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The Battle of Hulao Gate occurred in 190 AD during the coalition against Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo's forces were defeated at the gate to the capital of Luoyang, and Dong Zhuo proceeded to burn Luoyang before retreating. The battle was a victory for the Alliance against Dong Zhuo, but, with Dong Zhuo driven out of Chang'an, many of the coalition's warlords proceeded to return home and return to squabbling over land, returning the land to chaos.

Background[]

In 190 AD, the cruel and brutal warlord, Dong Zhuo seized power in Luoyang after ousting the Ten Eunuchs from power, and he took control of the imperial court. Later that year, Yuan Shao and several other warlords, including Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shu, and Kong Rong formed a coalition against Dong Zhuo.

The coalition armies marched on Luoyang to defeat Dong Zhuo, defeating his army at Si Shui Gate before reaching Hu Lao Gate, the last gate to Luoyang.

Dong Zhuo personally led an army of 150,000 men with Lu Bu, Li Ru, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji east to Hu Lao Gate, and he ordered Lu Bu to lead the 30,000-strong vanguard to guard the fortified Hu Lao Pass.

Battle[]

Hu Lao ram

The ram after battering down Hulao Gate.

The Allied forces broke through the gates at Qinglong, Xuanwu, and Zhuqiao, advancing from the north, east, and south on Luoyang to the east. The Allies succeeded in pushing back Dong Zhuo's forces outside of the main gates with ease, but, as they neared Hu Lao Gate, Dong Zhuo's catapults began firing.

In addition, Dong Zhuo's infamous general Lu Bu rode out on his famed horse, Red Hare, and cut down droves of soldiers, while scaring off others. Lu Bu slew the general, Fang Yue and routed Wang Kuang's force, and he later slew Mu Shun and wounded Wu Anguo.

All eighteen warlords decided to come up with a plan to defeat Lu Bu, and the "Three Sworn Brothers" Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu charged out to confront Lu Bu.

After a long duel, Lu Bu decided to escape to Hu Lao Gate, with the brothers pursuing him. Soon, the entire Allied army was advancing once again, and they entered the city. A scared Dong Zhuo had his men set fire to the city, killing thousands of civilians and soldiers (from both sides).

Dong Zhuo took with him the Emperor and the court, and they fled to Chang'an; the Allies were victorious, having defeated Dong Zhuo's army, but Dong Zhuo managed to escape.

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