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

Chapter 34 Escape and Breakout

After hearing Xu Zhao's description, the Han army also found their target and charged towards Liu Ruyi. The infantrymen blocking the side were completely useless. They were scattered as soon as they met and died under the hooves of the cavalry.

Liu Ruyi glanced back and saw that everyone was chasing him, so he gritted his teeth, drew his sword and cut off his beard.

In ancient times, beards were very important, and that’s how the term “bearded man” came about.

Xu Zhao had of course been staring at the other person, so he shouted again: "Generals, listen up, the one with the short beard is Liu Ruyi!"

"This Xu Zhao...does he really have to kill them all?"

Liu Ruyi looked at his empty chin and felt so sad that he could not even cry. He gave up his beautiful beard but still couldn't escape. He should not have cut it off earlier!

What a thick beard!
Xu Zhao rode on a warhorse and wielded a broadsword, continuously reaping the lives of the rebels. Although he was old and his strength had declined a little, he was still considered a famous general of the time, and these soldiers had no way of stopping him.

"Traitor, leave your life behind!"

The Han army was pressing forward from behind. Liu Ruyi broke out in cold sweat on his forehead and slapped his horse even harder. He wished he had a pair of wings.

"General Xu, have you forgotten our friendship in the past? We were such close friends back then. Do you really have the heart to kill me?"

Seeing that the other party was chasing him more and more closely, Liu Ruyi also played the emotional card. He had no intention of attacking the Xu family at all. If possible, he still hoped to recruit them under his command, firstly to repay his gratitude, and secondly to cherish their talent.

The Xu family had eight sons, known as the Six Talents by the world. Each of them was a pillar of the country. This was the last gift left by the old Grand Tutor Xu Zhen to the Han Dynasty. Except for the two sons who died young, almost all of them held important positions in the court and were highly respected.

Therefore, it is impossible for any monarch not to want it. The reason why Xu Zhen had such a high status in later generations was also due to this factor.

If we can get this one person, the world can be at peace for more than a hundred years!

Xu Zhao had a cold face and quickened his pace, saying sternly, "How dare you bring up the past? Your Majesty has been so kind to Zhao, and you have already fulfilled your duties as a junior. But what about you? You took advantage of the invasion of foreign races to raise an army and rebel! How can such an unfaithful and unrighteous person live in the world?"

"Archers, shoot that short-bearded man immediately!"

These cavalrymen were all elite soldiers of the Han Dynasty, who could shoot bows on horseback. Immediately, several streaks of arrows were shot forward, but because the situation was too chaotic, none of them hit the target, and most of them landed on the personal soldiers nearby.

"Sinister guy!" Liu Ruyi pulled the reins and kept swinging to dodge. He was also skilled in archery and horse riding.

"Xu Zhaogu has his own reasons for risking his life today. I would like to ask, if the feudal lords are reduced in the future, which of Liu Heng and Liu Qi will remember our friendship? Since they are going to destroy me sooner or later, I might as well resist as soon as possible!"

Xu Zhao simply couldn't understand this act of usurping power and treason, so he took out his bow and arrow himself, bending the bow while scolding: "It's useless to say more, no reason can cover up the fact that you, Liu Ruyi, usurped power!"

"Then let's wait and see!" Although Liu Ruyi kept talking tough, his body was very honest. He kept moving towards crowded places and quickly asked for help.

If you don't handle it well, you will really die!
"Traitor, take your life!"

In the blink of an eye, Xu Zhao came behind Liu Ruyi, holding a big knife and ready to chop him. The distance was very close and there was no way to avoid it. It was time to quell the rebellion in Zhao State!

"My life is over."

Liu Ruyi also closed his eyes silently. It seemed that he could not escape after all. He would die here so hastily before even entering Chang'an.

Just when everyone thought the dust had settled, six thousand Zhao cavalry finally arrived. They immediately drew their bows when they were less than fifty steps away.

"Just a little bit!" Xu Zhao's movement was interrupted. His unarmored right arm was hit by an arrow and blood was flowing.

But even so, he was still unwilling to retreat, and continued to chase despite the severe pain spreading from his forearm.

"Don't hurt my king!" Unfortunately, it was too late. The Zhao cavalry had caught up and protected Liu Ruyi behind them.

"It doesn't matter to others, but Xu Zhao and Xu Gong must live!"

Liu Ruyi stopped the bleeding a little and gave the order. Now the situation has been completely reversed.

"Brother, let's retreat first!" Xu Gong quickly chased after him, hugged his brother's arm and was about to retreat.

"No! I must kill the traitor Liu Ruyi and avenge my brothers Zhong and Yuan!"

Xu Zhao broke free from his brother's hand, broke the arrow and was about to ride forward to charge, but the Zhao army kept surrounding him, and although they were very close, he could not reach them.

"Brother, please surrender. If I ascend to the throne, I will appoint you as the Prime Minister. You and I will rule the world together. This will definitely be much more than what Liu Heng offered."

Liu Ruyi extended an olive branch under the protection of a large army. Even though Xu Zhao wanted to kill him, he was not angry and wanted to recruit him under his command.

"Bah! How could anyone in my Xu family, who are all loyal and brave, surrender? Don't be too happy too soon, the winner is still uncertain!"

Xu Zhao didn't buy it at all and rushed over with a knife.

No single soldier could resist this killer, and countless people died tragically at his knife. However, Xu Zhao was old and injured after all, and he soon became exhausted and looked pale.

Fortunately, Xu Gong quickly led several hundred cavalry to catch up and broke through the enemy's blockade. The Zhao army that arrived now was only a small group, and they would not be able to escape when the main army arrived.

"Brother, let's go! The responsibility of the Han Dynasty still lies on you!"

Now Xu Zhao finally calmed down. He was too reckless before and led his troops deep into the enemy's encirclement alone. It was really stupid.

"Brother is not rational enough, retreat quickly!"

Xu Gong nodded, and simply put his elder brother who had difficulty in moving in front of him, and immediately led his troops to break out and rush towards the plain in the distance.

"Should we give chase, my king?"

Liu Ruyi looked at the other person's receding back and shook his head silently: "No need. Even if I catch up with him, he can't be used by me, and he may even commit suicide."

"Just wait, sooner or later he will submit to me."

.........

Xu Gong fled quickly with more than 2,000 remaining soldiers, and finally managed to escape back to the camp without any obstruction from the enemy. However, his movements were too slow this time, and he almost got himself killed. This must not happen again next time.

The army doctor quickly removed the broken arrow and bandaged it. Xu Zhao was helped into the tent to recuperate. Fortunately, this was only a skin injury that did not affect the bones, and the arrow tip was not poisoned. He would be fine after recuperation.

"Brother, are you okay?" Xu Gong asked with concern.

"It's okay, don't worry, it's just a pity."

Xu Zhao's voice sounded weak. He was very annoyed why he didn't move faster. Maybe he would have succeeded.

There will be even more trouble next. Liu Ruyi will definitely be on guard. He is traveling with a large number of soldiers, so it will be difficult to have such a good opportunity again.

(End of this chapter)