Establishing a thousand-year family from the nobles of the Western Han Dynasty

Chapter 29: Xu Yuan's death and the fall of Hangu Pass

The rebels fought fiercely with the defenders on the city wall until dusk, and finally withdrew because it was inconvenient to fight at night. After a whole day of devastation, the soldiers defending the city were already exhausted.

Although the walls of Hangu Pass were strong and the food and grass were sufficient, this was an army of 260,000 after all! And they were all well-trained elite soldiers, not comparable to rookies at all.

The Han army suffered heavy losses in this battle, with more than 4,000 new recruits killed. At this rate they would not be able to hold out for much longer.

"General Xu, the enemy's attack is too fierce!"

The general defending the city hurried in to report to Henan Governor Xu Yuan that even this most powerful pass in the world would find it difficult to stop an army of more than 200,000 without sufficient troops, and that the enemy had now begun to imitate Emperor Gao's attack route and detour through Nanyang.

I'm afraid it won't be long before this pass is lost, and by then Chang'an will be at our fingertips. Military strength is a major weakness, and it's too late to train soldiers temporarily. These new recruits are basically used as cannon fodder and are simply incapable of fighting a tough battle.

The defenders of Chang'an were no more than 10,000 troops and could not provide any support. Once the enemy captured Luoyang, half of the Han Dynasty fell into their hands.

"Hold on to the death. We must keep the rebels out of the pass! Hangu Pass is the last line of defense. We must defend it even if it means sacrificing every last soldier."

The new Henan governor Xu Yuanjian said that the previous governor had resigned due to illness, and the court had no choice but to temporarily appoint a minister.

Coincidentally, it was Xu Zhen’s third son.

"Yes, sir." The general agreed and withdrew.

Xu Yuan stood up silently. Now even Luoyang, which had tens of thousands of defenders, had been lost. Could he really hold it?
Liu Ruyi had outstanding military talent. He had led troops to defeat the Donghu and the Xiongnu several times. It was he who led the army to capture Luoyang.

On the contrary, Xu Yuan had no experience in commanding troops and was a pure civil servant, which was very rare in the Xu family. Liu Qi was helpless about this because all the capable generals had been taken away by his father, and he had no one available.

The Han army did not have time to rest. As soon as the night fell, the Zhao army sent people to launch a surprise attack. The Zhao soldiers held torches and launched another fierce attack in the biting cold wind.

A large number of Zhao troop transport ships were still coming from afar. For a time, the Han Dynasty suffered heavy losses and a large number of soldiers died in battle.

"The first person to reach the pass will be granted the title of Marquis of Wanhu!"

Liu Ruyi rode a war horse, raised his sword and personally supervised the battle at the front line.

There will always be brave men when there is a big reward. Under the temptation of the title of marquis of ten thousand households, the Zhao army was unusually fierce and attacked even more desperately. Arrows rained down, covering the infantrymen who were climbing the ladders.

The Han army suffered even greater losses in manpower. The new recruits had almost all been used up, and the old soldiers had no choice but to continue to hold on.

It has to be said that Xu Yuan's military talent is very limited. If Xu Zhaoxu was here, they could have held out for at least another half a month.

"If I am not mistaken, it should be Brother Xu Yuan."

Liu Ruyi was smiling and challenging the Zhao army from outside, and the Zhao army's offensive stopped. It seemed that he was planning to persuade them to surrender and break through Hangu Pass to attack Chang'an as soon as possible.

"Humph, I have nothing to say to the traitor who committed treason!"

Xu Yuan replied with a cold face. He looked down upon Liu Ruyi very much. His Majesty had supported the State of Zhao a lot before, but these guys were ungrateful and wanted to take the opportunity to usurp the throne!

It is simply an unforgivable crime.

Liu Ruyi was not angry and still kept smiling: "My dear brother, you can't say that. Master Xu was my savior back then. So the Xu family and I have a deep connection."

"Bah! How dare you, a usurper like you, mention my father?"

Xu Yuan interrupted him with a sharp voice, pulled out a bow and arrow from the waist of the soldier next to him, bent the bow and shot.

However, because the distance was too far, Liu Ruyi did not suffer any harm, but he was indeed frightened and took several steps back.

"Alas... Since we have different positions, I will not show mercy." Liu Ruyi waved his hand and prepared to issue an order. "Attack with all your strength and try to break into Hangu Pass before dark!"

Soldiers suddenly surged up like a tide, and the officers and soldiers began to shoot arrows downwards in an attempt to stop the enemy. Xu Yuan also took up his weapon and killed the enemy himself. He was also proficient in the six arts of a gentleman and was much more courageous than those literati in the Song Dynasty.

The two armies were entangled with each other, and the blood dyed the river red. In front of this most powerful pass in the world, no one knew how many people had died. These 200,000-plus troops were actually nothing.

Just when Xu Yuan was leading the defenders to concentrate on killing the enemy, the Henan County Chief Clerk disappeared quietly. Because everyone was fighting bravely, they did not notice anything.

"The gate is open, kill!"

Someone shouted and Xu Yuan came back to his senses. When he looked down, the gate was already wide open and thousands of rebels rushed up, hacking the soldiers to death.

"Oh no, there's a spy!" Xu Yuan gritted his teeth. After all, there is always a loophole. He didn't expect that the Chief Clerk of Henan County had already been instigated by King Zhao to rebel. All these days were to paralyze him!

As soon as the city gate opened, the Zhao army climbed up in an instant and fought with the Han army defending the city. The pungent smell of blood filled the air, and countless corpses fell down. The Zhao army also took this opportunity to climb up using the ladders.

"Huff...Huff, don't panic, drive the enemy out!" Xu Yuan killed the rebels who rushed over and shouted loudly.

But unfortunately, the Han army has now been completely defeated, the situation is one-sided, many Zhao soldiers have entered the pass, and the soldiers have lost their will to fight.

"Let me go...traitors, you will not live happily!" Xu Yuan has now been held down by the surrendered officers around him. Most of the defenders have chosen to surrender, and the rebels have completely taken over Hangu Pass!

Just at this time, Liu Ruyi slowly walked up, his face full of the triumph of a winner.

"How are you, my dear brother?"

Xu Yuan was held down by the guards, and a scornful smile rose from the corner of his mouth: "This conspiracy is not worthy of being shown on the stage."

"All is fair in war. Grand Tutor Xu should have taught you this principle." Liu Ruyi was not angered by these words and still answered with a big laugh.

Then, he stared at Xu Yuan and said sternly: "Although you were defeated today, I admire your loyalty and remember the kindness of Grand Tutor Xu, so as long as you are willing to surrender, the new dynasty will definitely make use of you."

"Prime Minister Xu, I intended to let him go, and his suicide was not something I could have predicted. I have never forgotten the kindness of Grand Tutor Xu in saving my life."

Xu Yuan laughed: "Did you forget? Your act of rebellion today is a violation of your father's instructions!"

"I didn't! If Liu Heng hadn't reduced the power of the princes, why would I have rebelled?" Liu Ruyi finally got angry. He hated it most when people talked about the old Grand Tutor.

"You traitor! I want to see how you are going to explain this to my father in the afterlife!" Xu Yuan continued to provoke him. He was no longer afraid of death. Serving the country with loyalty is something every minister should be aware of.

"Humph, my dear brother, why do you have to bring up the matter of your death today? I will ask you one last question: are you willing to surrender?"

Xu Yuan's emotions remained calm as he said calmly, "Today I have no choice but to die to repay your kindness!"

Liu Ru thought that the other party was really unwilling to surrender, so he stood up and waved his hand, saying, "Come on, help him."

The soldiers carried Xu Yuan up and prepared to take him to the parade ground to be executed. Even when he was near death, he remained fearless and faced his death calmly.

"You will surely perish. I will be waiting for you down there."

After listening to this, Liu Ruyi slowly closed his eyes, not knowing what to feel in his heart.

　Sorry, the place name is wrong, the author will correct the geography

　　
　
(End of this chapter)