CHAPTER 282: NO RETREAT

The Luoyang soldiers, who had just arrived on the battlefield, turned pale at the sight of the rebel imperial guards who fought with ferocity.

Ao Granary was built along a river, with one side being a dock to receive grain transported from various parts of Guandong. The entire city’s terrain was slightly lower, so the Chu army and the rebels fought fiercely outside the city, while Han Ruzi’s troops held a higher position, giving them a vantage point over the entire battlefield.

In any battle, both armies would strive to seize the high ground. However, the two forces outside Ao Granary had abandoned the high ground, indicating this was an unexpected conflict. Han Ruzi could imagine that after Chai Yue led his troops here, he must have discovered the rebels preparing to set the city on fire, forcing him to launch an immediate attack.

“Form ranks!” Han Ruzi ordered loudly.

The Luoyang soldiers began to form ranks in a panic, with the Southern, Northern, and Hangu Pass armies holding the rear.

“Your Majesty, I must advise: our troops are exhausted, and the enemy is numerous. This battle will be difficult to win. It might be better to wait,” Prince Donghai advised, knowing he would have to follow the Emperor into battle, even though the chances of victory seemed slim.

The rebel imperial guards under Shang-guan Sheng had received reinforcements: another group of bandits numbering several thousand. Their armor was haphazard, but they all wore black bandana on their heads. Unlike the bandits outside Luoyang, this group was smaller but fought with great discipline and ferocity, ensuring no survivors by stabbing fallen Chu soldiers with multiple weapons.

“If we do not quickly allow the refugees to return home, they will eventually become as troublesome as that black-turban army,” Han Ruzi understood well that a military force grew stronger with each battle; today’s rabble could become a formidable army after several engagements.

“Don’t think about the refugees now; we’ve been spotted,” Prince Donghai pointed with his whip. The rebel imperial guards, despite having the upper hand, had managed to send a contingent to attack the newly-arrived reinforcements.

Han Ruzi glanced back. His troops were indeed too worn out, especially the Luoyang soldiers, who had arrived hastily and were inadequately armed, some even empty-handed. Their morale had been nearly exhausted during the march, and if not for the Emperor’s personal oversight, they would have already fled.

“Dismount!” Han Ruzi commanded, jumping to the ground first.

Prince Donghai hesitated for a moment but followed suit, muttering a reminder, “Leave a way out.”

Han Ruzi ignored him, supervising the soldiers as they dismounted and formed ranks, driving the horses to the rear. The soldiers, holding the high ground, awaited the enemy’s approach. The army had only two or three hundred bows and crossbows, and Han Ruzi allowed them to shoot at will.

“Do you know the origin of these black-turban soldiers?” Han Ruzi asked.

Prince Donghai shook his head hurriedly, “I’ve never even heard of them. Your Majesty, if we don’t retreat now, I will have to carry you away. I will accept any punishment afterward.”

The first to attack was a contingent of black-turban soldiers, numbering about a thousand. Clearly, they were emboldened by their success and disdainful of the newly-arrived reinforcements, aiming to crush them in one strike.

Han Ruzi retreated to the hilltop, surrounded by his guards. From this point, it was difficult to convey orders to the entire army. Whether to fight or retreat, win or lose, depended on the decisions of each individual, each squad, and each team.

The Luoyang soldiers had never seen such a formation before and were visibly retreating, only stopped by the last row of soldiers blocking their way.

Han Ruzi was curious how the Prefect of Henan had supported Grand Tutor Cui in defeating the Qi rebels back then.

Prince Donghai whispered, “These guys won’t hold out for long.”

“They must hold out, at least until Cui Hong arrives,” Han Ruzi replied.

Prince Donghai glanced back at the undulating road; there was no sign of the Chu army. He groaned, “Even if his own son were in danger, Cui Hong might not come to the rescue, let alone when Cui Teng is drinking and enjoying himself in Luoyang.”

Han Ruzi ignored him, keeping his gaze fixed on the approaching black-turban soldiers. They were all mounted, but their speed slowed significantly as they ascended the hill.

Experienced Southern and Northern soldiers shouted at the Luoyang soldiers in front of them, ordering them to raise their spears.

Long weapons and the advantage of the terrain might be able to counter the cavalry.

The black-turban soldiers charged, colliding with the front line of the Luoyang soldiers.

The Chu army’s formation was thin, only three or four rows deep. The Southern and Northern armies surged forward with their spears, fighting alongside the Luoyang soldiers.

Men and horses, swords and spears, shouts and cries clashed fiercely. It was not about agility or sharp weapons, but about who had greater strength and firmer resolve.

Han Ruzi was only a few dozen steps away from the front line, everything unfolding right before his eyes.

It was the first time Prince Donghai had been so close to the battlefield. He was pale with fear and didn’t run away, not because of the Emperor, but because his legs were too weak to move.

Some black-turban soldiers broke through the thin Chu army line. They didn’t recognize the Emperor but, seeing the fluttering banners, assumed it must be the commander and charged forward with their weapons.

The Emperor’s guards, equipped with full gear, immediately bent their bows and shot arrows, preventing the black-turban soldiers from approaching. Thirty guards tightly surrounded the Emperor, forming the last line of defense.

Han Ruzi did not draw his sword. Standing within the circle, he scanned the battlefield, ignoring the black-turban soldiers charging at him and focusing on the entangled front line. Despite their cowardice, the Luoyang soldiers showed no signs of retreat under the Emperor’s supervision and the Southern and Northern armies’ pressure.

He glanced into the distance and said to Prince Donghai, “Hmm, Chai Yue has returned.”

Prince Donghai stood like a wooden dummy, his eyes fixed on a black-turban soldier charging on horseback. The man looked like a smaller version of Fan Zhuangshan, covered in blood with a fiercer expression. Despite being hit by two arrows, he continued charging with a large knife, about to break into the circle.

Prince Donghai felt he could smell the blood on the man.

Another arrow struck, and the black-turban soldier finally fell from his horse.

Prince Donghai looked up dazedly and saw that part of the Chu army outside Ao Granary had returned to rescue the Emperor, recognizing his banner.

The isolated black-turban soldiers were scattered, leaving behind a field of corpses. They had underestimated the resilience of the reinforcements, thinking they could win with fewer numbers, only to be attacked from both sides.

Chai Yue rushed to the Emperor’s side. Though he did not join the battle, he commanded from a position very close to the front. The moment he noticed anything unusual at the rear, he immediately led his troops to the rescue. To him, the Emperor was far more important than Ao Granary.

“Your Majesty…” Chai Yue dismounted. Before he could say more, Han Ruzi raised his hand to signal him to stop and said, “Cui Hong’s army will arrive soon. General Chai, establish a line here and do not retreat further.”

“Yes.” Chai Yue quickly ordered the troops to rearrange their formation. The infantry lined up, the cavalry guarded the flanks, and they left a path in the middle for the retreating Chu soldiers to pass through, giving them room to maneuver.

The Chu soldiers outside Ao Granary, unable to distinguish between a strategic withdrawal and a rout, began to scatter, thinking the battle was lost upon seeing General Chai fall back.

Han Ruzi mounted his horse and stood by the roadside, having the guards shout to the fleeing Chu soldiers, “The Emperor is here.”

The retreat halted as the soldiers recognized the Emperor. Most turned back, regrouping for another fight.

The imperial guard rebels and black-turban soldiers pursued closely. The Chu army’s formation was not yet complete, and the battle resumed.

The imperial guard rebels, having killed many palace personnel in the capital, had no hope for pardon and fought with ferocity. Seeing the Emperor’s banner only made them more determined. The black-turban soldiers, hearing the Emperor was nearby, fought desperately, their morale soaring.

“Kill the false Emperor!” came the clear and arrogant shouts. The rebels and black-turban soldiers recognized another emperor.

Chai Yue rode over, but Han Ruzi waved him back to his original position to continue commanding, telling him not to concern himself with other matters.

As the retreating Chu soldiers regrouped, Han Ruzi sent them back into the fray. Soon, he had no more reserves.

Chai Yue, an excellent general, had no other strategy but to hold on, repeatedly reminding the soldiers nearby that the Emperor was right behind them and that the main Chu forces would soon arrive to support.

The Emperor was indeed the greatest motivation for this Chu army to persevere.

The battle was fierce, and the Chu army, outnumbered, was forced to retreat step by step.

“Your Majesty, if we don’t leave now, we’ll be surrounded,” Prince Donghai said. He was no longer as terrified as before but saw more clearly that the palace guard rebels were attacking both flanks. If this continued, they would eventually encircle the Emperor and the entire Chu army.

Han Ruzi was also very anxious, but outwardly he remained calm, staring at the battle lines and sending several guards to check how far Cui Hong’s main army was.

He believed Cui Hong would come, as Cui Hong’s messengers had been arriving constantly, allowing Han Ruzi to receive updates and know that Cui Hong was also relentlessly pursuing the Emperor and was not far behind.

The Chu army only needed to hold on a bit longer to turn the tide of the battle.

Shang-guan Sheng had been left unchecked for too long, and Han Ruzi hoped to eliminate him today to prevent future troubles. The scattered refugees across the country, the Xiongnu in the north, potential threats in the west, banditry in the south, ineffective officials, and hidden conflicts within the palace—he had too many urgent matters to resolve.

Noon had passed, and there was still no sign of Cui Hong’s army. The battle between the two forces grew increasingly chaotic. Chai Yue had attempted three times to persuade the Emperor to retreat, but Han Ruzi sent him back each time. If he moved, the Chu army at the front would surely be defeated, and it would be uncertain whether he could escape from the enemy’s grasp.

Suddenly, the enemy forces attacking from the front fell into disarray, as if they were being attacked from the rear.

Han Ruzi had already moved down from the hilltop and could not see what was happening on the other side. Chai Yue sent someone with news: troops from Ao Granary had joined the battle and were harassing the enemy rear.

Both sides were exhausting all their strength in this battle. The Emperor had no soldiers left except for a hundred guards and bodyguards. Shang-guan Sheng had also deployed all his forces, as killing or capturing the Emperor would be a decisive victory for him.

The timely harassment from Ao Granary was crucial. The city had very few troops, less than a thousand, barely enough to defend, let alone attack. But Shang-guan Sheng, eager for victory, had overlooked his rear and had few soldiers left to guard it. The Ao Granary troops seized the opportunity and attacked him.

Chai Yue continuously sent messengers with updates. Shang-guan Sheng was not as calm as the Emperor; once he realized they were under attack, he immediately recalled his frontline soldiers, causing even greater chaos. The rebels could not distinguish between retreat and rout, and no one could regroup them.

However, many did not receive Shang-guan Sheng’s order to withdraw and continued fighting, but the pressure on the Chu army slightly lessened, allowing them to hold on a bit longer.

Prince Donghai had long stopped paying attention to the frontline battle. He turned his horse around and kept watching the official road in the rear. Finally, he shouted excitedly, “Reinforcements! The reinforcements are here!”

Prince Donghai wept with joy, then suddenly felt a tinge of annoyance. Cui Hong was so eager to save his son-in-law but had never shown such concern for him, his nephew.

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