578. The Fallout Of Yan Liang's Dead

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But Yan Liang only smiled bitterly. "I… will never… yield…" With those final words, his head bowed, and he slumped forward, lifeless. The death of Yan Liang broke the spirit of his army. Leaderless and demoralized, many soldiers threw down their weapons and surrendered. The Zhuque and Xuanwu armies swiftly moved to secure the battlefield, ensuring no pockets of resistance remained.

Taishi Ci stood over Yan Liang's body, his expression grim. "He was a true warrior to the end," he murmured. "But his loyalty to Yuan Shao blinded him to the futility of this fight."

Bu Zhi and Zang Hong soon arrived to survey the aftermath. "With Yan Liang gone, Ye's defenders will falter," Zang Hong remarked. "The path to victory is clear now."

Taishi Ci nodded. "Then let us honor his sacrifice by ending this war swiftly."

As the combined forces regrouped and prepared to resume the siege on Ye, the Zhuque and Xuanwu banners flew high, their soldiers marching forward with renewed determination.

The fall of Yan Liang's forces sent ripples of panic through the defenders of Ye. As the Zhuque and Xuanwu armies regrouped, their banners flying high, the sight was enough to shake the resolve of Ye's soldiers. Whispers spread among the city's ranks like wildfire: "Our reinforcements have fallen," and "The enemy is returning to siege us."

The commander of Ye's defenses, a seasoned but increasingly desperate officer named Gao Fang, stood atop the city's main gate, watching the enemy troops organize for another assault. His jaw clenched as he saw the disciplined coordination of Lie Fan's forces.

The Hwachas were being reloaded, siege ladders prepared, and the soldiers rallied with renewed vigor after their victory against Yan Liang. In stark contrast, Ye's defenders were in disarray. Their morale, already tenuous after previous defeats, was shattered by the news of Yan Liang's demise.

Gao Fang turned to his officers, his voice firm despite the unease in his eyes. "We must not falter! Reinforcements will arrive soon. Until then, we hold this city. Remind the men of their duty to Yuan Shao!"

But his words were met with hesitation. His officers exchanged uncertain glances, their silence speaking louder than words. Many among them doubted the arrival of reinforcements, especially after seeing Yan Liang's forces crumble so decisively. Gao Fang, sensing their unease, barked orders to tighten the city's defenses. He hoped that decisive action might stave off the creeping despair.

At the same time, Bu Zhi and Zang Hong had set their own plans into motion. From their elevated command post, they directed messengers to spread the news of Yan Liang's death.

The rumors were calculated and deliberate, designed to erode the defenders' resolve further. They spoke of Yan Liang's valor but emphasized his fall, a warning that no reinforcements could withstand the might of the Zhuque and Xuanwu armies.

The psychological warfare worked better than expected. As the news reached Ye's defenders, many soldiers began questioning the futility of their resistance.

Some openly voiced thoughts of surrender, suggesting that it was better to yield than to die in a hopeless defense. Gao Fang, hearing these murmurs, ordered those who spoke of surrender to be arrested. He intended to make an example of them, hoping it would restore discipline among his troops. Instead, it had the opposite effect.

The arrests only fueled resentment and despair. Soldiers who were already on edge began to distrust their commander. Accusations of tyranny and incompetence spread, and pockets of resistance formed within the city's ranks.

What started as discontent quickly escalated into outright mutiny. Groups of soldiers clashed with one another in the streets, and chaos engulfed Ye's defenses.

The infighting did not go unnoticed by the Zhuque and Xuanwu armies. Scouts reported the commotion to Bu Zhi and Zang Hong, who wasted no time capitalizing on the situation. "The city is tearing itself apart," Zang Hong observed with a smirk. "It's time to end this."

Bu Zhi nodded. "Send the information to General Taishi Ci and Zhang Chao. Begin the assault. Ye is ours."

The Zhuque and Xuanwu forces advanced with precision. Hwachas launched volleys of fire arrows, setting sections of the city ablaze. The climbing tigers were raised against the walls, and battering rams thundered against the gates.

Taishi Ci led the charge at the forefront, his twin rod hammer smashing through any resistance. Zhang Chao, commanding the Xuanwu troops, directed his men with cold efficiency, ensuring no opportunity was wasted.

Inside Ye, Gao Fang's attempts to quell the mutiny proved futile. His loyalists were vastly outnumbered by the dissenting soldiers, who saw no point in fighting for a lost cause. When the Zhuque and Xuanwu forces breached the outer walls, many defenders abandoned their posts altogether. Some even threw open gates to allow the invaders in, hoping to spare themselves from the carnage.

Taishi Ci's forces stormed through the city with unrelenting force. Resistance was sporadic and disorganized, with pockets of loyalists trying in vain to hold their ground. Gao Fang himself was eventually cornered in the central keep.

Surrounded and outnumbered, he refused to surrender, choosing instead to fight to the bitter end. Taishi Ci personally confronted him, offering a chance to yield, but Gao Fang's pride would not allow it.

The duel was brief. Gao Fang, though valiant, was no match for Taishi Ci's strength and skill. With a final blow from his twin rod hammer, Taishi Ci ended Gao Fang's life, symbolizing the complete collapse of Ye's defense.

As the sun began to set, the Zhuque and Xuanwu banners were raised over Ye. The city's populace, exhausted and terrified, emerged from their homes to witness the aftermath.

Bu Zhi and Zang Hong entered the city shortly after the fighting ceased, their expressions triumphant but measured. They immediately issued orders to restore order, ensuring that the transition of power was as smooth as possible.

Taishi Ci, weary but resolute, approached the two strategists. "The city is secure. What are our next moves?"

Bu Zhi regarded him with respect. "You've done well, General. Now comes the hard part, consolidating our hold and winning the people's trust. Issue proclamations assuring the citizens that they will not be harmed if they cooperate. Distribute supplies to those in need. We must show them that our rule is just."

Zang Hong added, "And ensure that any remnants of Yuan Shao's forces are dealt with swiftly. We cannot afford to leave any threats behind."

Taishi Ci nodded. "It will be done."

The days that followed saw a transformation in Ye. The Zhuque and Xuanwu armies worked tirelessly to stabilize the city. Grain stores were opened to feed the hungry, and soldiers were stationed to maintain order. Lie Fan's reputation as a fair and capable leader spread among the populace, bolstered by the actions of his generals and strategists.

As Bu Zhi and Zang Hong planned the next phase of their campaign, they couldn't help but reflect on the significance of their victory. "With Ye under our control, Yuan Shao's grip on the north weakens further," Bu Zhi remarked. "But we must remain vigilant. He will not take this loss lightly."

Zang Hong agreed. "True. But for now, let us prepare for our move to Henei. Lord Lie Fan's plan is for us to blitz through Yuan Shao's remaining major town in the southern part of his domain, and Henei is standing in our path to complete that."

The news of the fall of Ye and the death of Yan Liang spread like wildfire throughout Yuan Shao's domain, sending shockwaves across the northern territories. For the people, the loss of Ye was devastating but expected after the surprise attack launched by Lie Fan.

However, it was the death of Yan Liang that truly rattled Yuan Shao's forces and supporters. Yan Liang, the invincible warrior who had once struck fear into the hearts of his enemies, was now a memory. His demise left a gaping hole in Yuan Shao's military command and morale.

In the south, Wen Chou was commanding the main army in the siege of Luoyang when the news reached him. The messenger, out of breath and visibly shaken, delivered the grim tidings.

Wen Chou froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. Though his relationship with Yan Liang had grown strained over the past year due to disagreements and rivalries, they were brothers in arms bound by loyalty and camaraderie forged in countless battles.

Wen Chou's reaction was visceral. He staggered back, his usually composed demeanor shattered. "Yan Liang... dead?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.

A surge of rage replaced his shock as he clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His mind swirled with memories of their shared victories and the arguments that now felt so trivial. The realization that he would never see his comrade again consumed him with grief and fury.

"Prepare the army!" Wen Chou roared, his voice echoing across the camp. "We march on the enemy immediately!" His officers exchanged uneasy glances. They could see that grief clouded his judgment, but none dared to challenge his authority.

Wen Chou's reckless assault was doomed from the start. Fueled by rage, he abandoned the calculated strategies that had earned him respect on the battlefield.

Instead, he ordered a full-frontal attack on Cao Cao's army's entrenched positions in Luoyang. The result was catastrophic. Cao Cao's troops, well-prepared and disciplined, repelled the assault with ease. The battlefield became a slaughterhouse as Yuan Shao's forces suffered massive casualties.

Compounding the disaster was the disarray within Yuan Shao's leadership. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, the eldest and youngest of Yuan Shao's sons, had accompanied the army.

Their long-standing rivalry erupted and caused open bickering in public, each blaming the other for the army's failures. Their feud undermined the chain of command, leaving the soldiers leaderless and confused. The chaos spread like a disease, paralyzing Yuan Shao's forces and giving Cao Cao a decisive advantage.

Meanwhile, inside Luoyang, the news of Yan Liang's death and the fall of Ye was met with surprise and cautious optimism. Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui gathered in the command tent to discuss the implications.

"This is an unexpected boon," Xun Yu said, his tone calm but thoughtful. "With Yan Liang gone, Yuan Shao's offensive capabilities are significantly weakened. Wen Chou's impulsive reaction further erodes their strength."

Guo Jia smirked. "Indeed. Grief makes men reckless, and Wen Chou is no exception. His army is bleeding itself dry against our defenses."

"This is our opportunity," Cheng Yu interjected. "We must transition from defense to offense. Yuan Shao's army is disorganized, and his leadership is fractured. If we strike now, we can eliminate their main force and end this campaign on favorable terms."

Xi Zhicai nodded. "But we must be strategic. Our resources are not limitless. A single misstep could cost us dearly."

Cao Cao listened intently, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of his advisors. Finally, he spoke. "Prepare the army for a counteroffensive. Focus on Wen Chou's positions. With their morale in tatters and their leadership divided, they will crumble under pressure. Let us also sow discord among Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang. Exploit their rivalry to deepen the fractures within Yuan Shao's command."

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0