At the waning of October, Xuanmen Passing, east of Luoyang fell, its general Lu Zhi dead. The enemy took it and the following counties on route to Lu Zhi.
November, the south and north cities of Luoyang were broken through by the enemy, joining the eastern army in sieging Luoyang. At the end of the month, The west army breached Chang’an and the four armies focused on taking down Luoyang.
Emperor Ling was by himself in fear and anxiety as he discussed with the ministers how to turn this around.
Yet every one of his inquiries were dodged with all kinds of excuses.
The official had long since received missives from their clans and knew of the Yu Empire’s king’s stance. They would soon be rulers of their own counties.
So how could they give up such an easy reward over an emperor at the end of his reign?.
So all they had been doing was attending the court, and that was pretty much it. They watched as the emperor fretted alone.
Since the emperor had their kin in his control, they had to show up.
Turning to these officials of his bearing evil intent, EMperor Ling was crestfallen. ‘Are these my advisers that accompanied me for decades?’
He spoke, “Is the Great Hand that stood strong for four centuries left with no loyal defender?”
Some officials lowered their heads, but most just looked impassive. ‘After you lavished on your eunuchs in times of peace, you dare come with tears now that the world is burning?’
The Han wasn’t left without loyal subjects though. Huangfu Song, after pacifying Xiliang and being demoted, was here as well.
He was a direct and staunch man, never believing Han could fall. The emperor’s worries touched his heart and anger burst from within.
“Your Majesty, the Great Han might be destroyed, but you must stand tall and live up to the glory the Han had over the centuries. As long as His Majesty stands, I shall defend this land!”
Emperor Ling turned happy, then he noticed the speaker and stiffened.
Huangfu Song stood up in the most crucial moment to help the emperor. He didn’t hate him for the demotion and was willing to give his life.
Shame took Emperor Ling’s heart and it brought him to his senses. What was the most important right now was the throne. He couldn’t give it up.
“Do you have a strategy to defend the nation and kill the enemy?” Emperor Ling looked with hope for a good answer.
“No, only a devoted heart to my country. I would like to lead the troops and fight the savages from the south to the last man to challenge Great Han’s righteous power!”
Huangfu Song’s face froze, then spoke the reason Han held its head high for so long, why it stood powerful all this time was because of the loyal people it had.
Emperor Ling was crushed, finding his hope dashed and being given just a simple charge as strategy. Luoyang only had 20,000 defenders. Even if he conscripted recruits, that would mean 100,000
But the army outside the walls was 800,000 strong. They couldn’t fight that to begin with and on top of it all, they were running low on supplies. In one month, the city would starve and chaos would ensue.
The people would turn on each other. But what would be even worse was a mob of starving people assaulting the palace for his life.
While going out of the city to fight was even worse. Their 100,000 couldn’t do anything against the invaders.
Emperor Ling knew it well, Han was finished. He wanted to surrender but history would see him as the destroyer of his own nation.
So he was hesitating, filled with chills thinking he wouldn’t live if he surrendered. Wavering between fight and flight.
So of course he vetoed Huangfu Song’s proposal, the other ministers would do the same either way.
What would the Yu Empire’s army think if they just let Huangfu Song march on with his army? That they were triple agents?
Their reward was on the line here, their future as self-governing masters.
So they saw the emperor’s decision to refuse the wisest choice.
These officials had caught the idea of Yu Empire’s intent, to make the emperor surrender and let the inheritance of Luoyang intact after centuries under the Han Dynasty.
The officials gave all kinds of words of comfort that surrender was better, that the enemy guaranteed his safety and the imperial clan.
The emperor knew too well these guys were after their own interests and found it unbearable to be under the same master as them.
He couldn’t let his status of power go, to have his life dictated by another. It was a harsh reality he was facing here.
Though his conflict didn’t last long as a guard rushed in.
“Your Majesty, someone outside the gates announced himself as the envoy of Yu Empire’s east army. The guard captain had me come report to Your Majesty. Do we let him in?”
The hall was filled with glee, anger and shock. While the emperor was looking expectant.
