Three Reconstructions of the Han Dynasty: I Helped Zhuge Liang Perfect the Longzhong Plan

As time goes by, the Sichuan region becomes increasingly cold and damp after autumn arrives.

With Liu Bei's strategy of temporarily postponing the capture of Hanzhong, the entire Yizhou region shifted to the proper course of military preparation and consolidating its foundation.

Unexpectedly, within a few months, an urgent report from the Northwest broke through the chill of the mountain road and arrived in Chengdu by fast horse—Ma Chao had been betrayed and abandoned by his followers, defeated in Liangzhou, driven out of Hexi, and forced to flee for his life.

When the military report entered the hall, Liu Bei read it over and his face darkened. He slammed the bamboo slip in his hand onto the table, and all the civil and military officials in the hall changed color in shock.

Previously, Ma Chao had established a separatist regime in Longyou. Although he was constantly fighting with Cao Cao's army, he effectively tied down Cao Cao's main force on the western front, becoming a barrier for Yizhou.

Now that Ma Chao has been defeated and fled, there is no longer a strong force to restrain him in the Longyou region. If Cao Cao takes advantage of this situation to march south and directly attack Hanzhong, then the gateway to Yizhou will be completely exposed to Cao Cao's iron hooves. This is the situation that Liu Bei is most worried about.

"Zimao," Liu Bei turned to look at Gu Sulin, his brows furrowed, "We previously said that while Ma Chao was distracted, we would take the opportunity to attack Hanzhong, but you refused."

Now that Ma Chao has lost Longyou, if Cao Cao immediately sends troops to Hanzhong, how should we respond?

Gu Sulin remained calm, bowed respectfully, and said composedly, "My lord, do not worry."

Although Ma Chao was defeated, Han Sui, Song Jian, and others still held sway in Liangzhou, and Cao Cao still needed time to clear them out.

In addition, having only recently been granted the title of Duke, Cao Cao was preoccupied with domestic affairs and had little time to look south for the time being.

Ma Chao had long since fallen out with Han Sui, and now, with nowhere else to turn, he had no choice but to seek refuge with Zhang Lu in Hanzhong.

This man has a blood feud with Cao Cao for killing his father. He originally rebelled, based in Liangzhou, and now that he has been defeated, he must be unwilling to accept defeat. Ma Chao, in order to avenge his father, will surely borrow troops from Zhang Lu, hoping to use Zhang Lu's strength to reclaim Liangzhou.

Once he borrows troops to launch his campaign, Hanzhong will become an empty, unclaimed territory, giving our army the perfect opportunity to seize it.

He was well-versed in history and clearly remembered that although Xiahou Yuan was known as "the tiger who strides across Guanzhong and is invincible", it still took him almost a year to pacify Longyou.

Cao Cao was too busy with domestic affairs to spare any time for other matters. After declaring himself Duke and establishing his own state, it took him nearly two years to complete the official system and ritual system of Wei, eliminate dissidents, and completely control the central government of the Han court; from building the framework of Wei to stabilizing the political environment.

Therefore, Cao Cao will be preoccupied with the south until at least October of next year. Liu Bei will launch his campaign against Hanzhong in February of next year, giving him a window of opportunity of more than half a year.

At this time, Hanzhong was not the same as the Hanzhong that Liu Bei attacked in history. Zhang Lu's combat strength was far inferior to Cao Cao's, not to mention the potential help from Ma Chao.

This six-month window of opportunity is enough for Liu Bei to take over Hanzhong completely.

Such a huge time difference is all thanks to the prior planning and efforts to make up for any shortcomings.

Pang Tong stroked his beard and nodded: "Zimao is absolutely right. Ma Chao's ambition lies in Liangzhou, which is not comparable to Hanzhong."

Although Zhang Lu maintained the status quo, he was still a regional warlord. Ma Chao used Hanzhong to launch a counterattack, and he would inevitably share the spoils with Zhang Lu. Therefore, it was only natural for Zhang Lu to agree to send troops.

Once Ma Chao borrows troops to launch his campaign, the defenses of Hanzhong will be weakened, presenting our army with an excellent opportunity to attack. Since our lord has already decided to send troops in February, there is no need for haste.

After listening, all the civil and military officials present felt that this argument was incisive and to the point.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Bei finally felt relieved and ordered his scouts to closely monitor the situation in the northwest and await news.

Time flies, and it was February of the following year. A secret report arrived in Chengdu as scheduled, confirming Gu Sulin's prediction—Ma Chao had indeed borrowed troops from Zhang Lu, launched an attack from Qishan Road, and headed straight for the Qishan defense line guarded by Xiahou Yuan, intending to reclaim the old territory of Liangzhou.

"Good!" Liu Bei slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. He was determined to take advantage of the weakened military strength in Hanzhong and seize this vital passage to Yizhou in one fell swoop.

He immediately issued a military order to fully deploy a northern expedition against Hanzhong:

He appointed Huang Zhong and Wei Yan as vanguards, leading elite infantry and cavalry to set off first, clear out the outposts along the way north, and go straight to Yangping Pass to scout out the enemy's situation;

Liu Bei personally led Pang Tong, Fa Zheng, Gu Sulin, Wu Yi, and the main force of the central army northward to coordinate and make decisions on the war.

Liu Feng was put in charge of logistics and supplies, and he coordinated the supply of grain, weapons and laborers in Sichuan. He established supply stations along the Jinniu Road to ensure the supply of military supplies to the front line.

Dong He, Huang Quan, and Liu Ba remained in Chengdu to handle government affairs; Yan Yan, Zhang Yi, and Li Hui stabilized the local area.

Huo Jun was still ordered to lead his troops to hold Baishui Pass, stabilize the rear defense line, and prevent Zhang Lu's remnants and miscellaneous Hu tribes from Longyou from taking advantage of the situation to move south.

Li Yan was ordered to garrison Jiameng Pass, serving as the central hub for the army's expedition, while also overseeing support for the front lines and maintaining order in the rear.

In late February, the chill of spring had not yet dissipated in Sichuan, and vegetation was just beginning to sprout along the Jinniu Road. The 50,000-strong army advanced in order, leaving Baishui Pass and heading north along the Jinniu Road, heading straight for Hanzhong.

……

News of Liu Bei's army marching north and crossing Baishui Pass reached Nanzheng in Hanzhong by fast horse. Upon hearing the news, Zhang Lu was immediately alarmed and hurriedly summoned his civil and military officials to his residence for a meeting.

He paced back and forth in the hall, his face anxious and his voice panicked: "Liu Bei personally led a large army north, with Pang Tong and Fa Zheng strategizing and Huang Zhong and Wei Yan being unstoppable."

Previously, Liu Bei conquered Liu Zhang and seized control of the entire Yi Province in less than two months. Now, after a year of preparation, his army is at its peak and is heading straight for Hanzhong. How should we resist?

The officials and subordinates below looked at each other, all filled with worry.

Yan Pu stepped forward and said, "Master, now that Ma Chao is attacking Qishan from afar and all the main forces of Hanzhong have been deployed, the defenses are already weak. Liu Bei is powerful and our army is weak, so it is impossible for us to resist him."

The only immediate solution is to send someone to recall Ma Chao. Ma Chao is brave and skilled in battle, and his troops consist of elite cavalry from Liangzhou and our Hanzhong elite forces. Only with his strength and martial prowess can Hanzhong withstand Liu Bei!

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room agreed, saying that Ma Chao was the only one who could contend with Liu Bei's army. Firstly, Ma Chao had taken away a large number of troops, leaving Hanzhong's military forces depleted, and recalling him could replenish the garrison. Secondly, Liu Bei had a wealth of fierce generals and strategists under his command, and apart from Ma Chao, there was no other opponent in Hanzhong.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu nodded repeatedly and immediately ordered a messenger to ride swiftly to the Qishan front line to summon Ma Chao to lead troops back to Hanzhong to defend against Liu Bei's army.

No sooner had the messenger left the mansion than Zhang Lu's younger brother, Zhang Wei, strode into the hall, chest puffed out and head held high, a look of disdain on his face, and loudly proclaimed:

"Brother, why are you so afraid of Liu Bei!"

Previously, Liu Bei's campaign against Liu Zhang took only a little over a month. Knowing that his next target would be Hanzhong, I, along with Yang Ang, built a city more than ten miles long at Hengshan in Yangping Pass to defend against him.

Although Liu Bei boasts a large army and many generals, Yangping Pass in Hanzhong is a natural fortress, a strategic pass that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is a first-class pass in the world, and even with thousands of troops, it would be difficult to cross. Why bother to recall Ma Chao?

At this time, Yang Ang still had 3,000 troops guarding Yangping Pass. If you, elder brother, give me another 3,000 elite soldiers to garrison Yangping Pass, we can definitely hold off Liu Bei's 50,000-strong army outside the pass, preventing him from advancing an inch!

"Oh? Brother, you should not underestimate him. Liu Bei is a hero of our time, and his army is full of elite troops. It would be better to send Ma Chao back to reinforce him."

"Brother, there is no need to worry. Liu Bei is nothing more than a weaver of mats and a seller of shoes. His subordinates Pang Tong are just a wild and eccentric man, and Huang Zhong is just an old soldier. They are not worth mentioning."

With my brother guarding Yangping Pass, not even a single bird can fly into Shu!

Looking at Zhang Wei, who seemed confident, Zhang Lu, though still having reservations, felt that the natural defenses of Yangping Pass were a reliable option. After a moment's thought, he immediately agreed.

"Good! My brother, your courage is commendable! I order you to immediately gather three thousand elite troops and rush to Yangping Pass to join Yang Ren and Yang Ang in defending the pass and doing everything in your power to block Liu Bei's army."

"yes!"

Zhang Wei accepted the order with high spirits and immediately led his troops out of the city to Yangping Pass to set up defenses.