Bu, "Fengxing, you should read Lord Huangfu's letter first, and then listen to me."

"Lord Huangfu has changed his mind." Lu Bu hurriedly read the letter and said in surprise, "He promised to rescue the emperor first. Brother Jianshou finally figured it out."

"He didn't figure it out, he was beaten by Yuan Shao. This bastard, I will settle the score with him when he reaches Hedong." Qu Yi cursed bitterly.

Xu Rong spread out the map, pointed to Kansai and said, "The reason why the General has not responded for a long time is probably not the emperor's business, but Kansai's business. Judging from the current situation, although we can temporarily hold Kansai, but Yuan Shao will not give up, he will try his best to attack continuously, so the general will probably give up Kansai."

"Abandon Kanxi?" Lu Bu said in surprise, "Abandon Kanxi, and Hedong will become a battlefield, which is very detrimental to northern Xinjiang."

"But if we want to defend Kansai, we will have to pay a higher price." Qu Yi sighed helplessly, "Yuan Shao attacked back and forth, and Kansai is a slaughterhouse, a bottomless pit, which will drag us down."

"There must be many people in the Hebei provinces who are unwilling to give up Kansai, so the general has only one way to make up for the loss of abandoning Kansai." Xu Rong said slowly, "That is to save the emperor, at any cost."

"So, your lord wants to send me to Kansai to protect the emperor?" Lu Bu asked.

"Yes. Zhang Ji and others definitely don't want to give up on the Son of Heaven, so if we want to rescue the Son of Heaven, we have to go in before Tongguan is broken." Xu Rong said, "After we reached the Taolin Fortress, the situation was very chaotic. Whether to keep it or not depends on you and Jianshou."

"During the last battle in Chang'an, you and the emperor agreed that the time to turn against you was at dusk, but because Yuan Shao withdrew his troops early, the battle situation changed immediately. I still trust you in the past." Qu Yi explained, "You and Wen Yuan took a hundred soldiers to protect the emperor. Whether the emperor can be saved and whether the big man can be revived depends on the general's sword."

Lu Bu's blood was surging, and he roared loudly: "As long as Lu Bu is alive, the emperor will be safe and sound."

=

(End of this chapter)