Chapter 460: Joining Forces at Chang'an!
Surrendering without a fight!
This was far too devastating a blow to the court.
That was Hulao Pass, the most critical pass in the strategic stronghold of Xingyang, a place every military strategist had to contest. By the court's estimates, as long as its defenders held their fortified positions, stopping the feudal lords from East of the Passes for six months or a year should have posed no problem at all!
And yet...
When the court officials exchanged glances, countless words seemed to lurk in their eyes. It was the ebbing away of allegiance.
Confidence was the most important thing sustaining a regime, especially an ancient dynasty. The steadfast defense of a single city could change a dynasty's fate.
The most famous example was the Great Ming dynasty.
When Emperor Baobao suffered his crushing defeat, the commanders did not open the city gates, thereby delaying the Oirats' advance and preserving Great Ming's Altars of State.
When Ming Taizong Zhu Di launched his Pacification Campaign, the most crucial element in his direct strike at Nanjing was that the city gates were thrown wide open. Otherwise, with his lone army deep in enemy territory and Nanjing protected by high, thick walls, the outcome would still have been uncertain.
Likewise, during Chongzhen's reign, it might have been possible to hold off Li Zicheng's attack and await Wu Sangui's arrival, but the city gates were simply opened, and so Great Ming fell.
Most importantly, Liu Dan no longer trusted the commanders and officials at the front. His cold gaze swept over his ministers as he slowly said, "The rebels from East of the Passes are advancing fiercely, and Hexi is unstable as well.
"In the struggle between Chu and Han years ago, Emperor Gao led the gathered heroes