Chapter 404: Han Xiao

He paused, then said to Wang Ben: "Wang Zhenshou, you shall immediately, in the name of the Zhenshou Office, issue a public notice to ensure the people's safety."

First, publicly inform the whole realm that the Beijiang King has dispatched Vice General Han Xiao with twenty thousand elite troops to rush to Hanzhong, arriving soon, to secure the territory and the people, and to repel Xiliang to steady the populace.

Second, declare that from today onward, the entire Hanzhong region will be under military administration, the curfew advanced, and all road checkpoints will strictly inspect travelers, especially the minor paths leading north to the passes of the Qinling.

Third, summon all the prominent gentry, wealthy households, and powerful clan leaders within the city and its surroundings to the Zhenshou Office tomorrow morning for a council.

"A council?" Wang Ben felt puzzled.

"Yes, a council."

Han Xiao gave a mysterious smile, "Discussing the protection of the realm and the provision of aid. In a national crisis, every man bears responsibility; Hanzhong's wealth surely includes loyal and righteous men.

This is a perfect chance to see who truly supports my Beijiang and who… harbors ulterior motives."

Wang Ben suddenly understood, silently praising Han Xiao's seasoned tactics.

He intends to use the council as a pretext to carry out identification and intimidation.

Those with hidden agendas will likely not dare to come, or if they do, their tracks will be exposed.

"What about the Xiliang roaming cavalry…" Wang Ben was still somewhat worried.

"The Xiliang roaming cavalry can be dealt with in its own way."

Han Xiao pointed to several regions on the map where Xiliang roaming cavalry were active, "Don't they love ambushing supply convoys and harassing villages? We'll give them a bait."

He turned to the few commanders who had come with him: "Zhou Wu!"

"The junior general is here!" a young, fierce officer stepped forward.

"You shall lead a thousand light cavalry from your unit, bearing many flags. Tomorrow at dawn, with great fanfare, transport a batch of supplies disguised with sand and earth, departing from Nanzheng, marching north along the official road toward Baocheng.

Move at a slower pace, spread the formation, and appear to provide weak escort and lax defense."

Zhou Wu's eyes lit up: "General, you intend… to lure the snake out of its hole?"

"Exactly."

Han Xiao nodded, "Since the enemy is arrogant and, upon seeing our fresh reinforcements, may become impatient and want to give us a warning strike, your 'supply convoy' will be the perfect bait."

Then Han Xiao continued, "Li Gan!"

"The junior general is here!" another officer replied.

"You shall lead two thousand elite cavalry, carrying three days' dry rations, and slip out of the city tonight at midnight, to lie in ambush in the forests on both sides of Shimen Gorge north of Baocheng. That spot is a mandatory passage of the official road, with treacherous terrain.

If the Xiliang roaming cavalry attack Zhou Wu's supply convoy, they will inevitably overreach in pursuit or encircle; you will then break out with your troops and strike from both front and rear, must annihilate them, at least inflict heavy damage! Remember, do not take prisoners; bring their heads for merit!"

"Understood!" Li Gan clasped his fists, his eyes still yearning for promotion.

Han Xiao turned to Wang Ben, "Wang Zhenshou! Please assign guides familiar with the terrain north of Baocheng to Li Gan, and reinforce Baocheng's defenses against any contingency."

Wang Ben, seeing Han Xiao swiftly devise both internal and external plans, felt reassured, and promptly replied, "General Han, rest assured, I will arrange it at once!"

The next day, the plan proceeded as scheduled.

Zhou Wu's "supply convoy" leisurely exited the north gate of Nanzheng, wagon after wagon, flags fluttering, yet the escorting cavalry seemed lax, constantly sending out scout detachments that quickly returned, appearing nervous and amateurish.

This scene was soon spotted by the nearby Xiliang roaming cavalry scouts.

The news swiftly reached Fei Tingwu Yi's main camp north of Dingjun Mountain.

Commander Fei Tingwu Yi, still angry over yesterday's valley defeat, upon receiving the report fixed his gaze on the parchment map marking the Ming Army supply route, a flash of ferocity in his eyes.

A merit delivered to one's doorstep surely cannot be refused?!!

"General, be wary of deception. The Ming Army reinforcements have arrived; this convoy's sluggish march and lax guard may be a bait," a cautious Vice General warned.

"Bait?"

Fei Tingwu Yi sneered, "Even if it's bait, I'll swallow it!"

"Han Xiao? I've heard of him, former Vice General of the Zhenbei Army, a seasoned veteran! I've been wanting to meet him!"

He's new here, unfamiliar with the terrain—what tricks could he pull?

Issue orders to gather two thousand warriors and march out with me!

Devour this convoy so Han Xiao knows Hanzhong isn't his to command!

Also dispatch more cavalry to monitor the Nanzheng direction, guarding against any sortie to meet them!

Two thousand Xiliang cavalry immediately left the main camp, under Fei Tingwu Yi's personal lead, charging toward Shimen Gorge.

Familiar with the mountains, they quickly closed in on Zhou Wu's convoy.

"Enemy attack! Xiliang cavalry! Form a formation! Guard the supply wagons!"

Zhou Wu, panicked, shouted, hastily ordering his troops into a circular formation, encircling the wagons.

Fei Tingwu Yi, seeing this, grew even less suspicious, and launched a fierce assault.

The Xiliang cavalry circled the Ming Army's circle, continuously firing arrows while dispatching squads to cut and charge.

The battle seemed fierce, yet the Ming Army's circle held unusually stubbornly, its arrow counter‑fire disciplined, making the Xiliang troops struggle to break through.

"Damn, they're tough!"

Fei Tingwu Yi spat, about to pour in more troops for a final push.

Suddenly, dense hoofbeats came from the flank and rear!

From the forests on both sides of Shimen Gorge, countless Ming cavalry burst out! It was Li Gan's two thousand ambush troops!

Having conserved strength, they now surged straight at the Xiliang cavalry's flanks and rear!

Simultaneously, Zhou Wu's originally holding troops erupted, breaking the circle, cavalry howling out to strike from inside and outside!

"We've been tricked! An ambush! Retreat! Quickly retreat!"

Fei Tingwu Yi turned pale with shock, realizing the trap, and hurriedly ordered a retreat.

But the narrow gorge made turning the large force difficult, plunging it into chaos.

Ming cavalry, like wolves and tigers, singled out Xiliang officers and flag bearers, their arrows precise, sabers sharp.

A meticulously planned ambush, almost a one‑sided rout.

The Xiliang army dropped nearly a thousand corpses and countless warhorses; Fei Tingwu Yi himself was struck by an arrow in the shoulder, and under his personal guards' desperate protection, fled in disarray back to the main camp at Dingjun Mountain.

The Ming Army achieved a complete victory, seizing over a thousand warhorses and weapons.

Almost on the same day, the council within the Southern Zheng garrison also concluded satisfactorily.

The Han‑center strongmen and gentry who had been "invited" faced Han Xiao's unflinching scrutiny, Wang Ben's indirect probing, and the faint sounds of troop movements and drills outside the hall; most trembled, repeatedly pledging to "exhaust their family fortunes" and "recruit village laborers" to aid the Beijiang royal army in protecting the realm and its people.

Only the head of the Zhao family in the western city claimed old age and frailty, saying he could not attend in person, and sent only a steward, who stammered and was perfunctory in attitude.

Han Xiao did not erupt on the spot; instead, gave the steward a meaning‑laden glance and then announced the meeting's adjournment.

That night, Wang Hou's subordinates, cooperating with Wang Ben's confidant, under the pretext of "suspected collusion with the enemy, colluding with Xiliang, hoarding goods, and disrupting the market," suddenly surrounded the Zhao family manor.