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

Smoke and dust still lingered above the ruins.

Gongsun Ze's eyes were bloodshot with rage as he charged down the slope with his sword drawn.

"Hold the breach at all costs! Anyone who retreats will be executed on the spot!"

The Liao army under his command had already suffered more than half of its casualties. Upon hearing this, they had no choice but to brace themselves and form a sparse formation at the breach to face the surging Han army.

Shen You followed closely behind, his hand on his sword.

He knew that once the breach was broken, the entire army would have no chance of survival. The only hope was to fight to the death with Gongsun Ze.

The Liao soldiers were all ashen-faced, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapons. Behind them lay Pingchang City, and in front of them was the unstoppable Han army. With nowhere to retreat, they had no choice but to brace themselves and meet the attack head-on.

In just a few breaths, the vanguard of the Han army had already stepped over the broken walls and ruins, their roars echoing across the fields, and crashed into the Liao army's front line like thunder.

The Liao army was already outnumbered, and their formation was instantly broken. The front-line soldiers had no time to resist and were trampled to the ground by the Han cavalry and infantry, turning into mincemeat in an instant.

The Han army launched a relentless offensive, tearing apart the Liao army's thin defenses like brittle paper, followed by a one-sided massacre.

The Han army outnumbered the Liao army tenfold and pursued them with unstoppable momentum. The Liao army was already terrified and could no longer resist.

In the blink of an eye, the remaining Liao troops abandoned their armor and weapons and scattered along the base of the city wall.

Gongsun Ze was enraged at the sight; his hair and beard stood on end, and he brandished his sword, pointing it at the fleeing soldier and shouting:

"No retreating! Anyone who retreats will be killed without mercy!" he shouted.
While roaring to intimidate the troops, he brandished his sword and charged into the deserter ranks. With each rise and fall of his blade, two retreating Liao soldiers fell to the ground.

However, the morale of the army collapsed like a landslide, and the threat of death could not suppress the instinct for survival. Deserters continued to flock to the army, and his actions were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

Soon, the Han army broke through the remaining obstacles and headed straight for Gongsun Ze.

In the eyes of the Han soldiers, Gongsun Ze was the commander of the Liao army, and capturing or killing him would be the best opportunity to be promoted and granted a title. They all rushed forward with red eyes.

Gongsun was determined to fight to the death and not retreat. His sword flew like a wheel, and in the flash of its cold light, he killed countless Han soldiers who rushed at him.

Although he was known for his wisdom and strategy, he had also practiced martial arts since childhood and was quite skilled, forcing the Han army to retreat slightly for a time.

Just as Gongsun Ze was in the midst of his frenzied killing spree, the sound of horses' hooves came rapidly from the ruins a few steps away.

Zhang He had already spurred his horse and broken through the Liao army's flank, stepping over layers of enemy corpses, and charged straight at Gongsun Ze.

"Gongsun Ze, Zhang He is here!"

A roar shook the eardrums of the surrounding soldiers. Zhang He reined in his horse, brandishing his sword, his imposing manner as fierce as a tiger.

Gongsun was furious and cursed through gritted teeth:

"Zhang He, you old dog, dare to look down on me!"

He let out a sharp cry, spurred his horse forward, brandished his sword, and the two riders clashed violently.

Zhang He swung his longsword wildly, the force as heavy and fierce as a thousand-pound boulder.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, the shockwave from the collision of the two blades spread outwards, and surrounding rocks tumbled down.

Zhang He sat firmly on his horse, standing still.

Gongsun Ze was so shocked by the force that his arm went numb, the long sword flew out of his hand and back, and his tiger's mouth instantly split open, blood seeping out from between his fingers.

The immense force penetrated his body along the blade, causing his internal organs to rupture, his blood to surge uncontrollably, and a sweet taste to rise in his throat.

"Is this the strength of a famous general of the Han Kingdom?"

Gongsun was terrified; his previous arrogance was instantly replaced by fear.

Zhang He snorted coldly, his tone icy and biting:

"Gongsun Ze, prepare to die!"

Before he finished speaking, he spurred his horse forward, his long sword unleashing a curtain of blades that enveloped all of Gongsun Ze's vital points.

"Kakaka!"

The sound of sharp blades slicing through flesh rang out one after another. Gongsun hurriedly raised his arm to block, but he could not stop Zhang He's fierce attack at all. In an instant, he was slashed with countless bloody wounds, and blood gushed out like a torrent.

A piercing scream ripped through the battlefield, and Gongsun was thrown back by the force of the blade, falling heavily off his horse.

"boom!"

With a muffled thud, he fell onto the pile of rubble, all his bones broken, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"I, Gongsun Ze, have been defeated by this old dog! What a disgrace!"

Gongsun was filled with grief and indignation, but he didn't even have the strength to raise his hand.

Zhang He reined in his horse and stopped, looking down at him with disdain:

"Tie up Gongsun Ze and hand him over to the Grand Marshal for disposal!"

Two Han soldiers immediately rushed forward and tied Gongsun Ze up with thick ropes, ignoring his struggles and curses.

"Zhang He, you old dog, kill me! I will never surrender to you, never!"

Gongsun roared with all his might.

The Han soldiers remained unmoved and dragged him aside to guard him.

Zhang He raised his long sword and shouted loudly:

"Soldiers, slaughter all the Liao soldiers, leave no one alive!"

Once the order was given, the Han soldiers swept across the ruins like a tidal wave, launching a thorough sweep of the remaining Liao troops.

Zhang He charged forward again, heading straight for the remaining resistance of the Liao army. His sword flashed wildly, and wherever the blade touched, enemy soldiers were cut down in droves, their cries of agony echoing through the air.

As dusk deepened, the city of Pyeongchang was already soaked in blood, with corpses strewn across the ruins...

The Liao soldiers defending the city were all killed, their corpses piled up like walls, and not a single one survived.

Xiao He stepped over the corpses of enemy soldiers and entered the city gate, announcing that this important town in Liaodong had completely changed hands.

The Liao army flags on the city tower had long been cut down, and the Han army flags that had taken their place fluttered in the twilight.

As night fell, the military headquarters was brightly lit, and a victory celebration banquet was in full swing.

The table was laden with wine and meat. The soldiers removed their armor, raised their cups and drank heartily, their clamor drowning out the desolation outside the city.

Just as everyone was getting drunk, Zhang He stepped forward with his sword in hand, knelt on one knee, and asked for credit:
"Reporting to the Grand Marshal, this humble general has captured the enemy general Gongsun Ze alive. He is at the Grand Marshal's disposal."

Xiao He stroked his beard, and a loud laugh echoed throughout the hall:
"Good job!"

He slammed the cup on the table and shouted sternly:

"Men, drag Gongsun Ze up here!"

The order was given quickly, and in a short while, several burly guards dragged Gongsun Ze, who was bound hand and foot, into the main hall.

"boom!"

With a muffled thud, Gongsun was thrown hard onto the blue brick ground.

He struggled to get up, the wounds on his shoulders and back causing him excruciating pain, and he swayed unsteadily.

"A defeated opponent, you still want to get back up?"

Xiao He glared, his angry shout carrying a sense of oppression.

Seeing this, Chen Dao, standing beside him, slapped Gongsun Ze's shoulder without hesitation. With a soft "crack" and a muffled groan from Gongsun Ze, he was forced to kneel on the ground.

"Xiao He, do you deserve for me to kneel?"

Gongsun was enraged, veins bulging on his forehead, as he struggled to get up.

Chen Dao pressed his arms down on his shoulders like iron clamps, with a heavy and powerful force, and no matter how much he struggled, he did not budge.

"Xiao He, how dare you humiliate me..." Gongsun Ze raised his eyes and stared intently at Xiao He, his gaze filled with resentment and unwillingness.

Xiao He leaned down and stared at him, his tone as cold as a knife:

"Gongsun Ze, you defeated opponent, do you admit defeat or not!"

Gongsun scoffed, his face full of disdain:

"Xiao He, your wisdom is not even half as great as mine, how dare you call yourself a military genius? If it weren't for your use of gunpowder, such a treacherous technique, there would have been no way to capture Pingchang City. I refuse to accept this!"

"You're not convinced, huh? Very well!"

Xiao He sneered and waved to his left and right:

"Guards, drag this disobedient fellow away and execute him!"

The Tiger Guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed Gongsun Ze, and dragged him outside.

"Xiao He, my king will surely kill you to avenge me!"

Gongsun roared and shouted all the way until his voice faded away and disappeared outside the hall.

Xiao He remained unmoved and gestured for everyone to continue drinking.

A moment later, Gongsun Ze's head was presented, and Xiao He ordered it to be hung on the Pingchang city tower to deter the remaining forces in Liaodong.

When the news spread, the Han soldiers inside and outside the city cheered thunderously, and everyone raised their cups in a toast…

Meanwhile, in Xiangping City, the Liao King's Palace was brightly lit.

Gongsun Kang, dressed in a brocade robe, stood with his hands behind his back in front of the sand table, his gaze fixed on the territory of Goguryeo on the map.

At this moment, he was no longer concerned about the situation in Pyeongchang.

Previously, Gongsun sent a report of victory, stating that the defenses of Pingchang were impregnable and could withstand the Han army's offensive.

His mind was now entirely focused on annexing Goguryeo.

After Gongsun Kang unified Liaodong, established the Liao Kingdom, and proclaimed himself King of Liao, Goguryeo frequently coveted the border and launched several military invasions, all of which were defeated by his troops and ultimately forced to pay tribute and become vassals.

Now that his power base is more secure, the plan to annex Goguryeo has been put on the agenda.

Goguryeo had a population of one million. If it could be successfully annexed, it could recruit hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Combined with the nearly one hundred thousand troops it already had, the total number would reach two to three hundred thousand.

This Liao army's iron cavalry was capable of marching south and vying with the Han state for supremacy.

Gongsun Kang slowly traced his finger across the map, pondering how to take advantage of the tribute mission to launch a surprise attack on Goguryeo and completely control the entire Liaodong region.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the mansion, breaking the silence inside.

Li Xu rushed into the main hall in a panic, knelt down, and exclaimed in alarm:
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Gongsun Kang frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing across his face, and said in a deep voice:
"What's the matter that you're in such a panic? You're disturbing my thoughts!"

Li Xu trembled all over, lying prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise his head, and said in a sobbing voice:
"Your Majesty, Pyeongchang City... Pyeongchang City has fallen!"

"what?"

Gongsun Kang was struck dumb, his face paling with shock. He abruptly turned to look at Li Xu, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"impossible!"

"Gongsun Ze just sent back a report of victory, saying that he had defeated Xiao He and that Pingchang City was impregnable. How could the city have fallen in just a few days? Impossible!"

He shouted excitedly.

Li Xu lay prostrate on the ground, trembling all over, his sobs growing louder:

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true! Our scouts have personally witnessed the Han army's banners being raised on the city walls of Pingchang. The city has already fallen!"

The next moment, Gongsun Kangru felt all his strength drained away, and he staggered back several steps, almost knocking over the sand table behind him.

Li Xu was always calm and composed, and would never dare to lie about matters of national importance; Pingchang City must have truly been lost.

But Pingchang City had been built up by Gongsun Ze over several years, with high walls and deep moats. How could it be so easily breached?
He lunged forward again, grabbing Li Xu's collar, his eyes bloodshot:
"Tell me, what's going on?"

Li Xu, struggling to breathe, finally managed to recount the truth in fits and starts:
“Pingchang City was indeed impregnable, but Xiao He took advantage of the frozen ocean waters, led his troops to cross the ice, and silently surrounded the city.”

"Then he used a magical substance called gunpowder to blast open a breach in the city wall, and the army took the opportunity to attack the city, which is why Pingchang fell so quickly!"

Gongsun Kang loosened his grip, staggered around, and looked shakily at Gongsun Yuan standing to the side.

His own son was also completely bewildered, his eyes unfocused, clearly shocked and at a loss by the news.

“I can understand that the Han army crossed the river on ice, but what is gunpowder that you're talking about?”

Gongsun Yuan composed himself, his voice still slightly stammering.

Li Xu knelt down and explained, "Your Highness, gunpowder is a siege weapon secretly invented by Xiao He. It is said to be made of several powders mixed together, but its power is extremely great. It explodes when it comes into contact with fire and can even blow down thick city walls!"

Gongsun Yuan froze on the spot, his face filled with shock and astonishment:
"How could such a heaven-defying thing exist in this world?"

Gongsun Kang's forehead veins bulged, and cold sweat rolled down his temples.

The father and son exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes, and the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Just then, Li Xu added another sentence:
"Your Majesty, after Pingchang fell, General Gongsun Ze was also beheaded by Xiao He, and his head was displayed on the city tower!"

"Buzz!"

Gongsun Kang felt his mind go blank for a moment, his body swayed, and he almost fell over.

Gongsun Ze was the most intelligent person in the family and a pillar he relied on. The loss of this wise general was like having his arm cut off by Xiao He.

"What should we do? Pingchang has fallen, and Gongsun Ze has been killed in battle. What are we going to do?!"

He was completely flustered, pacing back and forth in the lobby, rambling incoherently.

At this moment, Gongsun Yuan took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said in a deep voice with his hands clasped:
"Father, do not panic! It is only Pingchang City. If we lose it, we lose it. There are several strong passes and important towns on the way to Xiangping, all heavily guarded, which are enough to stop Xiao He's army from advancing north!"

These words were like a thunderclap, jolting the panicked Gongsun Kang back to his senses. He calmed down and rushed to the map.

Gongsun Kang's gaze fell on the location of Dongguan City on the map, and his tense expression gradually relaxed.

"Indeed, indeed, Dongguan City has a strategic location, which is sufficient to withstand Xiao He's army's northward advance!"

He raised his hand and slammed it heavily on the Dongguan City mark on the map, his tone filled with excitement, his previous panic replaced by composure.

"What Father says is absolutely right."

Gongsun Yuan stepped forward and pointed to the map, adding:
"Dongguan City is situated north of mountains with steep cliffs that are difficult to climb, and south of the sea with no land route around it, making it a naturally dangerous place."

"There are currently 10,000 elite troops stationed in the city, with ample supplies. As long as the soldiers fight bravely, they will surely be able to stop the Han army at the city walls!"

Gongsun Kang nodded slightly.

With this formidable pass guarding the city, half the weight on his heart was finally lifted, and the anxiety he felt earlier due to the fall of Pingchang and the death of Gongsun Ze was gradually replaced by composure.

The atmosphere in the lobby eased considerably after this analysis.

At this moment, Li Xu, who was standing to the side, cupped his hands and offered his advice:

"Your Majesty, although Dongguan City has a strategic location and ample supplies, we still need a capable general to guard it in order to ensure its safety."

"The current city garrison commander is mediocre and may not be able to deal with Xiao He. We need to send a talented general to oversee the situation."

As soon as the words were spoken, a person in the hall jumped up in response:
"Father, I am willing to go. Please send me to guard Dongguan City. I will make sure that Xiao He's army cannot advance an inch!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Gongsun Huang, the second son of Gongsun Kang.

Gongsun Kang's eyes lit up, and a look of joy appeared on his face.

Although Gongsun Huang was the second son, he had practiced martial arts since childhood, possessed extraordinary strength and courage, and was capable of fighting ten thousand men. Moreover, he had been trained in the army for many years and had considerable talent in leading troops. He was by no means an ordinary playboy.

Sending him to guard Dongguan Town would allow him to make good use of his bravery and strength, and he would be much more reliable than any other general.

Besides, he could completely trust his own son to oversee this strategically important location. (End of Chapter)