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Chapter 99
Chapter 99 - Hangu Pass Standoff
May 17th, Hangu Gate.
The gigantic twenty-meter-tall stone wall stood firm, blocking any intruder from passing the valley from Xinan County to Luo Yang City. The wall extended from the northern Yellow River toward the south, crossing Qinglong Mountain into Fenghuang Mountain.
This gate was once used by the Qin army during the Qin Shi Huang's reign. He gathered his forces her to fend off the alliance of six states and ultimately repelled the invaders.
Now, it was used again by Zhu Jun, Huangfu Song, and He Jin forces. They had camped 150, 000 elites on this wall.
Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo army of 250, 000 men still stationed inside Xinan County with no sign of following the instruction of the imperial court, which He Jin had sent messengers to Dong Zhuo many times to have him retreat his troops, then he would be able to enter Luo Yang to pay respect to the deceased Emperor.
The tension between the borders grew tense as both sides could declare war on each other at any moment. Despite the fact that Dong Zhuo had taken major cities from the Imperial Court, He Jin still did not dare to declare war on Dong Zhuo as he had more troops than the Imperial Army.
Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song also tried many strategies to convince Dong Zhuo to stand down and avoid the conflict, but both of them failed.
Secondly, he had heard two pieces of concerning news. Hua Xiong, who was famous at the western front against the Qiang barbarian tribes, was here as well. Such elite general being here meant that Dong Zhuo was serious.
And the most terrible news, the third prince, who Empress He had swapped away with another child, was under the custody of Dong Zhuo.
The three Imperial generals already lost the hope for the reconciliation of Dong Zhuo. They could only prepare for war.
...
Inside He Jin's camp, there was a colorful tent at the center, next to He Jin's private tent. It was the tent of Empress He, who sought protection from her brother in order to avoid the assassins of Liu Ping.
Empress He, or He Xing, was still in her early 30s, and her appearance looked as if she was still in 20s. Because of the good hygiene, proper food, and good upbringing, she grew into a dignified beauty who was worthy to be called the Empress.
However, the news about her youngest son, who was under the protection of the rebel Dong Zhuo, worried her. She could not eat a meal after she had heard it.
But tonight, a black-clothed man sneaked into her tent and passed her a letter. It was a message from Dong Zhuo.
"I knew what kind of difficulty you had been through when you went against the first prince. I can help you with that! All you have to do is to convince He Jin and the others to open the gate and welcome me into Luo Yang City. Once I get inside, I promise you that I will get rid of Liu Ping and those pest eunuchs to make sure your son will be the next Emperor!"
He Xing's eyes brightened up. She immediately sent a reply letter and told Dong Zhuo that she was willing to follow his plans.
"Messenger, tell Lord Dong that I will help him. Please tell him that he has to protect my son and ensure that he will be the next Emperor!"
"As you command, my lady!"
The black-clothed messenger rushed out of the tent and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
He Xing looked at the letter in her hand in a daze. After a while, she carried the letter and visited her brother in his tent.
"Brother, I have something that you might be interested."
The Empress passed the letter to He Jin. He took the letter and read it.
His face changed from the deep frown into a smiling face after he read the letter. He could finally see hope.
After the death of the second prince and the dummy third prince, he was in a tough spot. He could not find a way to break the encirclement from the eunuch faction and the first prince faction.
If he could get rid of the first prince, then the eunuch faction would be terminated easily as they no longer had any supporter. Furthermore, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao had been glaring at the eunuch faction for a while. He could use both of them to raid and kill the eunuchs, then reestablished his influence in the Imperial Court later.
"Well done, girl! I'll send another letter to Dong Zhuo so we can negotiate our terms!"
Seeing her happy brother, He Xing was elated. Both of them continued their discussion to prepare for the fight with Liu Ping in the future.
...
May 18th, Morning.
He Jin planned to send another messenger to negotiate the terms with Dong Zhuo today. However, he was interrupted by the sudden change of events.
Another army from the Imperial City of Luo Yang had arrived. It was a small 10, 000 infantry troops. If it was just another army with any commander, He Jin would ignore it. But this army had a surprise for him.
The commander of this army was Liu Ping!
The three generals were shocked by the appearance of the blood prince. They had thought that this spoiled brat would cower in fear inside of the capital, or he would divulge himself into carnal desire and would never show up in the frontline. Yet, he was here.
Even if he was here, it was still doubtful if he could contribute to this battle.
He Jin glared at Liu Ping with hatred. He had a suspicion that he was responsible for the death of the second prince and the dummy of the third prince.
On the contrary to all the hateful glare from the loyalist faction members, Liu Ping still had a smiling face. He glanced at everyone in the camp and locked his sight at Empress He, who was standing in front of her tent to observe the situation outside.
'My, my. I rarely saw her because I was barred from my subordinates. Seeing her in person myself is the best. She still looks sexy as I remembered her. '
Liu Ping licked his lips. Another desire awakened in his heart, but he quelled it down within a few seconds. He had to deal with the troublesome Dong Zhuo and these blinded loyalists first.
He Jin stepped toward the incoming troops. He stopped in front of Liu Ping and asked in a loud voice.
"Your Highness, this is the frontline! What are you doing here!?"
Despite his rude manner in front of the royalty, none of the troops showed sign of discontent. All of them did not respect Liu Ping, including the troops behind Liu Ping himself.
"I'm going to talk to Dong Zhuo. Can you make way?"
"What!?"
Everybody in the camp was shocked. The prince was going to talk with Dong Zhuo in person? Dong Zhuo had already been 99% confirmed that he would attack Luo Yang after he crossed this gate. If Liu Ping went to see Dong Zhuo, he would be killed for sure.
Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun smirked. This idiotic prince was looking for death. They did not mind giving him a hand.
"General He, the prince has spoken. Let us open a path for him."
"General Zhu was right. General He, please allow his highness to pass."
Both of them sent their gesture through their eyes and facial expression to He Jin, which made the latter smile.
"I understand. Your Highness, I wish you luck!"
He Jin stepped aside and let the pack of 10, 000 men passed while he grinned from ear to ear.
'Idiot! I can't wait to see your head flying! The royal court will be better without you!' He Jin thought.
'Now that moron is out of the way. I have to write a letter to that fatty Dong. I hope I can retain my position once he gets rid of those dickless bunch. '
...
Liu Ping and his men passed through the gate. He immediately signaled his men to raise the white flags.
With white flags raised, Liu Ping army continued to march forward.
...
Xinan County, Dong Zhuo's Camp.
The scouts of Dong Zhuo rushed back to report that an army of 10, 000 men was approaching toward the county with white flags raised.
Dong Zhuo and Li Ru were amused by the incoming visitors. They first thought that it was He Jin or Empress He was coming to see them because of the letter yesterday.
The moment that the name of the commander was revealed, they were surprised.
"That Liu Ping dares to come here? Is he insane?"
Dong Zhuo could not help but laugh and mock at Liu Ping's action.
Li Ru did not say anything. He tried to put himself into Liu Ping's shoes. If he were Liu Ping, what scheme he could have come up with by approaching Dong Zhuo directly.
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