Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 266: Head intimidation, driving the tiger to devour the wolf

February, the first year of Xingping.

When the weather got a little warmer, Zhang Yu led his troops to Youzhou. But before the expedition, Zhang Yu had Li Jue's head sent to Gongsun Zan.

Let Gongsun Zan figure out the meaning of this himself!
When they arrived in Jinyang, Xu Chu led his troops to join the main army, and the army of about 20,000 infantry and cavalry marched north to Yanmen.

Now, after three years, Zhang Yu walked along the Yanmen Road again, feeling a lot of emotions!

The last time I went to Yanmen was three years ago. At that time, Zhang Yu had just conquered Taiyuan. Although he claimed to have four counties under his rule, in fact, Zhang Yu only had two counties, Taiyuan and Shangdang, and the population was less than that of Jizhou County.

Therefore, in order to bring Yanmen under his jurisdiction, he went north to Yanmen in the second year of Chuping, first negotiated the governance issue with Guo Wei, and then convened a meeting in Pingcheng to recruit the Hu people in the northern border, and only then was he able to gain a foothold in Bingzhou.

Now three years have passed, and he is not only the ruler of Bingzhou, but also a great warlord who rules Guanzhong and Lianghe. In the past, he welcomed the emperor in Luoyang, and his reputation was prominent in the Central Plains. He had 50,000 strong soldiers and could gather 100,000 people. Now he will lead his troops to take this route again, conquer Gongsun Zan of Youzhou, and spread his reputation far and wide in Hebei.

"This road is smoother than it was three years ago!"

Looking at the relatively flat official road, Zhang Yu smiled and said, "In recent years, there must be more merchants trading, otherwise Yanmen would not have the spare energy to repair the official road."

Xun You was in the northern border for the first time. He looked at the border scenery curiously and said with a smile: "There are many cattle and horses. If the roads are narrow and bumpy, it will be disadvantageous for merchants to trade. Now that it is profitable, we will repair the roads. If it is not profitable, I am afraid no one will be interested."

"Yanmen lived on farming and animal husbandry. The fields were not as fertile as those in Taiyuan and Hedong, but the population was comparable to that of Shangdang, all thanks to the trade of caravans. The Central Plains sold millet, wheat, salt, iron, lacquerware and other goods, while the Hu people traded cattle, sheep, furs and skins. The Han and the Hu people each took what they needed, and Yanmen prospered because of this."

Trade requires a vast market to absorb the goods produced by one side. Zhang Yu had a small base in the early days, and the trade volume between Han and Hu was not large. However, as Zhang Yu conquered Hedong, Henei, and Guanzhong areas, the trade volume between Han and Hu increased significantly.

In particular, the soldiers under Zhang Yu's command earned a lot of money by following Zhang Yu in his campaigns. The increase in the consumer group also contributed to the increase in trade volume. Therefore, the most imported goods by the Hu people to Bingzhou were furs and livestock. Fur was used for winter warmth, while livestock was needed for combat transportation and agricultural reclamation.

Zhang Yu pointed at the grassland with his whip and said, "During the Western Han Dynasty, Yanmen had more than 70,000 households and a population of 300,000. I hope Yanmen can regain its prosperity as it did during the Western Han Dynasty."

To judge the population distribution throughout the ages, we can actually look at whether separatist warlords emerged during wars.

At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, due to the large population of the border, warlords such as Lu Fang, Shi Yu, and Li Xing emerged. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, almost no one in history ruled the country, and even Zhang Yu had to flee to Shangdang to start his own business. At the end of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, due to the large population of Bingshuo, warlords emerged in the chaotic times.

Looking at the Jiangdong region from this perspective, it can also explain why the Jiangdong separatist forces first appeared in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. It was because of the development of Jiangnan that Jiangdong had enough population to support the separatist forces.

Why did Zhang Yu praise the Western Han Dynasty but not the Eastern Han Dynasty? The reason was that he lived in the frontier and witnessed the desolation of Bingshuo. It was precisely because of the decline of Bingshuo, the scarcity of Han people and the unowned frontier land that the Hu people migrated south on a large scale.

Therefore, for Zhang Yu, after all the battles, he had two wishes for the world. First, to relocate the Hu people in northern Shaanxi, regain control of the Hetao area, and gradually restore the prosperity of Bingshuo; second, to unify the conflicted world, let the people live and work in peace, and expand outward as much as possible.

Now both wishes are very far away, but Zhang Yu is working hard to realize his dream!
"Does Liu He have any news to report now?" Zhang Yu suddenly asked.

"Sir, Liu Youzhou has not responded yet!"

Guo Tu said: "Perhaps after Liu Youzhou was defeated in Shanggu County, he was temporarily unable to lead his troops across Yanshan Mountain to fight Gongsun Zan, so he did not send an envoy to report!"

Zhang Yu sighed, "The reason why Dai and Shanggu counties were easily recovered was all due to the kindness of Lord Liu. Gongsun Zan killed Lord Liu and occupied Youzhou. Even if our army had not gone out to fight, I am afraid Gongsun Zan would not be able to rule Youzhou for long."

Human hearts are mysterious things. It is hard to see the benefits of winning people's hearts, but there are many disadvantages of not winning people's hearts, especially when there is a sharp contrast between the before and after, which will be particularly noticeable.

For example, after Gongsun Zan occupied Youzhou, in order to suppress the nobles who had offended him before, he sent those he disliked to serve in cold and bitter places. Most of the people he appointed were from humble backgrounds and close to him, and these people were mediocre in ability, so it was difficult for them to help Gongsun Zan achieve great things.

"Where is the Yunzhong Army now?"

"My lord, our troops are now in Wangtao, waiting for our army to march north!" said Lu Fan.

"Let the army march quickly and reach Wangtao as soon as possible, and then meet up with Liu Youzhou's troops!" Zhang Yu whipped his horse and said.

"promise!"

Twenty thousand infantry and cavalry went out of the border from Yinguan, and then marched along the Luoshui River, and soon joined Li Song in early February. Then, under the guidance of the guide, Zhang Yu led his troops through Banshi and met Liu He in Dongwuyang, preparing to choose a suitable route to the south of Yan according to Gongsun Zan's military deployment.

Ji County, the governor's office of Youzhou.

In the hall, Gongsun Zan discussed strategies to defeat the enemy with his civil and military officials. "Zhang Yu led 20,000 infantry and cavalry to the north, while Liu He had 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers and horses. The two will meet in Dai County with 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers and horses. Do you have any strategies?" Gongsun Zan asked.

Guan Jing hesitated for a moment and said, "General, the morale of the Zhang and Liu armies is high, and you have just arrived in Youzhou, so it is not appropriate to fight them. In my opinion, you should block the road to the military capital, so guard Juyong Pass and stop the enemy in the north of Yan."

"Zhang Yu led his troops from afar and held out for several months. His troops are exhausted and their food and grass supplies are insufficient. He will withdraw his troops and return south. When Zhang Yu withdraws his troops, it will be time for the general to defeat Liu He and conquer the two northern counties of Yan."

Gongsun Zan was very proud and said, "Zhang Yu and Liu He's troops are a motley crowd. If they defend the pass, it would be a cowardly move. We have 100,000 soldiers. How can we be afraid of the enemy and avoid the pass?"

Guan Jing shook his head and said, "Although the enemy's troops are temporarily put together, General, don't forget Zhang Yu's 20,000 elite infantry and cavalry. Zhang Yu defeated Li Jue's 100,000 troops with 20,000 elite troops. His troops are strong and cannot be underestimated. Moreover, although our army has 100,000 troops, most of them are newly recruited soldiers, and the elite are only 10,000 or 20,000, which is not much different from Zhang Yu's troops!"

Hearing this, Gongsun Zan gradually became annoyed and asked, "Do you think I am not as good as Zhang Yu?"

Seeing that Gongsun Zan's competitive spirit was aroused, Guan Jing quickly said, "That's not what I meant!"

"General, you have been a powerful figure in Youyan and swept across the Yellow Turbans. How could you be inferior to Zhang Yu? I am just afraid that Yuan Shao cannot be trusted, so I want you to take a safe approach!"

"Yuan Shao and our army have a hostage alliance. Why should we worry about Yuan Shao now?" Tian Kai asked in confusion.

Guan Jing smiled bitterly and said, "Compared with the land of Youzhou, a mere son is nothing. Besides, Yuan Shao has many descendants. How could Yuan Shao not be interested in exchanging the life of one son for the six counties of Youzhou? Therefore, if you send out all your troops and leave Hejian and Zhuo counties empty, it will be beneficial to Yuan Shao."

Gongsun Zan looked hesitant. If what Guan Jing said was true, and Yuan Shao took advantage of his battle with Zhang Yu to launch a surprise attack on Youzhou, it would be difficult for him to control Youzhou.

"If we follow your advice and stop Zhang Yu and Liu He in the north of Yan, can we defeat the two villains and prevent Yuan Shao from plotting against our army?" Gongsun Zan asked.

Guan Jing pondered for a moment and said, "There are three roads from northern Yan to southern Yan. Jundu Xing can reach Jixian directly. The other two, Feihu and Puyin Xing, are two roads in name but are actually one. So if the general can stop the enemy at Juyong, and Zhang Yu flees to Puyin or Feihu, he will be able to reach Jizhou in the south. Yuan Shao has a grudge against Zhang Yu, so how could he ignore it!"

Guan Jing's plan was obvious. He wanted Gongsun Zan to station troops at Juyong Pass to prevent Zhang Yu from entering Youzhou through Duxing, and then deliberately let Zhang Yu go through Puyinxing.

Puyin Pass is adjacent to Zhongshan and Boling counties to the south. If Zhang Yu sends troops from Puyin Pass, he will inevitably face Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao has always been at odds with Zhang Yu, so he will most likely send troops to cut off Zhang Yu's path.

If the troops were deployed in this way, Yuan Shao would pay attention to Zhang Yu instead of Gongsun Zan's empty hinterland. Zhang Yu would be distracted by Jizhou Yuan Shao and would find it difficult to concentrate on conquering Gongsun Zan.

"But is it a strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolf?" Gongsun Zan asked.

Guan Jing nodded and said, "Yuan Shao and Zhang Yu each occupy Ji and Bing provinces, and are both your enemies. If you can get the two thieves to attack each other, it will be beneficial to you. And if Zhang Yu is defeated, you can send troops to Juyong Pass, defeat Liu He, and recover the two northern counties of Yan."

Gongsun Zan nodded and thought, considering Guan Jing's strategy.

At this moment, an attendant hurried into the hall and reported: "General, Zhang Yu ordered someone to bring Li Jue's head!"

"Li Jue's head?"

Gongsun Zan realized something in an instant, and he couldn't help but slam the table and said angrily: "Zhang Yumo is demonstrating!"

Tian Kai was filled with righteous indignation and said, "General, Zhang Yu humiliated our army with Li Jue's head. I am willing to lead the troops to fight, let Zhang Yu know how powerful our soldiers are, and take his head to present to you."

"Ha ha!"

Suddenly, Gongsun Zan laughed loudly, his face grim, and said, "Zhang Yu ordered people to send Li Jue's head, intending to provoke you and me. So Zhang Yu must want to lure our army out so that he can fight with us in the field, but how can I do as he does?"

"Zicheng, I will use your plan now. Send soldiers to defend Juyong and leave Puyinxing empty. Send people to invite Yuan Shao to join the army. He said that Zhang Yu sent Li Jue's head here to show off his power. So I want to take Zhang Yu's head with him and keep it company with Li Jue's head!"

Zhang Yu sent Li Jue's head to Gongsun Zan, which was not only provocative, but also threatening, making Gongsun Zan feel sad. Now Gongsun Zan was indeed provoked, but he still had reason and thought Zhang Yu was inviting him to fight in the field.

"As ordered!"

Guan Jing felt relieved when he saw Gongsun Zan adopted his strategy.

If Zhang Yu was allowed to go to Junduxing and enter the south of Yan, Gongsun Zan would have to defend against Zhang Yu in the north and prepare for Yuan Shao in the south, which would be unfavorable to Gongsun Zan. If Zhang Yu was allowed to go to Puyinxing, Zhang Yu would come from the west, as Guan Jing said, and would meet Yuan Shao and Youzhou's troops, and would not be trapped in a situation of siege from both the north and the south.

(End of this chapter)