Chapter 598: 574. Pingyuan & Ganling Fall At Fast Speed
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However, the victory came at a steep cost. Nearly half of Yan Liang's cavalry had been lost in the fierce fighting, and his infantry was badly battered. Still, he pressed on, determined to reach Henei and regroup before Lie Fan's armies could close in. As Yan Liang's battered forces limped toward Henei, Lie Fan's armies continued to land at the crossing ports until the last wave had landed at midnight.
As Yan Liang's forces limped toward Henei, the remnants of his cavalry and infantry were exhausted but resolute. The scars of their brutal clash with Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan's forces were evident, broken armor, bleeding wounds, and diminished ranks.
Yan Liang himself rode at the front, his expression grim but unyielding. He knew the success of his mission hung by a thread, and the fate of Yuan Shao's domain rested on his shoulders.
Meanwhile, in Luoyang, Zhang Yan's messenger arrived at Cao Cao's camp under the cover of darkness. The letter was quickly handed to Cao Cao, who sat in his main tower of Luoyang's Northern Wall. Surrounded by his advisors, Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui. The firelight flickered as Cao Cao read the message aloud.
"Yan Liang has broken through Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan's defenses," Cao Cao recited. "He leads a contingent of Yuan Shao's forces back to their domain. The three of them apologize for failing to stop him."
The tent was silent for a moment before Guo Jia spoke, his voice calm and measured. "My lord, we should not concern ourselves too deeply with Yan Liang's retreat. His forces are but a fraction of Yuan Shao's army, and their departure has little impact on our siege here."
Xun Yu nodded in agreement. "Precisely. However, their sudden withdrawal suggests something has changed in Yuan Shao's domain. It would be prudent to investigate why Yan Liang felt the need to return."
Cao Cao stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A sound observation. If Yuan Shao's rear is truly in turmoil, it may open opportunities for us to exploit. Cheng Yu, sent scouts to Yuan Shao's domain. I want to know what is happening there."
Cheng Yu bowed. "It will be done, my lord."
With the matter settled, Cao Cao and his advisors returned their focus to the siege of Luoyang. Yet, a shadow of curiosity lingered in Cao Cao's mind. What could have driven Yan Liang to abandon the frontlines?
At Pingyuan's Crossing Port, Lie Fan stood atop a raised platform overlooking the encampment. The final wave of his army had landed at midnight, and the once-quiet banks of the Yellow River now teemed with activity. Soldiers unpacked supplies, sharpened weapons, and shared rations, their spirits high after the swift victory at the crossing ports.
Lie Fan's wife, Lu Lingqi, approached him, her armor gleaming in the moonlight. She carried her father's halberd with ease, the weapon a symbol of her own formidable prowess on the battlefield.
"All our forces have landed, husband," Lu Lingqi said, her voice steady. "The men are resting as ordered. At dawn, we'll be ready to march."
Lie Fan turned to her, a proud smile crossing his face. "Good. The quicker we move, the less time Yuan Shao's forces have to prepare. Ganling and Pingyuan will fall, and with them, Yuan Shao's ability to regroup."
Behind them, Sima Yi and Xun You joined the conversation. Sima Yi's sharp eyes gleamed with anticipation as he addressed Lie Fan. "My lord, we have ensured that our logistics are in perfect order. Once the campaign begins at dawn, our armies will strike with precision."
Xun You added, "The morale of Yuan Shao's forces is already waning. A swift and decisive assault on Ganling and Pingyuan will crush what remains of their resolve."
Lie Fan nodded, his gaze returning to the horizon. "Then let us give them no quarter. Prepare the Qilin Army, Qinlong Army, and Baihu Army for the march to Pingyuan. The Zhuque and Xuanwu Armies will move on to Guiyang. By this time tomorrow, both cities will belong to us."
As dawn broke, Lie Fan donned his armor. The morning light glinted off the intricate designs etched into his chest plate, and his halberd, a weapon of both beauty and destruction, rested firmly in his grip. Mounting his warhorse, Pangu, he looked every bit the conqueror. Beside him, Lu Lingqi was a vision of strength and determination, her presence a rallying force for the troops.
The armies began their march. The Qilin, Qinlong, and Baihu Armies advanced toward Pingyuan, their banners fluttering in the wind. The Zhuque and Xuanwu Armies, under the command of seasoned generals, veered toward Ganling. The ground trembled under the weight of hundreds of thousands of marching feet and hooves, the air buzzed with the anticipation of battle.
At Henei, Yan Liang's forces had finally reached a point of relative safety. The city, though not as fortified as Yuan Shao's larger strongholds, provided a critical waypoint for rest and resupply. Yan Liang wasted no time issuing orders.
"Set up defensive positions around the city! I want scouts monitoring all approaches. Rest for now, but be prepared to move at a moment's notice."
The men obeyed, their exhaustion evident but their loyalty unwavering. Yan Liang knew they had little time to recover before Lie Fan's forces reached them. His mind raced with strategies, but he could not ignore the gnawing doubt that their efforts might be too little, too late.
Back at Pingyuan, the battle was underway. Lie Fan's forces met Yuan Shao's defenders in a clash of steel and blood. Zhang Liao, leading the charge with the Qilin Army, was a blur of motion, his halberd cutting down enemies with precision and grace. The defenders, though brave, were no match for the discipline and coordination of Lie Fan's troops.
Lu Lingqi fought alongside her husband, her halberd carving a path through the enemy ranks. Her presence inspired the soldiers around her, their battle cries growing louder as they pushed forward.
At Ganling, the Zhuque and Xuanwu Armies faced similar resistance but quickly overwhelmed the defenders with superior tactics. The city's walls crumbled under the relentless assault, and by nightfall, both Pingyuan and Guiyang had fallen.
Lie Fan surveyed the battlefield from atop his horse, his expression one of quiet satisfaction. The cities were his, and with them, a critical foothold in Yuan Shao's domain. Turning to his advisors, he spoke with calm authority.
"Send word to all of the commanding generals and their men. They have fought well, but the campaign is far from over. As planned We march on Nanpi next, while the Zhuque and Xuanwu Army march onto Ye. Also, sent word to Gongsun Gong that he should start to advance from the north, and led his army to put even more pressure on Yuan Shao while also taking over Beiping and Ji"
The fall of Pingyuan and Ganling sent shockwaves through Yuan Shao's territory. As scouts carried news of the defeats back to Yuan Shao, panic began to spread among his court as they didn't expect a sudden invasion from Lie Fan.
Yan Liang, who was resting at Henei, received the reports with a sinking heart. He knew that holding off Lie Fan would be an almost insurmountable task, but he steeled himself for the challenge ahead.
Far to the north, at the border between Yuan Shao's and Lie Fan's domains, Gongsun Gong stood at the head of his encampment, his army of 120,000 men bustling with readiness. His troops were well-equipped and rested, their morale high as they awaited the signal to march. For days, Gongsun Gong had maintained a strict routine, ensuring the soldiers were fully prepared for the campaign ahead. Supplies were meticulously accounted for, weapons sharpened, and drills carried out with precision.
As the crisp northern wind swept through the camp, a sudden commotion broke the monotony. A messenger bird swooped down, landing deftly on Gongsun Gong's shoulder. He flinched briefly before recognizing the bird's purpose. Untying the scroll from the bird's leg, he unfurled it and read the contents with growing intensity. It was an order from Lie Fan—direct and unambiguous: Begin the march toward Beiping.
Without hesitation, Gongsun Gong called for his officers. "The time has come," he announced. "We march to Beiping immediately. Prepare the men and ensure the supply lines remain intact."
The officers saluted and dispersed, their movements efficient and disciplined. Soon, the camp transformed into a hive of activity as soldiers donned their armor, mounted their horses, and readied their weapons. Banners bearing Gongsun Gong's insignia fluttered in the wind as the army began its advance.
The march was swift and relentless, catching Yuan Shao's northern border forces off guard. Accustomed to years of relative peace in the north, Yuan Shao's troops were ill-prepared for the sudden onslaught. They scrambled to mount a defense but were hopelessly outnumbered and outmaneuvered. Gongsun Gong's forces pressed forward with unyielding determination, crushing resistance wherever it arose.
Within days, Gongsun Gong and his army breached Yuan Shao's northern border and surged into his domain. The momentum was unstoppable, and Beiping loomed on the horizon.
Meanwhile, in Nanpi, Yuan Shao's capital, chaos reigned in the court. The once-confident lords and advisors who had stood by Yuan Shao were now gripped by fear and uncertainty. Reports of Lie Fan's lightning-fast conquest of Pingyuan and Ganling had thrown the court into disarray. The realization that Nanpi lay vulnerable, with the bulk of Yuan Shao's forces tied up in the siege of Luoyang, sent waves of panic through the assembly.
Yuan Shao himself sat at the head of the council chamber, his expression dark and brooding. His hands clenched into fists as he listened to his advisors' frantic debates. Some urged an immediate recall of the armies besieging Luoyang, while others suggested fortifying Nanpi and rallying local militias.
"It's madness!" Guo Tu exclaimed, slamming his palm on a pillar hurting his own hand in the process. "Lie Fan has crossed the Yellow River with his entire army, and now Gongsun Gong marches from the north. If we do not act swiftly, Nanpi will fall!"
Feng Ji hearing this countered, "Recalling the armies from Luoyang will leave the city vulnerable to Cao Cao. We must trust General Yan Liang who had bring a contingent of army to hold the line at Henei and buy us time to organize our defenses."
Yuan Shao's second son, Yuan Xi, stepped forward, his voice firm. "Father, we cannot allow Nanpi to fall. If we lose the capital, it will shatter the morale of our remaining forces. I volunteer to lead a contingent to defend the city."
Yuan Shao's gaze hardened as he considered the options. His pride and fury clashed with the grim reality of the situation. Finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with resignation. "Yuan Xi, take what men you can muster and fortify Nanpi. The rest of you, see to it that our supply lines are secured. Send word to Yan Liang, he must hold our frontline from Henei at all costs."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 32 (199 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0
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