Chapter 188: The Three Kingdoms Conclude
[You're a little surprised by the scale of this anti-Zhou alliance. Despite your relatively good reputation, this time there are over twenty warlords involved—compared to the eighteen who rose against Fatty Dong in your previous life—making it seem like they're hell-bent on destroying you. Are they insane or what?]
[Due to the timeline shift, this anti-Zhou coalition formed nearly a year later than the original anti-Dong alliance. As a result, beyond the original eighteen warlords, Liu Bei—who made significant contributions thanks to the butterfly effect—and Han Sui, the governor of Jincheng who surrendered last year, even Liu Biao, the governor of Jing Province, have all joined the alliance.]
[You sharply realize that this campaign may become a battle that decisively determines the fate of the realm.]
[On July 4th, 3rd year of Yuanxi, the anti-Zhou coalition gathered at Suanzao, then rode the momentum westward, charging toward Chenggao, a vital strategic location east of Luoyang. Much like four centuries ago, when Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, and Liu Bang, the future Han Emperor, clashed at this very spot in a pivotal battle between Chu and Han. Seizing Chenggao would mean a straight path to Sishui Pass and then into Luoyang itself. Over 400,000 elite troops from east of the Pass advanced westward toward Chenggao, crowding the two main postal roads with men and horses in constant motion.]
[The anti-Zhou coalition assembled on the wide plains near Sishui Pass. West of this point lay mountains, to the east, flatlands. Luoyang, the capital of the Han, was just fifty li away. Although your Zhou-Ning forces were clearly outnumbered, morale remained high. In this high-powered martial world, elite warriors like you and Lü Bu could single-handedly sway the tide of battle.]
[On July 6th, 3rd year of Yuanxi, despite commanding massive numbers, the anti-Zhou alliance did not rush headlong into glory. Yuan Shao positioned each faction at key defensive points to support one another and dispatched Sun Jian as the vanguard, marching straight to Sishui Pass to issue a formal challenge.]
[You held no particular opinion about Sun Jian. Though known as the Fierce Tiger of Jiangdong, his actual strength was unremarkable. When he loudly called out your name to challenge you, you donned your armor without hesitation—his shouting was simply too obnoxious to ignore.]
[When you rode onto the battlefield, Cheng Pu charged at you wielding his iron-spined serpent spear. Yet within just two rounds, both man and horse were slain, skewered cleanly on your halberd. Next came Huang Gai and Han Dang, one wielding a whip, the other a broadsword, charging at you together. These were just the kind of foes you liked—direct and fearless. You charged straight at them and, relying on your terrifying strength, pierced them both in one strike, their corpses strung together like candied hawthorn skewers. Life, death, sickness, and age—mortality is inevitable. For these old Eastern Wu generals, this was a worthy death.]
[Your gaze turned to Sun Jian. Even he couldn't help but flinch under your imposing presence. Compared to the earlier three, Sun Jian barely qualified as a first-rate general, with significantly stronger skills. After more than ten exchanges, however, he was still forced to flee in defeat. It wasn't until Cao Cao and Qiao Mao arrived to assist that you let out a hearty laugh and pulled your horse back. Sun Jian's forces lost over half their number, and the allied army was forced to retreat ten li to set up camp—a crushing first blow.]
[On July 7th, 3rd year of Yuanxi, the tide turned. It was now your turn to challenge the enemy camp. This time, twelve allied warlords emerged. First came Fang Yue, a renowned general under Wang Kuang from Henei. To be honest, his strength had been severely underestimated—comparable to Han Dang and Huang Gai. He had only two lines in historical records, likely because he had the misfortune of encountering Lü Bu. This time, he met the same fate: impaled by your halberd and flung skyward.]
[Next up was Mu Shun, a general under Zhang Yang. He too was slain with a single thrust. The only one who posed any real threat was Gongsun Zan. He was far stronger than Sun Jian, a true battle-hardened warrior skilled in cavalry combat, archery, and infantry warfare. Yet even he succumbed after three exchanges—his arm numb, forced to retreat.]
[You led a cavalry squad, charging east to west through the battlefield like a knife through butter. Cutting a straight line through the enemy formation, you alone routed over two thousand men.]
[What happened next would be talked about with admiration for generations. As you pursued Gongsun Zan, a young general in white robes intercepted you. He was nearly your equal in power and skill, with a spear technique that flashed like thunder in stormy clouds, a dragon briefly revealing its fangs.]
[You dueled for thirty rounds without a clear victor. Then Zhang Fei joined the fray. While not as technically skilled in weaponry, his brute strength demanded your full attention. The three of you fought fiercely for fifty rounds with no outcome. Then Guan Yu rode in, swinging his blade with a fierce momentum. A flash of azure like a dragon surged toward you—only by a hair's breadth did you parry with your halberd.]
[The clash was cataclysmic, shaking the heavens and earth. Even celestial signs changed. The twelve allied lords stood in stunned silence. This became a legendary scene immortalized by countless storytellers. After dozens more exchanges, you began to falter. You spurred your horse and retreated. The twelve armies roared and pursued, but as they breached your lines, they stumbled directly into a trap set by two cunning strategists—Jia Xu and Li Ru. (Legend Points +1)]
[With the synergy of Divine Wrath, City Scorch, and Martial Chaos, how could they withstand it? In a flash, fire raged within and beyond the pass. Lü Bu arrived with seventy thousand elite Bingzhou cavalry. His strength rivaled yours; none present could match him. With top-tier warriors like Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Hua Xiong beside him, this elite assault became the turning point.]
[Even though a few top strategists tried to use tactics and sorcery to salvage the situation, they were powerless before the collapse. In the end, Yuan Shao, Han Sui, and Zhang Yang died amid the chaos. The rest either surrendered or were captured. Only Tao Qian of Xuzhou, Liu Yan of Yizhou, and Liu Yu of Youzhou were spared—simply because they hadn't shown up. This battle ended shockingly quickly.]
[In August, 3rd year of Yuanxi, after winning this war, the outcome was essentially settled. Over the next month, heeding Li Ru's advice, you executed some, co-opted others, and successfully split the coalition. Gradually, you solidified your power and began plotting to usurp the Han dynasty.]
[From Yuanxi 3 to Year 9, you, as a time traveler, gathered a large number of wise ministers and generals. With their help, you abolished the provincial governor system, governed the country with leniency, and gradually won over the hearts of the people.]
[In July of Year 9, your first friend in this world, He Jin, passed away from grief. Honestly, you don't feel you let him down.]
[On July 7th, Year 9 of Yuanjia, the young Emperor Liu Bian, acknowledging your popular support, issued an edict to abdicate. After several polite refusals, you finally accepted the throne, retained the Han imperial title, declared a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Taining. Under your leadership, this new Han dynasty began its ascent to glory. (You received a legendary item: the Imperial Jade Seal.)]
[In September of Taining Year 2, you dispatched envoys south across the sea, discovering and annexing Yizhou and Danzhou.]
[In October of Taining Year 3, you sent Sun Jian to lead a sea-borne campaign against Fusang. At the time, the island was under the rule of the Yamatai Queen Himiko—still primitive and tomb-obsessed. With the army closing in, Yamatai's minister Ishiki defected and led the way. In less than two months, Fusang was annexed into Han territory.]
[In September of Taining Year 5, you ordered Cao Cao and Lü Bu to lead a northern campaign against the Wuhuan. With a final decisive battle, the Wuhuan were completely subdued.]
[From September of Taining 5 to December of Taining 11, you personally led campaigns that successively pacified the Western Regions, forever preventing the chaos of the Five Barbarians, and began expanding the empire westward. Meanwhile, Sun Jian led the navy eastward to explore. In September of Year 9, they reached a new continent—a land untouched and unexplored.]
[From Taining Year 11 to Year 32, under your rule, the nation was completely transformed. The people lived in peace and prosperity, and the empire's territory expanded fourfold. This era of Han became the most powerful period in all of Chinese history.]
[In July of Taining Year 32, you died of illness at age 72.]
[Simulation complete.]
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