Chapter 7: Digging a Waterway and Flooding the Pass

  Fresh blood stained the earth, and vultures circled in the sky without leaving.

  Tens of thousands of soldiers endured the turmoil in their stomachs and quickly carried away the corpses one by one before concentrating on cremation.

  The battlefield is a harvester of human lives, ruthless and cold-blooded.

  The allied forces of the thirty million vassals of Kanto fiercely attacked the Ziwu Pass, but after half a month, they failed to take it and suffered heavy casualties. The Taishou of Shanyang, Yuan Yi, the Cishi of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, the Taishou of Nanyang, Yuan Shu, and other vassals suggested retreating ten miles temporarily and then discussing strategies for breaking into the city.

  Yuan Shao had no choice but to retreat his troops ten miles and set up camp, summoning the various lords to discuss strategies for breaching the city.

  The Chinese military headquarters.

  The various princes had been discussing for several days and still hadn't come up with a plan to break through.

  Cao Cao sat in the middle seat on the left, secretly sizing up the various lords, seeing that the timing was almost right, and then made a gesture to his good friend Bao Xin, the Minister of Jibei, who was sitting opposite him.

  Bao Xin understood, and clearing his throat loudly said: "I have a plan, which can break through the pass."

  Yuan Shao's spirit lifted at once, and he said with a smile: "Sir Bao, you have some clever plan, pray tell it."

  Bao Xin said: "Now that the winter snow is melting and the river's water level is rising, why not dig open the floodgate and divert the water to irrigate the city?"

  All the vassals changed color at the same time, and their faces revealed a hint of movement.

  "Absolutely not!"

  Yuan Shao was just about to applaud when he heard a sudden shout.

  All the vassals looked over hastily, and it was Xu State Governor Tao Qian who spoke up.

  Just then, Tao Qian said: "This plan is against the will of heaven and must not be done. If we dig open the Weishui River to flood the city, then within a hundred miles around the Weishui Pass it will become a vast expanse of water, and at that time hundreds of thousands of civilians in the surrounding areas will inevitably suffer a disaster, I hope the alliance leader will think thrice."

  Yuan Shao furrowed his brow, and indeed had nothing to say.

  If we were to agree with this plan directly, I fear it would bring us a reputation for being unkind and unjust.

  Yuan Shu retorted, "In war, there's no avoiding casualties. As long as we can break through the Sishui Pass and execute the national thief Dong Zhuo, what does it matter if a few hundred civilians die? What's more important, everyone knows that, Lord Tao is being too pedantic!"

  Yuan Yi, the governor of Shanyang, Qiao Mao, the governor of Dongjun, and Zhang Miao, the governor of Chenliu, hastily agreed.

  Cao Cao and Sun Jian among a few other lords remained silent, only casting strange glances at Yuan Shu.

  Yuan Shao couldn't help but glance at Yuan Shu, thinking to himself that the latter was indeed rash. How could he utter such words? Even if everyone had such thoughts, it wasn't suitable to express them out loud, or else they would definitely be criticized for being inconsiderate of the common people.

  However, since someone agrees with it, then it's easier to handle.

  Yuan Shao immediately slammed his hand on the table and said: "Since everyone has this intention, then dig a trench to divert the water of the Yellow River to flood the city."

  The various lords were all stirred up, rubbing their fists and palms. In this chaotic world where human life was as cheap as grass, the aristocratic lords only cared about their own official positions and future prospects, without anyone caring about the lives of the common people.

  As long as we can break through the muddy water pass, what does it matter if a few hundred villagers die?

  It is better for civilians to die than for soldiers under one's command to be sent to their deaths.

  Only Tao Qian's eyes were dim and he blamed himself endlessly, once disappointed with all the lords.

  Xishui Pass

  The barracks were filled with wounded soldiers, and the sound of mourning was endless.

  The Kanto Allied Army suffered heavy casualties, and the Xiliang Army also suffered significant losses.

  Rough statistics show that casualties are approaching 20,000, which is by no means a small number.

  With the advantage of a strong city, there are still casualties as heavy as this, it can be seen that the attack of the Kwantung Army is so fierce.

  Although the Guandong rebels temporarily retreated, the Xiliang generals did not dare to relax at all. On the one hand, they rushed to repair the city's defenses, and on the other hand, they sent an urgent report to Luoyang with a distance of 800 miles, saying that the Guandong army's attack was fierce and the Zaishui Pass might be difficult to defend for long.

  Luo Zheng no longer stayed in the military camp to recover from his injuries and went to the central army tent to attend a military meeting.

  The Chinese military headquarters.

  Dozens of Western Liang generals all looked solemn and never dared to underestimate the Eastern Army again.

  After besieging the city for half a month, everyone deeply realized that the Kwantung Army was not a motley crew like the Yellow Turbans.

  Even if they were mostly new recruits, their weapons and equipment were uneven, but they were not comparable to the Yellow Turban bandits.

  Hu Zhi sat in his seat, looking worried and said: "The Eastern Army's offensive is fierce, what to do?"

  All the generals were silent and did nothing but defend themselves, what other good way was there?

  From Kanto day and night continuously rotating fierce attack on Baishui Pass, it is clear that they are not probing, but want to break through the pass at once.

  Everyone is in low spirits and can't cheer up.

  Of course, it's not that there is no way, it's just that nobody dares to say it out loud.

  Then he led his troops in retreat and withdrew to the Tiger Trap Pass to regroup.

  After all, the Tiger Trap Pass has the reputation of being the number one pass in the world. It is the gateway to Luoyang and its walls are high and its moat is deep. If we concentrate our forces and rely on the strategic location of the Tiger Trap Pass, we can strangle the throat of the rebel army's eastern advance.

  Only, abandoning the defense of Xingyue Pass was not mentioned until the moment of life and death.

  Retreating without fighting is a capital offense.

  No one can afford to take on such a great responsibility, even Hu Zu is no exception.

  Although many Western Liang generals had such thoughts, no one dared to bring it up.

  After discussing for half a day, no result was achieved.

  Hu Zhen felt somewhat annoyed and had no choice but to end this inconclusive military meeting.

  For three consecutive days, the Kwantung Army remained completely still.

  The Western Liang generals let out a sigh of relief at the same time, and secretly wondered what the Guandong army was doing.

  Luo Zheng, however, became increasingly vigilant. Judging from the Kwantung Army's fierce attack on Zhenbao Island a few days ago, it was clear that they were going to break through the pass in one fell swoop, not just probing or pretending. Now, however, they had suddenly stopped their advance, which seemed suspicious.

  Something is amiss, and it must be a plot; otherwise, there's no way to explain why the Kwantung Army is so calm.

  Luo Zheng was somewhat uneasy and, after obtaining Hu Zhu's consent, personally went out of the city to investigate the enemy situation, but didn't discover anything unusual.

  The unease in my heart is even more intense, as if something bad is about to happen.

  After dark, Luo Zhen led dozens of cavalrymen out of the city to scout and unexpectedly discovered that the Guandong Allied Army's large camp was quietly relocating, all moving to a higher terrain, and dispersing in various places, no longer gathering in one place.

  "What is the Kwantung Army doing?"

  Luo Zheng was somewhat perplexed, but suddenly a light bulb went off in his head and he thought of a possibility, his face immediately changing color.

  "It's bad, the Kwantung Army is likely to flood the Wanping Fort."

  Luo Zheng's cold light stood up, no longer paying attention to other things, and immediately shouted, riding his horse back and forth.

  Hu Zhong had just finished paying his taxes and was about to rest when a personal soldier came to report that Luo Zhengxu wanted to see him, which made him somewhat unhappy.

  Disturbing people's peaceful sleep in the middle of the night, this kid has some nerve.

  If it's just some trivial matter, I'll definitely teach this kid a lesson later on.

  Hu Zhuan turned over a few ideas and ordered his personal soldiers to bring Luo Zheng in. He then got up and went to the side hall.

  "General, something is wrong."

  Luo Zheng stepped into the side hall and hastily said: "The Eastern Army is likely to breach the banks of the Wei River to flood Guandong."

  "What?"

  Hu Zhen was greatly shocked and almost jumped up in surprise. He sternly said, "These words are true, don't disturb the morale of the army."

  Luo Zheng said urgently: "Not leaving the city for ten days, Fang Zhong had just gone out of the city to investigate and found that the rebel army's large camp in Guandong was moving to a higher place under the cover of night, and it was very scattered. Only then did he suddenly think of this possibility. General, think about it, if it wasn't for wanting to dig open the Wei River to flood the pass, why would the rebel army in Guandong disperse their large camp and move to a higher place?"

  Hu Zhen wasn't a fool either, and as soon as he heard this, his face turned very ugly.

  "General, the only way now is to order the troops to withdraw from Zhenwu Pass as soon as possible. The more that can be withdrawn, the better. If we delay any longer, it will be too late. Please make a decision quickly."

  Hu Zhui's eyes sparkled, and he shuddered violently, suddenly coming back to his senses. However, he still hesitated, and in a deep voice said: "This is no laughing matter, if the Guandong army doesn't dig up the water to flood the pass, and our army abandons the pass and flees, we will certainly be punished with death."

  Luo Zheng hastily said: "I, Luo Zheng, dare to stake my head on this matter, it will absolutely not go wrong."

  Hu Zhen hesitated again and again. If this matter is true, not only will the Zezhou Pass be lost, but his own life may also be in danger. If the main force withdraws from the Zezhou Pass, while the rebel army in Guandong has not yet flooded the pass with water, there is still a chance to survive.

  Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated and immediately summoned his close guards to gather the various generals in the central military tent for discussion.

  Soon, all the generals above the rank of lieutenant colonel gathered in the military tent.

  The military council lasted very briefly and was over in less than twenty breaths.

  All the generals who heard Hu's order were somewhat perplexed. When they heard Luo Zheng's explanation, one by one was shocked and frightened, and immediately flew back to the camp to gather the army.

  Soon, the Weishui Pass was in an uproar, chaotic beyond control.

  The soldiers were awakened from their sleep, put on their armor, and quickly formed up in array under the officers' stern orders.

  Hu Zhi and his generals led 20,000 cavalrymen out of the city first, not daring to light torches, and rushed towards Tiger Trap Pass in the dark.

  However, tens of thousands of troops marched out of the city, and they had to grope in the dark, which really slowed them down.

  The vanguard has already run out of ten miles, while the rear team just left the city.

  Luo Zheng's luck was pretty good, as he discovered Kwantung Army's conspiracy and was summoned by Hu Zongnan to his side.

  Just as they were about to proceed, a loud explosion was heard and the night sky rumbled with thunder, like the sound of ten thousand horses galloping, causing the ground to shake.

  "It's bad, the Kanto rebels have really breached the river dike."

  Hu Zhen was shocked and lost his composure. Without time to think carefully, he pulled the horse's head and rushed down the official road, running towards the mountain beside the road.

  The various generals and cavalry behind him were also frightened out of their wits and retreated to higher ground.

  The rumbling sound grew louder and louder, as if a mountain was collapsing, causing everyone's heart to beat wildly.

  Luo Zheng secretly wiped away a cold sweat, fortunately discovering it early, otherwise this time he would have been done for.

  It's hard to walk on the mountain, there is no road to follow.

  The commander and cavalrymen immediately dismounted, lit torches, and pulled their war horses up the mountain.

  The army was thrown into utter confusion, with some cavalrymen even abandoning their warhorses and fleeing wildly, throwing away their weapons.

  Luo Zheng let out a sigh of sorrow, and he himself didn't know what kind of feeling it was.

  Even if they managed to narrowly escape, it was still uncertain whether they could return safely to Tiger Trap Pass.

  If the army is still here, there will be no problem.

  Now in this situation, the military's morale has collapsed, people are panicking, and it is fundamentally uncontrollable.

  For now, it can only wait until dawn and then deliberate again from a long-term perspective.

  The quiet night sky was shattered, the rumbling sound getting closer and closer, mixed with the screams of soldiers and the long whinnying of war horses.

  The soldiers at the Hulao Pass have risen in revolt, rushing about like headless flies, completely chaotic. They trample each other, with some being knocked to the ground and then trampled to death by countless large feet.

  Soon, the surging giant waves rushed over and crashed against the solid city walls of Baishui Town.

  In the midst of wailing and screaming, the Tongguan Pass was transformed into a vast expanse of water, no longer peaceful.

  Soldiers and war horses swept away by the flood struggled desperately in the huge waves, letting out weak and mournful cries, only to be smashed into pulp by the giant rocks or broken logs coming straight at them. At this moment, life was so fragile.

  In the face of natural disasters, human power is powerless to resist, and can only wait for death.

  The night passed and dawn broke soon.

  The floodwaters have receded, but within dozens of miles around Xunyang County, it has become a vast expanse of flooded land.

  The village was reduced to rubble, with mutilated corpses scattered everywhere.

  The Allied Forces of Kanto had already moved to a higher ground, without losing a single soldier. Only the surrounding area of dozens of miles had turned into a swampy land, although it had drowned tens of thousands of Western Liang's army, but they were unable to send troops to pursue.

  More than ten miles west of Xishui Pass, on the waist of a mountain, Hu Zhong and his officers gazed down at the foot of the mountain with dull eyes.

  Some people secretly wiped away cold sweat, their hearts crying out in relief. If they hadn't escaped last night, even if they weren't already dead, it would be hard to escape from the siege of Tongguan Pass now. Thinking about the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who didn't make it out in time, a wave of sorrow welled up in their hearts.

  Hu Zhi thought about how he would report back to his lord afterwards.

  Luo Zhen saw that Hu Zhong was still dazed and immediately spoke up: "General, this place is not suitable for a long stay. I think we should quickly gather the scattered troops and leave as soon as possible. It would be best to hurry to Tiger Trap Pass."

  Hu Zhen suddenly came back to his senses and repeatedly said: "These words are indeed true, this place is not suitable for a long stay."

  Guo Ze glanced at Luo Zheng, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He thought to himself that this young man was quite clever and had managed to detect the plot of the Kwantung rebels. He decided that he needed to find an opportunity to win him over and use him for his own purposes.

  Twenty thousand cavalrymen, because they came out early, although a small part was scattered, still had eighteen thousand troops.

  It was already noon when the defeated soldiers had been rounded up.

  Hu Zhi did not even have time to eat, and immediately led 18,000 cavalrymen to rush to the Tiger Trap Pass.

  The Kanto Allied Army was blocked by Ze Country and could not pursue, so they could only watch as the Xiliang Army left.

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