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Fei Qian and Zhang Liao crouched behind the bushes, observing the severely damaged walls of Hangu Pass, which had been set ablaze by Fei Qian.
To avoid alerting the defenders of Hangu Pass, Zhang Liao's main forces remained at a distance. Only Zhang Liao, Fei Qian, and their personal guards had stealthily approached for reconnaissance.
Just as Fei Qian had not expected to encounter Zhang Liao's troops so quickly, Zheng Jiann, the magistrate of Hangu Pass, had likewise never imagined that an army from Luoyang would arrive with such speed.
In the original plan, if any troops attempted to pass through Gucheng, County Captain Yang would have sent an advance warning. However, County Captain Yang had already been slain by Zhang Liao, rendering any such warning impossible. Thus, Zheng Jian remained blissfully unaware, confidently waiting for the western reinforcements to enter the pass…
Atop Hangu Pass, the watchtower of the "Wangqi Platform" had completely collapsed, its broken bricks and tiles piled in a heap as laborers slowly cleared the debris. The "Jiming Platform" had also suffered some damage, though its watchtower had not fully collapsed—several wooden pillars propped it up as repairs were underway…
The nails and iron bars on the eastern gate had been twisted by the fire, and most of the wooden gate had been charred beyond use. Craftsmen were in the process of dismantling it, salvaging the iron bars and nails to rebuild a new gate.
Zhang Liao clicked his tongue as he took in the blackened, ruined walls and gate. "Brother Ziyuan, that fire you set was quite something!"
"Heh, that oil was originally meant for you and your men…"
"Your fire was indeed impressive!" Zhang Liao repeated, his lips twitching slightly. Though the words were the same, the tone carried a different weight.
"So?" Fei Qian pointed at the half-destroyed eastern gate. "It looks like they'll finish repairs today. If we're going to act, we need to seize the moment!"
Since Zhang Liao was the one leading the troops, Fei Qian—despite his burning desire to retake Hangu Pass and recover his books—had to defer to Zhang Liao's decision.
Gates had always been the weakest point of any fortress. Though Fei Qian's fire had charred the eastern gate, spare wooden components were surely available. By replacing the burnt parts and reforging the nails and iron bars, the gate could be restored.
This time, the fire Fei Qian had set was extensive, even spreading to the government office inside the inner city. As a result, some craftsmen had been diverted to repair Magistrate Zheng's residence. Delays in restoring the pass's defenses were deemed acceptable—after all, how could a magistrate of such stature be left without a proper residence?
Attacking a Hangu Pass missing a watchtower and with a damaged gate was an entirely different prospect from assaulting an intact fortress. Zhang Liao quickly made up his mind. As Fei Qian had said, this opportunity was fleeting. If they waited another two days for the defenses to be fully restored, the cost of taking the pass would be far greater.
More importantly, Zhang Liao had his own concerns. If Hangu Pass were truly seized and blocked the westward migration route, would Li Ru really send the Xiliang troops to lead the charge?
No—the Luoyang Northern Army and the Bingzhou troops would undoubtedly be sent in first as cannon fodder!
If it came to that, how many of his own men would survive?
Military law was harsh. Failing to capture a target or suffering heavy losses would result in severe punishment. Even if he didn't die on the battlefield, he might still be executed at the camp's gates!
Thus, it was better to take advantage of this moment and seize Hangu Pass first!
×××××××××
Four or five li west of Hangu Pass, Yu Fulo glanced back at his clansmen. When they had crossed the river, they numbered a thousand. Now, only slightly over five hundred remained unharmed, with nearly a hundred more carrying injuries of varying severity. As for the others…
In exchange, they had gained twenty carts of provisions, five hundred sets of weapons and armor, some equipment scavenged from battle, and silver coins—calculated by the number of enemy heads taken—which had been traded for daily necessities like salt, oil, and cloth.
Was it worth it?
Yu Fulo silently asked himself.
Had he still been the Right Virtuous King, he would have answered without hesitation: Yes. But now, as the Chanyu, having witnessed the deaths of his clansmen one after another, he truly couldn't say for sure…
Yu Fulo turned his horse around, raised his whip, and roared, "By the grace of Tengri! We ride home!"
"Awooo—!" The Xiongnu cavalry howled in response, following Yu Fulo as they drove their carts into the distance.
Zheng Jian stood respectfully beside an elder, watching Yu Fulo depart. He opened his mouth as if to speak but ultimately said nothing.
"Would our Hongnong Yang Clan ever dishonor its word?" The elder, though not looking at Zheng Jian, seemed to sense his hesitation. His words were slow and deliberate, as if addressing both Yu Fulo and Zheng Jian at once.
"Of course not!" Zheng Jian hurriedly replied. Though this elder of the Hongnong Yang Clan held no official position in the court, Zheng Jian knew he controlled vast resources within the clan. As the magistrate of Hangu Pass, Zheng Jian was nothing in comparison…
This time, the Hongnong Yang Clan had orchestrated a grand scheme—all for the sake of Hangu Pass.
Previously, Guo Pu had been stationed inside the pass, controlling the military and guarding the gates. No matter what schemes Zheng Jian harbored, he could do nothing. But now, things were different. Guo Pu had been lured out of the pass and killed in battle, leaving Zheng Jian in sole command. And now, with two thousand "Yellow Turban rebels" standing in neat formation by the roadside…
The Yang elder spoke again. "Magistrate Zheng, these two thousand soldiers are now entrusted to you. In two days, another three thousand will arrive. The responsibility of defending the pass is grave—we rely on your diligence." To avoid alerting Dong Zhuo's garrison at Mianchi, the Hongnong Yang Clan had gathered their private troops in secret, necessitating their deployment in batches.
But since Hangu Pass was now under their control, a delay of a few days was inconsequential.
Zheng Jian bowed once more. "This humble official will spare no effort! I shall not fail!"
The Yang elder nodded, then asked casually, "Last night's great fire at Hangu Pass—did it damage the defenses?"
Zheng Jian kept his head lowered. "I dare not conceal the truth. There was some damage, but repairs will be completed today. It should pose no major issue."
The elder "Hmm"-ed in acknowledgment. "In that case, I shall take my leave. Magistrate Zheng, you need not worry about Mianchi—others will handle it. All you must do is hold back Luoyang's forces for one month. Succeed, and yours shall be the foremost merit!"
Zheng Jian bowed deeply. "This humble official swears Hangu Pass will remain impregnable!"
The elder smiled faintly, mounted his horse, cupped his hands in farewell, and rode off with twenty personal guards, leaving the two thousand "Yellow Turban rebels" under Zheng Jian's command.
Zheng Jian remained standing respectfully until the elder's figure had completely vanished. Only then did he approach the two thousand soldiers. He cleared his throat, but before he could speak, a horseman suddenly came galloping from the direction of Hangu Pass!
Zheng Jian's heart sank.
"Report—!" The soldier practically tumbled off his horse. "Magistrate, Dong Zhuo's forces have appeared outside the eastern gate and are attacking fiercely! The gate is on the verge of falling! Reinforcements are urgently needed!"
Zheng Jian paled in shock. How had Dong Zhuo's troops arrived so quickly?
Where had they come from?
Why had no warning come from Gucheng?
And worst of all—he had just vowed to the Yang elder that Hangu Pass was secure, only for it to come under attack moments later!
If anything went wrong now, what could he possibly do?!
Zheng Jian immediately ordered the entire force to rush back to Hangu Pass at full speed. They had to stop Dong Zhuo's army before it breached the gates!