Late Han Zhao Tang

The Daba Mountains stretch from east to west, causing rivers to flow in a north-south direction. Langzhong is located on the side of the Jialing River, while Hanchang is located on the side of the Dangqu River (Ba River). Although there are layers of mountains between the two cities, rivers and streams crisscross between them, carving out flat valleys.

Because the terrain along the outer edge of the Daba Mountains is relatively flat, many Ba people live in this area.

Historically, Liu Bang was enfeoffed as the King of Han. In order to pacify Guanzhong, he recruited a large number of Bazhong people as soldiers. Therefore, throughout the Western Han Dynasty, the Bazhong people enjoyed economic benefits. Among them, the Bayu dance was modified by the Music Bureau after Liu Bang saw the spectacular Bazhong songs and dances when he was pacifying Guanzhong.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, as the Han Dynasty's rule over the Ba region deepened, Hanchang County was established north of the Dangqu River, at the exit valley of the Micang Road, meaning "the prosperity of the Han Dynasty".

Therefore, there is a road connecting Hanchang and Langzhong. After three days of marching, the Shu army of 10,000 men, led by Sun He and Huang Gai, secretly traveled to the upper reaches of the Ba River, crossed the river, and set up an ambush in the valley on the east bank.

At dusk that day, Sun He received news from Wu Jing's troops, so he personally led a group to investigate.

Looking across the river from the mountain, one can see the Tang army camp standing amidst the mountains and waters, with Hanchang City to the south. As the river passes the Tang army camp, the Ba River widens to about 120 paces, its waters meandering gently.

"Manchong's camp is well-organized, but the eastern camp along the river is sparsely populated!"

Sun He looked at the smoke rising from the Tang camp, a smile appearing on his face. He said, "The previous military intelligence report stated that the Tang army's main camp was well-prepared, but now that they have divided their forces to move south to Dangqu, the main camp is no longer as fortified as before. If our army launches a surprise attack, we can cross the river from here and strike the enemy's eastern camp. The enemy camp is poorly prepared and will surely be defeated by our army!"

"The Ba River is over 120 paces wide and the water is vast; it may be difficult to cross!" Huang Gai said.

What are your thoughts on the public reply?

Huang Gai pointed to the river and said, "There is plenty of timber in the mountains, so we can build rafts tonight. Before dawn tomorrow, we will have the soldiers cross the river on large rafts and assemble on the northeast riverbank. At dawn, when it is just getting light, we will launch a fierce attack on the western camp. The enemy will be caught off guard, and we will surely be able to take the western camp!"

Huang Gai and Sun He were both from Wu and Chu, and were very familiar with building bamboo rafts to cross the river. Therefore, after observing the Ba River and combining it with yesterday's crossing, they knew the appropriate method of crossing the river now, and from where to cross. They could even estimate the number of bamboo rafts needed.

As he spoke, Huang Gai looked at Sun He and asked, "Will the army arrive on time tomorrow morning?"

"We should be able to arrive by tomorrow morning if we travel through the night." Sun He pondered for a moment and said, "Even if the main army cannot arrive all at once, the elite troops will surely arrive first. After a day of fierce fighting, once the new recruits arrive, we will be able to take advantage of the situation and defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. In addition, Gan Ning's army will surround us from three sides and we will surely be able to break through the camp in one fell swoop."

"Let's go!"

Seeing that the reconnaissance was nearly complete, Sun He said in a low voice, "Go down the mountain and back to camp, lest the Tang soldiers discover us."

"it is good!"

The group concealed their tracks and quietly descended the mountain, fearing they would be discovered by the Tang soldiers who were crossing the river to gather firewood.

Back at their makeshift camp, Sun He repeatedly confirmed the situation with the scouts who had secretly crossed the river. Only after receiving a consistent answer did he summon his troops for a meeting.

"Huang Gai!"

Sun He said with a serious expression, "You will lead your troops to build large rafts and secretly transport them to the riverbank tonight. Cross the river after noon to scout out the enemy camp. At dawn, you will lead the vanguard to launch a rapid attack on the eastern camp, and I will lead my troops to join you in the attack."

"Yes, sir," Huang Gai replied.

After explaining a few things, Sun He went to Huang Gai's side, patted him heavily on the shoulder, and said, "It was not easy for our late father to establish his dynasty. You and I are his old ministers. The young ruler has just ascended the throne, and the Tang people have betrayed their alliance and attacked us. Now is a time of crisis. I ask you, General, to lead your troops in battle."

"Please rest assured, General, I will repay the kindness of the Sun family even at the cost of my life!" Huang Gai said solemnly. Sun He and Huang Gai returned to their respective headquarters and arranged for their subordinates to build rafts and prepare rations and armor for the fierce attack the next day.

After midnight, Huang Gai led 3,000 soldiers to the Ba River. With gags in their mouths and cloth wrapped around their bodies, they used a hundred bamboo rafts to smuggle themselves to the west bank. The rafts returned to the east bank, and Sun He led his troops across the river at the tenth quarter of the night, smuggling 7,000 soldiers to the west bank.

Ten thousand troops lay in ambush to the northeast of the Tang camp. Some even hid in the Ba River, concealing their presence by the sound of the river, fearing they might get too close. The Tang soldiers, facing the river to the east, were lax in their guard, with few patrols. Coupled with the darkness and high winds, they failed to detect Sun He's troops crossing the river.

When the 10,000-strong Shu army arrived, it was already dawn.

With the sudden sound of horns, Huang Gai's three thousand soldiers emerged abruptly from the darkness, armed with swords, shields, bows, crossbows, and spears. The vanguard rushed to the camp gate, attempting to move the barricades and chevaux-de-frise aside.

Suddenly, the Shu army attacked the camp, and the Tang soldiers at the east gate were greatly shocked. First, an urgent gong sounded, and then a drizzle of arrows flew out.

"Ha ha!"

Huang Gai, clad in armor, charged ahead and, seeing that the eastern camp was empty with few soldiers stationed there, was overjoyed.

Before launching the surprise attack, Huang Gai had been quite worried, given the fierce Tang army and the formidable reputation of the enemy general, Man Chong. Although he knew the enemy had divided their forces to advance south, he couldn't help but worry about the success of the raid. But now, with the vanguard charging through the gate, Huang Gai's worries were gone!

"kill!"

Huang Gai raised his arms and shouted, commanding his soldiers to charge into the camp.

As the urgent gongs of the Tang camp resounded throughout the camp, the Tang soldiers awoke from their slumber and hurriedly drew their swords, donned their armor, and prepared for battle. Although the Shu army had caught their camp off guard with a surprise attack, the Tang soldiers reacted quickly thanks to their rich experience, with Man Chong's usual arrangements proving particularly crucial.

When setting up camps, Man Chong required that each school be separated by barriers such as chevaux-de-frise and antlers, and even that trenches be dug between each army unit in case of emergency.

Therefore, when the Shu army launched a surprise attack on the camp, although they broke through the east gate and caused chaos among the troops stationed in the east camp, the various troops were able to temporarily stabilize themselves thanks to the fortifications, and were even able to use this to receive the defeated soldiers.

In an instant, people from all walks of life rushed about, and shouts of battle rose and fell throughout the military camp.

Inside the main tent of the Tang army, Man Chong had been awakened from his sleep and listened to the military intelligence reports from various units. After analyzing the intelligence, he decisively realized that the Shu army was well-prepared and coming with great force, showing a tendency to seize the camp.

"The Shu army arrived so quickly!"

Man Chong clenched his fists and pounded his palms, his expression a mixture of excitement and hidden worry.

He used himself as bait to lure the Shu army out. But he didn't expect the Shu army to arrive so quickly, even storming into the camp from the east. Now, if things go wrong, his reputation might be ruined.

"General, the Shu army is launching a fierce attack on the various units in the Eastern Camp. Should we send troops to the Eastern Camp now?" Yan Pu asked in a panic.

"Let me think it over!"

Man Chong remained calm and instructed those around him to keep quiet and not disturb him.

Walking with his hands behind his back in deep thought, Man Chong suddenly stopped after a long while and said in a deep voice, "Order the central army to prepare for battle, the western camp soldiers to form ranks, and the eastern camp soldiers to retreat quickly to the west and relocate to the western fortress on the mountain!" (End of this chapter)