Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 216 Western Qiang (Part 1)

Half an hour later, the drums on the West Training Ground sounded again, this time more urgently, like thunder rolling on the ground, urging the three thousand elite soldiers to form ranks.

Lu Shang, clad in armor and with a bamboo whip hanging from his waist, glanced across the army formation. Generals Xiao, Yan, Huo, and Ling each led a battalion of soldiers, their military bearing solemn and imposing.

"Set out,"

As soon as the order was given, the "Lü" flag was raised first in the West Training Ground. The four generals led their troops out of the ranks, and three thousand infantry and cavalry formed a torrent, surging towards the east gate of Liangzhou.

"Order the troops to speed up the march. Before nightfall, I will reach Dazhen Pass," Lü Shang ordered immediately after leaving Liangzhou City. The infantry and cavalry, with swords at their waists and bows on their backs, galloped southeast.

Dazhen Pass, also known as Long Pass, got its name from the thunder that struck here during Emperor Wu of Han's western tour. It was one of the most important grain and military routes between Hexi and Longyou, and a strategic location fought over by military strategists.

Lü Shang wanted to lead the Liangzhou troops to quickly quell the rebellion of the Qiang tribes in Longyou. His first task was to seize Dazhen Pass, enter Longyou from there, and use infantry and cavalry to control the banks of the Wei River and gradually wipe out the Qiang tribes.

This is the military strategy of Duan Jiong, a famous general of the Later Han Dynasty. Duan Jiong was also promoted to Grand Commandant, one of the Three Dukes, for his military achievements in suppressing the rebellions of the Western Qiang and Eastern Qiang. He was also enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xinfeng County with a fief of 10,000 households and was one of the best generals in history.

Do not underestimate the Qiang people of Longyou. The Later Han Dynasty enjoyed two hundred years of rule after the restoration of the Han Dynasty under Emperor Guangwu. At least one hundred and fifty years of that period were spent suffering from the Qiang rebellion, until the country's strength was exhausted. The ferocity of the Qiang people can be seen from this.

As dusk settled, the elite troops of Liangzhou reached the west bank of the Wei River. Three thousand infantry and cavalry rode swiftly, gagged and shrouded in dust. Lü Shang reined in his horse at the front of the army, his eyes gleaming as he gazed southeast through the twilight.

The outline of Dazhen Pass was already faintly visible in the distance, and the eaves of the gate tower lay dormant in the gloom. Although there were no sounds of fighting inside or outside the pass, the solemn atmosphere of this strategically important military location was palpable everywhere.

"Thankfully, the earthquake is under control."

After observing for a moment, Lü Shang nodded and said to his generals, "Dazhen Pass is still in the hands of the imperial court, and the situation has not yet reached its worst point."

Yan Rui spurred his horse forward and whispered, "My lord, should we send someone into the pass to report first?"

Lü Shang reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping across the surface of the Wei River, and said, "There's no need to bring many men. Select two elite knights, give them my military tally, and tell them that Lü Shang, the governor of Liangzhou, has led his army to Longxi to quell the rebellion."

Yan Rui responded, "This subordinate will go and select men immediately."

A moment later, two cavalrymen carrying swords and bows rode up to Lü Shang. Lü Shang took off the military tally from his waist. The bronze tally was engraved with the words "Military Envoy of Liangzhou" and felt heavy in his hand.

After receiving the military tally, the cavalryman tapped his boots against his horse's belly, and the steed from the west bank of the Wei River galloped swiftly with the sound of drums. Before long, they arrived at Dazhen Pass.

On the gate tower, the soldiers guarding the city were startled by the sound of horses' hooves. Torches were lit one after another, and a captain shouted sternly: "Halt, you who come! There is chaos in Longzhong, and Dazhen Pass is closed to traffic. What troops are you from?"

The knight reined in his horse, raised the military tally high, and announced loudly, "We are cavalrymen under the command of Governor Lü of Liangzhou, here to present the governor's military tally at the gate!"

"The magistrate, acting on orders from the Liangzhou General's Office, has led three thousand elite soldiers into Longxi to quell the rebellion. He has now reached the west bank of the Wei River. You must inform him immediately!"

The captain squinted and examined the knight closely. He saw that the knight's armor was neat and tidy, and the military tally he was holding was dark bronze with the four characters "Liangzhou Military Envoy" faintly discernible. It did not seem to be a forgery.

He immediately waved his hand, ordering his personal guards to go downstairs to inspect, while he himself turned and headed towards the Guanyinguan (Guanyinguan government office) inside the pass.

When Wang Lie, the garrison commander of Dazhen Pass, received the report and left the yamen, his personal guards had already brought him the military tally. Wang Lie took it and weighed it in his hand; it was heavy and solid. The serrations on the edge of the tally were exactly the same as those of the imperial court.

Upon seeing this, Wang Lie's brows furrowed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "It really is the military tally of Liangzhou."

"Come on, open the gates and welcome Lord Lü!"

Wang Lie paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped and shouted to those around him. A moment later, the heavy city gate of Dazhen Pass creaked open and slowly began to open inward, the drawbridge clattering to the ground as it was dragged by the iron chains.

Wang Lie, leading a dozen or so cavalrymen and carrying torches, came out to meet them. From afar, he could see the army arrayed on the west bank of the river, ready to fight. Even in the twilight, it exuded a chilling killing intent. He was secretly shocked: "The elite soldiers of Liangzhou truly live up to their reputation."

After his reflections, Wang Lie led his men to the bank of the Wei River to greet the young man. There, he saw a young man in full armor standing on horseback in front of the army, a bamboo whip at his waist gleaming coldly in the torchlight. Wang Lie was immediately struck by inspiration and stepped forward, saying, "This humble general, Wang Lie, greets Your Excellency!"

Lu Shang nodded slightly on horseback, his bamboo whip swaying at his waist, and said in a deep voice, "General Wang has worked hard guarding the pass. I am here on the orders of Commander He Lou to quell the rebellion in Longxi. There is no need for formalities. Let's enter the pass first."

"My lord, please,"

Wang Lie quickly led the way, stealing glances at Lü Shang as they walked.

Lü Shang's name carried considerable weight in the official circles of the Sui Dynasty. As a member of the imperial family, the top scholar in the imperial examination, and a meritorious official who had led the northern expedition, anyone aspiring to an official career would not overlook Lü Shang's existence.

“My lord, barracks and provisions have been prepared inside the pass. The troops can rest and reorganize first,” Wang Lie said as he led Lü Shang across the drawbridge.

Lu Shang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the streets and alleys inside the pass. As a pass, Dazhen Pass could not compare with the city, but it guarded a vital route. The city walls were high and thick, and the barracks along the street were all made of brick and stone, showing a certain military discipline.

Torches flickered in the alleys, casting the shadows of armored soldiers in shifting light. Occasionally, the armor plates of patrolling soldiers would collide, the crisp sound echoing in the night wind, further emphasizing the solemnity of the fortress.

Lu Shang suddenly spoke up, asking, "How many days can the provisions last?"

Wang Lie quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency, there are still 5,000 shi of millet and 3,000 bundles of fodder remaining in the pass, enough for your troops to last for ten days."

"Ten days is enough,"

Lü Shang said softly, "General Wang, what is the current situation in Longyou? How many Qiang tribes are rebelling? Where is their main force?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Lie paused slightly and solemnly replied, "As far as I know, the first to rebel were the Zhong Qiang and the Dangchang Qiang. These two tribes were originally entrenched around Lintao Valley, each with over ten thousand members. Including able-bodied men who could fight, their numbers totaled about thirty thousand."

"After these two tribes rose up, other Qiang tribes responded,"

Wang Lie's expression was solemn as he said, "Among them, the more powerful ones, such as the Shaodang Qiang and the Xianling Qiang, although they have not openly raised their banners, have already been plundering villages and towns between prefectures and counties and blocking official roads."

"Even worse, the Dangxiang Qiang people west of the Tao River also sent several thousand cavalry across the Tao River to the east; their intentions are not good."

"The Shaodang, Xianling, and Tangut are all stirring with urgency!"

Lu Shang raised an eyebrow, already having made up his mind that the three Qiang tribes Wang Lie had mentioned were no benevolent people.

Among them, the Shaodang Qiang and Xianling Qiang were the most rebellious among the Qiang people. During the Qiang rebellion 150 years after the Later Han Dynasty, the Shaodang Qiang and Xianling Qiang played a significant role, and several major battles were initiated by the two tribes.

Compared to these two groups, the Dangxiang Qiang were merely rising stars.

However, when Lü Shang heard about the Dangxiang Qiang, he had some inexplicable thoughts.

After all, to be honest, the Dangxiang Qiang were somewhat destined for greatness. After the Five Dynasties, the world was divided into three, and it was no accident that the Dangxiang were able to obtain one of them.

(End of this chapter)