Chapter 621: Objective: The Eight Stockades

On the first day of the sixth month of the seventh year of Qianyou of the Great Han, Emperor Liu Chengyou formally issued an edict, appointing Xiang Xun as Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Field Headquarters, Wang Jing as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and the Imperial Son-in-law, former Military Governor of Yongxing Army Song Yanwo, as Army Supervisor, to lead the army in the campaign against Shu, attacking Qinfeng.

Under the Southwest Field Headquarters, in addition to the original thirty thousand Guanzhong troops that had been reorganized, the Bureau of Military Affairs also drew one full command of troops each from the Xingjie, Wujie, Longqi, and Inner Palace Guard armies of the two capitals to march west, totaling fifty thousand troops—a solid fifty thousand troops. Because the campaign against Shu involved mostly mountain warfare, no additional cavalry was dispatched.

In the Guanzhong region, the Prince of Yong and the newly appointed Administration Commissioner Hu Yanke mobilized civilian labor and coordinated military supplies to support the front lines. The transport and supply of military baggage at the front was placed entirely under the responsibility of Fiscal Commissioner Yan Jinqing and Grain Commissioner Zhang Mei.

At Dasan Pass, the main force for the campaign against Shu had already assembled. Before the pass, camp fortifications stood dense, banners clustered thick, their presence startling even the birds in flight. It was high summer, the weather scorching, and here among the Qinling Mountains of Longshang, it was even more so.

The Han army assembled at San Pass numbered approximately fifty thousand; aside from auxiliary troops and civilian laborers, the elite fighting men numbered over thirty thousand. From the time the edict to dispatch troops was received, the Han army had been assembled here for over ten days. Commander Xiang's only order was: strictly maintain military discipline, camp and rest—no other movements whatsoever.

"We've been west for over a month now, and it's been over ten days since His Majesty issued the edict to dispatch troops! Commander Xiang hasn't made a single move, hasn't even convened the tent to discuss the march—I wonder what he's waiting for!" Entering the military tent, Han Chongyun removed his helmet and, looking at Shi Shouxin studying a map behind the table, grumbled.

Thanks to the Son of Heaven's attention and promotion, Shi Shouxin was now Chief Commander of the Left Division of the Inner Palace Guard, and this time had been ordered to lead his men west to participate in the campaign against Shu. Han Chongyun, meanwhile, had been transferred to the Inner Palace Guard on merit, serving as Left Wing Commander of the Left Division, under Shi Shouxin's command.

Looking up and seeing Han Chongyun drenched in sweat, Shi Shouxin reached for the jug and bowl, poured a bowl of clean water, stood up and handed it to him, asking: "How did the inspection go?"

Han Chongyun took it, drank several hearty gulps, wiped his mouth, and looked at Shi Shouxin, replying: "You, General Shi, run a strict army—whoever dares touch military law stays obediently in camp. It's just that the weather is getting hotter and hotter, too hard to bear; the soldiers can't help but grow restless!"

"Restless or not, they must endure. We came out to fight; facing the enemy, the rules must be even stricter than in the Eastern Capital!" Shi Shouxin admonished.

"The enemy is at Qinling Stockade, the enemy is at Weiwu City—what use is it to stay at San Pass..." Han Chongyun muttered: "We've been camped here a long time; the edge and morale of the troops are being worn down. This was supposed to be an assault on strongholds—are we meant to wait until the Shu army has fully prepared its defenses before attacking?"

"Commander Xiang and the others prepared for two years at Fengxiang, garrisoning farmland and sharpening their troops—they waited it out. We've only been here a month or so; can't we hold out?" Shi Shouxin smiled slightly.

Han Chongyun poured himself another bowl of water and replied with a smile: "I understand the reasoning, it's just this climate that's vexing me!"

"You've seen it too—scorching summer heat. The Art of War says: when marching, drive through hunger and thirst, strive for the distant objective! This is probably also the reason Commander Xiang is holding the army in place without advancing!" Shi Shouxin said.

"At this rate, the Commander won't drag it out until autumn, will he!" Han Chongyun said.

"It shouldn't come to that. Hot as the weather is, what the Commander is more concerned about is likely the Shu army's movements and defensive arrangements!" Shi Shouxin said confidently.

As the two generals conversed, a communications soldier from the central army arrived to deliver an order: "The Commander is convening the tent—all generals are to enter the pass for a council!"

Within the pass city, in the great hall, dozens of Han army officers gathered in full attendance, some seated, some standing, orderly and solemn in atmosphere. Besides Xiang Xun, there was also Wang Jing, who had come specially from Longzhou to attend the military council, and Army Supervisor Song Yanwo, seated and listening in.

Below them were Wang Quanbin, Gao Huaide, Wang Renshan, Li Yan, Shi Shouxin, Han Chongyun, Ma Renyu... truly a constellation of brilliant generals.

"Generals, you've grown rather impatient over these past days, haven't you!" Xiang Xun said with a calm expression, sweeping his gaze around.

"Commander, the soldiers came bearing arms and armor to kill the enemy, win merit, and recover our territory. The army has been camped here, the summer sun blazing, the heat unbearable!" Ma Renyu, young and hot-blooded, said to Xiang Xun.

Ma Renyu had been sent by Liu Chengyou to Fengxiang for quite some time now, and Xiang Xun thought highly of this burly, fierce, and hard-line young officer.

Hearing his words now, he smiled slightly: "That the soldiers have a heart for battle is worthy of praise."

Then his expression tightened, and Xiang Xun said sternly: "But to win merit and establish achievements, to expand territory, relies on the blades in your hands, not on words. This time, having received the edict to campaign against Shu, His Majesty has entrusted this army to me. I feel the weight of responsibility deeply, and it is precisely now that we need the soldiers to be of one heart and one mind, to lend their strength together. When the time comes to devote ourselves to death in service, I only hope that all generals will advance with full vigor and spare no effort!"

"Yes!"

After the assembled generals acknowledged the order, Xiang Xun spoke steadily: "This convening of the tent is precisely to discuss the matter of the advance!"

At these words, the Han generals perked up. However, Xiang Xun first looked at Wang Jing and said: "Lord Wang has come from Longzhou—please first speak on the military situation in the Qinzhou direction!"

Wang Jing was a famous general; in his armor, he naturally carried an air of heroism. Though past sixty, his style was in no way sluggish. Hearing the question, he said directly: "Originally, the false Shu's Xiongwu Military Governor Han Baozhen, though hardly a paragon of generalship, had after all managed the border for many years, was well-versed in military affairs, and had garrisoned Qinzhou for years, so he was still fairly familiar with military matters. However, the Shu sovereign, for unknown reasons, temporarily replaced him with a man named Zhao Jizha as the chief commander of Qinzhou.

I sent people to investigate—this man has grand ambitions but meager talent, possessing only an empty reputation, capable only of wild talk to deceive others. Hearing that our court had issued the edict to strike, he is now gathering troops and cowering within the two cities of Chengji and Longcheng."

Wang Jing looked at Xiang Xun and said confidently: "This cowardly fellow is not worth worrying about. I will lead my army in and can subdue him, without troubling Commander Xiang's operations in Fengzhou. As for the Shu army at Tianshui, I will find an opportunity to take it myself!"

"Lord Wang is a true famous general—with you at Longzhou, you can fully secure my flank and rear!" Xiang Xun clasped his hands toward Wang Jing: "The Shu army at Longzhou is entrusted to you, Lord Wang!"

"Order received!" Wang Jing met Xiang Xun's solemn gaze and replied calmly, neither presuming on his seniority nor putting on airs.

Turning around, Xiang Xun instructed Murong Chengtai, who served as his Army Adjutant, to explain the situation of the Shu army in Fengzhou once more.

Being able to give a report and explanation at such a military council excited Murong Chengtai visibly. Pointing at the map with great vigor, he said: "Based on what the scout cavalry and spies have observed, after our court assembled its troops, the Shu army moved accordingly. Over twenty thousand Shu troops from Hanzhong and the Cheng and Jie regions marched north to reinforce Fengzhou.

At present, within Fengzhou's borders, the various Shu forces total approximately fifty thousand, stationed separately at Guzhen, Liangquan, the small city of Weiwu, and the mountain stockades along the San Pass road. When Shu Commissioner of Military Affairs Wang Zhaoyuan inspected the border last year, he ordered the Shu army to build eight stockades including Huangniu along the mountain road to block our advance. Shu commander-in-chief Li Tinggui has already added three thousand troops to garrison them!"

With that, Murong Chengtai withdrew. It was Xiang Xun's turn, and he said in a loud voice: "As far as Fengzhou is concerned, the Shu army's strength is not weak. The forces led by Li Tinggui, Gao Yandui, and others are half composed of the Meng Shu imperial army, and they outnumber our forces. Moreover, they hold fortresses and command the strategic passes. In terms of equipment and training, the fighting power of our Great Han soldiers is enough to look down on the Shu army, but we must not despise them for that!"

"We respectfully heed the Commander's instruction!"

Walking to the map, Xiang Xun pointed at the area around the former East River Village and said: "The Shu army built eight stockades in the vicinity, intending to block us outside Fengzhou's borders. But these eight stockades are incompatible with the Shu army's overall defensive layout—they protrude too far forward. The eight stockades are defended by over ten thousand men, yet their terrain is not as perilous as Qingni or the main road; the long ancient road has instead become an obstacle to Shu's own communications.

My proposal is that in this campaign against Shu, our army's first objective is to seize the Huangniu Eight Stockades!"

As Xiang Xun finished speaking, Gao Huaide, who had personally led five thousand Longqi Army troops west this time, immediately requested: "Commander, I am willing to lead the Longqi Army to seize the Shu stockades!"

Gao Huaide carried an air of martial valor, determination written on his face. He was eager to win merit this time; since Gao Xingzhou's death, the Gao family's prestige had slipped somewhat, and the burden of the Gao clan had fallen upon his shoulders.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Quanbin followed up: "The Xingjie Army is also willing to strike—we will surely seize the Shu stockades!"

Seeing that more generals behind the two wanted to volunteer, Xiang Xun immediately raised his hand to stop the eager crowd. Looking at Gao Huaide and Wang Quanbin, Xiang Xun said: "The imperial army from the Eastern Capital has come from afar and cannot quickly familiarize itself with the terrain and climate. This time it is also a mountain assault, which is not their forte—better to leave it to the southwestern border troops!"

Gao Huaide replied calmly: "The lads of the imperial army are all elite; taking cities and stockades, they sweep all before them—how could they fear a few mere mountain ridges."

"General, be at ease. The Shu army within Fengzhou numbers a full fifty thousand; the imperial army will have its time to win merit. This time, let the border troops open the road for our main army!" Toward Gao Huaide, Xiang Xun used gentle persuasion rather than forcing the issue with military orders.

Gao Huaide was not one to miss the hint—Xiang Xun's words clearly indicated the decision was already made, so he did not press further. Seeing this, Wang Quanbin likewise said no more.

Seeing this, Xiang Xun breathed a slight sigh of relief—the distinction between inner and outer was hard to eliminate. Taking a deep breath, Xiang Xun immediately issued the order: "Wang Renshan, Li Yan—I order you two to each lead your own troops to attack the Shu stockades. Before autumn arrives, open the passage south for the main army!"