Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 376 Who Can Be More Loyal Than Me?
In the midst of battle, the situation reversed with the capture of Erzhu Zhao.

Those Qihu cavalrymen who had followed Erzhu Zhao in the charge laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Guanzhong Prefecture troops.

Those most affected by this were the Xianbei soldiers who were at the forefront of the battle and were attacking.

They were highly skilled in combat, possessed a fierce and courageous spirit, and deeply hated Li Shuang.

However, after seeing Erzhu Zhao's charge fail and the Qin King's banner still standing tall, their fighting spirit remained, but their will to fight slowly dissipated.

Just moments ago, this terrifying war machine, which couldn't distinguish friend from foe and only cared about killing, has now turned against Li Shuang on the front lines.

This shock instilled extreme fear in the already chaotic Xianbei soldiers.

When fear reached its peak, the disappointment in my heart turned into despair.

For a time, these Xianbei soldiers either disregarded everything and launched a desperate charge, trying to fight to the last and take more soldiers with them, or they were overcome with fear, lost the courage to continue fighting, and prepared to flee for their lives.

However, these two types of people are still in the minority.

Most of the Xianbei soldiers were still in the middle of the battle and had not yet figured out what was happening in the formation, nor did they know that the Qihu cavalry who had charged into Li Shuang's main force were beginning to surrender.

They continued to follow in the footsteps of the soldiers in front, launching their attack.

However, the Xianbei soldiers, who had been cut into four parts by Li Shuang's battle formation, had already largely collapsed under the attack from both inside and outside by Li Shuang's cavalry and Erzhu Zhao's cavalry.

Erzhudulu wanted to send more troops to reinforce the front line, but it was too late.

After Gao Ang, Li Bi, and Hou Mochen Chong led their cavalry out of Li Shuang's main camp, they passed through this routed section, made a large detour, and circled around to the rear of the other three Xianbei troops.

The Erzhu clan's light cavalry, who were roaming outside the main formation, wanted to stop them, but they collapsed at the first touch when faced with the cavalry led by Gao Ang and others.

While Gao Ang, Li Bi, and Hou Mochen Chong successfully circled around and charged, the four generals Yang Kan, Xue Guyan, Pei Qingsun, and Wei Xiaokuan, each leading a separate formation, changed their formation and attacked the Xianbei soldiers of the other three tribes from all sides.

Erzhudulu watched as tens of thousands of Xianbei soldiers collapsed en masse, yet dared not rush to their aid. If he did, his own troops might also collapse.

Looking at the more than 10,000 soldiers on his left and right, he made the safest decision.

They retreated and, in coordination with Erzhu Shilong's main force, reorganized their defensive line.

As soon as Erzhudulü gave the order to retreat, the soldiers around him immediately dispersed.

Li Shuang's main force was in chaos for a while due to the surrender of the Qihu cavalry.

Not all Qihu soldiers were willing to surrender; some, in despair, engaged in widespread slaughter and were ultimately wiped out. However, most of the Qihu cavalry, after Erzhu Zhao was captured, laid down their weapons, dismounted, and were temporarily kept in check by Li Shuang's Mo Dao soldiers.

These Qihu soldiers were already familiar with Li Shuang, and with Li Shuang's assurances, they lost their will to fight for a time.

Outside the battle lines, the situation has already turned completely one-sided.

After losing their organization, large numbers of Xianbei soldiers scattered in all directions.

The clever ones threw away their armor and weapons, just to run faster than others; the less clever ones had already become military merits for the Guanzhong garrison.

Gao Feng and his cavalry were harvesting outside the battle lines, leaving the ground stained with blood.

Seeing that Erzhudulu had temporarily retreated, Li Shuang spoke again in the Qihu language:
“Follow my messenger and wait outside the great formation for the end of this war.”

The strength of the Qihu soldiers lay not only in their combat power, but also in their internal seclusion.

The Qihu soldiers had their own language, and many of them could neither speak the Northern dialect nor the Luoyang Mandarin, making them quite isolated.

The reason why Erzhu was able to command them was that Erzhu's generals understood the Qihu language.

Li Shuang dispatched more than a dozen men, dividing these Qihu soldiers into more than a dozen groups, and led them out of the battle formation.

In order to prevent these Qihu soldiers from becoming military merits, Li Shuang also specially sent Murong Shaozong out as well.

By the time this battle was over, the sun was already nearing its zenith.

Once the area outside the formation was cleared, Li Shuang did not order a rest. Instead, he had each unit reorganize its formation and advance towards the Luo River, towards Erzhu Shilong's rear guard.

Now is the time to press on with full force!
When Erzhu Shilong saw Erzhu Dulu return in a disheveled state, he was shocked, but he still forced himself to keep up and encouraged the generals.

"We have been conserving our strength for a long time, and Ohno Sou is now an exhausted army. Generals, there is no need to worry. We should fight him to the death!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a warning horn sounded from the front lines.

Erzhu Shilong thought Li Shuang would order a rest and a meal before continuing the fight, but to his surprise, they reorganized right after finishing their battle.

Erzhu Shilong climbed to a high place and looked into the distance.

Li Shuang arranged the formation as before, dividing it into five formations: left, right, front, back, and center. However, all five formations were transformed into marching formations.

Upon reaching the banks of the Luo River, Li Shuang's formation changed again, splitting into two sub-formations from the main formation. These sub-formations resembled flower petals, forming a military formation of seven formations and six flowers.

"Don't panic. Ohno Sō is already exhausted. He's just putting on a show."

Erzhu Shilong still had three 10,000-man units by his side, plus Erzhu Dulu's army and the reorganized Xianbei defeated soldiers, which still outnumbered Li Shuang's army at this time.

Erzhu Shilong initially divided his army of over 100,000 men into two columns to prevent a complete rout. However, both Erzhu Shilong and Erzhu Dulu found commanding large armies uncomfortable. Therefore, they each led a portion of the army to reduce the pressure on command.

Although Erzhu Shilong was unwilling, things had come to this point.

However, Erzhu Shilong no longer had the courage to launch an attack. Instead, he ordered his generals to organize their troops into a defensive formation.

The Six Flowers Formation set up by Li Shuang continued to advance without any hindrance, and it looked like it was about to crash into Erzhu Shilong's side.

At that moment, Erzhu Shilong's attendants began to raise a warning.

"Your Majesty, Hebasheng is leading his troops this way!"

"What is he here for?"

Erzhu Shilong thought to himself that he had not summoned his troops, but then his expression changed and he suddenly thought of something.

"Stop him!"

Realizing what had happened, Erzhu Shilong's face turned purple, and he began to curse loudly.

"Hebasheng, you barbarian Tiele bastard, you took advantage of my vulnerability! I'm going to skin you alive!"

However, no matter how much Erzhu Shilong cursed, Hebasheng still led his most elite troops toward his main camp.

Intending to kill with a single, decisive blow!
……

"My lord, Hebasheng is attacking Erzhu Shilong's main camp."

The commotion ahead puzzled Husichun. While secretly preparing his troops, he sent someone to investigate, only to learn that Hebasheng had already made his move. He was filled with regret.

"It's too late, it's too late, it's too late..."

Husi Chun was extremely annoyed and cursed loudly:
"Hebasheng, you barbarian Tiele, how dare you do this!"

At this moment, the attendant beside Husichun did not understand and thought that Husichun was worried about Erzhu Shilong, so he said something.

"My lord, it's not too late to rescue Erzhu Shilong now."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the servant was kicked by Husi Chun.

"Save your mother my ass!"

Husi Chun was still not satisfied and kicked him a few more times.

"How could I have such an stupid person by my side!"

With his hands behind his back, Hu Sichun paced back and forth, and in a flash, he had already come up with a plan.

"Inform my troops to retreat to Luoyang!"

What are you going to Luoyang for?

Hu Sichun said:

"I will never share the same sky with the Erzhu clan!" Husi Chun said, still harboring some hatred.

"Heba Po Hu, you're ruthless!"

……

With Erzhu Shilong's main force attacked, his rear guard fell into chaos.

Li Shuang quickly sensed something amiss within the formation.

"Your Majesty, why are they in disarray?"

The question was not answered immediately, and Li Shuang was not in the mood to answer it.

"Army attack!"

At that moment, Li Shuang seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and ordered the entire army to attack Erzhu's rear.

Under Hebasheng's attack, Erzhu Shilong's main force was caught off guard and unable to resist. For a time, tens of thousands of Erzhu Shilong's rear troops were completely out of control and fell into a situation of fighting independently.

After Li Shuang issued the order for the army to launch a full-scale attack, it was the last straw that broke the camel's back for the Xianbei soldiers.

For a time, on the battlefield, under the long swords of the Guanzhong soldiers, those who fought to the death, those who begged for mercy, and those who surrendered on the battlefield all became military achievements for the soldiers.

Only those who fled immediately upon seeing the situation turning against them managed to save their lives.

Only Hebasheng and his Wuchuan army escaped being purged.

Li Shuang led his entire army to fight against Erzhu Shilong, and in less than half an hour, he defeated Erzhu Shilong's tens of thousands of troops.

Compared to the previous operations, this one went exceptionally smoothly, almost to the point of being a massacre.

On this day, on the land of Luoyang, tens of thousands of Xianbei soldiers either died, fled, or surrendered!
Erzhu's group fled in panic.
-
Jinyong City.

"Fa Shou, how's the fighting going at the front?"

Erzhu Yanbo watched as Husi Chun returned and placed him and his troops into Jinyong City.

"They've been defeated! Hundreds of thousands of troops have been defeated!"

Husichun, who had been running so fast, sat down and took a sip of water.

Jinyong City is only a few dozen miles from the battlefield; if you run fast, you can get there in just a few hours.

Husichun fled the moment Hebasheng rebelled.

However, although he did not see how the war ended, he already knew one thing.

The power of the Erzhu clan is waning!
After listening, Erzhu Yanbo felt that something was wrong.

"Your army of over 100,000 has been defeated, yet your troops are still in gleaming armor and moving about as usual?"

Husichun paused, holding the cup, and looked up at Erzhu Yanbo, saying:
"To be honest..."

Before Husichun could finish speaking, the sounds of fighting erupted outside.

Erzhu Yanbo rushed out to see what was happening and found that Husi Chun's troops were slaughtering Erzhu's people in the city.

Erzhu Yanbo turned around abruptly and asked angrily:
"Husichun, what are you doing!"

Hu Sichun put down his cup, sighed, and said:

"Don't you understand? Who in Luoyang is still associated with the Erzhu clan? After Da Yeshuang arrived, how could anything good happen to them?"

Erzhu Yanbo had a very good relationship with Husichun's family. At this moment, facing Husichun's betrayal, he felt heartbroken and also felt a sense of despair.

"kill him!"

Erzhu Yanbo gave the order, and his attendants drew their swords and attacked Husi Chun.

However, Hu Sichun, who usually presented himself as obsequious, revealed his sharp edge at this moment.

Facing the attack of five or six of Erzhu Yanbo's attendants, he remained fearless, drew his sword, and fought back.

In a short while, Erzhu Yanbo's servants fell to the ground one by one, their blood flowing everywhere.

Husichun brandished his sword, looked at Erzhu Yanbo, and said:

"We swore brotherhood, and I just gave you the chance to kill me. Don't blame me; that's just how the world is. Who told Erzhu Shilong to lose? If I hadn't acted, I'm afraid I would have been buried with your Erzhu clan!"

Erzhu Yanbo's face showed fear. He wanted to call for reinforcements, but only Husi Chun's men were outside.

"I've never liked to show off my bravery, Yanbo. Do you want to do it yourself, or should I do it?"

Erzhu Yanbo looked at Husichun at this moment and suddenly burst into laughter.

……

After Husichun finished dealing with Erzhu Yanbo, he went outside and saw Jin Yongcheng's subordinates, who were still under his control, coming to report.

Jia Xianzheng has also led his troops back!
Husi Chun sneered and said:
"He's fast!"

Husi Chun did not stop Jia Xianzheng outside the city, but let him into Jinyong City.

Seeing the corpses of the Erzhu clan piled up by Husi Chun's men, Jia Xianzheng was greatly "surprised" and said:
"how so?"

Husichun did not answer, but asked:

"Erzhu Shilong's army of over 100,000 men was defeated, so why are your troops still in gleaming armor and moving about as usual?"

Jia Xianzheng stared at Hu Sichun for a long time, then suddenly laughed and said:

"You know me; I've never been good at martial arts. Even Erzhu Shilong's army of over 100,000 was defeated, and I was at a loss, so I fled. I just don't know what happened in Jinyong City?"

After listening, Hu Sichun sighed and said:
“I swore brotherhood with Erzhu Yanbo and wanted to persuade him to surrender, but he was stubborn and even ordered me to be killed. Helpless, I had no choice but to fight back.”

Jia Xianzheng cursed inwardly, but he couldn't afford to break ties with Hu Sichun at this time and place.

"Tell me, what do you think we should do after Ohno Sora enters Luoyang?"

Hu Sichun looked at Jia Xianzheng, smiled, and said perfunctorily:
"That's hard to say!"

"Now that things have come to this, Fa Shou, won't you tell me the truth?"

Jia Xianzheng clapped his hands.

His men escorted a man over.

Upon closer inspection, Hu Sichun recognized him as Erzhu Zhongyuan. His gaze towards Jia Xianzheng immediately changed.

It should be noted that Erzhu Zhongyuan was once Jia Xianzheng's superior.

After Erzhu Zhongyuan was defeated by Gao Huan, his whereabouts became unknown. Unexpectedly, he ended up in the hands of Jia Xianzheng.

And yet he remained silent all this time?
With this bargaining chip, Jia Xianzheng's net worth is significantly increased.

“Fa Shou, as you know, I have always disapproved of the Erzhu clan’s unruly and rebellious nature. Now that the King of Qin has led a large army to wipe out the Erzhu clan, we loyal ministers should also do our part!”

Hu Sichun smiled and asked:

"What does Xianzhi want?"

"I swear an oath with Fa Shou to jointly destroy the Erzhu clan!"

Hu Sichun laughed heartily, grasped Jia Xianzheng's hand, and said:
"How wonderful! We loyal ministers should join hands and advance together!"

……

(End of this chapter)