Chapter 51

Chapter 685: Defending Hanguan! (2)

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What was it that Jingu saw to come up with his strategy?

All he could see in front of him was a male pig with short legs trying to mate with a large female pig.

More precisely, it was a pitiful male pig that kept falling over because its short legs couldn't climb onto the female.

Jingu had devised a strategy from this trivial sight and now sought to confirm whether it would be accepted or not. He set out to find Luoshi.

Rebuilding for the next battle was in full swing on the city walls.

Although the Guanxi army had retreated, no one knew when they would launch another attack. It was only natural to prepare arrows and logs whenever there was a chance.

Jingu managed to climb up to the watchtower, pushing through the soldiers. However, Luoshi was surrounded by his officers, making it impossible to approach.

"Commander, please don't be stubborn and accept my advice. You should retreat and receive treatment."

"That's right. Commander, I believe General Han's words are reasonable. If you continue like this, your wounds will fester and worsen."

Han Huo and Dan Wai were earnestly pleading with Luoshi, but he remained resolute.

"Retreat? To where? Generals Han and Dan, it seems you are mistaken... If Hanguan falls, none of us will survive."

Luoshi's words left the two generals speechless.

The Luoyang Eight Passes could be considered the last line of defense for the Han Dynasty. Even if one could hold out in Luoyang City, without the protection of the Eight Passes, how long could Luoyang City last?

If Hanguan fell, it would be a direct path to Luoyang City, and the Guandong army was already besieging Shoushu Pass in the east.

If either of these two places fell, Luoyang would also fall.

The emperor leaving the imperial capital would mean the fall of the Eastern Han. The realm would likely deteriorate to the point where the present situation would be envied.

"Commander, you must still receive treatment. Even if you stubbornly insist, you won't last more than four days."

"General Han, I understand what you mean, but even those four days can only be endured with me here. If the commander leaves his post, will the soldiers really fight with all their might?"

Luoshi shook his head, answering his own question. He then looked each of Han Huo and Dan Wai in the eye.

"Both of you listen well. I know you are capable generals who can lead troops into battle at any time and place. However, you lack the mindset of a commander."

Luoshi left much unsaid, but both Han Huo and Dan Wai could guess what he meant.

If there was no hope for the future, one must be prepared to die where they stand to qualify as a commander...

* * *

"If my strategy can buy us some time, will you then retreat and receive treatment?"

Everyone turned their gaze to Jingu, who had pushed through the officers.

Han Huo was the first to look away, followed by the others who had been staring at Jingu.

'Tch! He's just an unknown strategist who likes to show off.'

Han Huo thought little of Jingu. The others also didn't consider him much.

This reaction was perhaps understandable. Jingu had never made a name for himself in the realm. Since the realm didn't know his true worth, it was natural that he received little respect.

However, there were two exceptions.

One was Zhang Chao. As Zhang Mu's brother, he remembered how Zhang Mu had benefited from Jingu's assistance.

The Guandong army was filled with renowned strategists. It was thanks to Jingu that Zhang Mu's weaker forces managed to preserve their strength.

Wei Zhi's strategies were indeed remarkable, but even he had his limits. After his strategies were seen through by the Guandong army's strategists, Zhang Mu suffered consecutive defeats.

It was Jingu who broke this losing streak.

Zhang Chao deeply respected Wei Zhi but knew that Jingu was even more skilled.

The other person was Luoshi. He knew that Jingu had served under Lü Bu.

'Lü Bu recruited him. Just like Lü Bu, who changed my meaningless life, this man might be able to change this hopeless battle.'

Luoshi was a warrior who had long transcended physical pain. However, even he would find the burden of defeat too heavy to bear. Would Jingu be the one to bring hope to his desperate situation?

"Master Gongtai, is that so? I will listen. Present your strategy."

As Luoshi gave his permission, a fierce determination burned in Jingu's eyes.

At the Guanxi army camp.

Ma Teng and Han Sui were prostrating before Huang Bosun, accompanied by their generals. They expected a harsh reprimand after losing their siege towers and engaging in a prolonged war of attrition.

However, Huang Bosun remained silent, merely staring at them. Then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Ahahaha!"

In the silence, Huang Bosun's laughter echoed widely.

He glared at Hanguan's watchtower. The sun had set, and the distance was great, but it seemed he could see Luoshi's figure.

'His injuries must be severe...'

Was he concerned about Luoshi's injuries? No, he was thinking of how to breach Hanguan.

Huang Bosun knew better than anyone that Luoshi was injured. It was his sword that had inflicted those wounds.

"Lord, please punish us."

The military advisor, Si Yuan, bowed to Huang Bosun, pleading for punishment on behalf of Ma Teng and Han Sui. However, Huang Bosun shook his head.

"Punishment? That's absurd. Hanguan will fall soon. They won't last much longer."

"Are you referring to the piles of stones they poured to block the path of our siege towers?"

"That's part of it, but there's something more important."

Si Yuan tilted his head, and Huang Bosun gestured for him to come closer. Si Yuan approached quickly, and Huang Bosun whispered to him.

"Luoshi won't last much longer."

Si Yuan had already anticipated this to some extent. He knew that Luoshi had been injured in his duel with Huang Bosun.

However, there was a problem.

"Lord, Luoshi is still guarding the watchtower."

"That's actually a good thing. The fact that the commander is holding his post despite severe injuries is a testament to how dire the situation at Hanguan is."

There was no need to elaborate further. Si Yuan had grasped the core of the matter.

"Then there's no need to launch a full-scale assault. The enemy commander will fall on his own if we just wait."

"Indeed. The soldiers will lose their fighting spirit when they see the commander fall."

"But there's a problem."

Si Yuan quickly added.

"Of course, the Guandong army is a concern. Isn't that right?"

Huang Bosun nodded.

"Yuan Shao cannot be allowed to cross the Eight Passes first and plant his flag in the eastern capital."

The Guanxi army and the Guandong army had formed an alliance to attack the Eight Passes from the east and west, to avoid a full-scale war with Dong Zhuo.

However, this was only a temporary alliance to avoid a direct confrontation with Dong Zhuo.

Huang Bosun's Guanxi army, Yuan Shao's Guandong army, and Dong Zhuo's Xiliang and central forces were all roughly equal in strength.

If they engaged in a full-scale war over the Luoyang Eight Passes, neither the Guanxi army nor the Guandong army could guarantee victory.

Even if they won, the losses would be so great that the side that didn't participate in the battle would gain the advantage.

This unintended stalemate had prevented both the Guanxi and Guandong armies from making a move on Luoyang.

However, with the alliance between Huang Bosun and Yuan Shao, Dong Zhuo had no choice but to split his forces. The next problem was which side would cross the Eight Passes first and claim Luoyang, thus gaining control of the realm.

"Shoushu Pass is harder to breach than Hanguan. The Guandong army won't easily cross Shoushu Pass, which even the Seventeen Warlords couldn't break through."

"Nonsense. The Seventeen Warlords had more troops than the Guandong army, but most of them were not willing to fight with all their might. They were more concerned with preserving their own forces than supporting the imperial cause. How could they win?"

"If we just drag out the time, the enemy commander will fall on his own. But I'm worried that the Guandong army might cross the Eight Passes first. We need your decision, Lord."

"Let the soldiers rest tonight. We'll assess the situation after attacking tomorrow morning."

* * *

The next morning.

The Guanxi army once again covered Hanguan in a sea of black.

Despite the brief respite of just one night, the Guanxi soldiers looked refreshed, which cast a shadow over Luoshi's face.

'The enemy had a full night's rest, but our soldiers have been working tirelessly without proper sleep. I must ensure their efforts are not in vain...'

Last night, while the Guanxi army rested, the Hanguan forces had been on high alert all night.

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!

As the drums sounded from the Guanxi camp, Luoshi signaled his subordinates.

"They're starting again. Put on your armor. Generals, go to your positions and prepare to face the enemy. Remember! Our lives are tied to the fate of Hanguan."

"Yes, Commander!"

"Yes, Commander!"

The generals immediately began to move upon receiving Luoshi's orders.

"Charge! Charge!"

Soon, the Guanxi soldiers surged forward, shouting.

On the city walls, the archers nocked their arrows, ready to target the enemy. Even with ample supplies, they couldn't waste arrows recklessly. The archers waited for the ballistae to fire first.

The ballistae on the walls launched their bolts.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The bolts pierced through a few enemy soldiers before embedding themselves in the ground, but the Guanxi soldiers continued to advance.

However, the danger didn't end once they escaped the range of the bolts. The archers on the walls were waiting for them.

"Fire! Keep firing!"

The archers on the walls rained arrows down continuously. However, the Guanxi soldiers pressed forward, undeterred by the arrows and death.

Soon, soldiers began to place ladders against the walls and climb up. In front of the gate, shield bearers were clearing the piles of stones.

"Commander! The enemy is clearing a path for their siege towers."

Upon hearing the captain's report, Luoshi bit his lip.

'With the catapults depleted, if the siege towers advance again, we won't be able to defend the gate. It's time to use Jingu's strategy.'

Luoshi made his decision and gave the order.

"Raise the commander's flag and the enemy flag!"

"Raise the commander's flag and the enemy flag!"

The captains shouted, and the soldiers holding the flags raised them high.

Then, wooden barriers were erected on the walls. These were the wooden walls (mumu).

The sudden increase in the wall's height by three feet left the Guanxi soldiers climbing the ladders in shock.

The ladders were just tall enough to reach the top of the wall, but with the addition of the wooden walls, the wall's height increased by three feet, making it impossible for the soldiers to climb over even if they reached the top of the ladders.

Huang Bosun, observing the battle, was also taken aback and gestured angrily towards Hanguan.

"What! What! What is this? Wooden walls on the city walls?"

But it was too early to be surprised. Jingu's strategy was only just beginning.