After the Battle of Liangyang, it seemed that both Wei and Shu were racing against time to seize every moment.
Zhang He led ten thousand men and confronted Zhao Yun's forces outside of Xiaoli City, forty miles north of Shangguan. The treacherous mountain paths made for a difficult battlefield, presenting even greater challenges for the attacking side.
The advance of the eastern route was hindered, while the general of the western route, Cao Zhen with 15,000 cavalry soldiers, faced the city of Xinyang and encountered resistance from the Shu forces defending it.
Xinyang City is situated on the banks of the Wei River, located in the middle between Ji County to the west and Shangguan to the east, and is considered one of the two key strongholds for Tian-shui Commandery heading north.
Cao Zhen led his army west from Luyang on the morning of the 23rd, after defeating the Shu forces led by Zhang Yin and capturing the town of Xianqin, reached the outskirts of Xinyang City at noon on the 26th.
Cao Zhen, General of Wei, had consolidated the Fei Yao forces under his command. At a spacious open area opposite Xinyang City across the Wei River, he had summoned all his generals to gather around him.
"Met General Cao, may there be military affairs to be assigned?" Wen Qin, who was closest to Fei Yao's force, arrived first. After dismounting, he bowed and asked.
"There are indeed military affairs to be assigned, but let us wait for all the generals to arrive here first," Cao Zhen replied with a calm expression.
"Yes!" Wen Qin saluted with his fist, then stood quietly in front of Cao Zhen's horse, demonstrating modesty like a common guard.
It was not even half a bell's time before Sun Li, Dian Man, and Cheng Xi, the three generals, also arrived one after another.
Cao Zhen saw that everyone had arrived and pointed across the Wei River to the newly-built Xinyang City in the west. He spoke, "Today is the 26th day. My army has been on the move for three and a half days. Compared to Zhuge Liang, who is closer to Shangguan and has a shorter journey, the situation in four counties of western Longyou must have changed greatly since our first battle at Luyang."
"Look at this newly built Xinyang City," Cao Zhen said, pointing his gaze westward. "Xinyang City is situated in the Wei River valley and controls important routes. If we plan to move westward towards Ji County, Nan'an Commandery, and Longxi Commandery, we must find a way to capture Xinyang City."
"If we are to head eastward towards the direction of Shangguan Guo Hua, this road is currently still open and unobstructed."
Cao Zhen cleared his throat and said, "The choice between going west or east is now before us. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Wen Qin tentatively asked, "Yes, General Cao, is it truly the case that Xinyang City is held by the Shu forces?"
Cao Zhen nodded slightly, and Fei Yao explained beside him, "General Wen, Xinyang City has been occupied by the Shu forces. From this, we can deduce that apart from Shangguan in Tian-shui, as well as the two commanderies of Nan'an and Longyou to the west, it is likely that they have been conquered by the Shu army."
Wen Qin furrowed his brow and asked, "If it's difficult to move westward, what about heading to the east to rescue the Inspector Guo?"
Cao Zhen looked at the other generals, "What do you think?"
Dian Man answered in a naive manner, "All according to General Cao's orders."
Cheng Xi echoed the same words.
However, Sun Li seemed to have sensed a problem: "My lord general, if we go to Shangguan, and there are Shu troops coming from the west, what will we do? We may be attacked from both the front and back."
"Good point!" Cao Zhen looked at Sun Li. "Yesterday, we sent five hundred soldiers to guard the city of Xianqin. Today, having arrived outside of Xinyang City, it seems we will still need to divide our forces."
"Who is willing to defend the outer perimeter of Xinyang City and block the east-west passages?" Cao Zhen looked at the generals standing in line in front of his horse.
The generals glanced at each other, none of them speaking up. As the middle camp cavalry, they had come here to fight and gain merit. Certainly, the rewards of capturing Shangguan and attacking the Shu forces would be greater than defending in Xinyang. Who would want to defend here?
Cao Zhen cursed and laughed, then raised his horsewhip and pointed at the crowd, "You all want to go with me to Shangguan, don't you? Then I'll have to name some of you."
However, after a moment of consideration, Cao Zhen made his decision. "Dian Man! Your department has only 2,000 horsemen. This place is narrow and with 2,000 men defending it should be enough."
"If the Shu forces advance, just send someone to inform me. The distance from here to Shangguan is a hundred li. If you see that the Shu forces are overwhelming, it is necessary to mobilize all your troops and come to Shangguan in search of me!"
"No more casualties."
Dian Man bowed and answered, "We will comply with your orders, my lord general! My department will definitely take care of your rear."
Cao Zhen looked at Dian Man for a moment, then laughed and said, "Cavalry have four legs. If there is something to worry about, it won't be the Shu forces with their two legs."
"Regarding the rest of you," Cao Zhen scanned the generals to his left and right, his expression firm as he said, "All of you will march east with me to Shangguan!"
"Yes, my lord!" Fei Yao, Wen Qin, Cheng Xi, and Sun Li all bowed in unison.
……
As Cao Zhen made his decision to proceed eastward from Xinyang, in Ji County, also located in Tian-shui Commandery to the west of Xinyang, the city was in chaos.
As early as half a day ago, on the morning of the 26th.
In front of the residence of the Governor of Tian-shui Commandery, General Gao Xiang of Shu Han, who arrived here last night with 1,000 cavalrymen, led fifty armor-clad soldiers to this place.
Yin Shang, the master of ceremonies who had surrendered to Shu Han and was enfeoffed as a marquis, had been handling official affairs in the government office these days. Upon hearing the noise outside, he hurriedly ran to the doorway.
"General Gao," Yin Shang looked at the ranks of armor-clad soldiers behind Gao Xiang, and cautiously asked, "Why did General Gao bring the armor-clad soldiers here to the government office?"
"Master Yin, I trust you are well." Gao Xiang's face wore a smile. "Where are the household records in the government office? Please show me the way, Master Yin."
Gao Xiang wants to take the household register? What could a military officer want with the household registry records for?
Yin Shang, alert, did not pay attention to the polite words and directly asked, "What do you want with the household register, General Gao? If there is anything, just tell me directly."
Gao Xiang looked at Yin Shang's lean and serious face, still moved forward and smiled, patted Yin Shang's shoulder: "This matter is not for Master Yin to know, but it is ordered by the Chancellor."
"By the way, since Master Yin asked, I might as well say it all." Gao Xiang's expression gradually became serious.
"Chancellor's order: the military, civilians, and people of the four commanderies of Tian-shui, Guangwei, Longxi, and Nan'an are to be relocated to Wudu and Hanzhong. There shall be no delay. Once the order is received, the troops must set out immediately on that day!"
"Since Master Yin is so loyal to the Great Han, then please quickly carry out the Chancellor's order."
Gao Xiang pointed to the sky with his right finger and said, "We must leave tonight without delay! Why not let me leave ten men here to help Master Yin take away the household records and other things in the government office?"
Yin Shang's eyes widened in shock, and he took two steps forward and grabbed Gao Xiang's arm, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "General Gao, please tell me what is happening now? Why are we leaving in such a hurry? Why is Chancellor no longer interested in the four counties of Longyou?"
"Ah," Gao Xiang sighed softly, pushed Yin Shang half a step back, and then explained, "Master Yin, you may not know, but several days ago, the imperial army fought against the Wuyue reinforcements in Lüyang. Although we repelled the Wuyue army and beheaded ten thousand enemy soldiers, the imperial army also suffered many casualties."
"Master Yin is a loyal minister of the Great Han, and I will also tell you the truth. Currently, the supplies are running low. The transport of grain through Qiyanchuan is difficult, and the Chancellor does not wish to continue fighting against the Wuyue army in Longyou any longer."
Yin Shang had already turned red with anger, but Gao Xiang seemed not to notice, continuing to say: "For now, move you back to Wudu and Hanzhong. Wait until next year when the imperial army returns and fully controls Longyou before moving back again!"
Yin Shang hurriedly said, "That is not feasible! We are all locals from Ji County. How can we leave our ancestral land?"
"General Gao, could we please ask the Chancellor to let us stay here to defend the country as well?"
Gao Xiang, ignoring Yin Shang's questions, waved his hand and entered the government office with the ranks of armor-clad soldiers behind him.
Yin Shang, seeing that Gao Xiang did not acknowledge him, hurriedly reached out and ran to the front to block the path in front of Gao Xiang.
"General Gao," Yin Shang's demeanor became more urgent, "I kindly ask that you could speak to the Chancellor on my behalf. We are all locals from Ji County and willing to defend the city here for the Great Han. Why must we go to Wuyang and Hanzhong instead?"
"General Gao..."
The look in Gao Xiang's eyes grew colder, and he swung his right hand with all his might, slapping Yin Shang across the face: "Just now, I spoke to you politely, but you acted as if you were someone important. You're nothing but a traitor who surrendered. How dare you criticize the Chancellor's military strategy!"
Yin Shang fell to the ground, covering his swollen left cheek with his hand. He trembled and couldn't believe what he saw in Gao Xiang's face.
Gao Xiang reached into his waist and drew out his sword, pointing the blade at Yin Shang's throat. He spoke sharply, "Yin Shang, if you are planning to rebel against the court, tell me now so I can give you a quick death. If you have no intention of rebelling, then quickly carry out the military order given by the Chancellor."
"Understood!"
Yin Shang sat on the ground, only realizing a few seconds later and quickly smiling and saying, "I was mistaken. Please forgive me, General Gao."
He crawled up from the ground, scrambling on all fours, and pointed inside the room and said, "The household records are in this room. Please follow me, General Gao."
"That's all there is to it, isn't it?" Gao Xiang's expression brightened instantly as he stepped forward to put an arm around Yin Shang's shoulder, "Then, the honor is all yours, Master Yin!"
Yin Shang accompanied Gao Xiang in the government office and selected the records, registers, accounts, etc. of Tianshui County, filling two large carts.
As the sun rose higher in the morning, Gao Xiang and Yin Shang left the government office together: "Master Yin has been so helpful to me, so I also have a few words of advice for you."
Yin Shang bent over and leaned in, "Please, General Gao, tell me."
Gao Xiang said, "Is your family in the city of Ji? Please take some valuable items with you. The rest of the trifling and worthless things, just leave them here."
"Departure at the start of the afternoon, move with torches at night, and aim to arrive in Luomen by the following evening!"
Yin Shang bowed repeatedly, "Thank you, General Gao for your advice. I will go and take care of this right away. Will General Gao be joining us in heading west?"
Gao Xiang nodded, "We will be heading west, but I will stop my army at Luomen. At that time, other imperial army units will escort you south."
"Master Yin, if you can leave, please go as far as possible. Under achievements are better than Wudian. Myan is even better than Wudian, isn't it?"
"Thank you, General Gao, for your advice, I will remember it in my heart," Yin Shang said with a smile. "The former governor Ma Zun has hidden some wealth in the city as well. I am willing to take General Gao to find it and offer it all to you."
Gao Xiang looked at Yin Shang with a serious expression and said, "There is no need to talk about this. Just tell me the location, I will have my people go retrieve it and hand it all over to the court. I will not keep a single thing."
"Yes, yes, I am at fault." Yin Shang nodded repeatedly and then took his leave from Gao Xiang.
On the way as Yin Shang rode back to his home, everywhere he saw the Shu soldiers loading grain and forage onto carts from the people's homes.
Yin Shang stopped a group of soldiers and asked, "Why are you taking away the grain of these people without their consent?"
The lead lieutenant in charge bowed and said, "Reporting to the senior officer, my men are just recording the grain from the people, transporting it in a unified manner, and returning it all to Wudu afterwards. Only when there is no one living in a home will we take the grain as public property and transport it away."
Upon hearing this, Yin Shang did not respond with words, but instead spurred his horse and rode away.
After returning home, Yin Shang headed straight to the side hall to look for the district administrator who had been living with him for nearly a month and did not want to serve the Shu Han government, Gao Shang. (This chapter ends)
