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

In the Shu army camp below the pass.

Suddenly, several scouts on horseback galloped in from outside the camp, covered in dust, and rushed straight to the central command tent, prostrating themselves and urgently reporting:

"Reporting to my lord and strategist! We searched along the south bank of the Mian River and ventured deep into the Micang Mountains. In the southwest mountains, we found a woodcutter's path that winds eastward, leading to twelve connected mountains. We asked a local woodcutter, and he said that mountain is the Dingjun Mountain that you are looking for!"

This mountain stands high above the Mian River, overlooking Yangping Pass. A spring flows from its midsection, never ceasing. The mountain is sparsely guarded, with only a few lookout posts and no heavy troops stationed there.

Though the path is treacherous, it is safe for lightly armed men and horses to travel stealthily, and they can reach the rear of the pass in a single night!

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei abruptly stood up, his face beaming with joy: "Really?!"

Pang Tong stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes gleaming: "Just as I predicted. Micang Mountain is broken and has many paths, while Dingjun Mountain stretches across the south of the pass, commanding a high vantage point. Zhang Wei only knows how to defend Yangping front, and he certainly won't guard against my flanking maneuver from the south of the mountain."

This mountain offers strategic advantage and provides access to water; it's the perfect opportunity to break the deadlock!

He paused, then cupped his hands to Liu Bei and said, "My lord, once we capture Dingjun Mountain, we will have half a arm's length away from Yangping Pass. Our army can use this mountain to overlook the enemy camp, cut off their supply lines, harass their defenses, and prevent the pass from being able to defend itself from both ends."

We need a brave general to lead a light and elite force, who will march swiftly and covertly, crossing the Mian River at night, and ascending Dingjun Mountain directly from Qiao, seizing the strategic location, establishing a camp, and making it the foundation of our army on the south bank.

Liu Bei nodded, looked at his generals, and asked, "Who is willing to take on this task?"

Before the words were even finished, Wei Yan could no longer contain himself, stepped forward, and spoke in a booming voice:

"This humble general is willing to go!"

Pang Tong nodded: "You are wise and brave, just right for this job."

You lead three thousand elite troops, without baggage, traveling light and stealthily, and cross the Mian River to the south at midnight.

I've assigned Fa Xiaozhi to accompany you. You can rely on his instructions regarding the deployment of defenses on the mountain and subsequent support.

Wei Yan and Fa Zheng received their orders and mustered three thousand elite troops. After midnight, everyone was lightly armed and carried only three days' worth of dry rations, bows, crossbows, and short blades. Under the cover of darkness, when the stars and moon were not shining, they quietly broke camp, remaining silent throughout the journey. Their horses' hooves were wrapped in cloth, and they had gags in their mouths, making a difficult and stealthy journey along the desolate woodcutter's path in the Micang Mountains.

The mountain path is rugged and difficult to traverse, overgrown with thorns, and flanked by steep cliffs; a slight misstep could send you tumbling into the valley.

Wei Yan personally led the team, taking the lead and clearing the way ahead. He instructed his soldiers to be cautious at every step and not to make a sound. After a difficult two-hour trek over mountains and valleys, they finally led their troops to quietly ascend Dingjun Mountain before dawn. They attacked the sentry posts, occupied the strategic location on the mountainside, set up camp, raised flags, and blocked the supply route down the mountain.

The next day, just as dawn broke, the sentries at Yangping Pass discovered that Liu Bei's army flags had been raised high on the summit of Dingjun Mountain in the distance, and there were many figures moving around on the mountaintop, indicating that a large army had already been stationed there.

The sentry was terrified and scrambled to the inside of the pass to report to Zhang Wei.

At this moment, Zhang Wei had just woken up from his hangover and was sitting in his tent enjoying food and wine when he heard the sentry's report. Startled, he suddenly stood up and smashed the wine bowl in his hand on the ground, shattering it.

His eyes widened in disbelief, and he shouted angrily, "What did you say? Liu Bei's troops have occupied Dingjun Mountain? How is that possible! Dingjun Mountain is located behind Yangping Pass, and the mountain roads are treacherous. How could they possibly get around it?"

The sentry replied tremblingly, "General, it's absolutely true. The mountaintop is covered with Shu army flags. Judging by their numbers, there are at least a thousand men. They must have sneaked up through the side paths at night!"

Zhang Wei then suddenly realized what was happening, broke out in a cold sweat, and instantly sobered up considerably.

He finally understood that Liu Bei's army had been harassing him for days without attacking, not because they knew the difficulty and were retreating, but because they were deliberately numbing him and secretly sending a surprise force to outflank him, occupy Dingjun Mountain, and cut off his retreat!

At the foot of Dingjun Mountain was the camp where the Hanzhong garrison stored grain and fodder, and it was also the only way for Nanzheng to transport grain and fodder to Yangping Pass. Once the Shu army attacked from Dingjun Mountain and burned the grain and fodder, the tens of thousands of garrison troops at Yangping Pass would collapse without a fight, and Yangping Pass would be unable to be defended!

Even more critically, if Dingjun marches east, it will be on the main road to Nanzheng, and Zhang Lu's stronghold will be directly exposed to the enemy's advance!

Zhang Wei was both shocked and frightened, and regret surged in his heart. He hated himself for underestimating the enemy, for not listening to Yang Ren's advice, and for neglecting to guard the flanks, which allowed Liu Bei to take advantage of the situation.

But since things had come to this, he could only suppress his panic.

"Yang Ren, Yang Ang!"

"exist!"

"Yang Ren, guard the gate and do not leave it even for a moment!"

Yang Ang immediately led his men to move the grain and fodder to Tiandang Mountain!

I will personally go and retake Dingjun Mountain!

We must defend this place at all costs and not allow a single soldier of Liu Bei to enter the pass!

"yes!"

Zhang Wei immediately ordered 5,000 Hanzhong garrison troops to be mustered, armed and ready, and to rush out of the pass to the foot of Dingjun Mountain, determined to recapture it before the Shu army could descend.

At a command, the rear gate of Yangping Pass was opened wide, and Zhang Wei personally donned his armor, mounted his horse, and led five thousand garrison troops to the foot of Dingjun Mountain.

By this time, it was already broad daylight, and the morning light shone on the top of Dingjun Mountain, making the banners of the Shu army particularly dazzling.

Zhang Wei reined in his horse at the foot of the mountain and looked up. He saw that Dingjun Mountain was steep and the mountain road was narrow. The only way up the mountain was firmly guarded by the Shu army. On the top of the mountain, Shu soldiers were lined up and waiting, and archers were holding their bows and arrows, looking down at the Hanzhong defenders below.

Wei Yan stood on a high point halfway up the mountain, looking down at the densely packed Hanzhong army below. His expression was calm and composed, without the slightest sign of panic.

He had already followed Fazheng's instructions, occupying strategic locations and guarding the mountain passes, refusing to engage in any provocations from the enemy troops below.

Looking at the steep mountain and the "Wei" character banner on it, Zhang Wei was troubled.

If an order is given to launch a full-scale attack, the soldiers can only charge up the narrow mountain path. The Shu army, positioned on higher ground, can easily inflict heavy losses on their troops with rolling stones and arrows, making it impossible for them to advance.

However, if we do not attack and allow the Shu army to occupy Dingjun Mountain, our supplies and roads will be insecure, Nanzheng will be in danger, and Yangping Pass will be lost.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Zhang Wei had no choice but to order his soldiers to line up below the mountain and shout insults at the summit, trying to provoke Wei Yan into leading his troops down the mountain for a decisive battle.

"Wei Yan, you scoundrel! You are nothing but a lowly subordinate officer, how dare you occupy this mountain!"

"Quickly descend the mountain and surrender, and I may spare your life! Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces!"

For a time, the air was filled with shouts of cursing from the foot of Dingjun Mountain. Soldiers from Hanzhong took turns stepping forward, spewing vulgarities and insults at everyone from Wei Yan himself to the Shu soldiers, doing everything they could to humiliate him.

However, Wei Yan remained unmoved atop the mountain, strictly ordering his soldiers to hold their ground, forbidding them from descending the mountain or engaging in battle, and allowing the enemy to hurl insults while firmly guarding the mountain path.

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Fa Zheng, seeing that the mountain road defenses were in place and that all matters concerning drinking water were arranged, dressed in plain clothes and without any personal guards, walked along the mountain path to Wei Yan's side.

Upon seeing Fa Zheng ascend the mountain, Wei Yan quickly stepped forward to pay his respects and asked, "Master Xiaozhi, Zhang Wei has been shouting and cursing at the foot of the mountain for a long time. When will our army launch an attack?"