"The Xiongnu were expelled from the northwest, from Yuzhong to the east of the Binghe River, belonging to the Yinshan Mountains. They were designated as thirty-four counties, and the city and river were blocked."
——"Historical Records·The Chronicles of Qin Shihuang".
Although Jincheng County was established in the sixth year of Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty (81 BC), the strategic significance of this area became the connecting block between Longyou and Hexi during the Qin Shihuang period.
Because it controls the valley where the three rivers of Wuting Nishui (Zhuanglang River), Huangshui River and Taoshui River merge into the big river (Yellow River), and then relies on the supply of abundant grain for agriculture and animal husbandry in the Huangshui River Valley, it can assume the strategic significance of " "Outpost", whether Hexi or Longyou forces occupy this place, it can be used as a springboard to attack the other side.
Just like the strategic significance of Hanzhong County to the land of Bashu.
Advance to attack, retreat to defend.
After Cao Cao of the Wei Dynasty settled Liangzhou, he divided the Huangshui River Valley from Jincheng County along the Haomen River (Datong River) and established it as Xiping County due to the endless disturbances in the Heyou area and the ambitions of the right-wing officials in the counties. .
This move allowed Jincheng County (Lanzhou Basin) to form the strategy of "Jincheng Locking Three Rivers".
The effect is significant for a while.
No matter Xiping Quyan or Lu Shuihu's rebellion, they could not cross the Jincheng County troops to join forces, and were defeated by the Wei State one by one.
However, now that the Han Dynasty has captured Longxi County, the disadvantages of splitting Jincheng County and reorganizing it into two counties have been revealed.
The Tao River, which flows into the river from south to north, can threaten Jincheng and Xiping counties at the same time. Once Siwang Gorge is breached, the Wei army will be divided into two ends, and the head and tail cannot be connected.
The method to solve this hidden danger is also very simple.
Didao, the only town on the west bank of the Taoshui River in Longxi County, was re-integrated into the Wei army's defense system.
This was Xu Miao, the governor of Wei Liangzhou, who used his disciples and old officials to instigate rebellion in Longxi County, and provided information about the strength of various Han army troops stationed there, etc., as a means of persuading other leading generals to send troops to Didao.
However, the new governor of Jincheng, Guo Huai, had different opinions on sending troops to Didao.
It was not because he knew that Xu Miao's plan was to drive the Shu army out of Longyou in the future. He asked Cao Rui of Luoyang to drive the Xianbei Hulu out of Guanzhong Sanfu.
By marching towards Didao in Longxi, the Wei army took considerable risks.
One is to go against the current.
After the Tao River flows into the river, it meanders eastward into Jincheng County, passing through Siwang Gorge, Jincheng County and Yuzhong County in turn, and then turns northward into Wuwei County.
In other words, if the Wei army were to attack Didao, which was against Shu, they would have to go upstream all the way.
It is a huge burden for the transportation of grain and baggage.
It is difficult for the Wei army to send troops to create a surprise attack with lightning speed.
Even if Didao is successfully captured in one fell swoop, the grain, fodder and baggage supplies required for the garrisoned troops will become a burden on Jincheng and Xiping counties. Unless the riverhead land is recaptured first and Daxia County is built into a grain, fodder and baggage storehouse. The land formed Didao's rear support so that he could have a long-term confrontation with Ni Shu in Longxi County.
But Guo Huai's second concern is to mobilize his whole body.
Nowadays, Xianbei Baldness Department, whose muscles and bones were injured due to the battle of Changli Shui, has retreated to Guanzhong Youfufeng and is dormant.
However, the generals Cao Zhen and Luoyang Cao Rui have not yet planned a large-scale invasion of Shu.
If troops are sent according to Xu Miao's suggestion, the second Longyou War between Wei and Shu will inevitably begin in advance.
A battle between a county and a county forced the imperial court to start a national war in advance. After all, it was not something that a mere governor or governor of a state could act rashly.
"Your Majesty, I am not aware of the importance of Di Dao. It is true that as a general guarding the border, you cannot specialize in warfare, which will cause the imperial court to fall into a situation where it cannot advance or retreat."
With these words, Guo Huai persuaded Xu Miao to give up this plan.
Because Xu Miao Shang was granted the title of Commander-in-Chief of Chijie to Protect the Qiang by Emperor Cao Rui, he had fewer troops at his disposal.
If Xu Miao insists on going his own way and insists on leading the army out of Longxi Didao, as the prefect of Jincheng, he will inevitably be coerced into participating.
Fortunately, Xu Miao is not a stubborn person.
After receiving Guo Huai's words, he thought about it for a long time, and carefully recorded the Shu army intelligence and Guo Huai's words that he had collected in these days in a book, and sent them to Chang'an in Guanzhong and the general Cao Zhen.
Since the overall situation is involved, let the person who oversees the overall situation make the decision.
Different locations have different things to focus on.
After Cao Zhen, who was far away in Chang'an, received the letter, he was pleased to see Guo Huai's thoughtfulness and praised him, saying, "Bo Ji has a strategy in his mind, which can ensure that everyone is safe!"
However, after praising him, he was more inclined to Xu Miao's sending troops.
One of the reasons is that now that the army in Guanzhong has been gathered, it is okay to compete with Nishu again for Longyou!
On the other hand, after capturing Didao in Longxi, there is no need to worry about the supply of grain and fodder.
Tang Fan, the leader of the Qiang people at the head of the Wuna River, was nothing more than a clown in his eyes!
If the Shu army hadn't occupied the land on the right side of Longnan and restrained the Wei army from moving rashly, he would have asked his generals to lead the army to destroy them.
In the bitter cold and barren land of the river, ringworm and scabies are common.
In the past, Song Jian had ruled as a separatist king for more than thirty years, but he was not defeated and massacred by Xia Houyuan, the general who conquered the west! With the military strength of the Wei State today, what difficulty would it have to massacre him again?
There is a huge disparity in strength between the two sides, and it is impossible for Tang Fan, the leader of the Qiang people, to be unaware of it.
Therefore, Cao Zhen felt that as long as he asked the emperor Cao Rui to grant him the right to act expediently, everything would be solved.
For example, he sent someone to meet with Tang Fan secretly and promised that after the Wei army regained the land of Longyou, he would be named "King Guiyi" and the four counties of Wuhan, Baishi, Heguan and Daxia would be named "Heshou County". Let him serve as the prefect to guard the border for the Wei State. All affairs in the county are decided by him, and he only needs to pay regular tribute every year.
The price Tang Fan had to pay was to temporarily give up Daxia County for the Wei army to store grain and supplies, and he was not allowed to communicate with Nishu.
With such a promise of benefits, Cao Zhen was confident that Tang Fan could not refuse.
I dare not refuse!
Because if he is not willing, the Wei army will leave Daxia County, and even with his strength, he will not be able to defend the city. However, the Wei army marched from Xiping County to Jishi Gorge, and their troops were directed towards Heguan and Wuhan counties. It was he who Ushering in the moment of ashes.
Moreover, the land at the head of the river was quite closed, and the Qiang tribes who followed him in rebellion had no enterprising spirit to march into Longxi, Tianshui County and other places.
All they want is for no taxes and levies.
Now that Wei has given the right medicine to the situation and granted the Qiang tribe what they want, who would fight to the death with Tang Fan in a bloody battle?
As for whether compromising with the rebels would damage the country's prestige and allow countless powerful rightists in Hexi to follow suit; or would Tang Fan separatize the land at the head of the river and become a trouble for Wei in the future?
This is an expedient measure!
Cao Zhen never thought that he needed to fulfill this promise.
War is about resorting to all possible means.
That Tang Fan was a thief who started an army and started a rebellion. The Qiang and Hu tribes in the northwest were always capricious, so why not try to deceive him?
Furthermore, the foundation of the covenant stems from strength.
Only the weak will be able to abide by the covenant.
If a powerful person wants to tear up the alliance, he can just find any reason at will. What's the difficulty?
