Chapter 801: The Eastern Route Army

"How is Zhao Kuangyin progressing?" Liu Chengyou's gaze shifted eastward, settling on the eastern Sichuan region.

Just as the strategic planning had laid out, this campaign against Shu advanced on two routes—north and east—with the northern route as the main thrust and the eastern route as support. Compared to the northern front, where Shu forces were massed in strength with convenient supply of troops, grain, and equipment, the Shu army in eastern Sichuan was more than a notch weaker. However, the eastern route required a much longer march, and it was not without formidable passes. What could be called convenient was the Yangtze waterway—the transport of troops, provisions, and equipment was indeed far easier—but one still had to cross the perils of the Three Gorges.

As for the commander of the eastern route, Liu Chengyou chose Palace Command Chief Inspector Zhao Kuangyin, assisted by imperial army generals Liu Guangyi, Zhang Yongde, and Dang Jin, along with the Jingbei prefectural troops and the Jiangling naval forces.

Hearing the Emperor ask, Guo Rong said: "The eastern route set out somewhat later. According to the latest military reports, Zhao Kuangyin departed from Zigui on the eighteenth, leading a combined land and naval force of twenty thousand, exiting through Badong County and heading west toward Kuizhou. There is no new progress at present, but since the northern front has already achieved success, word of victory from the eastern route should not be far off!"

"Tell the assembled ministers about the Shu army's situation in eastern Sichuan!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

Li Chuyun took up the thread and introduced: "According to our intelligence, Shu has not stationed many troops in the eastern Sichuan region—in total, fewer than forty thousand—long unused to battle, with low fighting capability. In recent years, as Shu's territory has been unstable, these forces have been scattered across various places to suppress unrest and hold garrisons. At first, only a little over ten thousand men were stationed at Kuizhou. After our dynasty seized Jinghu, they added ten battalions, and counting local militia, still fewer than twenty thousand.

Kuizhou is the gateway to eastern Sichuan, straddling both banks of Wu Gorge. To advance westward, one must break through Kuizhou. The Shu army's defenses are mainly arrayed around Wushan and Fengjie, with Wushan as the anchor, relying on the peril of Wu Gorge, building stockades along the banks at Songmu, Sanhui, Wushan, and other points, with troops divided to hold them.

The Shu military governor of Kuizhou is Pang Fucheng, a former general under Meng Zhixiang, skilled in military strategy, long stationed at Fengjie, but past sixty years of age. Looking at the Shu army, it is all old generals—using a sixty-year-old elder to guard the gate shows Shu has no men of talent!

Therefore, your minister believes the eastern route should be free of worry!"

"Shu is not without men of talent—it is simply that since Meng Chang took charge of Chuanshu, he has cut down arrogant generals, removed old ministers, and promoted culture and education while vigorously suppressing military officers. This has made it hard for young talents in the army to be promoted and for brave warriors to spread their wings, leaving only these aging veterans to guard the passes and protect the land!" Zhao Pu seized the opportunity to offer his view.

"As for Pang Fucheng—he has no great reputation spread far and wide. Even if he has some military skill, he will hardly be a match for Zhao Kuangyin!" Murong Yanzhao evaluated: "Therefore, the eastern route's advance has but one battle—the battle of Kuizhou. If Kuizhou falls, the eastern army can drive straight in, sweeping all before it like a whirlwind; the prefectures and counties of the eastern Sichuan hinterland will surrender at the sight of our banners, and can be pacified by proclamation alone. Then, following the waterways straight to Chengdu—if the eastern route achieves a breakthrough, even if the northern route is stalled, the Meng Shu will still be unable to escape destruction!"

"If what you ministers say holds, can I sit securely in the Eastern Capital and await tidings of victory?" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly.

"Your Majesty has planned for years with ample preparation, knowing both yourself and the enemy. The imperial army's conquest of Shu is the tide of the times—how could it fail to triumph?" Fan Zhi replied.

"How has Chengdu reacted?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"The mountains are high and the roads long, with communications blocked—no news has yet reached the north, but one can expect them to be panicked and at a loss!" Zhao Pu said.

After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou said to Guo Rong: "Now that we have raised a great army to attack Shu, the court's focus is concentrated on the southwest, but the other borders must not be neglected. Order the garrison troops to heighten their vigilance and not grow lax!"

"Yes!"

At Kuizhou, more than forty li east of Wushan County, on a somewhat constricted stretch of the Yangtze, a vast fleet lay at anchor, stretching over a dozen li, surging on the river's surface like a flood dragon.

On the main vessel, the banners of "Han" and "Zhao" flew high in the wind—this was the eastern route army under Zhao Kuangyin's command for the conquest of Shu. For this campaign, besides two hundred naval warships of various types, the Han army had requisitioned over seven hundred large and small vessels to transport troops, grain, and military equipment. Throughout the three prefectures of Jingnan, fishermen and boatmen skilled in handling oars had all been conscripted to accompany the army.

It was late July; autumn winds stirred the waves, and on both banks the green mountains rose in layered ridges, dim and indistinct, with falling leaves drifting eastward with the current. Five li ahead of the main force, a fierce naval battle was underway.

Zhao Kuangyin had led his troops out from Zigui, advancing steadily, and in over two days had already entered Kuizhou's territory. Hearing of the Han army's arrival, the Kuizhou navy was ordered to sally forth. Zhao Kuangyin dispatched Jiangling Navy Chief Commander Zhang Yanqing to lead two thousand naval troops forward to attack, opening the first battle of the westward advance.

The terrain of Wu Gorge was in fact not conducive to large-scale maneuvering of naval forces, so the engagement between the two sides quickly devolved into boarding and close combat. Precipitous cliffs flanked the river, and the cries of battle echoed across the water. Over two hundred warships from both sides became interwoven, with several thousand naval troops locked in bloody struggle—the fighting lasted nearly two hours before it began to subside.

The Shu forces had more men and ships, and in the early stage of the engagement they managed to hold their ground for a while, but as time wore on, they began to be pressed down by the Han army. The Jiangling navy, built on the foundation of the former Jingnan navy, had been pruned and reorganized, supplemented with sturdy recruits, and subjected to long, proper drilling—most of its soldiers had real combat experience in naval warfare.

By comparison, the Shu navy, like its land forces, had seen little battle and was poorly trained. That it did not collapse outright upon first contact was thanks only to the cramped confines of Wu Gorge.

On the Han side, Zhang Yanqing lived up to Guo Rong's recommendation—his command of naval combat was outstanding. Personally directing at the front, his Han troops continuously boarded enemy vessels, driving off and killing Shu soldiers. The Han ships rammed forward, seeking gaps to exploit, fighting in small-scale engagements with swift strikes. In two hours, they had already seized over twenty Shu vessels and killed or wounded over a thousand Shu troops.

Arrows flew crosswise, blades clashed, blood stained the clear river water red, and several burning ships belched black smoke, flickering with flames as they gradually sank...

In the prime of his years, with a grave expression, he stood beneath the general's banner, surrounded by several shield-bearing soldiers, watching the battle ahead. Beneath his feet was a captured Shu covered assault vessel, and beside him several signalmen stood ready to wave flags at his command.

"The Shu army's defeat is certain!" His cold, sharp gaze swept over the carnage ahead, a flicker of emotion crossing his stern face as joy appeared. He called out loudly: "Pass the order—the front units continue to intensify the attack and utterly rout this Shu force; the middle units provide cover and support; the rear units mop up and take prisoners!"

"Yes!" The signal flags beside him rapidly repeated the motions.

"Though this terrain makes it hard to deploy formations and unfavorable for encirclement and annihilation, the Shu army won't find it easy to withdraw either! Congratulations, General—this battle should be a great victory!" Beside Zhang Yanqing, a naval Commander said with a beaming smile.

Seeing victory was all but secured, Zhang Yanqing relaxed somewhat and said lightly: "Kuizhou's navy numbers fewer than four thousand—this time they must have sent everything. Perfect—we'll annihilate them in one stroke. With no navy to rely on, we can calmly blockade both banks and root out the stockades along the shore! Send someone to report the victory to Commander Zhao!"

"Yes!"

On the Han army's main vessel, standing on the flagship and hearing the sounds of battle drifting from ahead, Zhao Kuangyin's expression remained composed and calm, unmoved in the slightest. His tiger-like eyes faintly gleamed with sharp light, carrying an air of confident ambition.

Since the great Huainan campaign, Zhao Kuangyin had gone more than five years without leading troops onto the battlefield. Throughout those years, he had served as a senior general of the Palace Command, stationed at the Eastern Capital. Though he had twice been sent out on imperial inspection tours of the border—showing the Emperor's deep trust—his career had likewise entered a period of stability.

For Zhao Kuangyin, this was naturally unsatisfying. To break through the shackles, only military merit would do—only the battlefield itself, just as in the Huainan campaign years ago, when successive exploits had made his name rise.

Though Zhao Kuangyin had experience leading troops independently in the past, this was the first time he served as commander of an entire army, in charge of a full theater of operations.

From the moment he received the order to head south and take command, Zhao Kuangyin had resolved to build achievements and leave his mark on the Great Han's march to unify the realm. Even though he was still only just past thirty, he always felt a sense of "time waits for no one."

The fighting ahead was in full swing, but Zhao Kuangyin's attention seemed not to be on it. Instead, he observed the cliffs on both sides of the gorge and sighed softly: "The closer we get to Wu Gorge, the more precipitous this terrain becomes!"

"In the seven hundred li of the Three Gorges, mountains line both banks without a single gap; layered cliffs and stacked peaks hide the sky and block out the sun—unless at midnight or noon, one cannot see the moon or sun..."

As an old brother who had fought alongside Zhao Kuangyin in Huainan, Dang Jin was at his side at this moment. Hearing his murmuring, he asked curiously: "What are you reciting, Commander? Composing an essay?"

Seeing his boisterous manner, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but laugh: "I've often advised you to read more books, to gain understanding and wisdom. What I'm reading is from Li Daoyuan's *Commentary on the Water Classic, Notes on the Yangtze River*—it describes the geography and currents of the Three Gorges. Truly as it says—mountains linked in layers, blotting out the sky and sun—this is indeed an obstacle to our advance. Not far ahead is Wu Gorge Mountain, the first barrier we must cross, and the most important one!"

Hearing this, Dang Jin subconsciously nodded and said: "Whatever the obstacle, with this great army here, we'll just trample it flat!"

"Brother Dang's bold spirit and courage remain unchanged!" Zhao Kuangyin smiled, greatly appreciating Dang Jin's vigor.

"These years, I've been stuck in the army—when not training, it's standing watch duty. It's been too stifling. This time the Commander brought me along—I'm determined to kill enemies and win merit to repay you!" Dang Jin said.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was pleased inwardly, but still shook his head: "What you said is wrong! Killing enemies and winning merit is for the Great Han, for His Majesty—not for me!"

Seeing his rebuke, Dang Jin grinned: "Yes!"

"The sounds of battle ahead are fading!" Dang Jin pointed forward to remind him.

Zhao Kuangyin listened intently—indeed, the once clamorous cries of battle were now barely audible. He said calmly: "It seems Zhang Yanqing has achieved his merit!"