Hangu Pass is the first of the eight passes in Luoyang. It is a fortress connecting Chang'an and Luoyang. It has always been an important pass to prevent the troops from Guanzhong from attacking the Central Plains.
As early as the Qin Dynasty, Hangu Pass was an important barrier for the Qin State to resist the Six Kingdoms. By the end of the Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, used this pass to block Xiang Yu's attack.
The status of Hangu Pass depends on its geographical location, mainly because the Yaoshan Mountains cut off the passage between the Central Plains and Guanzhong, leaving only a crack of about 20 miles for passage. Hangu Pass The barrier is built at the entrance of this crack. It can be said that one man can block the barrier and no one can open it!
However, the glory of Hangu Pass was in the Qin Dynasty. In the Han Dynasty, as the Yellow River continued to dive, more and more land on both sides of the river embankment was exposed, allowing soldiers and horses to pass directly. Qin Hangu Pass was completely abandoned and became Hongnong County.
During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, a Hangu Pass was built on the Beikiao Road. However, because the Han Dynasty for 400 years mainly focused on resisting the Huns from outside, there was no civil war. As time went by, the Hangu Pass gradually declined. Slowly abandoned.
During the Yellow Turban Rebellion more than ten years ago, in order to resist the invasion of the Yellow Turban Army, the Eight Passes of Luoyang were activated, including Hangu Pass.
But in fact, because the roots of the Yellow Turban Army were mainly in the east, north and south of Luoyang, Hangu Pass, as a western barrier, did not play a big role.
Following the great fire in Luoyang, Dong Zhuo fled to Chang'an with the emperor and hundreds of officials. Later, when the emperor returned eastward, Hangu Pass was left untouched and abandoned again.
At this time, Li Jue took the remaining soldiers who had escaped from Luoyang and stationed themselves at the abandoned Hanhan Valley Pass.
The night fell, and the dark night enveloped Hangu Pass. Only the starlight and the faint light of the bonfire supplemented each other, barely outlining the scene of the ruined walls.
The ruins, green grass, and night wind whistling by make people feel the desolation and loneliness here.
Several bonfires were looming in Hangu Pass, burning hay and firewood. The remaining soldiers sat around the bonfires. Their eyes revealed only exhaustion and loss. They were all sitting and lying on the ground with unkempt hair and ragged clothes.
Under the lingering light of the fire, the charred wooden pillars, damaged armor, and the groans of wounded soldiers from time to time all struck Li Jue's heart.
He never imagined that this time he marched into Luoyang with high spirits, but ended up escaping in such a mess, and was defeated so completely and cowardly. This was the only thought in his heart at this time.
Li Huan, Li Ying, Li Shi and others sat around Li Jue, all silent at this time, and filled with resentment in their hearts.
Li Shi took out the water bag and brought it to Li Jue: "Dad, take a sip."
Li Jue waved his hand silently and asked, "Have you sent out the people who were sent to Dagu Pass and Yique Pass to bring your two brothers back?"
"Don't worry, Dad, they have been sent out a long time ago. They should have arrived by now. I estimate that at dawn, they will be able to bring their troops and horses to join us." Li Shi comforted Li Jue.
Li Jue felt relieved, took the water bag from Li Shi's hand, took a sip of water, and then returned the water bag.
At this moment, a group of night birds chirped and flew from the east, flying over Hangu Pass.
Then, there was movement in the distance, which was the sound of a large group of soldiers approaching.
Suddenly hearing such a movement, the already very tired remaining soldiers showed a look of horror, thinking that the pursuers were coming. They stood up in panic, picked up their weapons and prepared to fight.
Li Jue and others also showed nervous expressions and stood up together.
The soldiers responsible for the lookout and observation looked into the distance under the moonlight and shouted loudly: "It's our flag, one of our own!"
After hearing the news, Li Jue and others calmed down.
"It should be Li'er and the others who came overnight to join us." Li Huan guessed and said to Li Jue.
"As long as their troops and horses are here and we regroup, we will be able to take back Luoyang again!" Li Ying said with confidence.
Li Jue nodded slightly, obviously full of hope in regaining Luoyang.
But only a moment later, their newly raised hopes were dashed once again. As he saw clearly the state of the Xiliang soldiers entering Hangu Pass, Li Jue vaguely felt that something was not good.
The faces of these soldiers were also full of fear and panic. Most of their faces and bodies were covered with sweat and mud. A few of them were still wearing ribbons and scars. It was obvious that they were also defeated and fled.
Li Huan and Li Ying also felt that something was wrong. They got up and kept looking for their sons among the remaining soldiers, but they never saw the shadows of Li Li and Li Xian.
Li Huan anxiously grabbed a remnant soldier and asked loudly: "Where is your major general? How did you get back?!"
The remnant soldiers reported to Li Huan with tears in their eyes: "Reporting to the general, the young general fought against Cao Zhang and fell into his trick and was killed. We managed to escape back, but Yique Pass has been lost!"
When he heard that Li Li was dead, Li Huan screamed and almost fell down. Fortunately, Li Ying who was standing next to him supported him in time.
Li Ying anxiously asked another group of remnants about his son's situation: "What about you, have you come back from Dagu Pass? Where is your Major General?!"
"Back to the general, the major general went out to fight with Cao Zhang's general Xiahou Ba. The two fought for less than ten rounds. The major general was no match for Xiahouba and was killed by him. We had no choice but to flee back in defeat!" The remaining soldier answered Li Ying's question.
"Siam!" When Li Ying heard that his son was also dead, he also wailed and burst into tears.
As soon as he cried, Li Huan could no longer hold it in. He collapsed on the ground and cried loudly.
The cries of the two people quickly infected many soldiers in the pass. Many of them also had brothers or close comrades who died in the battle, and their grief quickly spread.
At first, only a few people sobbed in low voices. As more and more people shed tears, they finally stopped caring. The cries kept coming and going, resounding throughout Hangu Pass.
Li Jue was very sad when he heard that his two nephews had died in the battle, and shed tears sadly.
But at this moment, Li Shi yelled at the soldiers around him: "Why are you crying? Don't cry anymore! The enemy will come after you at any time. Can you cry the enemy to death just by crying here?! I cheer up, if anyone cries again, kill him!"
After their defeat, the troops were already disorganized and morale was low. If the soldiers were allowed to cry loudly, it would indeed lead to an even greater depression.
Li Jue also understood that his son's approach was correct. He quickly wiped away his tears and persuaded his two younger brothers: "Second brother, third brother, there is no resurrection after death, so stop crying!"
Unexpectedly, Li Ying burst out directly: "It's not your son who died, so of course you won't cry!"
"That's right. If you hadn't received a secret letter and been provoked to send troops forcibly, how could we have been so defeated!? When we were in Luoyang, I told you to be careful of Cao Zhang. If you listened, strengthen How could we lose Luoyang when we were defending? If we didn’t lose Luoyang and Li’er and Siam’er clung to the pass, how could they be killed?!”
"All this is the result of your arrogance. Give me back my son." Li Huan stopped being polite and pointed directly at Li Jue's nose and cursed him. In the end, he pounced on Li Jue and punched him.
Li Jue hurriedly dodged, avoiding Li Huan's fist.
Li Shi also hurriedly came forward with several soldiers and held the furious Li Huan and Li Ying respectively to prevent them from conflicting with Li Jue.
Li Jue saw that the two of them were completely under control, and then stepped forward and said: "Why do I propose to march to Luoyang? Don't you want to break into Xudu, take back the emperor, and let us all continue to live a good life? I am willing to watch Are Li'er and Siam'er dead?"
"Yes, my two uncles and two younger brothers are dead, and my father and I feel uncomfortable. But now is definitely not the time for us to blame each other and have internal strife break out!"
"At this time, the more we should unite together, share the same hatred of the enemy, regroup our troops, strive to kill Cao Zhang, and avenge our two brothers. This is the right way!" Li Shi also stepped forward to persuade Li Huan and Li Ying.
Li Huan was so angry that he lost control of his emotions. At this time, he was hugged by his own soldiers and gradually calmed down. After being persuaded by Li Jue and his son, he realized that what they said made sense. He couldn't help but sigh and stopped being irritable. .
Li Ying saw that Li Huan calmed down, stopped shouting, and calmed down.
Seeing that the two of them had calmed down, Li Jue quickly waved to the soldiers, indicating that they should let go of the two of them. Then he stepped forward and said, "Two worthy brothers, I was indeed at fault for this expedition, which caused the death of my two nephews." , I cannot absolve myself of the blame, and I apologize to you here."
Then he changed the subject and said: "The two worthy brothers are in their prime, and they have many wives and concubines at home, so why worry about not having more children? Let's discuss it now, how to face the enemy next is the right way."
Li Ying calmed down first and sighed softly: "At this time, there is no possibility for us to meet the enemy. Hangu Pass has been abandoned and there is no danger to defend it. Besides, the army's morale is slack and morale is low, so it is not suitable to fight again. How about fighting again?" Let’s go back to Chang’an first.”
"Go back to Chang'an?!" Li Jue was obviously unwilling.
"Yes, go back to Chang'an, organize your troops and horses, and look for opportunities to avenge Li'er and Siam'er. If we stay here now, once the pursuers come, our losses will be even greater!" Li Huan also agreed with Li Ying's proposal. .
Li Jue listened to the two people's suggestions and turned to look at Li Shi, asking for his opinion with his eyes.
Li Shi looked at Li Jue and nodded lightly, and persuaded in a low voice: "Father, the suggestions of the two uncles are very reasonable. Our army has been newly defeated and has low morale. It is really not suitable to stay here. Return to Chang'an and reorganize it before killing. Coming back is the right way!”
Li Jue saw that the three of them proposed withdrawing to Chang'an, and understood that what they said made sense.
After this battle of 50,000 soldiers and horses, more than 10,000 were lost. The morale of the remaining 30,000 soldiers was also low, and it was difficult to win if they stayed and fought again.
Li Jue let out a long sigh helplessly: "Okay, pass on my military order, the whole army should be reorganized and be on guard. After daybreak, withdraw to Chang'an!"
