Yang'an Guan or Hanzhong?
Here in this slightly cramped hall within Wu Xingcheng, the officials of Shu Han almost universally chose Yang'an Guan while abandoning Hanzhong.
It's not accurate to say that they abandoned it, but rather that they were helpless.
Wu Xing is situated on a plain among the mountains to the east of the Jialing River, a city newly constructed on the foundations of a fort built last year by order of Zhuge Liang, and recently completed by Zhao Yun.
Although it is a city, the place inside is cramped and the army has little fighting spirit. It's difficult to withstand the impending attack from Wei forces outside.
Do not you see that even the generals and advisors of Zhuge Liang want to head south to Yang'an Guan? How could the soldiers maintain their fighting spirit?
Forget about the predictions of being encircled if they head east or toward Yang'an Guan. Also, forget about the fear of the people inside the city.
From a military standpoint, there is only one viable option, which is to move south.
"General Wu, how is the situation outside the city? Please give everyone a brief overview of the developments from this afternoon until now." Zhuge Liang looked at Wu Yi.
"Yes."
In a low tone, Wu Yi replied: "Wei forces arrived from the north this afternoon, breaking through our hidden troops that we had set up for defense. Then they drove the retreating troops southward."
"Out of necessity, I had to order the entire army to defend the city. Due to the late hour, besides a division of about ten thousand cavalry that passed north of the city and headed towards Ju County, the rest of the Wei forces set up camps on both sides of the north and east."
Yang Yi interjected: "Both the west and the east of Wu Xing are along the Jialing River. From what you've said, isn't it because Wei forces haven't had a chance to encircle the city yet?"
Wu Yi replied: "Partly because they haven't had the chance yet, and partly because the soldiers inside the city are putting up resistance."
"This is a 'besiege three and leave one open' strategy…" Yang Yi sighed.
Actually, what Yang Yi said was generally correct, but if we're more precise, it should be 'surrounding two and leaving one open.'
The unspoken implication in Yang Yi's words is that Wei forces deliberately left the south open today, hoping that the troops from Han would head south.
As Wu Yi said, the reason the Wei forces only surrounded two sides is because they hadn't had enough time.
Tomorrow?
If Wei forces have enough time tomorrow, what will they do?
Though no one spoke anymore, the looks of expectation and trust that everyone cast toward Zhuge Liang were a heavy burden on him.
After a while, Zhuge Liang sighed again.
Human emotions and physical condition are interrelated. When one's body is weak, although they can still withstand pressure and make decisions, their negative emotions will inevitably be amplified.
"Then let's go to Yang'an Guan," Zhuge Liang said with a melancholic expression: "We will set off at midnight and each person should carry three days' worth of food. It should take us three days to reach Yang'an Guan."
As soon as Zhuge Liang finished speaking, he looked around the hall one more time at the generals.
"Who among the generals is willing to take up the rear for our army?"
As soon as Zhuge Liang finished speaking, Chen Shi stepped forward half a step and immediately bowed, saying, "Please, General Chancellor, allow me to take up the rear!"
The atmosphere in the hall first became serious, but then seemed to start flowing again after a few moments.
Taking the rear is naturally to be organized by the officers.
Currently, the Wei army has superior numbers and morale, making the risk and possibility of death for those taking the rear exponentially higher.
At this time, if Zhuge Liang points to any general who doesn't want to take responsibility for rear guard defense, it is highly likely that they will be punished immediately!
And Chen Shi's volunteer has made everyone, including Wu Yi, breathe a sigh of relief. Moreover, Zhuge Liang treats Chen Shi so well and has him as his own unit. It's time for Chen Shi to repay his debt of gratitude!
Zhuge Liang said nothing, just looked straight at Chen Shi and gave a slight nod.
Throughout the government, both literary and martial officials have their respective places, and taking the rear guard is the duty of the martial officers. So, from this point of view, Chen Shi is simply doing his job.
But from a personal perspective, Chen Shi has long followed Zhuge Liang's side. With their mutual understanding, words are not necessary; one look is enough to understand each other's thoughts.
As one command after another was conveyed, the small city of Wu Xing became abuzz with activity.
Even at night, hearing the words "northward retreat," everyone's enthusiasm was aroused.
Withdrawal? Fleeing!
Who wouldn't be eager to flee for their lives?
Halfway through the night, it was time for the Yin hour.
Just a quarter of an hour ago, Chen Shi led two thousand elite soldiers out of the southern gate, roughly maintaining a formation under the moonlight.
"Set fire!"
With a command from Chen Shi, the two thousand soldiers lit their torches one by one. Leaning on the wall and the mountain, Chen Shi set up a formation.
At the same time, the remaining civilian and military officials in the city all surged out of the southern gate, rushing towards the southern road.
Zhuge Liang led the officials and a thousand elite soldiers in front, while Wu Yi and the other generals led the remaining troops in the middle, marching southward without a moment's pause.
…
"What? The Shu army is moving?"
Zhang He was awakened from his sleep by Chen Ping, and looked at the officer in front of him: "How did the Shu army move? Quickly report the military situation!"
Chen Ping bowed and replied, "The Shu army has just surged out from the southern city gate, and it seems that a large part of them are forming a line south of the gate, as if to conceal the retreat of the Shu army!"
"When did the Shu army start moving?" Zhang He asked again.
"It was half an hour ago," Chen Ping replied.
Zhang He got up while putting on his robe, and Chen Ping, seeing this, kindly helped him put on his armor.
Zhang He didn't say a word, but Chen Ping knew that Zhang He was considering military strategy. At this time, he dared not disturb him.
"South Gate... Chen Tai's troops are the closest! Have Chen Tai's troops advance first!"
Zhang He looked at Chen Ping: "Order Chen Tai to advance first, and then I will lead Xiahou Yu to support him! Go quickly!"
"Yes, your order." Chen Ping followed the orders and ran out of the tent, personally mounted his horse and galloped towards Chen Tai's camp.
That's correct, Chen Tai is still an assistant general of 2000 tons.
Not long after his ascension to the throne, Cao Rui sent Chen Qun to Jingzhou and also dispatched Chen Tai, who was a military governor of the central army, to follow his father south.
In less than two years, Xiahou Xian, who was once on par with Chen Tai at the emperor's side, had become the commander of a division of 10,000 troops, while Chen Tai was still only a military governor with command of 2,000 troops.
Firstly, Chen Tai did not participate in the large-scale awarding after the war in Yanling, and due to Chen Qun's defeat along that route, he remained a general of the military.
Secondly, when Cao Rui set out from Luoyang and ordered Chen Qun to mobilize troops from Chang'an, Chen Qun finally recommended Chen Tai as an assistant general.
From a military governor to an assistant general, and then to a colonel, all within two years is not slow at all. However, Chen Tai followed Xiahou Ju to Chang'an and then to Chiling, and he has yet to achieve a single victory!
The fate of a person depends not only on his origins but also on a large degree of luck.
Chen Tai was not afraid of war and even felt somewhat eager to try his hand as the vanguard.
However, reality soon brought him a bucket of cold water.
Just as Chen Tai gathered his troops and quickly formed a line just an arrow's length away from the Shu troops, a sharp piercing sound came from the night sky.
In his haste, Chen Tai ordered his personal guards to hold up their shields, but an arrow shot through the gap in the shield and landed directly on his helmet.
After a clear clanging sound, Chen Tai leaned back in his body and steadied himself just in time.
Chen Tai was stunned for a moment, first touching his helmet, then covering his face with both hands and taking a moment to calm down. It seemed that he had not yet recovered.
"General! How are you?" The guard beside him also showed an unbelievable expression.
"Is my head still there?" Chen Tai, with a dazed look in his eyes, turned to look at the guard.
"Of course it is! Otherwise, how could the general talk to his subordinate?" The guard showed an expression of helplessness: "Please give the order, General! Although the enemy's arrows are not accurate at night, we should still be prepared for some."
Chen Tai recovered from his daze, but he didn't know whether to be angry at the Shu troops' arrows or the small probability of being shot in the helmet. He loudly shouted:
"General has ordered our entire army to advance. The Shu bandits are on the verge of destruction. How can we retreat?"
"Keep the formation unchanged, advance forward!"
After receiving the order, the guard quickly ordered someone to continue beating the drums for advancing.
After Chen Tai gave the order to advance, he also advanced with the troops without retreat. However, this was not out of the courage of a general, but rather a judgment based on advantages and disadvantages.
It's not for nothing. As the son of the Marshal General Chen Qun and coming from such a noble family, Chen Tai could not afford the reputation of being timid and hesitant.
Scholars are known by their reputation!
But after returning home, I will definitely ask my father to request an imperial favor from the emperor and transfer me from a military official to a civil one!
Whether it's at the Secretariat in Luoyang or being posted to a state or county as an official, it's all fine with me, I don't have any preferences!
He definitely doesn't want to experience this kind of thing again in his lifetime at night when advancing and being shot in the helmet.
With Chen Tai's entire army pressing forward, Xiahou Ju quickly gathered eight thousand infantrymen. On one hand, he was in a hurry to support Chen Tai, and on the other hand, he advanced to occupy Wuxing City.
Night battles are not easy for either the attacking or defending sides. Although torches can be lit, it is still quite difficult. This is reflected in the actual battle, which is slow in pace.
After holding out for more than half an hour, Chen Shi saw that all the Han troops except himself had already retreated. Taking advantage of the interval between Weiyang's two waves of attacks, he ordered his remaining troops to retreat as well.
The retreating party, of course, had no reserves and could exert all their strength in escaping at night.
It's just holding torches and throwing away armor, running wild, and the pursuing side has to consider more things.
For example, whether the establishment can be completely maintained during nighttime pursuit and whether there will be traps and so on.
With twenty thousand Weiyang troops, only ten thousand were mobilized to confront the enemy according to Zhang He's military order. The remaining ten thousand were also woken up, but they were stationed to guard the camp and not allowed to move lightly, ready to provide support in case of emergencies.
"Zhang Gong, the Shu army has already withdrawn. What should we do at the moment?" Guo Hu stands next to Zhang He and asks.
"What do you think, Guo Hu?"
"No pursuit, occupying Wuxing is enough!" Guo Hu said decisively, "If the Shu army retreats to the south, they must be heading towards the Yang'an Pass to the south."
"Before we launch our attack, His Majesty, the Generalissimo, Zhang He, Xiahou Ju and all of our subordinates must make it clear that we aim for real benefits rather than seeking glory!"
Guo Hu's eyes were bright, and the light from the torches in his pupils grew brighter: "We have already learned that Wei Yan is heading south during our pursuit of the Shu army a few days ago. If there are Shu troops waiting in ambush at Yang'an Pass, how should we deal with them?"
"Such a small defeated force, how can we chase them at night?" Guo Hu shook his head repeatedly: "It's really not possible."
Zhang He asked in a low voice, "Then should we go to Hanzhong?"
"Right!" Guo Hu nodded: "We should go to Hanzhong!"(The end of this chapter)
