My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

"I've finally made it out!"

Zhang Liao threw his head back and laughed wildly, his voice echoing through the valley.

All the hardships of traversing mountains and valleys over the past few days, and the oppressive feeling of being trapped in a desperate situation, were released with this laughter.

The Han soldiers followed closely behind, struggling to climb the last hillside.

When the outline of the city of Liaoning came into view, everyone was invigorated. The fatigue from the days of continuous travel was instantly dispelled, replaced by ecstasy.

"We've arrived! It's Liaodong City! We've finally made it!"

"We've made it out! Let's charge in!"

Cheers erupted like thunder, and the soldiers raised their arms and shouted wildly.

Zhang Liao abruptly stopped laughing, his face instantly transforming from wild joy into a chilling killing intent.

With a sudden movement, he raised his hand, his long sword pointing directly at the Liao army city ahead:

"Soldiers, Liaodu City is right in front of us. After days of fierce fighting, today is the day to break through the enemy's defenses! Follow me and charge in!"

Tens of thousands of Han soldiers roared in unison, their voices soaring into the sky.

Zhang Liao spurred his horse's flanks, and the warhorse beneath him let out a long neigh, its hooves flying as it charged down the hillside, carrying Zhang Liao straight towards Liaocheng.

The Han soldiers followed closely behind, their momentum like a surging tide, sweeping towards Liaodu City.

At this time, Liaocheng was still a peaceful place.

The soldiers guarding the city wall, exhausted from their night shift, were yawning as they leaned against the parapet.

Below the city gate, as it slowly opened, several elderly soldiers with graying hair and beards leisurely swept the dust inside and outside the gate.

As dawn broke, early risers began to leave the city to gather firewood, while merchants pushed wheelbarrows laden with goods out of the city in long lines.

Liaodu City, as the gateway to Liaodong, is located on a major transportation route and is a bustling commercial hub with merchants gathering there year-round.

No one could have predicted that a catastrophic disaster was quietly approaching.

It wasn't until a fierce wind, carrying murderous intent and dust, swept in that the group began to sense something was wrong.

"Huh? Why is the wind suddenly picking up from the west?"

A soldier on the city wall rubbed his eyes and pointed towards the west of the city with a suspicious look on his face.

An older soldier nearby looked up at the sound and saw that a thick cloud of dust was rapidly approaching from the western horizon, obscuring the sky and the sun.

"Strange, why is there such a strong wind at this time of year?"

The suspicion in the eyes of the older soldiers grew stronger.

Suddenly, a terrified scream rang out:
"Oh no, those are Han soldiers, they are Han soldiers!"

The soldiers on the city wall were all startled and rushed to the parapet, craning their necks to look outside the city.

Amidst the thick dust and fog, countless figures are rushing in, their banners faintly visible – the very banners of the Han army!
"It's the Han army! The Han army is attacking!"

Terrified screams erupted from the city walls.

"Quickly report to General Gongsun that the Han army has launched a surprise attack and is already at the city gates!"

"Close the city gates! Raise the drawbridge! We can't let them break in!"

Inside and outside the city gates, the people and merchants, upon hearing the shouts from the city walls and seeing the approaching dust and the figures of the Han army, were immediately thrown into panic.

They pushed and shoved each other, blocking the narrow city gate opening so tightly that the soldiers responsible for closing it were unable to push it open.

These chaotic civilians inadvertently bought the Han army crucial time for their surprise attack.

In an instant, Zhang Liao led his vanguard to the city gate.

He wielded his long sword wildly, and several Liao soldiers who stood in front of him were instantly cut down to the ground.

The Han army soldiers who followed poured in like a tide.

The relentless attacks and suppression of the past few days have now transformed into a furious rage of slaughter.

They were all bloodthirsty, with only one thought in their minds:
Anyone who dares to stand in our way will be killed!
They have only one goal:
Capture the Liaocheng city!
Amidst the chaos, Zhang Liao was the first to break through the congested crowd and storm into the city gate.

With a flick of his wrist, he swept his longsword horizontally, and several Liao soldiers who reacted in time were decapitated before they could even parry.

"Soldiers, seize the city gate! Hold the drawbridge!" "Don't let a single Liao soldier escape!"

Zhang Liao shouted loudly.

The Han soldiers immediately dispatched a group to rush to the drawbridge, wielding their swords to kill the Liao soldiers who were blocking their way. They then cut the ropes of the drawbridge, completely sealing off any possibility of the Liao army escaping from it.

The other group followed Zhang Liao, charging up the city wall to capture the city tower.

The Liao army was completely unprepared and caught off guard by the Han army's sudden attack. Coupled with the loss of the city gates, their morale collapsed and they were unable to mount any effective resistance.

In a short time, the Liao army was completely routed. The soldiers abandoned their armor and fled in all directions, hoping to save their lives.

Zhang Liao, stepping over corpses and blood, led the Han army in pursuit, advancing as if into an empty field, straight into the heart of Liaodu City.

The remaining Liao soldiers along the way were either killed or surrendered on their knees, and were unable to stop the Han army's offensive.

Before long, a large banner with the bright Chinese character "Han" was raised high by the Han army on the city wall.

The wind howled, and the banner fluttered in the wind.

Liaocheng has fallen...

Within the county government compound.

Gongsun E had just gotten up and was being helped by two maids to wash and change.

There was still a hint of languor from a hangover in his eyes.

As a member of the Gongsun clan of Liaodong, and stationed in the strategically important city of Liaodu, Gongsun E was arrogant and extravagant, neglecting his military duties.

The mansion was filled with singing and dancing every day, and there was never a shortage of fine food and wine. He was living a very comfortable life.

As for the rumors circulating outside that the Han army would march to attack Liaodong, Gongsun E paid no attention to them, considering them mere alarmist talk.

In his view, the distance from Youzhou to Liaodu City was a long, narrow, and rugged coastal road, spanning three hundred li.

He had already dispatched several scout teams to patrol key passes day and night.

Once there is any sign of an attack by the Han army, the scouts will immediately send a message back to warn of the danger.

At that time, he only needs to hold his ground and wait for reinforcements, and his cousin Gongsun Kang will immediately send a large army to come and help him.

With a fortified city in their possession and reinforcements on the way, what is there to fear from the mere Han army?
With this in mind, Gongsun E became increasingly unrestrained, indulging in wine, women, and pleasures all day long.

Last night was another all-night banquet until dawn. When he woke up, his head was still a little dizzy and throbbing.

Just as the maid was helping him change into his outer robe and was about to style his hair, a series of footsteps suddenly sounded.

A guard rushed in, shouting:

"General, it's terrible! The Han army has broken in!"

The sound of a slap suddenly rang out.

Gongsun E raised his hand and delivered a heavy slap, knocking the guard to the ground.

The guard covered his face and lay on the ground, staring blankly at Gongsun E.

Gongsun E's face turned ashen, and he shouted:
"Nonsense! The Han army is far away in Youzhou, separated by a natural barrier of three hundred li. How could they possibly have stormed into Liaodong City without any reason?"

"How dare you lie about military intelligence and disrupt morale! Believe me, I'll take your dog's life right now!"

"General, spare your life!"

The guards immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, crying out:

"General Gongsun, everything I have said is true, and I would never dare to utter a single falsehood!"

"The Han army has really broken in! They've already captured the west gate tower and are heading towards the county government. We can't stop them!"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun E's angry expression froze instantly.

The military has strict laws, and falsely reporting military information is a capital offense.

The guard in front of him had followed him for many years and would never dare to joke with his life.

Therefore, the Han army must have truly stormed into the city! (End of Chapter)