Standing at a towering city wall, Liu Yao looked down at the vast city below. This was the imperial capital that witnessed the rise and glory of the Qin and Han dynasties. It was the symbol of the mighty Han Empire, now basking in the fading glory of its former greatness.
In the western capital of Chang’an, with its three broad avenues and twelve grand gates, this majestic city appeared surprisingly straightforward as Liu Yao captured it. Even he, the one who once assassinated the Jin Emperor, couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with myriad emotions.
“General, Weiyang Palace has been taken. However, the treasures in the palace are not as abundant as we expected. It seems the Duan clan’s Xianbei raiders had already plundered it. Fufeng and Pingyi commanderies have dispatched troops, preparing to siege the city. Our forces number only eight thousand, and without reinforcements, it’s certain we won’t be able to hold on.”
Liu Yao, without turning around, kept his gaze fixed on the magnificent city below and sighed deeply after a long pause, “If we can take Chang’an, what can stop the resurgence of the Han Empire?”
In truth, he knew that capturing Chang’an this time was a stroke of luck. After the defeat of Prince Hejian, he fled to Mount Taibai to escape, and then his subordinates rescued him and recaptured Chang’an. However, the Commanders of the Three Commanderies had sent troops, and a general dispatched by Prince Donghai ultimately trapped Prince Hejian. Not long after taking control of Chang’an, he accepted an invitation to travel to Luoyang but was assassinated on the way.
After several chaotic battles, the defense of the Western capital inevitably slackened. Moreover, with the urgency of the battle in Jing County, a significant number of garrison troops had been relocated southward. This provided the Xiongnu-Han alliance, which had long been preparing, with an opportunity. Seizing the solar eclipse on the first day of the seventh month, Liu Yao led eight thousand light cavalry westward, catching the Chang’an defenders off guard.
However, breaking into Chang’an was one thing, but holding it was proving to be an immense challenge. Not to mention the garrison troops from the provinces of You County, even the tens of thousands of civilians in the city posed a significant threat. Rather than besieging the isolated city, it was more practical to gather the wealth and retreat, just like the true nomadic tribes. Money, goods, and people were all that mattered; they didn’t particularly care about conquering or holding territory. Although this was in contrast to Liu Yuan’s original intentions, it was the best arrangement for his small force.
Indeed, the person behind him let out a soft sigh and said, “As long as the General’s troops are intact, this western capital will eventually return to your hands. Currently, the opportunity lies in Hedong, and wasting our forces on defending the city may not be to your advantage. Moreover, Fengyi has sent reinforcements, presenting an excellent chance.”
Liu Yao understood this clearly, but when it came to practical matters, it was difficult to let go. This was Liu Yao’s first time entering such a grand metropolis, and the exhilaration of personally controlling such a magnificent city was beyond words. Simply plundering wealth felt like a waste. However, no matter how itchy he felt inside, he understood the importance of prioritizing, and with a reluctant look at Chang’an, he finally turned his head and said, “What Shuya said is true. Only taking Chang’an is enough to earn my father’s reward. Whether we can defend it or not is no longer my responsibility.”
His cavalry had moved too quickly, and the reinforcements from behind couldn’t catch up. Without reinforcements, how could they hold the city? Rather than waiting for them to arrive, it made more sense to retreat first and, if Fengyi’s troops reacted slowly, circle back to seize the entire Fengyi commandery. Fengyi was different from Chang’an; it was a vital thoroughfare connecting Si County and Yong County, and it was close to Tongguan. If they captured Fengyi, both Si County and Yong County could be linked, thereby surrounding Hedong commandery. This was crucial for the Han Empire’s next strategic move.
So, sacrificing Chang’an wasn’t a crime. On the other hand, capturing Fengyi would be a great achievement. Combine the two, and he had every reason to expect substantial rewards from Liu Yuan. This layered strategy came entirely from this Jin strategist who had joined their cause.
Admiring glances circled around the young man in front of him, and Liu Yao smiled, saying, “If not for Shuya’s idea of seizing the city during the solar eclipse, how could I have easily achieved such a victory? In this battle, your contributions are remarkable!”
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The tall and handsome young man gave a slight smile and replied, “If not for the General’s trust, how could there be such accomplishments? The General treats me as a loyal subject, and I shall repay that trust with my loyalty.”
This statement was confident but not arrogant, carrying the dignity and pride typical of scholars. Liu Yao also enjoyed using Jin people, much like Liu Yuan. In his view, the Xiongnu were always outnumbered, and without a significant number of Jin aristocrats defecting to their side, conquering the Central Plains would be extremely challenging. This man, Zhang Shuya, who came to join him, although not from a prominent family, had a deep understanding of high-borns in Bing County, a solid grasp of military matters, and exceptional talents. If used well, he could prove to be more than just that.
Suppressing the slight restlessness in his heart, Liu Yao laughed, “With Shuya’s words, why worry about not being able to conquer Fengyi? Moreover, seizing the city during the celestial event this time, the pretentious thieves in Shangdang might find it hard to maintain their act. When we take Fengyi, His Majesty may decide to shift his focus to Bing County. That will be the opportune moment to make great accomplishments!”
Zhang Dian’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he politely nodded, “The General’s words are indeed true. I hope the General can capture Shangdang, take Luoyang, and achieve extraordinary feats.”
These words touched a nerve with Liu Yao, making him itch with excitement. He chuckled and patted Zhang Dian’s shoulder before turning and striding toward the city below.
This brusque action caused a slight frown on Zhang Dian’s brow, but he quickly relaxed. With light steps, he followed the pace of the Xiongnu-Han man. As long as he kept up with this man, he had no doubt that his goals could be achieved.
Joining the Xiongnu in Si County was a plan he had set when leaving You County. Since he had incurred the enmity of the Taiyuan Wang clan, returning to Bing County was no longer an option, and aligning with the court might not guarantee his safety. It made sense to start afresh and come up with a new plan. However, he had thought carefully about whom to join and ultimately settled on Liu Yao as his benefactor.
Pledging allegiance to Liu Yuan, with his background and reputation, might not have gained him much recognition. Liu Yuan’s several sons also had a preference for the Xiongnu and didn’t highly regard Jin officials. That’s why he chose Liu Yao as his benefactor. This man was of the royal lineage, even if he was an adopted son, he held a significant place in Liu Yuan’s heart, possessed remarkable martial prowess, and had an affinity for the Jin people. By joining him, he might have a slightly lesser status, but it was better to be a prominent figure in a smaller pond. Moreover, the Xiongnu had internal turbulence, and if Liu He, the legitimate heir, ascended the throne, who knew what kind of trouble might arise. Liu Yao, on the other hand, was a moveable piece in this chess game.
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And this Battle of Chang’an was his carefully prepared opening move. When the Emperor died suddenly, and the officials scattered, several officials under the command of the Grand Astrologer, who supervised celestial observations, ended up on the Xiongnu side. As for the solar eclipse in Shangdang, he found it suspicious. After careful inquiry, they used the positions of the sun and moon to deduce that there might be a solar eclipse in July.
Just like Liang Zixi, he advised Liu Yao to choose to attack the city after the solar eclipse. The plan was executed successfully! This battle not only gained Liu Yao’s trust but also exposed the trick played by Shangdang. After dealing with Fengyi commandery, there was no doubt that the Xiongnu army would no longer be threatened by Shangdang.
A faintly cold smile crept onto Zhang Dian’s lips. He had heard about the fate of Wang’s seventh daughter and knew about the broken engagement between the Liang and Wang clans. However, that wasn’t enough to quench his thirst for revenge. Avenging his wife and homeland wasn’t something he could achieve so easily. Liang Zixi still owed him a lot!
The stench of blood and chaos filled the air, but Zhang Dian didn’t avert his gaze. He stepped over the filthy blood and followed closely behind Liu Yao.
※
“Captain Yi, the Xiongnu have withdrawn seventy li. The remaining cities have limited food stores and should be unable to support thousands of troops. This siege of Jinyang has been completely resolved!” Sitting in the county office in Qixian, Linghu Kuang was brimming with excitement.
This battle was incredibly satisfying! After the solar eclipse, he and Captain Yi launched simultaneous attacks on Qixian. Perhaps scared by their previous defeat in the Battle of Yangyi, the Xiongnu defenders in Qixian surprisingly held out for only half a day before abandoning the city.
The cavalry lying in ambush on the side immediately gave chase, causing the Xiongnu troops who had broken out of the encirclement to lose another two-thirds of their forces. They didn’t even dare to approach the cities along the way, scattering in all directions. Gathering these routed soldiers would require tremendous effort. The desolation in Lishi further exacerbated1 the Xiongnu’s burdens in Bing County, making it unlikely that anyone would dare to threaten Jinyang in the near future!
This was a significant victory! Since returning to Jinyang, they had endured many months of frustrating battles. It was only after teaming up with Captain Yi that Linghu Kuang once again experienced the joy of triumphant warfare. The soldiers and officials from Shangdang were completely different! If every Jin army could perform like this, there was no doubt they could stabilize the entire realm!
Despite the great victory, Yiyan’s expression remained unchanged, and he nodded coldly, “By retaking Qixian, we’ve cut off the Xiongnu’s food supply. We can slowly plan for cities like Jingling. First, we need to secure the Jinyang line.”
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This was the most crucial matter at the moment. It was too late to plant autumn crops, but they could still replenish their fodder, hemp, and even vegetables. With timely land reclamation, they might even save the winter wheat. Jinyang had been under siege for a year, leading to a significant shortage of food and labor; they urgently needed to recuperate.
However, these concerns weren’t the focus of military leaders like Linghu Kuang. He excitedly said, “We should consolidate the surrounding commanderies and counties. Ninxing commandery has been in turmoil for a while, and the Bai clan Xianbei are showing signs of restlessness in the background. If we don’t resolve this quickly, Jinyang might find itself in a perilous situation…”
While they were discussing their future plans, a soldier briskly walked into the county office and whispered something to Yiyan. In his gray-blue eyes, a sudden spark seemed to ignite, and Yiyan rose to his feet.
“Captain Yi?” Linghu Kuang was momentarily puzzled. What was going on? What had happened?
“The Lord has returned from Luoyang. I must go to welcome him,” Yiyan’s tone wasn’t up for discussion; it was a straightforward statement.
Linghu Kuang blinked, “Uh, since the Lord is back, I should…”
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a chill down his spine. Yiyan’s wolf-like eyes gazed in his direction, and he coldly said, “General Linghu, it’s better for you to stay in Qixian and consider the bigger picture.”
“…,” What more could Linghu Kuang say? He watched as Yiyan hurriedly left. Was he afraid that Linghu would steal his credit? Puzzled, Linghu Kuang scratched his chin and decided not to dwell on it, instead focusing on military matters.
※
Returning from Luoyang to Bing County, they took the Taihang Pass route. But unlike their journey to Luoyang, the return trip had picked up speed. The yearning to return home was felt not only by Liang Feng but also by everyone in the party.
The path through the pass was challenging, but they didn’t stop once, and the convoy crossed the narrow mountain road, entering the gateway to Bing County through the Taihang Pass. Beyond this pass lay Bing County. However, what none of them anticipated was that someone was waiting inside Taihang Pass.
“I’ve arrived later than expected. I ask the Lord for forgiveness.” Clad in full armor, Yiyan remained on one knee, resembling both a plea for forgiveness and as a guard. He no longer referred to himself as “underling” but, like the others, changed to “humble general”.
Seeing that still tall and imposing figure, Liang Feng couldn’t help but feel a shiver, as if his whole body was out of sorts. He gripped his thigh firmly with his hand, took a deep breath, and then asked, “Is everything settled in Jinyang?”
Standing at a towering city wall, Liu Yao looked down at the vast city below. This was the imperial capital that witnessed the rise and glory of the Qin and Han dynasties. It was the symbol of the mighty Han Empire, now basking in the fading glory of its former greatness.
In the western capital of Chang’an, with its three broad avenues and twelve grand gates, this majestic city appeared surprisingly straightforward as Liu Yao captured it. Even he, the one who once assassinated the Jin Emperor, couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with myriad emotions.
“General, Weiyang Palace has been taken. However, the treasures in the palace are not as abundant as we expected. It seems the Duan clan’s Xianbei raiders had already plundered it. Fufeng and Pingyi commanderies have dispatched troops, preparing to siege the city. Our forces number only eight thousand, and without reinforcements, it’s certain we won’t be able to hold on.”
Liu Yao, without turning around, kept his gaze fixed on the magnificent city below and sighed deeply after a long pause, “If we can take Chang’an, what can stop the resurgence of the Han Empire?”
In truth, he knew that capturing Chang’an this time was a stroke of luck. After the defeat of Prince Hejian, he fled to Mount Taibai to escape, and then his subordinates rescued him and recaptured Chang’an. However, the Commanders of the Three Commanderies had sent troops, and a general dispatched by Prince Donghai ultimately trapped Prince Hejian. Not long after taking control of Chang’an, he accepted an invitation to travel to Luoyang but was assassinated on the way.
After several chaotic battles, the defense of the Western capital inevitably slackened. Moreover, with the urgency of the battle in Jing County, a significant number of garrison troops had been relocated southward. This provided the Xiongnu-Han alliance, which had long been preparing, with an opportunity. Seizing the solar eclipse on the first day of the seventh month, Liu Yao led eight thousand light cavalry westward, catching the Chang’an defenders off guard.
However, breaking into Chang’an was one thing, but holding it was proving to be an immense challenge. Not to mention the garrison troops from the provinces of You County, even the tens of thousands of civilians in the city posed a significant threat. Rather than besieging the isolated city, it was more practical to gather the wealth and retreat, just like the true nomadic tribes. Money, goods, and people were all that mattered; they didn’t particularly care about conquering or holding territory. Although this was in contrast to Liu Yuan’s original intentions, it was the best arrangement for his small force.
Indeed, the person behind him let out a soft sigh and said, “As long as the General’s troops are intact, this western capital will eventually return to your hands. Currently, the opportunity lies in Hedong, and wasting our forces on defending the city may not be to your advantage. Moreover, Fengyi has sent reinforcements, presenting an excellent chance.”
Liu Yao understood this clearly, but when it came to practical matters, it was difficult to let go. This was Liu Yao’s first time entering such a grand metropolis, and the exhilaration of personally controlling such a magnificent city was beyond words. Simply plundering wealth felt like a waste. However, no matter how itchy he felt inside, he understood the importance of prioritizing, and with a reluctant look at Chang’an, he finally turned his head and said, “What Shuya said is true. Only taking Chang’an is enough to earn my father’s reward. Whether we can defend it or not is no longer my responsibility.”
His cavalry had moved too quickly, and the reinforcements from behind couldn’t catch up. Without reinforcements, how could they hold the city? Rather than waiting for them to arrive, it made more sense to retreat first and, if Fengyi’s troops reacted slowly, circle back to seize the entire Fengyi commandery. Fengyi was different from Chang’an; it was a vital thoroughfare connecting Si County and Yong County, and it was close to Tongguan. If they captured Fengyi, both Si County and Yong County could be linked, thereby surrounding Hedong commandery. This was crucial for the Han Empire’s next strategic move.
So, sacrificing Chang’an wasn’t a crime. On the other hand, capturing Fengyi would be a great achievement. Combine the two, and he had every reason to expect substantial rewards from Liu Yuan. This layered strategy came entirely from this Jin strategist who had joined their cause.
Admiring glances circled around the young man in front of him, and Liu Yao smiled, saying, “If not for Shuya’s idea of seizing the city during the solar eclipse, how could I have easily achieved such a victory? In this battle, your contributions are remarkable!”
Advertisement
The tall and handsome young man gave a slight smile and replied, “If not for the General’s trust, how could there be such accomplishments? The General treats me as a loyal subject, and I shall repay that trust with my loyalty.”
This statement was confident but not arrogant, carrying the dignity and pride typical of scholars. Liu Yao also enjoyed using Jin people, much like Liu Yuan. In his view, the Xiongnu were always outnumbered, and without a significant number of Jin aristocrats defecting to their side, conquering the Central Plains would be extremely challenging. This man, Zhang Shuya, who came to join him, although not from a prominent family, had a deep understanding of high-borns in Bing County, a solid grasp of military matters, and exceptional talents. If used well, he could prove to be more than just that.
Suppressing the slight restlessness in his heart, Liu Yao laughed, “With Shuya’s words, why worry about not being able to conquer Fengyi? Moreover, seizing the city during the celestial event this time, the pretentious thieves in Shangdang might find it hard to maintain their act. When we take Fengyi, His Majesty may decide to shift his focus to Bing County. That will be the opportune moment to make great accomplishments!”
Zhang Dian’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he politely nodded, “The General’s words are indeed true. I hope the General can capture Shangdang, take Luoyang, and achieve extraordinary feats.”
These words touched a nerve with Liu Yao, making him itch with excitement. He chuckled and patted Zhang Dian’s shoulder before turning and striding toward the city below.
This brusque action caused a slight frown on Zhang Dian’s brow, but he quickly relaxed. With light steps, he followed the pace of the Xiongnu-Han man. As long as he kept up with this man, he had no doubt that his goals could be achieved.
Joining the Xiongnu in Si County was a plan he had set when leaving You County. Since he had incurred the enmity of the Taiyuan Wang clan, returning to Bing County was no longer an option, and aligning with the court might not guarantee his safety. It made sense to start afresh and come up with a new plan. However, he had thought carefully about whom to join and ultimately settled on Liu Yao as his benefactor.
Pledging allegiance to Liu Yuan, with his background and reputation, might not have gained him much recognition. Liu Yuan’s several sons also had a preference for the Xiongnu and didn’t highly regard Jin officials. That’s why he chose Liu Yao as his benefactor. This man was of the royal lineage, even if he was an adopted son, he held a significant place in Liu Yuan’s heart, possessed remarkable martial prowess, and had an affinity for the Jin people. By joining him, he might have a slightly lesser status, but it was better to be a prominent figure in a smaller pond. Moreover, the Xiongnu had internal turbulence, and if Liu He, the legitimate heir, ascended the throne, who knew what kind of trouble might arise. Liu Yao, on the other hand, was a moveable piece in this chess game.
Advertisement
And this Battle of Chang’an was his carefully prepared opening move. When the Emperor died suddenly, and the officials scattered, several officials under the command of the Grand Astrologer, who supervised celestial observations, ended up on the Xiongnu side. As for the solar eclipse in Shangdang, he found it suspicious. After careful inquiry, they used the positions of the sun and moon to deduce that there might be a solar eclipse in July.
Just like Liang Zixi, he advised Liu Yao to choose to attack the city after the solar eclipse. The plan was executed successfully! This battle not only gained Liu Yao’s trust but also exposed the trick played by Shangdang. After dealing with Fengyi commandery, there was no doubt that the Xiongnu army would no longer be threatened by Shangdang.
A faintly cold smile crept onto Zhang Dian’s lips. He had heard about the fate of Wang’s seventh daughter and knew about the broken engagement between the Liang and Wang clans. However, that wasn’t enough to quench his thirst for revenge. Avenging his wife and homeland wasn’t something he could achieve so easily. Liang Zixi still owed him a lot!
The stench of blood and chaos filled the air, but Zhang Dian didn’t avert his gaze. He stepped over the filthy blood and followed closely behind Liu Yao.
※
“Captain Yi, the Xiongnu have withdrawn seventy li. The remaining cities have limited food stores and should be unable to support thousands of troops. This siege of Jinyang has been completely resolved!” Sitting in the county office in Qixian, Linghu Kuang was brimming with excitement.
This battle was incredibly satisfying! After the solar eclipse, he and Captain Yi launched simultaneous attacks on Qixian. Perhaps scared by their previous defeat in the Battle of Yangyi, the Xiongnu defenders in Qixian surprisingly held out for only half a day before abandoning the city.
The cavalry lying in ambush on the side immediately gave chase, causing the Xiongnu troops who had broken out of the encirclement to lose another two-thirds of their forces. They didn’t even dare to approach the cities along the way, scattering in all directions. Gathering these routed soldiers would require tremendous effort. The desolation in Lishi further exacerbated1 the Xiongnu’s burdens in Bing County, making it unlikely that anyone would dare to threaten Jinyang in the near future!
This was a significant victory! Since returning to Jinyang, they had endured many months of frustrating battles. It was only after teaming up with Captain Yi that Linghu Kuang once again experienced the joy of triumphant warfare. The soldiers and officials from Shangdang were completely different! If every Jin army could perform like this, there was no doubt they could stabilize the entire realm!
Despite the great victory, Yiyan’s expression remained unchanged, and he nodded coldly, “By retaking Qixian, we’ve cut off the Xiongnu’s food supply. We can slowly plan for cities like Jingling. First, we need to secure the Jinyang line.”
Advertisement
This was the most crucial matter at the moment. It was too late to plant autumn crops, but they could still replenish their fodder, hemp, and even vegetables. With timely land reclamation, they might even save the winter wheat. Jinyang had been under siege for a year, leading to a significant shortage of food and labor; they urgently needed to recuperate.
However, these concerns weren’t the focus of military leaders like Linghu Kuang. He excitedly said, “We should consolidate the surrounding commanderies and counties. Ninxing commandery has been in turmoil for a while, and the Bai clan Xianbei are showing signs of restlessness in the background. If we don’t resolve this quickly, Jinyang might find itself in a perilous situation…”
While they were discussing their future plans, a soldier briskly walked into the county office and whispered something to Yiyan. In his gray-blue eyes, a sudden spark seemed to ignite, and Yiyan rose to his feet.
“Captain Yi?” Linghu Kuang was momentarily puzzled. What was going on? What had happened?
“The Lord has returned from Luoyang. I must go to welcome him,” Yiyan’s tone wasn’t up for discussion; it was a straightforward statement.
Linghu Kuang blinked, “Uh, since the Lord is back, I should…”
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a chill down his spine. Yiyan’s wolf-like eyes gazed in his direction, and he coldly said, “General Linghu, it’s better for you to stay in Qixian and consider the bigger picture.”
“…,” What more could Linghu Kuang say? He watched as Yiyan hurriedly left. Was he afraid that Linghu would steal his credit? Puzzled, Linghu Kuang scratched his chin and decided not to dwell on it, instead focusing on military matters.
※
Returning from Luoyang to Bing County, they took the Taihang Pass route. But unlike their journey to Luoyang, the return trip had picked up speed. The yearning to return home was felt not only by Liang Feng but also by everyone in the party.
The path through the pass was challenging, but they didn’t stop once, and the convoy crossed the narrow mountain road, entering the gateway to Bing County through the Taihang Pass. Beyond this pass lay Bing County. However, what none of them anticipated was that someone was waiting inside Taihang Pass.
“I’ve arrived later than expected. I ask the Lord for forgiveness.” Clad in full armor, Yiyan remained on one knee, resembling both a plea for forgiveness and as a guard. He no longer referred to himself as “underling” but, like the others, changed to “humble general”.
Seeing that still tall and imposing figure, Liang Feng couldn’t help but feel a shiver, as if his whole body was out of sorts. He gripped his thigh firmly with his hand, took a deep breath, and then asked, “Is everything settled in Jinyang?”
