Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 439 Blockage

Lingzhou is located east of Helan Mountain and west of the Yellow River. It belonged to Beidi Commandery. In the early Han Dynasty, it belonged to Fuping County of Beidi Commandery. In the fourth year of Emperor Hui (191 BC), Lingzhou County was established.

This area is also the most fertile region in the Hetao Plain.

The Helan Mountains block most of the wind and sand from the northwest, and the winding Yellow River nourishes the land on both banks.

Hu Xia's 30,000 elite troops remained stationed in the area. Helian Bobo had originally been waiting for the Tiger Guard Army to cross the Yellow River and then suddenly attack from the valley south of Helan Mountain, but unexpectedly, they retreated.

Adding to the previous year's raid, even though the Xiongnu were wealthy, they could not withstand repeated raids.

The livestock were one thing, but the key issue was the population; in two separate incidents, nearly 50,000 people were captured or killed.

They also lost Anding County.

Hu Xia has already suffered serious injuries.

"Thieves! The Jin people are all thieves! It's one thing for them to steal our women, but they don't even spare our children!" Helian Youdi was extremely frustrated.

Wang Maide cautiously said, "The only way now is to submit to the Northern Wei and invite the Wei people to help us fight against the Northern Army."

Helian Bobo remained expressionless, but Helian Youdi Dai angrily said, "Tuoba Gui killed my father and exterminated my entire family. This is an irreconcilable hatred. I want to eat the flesh of the Tuoba clan alive. How can I form an alliance with them?"

In July of the sixteenth year of the Taiyuan era (391), Liu Weichen dispatched Liu Zhilidi with an army of 90,000 to attack the southern part of Northern Wei. However, Liu Zhilidi was defeated by Tuoba Gui's 6,000 elite cavalry at Tieqi Mountain. Liu Zhilidi fled alone, and Tuoba Gui pursued him and defeated the Tiefu tribe. More than 5,000 members of Liu Weichen's clan, relatives and followers were killed and their bodies were thrown into the Yellow River.

With this blood feud, the Hu Xia and Northern Wei were always at loggerheads.

However, the Xia dynasty had always coveted Guanzhong, while the Northern Wei dynasty focused its efforts on Hebei and the Central Plains, so they had been able to coexist peacefully for many years.

"Immediately send someone to the Wei Kingdom. I am willing to set aside past grievances with the Tuoba clan and resist the Jin people together!" Helian Bobo's suffering in the first half of his life was all due to the Northern Wei. Like a drowning dog, he wandered around, successively seeking refuge with the Chigan tribe, the Poduoluo tribe, and the Yao Qin.

"If I don't avenge the murder of my father, how can I face the world?" Helian Youdi said, his hair and beard standing on end, his face flushed red.

Helian Bobo's narrow eyes flickered. "A true man doesn't concern himself with trifles. If he can achieve great things, death is nothing to worry about."

Helian Youdi lowered his head, not daring to argue any further. After so many years of being brothers, he knew Helian Youdi's character well. If Helian Youdi said the wrong thing, Helian Youdi might lose his life.

Since becoming the King of the Great Xia Dynasty, Helian Bobo has become increasingly cruel and ruthless, as well as increasingly arrogant and self-willed.

"Reporting to the Heavenly King, Qifu Chipan has requested reinforcements from our army!" At this moment, a scout hurriedly reported.

Helian Bobo was slightly surprised, "The Jin army's elite troops are all attacking us, why is Qifu Chipan asking for help?"

The scout reported: "Wang Zhen'e's army of over 10,000 men from the Western Prefecture took advantage of their unpreparedness, crossed the Longshan Mountains, and captured Shanggui. Yang Sheng of Qiuchi Kingdom mobilized all the elite troops in the country and broke through Lucheng. With the two armies joining forces, Qifu Chipan suffered repeated defeats."

Although Yang Sheng was not famous, his elder brother Yang Ding and cousin Yang An were both renowned generals of the Former Qin Dynasty, who were invincible in battle and were as famous as Deng Qiang and Zhang Hao.

He was able to thwart Yao Xing's invasions several times and stabilize the country, so he was certainly no ordinary person.

The Qiuchi Kingdom and the Western Qin were sworn enemies. In the nineteenth year of the Taiyuan era, Yang Ding personally led an army of 20,000 to attack Qifu Qian Gui together with Fu Chong, the last emperor of the Former Qin. They fought fiercely in Pingchuan, initially winning but ultimately losing. Yang Ding and Fu Chong were killed in battle, along with more than 17,000 others. From then on, Longxi was taken over by the Qifu tribe.

Therefore, when the Jin army launched an attack on Western Qin, Yang Sheng mobilized all his troops.

"Useless! The Qifu clan is getting worse with each generation!" Helian Bobo sneered.

Wang Maide quickly advised, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. We must save Western Qin. If Longyou falls into the hands of the Jin people, they can use it as a base to advance into the Hehuang and Hexi regions. The Heavenly King will have no place to stand."

Helian Bobo sneered, "The Qifu clan has ruled Longyou for four generations and has an army of 700,000, including 80,000 infantry and cavalry, yet they cannot stop Wang Zhen'e's 10,000-plus troops. How can such a waste be saved?"

Despite having the advantages of favorable timing, location, and popular support, Qifu Chipan was still forced to retreat steadily. Either he was incompetent, or the Jin army was too powerful.

According to the rules of the grasslands, the weak will be eliminated.

"The Heavenly King has a prior alliance with them and cannot stand idly by while they are in dire need, especially since the two Liang states are watching from the sidelines..."

"Who says I'll stand by and watch someone die? This piece of meat is too good to be true; we can't let Liu Daogui have it all. We should take a big bite too!" Helian Bobo laughed loudly.

Western Qin was originally one of his pawns, used to restrain Liu Daogui. Since it was no longer effective, the best approach was to divide and conquer it.

"If Wang Zhen'e and Yang Sheng join forces, Western Qin will surely perish. Longyou is like the bottom of a cauldron. If I send troops to rescue it, I will be trapped in it. At that time, Mao Dezhu will block Jieting and Yuzhong, and we will all be turtles in a jar!"

Helian Bobo has been able to hold on until now because he has been traveling around and has worn down Yao Qin.

If we enter Longxi, we might get trapped there by Mao Dezhu.

Longxi is mountainous and watery, which is advantageous for infantry but not for cavalry. This is why Helian Bobo has been unable to conquer Western Qin for so many years.

Wang Maide's eyes darted around. "The Heavenly King is truly wise and mighty. Since that's the case, why not pretend to be reinforcements, lure Fuhan away, and effortlessly plunder their money, grain, livestock, and able-bodied men and women!"

"The Prime Minister's plan is brilliant! Hahaha—"

The two of them laughed together.

But halfway through the laughter, another scout came galloping in, reporting—Mao Dezhu and Fu Hongzhi have led three thousand infantry and cavalry to garrison Zhanyin!

Their laughter stopped abruptly.

During the Han Dynasty, Zhanyin was under the jurisdiction of Anding Commandery. It faced Aowei across the river, and was connected by a suspension bridge. It was a vital passage from Hexi to Longdong. Mao Dezhu occupied this place, which was equivalent to blocking the road for the Xiongnu army to move south to Longxi.

Helian Bobo wanted to go south and eat the flesh of Western Qin. He could either cross the river from here or go through Northern Liang and enter Southern Liang, crossing the river at Linjin Pass.

Even if Juqu Mengxun and Tufa Rutan were fools, they wouldn't let Helian Bobo, that wolf, into the country.

These rulers of the Hu state were also well-versed in history, deeply influenced by Han culture, and knew the story of "borrowing a path to destroy Guo".

Mao Dezhu blocked the Zhanyin Ferry, which made Helian Bobo extremely uncomfortable.

Although the Yellow River freezes in winter, allowing the Xiongnu army to bypass Zhanyin, the presence of such an elite force blocking their rear is like a thorn in their side, threatening to cut off their retreat at any moment.

Helian Youdi cursed, "Why are the Jin dogs always one step ahead of us?"

"Have you all found out? Are they really only three thousand men?" Helian Bobo stared at the scouts.

"We've found out that there are over 3,100 infantry and cavalry, carrying over 1,000 supply wagons and 353 crossbow carts!" the scout replied flawlessly.

Helian Youdi said viciously, "Mao Dezhu and Fu Hongzhi are important generals of Liu Daogui. If we can capture and kill them, we can vent our anger!"

The Jin army had only 3,000 men, while Helian Bobo had more than 30,000. He could also conscript tribes near the Helan Mountains, so it would not be difficult to assemble an army of 50,000.

Wang Maide frowned. "Mao Dezhu is both brave and resourceful, his subordinates are all battle-hardened elites, and he also has Zhanyin as his garrison..."

Helian Youdi interrupted directly: "Zhanyin is a small city, and it's already winter. It's freezing cold, and the troops from Chang'an can't come to our aid in time. Mao Dezhu has delivered himself to our doorstep. Are we going to be afraid of him? If we don't do anything, Western Qin will surely be destroyed by Wang Zhen'e and Yang Sheng, and we won't even get a sip of soup!"

The situation is very clear: Mao Dezhu and Fu Hongzhi are cooperating with Wang Zhen'e.

Although Helian Bobo felt something was amiss, he could only watch helplessly as Western Qin was destroyed and the Xia Kingdom was also having a hard time.

The Western Qin army numbered 700,000, including not only Xianbei people, but also a large number of Jin and Qiang people from Longxi, as well as countless warhorses and cattle and sheep.

During the Yongjia Rebellion, a large number of people from Guanzhong fled to Longyou and Hexi. Zhang's Former Liang dynasty was at its peak, and it defeated Shi Hu's 100,000-strong army three times.

Helian Bobo had long coveted such a juicy piece of meat.

Looking up at the sky, the north wind was like a knife, the world was gloomy, winter had arrived in the northwest, and heavy snow was coming soon.

In this weather, the hasty arrival of reinforcements from Chang'an would actually be a weakness, allowing the Xiongnu cavalry to wait in ambush and attack the reinforcements.

Upon thinking of this, a fierce glint flashed in Helian Bobo's eyes. "If Heaven grants a gift and you do not seize it, you will suffer the consequences. Mao Dezhu, relying on his strong army, has ventured deep into enemy territory alone, only to find himself in dire straits. Issue the order: the army will follow me and march straight to Zhanyin!"

(End of this chapter)