Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

Chapter 89 Wudu (Seeking first subscription)

Liu Shan suddenly realized: "I understand what Fengzong means."

"Back in Chengdu, Feng Zong said that Sima Yi held great power in Guanzhong, and the Wei ruler would inevitably become suspicious of him. Sooner or later, Sima Yi would leave Guanzhong. Sima Yi was in charge of Yong and Liang. He could command large armies in Guanzhong and Longyou to deal with the Han army, but it was impossible for him to lead 10,000 or 20,000 troops a thousand miles to Longxi or Qiangzhong. Therefore, it was the best policy not to launch a large-scale military operation against Wei in Wudu."

"Yes and no?"

"Your Majesty is wise." Chen Zhi smiled and cupped his hands. "I only mentioned the worst-case scenario. It is still unknown whether it is worth Sima Yi doing this to the remaining ten or twenty thousand Di people east of Wudu. The court should make some preparations in advance."

"Since that's the case, and both I and Minister Fei are here, then this matter is settled!" Liu Shan immediately ordered, "Minister Jiang, take this matter and lead six thousand Tiger Infantry to Wudu. Make sure it's done properly. Feng Zong will also accompany Minister Jiang to Hanzhong first to coordinate all matters related to the deployment of troops!"

"Your subject obeys the decree," Jiang Wei and Chen Zhi responded in unison.

That afternoon, the imperial procession at Jiange sent a messenger northward to order the Tiger Step Army stationed east of Mianyang City to prepare for battle and to set off. It also ordered the Ministry of War in the Hanzhong Military Headquarters to prepare for logistical support.

Chen Zhi and Jiang Wei received their orders and set off north that afternoon, but there was no need for them to be in such a hurry, so they arrived at Jiange at a slightly slower pace than Jiang Wei.

After traversing a short mountain path north of Jiange, they were able to ride horses. The two rode side by side, and naturally began to chat along the way:

Jiang Wei, holding the reins with one hand, remained composed: "When Fengzong last came to Hanzhong with his imperial credentials, he was merely a Censor of 600 shi (a unit of grain measurement). Now he is a Cavalry Commandant of 2,000 shi and the Vice Minister of Works. What Minister Fei said east of Mianyang City that day was correct; Fengzong has truly undergone a remarkable transformation!"

Chen Zhi shook his head and chuckled, "Brother Boyue, you mustn't be joking. How could my positions be anything more impressive than yours? When you first returned to Han, you were highly valued by the Chancellor, appointed as a general, and granted the title of Marquis. Now I'm serving as Vice Minister, and who knows how many people in the court might say I'm just a lucky riser!"

"Not to mention you, haven't I been the same way?" Jiang Wei sighed softly. "Over the years, my colleagues have also been talking about me in secret. I don't lie to Fengzong. Since I returned to Han, I have always wanted to realize my ambitions, devote myself to border affairs, and advance on the battlefield, so as not to fail His Majesty and the Prime Minister's great kindness!"

Chen Zhi nodded: "Brother Boyue needs an opportunity to prove himself. We are somewhat similar, as am I."

""

"Speaking of which, His Majesty's order for me to accompany you north as Vice Minister of Works to assist in logistical preparations is essentially giving me a pretext to participate in the war. I am truly ashamed. One should know one's own limitations. His Majesty appointed me to office because of my strategies, not because he truly expects me to be better at logistical preparations than those long-serving military advisors in the Prime Minister's office."

Jiang Wei thought for a moment, then turned to look at Chen Zhi: "If that's the case, His Majesty's use of you is very similar to the late Emperor's use of Marquis Yi (Fa Zheng)."

"Oh? How so?" Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Wei said, "Marquis Yi advised the late emperor to take Yizhou, and also strongly urged the late emperor to marry Empress Dowager Wu to secure internal and external peace. He also formulated the 'Han Code,' offered strategies to advance into Hanzhong, and devised a feint attack to the east while striking in the west to kill Xiahou Yuan! Marquis Yi was indeed the late emperor's chief strategist, yet the late emperor first appointed Marquis Yi as the governor of Shu Commandery and then as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, but I have never heard of Marquis Yi having any ability to govern!"

"Although you are similar, you are actually somewhat different from Marquis Yi."

Chen Zhi smiled and asked, "How is it different?"

Jiang Wei burst into laughter, a hearty laugh: "Fengzong is young! As for those trivial matters of governance, with Fengzong's exceptional talent, how could he not learn them? It will just take him a little more time."

"Hahaha." Chen Zhi couldn't help but shake his head: "Marquis Yi is so talented, I am no match for him. As for what kind of merit I can achieve, there is still a long time to come. I truly hope that one day I can achieve as much as Marquis Yi. If I were to compare myself to Marquis Yi, then Brother Boyue could be compared to Wu Han..."

"Geng Yan is gone!"

"Brother Boyue, how do you plan to deal with the Qiangduan and Fushuang Wudu tribes?"

Jiang Wei said, "The Wudu Di are mainly divided into four tribes. Qiangduan is in Hechi, and Fushuang is in Xiabian. These two tribes are closer to Chencang in Wei."

The forces of Fu Jian in Wudu and Yang Qianwan in Qiuchi Mountain were too far from Wei, and Sima Yi couldn't reach them.

"This matter is quite simple. I will travel from Hanzhong to Wuxing via the Judao Road, then along the Jialing Road to the east of Hechi, where I will block the road from Xiabian and Hechi to Chencang in Wei Kingdom."

This matter requires an urgent response, but that's about all it is—the word "urgent" is the only part of it.

To reiterate, the Han army had a significant psychological advantage when dealing with the Qiang and Hu tribes, and never had any worries.

Jiang Wei was familiar with the customs of the Qiang and Hu peoples, and Zhuge Liang called him "a superior scholar from Liangzhou." From Liu Shan to Fei Yi and Chen Zhi, everyone believed that this matter could be handled properly by Jiang Wei. It was just two Di tribes in Wudu County, which was not a big deal. The concern was that the Qiang and Hu peoples of Yong and Liang would generally side with Wei.

A storm begins with a ripple; as soon as the momentum is established, the court's stance must be clearly and decisively demonstrated from the outset.

The two talked for a long time, and then Chen Zhi asked, "I seem to remember that when Brother Boyue left Chengdu, he said he was going to Yinping..."

Let's investigate that route through Tazhong. I wonder what happened next?

"It's possible, but not easy," Jiang Wei replied, shaking his head. "From Baishui Pass, one can travel up the Qiang River to Yinping Bridge, Wujie, and Tazhong. From Tazhong, one can go west through Gansong to Taoyang, and from Tazhong, one can go north to Lintao. However, these roads are all Qiang roads and have not been repaired. We would have to maintain them as we go, which would likely take a long time. Therefore, this time I still want to follow the route of the Prime Minister's previous Northern Expeditions, going out of Hanzhong, through Wudu to Jianwei, without going to Qishan in the east, and then west into the territory of Nan'an before heading to Longxi."

Chen Zhi pondered for a moment: "So, Brother Boyue wanted to summon Shao Ge when he went to Jianwei to scout the roads of Wudu County?"

"Exactly." Jiang Wei nodded in response, "These Qiang and Hu people—if I hadn't gone to Jianwei and sent someone to summon Shaoge, Shaoge certainly wouldn't have told me about this matter."

Chen Zhi sighed and said, "Isn't that how things are in this world? Whether someone is alive or not, things are completely different. When Yang Yi killed Wei Yan, the armies were leaderless and had no choice but to follow Yang Yi. Only when the imperial staff arrived in Hanzhong could everyone unite."

"How could it not be?" Jiang Wei exclaimed with deep feeling, "Fengzong's words are truly wise advice!"

Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, wars have been frequent. For monarchs, waging war is just a routine option and does not require the same level of prudence and caution as in times of peace.

Chen Zhi and Jiang Wei took four days to reach Hanzhong. Just two days later, Jiang Wei led six thousand Tiger Infantrymen away from their garrison and headed west.

For Chen Zhi, there was another important matter he needed to do by coming to Hanzhong ahead of time from the imperial entourage.

That was the preparation for the sacrificial ceremony in Hanzhong.

We should offer sacrifices to the late emperor, and we should also offer sacrifices to Prime Minister Zhuge.

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