Chapter 560 - Chapter 560: Chapter 566: Yiyang City Falls (2/2)
“My Lord, General Han has sent a message that he’ll return as soon as possible, but the journey is long. Even with a hastened pace, it will still take two or three days to arrive,” a subordinate reported.
“Two or three days… With the way things are now, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hold out that long,” Liu Xiu was well aware that Han Yu might not make it in time and, even if he did, the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that likely not even Han Yu could salvage it. Now his camp was beset with both internal strife and external threats, with the Imperial Court’s troops mounting fierce attacks and plenty of spies within.
More than the enemy, Liu Xiu despised the spies hidden within his ranks. He remembered Han Yu’s repeated warnings to remain vigilant. Although he listened at first, he was later swayed by the flattery of sycophants and, amidst the chaos, pushed these concerns out of his mind, failing to give them the proper attention. Now, he regretted it deeply.
“My Lord, perhaps we should consider retreating sooner,” the Vice General suggested, not out of cowardice but realizing that Yiyang Prefecture could no longer hold out. It seemed pointless to continue defending. It would be better to retreat and live to fight another day.
Liu Xiu, though reluctant, could only nod, “That’s the only choice we have.”
Before he could make preparations, the city gate had been breached, and the Imperial Court’s army had stormed in.
“What’s going on here?!” Liu Xiu shouted, demanding answers. Even with the enemy’s fierce assault, it should not have been possible for them to breach the gates so quickly. Something unexpected must have occurred.
Sure enough, not long after his inquiry, a young general came rushing with alarming news, “My Lord, it’s terrible! That scoundrel Liu Kuan has betrayed us, collaborating with spies sent by the enemy. He opened the city gates letting in the soldiers. Yiyang City is likely to fall!”
“That treacherous Liu Kuan, it’s abhorrent! My Lord has treated him well, and yet he dares to commit such betrayal!” a general cursed.
“If only we had known this scoundrel was a traitor, I would have chopped him to pieces and avoided this disaster!” another general said bitterly.
Liu Xiu’s heart ached as he listened, for he knew at the time—though due to Liu Kuan’s cunning and various complications, it was not feasible to act against him. Later, he did not guard against Liu Kuan sufficiently. Han Yu was right—his leniency was his flaw, failing to act decisively, leading to this series of events.
“Talking about this now is too late. We shouldn’t be dwelling on it. Let’s forget that traitor Liu Kuan for now; he can live a while longer. I will eventually take his head and show him the price of betrayal! Right now, let’s figure out a retreat plan,” Liu Xiu said, becoming calm during the crisis. He had survived more difficult times by relying on himself, confident that if he could escape, he could make a comeback. But after all that had transpired, he wondered whether Han Yu would continue to follow him.
Liu Xiu, accompanied by his loyal followers, made his way out of the city following the planned escape route. Meanwhile, the Imperial Court’s troops inside Yiyang City were scouring for Liu Xiu. Upon discovering his escape, they quickly informed their superiors. Zhao Fan then dispatched a large force to pursue them.