Late Han Zhao Tang

Hanzhong, Nanzheng.

Because the army was marching south to Sichuan and Chongqing, troops from various counties near and far in Yongzhou, such as Wudu, Shangyong, and Tianshui, were concentrated in Nanzheng, and supplies were also being transported there. Therefore, the city is now bustling with activity, and there are many merchants from Guanzhong selling their goods in the market. Soldiers who urgently need military supplies often buy them, and the merchants take the opportunity to make a fortune.

In earlier years, when the world was in chaos, no merchant dared to do business with the army. But as the situation stabilized and the Tang army demonstrated good discipline, merchants gradually increased in number. In particular, powerful clans, through their connections, were often able to obtain information about the army's expeditions and arrive at the assembly points in advance to sell supplies.

Take Bu Ze, a wealthy merchant from Shangdang, for example. His ancestors owned hundreds of acres of fertile land, and had all the necessary servants and oxen, living a relatively comfortable life. However, due to being robbed by bandits, his family was destroyed and he was killed.

When Zhang Yu took control of Shangdang, no one dared to take on military business. At that time, the country was in chaos, and most wealthy families and merchants kept their wealth hidden. Only Bu Ze, with his extraordinary audacity, sold his ancestral property and took on military business. By selling livestock and purchasing farm tools, Bu Ze earned his first fortune.

Later, due to the influx of a large number of refugees from Hebei, Bingzhou urgently needed livestock, equipment, and supplies. Bu Ze formed a caravan and traveled far and wide, earning tens of millions of coins. Subsequently, as Zhang Yu's winning streak increased, although many powerful families joined the army's business, Bu Ze was still able to make money by relying on his original human relationships.

At that time, Zhang Yu had a feud with Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao. Yuan Shu stopped accepting salt from the Hedong Salt Pond. Merchants from Guanzhong, led by Bu Ze, contracted the government's stockpiled salt, which allowed Zhang Yu to have the funds to launch a year-long expedition to Hebei.

Therefore, when Zhang Yu campaigned in the south and north, merchants led by Bu Ze not only solved the headache of selling spoils for the army, but also facilitated the delivery of letters between soldiers and officers. Because of the numerous benefits, Zhang Yu not only tacitly approved the existence of these merchants accompanying the army, but also had Zhong Yao solicit bids from these merchants to supplement military funds.

Therefore, with the government's endorsement, merchants accompanying the army often received the news of the expedition at the same time as the army, and arrived at the assembly point before the expedition to sell the items that the soldiers urgently needed, receive the spoils of war that needed to be converted into cash, or deliver letters for the soldiers and take on many logistical tasks.

The market outside the city was filled not only with merchants accompanying the army, but also with farmers from the countryside who had come to sell their produce along the street. Soldiers from other places strolled around the stalls, their voices as they bargained with the vendors.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, the sound of rapid hoofbeats rang out.

"Good news from Baishui Pass!"

But then a scout carrying a command flag spurred his horse forward, shouting urgently to the soldiers and civilians on either side. In a society where military matters were paramount, pedestrians of all statuses yielded to the scout.

"Good news from Baishui Pass!"

Along the way to the prefectural government, scouts rode at breakneck speed, spreading the news of the capture of Baishui Pass to the crowd.

Inside the mansion, after receiving the news of the victory at Baishui Pass, Xu Huang immediately discussed the grand plan to conquer Shu with a series of mid- to high-ranking officials from Yongzhou, including Wang Ling, the prefect of Shangyong, and Zhao Ang, the prefect of Wudu.

"His Majesty has unified China and originally intended to personally lead an expedition to Sichuan. However, due to the recent peace and the busy affairs of the country, he has no choice but to remain in Chang'an and supervise me to lead the army on a southern expedition."

Xu Huang, with a solemn expression, looked around at everyone and said, "Although the world has been in chaos for many years, there are few who have achieved great deeds. Now is the time for a true man to make his mark. Yongzhou is adjacent to Bashu, and I imagine you all know a lot about the situation there. Therefore, I hope that you will all work together to fight against the rebels."

During the southern campaign against Ba and Shu, Zhang Yu considered personally leading the expedition. However, Guo Jia advised against it, urging Zhang Yu not to go. Guo Jia argued that Zhang Yu was invincible and renowned throughout the land. Now, having ascended the throne, he was far beyond the reach of the former feudal lords. A victory in the southern campaign would offer little benefit to Zhang Yu; however, a setback would damage his reputation.

Guo Jia wasn't the only one advising Zhang Yu against the expedition; Tian Feng, who prioritized stability, also offered the same advice. After considering various factors, Zhang Yu adopted their suggestions and decided to send Xu Huang and Man Chong to lead the troops.

"promise!

The prefects of Yongzhou who were participating in the expedition responded with excitement. As local prefects, they generally found it difficult to gain military merit unless there was fighting in neighboring regions. The southern expedition to Bashu was, barring any unforeseen circumstances, likely one of the few large-scale military operations they could participate in.

"good!"

Seeing that morale was good, Xu Huang nodded and said, "Based on the military situation we have today, Guo Huai seized Baishui Pass under the pretext of welcoming a bride. Now Guo Huai is afraid that the Shu people will lead troops to seize it, so he has specially submitted a report requesting military support. I wonder what your opinions are?"

Wang Ling, eager to make a name for himself, stepped forward and volunteered, saying, "My troops from Shangyong have already reached Hanzhong, and I am now willing to go south to support Baishui."

Xu Huang pondered for a moment and said, "According to the military strategy, the southern expedition will now be divided into two routes. I will lead the troops along the Jinniu Road, while General Man will take the Micang Road. Wang Shangyong's troops are skilled in mountainous terrain, and I would like to appoint you as the vanguard of the detachment."

As he spoke, Xu Huang looked at Zhao Ang, the governor of Wudu, and said, "The troops under Zhao Wudu's command are mainly Qiang and Di soldiers. Although they are not good at fighting, they are fierce and have a tradition of wielding bows. They are not good at fighting, but they are good at defending cities and passes."

Wudu and Shangyong were the two counties closest to Bashu, so the troops from the two counties were the first to arrive in Hanzhong.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ang stood up and said in a deep voice, "I am willing to obey the general's orders!"

"Then how should I advance?" Wang Ling asked eagerly.

Xu Huang walked to the map on the wall and pointed out, "The Shu people are not well prepared. Now that you are the vanguard of the detachment, I would like to ask you to lead your troops ahead of time, cross the mountains from Hannan, search for grain depots and strongholds along the way, and see if you can capture the passes guarded by the enemy."

"This subordinate obeys!" Wang Ling accepted the order and withdrew.

Fearing to disturb the Shu people, Hanzhong had remained inactive, not even establishing granaries or outposts. Now, with the imperial edict for a southern expedition, and Man Chong's troops still en route, Wang Ling had to handle logistical matters first to facilitate the subsequent advance. "Sun Yongzhou!"

"exist!"

Sun Zi rose and awaited orders.

"As the governor of Yongzhou, I entrust you with the task of overseeing the affairs of Nanzheng, directing the laborers, and transporting supplies for the army," Xu Huang said.

Sun Zi said, "I have ordered the various prefectures to levy 50,000 laborers and borrow supplies from the Qiang and Di tribes in preparation for any eventuality."

"good!"

Sun Zi and Xu Huang were good friends, and Zhang Yu appointed Xu Huang as the commander-in-chief partly because he thought that their good relationship would prevent disputes over supplies and ensure the supply of provisions for the southern expeditionary army.

Not to mention that Xu Huang ordered Zhao Ang and Wang Ling to each lead troops south to gain the upper hand in the war. Now, the generals of Jiameng and Jiange, who were the first to learn of the fall of Baishui Pass, urgently sent a message to Sun Ben, the governor of Zitong County.

Upon learning that the Tang people had seized Baishui Pass under the guise of welcoming a bride, Sun Ben was greatly shocked. He immediately gathered the county troops and sent a fast horse to report to Sun Quan.

Jianjia is three or four hundred li away from Zitong, and Zitong is four or five hundred li away from Chengdu. With the news delivered by fast horse, the military intelligence finally reached Chengdu within a day or two after Nanzheng received the report of the victory at Baishui Pass and was delivered to Sun Quan.

Inside the mansion, Sun Quan looked terrified, his youthful face showing utter helplessness.

Seeing this, Madam Wu asked, "Zhongmou, has something big happened?"

Sun Quan said bitterly, "Mother, Guo Huai, the Tang governor of Hanzhong, took advantage of the pretext of welcoming a bride to seize Baishui Pass. Now Baishui Pass has fallen, and the pass's general, Li Yi, has been killed in battle."

"what!"

Even Lady Wu, who had seen many storms, couldn't help but gasp in surprise upon learning of the Tang people's betrayal. This gasp might have been out of concern for Sun Ren's whereabouts, or perhaps for the future of Sun Shu.

"I've heard that Baishui Pass is a formidable stronghold, guarded by several thousand soldiers. I wonder how the Tang people will capture it?" Madam Wu asked.

Sun Quan had no intention of concealing the truth, and said, "According to the military report, the Tang people invited Shangxiang out of the city, but on the way, they used the excuse that the plank road was damaged to escort Shangxiang back to Baishui Pass. At that time, Guo Huai hid armored soldiers under Shu brocade and tricked Li Yi out of the city in the name of Shangxiang. With the city unprepared, the armored soldiers seized the city gate, and Guo Huai assassinated Li Yi."

"What about Shangxiang?"

No news!

Madam Wu was filled with sorrow. She had just bid farewell to her eldest son, and now she was being asked to bid farewell to her daughter as well.

After a long silence, Madam Wu, having calmed her grief, asked, "The Tang people's sudden betrayal suggests they came prepared. What are Zhongmou's considerations?"

Sun Quan, his mind in turmoil, said, "Now I can only ask you all to discuss this matter."

Lady Wu sighed and said, "Your father died in the army before he could finish his great undertaking. The foundation he left behind in Sichuan is nothing more than a means for the Sun family to become rich and powerful. Therefore, if we cannot defeat the Tang army, we might as well follow the example of the Dou family's surrender."

"Remember your mother's words!"

Sun Quan is now filled with anxiety. At the beginning of his reign, in order to appease Zhang Yu, he rejected the alliance request from both Cao Cao and Liu Bei. He thought that by being humble and sending his sister Sun Ren to Zhang Yu, he would cause Zhang Yu to shift his focus. However, he never expected Zhang Yu to be so treacherous, simultaneously comforting and deceiving him while secretly plotting to seize Ba and Shu.

Seeing that Sun Quan was distracted, Lady Wu said, "Before your brother passed away, he said that if there was no important matter to decide, one should consult Fa Xiaozhi. Now the Tang people have broken their alliance and seized the city, intending to attack Ba and Shu. Why don't you summon all the ministers to discuss the matter and consult Fa Xiaozhi on important matters?"

"Most of the prefects in Sichuan are from the same clan, so they can be trusted in times of crisis."

Lady Wu was the wife of Sun Jian, and she contributed greatly to the early stages of the Sun family's rise to power. Therefore, when Sun Quan first ascended the throne, Lady Wu frequently stepped forward to appease the senior generals and ministers on his behalf in order to stabilize the political situation.

When Sun Quan first assumed power, he was often confused about many matters and frequently sought his mother's advice. The plan to marry Xu Kun's daughter was devised by Lady Wu, and it was even with her encouragement that Sun Quan was able to smoothly change wives. Therefore, when troubles loomed, Lady Wu was fully qualified to offer advice to Sun Quan.

"Thank you, Mother!" (End of Chapter)