After Wang Han left with Zhang Shan and Li Si, the emperor and all the officials who had come to see them off also returned home. They had failed to keep Wang Han, and they still needed to figure out how to deal with the allied forces of the feudal lords that would arrive later. Not long after, a short man rode a fast horse out of Luoyang and chased after the direction in which Wang Han and the other two had left.
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After the allied forces of the warlords occupied Sishui Pass, they could directly attack Luoyang. However, after capturing Sishui Pass, Yuan Shao did not immediately lead his army to Luoyang. He was waiting for news from his scouts who were investigating Luoyang, hoping that Luoyang would fall without a fight, just like Hulao Pass and Sishui Pass, thus reducing his soldiers' casualties. He was also worried that the previous breaches of Hulao Pass and Sishui Pass were a trick by Dong Zhuo.
"Sigh..." In Cao Cao's camp, Xi Zhicai sighed helplessly. Wang Han had left a message saying that he would conquer Luoyang. It was estimated that Luoyang had already been conquered by Wang Han, just like Hulao Pass and Sishui Pass. However, the allied forces of the warlords stopped here, still several days away from Luoyang.
Xi Zhicai learned that Yuan Shao, the leader of the alliance, was worried about the situation changing and falling into Dong Zhuo's ambush, so he said he wanted to find out the situation. However, on the other hand, Cao Cao went to request to continue as the vanguard, wanting to find out the situation first. Yuan Shao was also afraid that Luoyang City would really be breached by one person like Hulao Pass and Sishui Pass, allowing Cao Cao to gain a great credit for himself. In that case, most of the credit for the journey would belong to Cao Cao as the vanguard. Therefore, he only sent some of his confidants and scouts to find out the situation, while the allied forces of the warlords stopped at Sishui Pass to wait for the scouts' reports.
But this is understandable, since no one has ever conquered a city solely through force; on the contrary, there are always many conspiracies and schemes, so it's only natural to have doubts. Xi Zhicai could only sigh helplessly, lamenting the missed opportunity created by Wang Han.
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On the way from Luoyang to Sishui Pass, Wang Han and his two companions stopped at a rustic inn built of thatched wood and loess.
Such rural taverns, located on the roads between big cities, are not numerous. They vary in size; the larger taverns make a living by providing food and lodging for passing travelers and merchants, while the smaller ones can only provide food and are mostly taken care of by the owners themselves.
After Wang Han, Zhang Shan, and Li Si tied their mounts to the mount-tying posts at the entrance of the tavern, they entered the tavern.
Upon entering the restaurant, an elderly man in his fifties hurriedly came forward and warmly greeted them, saying, "What would you gentlemen like to eat? We have pork and mutton, as well as home-style stir-fries."
The restaurant had only six low tables, four of which were already occupied by eight armed men.
"Bring nine catties of pork, and cook three dishes to serve on two tables, along with three jugs of wine," Wang Han said, sitting cross-legged at a low table. Zhang Shan and Li Si sat together at another table.
"Alright, please wait a moment, sir," the old man quickly replied, and ran to the kitchen to prepare the food.
On the other side, after Zhang Shan and Li Si entered the restaurant, they subtly observed the eight people carefully. When they saw them exchanging glances, they immediately became wary, knowing that they might have ill intentions. Their experience in traveling was much richer than Wang Han's.
"Looks like a rich young master." The people at the other four tables exchanged glances discreetly upon seeing Wang Han's luxurious attire, and one of the men walked out of the shop.
Not long after, the men who had gone outside returned. After sitting down, they whispered to one of the burly men, "This is a big deal. Besides the two fine horses at the door, there's also a majestic and powerful beast. It'll be worth at least a thousand gold pieces. Once it's done, it'll be enough for us to squander for at least a few years."
"Has the medicine been administered?" Upon hearing this, the burly man suppressed his excitement and asked in a low voice.
"I've already put the drug in the food. I added it myself. I saw the shopkeeper bring it out, so it should be here soon," the man who came out whispered. "The shopkeeper wouldn't dare to try anything funny, otherwise I'd just chop him up and rob him."
Sure enough, as soon as the man finished speaking, the restaurant brought out the food.
"Sir, your dishes, please." The restaurant owner said somewhat flusteredly, his hands trembling as he served the dishes.
Seeing this, Zhang Shan and Li Si knew there was something wrong with the food. They immediately stood up, drew their weapons, and stood protectively in front of Wang Han, their eyes fixed on the shopkeeper and the eight people eating nearby. They said to Wang Han, "My lord, please don't touch the food. There's something wrong with it."
Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper was so frightened that he squatted down on the ground.
Upon seeing this, the other eight people in the shop all slammed their fists on the table and drew their weapons.
"Useless trash, can't even administer a drug properly." The burly leader cursed, then said to Wang Han and the other two, "Leave your money and weapons, and we might let you go."
"You petty thieves, how dare you rob my lord? You're asking for death!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Shan drew his knife and charged at the robbers.
"Alright." Wang Han, still seated, called out to Zhang Shan. He took out a pistol from his backpack, aimed it at the eight men, and pulled the trigger.
"Bang bang bang..." Eight gunshots rang out in succession. The next moment, the eight robbers collapsed to the ground with bloody holes in their heads.
"Demon, monster..." Seeing Wang Han take out a strange object, without making any move, eight robbers fell to the ground dead after a few sounds. The old shopkeeper, who was already trembling, collapsed to the ground upon seeing this and begged Wang Han for mercy in fear, shouting, "It's not my fault! They made me drug them. If I didn't, they would kill me. It's not my fault!"
"Shopkeeper, this has nothing to do with you. I know you were forced into this. Get up." After shooting and killing eight people, Wang Han said to the old shopkeeper, "Please bring us two more meals, and pay the full price."
Wang Han then instructed Zhang Shan and Li Si, "Zhang Shan, Li Si, you two dispose of the body properly and don't cause any trouble for the shopkeeper."
"Yes, sir." The two quickly replied. They weren't afraid of Wang Han. After all, they were seasoned warriors who had traveled the land for many years and had some experience. They just thought that what Wang Han had in his hand was some kind of extremely powerful hidden weapon.
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"The allied forces are moving too slowly; they haven't even left Sishui Pass yet." Two days later, Wang Han, who had arrived at Sishui Pass with Zhang Shan and Li Si at a normal horse pace, frowned. The allied forces were moving far too slowly. He had already breached Sishui Pass three days ago, and he had left the news of his impending attack on Luoyang with Xi Zhicai, yet the allied forces were still stuck at Sishui Pass.
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"Who goes there?" Upon arriving at the city gate, the soldiers on the city wall aimed their bows and arrows at Wang Han and his two companions, and one of the generals shouted the question.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shan stepped forward and said, "I am Zhang Shan. This is my lord, Lord Wang Han. He has come to see Xi Zhicai in General Cao Cao's army. Please inform him."
Upon hearing this, the general on the city wall noticed Wang Han's unusual mount and knew that Wang Han was a person of importance. He said, "Please take him with you for a moment, and I will send someone to inform him immediately."
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