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

Ma Chao and Ma Dai led their cavalry at full speed and arrived at the mouth of the Jushui River.

Ma Dai bowed, his face grave: "Brother, it seems there are Shu troops deployed at the entrance to the Jushui River. Should we return to Xiabian first?"

Ma Chao rode his horse to the roadside, raised his hand and pointed to the mountains in front of him, his tone resolute: "Hanzhong is in imminent danger. Liu Bei has sent troops here, and our army's supply lines have been cut off. We cannot afford to delay even for a moment!"

Xiabian is not a granary. The Qiang and Di tribes are barely able to feed themselves, so where would they get surplus grain to supply my tens of thousands of troops?

I am currently merely a guest general under Zhang Lu, not the lord of Wudu. Forcibly requisitioning grain would immediately incite a rebellion by the Qiang and Di tribes. At that point, our army would be surrounded on all sides; where would we go then?

"But brother..."

"No need for further explanation. The Shu army is merely relying on natural defenses; our Xiliang cavalry can climb mountains and cross rivers as easily as walking on flat ground. Breaking through the Jushui River will be a piece of cake!"

After saying this, Ma Chao took the lead and spurred his horse, followed closely by three thousand Liangzhou cavalry. The horses' hooves pounded the gravel on the mountain road, making a rapid "clattering" sound.

The army marched swiftly along the Jushui River. Thorns scraped against their armor and cliffs pounded against their hooves, yet not a single person slowed down, and even the sound of panting was rare, demonstrating the ferocity and discipline of the Xiliang army.

Upon reaching the narrow pass ahead, Wu Yi had already led his troops into battle formation.

He stood behind the makeshift fortifications, gazing at the billowing dust of the procession in the distance. He saw a general at the head, clad in silver armor and white robes, with a face like jade and eyes like bright stars. He held a tiger-headed, golden spear, and rode a magnificent warhorse. It was none other than Ma Chao.

"Form ranks! Archers, prepare!" Wu Yi shouted the order, and the Shu soldiers immediately obeyed. The archers drew their bows and aimed at the mountain path, ready to unleash a volley of arrows as soon as Ma Chao entered their range.

Ma Chao led his troops to the pass, only to find the Shu army's defenses heavily fortified. Instead of stopping, he spurred his horse forward, pointing his spear directly at the Shu army's ranks, and shouted fiercely, "Who dares to stop me! If you know what's good for you, get out of my way immediately, or don't blame me for being merciless!"

Wu Yi, spear in hand, stood at the front of the formation and shouted in response: "I am Wu Yi, a general of Shu! Ma Chao, with me here, you will not return to Hanzhong!"

Before he finished speaking, Ma Chao suddenly spurred his horse, and the Xiliang warhorse shot out like an arrow. He swept his spear across, knocking two Shu soldiers flying.

"Enough with the nonsense!" Ma Chao roared. "Today I'm going back to reinforce Hanzhong, and nobody can stop me!"

Three thousand Liangzhou cavalry followed closely behind, their hooves pounding the mountain path, forming a steel torrent that charged straight towards the Shu army's fortifications. Upon seeing this, Wu Yi immediately ordered his men to fire arrows, and in an instant, arrows rained down on Ma Chao's troops like a storm.

However, the Xiliang cavalry were well prepared. Each soldier held a rattan shield to block all the arrows in front of him, and using the momentum, they rushed to the base of the fortress in an instant.

Ma Chao took the lead, his spear flashing like lightning. The tip of the spear deflected arrows, and the shaft swept across, knocking Shu soldiers off their feet. He spurred his horse to a breach in the fortifications, thrusting his spear in and striking down a Shu soldier who had charged with a drawn sword. Then, he leaped over the fortifications and charged into the Shu army ranks.

"Kill!" Ma Chao roared, and the Xiliang cavalry followed closely behind, leaping over the ramparts to engage the Shu army in fierce combat. Although the Shu army had the advantage of terrain, they could not withstand Ma Chao's bravery and the Xiliang army's ferocity. In an instant, the Jushui River was filled with the glint of swords and the deafening shouts of battle. The Shu soldiers were scattered and routed by the Xiliang cavalry, retreating in disarray.

Wu Yi personally led his personal guards to meet the enemy, only to see Ma Chao thrust his spear forward with a fierce wind, accompanied by the sound of wind being cut.

Wu Yi hurriedly raised his spear to parry. With a crisp clang, Wu Yi felt a tingling sensation in his arm, and the spear nearly slipped from his grasp. He sighed inwardly, "Ma Chao's bravery is indeed well-deserved!"

When Ma Chao saw Wu Yi block his attack, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He then sneered, "Is this all the skill you have? You dare to block my way?" With that, he thrust his spear out again, each move aimed straight for vital points. Wu Yi was caught off guard and gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.

Seeing Ma Chao's formidable prowess, Wu Yi realized it would be difficult to hold the pass any longer, and could only grit his teeth and order: "Withdraw! Retreat to the next camp!"

Upon receiving the order, the Shu soldiers immediately retreated, yet their formation remained intact, clearly indicating that they had been prepared in advance.

Ma Chao led his troops in hot pursuit, killing their way through the Ju River, leaving corpses strewn across the land and rivers of blood flowing.

Once the Shu army had completely withdrawn, Ma Chao reined in his horse and, gazing in the direction the Shu army had retreated, coldly ordered, "Rest for a moment, then continue your swift march! Return to Yangping Pass within five days!"

But when he looked back—

Apart from Ma Dai and a few elite troops beside him, the rest of the iron cavalry had already blocked the road with the bodies of their own soldiers and horses, making it impossible for the cavalry behind to pass.

He was filled with resentment, yet helpless. He could only take a short rest, clear the mountain paths, and count his troops. Although there were some casualties, they still maintained a formidable fighting force.

The army continued its rapid march along the Jushui River. Over the next four days, they launched a series of attacks, day and night, and successively broke through three of Wu Yi's camps. However, after each camp was breached, they had to clear the mountain paths and reorganize their troops.

The Jushui Channel was finally breached, reaching the northern section of the Mianshui River valley.

Wu Yi retreated to the east bank. He had previously sent the wounded soldiers back to Yangping Pass first, and only arranged the remaining troops in formation along the mountains and rivers, guarding the most easily fordable shoals, intending to delay for another day before withdrawing them all back to the Yangping Pass camp.

Before long, a cloud of dust rose on the west bank, and Ma Chao personally led his iron cavalry to the scene.

The upper section of the Mian River originates not far from its source. The river channel is not wide, the current is shallow and slow, and there are many shoals and rapids, making it easy to cross. However, the road is slippery, and people and horses can easily capsize if they lose their footing.

He immediately climbed the high slope and saw that Wu Yi's troops on the east bank were few and scattered. He sneered and, without regrouping, ordered his elite cavalry to cross the water first.

The Xiliang cavalry had long followed Ma Chao and were fierce and skilled in battle. Several hundred of them immediately rode forward across the water.

The river water was above the horses' knees, the rocks were slippery and the current was swift, and the formation gradually broke apart.

Wu Yi, who had a clear view from the east bank, shouted sternly, "Crossbowmen, prepare! Attack when they are halfway across the river!"

When most of the Xiliang cavalry had entered the river and were unable to advance or retreat, Wu Yi suddenly waved his flag, and arrows suddenly burst forth from the formation, densely packed like locusts passing through, targeting the warhorses.

Caught off guard, the knight in the river fell into the water with a splash, and the rider and horse trampled each other, causing cries of alarm and chaos on the shallows.

Seeing his vanguard thwarted, Ma Chao, his eyes blazing with rage, personally drew his spear, spurred his horse, and charged into the water.

"Wu Yi, you scoundrel, dare to block my way home! Charge with me!"

He led the charge, brandishing his spear, deflecting arrows, and riding the waves forward.

Seeing their commander personally venturing into dangerous territory, the Xiliang cavalrymen's morale soared. Ignoring casualties, they rallied and charged forward, forcibly attempting to cross the river.

On the shallows, the current was swift, people and horses crowded together, swords and spears clashed, and shouts of battle mingled with the sound of the water.

Wu Yi's troops were few in number and exhausted after four days of fierce fighting in the Jushui River. They could only barely hold their ground and desperately block the beachhead.

Before long, Ma Chao led his elite troops to storm the east bank.

He was fast on horseback and wielded a swift spear, and was invincible. The Shu army's formation gradually crumbled.

Seeing Ma Chao's unstoppable momentum, Wu Yi knew that continuing to defend would only result in heavy casualties. He immediately ordered, "Fight and retreat! Withdraw towards the Yangping Pass camp! Do not fight to the death!"

The Shu army followed orders to take turns providing cover, abandoning the beach and retreating. Along the way, they discarded flags, armor, weapons, and other miscellaneous items, feigning a rout, but in reality, they blocked Ma Chao's path. The troops did not disperse and retreated slowly.

Ma Chao seized the riverbank but did not pursue the enemy. Instead, he ordered his soldiers to cross the river as quickly as possible, regroup, and rest for a while.

He glanced in the direction Wu Yi had retreated and sneered, "I'll spare you for now. I'll settle accounts with you after I defeat Liu Bei!"

After a brief rest, Ma Chao's entire army crossed the river and marched straight towards Yangping Pass without stopping for a moment.