Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

At the Yang'an Pass, which had already changed hands, Cao Rui led a group of officials up the steps and gazed intently towards Baishui Pass from the southern end of the pass.

“Now that Yang’an Pass has been captured, there are no more obstacles to getting to Yinping from here. To avoid being attacked from both sides, the Shu army there will surely retreat. I suppose Wang Chang should have already crossed the river at Yinping by now.” Xu Shu stood behind Cao Rui and said slowly, “Once we get the Yinping Bridge, we will naturally get the city of Yinping in the northwest as well.”

"Your Majesty, you should immediately summon Wang Chang's troops to Baishui to join the main army."

Cao Rui said calmly, "You are the Deputy Privy Councilor, so go and issue the military order to summon Wang Chang."

"When Wang Chang arrived, the northern army was still divided into three routes. One route attacked Baishui, another route led by Deng Ai was intended to launch a surprise attack, and the third route led by Guo Huaicong was to attack Baxi via the Micang Road."

"A few days ago, news came from Guo Huai that he had defeated Wu Ban's Shu army at Hanchang and was about to reach Dangqu. Tell Guo Huai that I will order the Left Army of the Wuwei Army to march south from Micang Road to form his rear! Let him act boldly!"

"Yes, Your Majesty understands," Xu Shu replied.

At this moment, Wei Zhen, standing nearby, advised with slight concern: "Your Majesty, the transport of grain along the Micang Road is difficult, and it is already not easy to supply Guo Huai's troops with provisions. The Left Army of the Wuwei Army has even more baggage and heavier armor, and I fear that the transport of grain along the Micang Road will be difficult to sustain."

Xu Shu glanced at Cao Rui's expression, then exchanged a look with Wei Zhen, before cupping his hands and saying:

"Lord Wei, Shu is a prosperous land. Order Guo Huai's troops to advance into Shu and seek food from the enemy. It is fine to take Dangchang, or if not, to besiege it and hand it over to the Left Army of the Wuwei Army."

Wei Zhen nodded thoughtfully, then remained silent.

Guo Huai's appointment as military commander of Qin and Yi prefectures was recommended by Wei Zhen, whose understanding of Guo Huai was no less than that of Xu Shu and the emperor. In Wei Zhen's view, Guo Huai, having volunteered to leave the Micang Road, would definitely not waste time fighting a protracted war with the Shu army in remote places like Hanchang and Dangqu. If he found an opportunity, he would definitely advance rapidly into the heart of Shu.

The Shu Kingdom couldn't possibly refuse to provide support. Nor could Guo Huai be so docile as to not commit the slightest offense.

The emperor was backing Guo Huai by issuing a military order to justify the requisition of grain and fodder in Shu.

The emperor did not specify where Guo Huai was to attack.

Let's see what Guo Huai does.

Meanwhile, outside Dangqu City.

Wu Ban's troops were defeated several times by Guo Huai's forces in the field battles south of Hanchang, and then retreated to the vicinity of Dangqu. Dangqu was not a very high city, nor was its fortifications magnificent, but it was better than nothing, and Wu Ban's remaining six thousand men were able to defend it.

However, all the cities had already been besieged by Guo Huai's troops.

Inside the central command tent, Guo Huai was discussing military matters with Bei Yan when Military Advisor Feng Zhen strode in from outside and bowed to Guo Huai.
"Reporting to the general, our soldiers discovered a stone inscription on the mountain opposite the canal east of Dangqu City. After inspecting it, I felt it necessary to inform the general about this matter."

Guo Huai frowned: "What's there to talk about with such a trivial matter? Are you bored because you have too little military work to do?"

Feng Zhen quickly explained, "No, no. This stone inscription is related to the late Master Zhang."

Upon hearing this, Guo Huai's expression immediately turned serious.

Feng Zhen had served him in the army for over a decade. So who else could Zhang Gong be referring to? Of course, it was Zhang He, the former governor of Yongliang! Guo Huai frowned: "What exactly is this stone inscription? Tell me in detail, without omitting anything."

Feng Zhen said: "The terrain of Mount Bameng is treacherous. As instructed by the general, a military camp needs to be built on it for defense. The soldiers found a stone wall on it with the words 'General Fei of Han led 10,000 elite soldiers and defeated the bandit leader Zhang He at Mount Bameng. He immediately erected this inscription.'"

Guo Huai sneered: "The Shu traitors have seized Shu territory, causing chaos and division, yet they dare to arrogantly call themselves generals of Han? They are from Shu, not Han!"

"Order that a copy of this stone inscription be made on paper. After the Japanese general returns to his army, he should use this copy to pay homage at Zhang Gong's tomb. After that, this inscription should be destroyed. No one should be left out."

"Yes, I understand." Feng Zhen bowed and withdrew.

Such old stories were irrelevant to Bei Yan, who laughed from the side: "I have heard that the late Lord Zhang suffered a defeat and retreated in Dangqu. Although he lost 10,000 soldiers, Emperor Wu did not hold him responsible. This truly shows the magnanimity of a monarch. If it weren't for this, how could Lord Zhang have later become the Governor of Yong and Liang and achieved such great success?"

Guo Huai glanced at Bei Yan and said, "General Bei, you are unaware of this matter, so don't listen to those rumors. At that time, we had just defeated Zhang Lu, and most of the 10,000 troops that Lord Zhang led were Zhang Lu's surrendered soldiers. If they were lost, so be it; it would not harm the court."

"I see, I misspoke." Bei Yan cupped his hands in greeting.

"It's alright. Emperor Wu's benevolence is always right. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used me in the west." Guo Huai stroked his beard and said, "Dangqu City has already been besieged by me, and the Shu troops will surely come to its aid. His Majesty used me to travel along the Micang Road to disrupt the Shu army's heartland. If we were to remain locked in a stalemate here for too long, it would be a bad move."

Bei Yan asked, "What are your plans, General?"

Guo Huai laughed and said, "I intend to divide my troops into two groups. General, you will give me your cavalry, and I will take several thousand infantrymen and then continue the march. What do you think?"

Bei Yan showed no dissatisfaction and bowed in response: "His Majesty ordered me to obey the general's orders, so I, Bei Yan, will have no objection. Whatever the general commands, I will obey."

Guo Huai nodded in satisfaction: "In that case, I will take three thousand infantrymen from my own troops, and also take your five thousand cavalrymen with me, making a total of eight thousand men. You will have more than ten thousand men left, and you can confront the Shu army outside Dangqu. We will divide the troops into two routes, and the troops here will all be under your command. If any military merit is achieved, it will all go to you. If I achieve merit and use your cavalrymen, you will also have a share of the credit."

Bei Yan asked, "Then how does the general want me to fight?"

Guo Huai spoke up: "I don't care how you fight, but you must play it safe and trap Dangqu's army here! If Shu reinforcements come, it would be better if you could hold them back a little more, but it won't be a mistake if you can't hold them back as much. How about this?"

"I wonder how His Majesty is doing at Yang'an Pass. With so many troops there, they might send reinforcements if they learn of my breakthrough!"

“Alright, I understand.” Bei Yan said, “When does the general plan to set off? If we advance from Dangqu, there are only two directions: west and south.”

"If we go west, we can reach Langzhong and Jiameng, then circle around to the back of Baishui Pass, where we can assist Your Majesty in your advance."

"If we go south, we can reach Dianjiang and Jiangzhou, and then we can go to Chengdu via Guanghan County, or go to Jiangzhou to assist the Eastern Route Army in defeating the enemy."

Guo Huai had already made his plans. He patted his chest and laughed, "His Majesty isn't using me to break down the passes, but to stir up trouble in Shu. I'm not going to Jiameng or Jiangzhou this time, but to go deep into the heart of Shu and turn the world upside down!"

"Eight thousand infantry and cavalry, the Shu Kingdom would need tens of thousands of troops to deal with me! Let's see where they can muster so many soldiers!"

Bei Yan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "This plan is excellent. Then I wish the general success in advance!" (End of this chapter)