Chapter 234: Yuese

Inside the Han camp, the information presented by the spy made Liuche furious beyond restraint.

Originally thought it was the Roman Empire manipulating the Parthian uprising behind the scenes, but the truth pointed to a force subordinate to the Hasmonian Dynasty.

"What a Hasmonian Dynasty, daring to play tricks behind my back!"

Liuche slammed his fist on the desk, shaking the documents scattered all over the floor.

His eyes blazing like torches, he unhesitatingly ordered: "Mobilize the Han Army, march immediately against the Hasmonian Dynasty; I will make them pay a heavy price for their deeds!"

For a moment, the Han Army camp erupted in turmoil.

War drums beat, soldiers quickly donned their armor and formed neat ranks.

Generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, among others, spirited and ready, mounted their warhorses, awaiting the order to set out.

With Liuche's command, the Han Army surged like a mighty tide, mighty and vast, advancing toward the Hasmonian Dynasty's border, kicking up dust that obscured the sky.

Meanwhile, in the Hasmonian Dynasty's palace, the king and his ministers received the news of the Han Army's assault, and immediately fell into chaos.

The king's face turned pale, his voice trembling as he asked: "Why has the Han Army suddenly attacked? What have we done to offend the Great Han?" An elderly minister, trembling, stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I have heard that our subordinate forces participated in the Parthian uprising, provoking Liuche."

The king slumped onto his throne, filled with regret: "What are we to do? The Han Army is formidable; we may not be able to withstand them."

In the court, ministers argued variously: some advocated immediately mobilizing troops to resist, others proposed sending envoys to seek peace.

A general stepped forward, stern-faced: "Your Majesty, we cannot sit and wait for death. Although the Han Army is strong, we cannot surrender without a fight. I am willing to lead our troops to engage the Han Army at the border, buying time for peace negotiations."

The king hesitated repeatedly, then finally nodded in agreement: "Hurry and prepare. At the same time, select eloquent envoys, bear generous gifts, and immediately go to the Han camp to apologize and seek peace from Liuche."

In the border towns of the Hasmonian Dynasty, hearing that the Han Army was approaching, the populace fell into panic.

People hurriedly packed their belongings, preparing to flee. The market descended into chaos, shops closed one after another, and the streets filled with frantic crowds.

Meanwhile, the Han cavalry drew ever closer; a great battle seemed imminent.

The Han Army rolled forward like a torrent of iron, swiftly pressing upon the Hasmonian Dynasty's border.

Just as the Hasmonian Dynasty's troops hastily set up defenses on the border, reinforcements from the Roman Empire quietly arrived.

The Roman legion, clad in heavy armor, wielding spears and shields, formed orderly ranks on the flank of the Hasmonian Dynasty's troops, giving the previously panicked Hasmonians a glimmer of resolve.

On the battlefield, yellow sand filled the air, the wind howled, as if even it trembled for the impending battle.

The Han Army's vanguard first encountered the Hasmonian Dynasty's outposts; the two sides closed in, and the cries of slaughter instantly shattered the border's tranquility.

Han soldiers' morale soared as they brandished their long blades, charging at the enemy like tigers descending from the mountain.

Wei Qing rode a tall steed, commanding with composure, his signal flag waving; the Han formations shifted constantly, alternating between tight defense and swift, fierce assaults.

Though the Hasmonian Dynasty's troops fought valiantly, under the Han Army's fierce onslaught they gradually showed signs of defeat.

At that moment, seeing the situation, the Roman legion sounded the horn and launched a supportive charge.

Their soldiers were well-trained, spears like a forest, attempting to breach the Han defenses.

However, Huo Qubing had long led his elite cavalry in wait nearby; at his command, they surged like a whirlwind toward the Roman legion, the thunder of hooves shaking the earth.

The Roman legion's spear formation fell into some disorder under the impact of the Han cavalry.

Han cavalrymen wielding sabers slashed left and right through the enemy ranks, felling Roman soldiers wherever they went. Seeing this, the Roman commander hastily adjusted his tactics, trying to steady his line.

But Huo Qubing would not give him a chance; he led his cavalry to continually harass the Roman legion's flank, leaving it unable to coordinate front and rear.

Meanwhile, Wei Qing directed the Han Army's main force to launch a general assault on the Hasmonian Dynasty's troops.

The Han frontline soldiers raised their shields to block enemy arrows, while the rear archers loosed a volley of countless arrows, a rain like locusts falling upon the Hasmonian troops.

Under the Han Army's overwhelming firepower, the Hasmonian Dynasty's line collapsed completely, and soldiers fled in all directions.

Deprived of the Hasmonian Dynasty's troops' support, the Roman legion grew ever more isolated and helpless.

After a fierce melee, the Roman legion also began to wane, starting to withdraw.

The Han Army pursued the victory, pressing the attack and driving the enemy out of the border region.

As the battle ended, the Han Army successfully seized a large tract of the Hasmonian Dynasty's borderland.

Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, and others stood on the newly occupied land, gazing into the distance, understanding that this was merely the beginning of their clash with the Roman Empire.

War ravaged the Hasmonian Dynasty's lands; Yuese gripped his wife Ruiqiu's hand tightly, while their young son Jieke trembled in his arms, crying in fear.

Yuese's eyes were full of anxiety and despair as he gazed at the rolling dust clouds approaching from behind—the sign of the Han Army's pursuit.

"Ruiqiu, we must hurry, hurry even more!"

Yuese's voice trembled, his steps growing ever more hurried as he stumbled forward along the rugged mountain path.

Ruiqiu's skirt was torn by thorns, her hair disheveled and stuck to her face, tears mixing with sweat as they slid down: "Yuese, where can we flee to?"

Her voice was full of helplessness. Yuese gritted his teeth, his gaze resolute: "No matter what, we must survive, for Jieke."

They passed through a barren field, all around were crops burnt by war and ruined farmsteads.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves came from ahead; Yuese's heart sank, he clutched his son and pulled his wife behind a collapsed earthen wall.

The Han cavalry halted not far off; their leader, eyes sharp, scanned the surroundings.

"Come out, we've seen you!" the Han commander shouted loudly. Yuese's body trembled; he knew there was nowhere left to hide.

After a moment's hesitation, he slowly rose, shielding his wife and son behind him.

"Please, spare us; we are merely ordinary commoners," Yuese pleaded.

Han soldiers closed in, spears bristling. The commander regarded Yuese's family with a stern expression: "Why are you fleeing? Are you connected to the enemy?"

Yuese hastily waved his hands: "Sir, we are merely afraid of the war, seeking a safe place to live, having nothing to do with the conflict."

Yet the commander did not believe him, waving his hand: "Take them away, back to the camp for interrogation."

Yuese's family was escorted by the soldiers, moving slowly forward.

Jieke wailed loudly in Yuese's arms, terrified; Ruiqiu silently shed tears.

Yuese gazed into the distance, his heart filled with helplessness and resentment.