Chapter 236: Yuese Enthroned

Under Yuese's precise guidance, the Han Army was like a sharp spear, straight to the foot of the Hasmonian Dynasty's capital city.

This ancient city had towering walls and tightly closed gates; the walls were filled with allied soldiers of the Hasmonian Dynasty and the Roman Empire, who stood ready, vigilantly watching the Han Army surge in like a tide outside the city.

In the Han Army camp, the battle flags snapped in the wind; Liuche wore golden armor and rode a tall warhorse, imposing and formidable.

He scanned the enemy before him, his eyes revealing a determination to win, and loudly ordered: "Attack!"

In an instant, war drums beat, the Han Army soldiers shouted in unison, charging at the enemy like tigers descending a mountain.

The front-rank Han Army shield bearers quickly formed a tight shield wall, slowly advancing to block the arrow rain falling from the allied troops on the walls.

The rear-rank archers drew their bows, nocked arrows, and released a volley; arrows flew like locusts toward the enemy, and for a moment, cries of pain echoed continuously from the walls.

At the same time, the Han Army's catapults began to show their power, huge stones whistling as they smashed into the walls, shattering bricks and stones, and cracks appeared in the allied defenses.

The Hasmonian Dynasty-Roman Empire allied forces were not to be outdone.

The Roman Legion, relying on rich combat experience, quickly formed a spear phalanx before the gate, spearheads like a forest, blocking the Han Army's charge.

The Hasmonian Dynasty's soldiers continually hurled rolling logs and stones from the walls, trying to repel the Han Army.

Smoke filled the battlefield, shouts of killing and clashing weapons intertwined, deafening.

Wei Qing led the Han Army's main force into direct combat with the Roman Legion.

He brandished his saber, leading from the front, charging into the enemy formation.

Seeing this, the Han Army soldiers' morale rose greatly, and they all bravely advanced forward. Both

The two sides engaged in close combat, launching a fierce melee. Amid the flashing blades and swords, soldiers' blood continuously sprayed, dyeing the ground red.

Huo Qubing then led the elite cavalry, bypassing the Roman Legion, and thrust straight into the allied forces' flank.

The cavalry surged into the enemy formation like wind and lightning; they wielded curved blades, charging left and right, and wherever they went, allied soldiers fell to the ground.

Under the impact of the Han Army's cavalry, the allied flank's defensive line began to waver.

At this moment, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the allied commander on the walls hastily dispatched the reserve troops to reinforce the flank.

However, the Han Army had already anticipated this move.

Yuese, standing aside, suggested to Liuche: "Your Majesty, taking advantage of the enemy's empty rear, send a surprise force to attack the gate via a side path."

Liuche nodded in agreement and immediately ordered a lightly equipped unit to be dispatched, under Yuese's leadership, to swiftly move to the enemy's rear.

This surprise force appeared like a ghost near the gate, quickly launched an attack, and caught the defenders off guard.

After a fierce battle, the Han Army successfully breached the gate.

The Han Army's main force took the opportunity to flood into the city, engaging the allied forces in fierce street fighting.

Under the Han Army's brave assault, the allied forces gradually fell into chaos, retreating step by step.

As the Han Army on other fronts also succeeded in breaking the gate, the main force surged into the city like a raging tide, and the Hasmonian Dynasty-Roman Empire allied defenses collapsed completely.

On the city streets, allied soldiers fled in all directions, while the Han Army pursued them victoriously, with shouts of killing rising and falling.

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing took the lead, respectively commanding infantry and cavalry, dividing and encircling the remaining enemy forces, and destroying them one by one.

Although the Roman troops resisted stubbornly, under the Han Army's fierce offensive they ultimately collapsed, and soldiers laid down their weapons and surrendered.

Before the Hasmonian Dynasty's palace, the last remnants of resistance were making a dying struggle.

Surrounded by a host of guards, the king attempted to escape through the palace's rear gate.

However, Huo Qubing had already led his elite cavalry to lie in wait here for a long time.

Want to escape? Not that easy!

Huo Qubing let out a loud shout, leading the cavalry to charge forward like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

After a bout of close combat, the Hasmonian Dynasty's guards fell one after another, and the king was also captured alive by the Han Army.

At this moment, the entire capital of the Hasmonian Dynasty was completely under Han Army control.

Liuche rode a tall horse, surrounded by generals and soldiers, slowly proceeding toward the palace.

The palace gates slowly opened; Liuche lifted his head, held his chest high, and walked into the palace with steady steps.

Inside the palace, the luxurious decorations were somewhat disordered by the war, but this in no way obscured Liuche's dignity.

His gaze swept over everything in the hall, as if declaring that this land would henceforth be incorporated into the territory of the Great Han.

"Your Majesty, the king of the Hasmonian Dynasty has been captured."

Wei Qing stepped forward, clasped his fists in both hands, and respectfully reported.

Liuche nodded slightly, his eyes revealing the pride of a victor: "Bring him up."

Moments later, the Hasmonian Dynasty's king was brought before Liuche; his face was ashen, his eyes full of fear and despair, and he fell to his knees with a "thud."

Liuche looked down at him coldly and said: "You colluded with Rome, daring to oppose my Great Han; today is your fate."

The king lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Liuche turned and said to the generals behind him: "From today onward, the land of the Hasmonian Dynasty shall be the territory of my Great Han. We will establish a new order here, so that the people may live in peace and prosperity."

The generals shouted in unison: "Long live Your Majesty!"

The sound echoed within the palace, lingering for a long time.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was solemn and reverent.

Liuche sat upright on the splendid throne, his gaze stern as he swept over the crowd below.

Yuese stood on the steps below, heart uneasy, unaware of what Liuche's summons this time entailed.

Liuche cleared his throat and spoke in a resonant voice: "Yuese, since you surrendered to my Great Han, you have earned many merits for the Han Army. Now that the Hasmonian Dynasty has fallen, I decide to appoint you as the new king of this land."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the palace showed surprise; Yuese stared wide-eyed, for a moment unable to believe his own ears.

"Your Majesty, I… I… what virtue or ability do I have…"

Yuese stammered, his voice full of shock and gratitude.

Liuche slightly raised his hand, indicating Yuese need not say more: "You are familiar with the local populace and are loyal to me. I believe you can govern this land well. Moreover, I command you to establish Confucianism here, spreading the culture and thought of my Great Han. And you shall serve as its bishop."

Yuese hurriedly knelt, kowtowing in thanks: "Your Majesty places such trust in me; I will surely exert my utmost effort and not disappoint your expectations."

Liuche then solemnly added: "Within Confucianism, you shall honor me as godfather, to show respect for the Emperor of Great Han." Yuese nodded heavily, indicating he would obey the holy command.

After leaving the palace, Yuese felt a mixture of emotions.

He deeply knew he bore a great mission, both as king and to promote Confucianism.

In the days to come, Yuese began to organize the affairs related to Confucianism.

He summoned local scholars and talented individuals, explaining to them the doctrines and principles of Confucianism.

At the city's center, a magnificent Confucian temple began construction.

And as Confucianism gradually took shape, various voices and forces among the populace began to stir.