Chapter 393: Luo Feng Charges Straight at Chang'an

Prince!

The southern barbarian leader Tu Fa Yan could no longer hold back and stepped forward fiercely.

This is a heaven‑sent opportunity! With Wei Xi Yuan dead, the troops at Tongguan are leaderless, and Chang'an is a land without a master! What are we waiting for?

Dispatch troops at once to seize Tongguan and march straight to Chang'an! The fertile plains of Guanzhong stretch for thousands of li, within easy reach! We must not let those Beijiang mud‑leggers get there first!

Murong Ke, though his eyes burned equally, was more cautious: "General Tu Fa, calm down and do not be impatient!"

Beijiang's Jiang Jinshi has just endured a bloody battle; though victorious, he is weary, must attend to Wei Xi Yuan's aftermath, stabilize Shuo Ning, and a large‑scale southern advance in the short term is unlikely.

But as General Tu Fa said, Guanzhong is vacant, indeed a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years chance for us Xiliang. The key lies in speed, and… the method.

He looked at Si Wushuang and Cui Yan: "Especially Tongguan!! There are still over a hundred thousand terrified defeated soldiers; if mishandled, a forced assault will cause heavy casualties and delay our advance. If we can persuade surrender, or force them to open the pass, we'll achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Cui Yan pondered: "The Tongguan defender, General Gao Chong, is somewhat stubborn, but not oblivious to the times."

Now the Emperor is dead, the Imperial Court has collapsed; he is trapped in an isolated pass, without supplies, while our Xiliang army watches hungrily from outside, and to the north the Beijiang Ming Army, fresh from a great victory, surges like a rainbow.

Their morale is at its lowest point. This is the perfect moment to urge surrender.

We can send a silver‑tongued envoy who knows Gao Chong, bearing the Prince's edict and lavish gifts, to present the pros and cons.

First, make clear that Wei Xi Yuan is dead, Da Qian's fate is sealed, stubborn resistance is futile; only by submitting to the rightful ruler can one preserve life and wealth.

Second, promise that if they surrender the pass, they will not be punished for the past, their current offices will be retained, troops who stay will be incorporated and well treated, and those who leave will receive travel funds.

Third, we may… apply a bit of pressure, hint that the Beijiang army will arrive soon; if Xiliang and Beijiang contest Guanzhong, Tongguan will be the first to burn, and both jade and stone will be destroyed—too late for regret.

Si Wushuang added: "Lord Cui is absolutely right. The surrender effort must begin immediately and be pursued on two fronts."

On one hand, send envoys into the pass to persuade Gao Chong and the main commanders to surrender.

On the other, order our inside agents within Tongguan's troops, as well as the bought Guanzhong Scholar‑Gentry, to spread rumors in the army, shaking morale, especially emphasizing that the Emperor is dead, the Imperial Court has collapsed, and asking—who are we fighting for?

At the same time, widely broadcast our army's imminent large‑scale takeover of Guanzhong, securing the realm and its people without disturbing the Scholar‑Gentry, to stabilize public sentiment and win local support, at least keeping them neutral.

He walked to the massive map, pointed at Tongguan, then swiftly traced to Chang'an: "While the surrender effort proceeds, the military operation must never halt!"

General Murong, your unit must maintain high pressure before Tongguan, adopting a posture ready for a sudden assault, in coordination with the surrender push.

General Tu Fa, immediately gather fifty thousand elite cavalry, carrying ten days of dry rations, light and unburdened; do not wait for Tongguan's outcome, set out at once, at the fastest speed, bypass the southern mountain pass of Tongguan, and charge straight at Chang'an!

Wei Wenlie instantly grasped the intent: "Si Wushuang means… to get ahead of Beijiang, regardless of whether Tongguan surrenders, seize Chang'an first?"

Exactly!

Si Wushuang nodded, "Tongguan is indeed important, but Chang'an is the symbol and political heart of Guanzhong!"

Whoever controls Chang'an first will hold the absolute initiative and moral advantage in the struggle for Guanzhong!

Beijiang's Jiang Jinshi is far from mediocre; with Wei Xi Yuan dead, he will surely act at once, his target likewise Chang'an!

We must assume that Beijiang's surprise troops are already en route! General Tu Fa's cavalry's mission is to, at any cost, get ahead of everyone and enter Chang'an!

If the Beijiang army has arrived, crush them! If not, seize the whole city and await the follow‑up forces!

Tu Fa Yan, hearing this, rubbed his fists excitedly: "Military Advisor, rest assured! I will ride day and night, even a dead horse, to be at the front! Chang'an will belong to our Xiliang!"

"Do not underestimate the enemy."

Murong Ke reminded, "Beijiang cavalry are also strong; General Tu Fa must be extra cautious, dispatch more scouts along the way to guard against ambushes. If you meet Beijiang troops, fight if you can, otherwise delay them and await our follow‑up forces."

Wei Wenlie sprang up, "Then we follow this plan! Mr. Cui, the surrender of Tongguan is entirely your responsibility; see to its completion!"

Murong, you will command the front at Tongguan, delivering the final blow to Gao Chong!

Tu Fa, assemble the troops and set out immediately; Chang'an, I now entrust to you!

Wushuang coordinated the whole situation, aligning all parties, and instantly ordered the garrisons at Luoyang and Nanyang to prepare for a full western advance and takeover of Guanzhong!

He slammed the table hard, "The world's chessboard hinges on this move! Capture Guanzhong, and Xiliang can both attack and defend, gaining the true foundation to contend with Beijiang for supremacy! This battle must be won, not lost!"

"Obeying the Prince's command!" the crowd roared in agreement, their fighting spirit soaring.

Three days later, outside Tonghua Gate, which once teemed with traffic and merchants in Chang'an, the gate now stood deserted, with only a handful of terrified civilians.

They slung their bundles, trying to flee Jingcheng at the first moment the curfew ended and the city gates opened.

The news of Emperor Wei Xi Yuan's death spread across the realm; such a massive announcement naturally reached even ordinary folk, making them even more panicked.

They did not know who would claim the throne next, but were certain someone would come to attack Chang'an, as has always been the case.

Thus the civilians began frantic preparations to flee.

A few guards still stood atop the city walls, even more bewildered.

Defend the city! Fear the bandits! Or abandon it! What if the emperor's death is enemy propaganda? Those who flee might be sentenced to extermination of their entire clan!

The authorities, aware of the situation, tried to block the news, but fear and despair could not be contained.

High officials and nobles had long ago quietly relocated their families, leaving behind mostly penniless commoners and the foolishly loyal who still clung to a last sliver of hope for Da Qian.

Within the city, food prices skyrocketed, thieves proliferated, and public order was nearly paralyzed.

Inside the palace, the few remaining royal relatives and veteran ministers argued endlessly—whether to hold the city awaiting aid, open the gates and surrender, or abandon it—without any consensus.

The crucial questions were: where is the support? To whom should we surrender? Where to flee?

At that moment, a chorus of hoofbeats rose outside Chang'an.

"What is that sound?" the guards stirred, staring fearfully toward its source.

First a black "Ming" banner emerged! Then a second, a third… countless black standards rose!

Beneath the banners were Beijiang cavalry!

Luo Feng led the charge, with unstoppable momentum, rushing straight at Chang'an's East Gate!

"Enemy attack! Cavalry! Ming cavalry!" the guards atop the wall finally reacted, sounding the warning gongs!

No one expected that, after Beijiang's recent bloody battle at Shuo Ning, such a massive and elite cavalry would appear beneath Chang'an, so far from Shuo Ning!