Ji Han Liu Zhang

Taiyuan County, Jiexiu City.

The road from Taiyuan County to Hedong County runs from north to south, starting from Jiexiu and ending at Yong'an. Its name is Guanjuejin, which is the Queshu Valley in later generations.

At that time, King Qin Liu Zhang led the troops from Guanzhong to march into Taiyuan, and Bingzhou Governor Gao Gan defended the city of Yong'an.

Logically speaking, before Yong'an City was captured by Liu Zhang, Jiexiu City was as solid as Mount Tai. After all, the troops from Guanzhong could not cross Yong'an to attack Jiexiu.

However, even when Gao Gan was defending Yong'an with full confidence, Jiexiu City was captured by Zhang Ren, a general under Liu Zhang.

Gao Gan, who was stationed in Yong'an City, was in disbelief when he first heard the news that Jiexiu had fallen. However, after sending out scouts for reconnaissance many times, he was convinced that Jiexiu had fallen.

The fall of Jiexiu meant, firstly, that Gao Gan's retreat route to Taiyuan County was cut off; secondly, it meant that the current situation in Taiyuan County was not very good, otherwise how could Zhang Ren have captured Jiexiu City.

What puzzled Gao Gan was that he had not received any news about the Guanzhong troops sneaking across Guanjuejin. He was stationed in Yong'an, the southern entrance of Guanjuejin. Every move of the Guanzhong troops was under his nose, so it was unlikely that they could hide it from him.

However, without any abnormality, Jiexiu City fell, which was beyond the expectations of the senior officials.

Which step went wrong?
Gao Gan thought about it and suddenly realized that the Guanzhong troops who captured Jiexiu did not come from south to north, but mostly from north to south.

The troops from Guanzhong went north from Guanzhong, passed Shangjun and Yunzhong, then turned east, passed Yanmen and Yunzhong, and then turned south, and arrived at Taiyuan County and appeared behind him.

"What a good plan." Gao Gan took a breath of cold air. This road is not easy to travel. There are many barbarians and savages on the road. The road is long and the pressure on logistics is also very high. If you are not careful, you will end up in an irreparable situation.

According to historical records, King Wuling of Zhao had a similar strategy. In order to avoid the dangers of Hangu Pass, King Wuling of Zhao intended to take a detour southward from Henan and head straight to the heart of Guanzhong. However, due to the Shaqiu Incident in Zhao State, King Wuling of Zhao's strategy did not have the opportunity to be implemented.

This was a risky move with a very small chance of success, but King Qin Liu Zhang was very bold and actually used it.

Yong'an City cannot be defended. Gao Gan had an idea, a decisive idea.

Now that Jiexiu has been lost, it would be extremely difficult to take it back. Besides, it is impossible for him to withdraw troops to the north to retake Jiexiu, because if troops are withdrawn to the north, the defense of Yong'an City will be weakened.

Now he could neither fight nor defend. Gao Gan, who had no intention of surrendering to Liu Zhang, made a quick decision. He planned to evacuate Yong'an City and lead his troops eastward to Shangdang County.

Taiyuan County was lost, but Shangdang County must not be lost. Once Shangdang was lost, the entire Jizhou would be within the attack range of the Guanzhong troops under the Qin King Liu Zhang. Moreover, since Shangdang Highlands were in hand, whether to fight or make peace would depend entirely on the personal wishes of Qin King Liu Zhang.

In order to avoid being pursued by the troops from Guanzhong, Gao Gan decided to withdraw his troops at night.

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Magpies flew south, and the fields were illuminated by the moonlight, with a clear and bright state.

Taking advantage of the bright moonlight, the east gate of Yong'an City was quietly opened at night, and a group of people and horses galloped away towards Shangdang County.

Day two.

When the Xiongnu Chanyu Huhuquan, who was stationed outside the city, sent people to Yong'an City to exchange information with Gao Gan, the messenger brought back bad news. Gao Gan was missing, and the elite soldiers of Yong'an City were nowhere to be found, leaving only some old and weak people.

Huochuquan was shocked when he heard this. He asked the messenger, "Have you questioned the old and weak people in the city? Why did Gao Gan not defend Yong'an well, but abandoned this city and left?"

Huochequan's tone was tense and filled with panic. Gao Gan led his troops away and abandoned Yong'an City. This was not a good signal but a terrible sign.

Woe is me!!!
The messenger replied respectfully, "Great Chanyu, I have interrogated Gao Gan and learned that he fled from the east gate last night with his troops. As for the reason, it seems that something happened in Jiexiu City."

"Jiexiu?" Huchuquan was confused. He knew Jiexiu City, which was the northern entrance of Guanjuejin. At the invitation of a senior official, he went south from Taiyuan County and passed through Jiexiu City on the way.

Jiexiu City is the city behind Yong'an City. If nothing happened in Yong'an, how could anything happen in Jiexiu City? Huochuquan looked confused, with a big question mark on his little head.

The messenger spoke up and resolved Huchuquan's doubts: "Report to the Great Chanyu, it is said that the troops from Guanzhong sneaked across the river from somewhere unknown, and actually sneaked up behind us and captured Jiexiu City."

"Ah!" Huo Chuquan exclaimed in surprise, his eyes widened and his mouth opened wide.

He camped outside the city and scattered his Hu cavalry scouts in all directions. He knew the situation in Yong'an City and its vicinity very clearly. There was no way the people from Guanzhong could sneak across Guanjuejin under his nose and attack Jiexiu City behind them.

Huochuquan didn't have time to think about it and come up with a reasonable reason, but he heard the rumbling sound of war drums coming from afar. It seemed that the people in Guanzhong knew about the changes in Yong'an City. The army came out in full force and was about to capture Yong'an City.

"Tell all the captains to pack their luggage quickly." Huochuquan gave an order. Now that Gao Gan had abandoned Yong'an City, he would leave as well. He would not stay here to help Gao Gan to stop the troops from Guanzhong. He did not have that kind of loyalty.

Moreover, Gao Gan left without saying goodbye and ran away secretly. Huochequan guessed that Gao Gan probably used him as cannon fodder and meat shield to delay the pursuit of Guanzhong troops. He was not a fool and would not do such an unwise move.

"Retreat, retreat." Huochuquan shouted loudly.

The camp set up by the Huns was simple and did not have much baggage, so the Huns gathered together in a short time. Under the leadership of the Great Khan Huochuquan, they quickly headed north, intending to return to Taiyuan County.

Some said that when the troops from Guanzhong occupied Jiexiu, Huchuquan's route back to the north was blocked, and he might have been killed by the troops from Guanzhong on the way.

But since the road was blocked, Huochuquan decided to return to Taiyuan in the north.

There was no other reason. The old and weak Huns were all in Taiyuan. If they did not go north to reunite with their families, the Huns' cavalry under his command would overthrow him, the Great Khan.

Gao Gan fled to Shangdang, and Hu Chuquan went north.

Yong'an City was captured by the troops from Guanzhong, and more than 30,000 troops from Guanzhong stationed in Yong'an City.

The next day.

The Guanzhong troops stationed in Yong'an City separated a team and, under the command of Wen Pin, marched north as a vanguard to join Zhang Ren's surprise attack force.

Yong'an is only a few dozen miles away from Jiexiu. Normally, such a short distance can be covered in one day under a forced march. However, the road to Guanjuejin is rugged and difficult to travel. Moreover, Wen Pin is a Chu person and is not familiar with this place. Therefore, Wen Pin spent one day and night and arrived in Jiexiu the next day. Jiexiu City.

"Zhongye." Zhang Ren came out from Jiexiu City to welcome Wen Pin's arrival.

Wen Pin did not dare to be overbearing to Zhang Ren, an old man under Liu Zhang. He dismounted and saluted, saying, "Brother Gongyi."

After a salute, Wen Pin looked delighted and congratulated him: "Brother Gongyi's surprise attack on Taiyuan and capture of Jiexiu cut off Gao Gan's retreat and forced him to abandon Yong'an City. This should be the first-class merit."

Zhang Ren's face was calm, and he did not show any pride due to Wen Pin's congratulations. He just replied calmly, "The reason why I succeeded is because of Mr. Wenhe's plan and your decision. I was just an executioner, which cannot be regarded as a great achievement, let alone a first-class one."

"Brother Gongyi is too modest." Wen Pin admired Zhang Ren from the bottom of his heart. Zhang Ren was a calm person who did not like to compete for credit. In terms of character and morality, he was the best under Liu Zhang.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Ren welcomed Wen Pin into Jiexiu City and explained to him the current situation in Taiyuan County in the county temple.

"Qubei, the Right Wise King of the Xiongnu, led his troops to Henei to assist Gao Lan. He is not in Taiyuan. Now that Guanjuejin has been captured by our army, Qubei cannot return to Taiyuan County and will most likely go to Shangdang County."

"After escaping from Yong'an City, the Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan went straight to Pingtao and joined his tribe. Until now, he has shown no intention of surrendering and has not sent any envoys. We must eliminate him."

"Except for the two Xiongnu tribes, most of the county magistrates and county heads of Taiyuan County are willing to abandon the dark and join the light. They have submitted letters of surrender and are willing to serve the king. There is no need to worry about them."

In just a few words, Zhang Ren pointed out the situation in Taiyuan County and indicated the target that needed to be suppressed - the troops of the Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan. As for the other submissive troops, they were not on the list to be suppressed.

"Huchuquan." Wen Pin muttered the name of the Xiongnu Khan.

As a person who has read history books and is also a military general, Wen Pin admires Wei Qing and Huo Qubing the most. These two first-class generals made great contributions to the country in the war with the Huns, and their achievements were recorded in history.

Among them, Huo Qubing secured the highest honor for a military general - Fenglangjuxu. Wen Pin was very much yearning for it and dreamed about it, but he just couldn't get it.

But now, the opportunity is in front of Wen Pin. Although he cannot conquer the Wolf's Lair, capturing and killing the Chanyu is also a first-class feat and a first-class honor.

That night, Zhang Ren and Wen Pin agreed to send an envoy to inform Liu Zhang while at the same time immediately dispatching troops to attack Zhongtao in order to kill the Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan and get rid of the fishy smell of Taiyuan County.

Come to Japan.

Although Liu Zhang's reply had not yet arrived, Zhang Ren, who had the power of temporary governor, issued the order to set out first.

Zhang Ren and Wen Pin each led 2,500 soldiers and horses, a total of 5,000 people, and marched northward towards Zhongtao County. They heard flags fluttering and drums beating to urge the troops to march.

Over here in Zhongtao County, Huchuquan, the Xiongnu Khan who had fled back from Yong'an City, was still thinking about his life and preparing to make a decision on the direction of his life.

Since the Xiongnu moved inland, relying on the wealthy inner counties, the Xiongnu population has grown. The increase in population means an increase in able-bodied men. With a prosperous population and strong soldiers and horses, Huochuquan became ambitious.

In order to gain more benefits for the tribe, Huochuquan participated in the struggle for hegemony among the heroes at the end of the Han Dynasty. He attached himself to Yuan Shao, the most powerful prince in the world.

It was also because Yuan Shao was benevolent in his administration and showed mercy to the barbarians that he won the favor and loyalty of Huochequan. Therefore, in the war between Guanzhong and Hebei, Huochequan stood firmly on the side of Hebei.

But now, Huchuquan began to doubt whether Yuan Shao could gain the world. Firstly, last year Yuan Shao sent troops to Hedong and was blocked in Yubi City for several months. Secondly, in the Battle of Guandu this time, Wuchao was burned, and Yuan's army gradually led its troops back north.

Seeing that Yuan Shao's two large-scale battles had not produced any decent results, and that important places like Taiyuan County were likely to fall into the hands of Qin King Liu Zhang, allowing Qin King Liu Zhang to reap the benefits.

Yuan Shao, does he have the mandate of heaven?

"Report, the troops from Guanzhong are only ten miles away from Zhongtao." A scout who brought the news said in a loud voice.

"More than ten miles." Huochequan screamed. He had to make a decision, whether to surrender to Liu Zhang, or to abide by the moral principles and be a loyal subject of Yuan Shao.

In a short while, Huhuquan made a decision. He decided to pretend to be friendly with Liu Zhang in order to preserve Zhongtao County, the entire Southern Xiongnu tribe, and himself.

Huochuquan, who had prepared for surrender, did not intend to surrender to Liu Zhang. He intended to resist for a while and give Liu Zhang some pain. In this way, he could get more benefits from Liu Zhang when he surrendered, which was a manifestation of the value of united front.

Huochequan's abacus was pounding loudly, but he miscalculated one condition, which was the fighting capacity of the Guanzhong troops.

Huchuquan summoned his troops and marched out of the city to form a battle line. He intended to have a fight with Zhang Ren and Wen Pin's troops, so that the King of Qin Liu Zhang would know the fighting power of the Xiongnu and not underestimate them. Then he offered generous conditions to recruit them.

It would be best if it were the same as when they were under Yuan Shao's command. Huochequan looked at the people from Guanzhong who were rushing here and began to fantasize in his mind. First of all, they would have independent autonomy and would not be subject to the jurisdiction of county officials. Secondly, the annual rewards would not be less, at least not less than when they were under Yuan Shao's command. Finally, if they joined the army, they would have to present extremely generous gifts.

Just like that, Huochuquan smiled and said that as long as Liu Zhang agreed to these three points, he would change his flag, surrender to Liu Zhang, and no longer serve Yuan Shao.

However, although Huochequan had beautiful dreams, the reality was very different from what he imagined.

The troops led by Zhang Ren and Wen Pin who rushed to this place neither sent envoys to surrender nor said hello, but they personally charged into the battle line and killed towards the Huns' array.

Zhang Ren was wearing silver armor, holding his spear and riding his horse. The spear in his hand was flying like a dragon, and he rushed straight into the Xiongnu cavalry. There was no chance of a fight between them. Every time he stabbed with his spear, a cavalryman fell off his horse, which frightened the Xiongnu cavalry.

Wen Pin divided his men into five groups, each with 500 men. They were all armed with spears and were ready to thrust their spears. They gathered together and charged forward into the Xiongnu formation.

For a moment, the Huns' troops collapsed, like a dam broken by a flood, with the surging water rushing thousands of miles away, and nothing could be stopped.

When the Xiongnu Khan Huhuquan saw this scene, he was horrified and could not believe it. The fighting power of the Guanzhong troops was beyond his expectations.

"Run." Huchuquan did not have the will to fight to the end, and the Xiongnu people did not have the noble virtues of courtesy, righteousness, integrity and shame, so when Huchuquan saw that the situation was not good, he thought of escaping.

Unfortunately, Huchuquan, wearing a golden crown and fine armor, was spotted by Zhang Ren. (End of this chapter)