Establishing a thousand-year family from the nobles of the Western Han Dynasty

Chapter 28 Liu Qi resists, Luoyang falls

Since Liu Ruyi was enthroned as King of Zhao, the State of Zhao has developed very rapidly. Before that, there were rebellions by Liu Xingju and Liu Chang in Qi and Huainan, which caused serious damage to people's livelihood and affected the national strength to some extent.

As the Chu and Wu states were located too far to the south, their economies were relatively backward, and the court's focus in recent years was mainly on the Han area and the northern states.

However, Wu had many copper mines in the country and was close to the sea, so it mastered the technology of salt production. Liu Bi also implemented a tax-free policy, and its development speed gradually surpassed that of Zhao. However, due to its size, its strength was still far inferior.

There are now millions of people in Zhao, with 80,000 armored soldiers. If necessary, he can easily recruit hundreds of thousands of troops. In addition to the Qi and Liang areas he has captured, the strength of the rebels is unimaginable.

Boom boom boom!
The sound of horse hooves hitting the ground resounded through the sky.

Xu Zhao personally led 3,000 elite cavalry and half a month's worth of food and fodder and walked in the front, while the 5,000 infantrymen in the rear were chasing with all their might and obtaining food and fodder nearby.

Under Emperor Wen's policy of laissez-faire for more than ten years, the treasuries of all counties were very full, and there were mountains of grain in any number of counties. After all, Liu Ruyi's rebellion was hasty and needed to be kept secret, so many places in Zhao did not receive the news and still obeyed the court's orders, and therefore did not encounter much trouble.

Three thousand elite cavalrymen under the banner of the Han Dynasty shuttled through the State of Zhao. During this time, Xu Zhen discovered that except for important towns, there were very few garrisons in the cities, probably only enough to maintain daily order. It seemed that Liu Ruyi was going to go for it.

If he captures Chang'an, he can immediately become emperor and directly control Guanzhong, Bashu and other places with his strong military force. Then even if Liu Heng attacks Zhao, it will be of no use. There are also a large amount of money and grain stored in the Chang'an treasury, which is enough to support the army for several years.

The Han Dynasty is now extremely wealthy, but this prosperity seems so fragile in the face of war.

.........

At this time, the military force in Guanzhong was very weak, and Liu Ruyi still had the imperial seal in his hand, so he easily tricked the city gate open. The army then marched forward like a hot knife through butter and headed straight for Luoyang.

When Crown Prince Liu Qi, who stayed in the court as regent, learned that the Zhao army was attacking, he immediately realized that something was wrong.

My father clearly asked Liu Ruyi to lead the army to support Yan State, but now he is leading the army straight to Guanzhong. There must be something wrong! And the number of soldiers does not match. According to the news from outside, the number of Zhao troops is no less than 200,000.

Taking all these things into consideration, it seems that my uncle the emperor is probably rebelling!

Liu Qi immediately summoned all officials to discuss countermeasures, and sent envoys to report the situation, hoping that the emperor would send reinforcements as soon as possible.

"Everyone, King Zhao Liu Ruyi is now leading an army of no less than 200,000 and has already approached Luoyang. He has rebelled!"

Liu Qi said with a serious face that now they have no soldiers inside and the reinforcements are being entangled by the Hu people. The Han Dynasty is in danger.

"What? King Zhao rebelled!"

"How could he be like this? Your Majesty treats him well."

"It's totally unstoppable..."

The ministers did not think they had a chance of winning, and the King of Zhao's rebellion was too unexpected. Normally, His Majesty treated him as a brother, giving him people and land when he asked for them, but he rebelled without any reason.

Liu Qi was also somewhat desperate, but as the regent prince of the Han Dynasty, he could not lose his composure, so he pretended to be calm and said: "Now the country is in crisis, the Zhao rebels are ignorant of the fate and will definitely not be able to defeat the king's army. Now all we can do is try our best to stop the rebels!"

"I believe that Father's reinforcements are on the way."

After hearing this, the ministers calmed down and began to offer suggestions.

The ministers in the court were either descendants of nobles or promoted by Liu Heng. They were still loyal and would not surrender just like that.

Some ministers who advocated surrender were also killed immediately by the soldiers who had been arranged in advance. At this time, the internal situation could not be disrupted. In the end, the prince made a plan to station all the soldiers in Chang'an, including those who maintained public order, and to close the city of Luoyang and other counties, focusing on defense.

As long as we hold on until the army arrives to support us, everything will be saved.

On May 6, the 16th year of Emperor Wen's reign, the Zhao rebels captured Luoyang and followed Emperor Gao's Three Articles of Law, refusing to harm the people, maintaining the court's original tax collection and strictly enforcing military discipline.

This move greatly reduced the people's and the powerful's rejection of the rebels. Although they would not support them, at least they would not openly resist.

Emperor Wen had reduced taxes and levies for many years, and lived in harmony with the people, which made him very popular among the people. It can be said that everyone liked Liu Heng more and still held a contemptuous attitude towards the Zhao rebels.

"Your Majesty, the food and fodder have been prepared, and the rewards have been distributed." The Zhao general came to report in military uniform.

"That's good. Tell all the troops not to stop and keep moving forward."

Liu Ruyi stroked his beard and spoke calmly. He had a high nose bridge and sharp eyes. He was a replica of Liu Bang!
At this time, he was sitting in the seat of the former Emperor Wen Liu Heng, and did not seem to be happy about the capture of Luoyang. This was just the beginning, and at least he had to wait until he captured Chang'an to achieve the goal.

As an ancient capital, Luoyang also has an imperial palace. The Han Dynasty always regarded it as its second capital, so a lot of effort was put into it.

"Alas, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have no interest in the throne, but if you want to reduce the power of the vassal states, Zhao will probably be the primary target."

Liu Ruyi's expression was somewhat sad. He knew the character of His Majesty very well. He was kind but did not cherish old feelings. He lived on the feelings of the two. Zhao would always be the strongest vassal, but what about the future? No emperor would allow such a big hidden danger to exist.

As a father, he always had to do something for his children. After thinking for half a month, he decided to take the opportunity to rebel and take back the throne that should belong to him.

Perhaps out of compassion or for some other reason, he did not cut off the food supply to Yan.

"Forget it. Now that things have come to this, we can only go to the end."

Liu Ruyi stood up, put on his helmet, and walked out of the palace. He was now going to lead his troops to capture Chang'an personally!

"All officers, listen up and move forward at full speed!"

As the king's order was issued, everyone immediately began to march towards Chang'an. The generals were in a heavy mood. If they succeeded, they would be the new heroes, and if they failed, they would die without a burial place.

The news of the fall of Luoyang was immediately transmitted back to Chang'an. Liu Qi was terrified, but he could not panic now. His many years as a crown prince forced him to calm down.

Eventually, counties along the way again recruited soldiers on the spot in an attempt to stop the rebels' advance.

The Zhao army soon engaged in battle with the Han army left behind at Hangu Pass. As a military stronghold, the geographical location of this place was very important. With the prince's permission several times, in addition to the 5,000 veteran soldiers, Hangu Pass also had 30,000 newly trained recruits.

Even so, the chances of winning were still slim, as the Zhao army had a total of 260,000 troops, most of whom were well-trained.

The defenders knew they had little chance of winning, so they stayed indoors and guarded the city gates.

The anxious rebels immediately launched a fierce attack.

Arrows shot by archers and crossbows, and boulders thrown by catapults covered the entire battlefield, but the city walls were extremely solid and showed no signs of collapse.

(End of this chapter)