OBS Chapter 201: A Four-Party Melee at Hangu Pass
Chapter 201: A Four-Party Melee at Hangu Pass
Xu Rongzheng led his troops in a violent attack on Hangu Pass. The shouts of killing were deafening, and the soldiers were like tigers descending from the mountains, unstoppable.
However, Lu Bu's troops were standing still like wooden sculptures or clay statues. Lu Bu's brows were furrowed, his eyes showing hesitation and confusion, and his heart seemed to be full of thousands of thoughts.
Wang Yun approached Lu Bu, his eyes eager and fanatical, and he said in an urgent and seductive voice: "General Lu, this is the perfect time for you to accomplish a great cause that will last for thousands of years! Dong Zhuo is at the end of his rope. As long as you take the opportunity to attack his camp and make great achievements in front of Emperor Liu Bian, wouldn't it be easy for you to gain wealth and honor and promotion in the future?" As Wang Yun spoke, he stared at Lu Bu's face, trying to catch a hint of approval from his expression.
When Lu Bu heard this, his heart was moved, and a trace of desire flashed in his eyes, but he was still a little hesitant and murmured in a low voice: "This..."
Upon seeing this, Zhang Liao hurried forward with an anxious look on his face, clasping his fists and said, "General, you absolutely cannot do this! I betrayed Ding Yuan because Ding Yuan suppressed everyone and treated the generals badly. But Dong Zhuo has been so kind to you, General. Not only did he reward and promote you generously, he even reorganized the Bingzhou Army into one army and handed it over to you for full management. He never interfered arbitrarily, let alone placed any confidants in your place. Now, under Dong Zhuo, our Bingzhou Army lives a comfortable and easy life. Although Dong Zhuo is in trouble now, it would be unjust for us to stand by and watch. How can we stab our lord in the back?" Zhang Liao was so excited that veins bulged on his forehead and his eyes were full of loyalty and indignation.
As Lu Bu listened to Zhang Liao's advice, his face had a complicated expression. Sometimes he looked guilty, and sometimes he was tempted by Wang Yun's words. He was in a fierce struggle in his heart.
After hearing what Zhang Liao said, Wang Yun couldn't help but sneer, his face full of disdain, and retorted loudly: "Hmph! Zhang Liao, you are short-sighted! Emperor Liu Bian is the orthodox leader, and Dong Zhuo is the one who brings chaos to the world. Now that Dong Zhuo's downfall is imminent, we should support the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty. This is the righteousness!" Wang Yun spoke fiercely and waved his hands, as if he had seen the bright prospects for the revival of the Han Dynasty.
Lu Bu was torn between these two completely different opinions. He looked at Wang Yun and then at Zhang Liao, his face changing from gloomy to happy.
Seeing that Lu Bu was still hesitating, Zhang Liao felt anxious and angry, but he could not argue with Wang Yun. His face turned red with anger. He flicked his sleeves, stomped his feet, and turned around angrily to go to the Xianzhen Camp to find Gao Shun.
After seeing Gao Shun, Zhang Liao's face was full of resentment, and he shouted: "Brother Gao, that old man Wang Yun has instigated the general to stab Dong Gong in the back at this time, seeking the so-called glory and wealth. I have tried hard to urge the general not to be so unjust, but Wang Yun is so eloquent that I can't argue with him. Brother Gao, tell me, how can we do such a disloyal thing when Dong Gong is in trouble!" As Zhang Liao spoke, he clenched his fists in anger and paced back and forth on the spot.
Gao Shun's expression grew even more serious upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, his gaze firm and composed. He sighed softly and spoke slowly, "Wenyuan, don't be so angry. I know your loyalty and sense of righteousness, and I agree with you. Although Prime Minister Dong is widely considered a villain, he has treated our Bingzhou army well. Now that he's in dire straits, it would be unjustifiable for us to turn against him."
Zhang Liao paused, looked at Gao Shun, and said anxiously, "But now Wang Yun's arguments are clear, and General Lü Bu is hesitant. What should we do? Are we really going to watch helplessly as we embark on this unjust path?"
Gao Shun held the hilt of his sword, his brow furrowed in a serious expression. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Wenyuan, don't panic. We need to think calmly. I think right now, we should persuade the general to help Prime Minister Dong overcome this difficult situation. Firstly, this would preserve the long-standing friendship between master and servant. Secondly, even though Dong Zhuo seems to be at the end of his rope, he still controls most of the areas west and north of Chang'an. The situation is still unclear, and the outcome remains uncertain. We must not let the temptation of temporary gains lead to the eternal infamy of our leader."
Zhang Liao listened to Gao Shun's words and gradually calmed down. He nodded and said, "Brother Gao, you are absolutely right. I hope we can persuade the general not to make the wrong decision."
Gao Shun said, "He is now bewitched by that witch, how could he listen to our advice? If Prime Minister Dong's camp comes under attack, we will definitely go to help with the strength of our Xianzhen Camp." Gao Shun frowned, his face full of worry, his eyes full of helplessness and worry.
Zhang Liao was also extremely upset. He paced back and forth and said anxiously, "If I had gone there to assist Dong Zhuo without the general's order, it would undoubtedly be a betrayal of General Lu. But I really can't bear to see Dong Zhuo defeated!" Zhang Liao held his head with both hands and shook it in pain.
Gao Shun said: "We have a deep affection for the general, but putting aside loyalty, the general's character is such that he is obsessed with women and even draws his sword against his brothers. To be honest, he is probably not a wise leader. With this witch always by his side, we don't know what the future will be like." Gao Shun sighed as he spoke, his face full of disappointment.
Gao Shun's words made Zhang Liao think deeply. He stood there, motionless. After a long time, he stomped his feet and said, "Brother Gao, if you really want to help Prime Minister Dong, count me in!" Zhang Liao's eyes were firm, as if he had made up his mind.
Ma Chao led a mighty army, like a surging tide, to Hangu Pass. Looking up, he saw Liu Fan, the defender of Hangu Pass, leading the Yizhou troops in a fierce battle with Dong Zhuo's forces. The shouts of killing resounded through the sky, seeming to tear it apart. Ma Chao's eyes flashed, and without hesitation, he raised his spear high and roared, "Soldiers, follow me, charge!" Instantly, the sound of horses' hooves echoed like thunder, and he led his army in a massive assault on Hangu Pass from behind.
At Ma Chao's command, the army advanced with the force of thunder. The soldiers shouted, their faces grim and filled with a desire to kill. They marched with measured and powerful steps, rapidly approaching Hangu Pass.
Looking up, Liu Fan, the defender of Hangu Pass, was leading the Yizhou troops in a fierce battle against Dong Zhuo's forces. The clash of weapons and shouts of war mingled, resonating through the heavens. Liu Fan's face flushed red, sweat mixed with blood streamed down his cheeks as he shouted at the top of his lungs, commanding his soldiers to repel Dong Zhuo's advance.
Ma Chao's army was crawling towards the city wall from behind like vicious wolves, and Liu Fan was instantly caught in a dilemma of being attacked from both sides. His face became extremely solemn, but his eyes still showed firm determination.
"Fa Zheng, quickly divide the troops to resist Ma Chao!" Liu Fan shouted loudly.
Fa Zheng took the order and hurriedly turned around with part of his troops to deal with Ma Chao's attack.
Liu Dan did not retreat. Although his shoulder was injured and the wound was broken and blood stained half of his clothes, he still held his weapon and fought actively on the city wall.
"Brothers, as long as the city survives, we will survive. If the city is destroyed, we will die!" Liu Fan's voice was a little hoarse, but full of power.
Liu Fan was attacked from all sides, his troops drenched in sweat and panting, their weapons weighing heavily on their shoulders, yet they fought tooth and nail. Liu Fan, his face bloodstained, shouted hoarsely to rally the troops, but it seemed they were on the verge of collapse. At this critical moment, the allied forces descended like a celestial force, their banners fluttering in the wind, their soldiers' shouts deafening as they stormed Dong Zhuo's camp from behind. In an instant, Dong Zhuo's camp was trapped, besieged on all sides, and in imminent danger.
Seeing the situation was dire, Xu Rong was terribly anxious. His face instantly turned livid, and he was forced to abandon the siege. He shouted, "Return! Return!" and hurriedly led his troops back to the camp. However, the allied forces were numerous and their morale was high. Like a surging wave, they crashed into Dong Zhuo's defenses, wave after wave. Xu Rong was terribly anxious, his forehead veins bulging as he continuously brandished his sword and roared his orders. Li Ru, too, frowned, pacing back and forth in the tent, racking his brains for a response, but still unable to come up with a plan.
At this critical moment, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, leading the renowned Xianzhen Camp, arrived like a whirlwind. Despite receiving no orders from Lü Bu, they rushed unhesitatingly to aid Dong Zhuo's forces in defending the camp. The soldiers of the Xianzhen Camp were fearless and valiant, their eyes ablaze with determination. They bravely fought ten enemies at a time, each one a match for the other. Their armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and their weapons swung in showers of blood. With their help, Dong Zhuo's camp was finally able to hold, though the cries of battle still lingered and the smoke of gunpowder thickened.
In this earth-shattering melee, soldiers on both sides fought fearlessly. On the battlefield, swords clashed, blood splattered, and the soldiers' roars and screams mingled. Every inch of land was soaked in blood, and lives were lost at every moment. Dust flew wherever horses' hooves trod, corpses littered the ground, blood flowed like rivers, and countless casualties were reported. This brutal war, like a scene of hell on earth, was terrifying.