Chapter 1346

"Grand Tutor, we should still send someone to report this news back to the imperial court first." Huangfu Song said after careful consideration, "Now that Hangu Pass can no longer contain Duan Yu, Hedong Commandery and Hongnong Commandery are completely exposed to Duan Yu's military might."

"If the imperial court does not send a large army to garrison the eight passes of Luoyang, Duan Yu's forces will soon arrive at the gates of Luoyang."

"By then, there will be panic in people's hearts, and the imperial court will be in turmoil."

Zhang Wen nodded in agreement: "Things have reached this point; there is no other way."

Once Hangu Pass was broken, it was only a few days' journey to Luoyang. One could imagine what kind of reaction the Luoyang court would have when they learned of this news.

One day later, outside Hongnong County.

After the great victory, Duan Yu ordered the army to rest for one day outside Hangu Pass.

This great victory resulted in as many as fifty thousand Han troops killed, wounded, or surrendered.

Most of the remainder had fled in defeat.

After resting for a day, Duan Yu did not rush to order an advance.

Although there was no longer any obstruction outside Hangu Pass, if he wanted to attack Luoyang, there was still another pass ahead, which was the Hangu Pass in Xinan County, one of the eight passes of Luoyang.

The Hangu Pass located in Hongnong Commandery was the Qin Hangu Pass, while the Hangu Pass in Xinan County was one of the eight passes of Luoyang. Although they were both called Hangu Pass, they were not the same one.

He had raised his army in Liangzhou, and the only way to attack Luoyang was through the eight passes of Luoyang.

It was impossible for the Luoyang court not to have deployed heavy troops at the passes leading west.

Moreover, if he did not completely take Hongnong Commandery and Hedong Commandery, the army's supply lines would not be smooth.

For this reason, Duan Yu had already sent someone back to deliver a letter to Li Ru to recruit troops in Chang'an and to accelerate the return of the generals from the Western Regions to bring their troops directly to Chang'an.

Outside Hongnong County, hundreds of heavy cavalry accompanied Duan Yu as he arrived.

Also accompanying them was Yang Qi, who was of the Hongnong Yang Clan.

And Yang Biao, the head of the Hongnong Yang Clan, had long since been waiting outside Hongnong County with important members of the clan.

When he saw hundreds of heavy cavalry approaching from afar, Yang Biao tidied up his brocade robes and quickly stepped forward a few paces.

"Marquis of Ji!"

Seeing Duan Yu dismount from his Black Tiger, Yang Biao immediately bowed and offered a salute.

Duan Yu smiled and stepped forward two paces, grabbing Yang Biao's hand.

Duan Yu had never expected that the Hongnong Yang Clan, which could once be considered an enemy, would choose to stand on his side at such a time.

This could be considered an unexpected joy.

The Hongnong Yang Clan was the leader of the scholar-official clans in the entire Guanzhong region.

With the Hongnong Yang Clan as a reference, he believed that these Guanzhong scholar-official clans would soon know how to choose their side.

Relying on the signboard of the Hongnong Yang Clan, as well as the many students and former subordinates of the Hongnong Yang Clan over the years, the Chang'an court should no longer lack a facade.

"The Marquis of Linjin has truly given me a great surprise." Duan Yu said with a smile, "This great victory is entirely due to the merit of the Marquis of Linjin."

Duan Yu gave Yang Biao plenty of face, holding Yang Biao's hand with a very cordial expression.

Yang Biao hurriedly declined: "I dare not accept, I dare not accept. The Hongnong Yang Clan has enjoyed the grace of the state for generations and should naturally serve the country with our lives. I only regret that I lack the Marquis of Ji's ability to lead troops and cannot fight on the battlefield."

The two stood outside Hongnong County exchanging pleasantries like old friends.

"Marquis of Ji, this is my unworthy son."

Yang Biao stepped aside, clearing the position behind him.

A boy of about ten years old stood not far behind Yang Biao, looking at Duan Yu with a pair of curious, large eyes.

The boy was wearing a purple brocade robe, his face like jade, his expression lively; one could tell at a glance that he was extremely intelligent.

"Xiu'er, why don't you come over and pay your respects to the Marquis of Ji."

Yang Biao beckoned to Yang Xiu behind him.

Yang Xiu stepped forward, then bowed politely to Duan Yu and said, "Young one Yang Xiu, pays respects to the Marquis of Ji."

Duan Yu looked him up and down.

So this is Yang Xiu.

He did indeed look quite intelligent.

After a simple exchange of pleasantries, Duan Yu and Yang Biao walked together toward the Yang Clan residence in Hongnong County.

When Duan Yu arrived at the Yang Clan residence, he realized.

It turned out that Yang Biao had not just prepared one great gift for him.

But three.

At the banquet, Yang Biao directly produced the letters that had been coming and going from various places over the past ten days or so.

The content of the letters was Yang Biao persuading those who had once been students, former subordinates, or friends and officials of the Hongnong Yang Clan to submit to Chang'an.

The vast majority of these were from Hongnong Commandery and Hedong Commandery.

Duan Yu was also extremely surprised when he saw these letters. In this way, it meant that he had taken Hongnong Commandery and Hedong Commandery without any effort, and there was no need to send troops to attack them at all.

In addition to using the influence of the Hongnong Yang Clan to directly make Hongnong Commandery and Hedong Commandery submit, Yang Biao had also prepared another great gift.

Two hundred thousand shi of grain and fodder.

Although Duan Yu was not lacking this two hundred thousand shi of grain and fodder at the moment.

But this was the attitude of the Yang Clan.

This time, Yang Biao had truly brought capital to join the venture.

One Yang Feng plus one hundred thousand Baibo Army, plus one Hedong Commandery, one Hongnong Commandery, and two hundred thousand shi of grain.

No matter what, a position of the Three Excellencies was certainly to be had.

That night, Duan Yu, who was staying at the Yang residence, stayed overnight at the Yang residence under the hospitality of Yang Biao.

And with Zhang Wen's crushing defeat, this shocking news also spread back to Luoyang.

PS: Guess if there will be a fourth chapter today!

Let the charging and small gifts come even more fiercely! ===== CHAPTER 1348 =====