However, it is said that at the beginning of October in the East, Pingbei General Zheng Pu, who was guarding Pingxiang City, finally made up his mind and marched towards Yuzhong County, Jincheng County.
Therefore, Zhang Ni, the deputy governor, led Xuanwu as the front, and went ahead to explore the road and provide warning, build bridges when encountering water, and set up camp at dusk. Shaoyi general Zhou Tai and Mi Wei, who temporarily led the army, each led their headquarters as the rear army, escorting the grain, fodder, and baggage.
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For example, the five hundred heavy infantry and armored cavalry all fell into the center of the army. They surrounded Zheng Pu's own five hundred troops and marched in defense of the center's general's flag.
With this arrangement, Zheng Pu carried a huge amount of grain.
The eight thousand soldiers and horses worthy of this march can last for three months!
Because at the rear, the Guanxing troops who were transferred to guard Pingxiang City were unable to send troops and horses to transport food and fodder for him.
And the distance from Pingxiang to Yuzhong County in Jincheng County is hundreds of miles. The march bypasses the ruins of King Qin Zhao's Great Wall, and crosses the upper source Li River and the tributary Guanchuan River in turn. It takes about ten days to arrive. On the way, except for Guanchuan
Except for some small Qiang and Hu tribes gathered in the lower reaches of the river valley, it is all desolate and uninhabited land.
Such terrain greatly increases the danger of marching.
The Wei army had many cavalry, and without any garrison or dangerous roads, it was easy to cut off Zheng Pu's food route.
Therefore, after much deliberation, Zheng Pu simply took all the grain and fodder with him at one go and did not give Wei a chance to send Qingqi to harass him.
Yes, he had only expected this battle for three months.
If there is no progress in the war within three months, it means that Li Yan's soldiers who attacked Xiping County are exhausted, and it will be difficult for him to stay in Yuzhong County.
And if he can tear open Ni Wei's defense line, he won't have to worry about the follow-up food for his soldiers.
Because of the special significance of Jincheng County to Liangzhou.
At the earliest, during the Qin Dynasty and the early Han Dynasty, the Central Plains Dynasty's defense of the northwest relied on the construction of forts on the river (Yellow River).
For example, during the time of the First Emperor of Qin, Meng Tian built a defense along the river for the Qin Dynasty, "to repel the Xiongnu from the northwest, and from Yuzhong to the east of the river, it belonged to the Yinshan Mountains. It was considered to be thirty-four counties, and the city was fortified on the river."
When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened the border, he sent Huo Qubing to the west in 121 BC and conquered the Hexi Corridor through the "Han-Hungary Battle of Hexi".
At that time, the Han Dynasty surrendered the Hunxie Xiongnu who were entrenched in the Hexi Corridor, slaughtered the king and the queen, and only established administrative districts such as Jiuquan County, and did not involve Jincheng County and the Hehuang Valley.
Because the Han Dynasty conquered Hexi via Xiaoguan Road; and when the western border ended at the river, the Hehuang Valley controlled by the Qiang people would not pose a fatal threat to the security of Longyou.
However, when Liangzhou gradually extended westward along the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains to the Western Regions, Jincheng County became a loophole in the defense line of the Han Dynasty. Judging from the location of the Hexi Corridor, once the Xiqiang and Beihu attributes in the Hehuang Valley
If the Huns formed an alliance, the narrow Hexi Corridor would be easily cut off, and thus escape the control of the Central Plains Dynasty.
Therefore, the talented and strategic Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty set his sights on Jincheng County (including Xiping County).
In 111 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty launched a war against the Qiang people on the grounds that the Qiang people had cooperated with the Xiongnu in attacking the land at the head of the river (Puhan).
Although they won that battle, they only weakly controlled Jincheng County and did not conquer the Hehuang Valley.
After the war, only the position of "Qiang Protector Colonel" was established to manage Qiang affairs.
It was not until 81 BC that the Han Empire officially began to establish Jincheng County (including Xiping County).
However, because the Qiang people in the Hehuang Valley were self-contained, the Han Dynasty could not move the Li people to garrison the fields and guard the border, so they used the valley (Lanzhou Basin) guarded from the east and west between Jincheng County and Yuzhong County as a place for the immigrants to garrison the border; another river fed into the big river
The tributary of Wuting River (Zhuanglang River) washed out of the valley, and city fortresses and counties were established to guard the Hehuang Valley against the threat to the Hexi Corridor. [Note 1]
It is Lingjusai and Zhiyang counties.
Among them, Lingjusai was the residence of the Qiang-protecting captains in the past dynasties.
In other words, Jincheng County is the hub of the Hehuang Valley and the Hexi Corridor.
This is also the reason why Zheng Pu led the army here.
If they can capture Yuzhong County, they can drive troops to encircle Jincheng County and turn Xiping County into an enclave.
Regardless of whether Li Yan captured Xiping County or not, the Han Dynasty could go northward from Wuting and cut off the Hexi Corridor.
Xia Houru, the general of the Wei State who led the military in Liangzhou and conquered the west, was also very aware of the strategic significance of this place.
That's why he stationed his 15,000 cavalry troops here, and chose to stay put regardless of the fighting in Anding County and Xiping County. However, Wei Da Sima Cao Zhen did not blame him for avoiding the battle.
Naturally, the army sergeants did not accuse him unjustly when they said he was "fearful of war."
With his military strength, he only needs to keep three to five thousand soldiers in Jincheng and Yuzhong counties to make Jincheng County as stable as Mount Tai, and the rest of the troops can attack Longyou to attack Anding County.
It was just that he was afraid of Zheng Pu, so he chose the most conservative approach.
But sometimes, what is supposed to come, will come after all.
After Zheng Pu led his army out of Pingxiang City, the ranger scouts he sent returned to report.
At that time, he still couldn't believe it.
With the inferior force of 8,000 infantry and cavalry in the Han Military Region, they actually dared to trek all the way to Jincheng County to attack him?
Could it be that something happened in Xiping County?
The first thing he thought of was that Li Yan, who was marching into Xiping County, had an advantage in the war, so he sent people to Zheng Pu in Longyou to prevent him from going to Xiping County to support him.
But the messenger he sent to ask about the war in Xiping County brought back very strange news.
"General, don't worry. If Huai River is in Xiping for one day, you will not be able to advance even half a step against Shu!"
This is how Guo Huai responded.
Be generous and decisive, just like issuing a military order.
It also made Xia Houru even more surprised.
Guo Huai's general strategy was not only favored by Grand Sima Cao Zhen, but also by Cao Cao, the former Emperor Wu of Wei.
Since you dare to say so boldly, you are naturally confident.
Therefore, he couldn't figure it out even more.
He rebelled against Shu and led the army to fight. What did he rely on?
The big river here did not give him the chance to be "lucky" and encounter Cao Jun's epidemic again!
Even if General Jia Xu, who was stationed at Siwang Gorge, sent someone to inform him that Gao Xiang's troops stationed in Daxia County at the head of the river were marching against Shu, intending to support Zheng Pu's march to Jincheng County, he could not understand it.
Since Siwang Gorge is so impregnable, it is even more impossible to be broken by Ni Shu!
It wasn't until more news came from the scouts spying on the military that he made some vague guesses.
The Han army carried a huge amount of grain!
At least the 8,000-foot cavalry can last for three months, or even longer.
He rebelled against Shu, Zheng Pu, but he planned to keep my headquarters in Jincheng County for a long time to create opportunities for war in Xiping County?
This is what he told himself.
Because other than that, there is no better explanation.
Therefore, while he asked his scouts to closely monitor the movements of the Han army, he also dispatched troops and horses to prepare for war.
The defense of Jincheng County-Yuzhong County (Lanzhou Basin) and the timely dispatching of Guohuai Town can be said to be impregnable.
In other words, it could be said that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty chose the place as the hub of Liangzhou, Longyou, and Hehuang Valley. The terrain of this valley was very suitable for defense.
This long and narrow valley is also similar to the terrain of "two mountains sandwiching a river".
The east point is called "Sangyuan Gorge", and the west point is called "Anmen" (today's Anmen Village, Xigu District, Lanzhou City). The widest point between the north and south between the two endpoints is only more than ten miles (Han)
, the narrowest point is even less than two miles. As long as the Sangyuan Gorge in Yuzhong County at the eastern end of the entire valley is secured, the enemy can be defeated.
The only thing we need to worry about is the garrison outside Yuzhong County.
It is a piece of flat land below Yongsheng County and Muyuan (today's Yuzhong County).
One branch of the river is called the Yuanchuan River, which meanders from the mountains to irrigate the soil. Although this area is not as fertile as Jincheng County and other places, it can still open up countless fertile fields.
For a long time, the Wei State's garrison in Jincheng County has received a lot of food and fodder supplies from the farming in this small flat land.
In the past, it was a blessing for the Wei State that the river could create such fertile fields.
But now, it has become a hidden danger for Jincheng County.
The terrain here is flat and there is no danger to defend!
If the Han army comes to occupy it, it can be used as an outpost to detain the Lishu soldiers raising soldiers here, and wait for an opportunity to invade the core valley of Jincheng County.
Of course, Xia Houru also has other choices.
When it comes to clearing the country with strong walls, the Wei State has always been known for its high efficiency in execution.
If he was willing, he could have his soldiers move the villages and common people to Sangyuan Gorge in Yuzhong County before Zheng Pu led the army to arrive, so as to avoid being captured by Shu.
Then, stick to the Sangyuan Gorge, sit back and watch the work against Shu in vain.
When the Shu army's supplies are exhausted and their morale is low, they can then pursue and fight. In this way, even if they can't win a complete victory and kill the generals and seize the flag and return, they can still panic Shu and throw away countless baggage.
However, Xia Houru could not choose such a strategy with a high chance of winning.
It is not always a compassionate heart for the common people of Li.
Not to mention worrying that his reputation as a "war-fearing" person will spread far and wide.
But the soldiers under his command were so eager to fight that he could neither refuse nor refuse.
Among them, there was a general who had followed him for several years and whom he relied on as his arm. His words of request for war made him unable to refuse.
He is from Wuwei County, Wang Mi (Secretary).
He was just past his thirties at that time. Although he came from a small family, he was physically strong and quite brave.
A young knight-errant who dominates the countryside with his strength.
Ten years ago, during the great disturbance in Hexi, Yan Jun of Wuwei, Heluan of Zhangye, Huanghua of Jiuquan, and Quyan of Xiping rebelled, calling themselves generals and attacking each other. Heluan sent troops to kill Yan Jun, and Wang Mi thought that he had suffered
Yan Jun was so kind to him that he sneaked in with a knife and stabbed He Luan to death.
After the incident was completed, he was afraid of being retaliated by the remnant party, so he fled with his family to join Zhang Ji, a famous Wei official and the governor of Liangzhou at the time.
Not only did Zhang think that he was helping the country to eliminate rebellion, but he also liked his heart of repaying kindness and his bravery and courage, so he went to express his merits. He moved all his family members to Jingzhao, Guanzhong, and let him lead the garrison commander to serve in the army.
Later, after Xia Houru came to Liangzhou to serve, he, who had accumulated meritorious service and became a partial general, was also transferred to his command.
However, Xia Houru was very cautious because he was previously suspected by Wei Wen Emperor Cao Pi. Therefore, he often asked the king's secretaries who were from the local area to inquire about the scenery of various places in Liangzhou and the situation of the major Qiang and Hu tribes.
Over time, Wang Mi became Xia Houru's confidant.
Now, Secretary Wang has come out to ask for war, which is a way of repaying his kindness and refuting Xia Houru's reputation of being "afraid of war" claimed by the army sergeants.
On the other hand, they want to accumulate merit and advance their career further.
Especially after the Wei State began to implement the policy of "people on the border governing the border".
The road to power is originally a road that makes people make countless choices, and it is also a road that can change many people. In the past, he had clear grievances and repaid his kindness regardless of life and death. After being immersed in the official career for a long time, he also had Jijiying. Camp heart.
In order to achieve his goal, his words of persuasion to Xia Houru were very convincing.
say:
"If a general strengthens his walls and clears the country, he will certainly have mastered the essence of the art of war. However, this is Liangzhou, where there are many Qiang and Hu people. The Hulu tribe has little literature and little etiquette, and they all dominate with force. If a general avoids fighting, others may call him a general. People who fear Shu as much as tigers have different thoughts!"
These words made Xiahou Ru secretly feel awe-inspiring.
He has been working in Liangzhou for many years.
I also know that what Wang Mi said is not unfounded.
If those Qiang and Hu tribes saw that he had been avoiding battle, they might really feel that Wei's military front was too weak and join forces with Shu instead.
Therefore, he finally led his army and prepared to fight against Zheng Pu.
Instead, relying on the garrison on the southeastern plains of Yuzhong County, the infantry were allowed to drop down in the camp and wait for the Han army to attack; they did not send the cavalry to wander outside and look for fighting opportunities on their own.
When necessary, he did not hesitate to fight with the Han army in the field!
Zheng Pu, who had been marching all the way, didn't know about this.
The news discovered by the scouts was that Jincheng County was suddenly under severe stress, and many soldiers and horses gathered in Yuzhong County.
Moreover, the land where he expected to march, the small flat land irrigated by the tributaries of the big river, where the common people were not moved away by the Wei Dynasty.
This is exciting news for the Han army.
He sent troops to support Li Yan's march into Xiping County.
There was no extravagant hope of capturing Jincheng County.
Now it seems that maybe this battle can capture some Li common people and return them to add households to the court and enrich the land in Longyou.
And when he marched to the Guanchuan Valley (today's Dingxi City), the Han army had no worries: on the way to Jincheng County, they no longer had to worry about water sources along the way.
It was the Xiutu branch of the Xiongnu who was lingering in the lower reaches of the Guanchuan Valley and sent people to express their friendship.
This Xiongnu tribe was very weak, with only about 2,000 households.
It was a tribe that first thrived in the Wushui (Qingshui River) basin of Anding County. Later, it was defeated by Xia Houyuan and the tribe was scattered. One tribe migrated here to survive.
Just having a bad time.
They were bullied by the powerful Qiang and Hu tribes nearby, and Wei State gave up its silk interests, so they could not get involved.
The tribe is too weak and does not have enough strength to walk the Silk Road.
Therefore, after its leader Liang Yuanbi found out that the Han army was marching into Jincheng County, he sent someone to express his goodwill: he would tell them all about where there would be shelter from wind and snow and where there would be water sources along the way. [Note 2]
Thinking of a rainy day plan.
If the Han Dynasty captures Liangzhou in the future, they will remember what they have done today and treat them well as an example of "a man worth a thousand pieces of gold."
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[Note 1: Yuzhong County in the Han Dynasty was located on the bank of the Yellow River and was the eastern end of the Lanzhou Basin; the county name was later transferred. 】
[Note 2: During the period when Guo Huai was guarding Yongliang, Liangzhou Xiu slaughtered Hu Liang Yuanbi and led more than 2,000 families to settle in Yongzhou. 】
