novelraw Chapter 415 - 13: Bloody Battle at Hulao Pass, Capturing Two Emperors in One Fight (Double-Length - )
Chapter 415 - 13: Bloody Battle at Hulao Pass, Capturing Two Emperors in One Fight (Double-Length - )
Is this madness?
Or is it—
Has something gone wrong in Luoyang, and have the elite troops of the Tang Army already arrived?
Clever people often have one flaw.
That is, they overthink.
Especially when the Xia Army is convinced that the Tang Army has reached a desperate point, such matters inevitably lead to overthinking.
But no matter what, how could Dou Jiande let such a structural opportunity slip?
This is prey delivered right to his door.
Without any hesitation, he immediately ordered his soldiers to blockade Li Shimin.
But is Li Shimin’s mission a death wish?
He is merely demonstrating military power while also seeking to further spread unrest within the Xia Army.
When the words, "Luoyang has fallen, and our Tang Army elite will soon attack Hulao," gradually echoed, his plan was already complete.
There’s no need to linger in battle.
There’s no need even to fight.
This is the advantage of small-scale guerrillas; capturing Li Shimin and Gu Quan is no easy task.
As for how many hear these words, no one truly cares.
A spark can start a prairie fire.
Even if just one person hears such words, under the current circumstances, countless rumors will still arise within the Xia Army.
—The situation suddenly changes.
Perhaps it is out of fear of the prophecies, or perhaps it is out of fear of the Gu Clan.
No matter how much Dou Jiande controls, he still cannot stop various rumors.
When "deserters" began to appear.
The situation quickly showed signs of spinning out of control, but Dou Jiande, indeed a heroic figure, presented the Gu Clan, falsely claiming he had Gu Yu’s endorsement, to pacify the hearts of the people.
He no longer cared about the future of the Gu Clan.
As long as he could win this battle, he could withstand any backlash!
But—he made a grievous error.
As the weather grew hotter, for convenience of water access, he set up the army camp directly on the east bank of the Si River.
Forming a twenty-mile-long line, backed by the Yellow River to the north and Que Mountain to the south.
This problem does not initially seem like a sign of defeat.
But with rising temperatures, bacterial growth is an unavoidable factor of the era, especially with only one water source.
—An epidemic struck the Xia Army.
Although physicians accompanying them were able to quickly manage the plague.
In a situation where prophecies cannot be quelled, any accident would be seen as "divine retribution."
"This is the consequence of disregarding the Gu Clan’s gratitude!"
"If our ancestors saw that we are now fighting against the Gu Clan’s offspring, they would be ashamed of us!"
"Please, Marquis Wencheng, forgive us..."
"....."
Within a few short days, the Xia Army’s chaos became utterly uncontrollable.
In truth, Dou Jiande had not made any significant mistakes from beginning to end.
All his decisions were the most beneficial to him.
He held off Li Shimin at Hulao Pass, allowing the Tang Army and Wang Shichong to wear each other down, with various warlords attacking the Tang Territory, while he reaped the benefits.
If everything went smoothly.
He would surely become the strongest warlord in the land, approaching the position of the leader of all under heaven.
But the only issue was—
He underestimated Li Shimin;
And he underestimated the influence of the Gu Clan on the most ordinary people in Hebei.
But it’s not entirely his fault; it was simply human nature.
He was once one of them.
But with changes in status and the Gu Clan’s lack of assistance, the gratitude and faith in his heart had faded significantly.
Yet despite this, Dou Jiande still managed to stabilize his troops.
But what good did it do?
When chaos broke out in his camp, the opportunity for Li Shimin had arrived!
...
"Brothers, I intend to personally lead the army to directly seize the main banner of the Xia Army."
"If possible—"
"I wish to directly assault the Xia Army’s main camp!"
Within Hulao Pass.
Li Shimin stood before the map, explaining his decision to the gathered soldiers.
The nearly twenty-mile-long formation showed signs of loosening.
Breaking through one spot could completely divide the enemy, potentially triggering a total collapse.
Such a move is perilous.
Yet it is an opportunity not to be missed!
The hall was silent, everyone gazing at Li Shimin with firm eyes.
—The answer required no words.
Li Shimin referring to himself as "lonely" already showed his resolve.
And those soldiers who had fought alongside him for so long.
Would not retreat at this moment.
That very night, Li Shimin personally led the army in a near-total sortie, directly attacking the Xia Army camp.
—No one could have anticipated such a reversal.
Amidst such a vast disparity in numbers, Li Shimin dared to shift from defense to offense.
Who could believe it?
But no matter how unbelievable, Dou Jiande had to face reality.
However, it was all too late.
Li Shimin had long scouted everything, waiting for this critical moment to strike.
He gambled everything he had.
Including his life!
How could he let Dou Jiande turn the tables?
As the enemy had not yet reacted, Li Shimin broke through the defenses, directly attacking the Xia Army’s main banner.
And by dawn.
With the Xia Army’s main banner cut down, events unfolded just as Li Shimin expected.
The Xia Army’s soldiers instinctively thought they were attacked from behind.
This is the most problematic aspect of joint camps—lack of communication!
Li Shimin would not miss this chance, severing all connections swiftly as the enemy failed to react.