The dividing line between Jincheng County and the Hexi Corridor is a branch of the Qilian Mountains extending eastward, called Wushaoling.
Because the terrain of Wushaoling is not high, it is difficult to act as a barrier against the invasion of wind and sand in the northern desert. Therefore, the southeast and northeast of this branch are all uninhabited wilderness.
Limited by water supply, the only option for merchants traveling along the Silk Road or for conquests and marches was the Wuting Nishui River Valley at the western end of Wushaoling.
After hearing that the Han army was about to attack Jincheng, the 30,000 Hexi Allied Forces gathered by Jia Xu were stationed on the banks of the Gulang River at the northwest foot of Wushaoling - the connection point with Wuting against the water that divides the north and south.
And it is a movement that makes people always alert to the southern foot of Wushao Mountain.
He was afraid that Wei Yan, who had crossed the barren valley and entered Jincheng County, would send a group of troops to camp on the mountain and cut off the Hexi army's way to support Jincheng.
However, his efforts seemed to be in vain.
The Han army that crossed the desert did not continue marching along Wushaoling, but turned south and rested at the abandoned Lingju (City) Sailuo Camp.
The troops were also divided.
According to the information gathered by the scouts, Wei Yan only left the Guanxing troops to guard the rear, while the rest of the troops continued southward, crossing Yunjie County, which was also destroyed in the war, to besiege Zhiyang City, which Wei Ping was personally guarding.
This news excited Jia Xu and Hexi generals.
Gein ordered Jusai and Zhiyang County to be separated by nearly two hundred miles, making it difficult to support each other.
If Jia Xu mounted his 30,000-foot cavalry and rode southward to trap Ling Ju, Wei Yan would be in a dilemma of whether to rescue or not.
If rescued, the Han army would not be able to trap the city, and Wei Ping of Jincheng County would have peace of mind.
If they could not be rescued, Jia Xu would attack day and night and destroy the Guanxing tribe first.
In any case, Lingju Fortress, which was burned down by Zhi Wudai and Bai Huwen, the leader of the Huwai Xiongnu branch in the past, leaving only ruins, is easier to break than Zhiyang City, which has well-repaired fortifications.
Therefore, when they first heard about the division of troops of the Han army, Jia Xu, Huang Hua and other generals were in disbelief.
Wei Yan had guarded Hanzhong for many years, how could he reveal such obvious flaws?
Could it be that he was using deceitful tactics to lure them to attack?
However, the military information that the scouts later discovered left them no longer doubtful.
With the migration of the Kewu tribe to Wuwei Xiutuze, the deserted Yunjie County area is now welcoming the migration of the Zhiwudai and Baihuwen tribes.
In other words, Wei Yan, who did not have the upper hand in Ling troops and horses, separated the Guanxing tribe to guard Ling Jusai in order to protect these two dependent tribes.
Such behavior was unprecedented in Wei, but it had many precedents for the Han army.
"People who rebel against Shu are always pedantic and don't care about priorities!"
Huang Hua, the prefect of Jiuquan who came to supervise the troops in person and was elected as the deputy governor of the Hexi Allied Forces, laughed heartily after learning the reason and said with a sneer on his face: "In the past, when Liu Xuande, who was against Shu, lived in Xinye, Emperor Wu went south to attack Jingzhou.
His own safety was in danger, so he thought of the benevolence of women and fled with more than 100,000 people and thousands of carriages. After traveling for more than ten miles in one day, Wei Wu chased him with tiger and leopard cavalry and broke it. He abandoned his troops and his wife, leaving only
How stupid it is for more than ten cavalry to flee in haste! I don’t think that the current Wei Dynasty leader is not exempt from the customs. He came thousands of miles away and did not think about gathering troops to break the city. Instead, he divided his troops to protect Wu Dai in order to win people’s hearts. Bai Huwen and the two thieves, women and children, this is not a matter of importance.
No matter what!"
This statement also made many of the generals who discussed it laugh.
Even Jia Xu, who was sitting on the main seat with a solemn appearance and maintained his dignity, couldn't help but smile a few times.
However, as a general, he should always tell his subordinates to guard against arrogance and impetuosity.
"Prefect Huang's words are very true!"
First, he smiled and nodded gently to Huang Hua. Then Jia Xu looked around at the generals in the tent and spoke slowly.
"However, even if a lion fights a rabbit, it is with all its strength. Wei Wenchang has a reputation of being good at fighting. Even though we have lost ground and divided our troops, we cannot take it lightly. Moreover, the general Guan Anguo who was left behind to guard the fortress is the successor of the famous general Guan Yunchang. I have heard
, after the Battle of Xiangfan, Emperor Wen gathered his ministers for discussion, and they all said, "Shu is a small country, and the famous general is only Yu". Today, Guan'an Kingdom has just passed its age and was established not long ago, and he was named General Anbei by the Prime Minister against Shu. It can be seen that his general
A little bit like my father, you are not a mediocre person!"
With such mature words, all the generals naturally agreed with him.
But it also annoyed one person.
"Why should a general superintendent increase the ambition of others and destroy his own prestige?"
With a slightly angry retort, the eight-foot-long general wearing only leather suddenly stood up, strode to the middle of the military tent, and asked for orders angrily:
"The rebel Guan Xing is an unknown person! He is in a high position at a young age, but he is just relying on the merits of his fathers and nepotism against Shu! Although I am not talented, I dare to say that I can defeat him. If the governor gives me five thousand soldiers
Horse, for half a month, I will dedicate his head to him! If not, I will serve as a military judge!"
When the generals are gathered for discussion, it is a humiliation for the general to be refuted by his subordinates in public.
Especially for Jia Xu, who had just been promoted to Hexi Governor and needed to establish his prestige.
Therefore, when he heard the words, his eyes immediately flashed with anger.
After he saw the person who was rebutting clearly, he suppressed the anger in his heart.
The person who spread the word was General Pang Hui.
His father, Pang De, was defeated and captured. He refused to surrender and was beheaded by Guan Yu, so he often gnashed his teeth. Now that he heard Jia Xu's words, he should not be taken lightly. It is reasonable for him to be so angry that he made a blunder.
At least Jia Xu felt it was reasonable.
Because among the many generals gathered in this military tent, only Pang Hui wanted to fight Ni Shu to the death.
And when the war is about to begin, he also needs unyielding generals like Pang Hui to serve as the vanguard and inspire others to fight.
"nice!"
Jia Xu, who was filled with thoughts for a moment, raised his palms and praised him with a look of admiration on his face, "General Pang has the heart to serve the country with loyalty and loyalty, but I have no reason not to allow it!"
Immediately, he stood up and gave orders, arranging all troops and horses to cooperate in the battle.
First, he asked Ke Wu to temporarily act as the cavalry commander and lead 5,000 cavalrymen to bypass Lingju Sai to monitor the movements of the Xiliang cavalry of the Han army's Ma Dai tribe and whether Wei Yan, the main force of the Han army, might send troops back for reinforcements.
The Southern Xiongnu Hu Bo Juzi's troops who were assisting in the battle led their tribesmen to contain the Han army's newly added cavalry - Zhiwudai and Baihuwen.
No need to fight to the death.
Because Jia Xu also asked Hu Bo Juzi to send someone to contact him to persuade them to abandon Shu and return to Wei.
The conditions are very generous.
Not only did they claim that the previous attack on Lingju and Yunjie counties by the two of them had been forgotten, they also went to Luoyang to request officials to reward them with money and silk, and to draw land for their tribe to live in.
Whether it succeeds or fails, it doesn't matter.
It's an expedient measure, just disrupt his fighting spirit.
As long as Zhiwu Dai and Bai Huwen feel that they have a way out and do not fight wholeheartedly against Shu in this war, this plan will be successful.
Finally, he invited Pang Huisu to serve as the pioneer of troops and horses, and left his deputy Huang Hua behind to supervise the food and supplies, while he led the mighty Chinese army to Ling Ju Sai.