Chapter 54: The Death of Meng Ao

That night, within the Xingle Palace, songs and dances swirled amid endless clinking of cups and lively laughter. From above, the palace was brilliantly illuminated, with one attendant after another moving about to serve the guests.

Yet, for the hundred thousand Qin soldiers fighting far away in Zhao territory, the scene was starkly different. At the front, General Meng Ao faced off against Zhao General Pang Xuan. Meng Ao commanded only fifty thousand troops, while Pang Xuan had a full hundred thousand.

Moreover, due to their proximity to Zhao lands, Meng Ao could not secure victory and had sent urgent messages to Lord Chang’an stationed at Tunliu to bring reinforcements. Days passed with no reply.

In growing suspicion, a scout suddenly arrived bearing a scroll of cloth. Meng Ao quickly scanned it—a manifesto. Shocked beyond measure, he understood why no troops from Lord Chang’an had come. Hastily, he conferred with General Zhang Tang in his tent.

“This campaign against Zhao was a joint effort with Lord Chang’an, yet now Zhao’s Pang Xuan blocks us. We cannot advance or claim merit. From this manifesto, it seems Lord Chang’an Chang Qiao and Fan Yuqi have rebelled against Qin.”

“If we do nothing, we too shall be implicated. Our only option is to halt the assault on Zhao and first suppress the rebellion of Lord Chang’an and Fan Yuqi to clear our names. General Zhang, what do you think?”

Meng Ao’s face grew grave. Clad in heavy armor, he paced the spacious tent. Though he had achieved many victories in recent years, he had also made his share of mistakes. Now, with Lord Chang’an’s uprising, fortune did not favor him.

He glanced at Zhang Tang. They were like grasshoppers tied on the same string—if they failed to act against Chang Qiao’s treason, punishment awaited them upon returning to Xianyang.

“There is no other choice,” Zhang Tang replied reluctantly. Why would Lord Chang’an rebel? Rumors swirled in Xianyang, but with the king’s position secure, such a move was ill-advised.

Given Lord Chang’an’s usual conduct, there must be deeper reasons. Regardless, none concerned them. Their duty now was clear: to lead the troops and quell the rebellion.

Without hesitation, orders were given to retreat. The fifty thousand troops split into three units. To guard against surprise attacks from Pang Xuan, Meng Ao personally covered the rear, moving slowly and cautiously.

Meanwhile, Zhao General Pang Xuan learned from his scouts of the Qin retreat. Studying the marching maps, he led thirty thousand elite soldiers forward and ordered his deputy, Hu Zhe, to ambush through a narrow mountain pass deep within the Taihang Mountains.

“Meng Ao repeatedly violates Zhao’s borders. This time, I shall ensure he never returns!” Pang Xuan smiled grimly, speaking quietly to Hu Zhe.

Six hours later, deep in the Taihang Mountains, Hu Zhe’s ambush was sprung. Tens of thousands of hidden troops emerged, cutting off Meng Ao’s escape.

The clash of weapons and cries of battle echoed through the ravine.

The Zhao soldiers, well-rested and fueled by decades of hatred toward Qin, soon shattered the ranks around Meng Ao. The Zhao forces closed in, encircling him. Looking down, Meng Ao fought like a cornered beast.

“Pang Xuan, though I die today, Zhao will not endure long. I await you!” he shouted.

Drawing his bow, Zhang Tang fired a piercing arrow, striking Pang Xuan’s left side. Yet, moments later, Meng Ao was struck down by Zhao soldiers—this great general fell upon the Taihang Mountains.

With Meng Ao slain, Pang Xuan claimed a decisive victory and quickly returned to court. Unfortunately, the arrow wound Pang Xuan received became infected, and shortly after returning to Handan, he too passed away.

Elsewhere, under the Qin king’s orders, General Wang Jian, emerging from Hangu Pass, met with Zhang Tang returning from the border near Tunliu. Nearly one hundred and fifty thousand troops surrounded Tunliu, where Lord Chang’an Chang Qiao resided. Upon seeing this, Chang Qiao was gripped by fear.

“Young lord, do not despair. The manifesto has spread throughout Qin. We have no way back. Tunliu has always been fertile, with three cities surrounding it. We can recruit over a hundred thousand new soldiers. In battle, the outcome is uncertain,” Fan Yuqi said, stepping forward to reassure. As long as Chang Qiao held firm, he was confident they could press on to Xianyang. Even if defeated, a breakout was possible. What was there to fear?

The next day, Wang Jian and Zhang Tang’s forces arrayed beneath Tunliu’s walls. On the ramparts stood Qin General Fan Yuqi, but Chang Qiao was nowhere to be seen. Observing the guards, Wang Jian’s expression darkened.

“Fan Yuqi, how has Qin ever wronged you that you now seduce Lord Chang’an into rebellion?” His voice rang out across the silent army, carried all the way to the city walls, echoing beside Fan Yuqi’s ear.

“Qin has never wronged me. What I do is for Qin’s sake!” Fan Yuqi replied.

“Today’s King Zheng is the illegitimate son of Chancellor Lü Buwei—who in Xianyang does not know this? General Wang, you and I owe much to Qin. How can we stand by and watch the Ying family’s bloodline be usurped by the Lü family?”

“Lord Chang’an is the sole heir of the late King Zhaoxiang. For that reason, I support him. General, if you still cherish Qin’s grace, join me in marching on Xianyang, eliminate Lü Buwei, depose the false king, and enthrone Lord Chang’an. You too shall share in the wealth and honor. Would that not be glorious?”

Fan Yuqi bowed respectfully. He knew Wang Jian as a rising military leader. Glancing at the vast army below, he frowned before replying loudly.

He claimed to act for Qin’s legitimacy and to repay the late king’s kindness, but lamented that no wise men remained in Qin.

“The Empress Dowager bore the current king after ten months. There is no doubt he is the late king’s son. Fan Yuqi, your slander against His Majesty is baseless. Such lies court your own destruction.”

“If you refuse to repent and continue to sow discord, I swear that when I capture you, I will tear you limb from limb!”

With that, Wang Jian gestured sharply. His guards surged forward to assault the city. Enraged, Fan Yuqi wielded his blade, commanding his soldiers to sally forth. His bravery forced the Qin troops to give way.

Repeated assaults by Wang Jian’s forces failed, and the counterattacks inflicted heavy losses. As dusk fell, both sides withdrew to their camps.

In his tent, Wang Jian pondered. Fan Yuqi was fierce and skilled, making it difficult to capture him quickly. Yet the king’s urgency pressed on. The best course was to use Lord Chang’an Chang Qiao as a breakthrough.

Wang Jian then sent Yang Duanhe, a former retainer of Lord Chang’an, with a personal letter to enter Tunliu amidst the chaos, hoping to persuade Chang Qiao to distance himself from Fan Yuqi’s ferocity, seeking an internal breakthrough to resolve the crisis.

The following day, Wang Jian’s army returned and, using strategy, lured Fan Yuqi out. Their forces besieged and seized two of the three cities surrounding Tunliu.

Hearing this, Fan Yuqi’s expression grew alarmed. He stationed his troops outside the last remaining city to pressure Chang Qiao’s wavering resolve.