Jinting Han people

The rapid changes in the course of war always catch people off guard. Yang Nandi was greatly surprised and incredulous when he saw Jia Kan's messenger. After checking three times, he finally confirmed the news of Yan Ding's death, and with a long sigh, he said regretfully, "I'm still too late!"

He was currently in Liangquan Garrison, the first Han-era fortified village that Liu Xian rebuilt when he migrated people from Hedong to Shu. After more than five years of peaceful development and the coming and going of merchants, the area had grown into a sizable settlement with several hundred households and more than two thousand people. The imperial court was already discussing establishing a county there.

Liangquan Garrison is more than 200 li away from Chencang. On the plains, this distance can be covered in two days. However, once you leave Liangquan Garrison, the route becomes a remote and narrow mountain road and plank road, making it impossible for supplies to be transported quickly. Even at the fastest speed, it would take at least five days to complete the journey.

Despite Yang Nandi's best efforts, the situation in Guanzhong still developed to this point. In fact, it cannot be said that there were no signs. The reason why Yan Ding sent his wife and children to Hanzhong in advance was clearly because he had already realized that the situation was getting out of control, but he also knew that he could not stop it. This was all due to his lack of personal prestige and strength.

However, Yang Nandi could not stand idly by and watch the situation in Guanzhong deteriorate further. In any case, Liu Cong had not fought a single hard battle yet. Although the Western Army had collapsed without a fight, in other words, the organizational structure of each unit was still intact, only scattered in different places.

This is still a force to be reckoned with. If the Han army were to withdraw now and allow Liu Cong to reorganize it, it would be extremely difficult for them to return to Guanzhong. On the other hand, if this force were to be reorganized before Liu Cong fully establishes himself in Guanzhong, it might be possible to turn the tide and even drive Liu Cong back to Hedong.

But the biggest problem right now is that the Han army has lost the initiative in the battle of Guanzhong. One step behind means another step behind. The Han army has lost Yan Ding's cooperation, while the Western army has Zhao Ran as its guide. This is equivalent to the enemy being in the dark while we are in the light. Where can we find a breakthrough to open up the situation? This is the biggest problem facing Yang Nandi.

Secondly, the Han army is currently at a significant numerical disadvantage. Although Yang Nandi has managed to draw upon the forces from Hanzhong, leading over 40,000 troops north—exceeding his prior promise to Yan Ding—and these troops, combined with Jia Kan's 30,000-plus men, bring the total to over 70,000, a considerable number, the Zhao army in Guanzhong still outnumbers the Han army by more than double, and the Zhao cavalry is clearly far superior.

In summary, engaging the Zhao army in the Guanzhong Plain seems unwise. If handled poorly, it could escalate into a decisive battle, and a defeat could even affect Hanzhong.

Considering this, Yang Nandi was undecided for a moment. Instead of ordering the entire army to halt its march, he convened a brief military meeting with a dozen or so senior officers while the army was on the march. He then asked Wei Jun, "Given the situation, we must make a decision. What is Gongyi's opinion?"

As a key figure who opened Yangping Pass for Liu Xian, Wei Jun had been stationed in Hanzhong under Liu Xian's command ever since, effectively making him the deputy commander of the Han army. At this moment, riding a blue-maned horse, he tapped his whip and carefully offered a conservative suggestion:
"Marshal, I believe that given the current situation, it is too hasty to act. We should first recruit refugees and civilians. His Majesty has always prioritized the people, and although Guanzhong is strategically important, it cannot compare to the hearts of the people. We should focus on holding Chencang, while simultaneously gathering the disaster victims with provisions and relocating them to Sichuan and Chongqing to cultivate the land. Once our army has sufficient provisions and strong troops, it will not be too late to fight the Zhao bandits. If the people of Guanzhong respond, it will not be too late."

This was a prudent view, but it was quickly opposed by another faction. Liu Kun's nephew, Liu Yan, joined the army in his early teens. Because of his bravery in battle and his thorough knowledge of the classics, he had always been highly valued by Liu Kun. Now, at just over twenty years old, he served as a Yamen General in the army. After hearing Wei Jun's words, he immediately rode his horse to Yang Nandi and loudly proclaimed:
“Wei’s words are too general. Of course, popular support is important, but is geographical advantage unimportant? How brutal was Cao Wei back then? They relocated Hanzhong to a barren wasteland, leaving nine out of ten households empty in Guanzhong. Yet, why were they still able to repeatedly resist Prime Minister Zhuge Liang and General Jiang? Wasn’t it because of their geographical advantage? Now that Guanzhong and Longxi are divided and there are refugees everywhere, how could Liu Cong possibly swallow them all up?”

"Marshal, do not hesitate. This is the perfect opportunity for our army to march north. We may not attack Chang'an, but we should seize Fufeng and Shiping. At worst, we can divide Guanzhong with the Zhao people. Liu Cong has finally entered Chang'an, and he may not dare to launch a full-scale war against our army."

After these words were spoken, the young people nodded in agreement. Yizhou had been free of war for almost three years, and with the emperor now enthroned, many Shu people were eager to make new contributions. If they let such a good opportunity slip by, when would they get another chance? And the credit might not even be theirs.

For a moment, all eyes were focused on Yang Nandi, who stroked his beard in deep thought. He reined in his horse, and the other officers followed suit, listening as he first commented on Liu Yandao:

"Shi Ren's courage is commendable, but he clearly does not understand the terrain. Since ancient times, there has never been a saying that Guanzhong is divided in two. It is either take it all or lose it all. Only when Li Jue and Guo Si both came from Xiliang could they barely coexist. Now, once our army enters Fufeng, we will be irreconcilably opposed to Liu Cong, and there will inevitably be a life-or-death battle. Our army's chances of winning are not high."

Then he changed the subject and criticized Wei Jun as well:

"But Shi Ren is right about one thing: if we give up our geographical advantage so easily today, it will be extremely difficult to invade again in the future."

Wei Jun retorted, "Such important matters are naturally decided by His Majesty."

"If His Majesty has to make all the decisions, wouldn't we, his subjects, be neglecting our duties?"

Yang Nandi had already made up his mind. He reassured everyone, saying, "I have thought it through. We still need to send troops. To win the hearts of the people, we must not only be kind but also have authority. Otherwise, the people of Guanzhong will think we are cowardly and dare not fight the Zhao army head-on. They will naturally surrender to Liu Cong."

At this point, everyone was confused. He criticized Liu Yan for being rash and Wei Jun for being conservative. What exactly was the marshal's plan?

Yang Nandi, of course, knew everyone was getting impatient, so he stopped keeping them in suspense and immediately pointed westward with his left hand, saying, "If we attack Guanzhong, our army will definitely be at a disadvantage, but turning our forces around and attacking Longyou might not be a bad opportunity." This was the strategy Yang Nandi had come up with on the spur of the moment. The Guanzhong Plain was fertile, and with the current strength of the Han army, they could hold Chencang, but to leave Chencang and compete with Liu Cong for Guanzhong, they had little chance of winning. However, the Guanzhong and Longyou regions, though nominally one, were in reality divided. The Han army might not be able to succeed in Guanzhong, but they might be able to succeed in Longyou.

Firstly, in terms of terrain, Longyou is high and surrounded by mountains, mainly consisting of valleys and basins. Although cavalry still has the advantage of mobility, in actual combat, as long as the infantry forms a tight formation, the cavalry does not have much of an advantage. Zhuge Liang's victory over Sima Yi at Lucheng and Jiang Wei's great victory over Wang Jing at Taoshui serve as clear examples. Therefore, the Han army only needs to arrive in Longyou first to be able to confront the Zhao army.

Secondly, there was the matter of understanding the terrain. Yang Nandi was of Qiuchi Di origin and frequently interacted with the various Hu tribes of Qinzhou in Longyou. He was, if not intimately familiar with, the terrain of Longyou. On the other hand, the Zhao army was on their first trip to Longyou. Even if they sought guides locally, they could not march quickly. They also could hardly have anticipated that the Han army would directly advance into Longyou. This changed the situation from the enemy being in the dark while we were in the light to the enemy being in the light while we were in the dark.

Finally, there's the strategic trade-off. Liu Cong has only recently occupied Guanzhong and his foothold is not yet secure. He can't deploy too many troops to Longyou, nor is he willing to suffer significant losses. This gives the Han army some room for maneuver, given their limited forces. For the Han army, securing Longyou allows them to maintain contact with Hexi, retain their superior position over Guanzhong, and continue to secure a source of warhorses. While not as wealthy as Guanzhong, this is still acceptable.

Based on the above considerations, Yang Nandi quickly devised a battle strategy. He ordered Wei Jun to lead 5,000 infantrymen to Chencang to meet Jia Kan's troops, and then to make a great show of force, building extensive fortifications, claiming that the Han army would soon leave Chencang to enter Guanzhong for a decisive battle, while in reality he held Sanguan Pass to attract the attention of the Zhao army.

He then led the remaining main force of the Han army westward, entering the Qishan Road and passing through Lucheng into Tianshui. Although this route was more circuitous, it would prevent them from colliding with the Zhao army. The Zhao army would have to travel along the Jing or Qian Rivers to reach Longxi, a journey not much shorter than that of the Han army. Moreover, after arriving at Lueyang County, they would have to recruit and accept surrenders along the way, which would definitely slow their pace, giving the Han army a high probability of gaining the upper hand.

At that time, the Han army can first conceal their tracks and wait for the Zhao army in Shanglong to pass through Lueyang first, then scout out their news. No matter which direction the Zhao army goes, they will choose another direction to bypass them, and then launch a surprise attack to seize their return route to Shanglong, forcing the Zhao army to retreat. If the Zhao army's defense is not adequate, they may be able to win a considerable victory.

After hearing this, everyone admired the marshal's plan. To be able to think of such a comprehensive plan in such a short time, Yang Nandi truly deserved the title of a famous general.

Knowing that time was precious, Yang Nandi did not dawdle any longer and immediately instructed everyone: "In urgent situations, we must act expediently. Issue my military order! Except for Gongzhi's troops, all soldiers are to rest for a day. Then, immediately change direction, with the front ranks becoming the rear ranks and the rear ranks becoming the front ranks. Tell them that we are changing our route to Qishan Road!"

"Apart from the horses, armor, and bows and arrows, all other supplies will remain here and be handled by Gongzhi. Everyone should collect fifteen days' worth of rations and take their winter clothes. We don't need any tents or deer antlers. From today onwards, we will be eating and sleeping in the open all the way to Longyou."

"I know everyone is working hard, but these are critical times. Being a day faster can make a great contribution, while being a day slower can mean all our previous efforts are wasted. I have made up my mind that anyone who can reach Shanggui within six days will be recommended to His Majesty for promotion by one rank for those below the rank of Valiant Warrior, and for those above the rank of Valiant Warrior, each will be granted fifty acres of land and rewarded with gold and silver! On the contrary, if anyone falls behind or misses the deadline, and is not sick or disabled, and cannot arrive within eight days, then don't blame the ruthlessness of military law!"

"Yes!" All the generals responded solemnly.

At this point, Yang Nandi turned to Wei Jun and instructed him: "Gongzhi, I have left all the baggage to you. You must put on a good show in Chencang, but remember, while you are putting on a show, you must also control the timing. You must attract the enemy army, but also defend Chencang and Sanguan. If you lose these two places, or if the enemy army comes to Lueyang, even if you are a founding hero, I will hold you accountable!"

"This humble general will certainly not fail in his mission," Wei Jun said calmly, bowing with his hands clasped.

Finally, Yang Nandi instructed Liu Yan: "Shiren, go find Liu Yan now and tell him my plan. Tell him to transfer the remaining supplies and provisions from Wuxing to Qishan and report this matter to the court."

Seeing that Liu Yan didn't seem happy about it, Yang Nandi encouraged him further: "A man's merit is not limited to the battlefield. Shiren, it is precisely because you are as swift as the wind that I sent you there. Go quickly and come back quickly! In my estimation, as long as you can return within a month, you will still be able to make it to the decisive battle. At that time, I will make you the vanguard of the great battle. How about it?"

Thus, Yang Nandi made arrangements for entering Qin. The Han army, which was originally marching towards Guanzhong, immediately stopped and then changed direction, taking the shortcut through Hechi and Xiabian to enter the Qishan Road.

Over the years, the Qishan Road had been improved by the imperial court, and it was no longer the treacherous place it once was, overrun with thorns and wild beasts. After all, Hanzhong itself lacked salt, while Lucheng was the most important salt-producing area in Qinzhou, if not the only one. Therefore, Liu Xian specifically requested Xue Xing to open up a salt route there. As the territory expanded, Xue Xing was transferred to Ningzhou to be in charge of salt and iron, and this area was taken over by Sun Xi, Liu Xian's old subordinate from Xiayang. Over the years, Lucheng's salt industry became increasingly prosperous, becoming one of the wealthiest cities in Longyou. This was also the reason why Yang Nandi dared to abandon his baggage train and head directly north to Longyou.

The journey was still extremely arduous. After entering October, the temperature dropped rapidly. Without the shelter of tents, the Han army had to brave the biting winds as they traversed mountains and valleys. The days were already incredibly difficult, but the nights spent resting in the forests were even more unbearable. Even with fires for warmth, the soldiers only received light on one side, still feeling intensely cold. The hard, rugged terrain and rocks made it difficult for many to sleep soundly; they simply endured the cold. Furthermore, to save time, they hadn't brought cooking utensils, eating only cold, dry rations each day, making the journey even more arduous.

Under the supervision of their commander-in-chief Yang Nandi, the Han army's marching speed increased significantly. They traversed the 700-li journey, including numerous treacherous mountain passes, in just six days, successfully arriving at Lucheng. The people of Lucheng were astonished, seeing over 30,000 Han soldiers arriving in such a dusty state, they initially thought they were refugees fleeing from Guanzhong.

Upon learning the news, Sun Xi immediately went out of the city to welcome them. He arranged food and lodging for the soldiers, allowing them to rest and regroup. He then met with Yang Nandi to inquire about the details. Amidst the hurried eating, Yang Nandi declared to Sun Xi, "This operation was entirely based on my on-the-spot judgment, but the overall situation in Guanzhong hinges on this battle. Do not hesitate. As long as we can first secure Longyou to fulfill Prime Minister Zhuge Liang's dying wish, Liu Cong, that clown, will soon fall into His Majesty's hands." (End of Chapter)