Shu Chen

Chapter 182 Jincheng
Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

However, at the beginning of October in the East, General Zheng Pu of Pingbei, who was guarding Pingxiang City, finally made up his mind and drove his troops to Yuzhong County, Jincheng County.

Biedu Zhang Yi led Xuanwu as the front, and first explored the roads along the way, built bridges at the water, and set up camps at dusk, etc. Shaoyi General Zhoutai and Mi Wei, who was temporarily in charge of the supervising army, each led their headquarters as the rear army, escorting food, fodder and supplies. .

For example, the five hundred heavy infantry and armored cavalry all fell into the Chinese army, surrounding Zheng Pu's own five hundred songs, and defending the Chinese army's general flag.

Such an arrangement is because Zheng Pu carried a huge amount of food and fodder.

The [-] soldiers and horses that can be expected to march this time will have enough food for three months!
Because in the rear, the Guan Xing Department, who was transferred to guard Pingxiang City, could not send troops and horses to deliver food and fodder for him.

And the distance from Pingxiang to Yuzhong County in Jincheng County is hundreds of miles.Marching around the ruins of the Great Wall of King Qin Zhao, crossing the Shangyuanli River and the tributary Guanchuan River in turn, it takes about ten days to arrive.On the way, except for some small Qianghu tribes gathered in the lower reaches of the Guanchuan River Valley, it is a desolate and desolate place.

Such terrain greatly increases the danger of marching.

Ni Wei used to ride more, without siege and dangerous roads, he could easily cut off Zheng Pu's food road.

Therefore, after deliberation, Zheng Pu simply took all the food and fodder with him, and did not give Ni Wei a chance to send light cavalry to harass him.

Yes, the expectation of this battle in his heart is only three months.

If there is no progress in the war within three months, it means that Li Yan's soldiers who attacked Xiping County are exhausted, and it will be difficult for him to stay in Yuzhong County.

And if he can tear open the line of defense against Wei, then he will not have to worry about the follow-up supplies of the soldiers.

Because of the special significance of Jincheng County to Liangzhou.

At the earliest, during the Qin Dynasty and the early Han Dynasty, the defense of the Northwest by the Central Plains Dynasty relied on the big river (Yellow River) to build fortresses.

For example, during the time of Qin Shihuang, Meng Tian built defenses for the Qin Dynasty along the great river, "expelling the Xiongnu from the northwest, and from Yuzhong to the east of the river, it belongs to the Yinshan Mountains. It is thought that there are 34 counties, and the city river is a fortress."

In 121 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Huo Qubing to the west to conquer the Hexi Corridor through the "Battle of Hexi between Han and Xiong".

At that time, the Han Dynasty took over Hunxie of the Huns and King Xiutu who were entrenched in the Hexi Corridor, but only established administrative districts such as Jiuquan County, and did not involve Jincheng County and Hehuang Valley.

Because the Han Dynasty conquered Hexi through the Xiaoguan Road; and when the western border ended at Dahe, the Hehuang Valley controlled by the Qiang people would not pose a fatal threat to the safety of Longyou.

However, when the scope of Liangzhou gradually extended westward along the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains to the Western Regions, Jincheng County became a loophole in the defense line of the Han Dynasty.Judging from the location of the Hexi Corridor, once the Xiqiang in the Hehuang Valley formed an alliance with the Huns belonging to the Northern Hu, the narrow and long Hexi Corridor would be easily cut off, and then break away from the control of the Central Plains Dynasty.

Therefore, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, who was very talented and general, set his sights on Jincheng County (including Xiping County).

In 111 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty launched a war against the Qiang people on the grounds that the Qiang people had cooperated with the Xiongnu in attacking the land at the head of the river (Yuhan).

Although that battle was won, it only weakly controlled Jincheng County, and did not conquer the Hehuang Valley.

After the war, only the post of "Lieutenant Protecting Qiang" was set up to manage affairs against Qiang.

It was not until 81 BC that the Han Empire officially began to set up Jincheng County (including Xiping County).

However, because the Qiang people in the Hehuang Valley were self-contained, the Han Dynasty could not relocate the Li and Shu into the fields and guard the border, so the river valley (Lanzhou Basin) guarded from east to west by Jincheng County-Yuzhong County was used as a place for relocating people to station troops and guard the border; Wuting, a tributary of the Wuting River (Zhuanglang River), washed out the river valley and set up fortresses and counties to defend the threat of the Hehuang Valley to the Hexi Corridor. 【Note 1】

It is Lingjusai and Zhiyang counties.

Among them, Ling Jusai was the residence of the Qiang guards in the past dynasties.

In other words, Jincheng County is the hub of the Hehuang Valley and the Hexi Corridor.

This is also the reason why Zheng Pu led the army to come here.

If you can invade Yuzhong County, you can drive troops into Jincheng County and turn Xiping County into an enclave.

Regardless of whether Li Yan captured Xiping County or not, the big man could go northward from Wuting and cut off the Hexi Corridor.

Xia Houru, the general of the Liangzhou military in charge of the Wei State, was also very clear about the strategic significance of this place.

That's why he garrisoned here with [-] paces from his headquarters. Regardless of the battles in Anding County and Xiping County, he chose to stand still;

Naturally, the soldiers in the army said that he was "fearful of war" and did not wrong him.

With his strength, he only needs to stay three to five thousand soldiers in Jincheng and Yuzhong counties to make Jincheng County as stable as Mount Tai, and the rest of the troops can attack Longyou to support Anding County.

It's just that he was afraid of Zheng Pu, so he chose the most conservative approach.

But sometimes, what should come, will come after all.

After Zheng Pu led the army out of Pingxiang City, the ranger scouts he sent came back to report.

At that time, he still couldn't believe it.

With the inferior force of [-] cavalry in the Han military area, how dare you trek to Jincheng County to attack him?
Could it be that something has changed in Xiping County?
Immediately, what he thought of was that Li Yan who marched into Xiping County had an absolute advantage in the battle, so he sent someone to let Zheng Pu from Longyou come forward to prevent him from going to Xiping County for support.

But the messenger he sent to ask about the war in Xiping County brought back very strange news.

"General Wuyou, with Huai in Xiping for a day, Ni Shu will not be able to advance half a step!"

Guo Huai answered in this way.

Generous and decisive, like a military order.

It also made Xia Houru even more surprised.

Guo Huai's general strategy was not only favored by the great Sima Cao Zhen, but also praised by the former Wei Wu Emperor Cao Cao.

Since he dared to speak so boldly, he was naturally confident.

Therefore, he couldn't figure it out even more.

He Nishu and Zheng Pu lead the army to fight, what is the reliance on?

The big river here didn't give him the chance to be "lucky" to encounter Cao Jun's epidemic again!

Even if General Jia Xu, who was stationed at Siwang Gorge, sent someone to tell him that the Gaoxiang Department of Nishu stationed in Daxia County, Heshou, was marching in order to support Zheng Pu's march into Jincheng County, he couldn't understand it.

With the impregnability of the Siwang Gorge, it is even more impossible for it to be broken by Nishu!

He didn't make any vague guesses until the scouts who were spying on the military situation heard more news.

The grain and fodder carried by the Han army was huge!

At least the [-]-step riders can be fed for three months, or even longer.

Bi Nishu Zheng Pu intends to drag my headquarters in Jincheng County for a long time to create opportunities for the war in Xiping County?

That's what he told himself.

Because there is no better explanation than that.

Therefore, while letting scouts closely monitor the movement of the Han army, he dispatched troops to prepare for battle.

The defense of Jincheng County-Yuzhong County (Lanzhou Basin) and the punctual dispatch of Guohuai Town can already be said to be impenetrable.

In other words, the place that could be chosen by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty as the hub of Hexi, Longyou, and Hehuang Valley, the terrain of this valley is very suitable for defense.

This narrow and long valley is also similar to the terrain of "two mountains and one river".

The east point is called "Sangyuan Gorge", and the west point is called "Anmen" (now Anmen Village, Xigu District, Lanzhou City).The widest north-south point between the two endpoints is only more than ten miles (Han), and the narrowest point is even less than two miles.As long as the Sangyuan Gorge in Yuzhong County at the eastern end of the entire river valley is guarded, the enemy can be defeated.

The only thing to worry about is the garrison outside Yuzhong County.

It is a piece of flat land below Yongshi County and Muyuan (now Yuzhong County).

There is a branch of the big river called Yuanchuan River, which meanders from the mountains to irrigate the soil. Although this place is not as fertile as Jincheng County and other places, it can also open up countless good fields.

For a long time, Wei Guo's garrison in Jincheng County has supplied a lot of food and fodder from the farmland on this small flat land.

Previously, it was a blessing for the Wei State that the great river could create such a fertile land.

But now, it has become a hidden danger in Jincheng County.

The terrain here is flat and there is no danger to defend!
If the Han army comes to occupy it, it can be used as an outpost to detain the Li Shu here to raise soldiers and wait for an opportunity to break into the core river valley of Jincheng County.

Of course, Xia Houru also had other choices.

In terms of solid walls and clear fields, Wei Guo's executive power has always been known for its high efficiency.

If he wanted, he could ask his soldiers to move all the villages here to Sangyuan Gorge in Yuzhong County before Zheng Pu led the army to arrive, so as to avoid being captured by Ni Shu.

Then, stick to Sangyuan Gorge, sit back and watch the futility of going against Shu.

When the food and fodder of the Shu army is exhausted and the morale is low, they will pursue and fight.In this way, even if it is impossible to win a big victory and return with the flag, it can still make Nishu panic and throw away countless luggage.

It's just that Xia Houru can't choose such a strategy with a high chance of winning.

It is not time to pity the compassion of the people of Li and common people.

Not to mention worrying about his reputation as "fear of war", it is even more widespread.

It's that the soldiers under his command are very eager to fight, so he can't refuse, and he can't refuse.

Among them, a general who had followed him for several years and was relied on by him as his arm could not refuse the words of war.

He is from Wuwei County, Wang Mi (secret).

Not long after his thirties, although he was born in a small family, he has a strong body and a lot of courage.

Shaohao is a ranger, and he dominates the countryside with his strength.

Ten years ago during the Great Disturbance in Hexi, Wuwei Yanjun, Zhangye Heluan, Jiuquan Huanghua, Xiping Quyan and other prefectures rebelled, calling themselves generals and attacking each other.He Luan sent troops to kill Yan Jun, and Wang Mi sneaked in alone with a knife to assassinate He Luan because he had received a favor from Yan Jun.

After the incident was completed, he was afraid of being retaliated by the remaining party, so he took his family and fled to Zhang Ji, a famous minister of Wei State and the governor of Liangzhou at that time.

Zhang not only regarded him as an eradicated rebellion for the country, but also liked his gratitude and courage, so he showed his merits; he moved all his family members to Jingzhao, Guanzhong, and asked him to lead the village chief to serve in the army.

Later, after Xia Houru came to Liangzhou to serve, he had accumulated meritorious service and became a partial general, and he was also transferred to his command.

Xia Houru acted quite cautiously because he was suspected by Wei Wendi Cao Pi before, so he often sought out the local Wang Mi to inquire about the scenery of Liangzhou and the situation of the major Qiang and Hu tribes.

Over time, Wang Mi became Xia Houru's confidant.

Now, Wang Mi asked for a fight, which was regarded as a kind repayment, for Xia Houru was refuted by the soldiers' reputation of "fear of war".

On the other hand, he wanted to accumulate meritorious service and advance his official career further.

Especially after the Wei State began to implement the policy of "people on the border rule the border".

The road to power is a road that allows people to make countless choices, and it is also a road that can change many people.In the past, he had clear grievances and grievances, regardless of life and death, and he repaid his debts alone. He has been immersed in official career for a long time, and he also has the heart to work hard.

In order to achieve his goal, his words of persuasion to Xia Houru are very convincing.

Said:
"If the general is strong and clears the field, it is true that he has the essence of the art of war. However, this place is Liangzhou, where there are many Qiang and Hu people; the Hulu tribe has little literature and few etiquette, and they all use force to rule. If the general avoids fighting, I am afraid that others will call him a general. Fearing Shu like a tiger, people think differently!"

These words made Xia Houru secretly awe-inspiring.

He has served in Liangzhou for many years.

He also knew that what Wang Mi said was not true.

If those Qiang and Hu tribes saw that he had been avoiding the battle, they might really feel that Wei Guo's soldiers were too weak, and they would join forces with Ni Shu instead.

Therefore, he finally led the army and prepared to fight against Zheng Pu.

Instead, relying on the siege on the southeast flatland of Yuzhong County, let the infantry drop down to the camp and wait for the Han army to attack; don't send cavalry to roam outside, and look for opportunities by yourself.

When necessary, he did not hesitate to fight the Han army in the field!

Zheng Pu, who had marched all the way, didn't know about this.

The news that the scouts detected was that Jincheng County was suddenly severely restricted, and many soldiers and horses gathered in Yuzhong County.

Moreover, the place he expected to march, the small flat land irrigated by the tributaries of the big river, and the common people of Li and common people were not migrated away against the Wei Dynasty.

This is exciting news for the Han army.

He sent troops here to support Li Yan's march into Xiping County.

He didn't have the extravagant hope of capturing Jincheng County.

Now it seems that this battle may be able to plunder some Lishu people and bring them back, adding households to the imperial court and enriching the farmland in Longyou.

And when he marched to the Guanchuan River Valley (now Dingxi City), the Han army no longer had to worry about the future: on the way to Jincheng County, he no longer had to worry about the water source along the way.

It was the Xiutu branch of the Xiongnu, who was lingering in the lower reaches of the Guanchuan River Valley, who sent people to show their goodwill.

This Xiongnu tribe is very weak, with only two thousand people settled (hukou).

The earliest tribes lived in the Wushui (Qingshui River) valley in Anding County. Later, they were defeated by Xiahouyuan, and the tribes scattered, and one branch migrated to this place to survive.

Just had a bad time.

They were bullied by the powerful Qiang and Hu tribes around them, and Wei Guo gave up the benefits of silk, so they couldn't get involved.

The tribe is too weak and does not have enough strength to walk the Silk Road.

Therefore, its leader, Liang Yuanbi, found out that after the Han army marched into Jincheng County, he sent someone to express his goodwill: to inform him of where to avoid the wind and snow and where there is water on the follow-up journey. 【Note 2】

Thinking about planning for a rainy day.

If the big Han conquered Liangzhou in the future, he would think of today's feelings and treat them kindly as examples of "thousands of gold".
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[Note 1: Yuzhong County in the Han Dynasty was located on the bank of the Yellow River and was the eastern end of the Lanzhou Basin; the name of the county was transferred later. 】

[Note 2: During the period when Guo Huai guarded Yongliang, Xiutu Huliang and Yuanbi of Liangzhou led more than [-] households to be attached to Yongzhou. 】

(End of this chapter)