The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Chapter 299: Bloody Battle at Xiaoguan (Part 2)

Zhang Han, who was leading his army towards Xiaoguan, felt a headache when he learned that Xiaoguan had fallen and Feng Jie had been captured.

After all, it was he who led the army and delayed some time in Liyang. If he could lead the army to Xiaoguan earlier, he might be able to stop Meng Tian's army outside the pass.

Zhang Han stood there, his brow furrowed, a mixture of emotions welling up in his chest. The generals around him also wore worried expressions and were whispering among themselves.

"My lord, what should we do? The court won't blame us, right?" General Ma Ping asked anxiously.

Zhang Han took a deep breath and said slowly, "Now the only way to make amends is to recapture Xiaoguan as soon as possible."

He swept his eyes over the generals and continued, "Meng Tian has fought many battles, showing both wisdom and courage. Now his army is winning. If we confront them head-on now, I'm afraid our army will not be able to gain the upper hand!"

Zhang Han pondered for a moment and said, "The army should first find a strategic location to set up camp, and at the same time send spies to closely monitor Meng Tian's movements."

At this time, General Zhou An of the Central Army stepped forward and said, "General, I think we can first retreat to our original position to reorganize our troops and then try to recapture Xiaoguan."

Zhang Han shook his head and said, "Once Meng Tian captures Xiaoguan, he will definitely strengthen the defense. Retreating now will only miss the opportunity. We must take the initiative and attack, looking for an opportunity to fight."

The generals all accepted the order.

Zhang Han nodded with satisfaction, then ordered the army to continue advancing and look for a suitable place to set up camp.

After entering Xiaoguan, Meng Tian did not relax.

He stood on the city wall, looking down at the scene inside the city. The people in the city were busy, and the soldiers were strengthening the city defense.

"General, Zhang Han's army is approaching." A spy came to report.

Meng Tian smiled slightly and said, "I understand. Zhang Han is a man not to be underestimated. We must be fully prepared."

He turned to the generals beside him and said, "Increase patrols and keep a close eye on the enemy's movements. At the same time, ensure the city's supply of materials and appease the people."

After the generals received the order and left.

Meng Tian was alone, muttering to himself, "Brother Yi said that Zhang Han is a talented general. It would be best if we could subdue him. But it seems that it is not easy at the moment!"

At this time, Zhang Han led a large army to garrison in a dangerous place in Jingyang.

At this time, the spy came to report, "Report, General, after Meng Tian's army entered Xiaoguan, they only built the city wall and stored food and grass, and had no intention of advancing eastward."

Zhang Han had a plan in mind. He gazed into the distance and said in a deep voice, "Although Meng Tian has taken Xiaoguan, his foothold is not yet stable. Moreover, he has just experienced a major battle and must have suffered some losses. We can send a small group of elite troops to raid his food and supplies at night."

The generals' eyes lit up and they thought this plan was feasible.

Immediately, Zhang Han selected more than a thousand elite soldiers, led by Ma Ping, and quietly approached Meng Tian's camp in Xiaoguan.

Meanwhile, Meng Tian remained vigilant within Xiaoguan Pass, fully aware that Zhang Han would counterattack. He ordered his men to reinforce their fortifications and sent men to closely monitor Zhang Han's movements.

That night, Ma Ping's team sneaked to the outside of Meng Tian's food camp.

Just as he was preparing to launch a surprise attack, Ma Ping suddenly noticed an unusual aura surrounding him.

"Oh no, this place seems to be guarded!" Ma Ping exclaimed in a low voice, with a hint of astonishment in his eyes.

Ma Ping frowned. He knew the situation was not good, but now that things had come to this point, there was no way back and he could only fight to the death.

"Brothers, prepare for battle!" Ma Ping shouted loudly, his voice full of determination.

The two sides immediately engaged in a fierce battle, with shouts and cries of killing echoing through the night sky.

The sound of fierce fighting alarmed Meng Tian in the main camp. The corners of his mouth rose slightly, revealing a smug smile.

"Haha, the opportunity has come." Meng Tian laughed softly.

Immediately, Meng Tian personally led the army to come.

Ma Ping was surrounded. He waved his sword and fought hard.

"Brothers, hold on! The general will definitely come to rescue us!" Ma Ping encouraged everyone loudly.

Ma Ping was surrounded and fighting hard when suddenly a series of trumpet sounds were heard in the distance. It turned out that Zhang Han saw that the situation was not good and led the main force to rescue.

Meng Tian was delighted to see Zhang Han's army arriving.

However, just when Zhang Han thought he could rescue Ma Ping, a burst of hurried horse hooves sounded from the rear of the army.

It turned out that Sima Yan led 10,000 cavalrymen and ambushed in the nearby mountains and forests.

Zhang Han's face changed as he realized that the situation had become more serious.

"Don't panic, maintain the formation!" Zhang Han shouted loudly, trying to stabilize the morale of the army.

After a fierce fighting, the number of soldiers under Zhang Han gradually decreased, and they struggled hard in the encirclement of Meng Tian and Sima Yan.

"Surrender, Zhang Han! You have no way to escape!" Sima Yan stood on a high place, looking down at the besieged Zhang Han's troops and shouted loudly.

Zhang Han heard the shout, but did not say anything. He just gritted his teeth and stared at the enemy in the distance with a gloomy face.

At this moment, Meng Tian rode over slowly on a snow-white warhorse. He said in a loud voice, "General Zhang Han, could you please come out and talk?"

Zhang Han's body trembled violently when he heard Meng Tian's voice. He had always admired this great general who had once been feared throughout the land, fought in many battles, and defended his country and its borders.

In his mind, Meng Tian was like an insurmountable mountain, always worthy of his admiration and following.

However, times have changed. Now, out of momentary greed and vanity, he accepted Hu Hai's reward and betrayed the beliefs and principles he once upheld.

Thinking of this, Zhang Han couldn't help but feel a burning shame on his face, as if millions of ants were gnawing at his heart.

Finally, Zhang Han mustered up his courage, walked out of the ranks with a face full of shame, and came to the front. He bowed deeply to Meng Tian, ​​bowed his head and said, "I, the defeated general Zhang Han, greet the general."

Meng Tian looked at the general in front of him with a guilty face, and his heart was filled with emotion.

He waved his hand gently and spoke earnestly, "This war was a mistake, so how can you be called a defeated general? You and I are both ministers of the Great Qin, and we owe it to them to work for its prosperity. Now that the court is in danger, it is time for you and me to step forward and support the Great Qin! I hope General Zhang Han will prioritize the greater good, let go of past grudges and obsessions, and work together to restore order and save the Great Qin from this dire straits."

Zhang Han's eyes instantly became moist when he heard Meng Tian's sincere words.

He quickly bowed again, his voice slightly choked with emotion as he said, "I am willing to obey the orders of the General, and I will do anything for him, even to the bitter end!"

Zhengguo Canal area.

Upon hearing that Zhang Han had left, Li Ze felt a glimmer of hope. He knew this was a rare opportunity for respite. He and Li Feng gathered the remaining generals to discuss countermeasures.

"Zhang Han has left, and now the ones guarding here are Zhao Ben's 30,000 Northern Army. Although their troops outnumber ours, the terrain here is complex and we are familiar with the environment, so we can set up an ambush." ​​Li Ze analyzed.

Everyone nodded.

In the following days, Li Ze sent people to secretly spy on the enemy's military intelligence and set up numerous traps in the narrow passages of the valley.

Zhao Ben had just arrived here and was unaware of the dangers involved, so he rashly advanced with his large army.

After entering the valley, Li Ze gave an order and the soldiers hidden in the forests on both sides either shot arrows or pushed down boulders.

For a moment, Zhao Ben's army was in chaos.

Li Ze took advantage of the situation and led the remaining troops to attack Huanglong.

Zhao Ben was unable to organize effective resistance in his panic.

After a fierce battle, Li Ze defeated Zhao Ben with a smaller force.

After this battle, Zhao Ben knew his own strength and retreated to the city of Liyang, never daring to lead his army to attack Li Ze's troops again.