Chapter Thirty-Four: Dong Zhuo’s Retreat (Part Two)

Upon learning that Dong Zhuo had appointed Luo Ang as the commander-in-chief of the grand army, Li Ru hurried into Dong Zhuo’s tent and asked urgently, "Grand Tutor, why did you appoint Luo Ang as the supreme commander?"

Dong Zhuo laughed and replied, "Just as Zichen suggested, to ensure victory, we must have him lead! Zichen is a celebrated general of our time. With him in command, we will surely defeat those rebels, and I can finally rest easy!"

Li Ru hastily advised, "Grand Tutor, this decision of yours is far too hasty and reckless!"

Dong Zhuo was greatly displeased by this and retorted sharply, "Li Ru, are you reproaching me?"

Li Ru was startled and quickly kowtowed, saying, "I would not dare! My loyalty to you, Grand Tutor, is known to the heavens! Everything I do is for your sake!"

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo’s expression softened. Observing this, Li Ru continued, "Grand Tutor, I only feel that the Marquis of Yan is ill-suited to serve as supreme commander."

Dong Zhuo was puzzled. "Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Zichen has been invincible, never failing to conquer. He broke the rebel forces of Wang Kuang and Zhang Yang and slew them both! He is a legendary general of our age; I see no one more qualified than him."

Li Ru quickly countered, "The Marquis of Yan is indeed a rare talent versed in the arts of war, but you may not know, Grand Tutor, that when he arrived in Luoyang, Ding Yuan traveled to Youzhou to meet him, handing over Bingzhou to him. He made Bingzhou as strong as Youzhou, matching its security, economy, and provisions. If he were to conspire with the warlords to assassinate you, Luoyang would be lost. You must be on your guard!"

Dong Zhuo was stunned by these words and began to frown. Just then, an orderly stepped in and reported, "Grand Tutor, the Marquis of Yan requests an audience!"

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo felt that Luo Ang’s timing was perfect and ordered, "Show him in!"

Shortly after, Luo Ang entered. Seeing Li Ru present, he secretly marveled at Cheng Yu’s uncanny foresight.

Dong Zhuo spoke up, "Son-in-law, you come at the right time. I have a question. Li Ru tells me that Ding Yuan once discussed turning Bingzhou over to you, and he believes you should not command this army. What say you?"

Li Ru felt incredibly awkward that Dong Zhuo had revealed his behind-the-back accusations. Luo Ang glanced at Li Ru and replied to Dong Zhuo, "It is natural for Master Li to have such concerns, for it is true that Ding Yuan did entrust Bingzhou to me! In reality, I accepted only because my territories were small, and the cavalry of Bingzhou was superior to that of Youzhou; I had no choice but to agree."

Dong Zhuo’s eyes lit up with realization. He nodded repeatedly, "So that is it. I was wondering, given our history, why you would ever turn against me!"

Li Ru smirked, "Words are cheap, and there is no proof."

Luo Ang replied, "It seems you still do not trust me, sir. Do you realize that if I truly intended to aid Yuan Shao and the others, I could have seized Luoyang by now, leaving you and your army in an irredeemable catastrophe?"

Dong Zhuo and Li Ru were both taken aback. Luo Ang continued, "Setting aside the fact that Yuan Shao, wary of me, sent forces to besiege Jinyang, if I truly wished to harm you, I could have taken advantage of the time when almost all your forces were at Sishui Pass and Hulao Pass. I could have led the elites of Bingzhou and Youzhou to cross the river behind Luoyang and strike. Tell me, sir, what would have been the fate of you and your army?"

Dong Zhuo and Li Ru turned pale, realizing that if Luo Ang had indeed done so, they would have been trapped. Li Ru was left speechless.

Dong Zhuo said with relief, "It is fortunate that you are on my side, otherwise the consequences would be unthinkable! Do not let me hear any more baseless suspicions. My son-in-law will lead this campaign—it is decided. Anyone who dares to speak otherwise will be severely punished!"

Li Ru could only nod timidly, no longer daring to speak a word.

The coalition rested for a day before resuming their fierce assault on Hulao Pass. Luo Ang stood atop a mountain peak, surveying the battlefield. He saw thousands of stone catapults, even larger than those of Zhang Yang, lined up outside the pass, bombarding the fortifications. Massive boulders filled the sky like an apocalypse, and the deafening roar of them striking the walls shook the very earth.

Luo Ang sighed in awe, murmuring, "My word! No wonder the Dong Zhuo of history could not hold Hulao and Sishui Passes and had to abandon Luoyang!"

Cheng Yu, standing nearby, looked slightly surprised but remained silent. Just then, two massive boulders struck the gatehouse, causing half of the majestic structure to collapse. The sheer power of the impact was chilling.

Luo Ang turned to Cheng Yu and asked, "Zhongde, how long do you estimate this pass can hold under such an assault?"

Cheng Yu frowned. "As the saying goes, attack is the best defense. If we let the enemy continue, it is only a matter of time. We are currently suppressed and unable to sally forth. At this rate, in three days, or five or six at most, the pass will fall! My Lord, we must initiate the plan now!"

Luo Ang nodded. He worried briefly if Cao Cao might see through his trap, but he quickly dismissed the thought. They had come too far to turn back.

Throughout the day, the coalition bombarded the pass with catapults without launching a direct infantry charge. By evening, the gatehouse was destroyed, and the seemingly indestructible walls were etched with fine cracks.

As dusk fell, the coalition sounded their gongs and withdrew to their camps in an orderly fashion. While Yuan Shao and the others were deliberating in the grand tent, an officer rushed in, reporting, "My Lord, the scouts sent to observe the pass have returned!"

Yuan Shao ordered them to be brought in. A scout, marked with the flags of his unit, knelt and reported, "My Lord, from the mountain ridge, I saw a massive force departing the camp within the pass, heading toward Luoyang. Among them were the royal banners and a canopy, appearing to be Dong Zhuo’s carriage!"

The warlords erupted into discussion. Yuan Shu cheered, "Dong Zhuo must realize he cannot hold the pass and is fleeing!"

Gongsun Zan added, "Since Dong Zhuo is gone, the enemy's morale must be low. We should intensify our assault to break through Hulao Pass and intercept him!"

Yuan Shao agreed and bellowed, "Time waits for no man! Pass the order: all armies are to attack throughout the night!"

The assault resumed within two hours. Under the moonlight, the coalition forces surged toward the pass like a tide. Luo Ang commanded the defense, and in the late hours, he ordered Zhang Ji to lead five thousand Xiliang cavalry in a sortie. However, they were intercepted by the prepared coalition cavalry, suffering heavy losses before retreating back into the pass.

At dawn, the fighting finally ceased. Luo Ang stood on the blood-soaked ramparts, watching the coalition forces preparing for another wave of attacks. He felt a deep sense of dread.

Suddenly, long horns sounded from outside, followed by a thunderous roar. Hundreds of heavy catapults were being pushed forward. Luo Ang cursed Yuan Shao’s ancestors and ordered all troops, except for the observation posts, to retreat from the walls.

As the soldiers descended, the air filled with the deafening whistle of incoming boulders, sounding like a fleet of dive-bombing aircraft. The impacts were catastrophic. Stones crashed over the battlements, smashing buildings inside the pass to rubble.

The bombardment continued relentlessly. Though Hulao Pass was a legendary fortress, the constant pounding created deep, alarming cracks in the walls. By the time the sun was high, the coalition finally ceased fire, and their main force surged forward once more.

A desperate bloodbath ensued on the battlements. Arrows flew like rain, siege towers closed in, and soldiers swarmed like ants.

Two days passed. The walls of Hulao Pass were covered in ghastly fissures and stained deep maroon with blood. Corpses piled up on the ramparts and outside the walls, while the air grew thick with a nauseating stench.

The coalition, exhausted by two days of relentless assault, paused briefly. But under Cao Cao’s urging, they reorganized. As the sunset cast its glow, the attackers charged once more.

Unexpectedly, the fierce resistance they anticipated did not come. The coalition forces reached the base of the walls and climbed to the top without opposition. Yuan Shao, watching from afar, laughed triumphantly, "The enemy must have fled!"

At that moment, the gates of the pass swung open. Yan Liang rode back to Yuan Shao and reported, "My Lord, the pass is empty. Luo Ang and his forces have all retreated!"

Yuan Shao laughed heartily, brandished his whip, and roared, "Enter the pass!"

The central army moved forward, marching majestically into Hulao Pass. Thus, the fortress fell.