Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 392 Infiltrating Youyan, Comparing Himself to Maodun

September of the second year of Jianxing in 197 AD.

Upon learning that Liu He was trapped in Ji County, Zhang Yu ordered Zhang Liao and Man Chong to lead 7,000 infantry and cavalry northwards. He also urgently ordered Yan Rou, the commander of the Datong Army, to go south to join Zhang and Man in relieving the siege of Youzhou.

When Zhang Liao led his army north to Youzhou, Zhang Yu had no intention of rashly launching an attack due to the redeployment of his troops, and thus continued to confront Yuan Shao.

At that time, Zhang Yu dispatched 65,000 troops, with 10,000 from the various armies of Changshan and 7,000 from the relief of Youzhou. Zhang Yu now only had about 40,000 troops available.

Yuan Shao initially had an army of 100,000, but he lost two generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, along with their troops. In addition, he divided his forces in Changshan and Yecheng. Therefore, Yuan Shao's army is now slightly larger, with a total of more than 60,000 troops.

Therefore, it can be said that without the sudden changes in Youzhou, by defeating the armies of Yan Liang and Wen Chou, Zhang Yu had gradually narrowed the gap in troop strength between the two armies and gained the initiative on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao adopted Feng Ji's strategy, ordering his men to challenge Zhang Yu's army to battle and sending a messenger to inform Tadun of the situation. Zhang Yu, however, chose to remain in his camp, waiting to see if Zhang Liao could bring back news of victory.

On September 12, Zhang Liao led his army to Changshan. Under the guidance of Zhang Yan, the army marched along the mountain valleys and basins.

On September 20th, 7,000 infantry and cavalry passed through Puwu, then through Nanxingtang, Shangquyang, and Tangxian, where they joined forces with Yan Rou's Datong army at Gu'an. By the time they reached Gu'an County, Yan Rou had already led his troops out of the Wuruan Pass and sent several thousand Han and Hu people to carry provisions for the main army.

Inside the large tent, Zhang Liao, Man Chong, Yan Rou, and other civil and military officials sat on stools, with a map of the four southern prefectures of Yan displayed on the tent wall.

"Lord Yama has resided in Youzhou for a long time. Does he know the military situation in Youzhou now?" Zhang Liao asked humbly, sitting with his hand on his sword, clad in armor.

Yan Rou cupped his hands and said, "Since you led your troops away from Youzhou, Gongsun Zan, under the orders of Yuan Shao, has repeatedly led troops to invade the border, but has been repelled by Qi Zhou and Xianyu Fu. However, due to the alliance between Yuan Shao and Tadun, Gongsun Zan has joined forces with the Wuhuan to raid Youzhou from the north and south, causing great suffering to the people of the prefecture."

"Gongsun Zan, taking advantage of the southward advance of the Wuhuan, defeated Qi Zhou, the governor of Zhuo Commandery, and besieged Qi Zhou in Zhuo City. There were former subordinates of Gongsun in the city, who took advantage of Qi Zhou's unpreparedness to assassinate him. Gongsun then led his troops to occupy the city, and the towns and counties of Zhuo Commandery surrendered. Although Gongsun Zan and Tadun jointly besieged Liu He in Ji County, Gongsun Zan, in order to strengthen his henchmen, sent many troops out to persuade the counties along the Yi River to surrender."

"To relieve Ji County, our troops must first pass through Zhuo County before reaching the outskirts of Ji County." Yan Rouwei pondered for a moment and said, "If we follow the general's plan and sneak through the mountains to Ji County, we can avoid Gongsun's troops from blocking our way; if we march directly to Ji County on the plains, the Hu cavalry are numerous and will surely lead their troops to plunder our supplies. At that time, our army will collapse without a fight!"

Zhang Liao's strategy of marching along the mountain valleys was undoubtedly a sound plan. The Wuhuan cavalry were numerous and their soldiers were many. If the army marched on the plains, even if the Wuhuan could not defeat the reinforcements, they could still plunder their troops and supplies, causing the reinforcements to be defeated due to lack of food. However, marching along the mountains not only avoided enemy ambush but, most importantly, played to the strengths and avoided the weaknesses, ensuring that the reinforcements' supply lines remained unobstructed.

Zhang Liao nodded and said, "King Yama is knowledgeable about geography. This time, we will need your guidance to travel incognito."

After a pause, Zhang Liao, considering the troop strength of both sides, asked, "Judging from the current situation, how many troops does Gongsun Zan and Tadun each have? How many of them are elite soldiers?"

Yan Rou stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then said, "Gongsun Zan claims to have tens of thousands of soldiers, but in reality, he only has a little over ten thousand. Among those ten thousand, only three or four thousand are truly elite. Tadun compares himself to Maodun, and this time, at Yuan Shao's invitation, he has sent thirty thousand infantry and cavalry. Among those thirty thousand rebel soldiers, those skilled in riding and strong should make up more than half."

"Therefore, if we combine the numbers of Sun and Hu's armies, they will number nearly 50,000, with 20,000 being elite troops. Compared to our army of over 10,000, the difference in numbers is considerable. Fortunately, there are still troops holding the fort in cities such as Jixian, Yuyang, and Changping, and the enemy troops are scattered and looting, which is an advantage for our army."

Zhang Liao looked at Man Chong and asked, "Given the current military situation in Youzhou, does Lord Man have any insights?"

“Our army has reached Gu’an, and I believe that Tadun and Gongsun already know our movements. Therefore, I think that we should march quickly now. If they discover our movements, the enemy will be waiting in a safe and comfortable place, and our army will be in a dilemma,” Man Chong said.

"What you say makes sense!"

Zhang Liao nodded and said, "Ji County is only two or three hundred li away from our army. In terms of cavalry speed, we can reach Ji County in two or three days. Our army will sneak through Dafang Ridge, and we can get out of the ridge in three days if we are fast. Now, in order to avoid Tadun seizing the strategic location, I and Ma Chao will lead three thousand cavalry as the vanguard, while Man Jun will lead the infantry behind. What do you all think?"

"General, your insights are profound!"

Seeing that Zhang Liao had made proper arrangements and was willing to lead from the front, the crowd had no doubts and readily agreed.

After deciding on the military strategy, Zhang Liao, Man Chong, and Yan Rou led more than 10,000 soldiers and civilians, with farmers carrying grain behind and elite troops clearing the way in front, crossing the Dafang Ridge and marching rapidly towards Ji County.

Outside Ji County, Tadun had learned from scouts that Zhang Liao's troops were active in Gu'an, so he invited Gongsun Zan and the leaders of the Hu people to discuss matters.

Inside the large tent, Tadun sat high on a stool made of wolf skin, his expression dignified and imposing, especially the sword scar on his cheek, which added to his murderous aura.

“According to Wei Gong’s letter, Zhang Yu sent reinforcements north to Youzhou. Now, scouts from Zhuojun have reported that there are enemy troops in Gu’an. Perhaps this enemy force is the reinforcements sent by Zhang Yu,” Tadun said.

“Zhang Yu is facing off against Yuan Shao, yet he dares to send troops north. He’s certainly bold!” Neng Chendi, the Chanyu of Youbeiping, quipped. “If the reinforcements are few, they will probably flee in terror before even engaging our army.” “Your Majesty, do you know the number of enemy troops at Gu’an?” Nan Lou asked.

Tadun said, "The military report is not detailed. It only tells us that the enemy's commander is surnamed Zhang, and that a force from Shanggu has come out of Wuruan Pass to supply the reinforcements."

Nanlou, who had lived in Shanggu for a long time and had many dealings with the Shanxi army, immediately said: "Your Majesty, the Shanggu army should be the Datong army led by Yan Rou, and the Zhang surname general should be Zhang Yang or Zhang Liao."

When Nengchen had little contact with the Shanxi army, he asked in confusion, "Who are Zhang Yang and Zhang Liao?"

Nanlou frowned and pondered deeply, then said, "The two are members of Zhang Yu's clan and are highly valued by Zhang Yu. Among them, Zhang Liao is quite famous. He is brave and good at archery, and his courage and wisdom are beyond ordinary people. He has followed Zhang Yu since he was a young man."

As he spoke, Nanlou looked at Gongsun Zan and said, "General, you have fought against Zhang Yu for a long time, so you may have heard about him."

Gongsun Zan had always looked down on the Hu people. When Nanlou asked him, he said coldly, "Zhang Liao is a tall man with a dark face. He never changes his expression when he smiles. According to people from Shanxi, among Zhang Yu's army, Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao are the bravest. Now that Zhang Yu knows that Ji County is besieged, he should send his valiant generals to lead the troops."

Tadun sneered and said, "Zhang Yu is currently facing off against the Duke of Wei. How dare he send a large army north now? Therefore, the reinforcements should number around 10,000, at most no more than 20,000. Our army is large and well-rested, and we will surely defeat Zhang Liao."

Several years ago, Tadun wanted to extort money from Zhang Yu, so he sent an envoy to pay a visit to Zhang Yu. However, Zhang Yu completely ignored Tadun, telling him to wash his neck before he died, and then had the envoy dragged away and beheaded. Upon learning what had happened, Tadun felt he had lost face and was filled with resentment, determined to take revenge to vent his anger.

Nanlou considered for a moment and said, "From Gu'an to Jixian is several hundred li, mostly rivers and plains. The enemy has few soldiers. If we attack them with cavalry, we will surely achieve some success. However, if we allow the enemy to advance to Jixian, the defending troops in the city will see reinforcements, and their morale will be greatly boosted. This will be detrimental to our army."

Zhuojun was the territory conquered by Gongsun Zan, and Gongsun Zan was unwilling to join forces with the Wuhuan. So he cupped his hands and said, "I have lived in Zhuo County for a long time and am familiar with the geography of southern Yan. Now that the enemy is advancing north from Gu'an, I am willing to lead my army to meet them."

Seeing that it was Gongsun Zan who requested to go south to meet the enemy, Tadun readily agreed and waved his hand, saying, "Since the general is willing to go south to intercept the reinforcements, then we will trouble the general to do so."

"Don't dare!"

Perhaps unable to bear the strong smell of the Hu people, Gongsun Zan left the main tent immediately after receiving Tadun's permission.

After Gongsun Zan left the main tent, Wu Yan spat and cursed, "That dog Gongsun is hateful. He always plunders goods and supplies to support his army. If it weren't for Yuan Shao, I would have killed him to vent my anger."

Nanlou's eyes flashed with dissatisfaction as he said, "Gongsun Zan is arrogant and has always been at odds with our army. Now that he has marched south to Zhuojun, I wonder if he can do his best to defeat the enemy."

Tadun restrained his expression and said calmly, "Zhuojun is a county under Gongsun Zan's control. If enemy troops were to appear in Zhuojun, how could Gongsun Zan remain indifferent? Moreover, Zhang Yu and Gongsun Zan share a deep-seated hatred. However..."

After a pause, Tadun continued, "There are two routes. If we go north through Zhuojun, the road is wide and closest to Jixian, but we are easily defeated by cavalry. If we go around through the mountains, the road is treacherous and long, but it is not easy to spot. If our army takes advantage of the terrain to attack, the enemy will be easily defeated. Therefore, Gongsun Zan personally went to Zhuojun, and now we need scouts to explore the mountain roads to prevent Zhang Liao from leading his army to sneak across to Jixian from Dafangling."

"Your Majesty has keen insight!"

Nanlou praised him and said, "Dafangling Pass is dozens of miles away from Ji County. I am willing to station our guards on the ridge to prepare for Zhang Liao to sneak out of the pass and suddenly attack our army camp."

"Ok!"

Tadun smiled and said, "If this reinforcement is repelled, your unit will receive an additional thousand Han Chinese households after the capture of Ji County."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Nanlou was overjoyed and said, "With Your Majesty's great strategy, you will surely make our Wuhuan the most powerful among all the heroes, awe-inspiring in Liaoxi, and far beyond the Great Wall, thus achieving the great feat of Modu!"

Compared to the Xianbei, who lacked a sense of national identity, the Wuhuan tribes, having interacted with the Han people for many years, were constantly referred to as Wuhuan and thus gradually developed a sense of national identity.

Under the influence of Han culture, many tribal leaders longed for tribal unification to resist the Han Dynasty and avoid exploitation. Against this social backdrop, Tadun, through his bravery and the knowledge he learned from the Han people, gradually became the leader of the Wuhuan tribes.

Not only that, Tadun learned about the history of the Xiongnu from the Han people, and he also learned that the Xiongnu had once had a leader named Modu Chanyu, who led the Xiongnu to prosperity. So Tadun took Modu as his role model and wanted to lead the Wuhuan to prosperity and dominate the desert and Youliao.

The leaders of the Wuhuan tribes, knowing Tadun's ambitions, all compared him to Maodun in order to please him!
ps: There are two more chapters in the evening

(End of this chapter)