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With a resounding "boom," the thick gates of Lingshui Pass were blasted open, leaving a gaping hole. Once more the gates were struck, and they splintered into fragments. The Yuzhou Army surged through the breach. Those who tried to intercept were scattered by the oncoming tide before they could even steady their footing. The soldiers behind them knew at a glance that the situation was hopeless. They dropped their weapons and surrendered one by one.
Deng Yuan was still in his mansion, cuddling with his beautiful concubine, sound asleep, when a drumming noise awoke him; he was extremely irate and bellowed, "What's going on? Where's that drumming coming from? Have the people at the city gate gone crazy? Drumming at this hour, as if enemies would appear out of thin air."
