Han officials

Chapter 226 The formidable figure remains [12]

Desolate and lonely.

This is Wei Zhe's biggest feeling after leaving Lulongsai.

As the cold wind from beyond the Great Wall swept across the rolling wasteland, carrying sand and gravel, Wei Zhe felt a chill that penetrated to the bone.

However, Wei Zhe remained expressionless, continuing to rein in his horse and ride swiftly, only adjusting the burlap covering his mouth and nose.

Beneath the fluttering banners, the dark army formation resembled a moving torrent of steel. The clanging of armor against armor mingled with the snorting of warhorses, startling vultures circling on the distant sand dunes. The dust kicked up by the horses' hooves was quickly dissipated in the cold wind.

Since this expedition was primarily a surprise attack, Wei Zhe did not bring a single infantryman.

Even the supply trains were made entirely of pack horses and mules, essentially achieving full mechanization of the army.

Only Wei Zhe, who held Youzhou and Liaozhou, had the confidence to do so. Other warlords might have had the desire but not the resources.

Of course, even the most powerful warlords in the Guandong region couldn't muster 10,000 soldiers.

As dusk approached, the Han cavalry, which stretched like a long snake, finally came to a slow halt and set up camp.

On horseback, looking at the shadows of the distant mountains, Wei Zhe frowned and asked, "How much further?"

Upon hearing this, Tadun, who was squatting on the ground tasting the soil, immediately stepped forward like a loyal dog and said, "Reporting to the general, the White Wolf River is not far away. There is a pass a hundred miles to the north. Twenty miles to the southeast after passing the pass is a river valley plain. White Wolf Mountain is located here!"

Upon hearing this, the accompanying clerk immediately took out a sheepskin map, strode over to Wei Zhe's horse, and unfolded it.

Looking at the mountains and rivers on the map, Wei Zhe frowned, as if he was considering something.

It is said that the Bailang River mentioned by Tadun is not the Bailang River on the Shandong Peninsula, but refers to the Daling River in later times. The Qi State's northern expedition against the Shanrong, Cao Wei's conquest of the Wuhuan, the Former Yan's entry into the Central Plains, the Northern Qi's attack on the Khitan, and the Sui and Tang Dynasties' pacification of Goguryeo all used the Daling River Valley as the main route for military operations.

Ban Gu also recorded this in the Book of Han:

The Bailang River originates southeast of Bailang County in Youbeiping Commandery, flowing eastward as two separate rivers. The right river, also known as the Yu River, flows south of the border into the sea. The other river, the Bailang River, flows northeast out of the border and then southeast, reaching the boundary of Fang County in the former Liaodong Commandery, where it joins the Liao River.

The river is named Bailang River because it originates in Bailang County.

As for Bailang County, it was originally Baigengdu, established by the Yan State during the Warring States period. It was renamed Bailang County during the Former Han Dynasty and became one of the sixteen counties of Youbeiping Commandery. However, after the founding of this dynasty, Bailang County was annexed and became part of the Wuhuan territory, so Emperor Guangwu did not restore it.

Thus, Bailang City, the seat of Bailang County, became the winter camp of the Wuhuan people.

However, compared to the Daling River of later generations, the Daling River system today is more complex.

Because of its low altitude and the fragmented terrain caused by the Daling River and Xiaoling River, the Daling River system creates numerous ponds and tributaries, forming muddy beaches during the summer and autumn seasons.

However, because it is located at the junction of the Yanshan and Yiwulü Mountains, this valley has become a natural winter retreat.

In previous years, the Wuhuan tribe would graze along the banks of the Laoha River in the spring, move to the Qilaotu Mountain area in the summer, go to the area around Nuluerhu Mountain in the autumn, and return to Bailang Mountain in the winter.

After all, White Wolf City controls three sources: the southern and western sources of the Daling River and the upper reaches of the Shenjin River.

The key is that one city connects three roads: "Guangdu" to the south, "Liucheng" to the northeast, and "Pinggang" to the northwest.

It can be said that this city was the most important transportation and military stronghold in Youbeiping County after the "Lulong Road" crossed the border.

Unfortunately, this crucial location fell into the hands of the Wuhuan people during the Former Han Dynasty, which ironically benefited them.

To some extent, it was precisely because Qiuliju, the chieftain of the Wuhuan in western Liaoning, occupied this place that he was able to govern the Wuhuan of the three commanderies.

Although Wei Zhe was reluctant to blame Emperor Guangwu, many of the current hidden dangers of the Han Dynasty were indeed sown by him. Whether it was due to a Buddhist-like attitude or a sense of powerlessness, as the founding emperor, he certainly failed to recover lost territories.

After a long while, the sun began to set.

"Two hundred years!" Bathed in the glow of the sunset, Wei Zhe couldn't help but sigh, his hand on his sword. "The ancient lands of China have finally been restored!"

Zhao Yun and the others standing nearby were also deeply moved upon hearing this.

After all, the spirit of the Han people is not something that can be expressed by the mouths of scholars, but rather a backbone of iron and blood forged with swords!

……

The next day, evening.

After a long journey, the Wei army finally arrived at the river valley plain near Bailang Mountain.

Unlike the withered grasslands, the vegetation on Bailang Mountain is quite lush.

Even though it is currently the dead of winter in northern China, the forests on the foothills and slopes are still lush and verdant.

Red pines, spruces, junipers, birches, and other trees grow in a pleasing, staggered pattern in the mountains, adding a touch of green to this desolate winter.

In fact, the Wei army arrived at the pass around noon, but Wei Zhe forced them to rest.

After waiting for several hours, until it got dark and the wind changed direction, Wei Zhe finally led his troops out of the pass.

It must be admitted that Qiuliju was still somewhat vigilant. Even though the Wuhuan people had been living freely here for nearly a century, he still arranged a group of Hu cavalry to act as sentries at the pass.

But even the best defense can't withstand the presence of Tadun, the traitor within the organization.

Without Wei Zhe even having to lift a finger, Tadun led a squad of Wei scouts to eliminate the sentries.

It is said that ever since Tadun realized his own situation, he has been incredibly proactive.

Not only did he run around guiding the Han army, but he also proactively pointed out many things to be aware of.

Beneath the central army banner, Tadun, with a serious expression, introduced:
"Due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance, White Wolf City is now in a state of disrepair. Only the foundation remains relatively intact, while the other walls and courtyards are in ruins. Therefore, although our clan lives here, we still live in tents."

"The tribal chief, who is also my uncle, resides in the center of the camp. Outside his tent stands a 'Deer Antler General Pillar,' which is over three zhang tall. The other tribal tents are located three hundred paces away from the commander's tent, like lips and teeth, guarding and protecting him."

At this point, he deliberately emphasized: "Our tribe has always had the custom of worshipping the sun, so all the Wuhuan tents open to the east in order to receive the blessings of the rising sun. And now, they are coming from the west, so they are right behind it."

It can be said that Tadun now wants to defeat the Wuhuan tribes even more than the Han army itself.

Only if the Han army wins a great victory will he, a Han lackey, become a hero of the tribe!
At the same time, Wei Zhe's eyes were opened after listening to Tadun's introduction.

It should be noted that the Xianbei people's tents had already followed the Han people's practice of facing south, but the Wuhuan people did not.

However, Wei Zhe quickly composed himself. As the night wind blew the banner, Wei Zhe couldn't help but gaze into the distance.

Under the moonlight, the continuous Wuhuan camps in the distance could already be vaguely seen.

Five li... three li... two li... one li...

As they drew closer to the Wuhuan camp, the Han cavalry suddenly increased their speed.

Without any probing, Wei Zhe launched a full-scale attack!
(End of this chapter)