Chapter 300: Thirteen Riders Break Through, Three Thousand Crush Xin

Gu Shanhe set down his teacup and added, "Brother Zheng is right."

"The biggest problem of Wang City isn't a lack of troops, it's underestimating the enemy."

"He thought victory was certain, so he wanted to show off."

"In the end, his hand never showed, and his life was lost."

Liu Che wrote a note in the booklet, looked up at Liu Xiu: "What about after Kunyang?"

Liu Xiu said: "After Kunyang, the Xin main force was gone. Not long after, Wang Mang died."

Liu Che nodded and asked no further.

The commentaries of emperors from various dynasties began to drift across the heavenly screen.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of complex emotion.

【Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng: This Liu Xiu, his daring is greater than I imagined.】

Thirteen riders broke through the siege, three thousand men charged, each step a dance on a knife's edge.

If it were someone else, they'd have fled long ago.

He could win not because of luck, but because of courage.】

Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang's commentary followed closely, his tone smug as if his own child had topped the imperial exams.

【Han Gaozu Liu Bang: Am I, your great‑grandson, fierce or not?】

Three thousand fought four hundred twenty thousand and won!

When I fought Xiang Yu, I wasn't this fierce!

This is the Liu family's spirit!】

After saying that, he added another line in front of Ying Zheng:

"Emperor Shi Huang, please don't be angry, this isn't me showing off, it's the heavenly screen's own arrangement."

Ying Zheng's face remained expressionless, he raised his hand and tapped Liu Bang on the back of his head.

It wasn't heavy, but the sound was crisp.

Liu Bang covered his head, looked at Ying Zheng with grievance, opened his mouth but dared not utter a sound.

Emperor Wu Liu Che's commentary was more serious.

【Han Wu Emperor Liu Che: The essence of the Battle of Kunyang is not a clash of forces, but a clash of wills.】

Liu Xiu's will was harder than Wang City's, so he won.

Wang City's 420,000 men seemed many, but their commander lacked courage; no matter how many, they were a ragtag crowd.】

Emperor Wen of Sui Yang Jian stroked his beard and commented:

【Sui Emperor Yang Jian: Liu Xiu's victory hinged on the crucial step of breaking through to seek aid.】

If he stayed trapped in the city, the nine thousand could not hold out long.

He dared to lead thirteen men to cut through the encirclement of 420,000, a daring that is rarer than winning a battle.

Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of Tang sighed repeatedly.

【Tang Taizong Li Shimin: I read the histories, and each time I reach the Battle of Kunyang I am amazed.】

Thirteen riders breaking through, three thousand crushing the enemy—this is not warfare, it's legend.

But the black‑on‑white words of the histories leave you no choice but to believe.

Emperor Gaozu Zhao Kuangyin of Song nodded.

【Song Gaozu Zhao Kuangyin: The key to the Battle of Kunyang was Liu Xiu seizing the weak point of the enemy's command core.】

Wang City and Wang Xun, positioned at the center of the great army, struck down the central forces; tens of thousands were left leaderless.

This is the same principle as what I experienced at Chen Qiao Station.】

Emperor Hongwu Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily.

【Ming Founder Zhu Yuanzhang: This Liu Xiu kid fights the same way I did.】

Back then I also led a few thousand to charge the massive camp of Chen Youliang, which had hundreds of thousands.

Are you scared? Yes.

But once you rush in, the fear is exactly the opponent.

Emperor Kangxi, fanning himself, said leisurely:

【Kangxi Emperor: The Battle of Kunyang is the ultimate example in Chinese history of the few defeating the many.】

Nine thousand versus 420,000, a disparity of dozens of times, yet they won.

This is no longer a tactical issue; it's destiny.

Liu Xiu has a heavenly mandate.

On the heavenly screen, the later generations' barrage of comments began to drift.

【Netizen·Plane Son】

Liu Xiu is the Plane Son, the old Heaven's own child.

If you can't win, summon a meteor—who could stand against it?

【Netizen·Grand Mage】

The Battle of Kunyang saw meteors, torrential rain, floods falling from the sky; this is not war, it's a duel of spells.

Liu Xiu is a Grand Mage, Wang City is just ordinary troops.

【Netizen·History Enthusiast】

Seriously, the key to the Battle of Kunyang wasn't the meteors, it was Liu Xiu's daring.

If it were someone else, they'd have fled long ago.

【Netizen·Bystander】

Wang Yi: I have 420,000 men.

Liu Xiu: I have a meteor.

Wang Yi: …Farewell.

【Netizen·Eastern Han superfan】

After Liu Xiu finishes this battle, Wang Mang's Xin dynasty will be over.

A true decisive battle will determine the heavens and earth.

Liu Xiu looked at the titles "Plane's Son", "Great Archmage", "Meteor Summoner", and the corner of their mouth twitched slightly.

They turned their head to Gu Shanhe: "Immortal master, what do these… mean?"

Gu Shanhe took a sip of tea and said, "People of later generations think you're too lucky; every time you're about to lose, something falls from the sky to help you."

"So they joke that you have superpowers."

Parallel spacetime plane.

In Chang'an City, Wang Mang slumped on the dragon throne.

Every word on the celestial display pierced his heart—420,000 troops, 9,000 defenders, routed, shattered, the commanding general slain.

He couldn't understand how 420,000 could be defeated by 9,000.

Minister of Personnel Wang Kuang stepped forward, trembling, and said, "Your Majesty, the celestial display may not—"

"Silence."

Wang Mang's voice was soft, yet everyone in the hall heard it clearly.

He lifted his head, looked at the ongoing footage of the Battle of Kunyang on the celestial display, and suddenly said:

"Who is this man called Liu Xiu?"

No one could answer him.

Because Liu Xiu is still young and not yet famous.

But Wang Mang knows the celestial display would not spotlight an unknown footsoldier without reason.

He memorized that name.

But memorizing is useless.

Because he has already seen the ending—he loses.

Below Kunyang City.

Wang Yi and Wang Xun stood at the main camp gate, the atmosphere heavy as if rain were about to fall.

Wang Xun spoke first: "Brother, the celestial display says I will die."

Wang Yi gave no reply.

Wang Xun added, "Die beneath Kunyang City, killed by Liu Xiu's men."

Wang Yi finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "The celestial display speaks of the future; we can change it."

Wang Xun looked at him, a hint of something indescribable in his eyes.

"Change? How to change? Withdraw?"

Wang Yi fell silent.

Withdraw? Wang Mang would not agree.

420,000 troops traveled thousands of li, and to pull back before even fighting a battle?

Wang Mang would have them killed.

No withdrawal? Fight.

But the celestial display says they will lose, Wang Xun will die, Wang Yi will flee in disgrace.

Wang Xun suddenly laughed, a bitter laugh: "Brother, it seems whichever way we choose, we die."

Wang Yi patted his shoulder, saying nothing.

In the Prime Minister's residence in Xudu, Cao Cao stared at the Battle of Kunyang on the celestial display, silent for a long time.

His surrounding strategists and generals also watched, no one speaking.

Xun Yu spoke first: "Three thousand defeat 420,000, this Liu Xiu…"

Cao Cao took the line: "He's a figure."

He paused, then said, "I've always wondered why Liu Bei, that mat‑weaver and sandal seller, could have so many followers? Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun—each more fierce than the last."

"Now looking at Liu Xiu, I think I understand."

Xun Yu asked, "Understand what?"

Cao Cao said, "People with the surname Liu seem born to make others risk their lives for them."

Liu Bei was in Chengdu—no, Liu Bei was still in Xinye.

He looked up at the celestial display: the Battle of Kunyang, Liu Xiu.

He also bears the surname Liu.

He is separated from Liu Xiu by several hundred years, yet the same blood runs in his veins.

"The Battle of Kunyang…"

Liu Bei murmured those four words, his eyes growing brighter.

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan, standing beside him, and said softly:

"Lord, Liu Xiu broke 420,000 with three thousand, not by numbers but by daring."

Liu Bei nodded, "I know."

Zhuge Liang asked again, "Lord, do you wish to learn?"

Liu Bei turned his head to him, smiled, "Kongming, you want to teach me?"

Zhuge Liang also laughed, "I don't dare to teach, but I can say something to the lord."

The two exchanged a glance and both laughed.

The golden light on the heavens' canopy began to gather, and this review neared its end.

【Ancient Top Ten Battles Review·Kunyang Battle·End】

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