Chapter 56: Capturing Hanyang City

Two days later, Zhang Liao's great army finally arrived beneath Huayang County.

At this moment, the defending troops of Hanyang City, upon seeing the arriving army, fell into panic.

At this time, Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai halted their horses before the Two Hundred Thousand Bing Province Wolf Cavalry, coldly eyeing the city before them.

"Who will go to challenge for this General?"

Suddenly, Zhang Liao's cold voice rang out, and then a middle‑aged general behind him spurred his horse forward, shouting: "I, the junior general, request battle!"

This man was one of Zhang Liao's subordinates, a First‑rate Martial General in strength, reasonably talented, named Zhao Er Niu, currently serving as a thousand‑man leader.

"Fine, Er Niu, you go and challenge!"

Upon seeing Zhao Er Niu, Zhang Liao said to him with a solemn face.

"Junior general, obey!"

After clasping fists to Zhang Liao, Zhao Er Niu turned and rode toward Hanyang City.

Arriving beneath the city gate, Zhao Er Niu shouted loudly to the people on the city wall: "I am Zhao Er Niu, a thousand‑man leader under General Zhang Liao of the Bing Province Army; citizens of the city, dare you come out for a fight?"

Zhao Er Niu's voice thundered like Lei Ting in the ears of the city's people.

For a moment, the people on the wall were truly restrained by Zhao Er Niu's momentum, and gave no response for a while.

Seeing the city's people not daring to answer, Zhao Er Niu raised his voice even higher: "What, are you all soft‑eggs, no one dares to fight me? You bunch of cowards! Hahaha…"

Faced with Zhao Er Niu's frantic taunts, someone in the city could no longer hold back and said to the guarding general: "General, I cannot stand this scoundrel any longer; I will go down and deal with him!"

Having said so, without waiting for General Wang Xin's consent, he rode out of the city.

"Zhao Er Niu, you are so arrogant, a mere little thousand‑man leader, daring to run amok in my Hanyang City, without even looking at what place this is; I will cut you down and tear your body to pieces!"

The commander who burst from the city cursed Zhao Er Niu, baring his teeth.

"Heh, just you? You think you can kill me? You truly know nothing of death!"

In response to the enemy's insult, Zhao Er Niu disdainfully replied.

"Ah… once I cut you down, let's see how hard your mouth can be! Come…"

The commander, angered by Zhao Er Niu's contempt, immediately charged at Zhao Er Niu.

Seeing the charging commander, Zhao Er Niu also rode forward.

"Come… just in time!"

"Zhao Er Niu, bring your life…"

"Kill…"

Quickly, the two clashed; facing the opponent's Great Blade, Zhao Er Niu tilted his head slightly and dodged the attack.

Then, his Long Spear whirled, striking the opponent's throat like lightning.

Confronted with Zhao Er Niu's lightning‑fast strike, the enemy general had no time to react before feeling a chill in his neck.

"What… how… how can he be this strong!"

"Boom!"

Before the enemy could react, Zhao Er Niu's spear pierced his throat, and he fell off his horse.

Zhao Er Niu looked at the lifeless corpse, pointed his spear diagonally at the ground, and shouted to the city: "Do you have no one who can fight? If all opponents are like this, I advise you to open the city gates and surrender."

"Otherwise, when our Two Hundred Thousand army attacks together, what will you use to resist!"

"What!!!"

"How can he be so strong, that advance was only Third‑rate General strength, yet Zhao Er Niu cut him down with a single move!"

"According to him, he is only a thousand‑man leader; then the generals' strength must be even greater!!!"

"General, perhaps we should surrender; with our few men we cannot hold back the Two Hundred Thousand army."

"Moreover, they are the Imperial Court's troops; we have no reason to oppose His Majesty!"

The people in the city, after seeing Zhao Er Niu's overwhelming power, instantly erupted into chaos.

Morale plummeted to the bottom; most people already entertained thoughts of surrender.

Moreover, they were originally troops of the Han Empire, and had no need to oppose the court's army over Niu Fu!

Immediately, many people spoke to the guarding commander Wang Xin.

At this moment, Wang Xin's heart was also conflicted; he knew they could not possibly stop the Two Hundred Thousand army's assault.

Seeing more and more people urging him to surrender, Wang Xin realized he could not hesitate any longer; otherwise, these soldiers, to save their lives, would definitely bind him and hand him over to Zhang Liao.

He then gritted his teeth and shouted: "Fine, I, the junior general, agree to surrender!"

After speaking, Wang Xin seemed to have drained all his strength and collapsed to the ground.

"Oh… General's wisdom! Follow me to open the city gates and surrender!"

The people around him ignored the collapsed Wang Xin and all rushed excitedly toward the city gate.

"The tide of events… General, do not blame me; I have no choice, truly, the enemy's strength is too great!"

Watching the excited expressions on their faces, Wang Xin muttered to himself.

Afterwards, he steadied his mind, stood up, tidied his appearance, and walked toward the city gate.

"General Zhao Er Niu, go tell your commander that I am willing to submit to the court!"

Looking down at Zhao Er Niu still shouting and cursing, Wang Xin shouted loudly, though bitterness could not be hidden on his face.

"Hahaha, you are finally sensible; then prepare to exit the city and surrender!"

Zhao Er Niu, upon hearing Wang Xin's words, was overjoyed and immediately laughed at Wang Xin.

After speaking, he laughed, turned, and galloped toward the army, eager to deliver this good news to Zhang Liao.

"General, good news: Wang Xin says he will surrender to us!"

Returning to the camp, Zhao Er Niu promptly relayed this news to Zhang Liao and the others.

"Fine, he is sensible, Wang Xin, a clever man."

Although Zhang Liao had guessed that Wang Xin and the others would surrender, now that the news has finally been confirmed, he is overjoyed.

Heh heh, congratulations, General, for taking Huayang County!

Beside him, Xi Zhicai also voiced his congratulations to Zhang Liao.

Regarding Wang Xin's surrender, no one would think it false; the disparity in strength between the two sides is too great for any scheming to compensate.

The Military Advisor joked, "It's all thanks to the Soldiers; it's their brave killing of the enemy that made this result!"

Hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Zhang Liao's expression turned solemn, and with a sincere face he spoke to Xi Zhicai and the others.

General Gao Yi, we admire you!

Upon hearing Zhang Liao's reply, everyone sincerely responded to him, their gazes toward Zhang Liao filled with awe.

Let's go, let's go together to accept their surrender!

After saying that to the crowd, Zhang Liao led the way toward the City Gate, and the generals behind him immediately followed.

When Zhang Liao and his party arrived beneath the Hanyang City Gate, the tightly shut gate slowly opened from within.

Then, a squad of soldiers wielding long spears surrounded a middle‑aged warrior in black armor as he stepped out; it was Wang Xin and the others.

Seeing Zhang Liao riding a brown steed, Wang Xin only felt a terrifying aura bearing down on him, confronting this overwhelming presence.

Wang Xin instantly felt as tiny as an ant; just as he tried to let out a roar and resist with all his might, that overwhelming aura suddenly vanished.