My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 595 Cao Cao's Army Enters Hanzhong

Liu Feng's leniency towards the powerful clans and gentry in Jing, Jiao, and Yi provinces was not because he had begun to compromise with them, but rather a strategy adapted to local conditions.

Unlike Yangzhou, Jingzhou, Jiaozhou, and Yizhou were actually sparsely populated and land consolidation was not serious. Moreover, due to the flight of powerful clans and gentry led by the Cai family by Liu Biao, a large amount of fertile land was left in northern Jingzhou, which was then incorporated into Liu Feng's government.

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the land south of Jing was considered a barbarian land. The local gentry and powerful families were much weaker than those in northern Jingzhou. Moreover, there was a lot of wasteland to be cultivated. The gentry and powerful families in these areas had very low political status, making them very easy to win over and willing to invest heavily in Liu Feng's camp.

The situation in Jiaozhou and Yizhou was similar to that in Jingnan, but on a larger scale.

More importantly, while in Yangzhou, Liu Feng could bide his time in the eyes of Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and others, and managing Yangzhou could also enhance his own strength.

But once Liu Feng took Jingzhou, he could no longer hide it.

Cao Cao originally intended to use Jiaozhou as bait to lure Liu Biao and Liu Feng into a fight.

But he never dreamed that Liu Biao would be so cowardly, unable to even withstand a single blow from Liu Feng, thus giving away the title of Jiaozhou to Liu Feng for nothing.

Therefore, compared with Yangzhou, the situations in Jing, Jiao and Yizhou are completely different. If Liu Feng continues to be complacent and stubbornly implements land policies, it will not only arouse non-existent conflicts, but also seriously hinder the subsequent Northern Expedition.

In this case, Liu Feng might as well temporarily win over the local gentry and powerful families in the three prefectures to obtain a large amount of supplies and soldiers.

After unifying the country, Liu Feng had several ways to limit land annexation in these provinces. This was the fundamental reason why Liu Feng changed his attitude towards the powerful clans and gentry of Jing, Yi, and Jiao provinces, showing them tolerance and goodwill.

However, while Liu Feng was tolerant, anyone who dared to mistake his goodwill for weakness would be courting death. In fact, Liu Feng was just waiting for such a scapegoat to serve as a warning to the other monkeys.

However, whether it was because Liu Feng had a notorious reputation or because the powerful clans and influential figures he encountered possessed above-average intelligence, it was only minor powerful figures who stepped forward and made some insignificant contributions to replenishing Liu Feng's treasury.

After receiving Zhuge Liang's report, Liu Feng specially ordered Zhang Wen and Sun Quan to act as envoys, with Sun Yi leading two hundred personal guards to escort Yan Yan's coffin back to his hometown and to commend Yan Yan for his loyalty and righteousness.

The discerning people in Shu now see very clearly that neither Liu Zhang nor Zhao Wei can be the enlightened ruler that Yizhou is hoping for; only Liu Feng is the true dragon.

At this time, Liu Feng's commendation and encouragement of loyal men like Yan Yan will not only fail to incite the local gentry and powerful families of Yizhou to fight to the death, but will also help to resolve the barriers between him and the outsiders.

As expected, after Zhang Wen, Sun Quan, and Sun Yi escorted Yan Yan's coffin to Linjiang, not only did the four major local families of Linjiang, along with the newly resurgent Gan family, all turn out to pay their respects, but many powerful and influential families from the surrounding area also came to mourn, including members of the Qiao family of Chongguo.

When Zhao Wei launched his rebellion in Ba Commandery, most of the powerful clans sided with him. However, the Qiao family of Chongguo, whose status in Ba Commandery was no less than that of the Zhao family, remained completely silent and never supported Zhao Wei from beginning to end. But this time, the Qiao family sent a direct descendant to offer condolences to Yan Yan.

Liu Feng's high regard for Yan Yan spread after Yan Yan's funeral.

Just as Liu Feng had predicted, all the powerful clans and gentry who learned of this news praised Liu Feng highly.

While Liu Feng was winning over the hearts of the people in Shu, Zhang Lu in Hanzhong was not idle either.

After Zhang Wei's successful surprise attack on Tianxiong Pass, Zhang Lu once again dispatched 8,000 soldiers from Nanzheng to reinforce the front line.

After receiving reinforcements, Zhang Wei and Yan Pu became bolder, and at the same time, they clearly realized that Zhang Lu was not content with Jiameng, otherwise why would he have sent them reinforcements one after another.

After discussion, Yan Pu appointed Yang Ren as the garrison commander of Tianxiong Pass, leading 6,000 troops to guard Tianxiong Pass and Jiameng County, while also leaving several thousand wounded soldiers there to recuperate.

Zhang Wei himself, together with Yan Pu, led more than 13,000 troops to bypass Tianxiong Pass and continue south.

Zhang Wei's operation went very smoothly. Jiange only had more than 400 garrison troops, a quarter of whom were remnants that had been recovered after the fall of Tianxiong Pass.

Despite the extreme danger of Jianmen Pass, the few hundred soldiers guarding it, with no reinforcements from outside and no will to fight from within, held out for only an hour before Jianmen Pass, one of the most formidable passes in the world, fell.

Subsequently, Zhang Wei and Yan Pu seized the opportunity and captured Zitong. The more than 500 garrison troops of Zitong, along with more than 200 defeated soldiers from Jianmen Pass, all surrendered.

Although Zitong had been emptied by Liu Zhang, with the successful autumn harvest, Zitong County collected 110,000 shi of grain tax alone, as well as more than 5 million coins in taxes and more than 1,600 bolts of cloth.

This only represents the taxes and grain collected according to the regulations of the Eastern Han Dynasty; a much larger portion of these taxes and grains were controlled by local gentry and powerful families in Zitong. This also means that as long as Zhang Wei and Yan Pu spared no expense, they could collect one to two times more of these resources and taxes in Zitong.

Of course, Zhang Wei and Yan Pu wouldn't have done this unless they were in dire straits. Zhang Lu sent their large army south to seize control of Shu, not for such a small amount of money and supplies.

Zhang Wei and Yan Pu are now not only unable to forcibly collect money and grain from the local gentry and powerful families, but in order to appease them, they cannot even take all the money and grain from Zitong County.

Even so, the fact that the money, grain, and supplies in Zitong fell into the hands of the Hanzhong army greatly alleviated the pressure on their supplies and eased the difficulties of logistical transportation. The more than 100,000 shi of grain in Zitong County alone was enough for Zhang Wei's troops for four months.

After discussing the matter, Zhang Wei and Yan Pu sent news of their victory back to Hanzhong while cautiously advancing towards Fucheng.

Compared to Zitong, Fucheng has a better geographical environment, more farmland, and a more prosperous population.

If they can capture Fucheng, Zhang Wei and Yan Pu will have firmly established themselves in Shu. With strongholds like Fucheng and Zitong as bases, their subsequent operations will become much easier.

The Hanzhong army is actively entering Shu, while Cao Ang's side is almost at Nanzheng.

Two months earlier, after receiving news of Zhang Lu's request for help, Cao Ang had already excitedly led his troops south.

Cao Cao carefully selected 20,000 elite soldiers for Cao Ang. Among them, the troops of Cao Xiu, Cao Chun, and Cao Ding were each expanded to 2,000 men. The soldiers transferred in were all battle-hardened veterans under the command of Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan.

In addition, he transferred a thousand men from his own personal guard to Cao Ang, increasing Cao Ang's personal guard to two thousand men.

Besides these 8,000 men, the remaining 12,000 were divided into three groups: Qingzhou soldiers, Yanzhou soldiers, and Guanzhong soldiers. The commander of the Qingzhou soldiers was Shi Huan, the commander of the Yanzhou soldiers was Jia Xin, and the commander of the Guanzhong soldiers was Yin Shu.

These three men were all trusted generals under Cao Cao, who had followed him for many years and remained steadfastly loyal to Cao Cao during the rebellion in Yan Province.

With such a configuration, plus Zao Zhi as the support for Guanzhong, and Sima Yi and Yang Xiu as military advisors, the lineup was extremely luxurious.

Before parting, Cao Cao gave Cao Ang three brocade pouches, instructing him to open them after meeting Zhang Lu. Cao Ang was somewhat surprised, but still carefully put the pouches away. After being personally seen off by Cao Cao, he set off from Luoyang, passed through Hangu Pass, and after arriving in Chang'an, took the Baoxie Road to Hanzhong.

The journey was actually quite easy. After the autumn harvest, it was the dry season in the Qinling Mountains. There was no torrential rain or scorching heat, and we were traveling on the Baoxie Road, so it was a very smooth trip.

Cao Ang's march was not slow. He led a group of elite troops and generals, and with Sima Yi and Yang Xiu as military advisors and commanders, his marching speed within Cao Cao's territory reached as high as 60 to 70 li per day.

The reason they were able to maintain such a high speed was mainly because this was an internal march. In most cases, the army did not need to build defensive facilities and could camp and rest directly in the open. When they encountered a town, they could even enter the town to camp.

Even so, everyone from Cao Ang to the soldiers was exhausted.

Fortunately, the journey was smooth sailing, and by early November, the army had arrived in Chang'an.

After entering Chang'an, Cao Cao's army replenished their food and supplies while allowing their soldiers to rest for three days before setting off again.

There are multiple routes from Chang'an to Hanzhong. Choosing a route requires not only considering the quality of the road itself, but also strategic needs.

Fortunately, Zhang Lu had already surrendered to Cao Cao at this time, so Cao Ang, on the advice of Sima Yi and Yang Xiu, chose to take the Chencang route.

Although the Chencang Road is 200 li longer than the Baoxie Road, it is the easiest of all the roads into Hanzhong. It follows the upper reaches of the Jialing River valley. Although the journey is long, the terrain along the way is relatively flat, making it suitable for large armies to march.

However, no matter how easy the Chencang Road was to travel, it was still a plank road, which significantly reduced the marching speed. Even with the guides and attendants specially sent by Zhang Lu to meet them, the Cao army's advance speed dropped to thirty to forty li per day.

Cao's army traveled with great effort and finally managed to leave Chencang Road and arrive at Baima Pass before the heavy snow blocked the mountain pass.

The brothers Yang Song and Yang Bai, under Zhang Lu's orders, awaited Cao Ang at Baima Pass. A large supply of grain, fodder, wine, and meat followed.

After settling his troops, Cao Ang distributed all the wine, meat, and the generous gifts and valuables Zhang Lu had given him as a reward to the entire army.

Cao's army was immediately invigorated and cheered Cao Ang's name, which meant that Cao Ang had initially gained the recognition of these soldiers.

After settling his troops, Cao Ang left Yang Xiu and the other generals to guard the troops at Baima Fortress, and took only Sima Yi and Cao Ding (Cao Anmin) to Nanzheng to visit Zhang Lu.

Upon receiving Yang Song's report, Zhang Lu personally went out of the city for twenty miles to welcome Cao Ang. As soon as he saw Cao Ang, Zhang Lu excitedly came forward and shook Cao Ang's hand with great enthusiasm.

That evening, Zhang Lu hosted a banquet for Cao Ang in Nanzheng, inviting almost all the prominent and wealthy families in Nanzheng.

At the banquet, Cao Ang felt the blatant flattery and sycophancy. Even Zhang Lu himself was quite obsequious to Cao Ang, showing no trace of the dignity and self-respect of a high-ranking official.

After the banquet, Zhang Lu invited Cao Ang, Sima Yi, and Cao Ding to his study in the backyard for a meeting.

Cao Ang and Sima Yi exchanged a glance, knowing that the real drama was about to begin.

Sure enough, after chatting for a short while in the study, Zhang Lu took the initiative to steer the conversation toward the war situation in northern Sichuan.

"The fighting in northern Sichuan is truly on my mind."

Zhang Lu frowned, looking very worried: "Now Tianxiong and Jiange are in my hands, and Zitong is just around the corner. However, the troops in Hanzhong are insufficient, so we dare not venture deep into Shu."

At this point, Zhang Lu deliberately raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Fortunately, the General has been generous in his assistance and even sent Cao Wohu here, so I can feel a little more at ease."

Yang Song chuckled and nodded repeatedly, "What you say is very true, my lord. However, General Cao's army has just arrived and must be exhausted from their journey. They should rest for a few days."

As he spoke, Yang Song cupped his hands toward Cao Ang and said, “General Cao, please rest assured, the lord has entrusted me with the task of supplying the troops. If there is any shortage in the camp, General Cao can directly instruct me.”

After a pause, Yang Song secretly glanced at Zhang Lu, who nodded slightly.

Having received the hint, Yang Song continued to ask, "But I wonder when General Cao plans to set off south to Shu?"

"Going south to Shuzhong?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ang was stunned for a moment and involuntarily looked at Sima Yi.

Sima Yi coughed and said, "Master, you may not know this, but the General has ordered us to temporarily garrison Baima Pass in preparation for any further developments."

Zhang Lu frowned slightly, and Yang Song hurriedly asked, "Now that the battle line has been pushed to Zitong, if General Cao's army does not enter Shu, wouldn't it be a waste of Baima? Such idle deployment is not the best policy."

Sima Yi smiled but did not answer, instead turning to look at Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu immediately became restless and realized that Cao Ang and Sima Yi were not short-sighted individuals.

Therefore, he had no choice but to speak up: "General Cao, General Zuo has disobeyed the imperial edict and sent troops into Yizhou without authorization. Now he is locked in a stalemate with my Hanzhong warriors at the Jiameng line. This request for reinforcements is precisely to ask that Lord Cao's army be able to march south in time to assist in the battle. I will make proper arrangements for all military supplies and labor services for the people, and I will not let you have any trouble."

Although Zhang Lu revealed his true intentions, Cao Ang did not agree, but instead made an excuse that he needed to think about it.

Zhang Lu didn't dare to pressure Cao Ang, so he had no choice but to agree.

On his way back to the camp, Cao Ang took Sima Yi's hand and asked, "Zhongda is known for his wisdom and intelligence. He must have some insightful advice for me. Please do not hesitate to enlighten me."

After a moment of modesty, Sima Yi replied, "My lord, the key to this matter is not whether to march south, but rather the control of the army."

Cao Ang was surprised, then pondered deeply, a look of sudden realization flashing across his face, as if he had gained some insight.

Sima Yi continued, "As Zhang Tianshi said, this time when we marched south to Hanzhong, we already had more than 30,000 troops. We have reinforced our troops twice, captured Baishui, seized Tianxiong, marched out of Jiange, and captured Zitong. Now more than half of the troops in Hanzhong are in Shu. If you, General, can take advantage of entering Shu to seize military power, not only Hanzhong, but even Yizhou can be taken over."

(End of this chapter)