Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom Cannot Be Partial

Chapter 224 Baidi River Pass, Guerrilla Warfare in Western Hunan

The great river flows eastward.

As for Baidi.

At Qutang River Pass, a thousand sails give way.

A short while later, the emperor's dragon boat slowly docked.

All the civil and military officers of the Yong'an Military Region boarded the boat to pay their respects.

The leader of them was none other than General Chen Dao, also known as Chen Shuzhi, the Governor of Yong'an and Marquis of Zhongxiang.

Those who arrived in the order of precedence were his deputies, including General of Andong, Protector-General of Yong'an, and Marquis of Duting, who assisted Yuan Bi.

Next came Yan Yu (Yan Wenping), the Prefect of Badong, whose capital was in Yong'an and who was in charge of the finances and civil administration of Badong Prefecture.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!" Upon seeing the emperor, Chen Dao was initially dazed, then knelt on one knee, cupped his hands in a deep bow, and spoke in a powerful yet slightly trembling voice.

In the past, the commander of the emperor's personal guard was Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong. After the old general Zhao led an army on his own, his deputy Chen Erchen and Chen Shuzhi took over command of the elite White Feather Army.

In the last few years of the late emperor's life, and until the day he passed away in Baidi City, Chen Dao and the elite White Feather Guards were always by his side.

He had a very deep and sincere relationship with the late emperor and was extremely loyal to the late emperor's trust.

Unfortunately, the alliance between the Han Dynasty and the Wu Kingdom prevented him from fully utilizing his talents and keeping him unknown.

According to etiquette, when a general is in the army, even if he sees the emperor, he may simply clasp his hands in a gesture of respect. For example, Zhou Yafu of the Former Han Dynasty was said to have the demeanor of a famous general of ancient times.

As the Grand General who oversees the military affairs of the East, Chen Dao had long resided in Yong'an, where he held great prestige and influence. Since the Emperor succeeded to the throne six years prior, he had never had a single meeting with the Emperor.

Upon their first meeting, they knelt in trembling voices, showing utmost respect to the emperor, their devotion evident in their actions, just as it had been in the presence of the late emperor in person.

Seeing this situation, Fu Kuang, Yan Yu, Zheng Pu, Zhang Gu and other civil and military officials knew that the commander-in-chief's loyalty to the emperor had not wavered and had not changed because of the difference between the late emperor and the current emperor.

He then knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully.

Outside the cabin, hundreds of civil and military officials gathered on the deck of the ship also paid their respects loudly.

The sound was like a surging tide, shaking the river.

"General Hou guards the nation's gate, enduring rain and frost. Whenever I think of him, I cannot eat or sleep in peace."

Liu Shan stepped forward and helped up Chen Dao, whose hair and beard were already half white, his voice earnest and sincere.

After Chen Dao stood up, he looked up at Fu Kuang, whom he had met once before, then glanced around at the dozen or so civil and military officials below the steps, some of whom were unfamiliar, others whom he had seen before. He raised his sleeve in a gesture of respect and continued in a gentle voice:

"All of you rise."

"Since the late Emperor passed away and I succeeded to the throne, the people have suffered greatly and the country has faced many difficulties. In the north, there are powerful bandits who have not yet been eliminated, and in the east, the Wu bandits are eyeing our borders."

"Thanks to the efforts of you gentlemen in controlling the strategic pass of Kuimen and locking the Qutang River, we were able to prevent the Wu bandits' ships from sailing upstream and keep the enemy out of our country."

"Therefore, the Prime Minister and I can focus on the Northern Expedition without the royal army having any worries about the south."

"Now that Guanzhong has achieved consecutive victories, Xijing has been recovered, and the two commanderies of Xicheng and Shangyong have also returned to the Han dynasty."

"Without you gentlemen, the Han dynasty today might not have been able to sweep across the land and break through the enemy's defenses so easily."

"The Han dynasty is about to be restored, and I have never forgotten the contributions of you all."

After he finished speaking, Liu Shan offered him wine.

The fierce and powerful guards on board also carried the urn out of the cabin.

So ten thousand people raised their cups and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

At Baidi River Pass, the sound of waves and the chanting of poems blend together.

For a moment, the river wind fluttered, and the banners were like dragons.

After all the civil and military officials from Yong'an on the ship had finished drinking and offering their congratulations, Liu Shan, guided by Gao Xiang, Fu Kuang, and Yan Yu, then received everyone.

The leader of the three was Zheng Pu, the magistrate of Yong'an. As the head of an important border town, he, like Yan Yu, the prefect of Badong, was skilled in both civil and military affairs and was a reserve force that the state intended to cultivate.

His father, Zheng Du, like Wang Chong's father from Jiangzhou—the same Wang Lei who hung upside down from the city gate and ultimately committed suicide to remonstrate—had both strongly advised Liu Zhang against the late emperor entering Shu, saying to Liu Zhang:
The Left General led a thousand-mile raid on our Bashu region. His army numbered less than ten thousand, and his soldiers were not yet loyal. They relied on wild grain for supplies and had no baggage or provisions.

It would be better to drive all the people of Bazhou and Zitong west of the Fu River, burn all their granaries and fields, build high walls and deep moats, and wait quietly for them.

When they arrive, they request to fight. Do not grant their request. They have been without resources for a long time, and within a hundred days, they will surely retreat on their own.

If you attack while they are away, you will surely capture them.

The late emperor heard of this and disliked it, and asked Fa Zheng for his opinion.

Fa Zheng said: "If it cannot be used in the end, there is nothing to worry about."

In the end, Liu Zhang did not use Zheng Du's plan.

Not only that, but Zheng Du was also dismissed from his post and never reinstated.

After the late emperor took control of Yizhou, he repeatedly sent envoys to invite Zheng Du to serve in the government, but Zheng Du refused on the grounds that he was old and senile.

Yang Hong, who passed away some time ago, was serving as the governor of Guanghan when his son Zheng Pu helped him quell a rebellion by leading a thousand men.

Yang Hong recognized Pu's talent and recommended him for the civil service examination.

The Prime Minister appointed him as a staff member in his office. Before personally going to Hanzhong, he bestowed upon him an official seal and made him the magistrate of Yong'an.

The previous magistrate of Yong'an was Yan Yu, the current governor of Badong.

Clearly, this is an attempt to groom him to become the next Yan Yu.

Liu Shan did not look down on him because of his low official rank, nor did he dislike him because his father had been disliked by the late emperor.

He first inquired about his father Zheng Du's well-being, asking questions gently and patiently. Then he asked about his father's old illness, whether he had recovered, and whether his sleep and appetite were good recently.

Finally, the conversation turned to the Prime Minister's positive assessment that he was a superior scholar from Yizhou.

His expression was earnest, as if he were a family member.

Zheng Pu was clearly surprised that the busy emperor still remembered his father and even knew him, and he felt flattered.

"The late emperor told me several times that if Liu Zhang followed your father's strategy, Yizhou would not be able to be conquered. I have long heard that you, Zheng Jun, have the same qualities as your father. I wonder if you, Zheng Jun, have any strategies for me today?"

Zheng Pu immediately bowed his head in respect:

"How can a small salamander measure the vastness of rivers and seas?"
"Your humble servant is only qualified to issue orders in Yong'an. I dare not overstep my bounds and speak recklessly about matters of state for Your Majesty, lest I offend Your Majesty's ears."

Liu Shan didn't dwell on it any longer. After sincerely encouraging him for a few moments, he turned to the next person.

Upon seeing the emperor approach, Zhang Nan's son bowed twice.

"This humble general, Zhang Gu, the Commandant of Badong, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"By the grace of His Majesty, my late father has been posthumously honored."

"The imperial decree has arrived, and my entire family is filled with gratitude and tears!"

"On behalf of my late father, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness and generosity. May your descendants never forget this!"

Liu Shan helped him up and, as if reciting a familiar story, told him the tales of Zhang Nan that the late emperor had once told him, praising his loyalty and illustrious deeds.

Zhang Gu was increasingly moved as he listened, and finally wept and kowtowed in gratitude once more.

"Dingjiang, strive on, strive on." Liu Shan personally helped Zhang Gu up and gently patted his forearm a few times.

"This humble general, Lei Bu, greets Your Majesty!"

Liu Shan looked surprised:

"So it is General Hengjiang. The late emperor once said that your father was nine feet tall and extremely strong. Today, seeing you, General, he is indeed more than nine feet tall. The late emperor's words were indeed true. Like father, like son!"

His father, Lei Xu, originally gathered more than 40,000 households in Huainan with Chen Lan and others, making them a local tyrant in Huainan. Later, he was defeated by Xiahou Yuan.

After the late emperor conquered the four prefectures of Jingnan, Lei Xu led tens of thousands of his troops up the Yangtze River to join the late emperor.

In the twenty-third year of Jian'an, during the Battle of Hanzhong, the late emperor sent Lei Xu to lead troops into Wudu, where he, Ma Chao, and Zhang Fei each led an army.

As a result, Lei Xu was defeated by Cao Hong and Zhang He at Xiabian. On the way back, Qiang Duan, the leader of the Yinping Di tribe, blocked the road, killed Lei Xu, and presented his head to Cao Cao.

From dawn until midday, Liu Shan received one by one the generals of Yong'an and the important officials of Badong who held important positions and were in charge of important tasks.

Li Yan and Chen Dao were both generals, one serving as the General of the Vanguard and Governor of Jiangzhou, and the other as the General of the Rear and Governor of Yong'an.

In reality, all the military officers in the entire Sanba region, including Chen Dao, the governor of Yong'an, were under the command of Li Yan.

As long as Li Yan has no intention of rebelling, all military operations in the Sanba region, including those in Yong'an, must be under Li Yan's command.

After all, before taking up his post in Jiangzhou, Li Yan had served as the governor of Yong'an for four years as the Central Protector-General.

In the ensuing upheaval in Jiangzhou, Li Yan's trusted generals Hu Zhong and Cheng Fan, knowing full well that the emperor had personally arrived, led several thousand soldiers on a large warship, the "Long Whale," to chase the emperor's dragon boat on the Yangtze River without the emperor's permission.

Such an act of rebellion and treason was no different from treason. Li Yan, who was powerful in Sanba, was implicated in the crime of failing to manage his subordinates and was dismissed from his post.

As soon as the news arrived, countless officers and soldiers under Li Yan's command were filled with unease.

At least half of those whom the Emperor received today were once Li Yan's confidants and were highly regarded by him. It would be impossible for them not to feel uneasy at all.

But after meeting the emperor in person today, this fear and anxiety finally dissipated.

Liu Shan was certainly aware of the fear and anxiety in the hearts of the soldiers in Yong'an.

How can there be peace when generals are changed on the eve of battle?
From the moment he decided to deal with Li Yan, he made all the preparations and thought of all the ways to appease him.

Before he arrived in Jiangzhou, Chen Dao's 8,000-strong navy had already sailed up the Yangtze River and, under the command of Fu Kuang, Zhang Gu, Zheng Pu, and Lei Bu, arrived at Zhi County, a hundred miles downstream from Jiangzhou.

Ma Zhong, the Prefect of Zangke and General of Annan, also led 8,000 naval and infantry troops north from Zangke to Zhi County, where they joined forces with Fu Kuang on the river.

Accompanied by Chen Dao, Liu Shan arrived at Baidi City and returned once again to the former palace where the late emperor had died.

The main hall remains the same as it was six years ago.

After the late emperor passed away, no one lived there anymore.

Only every ten days someone would come in to sweep and clean, maintaining the original state before the late emperor's death.

Liu Shan toured the entire palace and finally approached his bed.

A Dou's memories of receiving the late emperor's dying wish surfaced one after another in his mind.

With a long sigh, Liu Shan left with Chen Dao.

At dusk, climb to the top of Baidi Mountain and overlook the entire city of Baidi.

This place is called Chijia Mountain. A beacon tower was built here. It is located on a high vantage point with an excellent view. It was used to monitor the river and issue early warnings, and was responsible for signal transmission.

Like Tongguan, Baidi City is a three-dimensional defense system with interconnected cities, cities within cities, and fortresses built outside the city.

From east to west, they are Baidi City, Xiaguan City, and Ziyang City.

The core of the defense system, Baidi City, is located on Baidi Mountain in the far east.

Baidi Mountain is a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, with only the north side connecting to the mainland, resembling the head of a turtle entering the river.

The government offices, granaries, and armories were all built in Baidi City.

Ziyang City was built on Jigong Mountain on the far left. The city was first built when Wang Mang usurped the Han throne.

Because the enemy frequently attacked this place, a transverse wall and a barbican were also built inside Ziyang City to compensate for the defensive deficiencies of the terrain.

Xiaguan City is situated in the center of the terrain formed by Baidi Mountain and Jigong Mountain, lying horizontally between Ziyang City and Baidi City, connecting the two cities to the west and east.

Because of its flat terrain, this area was the living area for the military and civilians of Yong'an.

Outside the entire defensive system of the three interconnected cities of Baidi City, there was a complete ring of city walls that encompassed all three passes. According to Chen Dao, the walls were about twelve or thirteen li long.

Without a doubt, Baidi City was the command center.

Ziyang City and Xiaguan City served to hinder the enemy's direct attack on Baidi City and to protect the central government.

Thus, even if the enemy lands from elsewhere and cuts through mountains to make way, they can only launch a sneak attack on the outer city, but cannot threaten Baidi City.

However, Baidi City's defense system extends far beyond these three closely connected fortified passes.

The dock where Liu Shan moored his boat today has a river gate called Baidi River Gate. To the east of the river gate is a water pit, which is the Yong'an naval camp, with hundreds and thousands of ships densely packed together.

Wu Jun's navy wanted to land at Baidi Mountain from the front, but this was the only dock and the only pass available.

Everywhere there were cliffs and precipices, with nowhere to put one's feet.

Before long, Liu Shan shifted his gaze from Baidi Liancheng in the west, and looked eastward toward the mountain gate.

The so-called mountain gate consists of two sheer cliffs thousands of feet high.

The river flows through here, but it is less than 100 meters wide.

The river narrows here, the current becomes rapid, and there are cliffs hundreds of meters high on both sides, forming a natural barrier between two mountains and a river.

"Your Majesty, this is the western entrance of Qutang Gorge, also known as Kuimen."

Chen Dao pointed to the mountain gate and introduced it.

Liu Shan nodded.

It feels very familiar, and it evokes some emotions.

This is the background image of a fifty-yuan coin.

It seems that the Qutang Gorge today is not much different from the Qutang Gorge more than 1,800 years later; both are equally magnificent and grand.

But more than 1,800 years later, the Qutang Gorge has become a scenic area.

Today, it is the lifeblood of the Han Dynasty and the key to the nation's destiny.

Chen Dao then pointed to the center of the Qutang Gorge:

"Your Majesty, look between the two mountains, in the heart of the Qutang Gorge."

Liu Shan followed Chen Dao's hand and squinted at him.

Chen Dao continued:
There are two reefs there, and two giant pillars resembling bridge piers are cast on the reefs with molten iron.

"Six iron chains, each over a hundred paces long, were cast in parallel on the river-locking pillar."

"The two ends of the iron chain crossed the river and were tied to the stone pillars on both banks, forming an iron lock across the river to block the waterway."

"Therefore, this place is also called Iron Lock Pass," Chen Dao continued.

"When the Wu people saw that our great Han dynasty had used iron chains to block the river, they followed suit in the Wu Gorge downstream. Indeed, our great Han navy found it difficult to attack downstream."

Liu Shan frowned and nodded.

Using iron chains across the river is indeed a viable method for defending the river.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have appeared so frequently in history.

Chen Dao then pointed to the south bank of the Yangtze River.

"Your Majesty, on Baiyan Mountain across the river, there is also Yong'an Village. This village is backed by a mountain valley, making it equally easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"Used to block the enemy from crossing the mountains, launching a surprise attack on the Iron Lock Pass, and destroying the Hengjiang Iron Lock."

"Wu's navy is going upstream. As long as the Iron Lock Pass is not lost, Wu's naval forces will not be able to enter Baidi City."

"General Shuzhi, you have worked hard." Liu Shan sighed with emotion, "With this formidable pass and General Shuzhi guarding the nation, the Han Dynasty can rest assured."

Such a formidable pass, if managed with care, would be even more difficult to conquer than Xiangyang, and Chen Dao undoubtedly managed it with utmost care.

"General Shuzhi, the former Prefect of Shu Commandery and Marquis of Jingcheng, Yang Jixiu, before his death, once presented two strategies for attacking Wu to Chief Clerk Jiang on his bed."

One policy.

“The Wu people relied on the river as a natural barrier, and laid iron chains between the two cliffs to block our naval forces. We could sneak out with the river mist and melt them with kerosene.”

"Second strategy."

"The Wuling Wuxi Yi people were fond of the Han Dynasty but had a grudge against Wu. Their king, Shamoke, was willing to die for the Han."

"We can send Ma's son to persuade them to come out of the You River, and force them to Gong'an and Chanling. The Yi troops are advantageous in the mountains and forests, and the Wu bandits will have no way to deal with them."

"I believe both strategies are excellent. What do you think, General Shuzhi?"

Chen Dao nodded in agreement: "I agree. Marquis Jingcheng did not forget his country's worries even on his deathbed. He is truly a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty."

Liu Shan nodded slightly and remained silent for a moment:
"The Marquis of Jingcheng's first plan is that I have more than a hundred jars of strong fire oil on my ship, which should be enough to burn for three days and three nights, and break the iron chain of the Wuxia Gorge."

"As for the second strategy, Ma Bing, son of Marquis Zhen, Ma Liang, has volunteered and offered his services."

"I am willing to go to Wuling in person to proclaim the power and virtue of the imperial court and persuade the Yi people of the Five Streams to submit to the king's rule."

At this point, Liu Shan paused, and seeing Chen Dao nod repeatedly, he continued:
"However... based on Marquis Jingcheng's second strategy, I have another strategy in mind. I will try to say it, and the general can listen to it. What do you think?"

"Your Majesty, please speak," Chen Dao said respectfully.

Liu Shan pondered for a few breaths, then revealed his plan:
"I believe that we should unite with the Yi people of Wuling and Wuxi, and follow the strategy of Sima Cuo of the Qin Dynasty, who entered Qianzhong from Shu, to conduct guerrilla warfare in western Hunan."

(End of this chapter)