Seems that Xiahou Xian's gaze also turned to him. Cao Rui solemnly nodded to indicate: "The words of the elderly Governor Yang on national affairs are not to be disregarded."
"Once we reach Wujie, everything must be discussed with the General Protector of the Qiang to come to an agreement. If there are differences of opinion, we should prioritize preserving the entire army and strive to use Qiang troops in front!"
Xiahou Xian's gaze was serious as he bowed and said, "Your Majesty's decree, I have remembered."
"And go!" After saying these two words, Cao Rui immediately rode on his horse and continued eastward without hesitation.
After Zhang He's 30,000 infantry and cavalry garrisoned Xiadian, he established fortresses on the south, north and east sides of the city, relying on the city walls, the Nanhe River and the mountain range to the northwest.
The camps were interlaced, occupying all the vital locations within a radius of five miles around Xiaban.
As for the remaining 10,000 horsemen of Cao Rui, they naturally camped along the road into and out of the city, as well as on the west side of the city.
……
Be it as it may, regardless of how busy the great army of Cao Wei is in setting up camp and stationing troops in Xiaban, Xiahou Xian's troops, having just arrived at the banks of the Western Han River, encountered their first decision point.
"Jiang Changyi's words are indeed correct!"
Xiahou Xian called Fei Yao and Cheng Xi over to his side and started making arrangements:
"Please, General Fei, take command of our rear guard and station your troops in the valley north of five miles. General Cheng will camp three miles away from my main force, relying on the terrain and at least half a mile from the Western Han River. Tonight, we will camp and rest."
"Set out tomorrow at dawn!"
"Just as General Xiahou Xian has said!" This reasonable camp assignment couldn't be declined by General Fei Yao and General Cheng Xi, who immediately agreed without hesitation. Afterward, they delegated subordinates to arrange for the overnight stay.
As Xiahou Xian was gazing at the water's flow and direction by the Western Han River, Zhou Duo approached from behind.
"General Xiahou, are you looking at the Western Han River?"
It was clear that Zhou Duo was asking out of ignorance, but his amiable face made it difficult to refuse his communication.
"Yes, it's Master Zhou," Xiahou Xian replied. "Tomorrow we'll cross the Western Han River, and I've observed that the water is shallow here, with a distance of no more than twenty or thirty cubits from north to south. It should not be difficult to pass through."
Xiahou Xian had heard of Zhou Duo's deeds, and knew that he was a man who, in battle, was willing to put his life on the line by sending envoys to enemy camps.
Zhou Duo responded with a smile: "General Xiahou speaks the truth. With a large army advancing, it is only natural to clear paths through mountains and build bridges over rivers. How could the Western Han River pose any hindrance?"
"That's right," Xiahou Xian said, asking, "Since you, Master Zhou, have come to find me, is there something you wish to discuss?"
"Today, I heard Your Majesty's orders, it seems that You advised General Xiahou to proceed at a slower pace, prioritizing safety?" Zhou Duo asked cautiously.
"But, as you have just proposed for the camp arrangements, a portion of the 10,000 horsemen can also be sent ahead to act as an early warning and clear the path for the main army. This way, we can also establish early contact with Mr. Lu sooner."
Xiahou Xian fixed his gaze on Zhou Duo: "You want to make contact with General Lu earlier?"
"That's right!"
Zhou Duo did not hesitate to reveal his intentions, and there was no need for him to hide anything from a general of such stature. He said directly, "Currently, the situation is that Your Majesty has sent General Xiahou and General Lu to converge at Wujie from east and west."
"This strategy, General Xiahou is aware of, but General Lu is not," Zhou Duo analyzed one by one. "If we could inform General Lu a day or two earlier, I believe it would also be better for him to fulfill His Majesty's instructions."
Xiahou Xian stared at Zhou Duo for a long while, then laughed heartily: "How could such a talented person like you be given to General Lu?"
"Zhou brother, we are of similar age, so I'll call you by that name," Xiahou Xian said after a light cough. "You have long followed General Yu in his army, so you must be well informed about the current situation of the Wei army."
"According to the Emperor's division, Qinzhou has already become a frontier region, and General Lu commands the Qiang people on the western side of Qinzhou, which is like being on the frontier of the border troops."
Zhou Duo listened quietly to what Xiahou Xian said.
After a few sentences, Xiahou Xian also laughed softly: "If you have the intention to come to the central army or to work in Luoyang, I am willing to personally endorse you to the Emperor! Becoming a magistrate of 2,000 stones is not a problem!"
"Thank you, General Xiahou for your favor, I am truly overwhelmed," Zhou Duo said, bowing his head and laughing. But when he looked up at Xiahou Xian again, there was no expression on his face.
"General Xiahou is a noble family, while I come from a remote and desolate place in the Western region. The situation in the Western region is truly deplorable, with constant ethnic disturbances, bandit raids, and rebellions."
"Hmm, continue." Xiahou Xian sensed Zhou Duo's refusal, but did not interrupt him.
"When I was in Huai Nan, the court first transferred me to the Western Region, and I had once thought it was just to let me, a person from the Western Region, handle affairs in the Western Region."
"But after arriving in the Western Region, I was able to quell the unrest caused by Quri Ying and assimilate the Qiang people within the state. In just one year, not only was the Xiping County better, but even my hometown of Jincheng County was almost unrecognizable."
As he spoke, Zhou Duo bowed respectfully: "The Western Region has been in turmoil for over a century. Now that there is finally a glimmer of hope for improvement, how can I abandon the frontier for Luoyang?"
"I hope General Xiahou will understand and take this into consideration."
Zhou Duo's words had reached an extreme low point, and his demeanor was also completely respectful, not daring to anger this General Xiahou. He knew in his heart that the General Protector of the Qiang, Lu Xun, was also just a favored subject of the emperor.
Compared to these distinguished members of Wei, there was little to rely on. How meaningful was the title of Wu Hu? Last year, Han Zong also died hastily outside Wuan City, did he not?
Xiahou Xian was silent for a moment, then forcefully pounded Zhou Duo's chest with a punch, which caused Zhou Duo to take a step back.
"Do you know why I punched you?" Xiahou Xian sneered at Zhou Duo, kicked a stone at his feet with force, and asked, "I have good character and ability, but your vision is poor! What do you think of me?"
After that, Xiahou Xian looked up with a sense of righteousness at Zhou Duo, who was surprised. "Tomorrow, I will provide you with 500 horsemen from my own command and make you the advance unit to head for Wujie! Send 20 horsemen back every morning to inform me, can you do that?"
Zhou Duo's expression changed from surprise to delight as he bowed and thanked, "Thank you, General Xiahou for your favor! I will certainly be the vanguard to scout the path for the main force."
"Tomorrow morning after crossing the river, go ahead and report to General Lu. Greet him for me," Xiahou Xian looked at Zhou Duo with a glance before turning and walking away.
Zhou Duo was elated as he had achieved his wish, and he stood there for a moment, looking at the Western Han River flowing nearby, lost in thought.
Huai Nan, the Western Region, Lu Xun, Xiahou Xian, the Emperor...
"The current emperor has been on the throne for less than two years. I wonder what the future will hold for Qinzhou, the Western Region, and even the Wei kingdom?"
One man's heart is the heart of a thousand!
...
Cao Ruixi led the army to the lower part of the mountains, and five days have passed.
Wudu Garrison was not the home ground for Shu forces. Many years ago, when attacking Zhang Lu and Liu Bei, Cao Cao had led his large army here to fight.
Let alone that Yang Fu, who is now beside Cao Ruixi, was once the Governor of Wudu. Generals like Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, Cao Hong, and Zhang He had all fought in Wudu in the past.
If one looks at the history, the Wei army's combat in the area around Xianbi is even more familiar than in Longyou.
"Cao Ruoxi, seated in the newly constructed city hall, looked over to his side and asked the nearby ministers, "Should Zhaohou Ru be close to Hechi now?"
"Judging by the time, Zhaohou Ru should have arrived," Cao Zhen replied. "Zhaohou Ru's 15,000 soldiers reaching Hechi not only replenished the army's strength but also transported supplies directly from Chencang to the area around Xianbi and Hechi."
"I suggest that an order be issued to no longer transport grain from the Qiyama and Shangguan areas towards Xianbi, and the transportation from Chencang to Long Mountain Road can finally come to an end."
Cao Ruoxi said, "I see that Xianbi is not far from Han Middle. How many times have we fought with the Shu forces these past few days?"
"Your Majesty," Zhang He bowed and replied, "From our arrival in Xianbi to this very day, within the past five days, we engaged in two probing battles with Wei Yan on the first and second days. In total, we suffered a loss of over four hundred soldiers."
"On the third day, Wei Yan began to retreat in large numbers. When our mounted soldiers chased after them, we suffered a minor defeat and lost over 300 horsemen."
Cao Ruoxi looked around at the people around him: "It seems that Zhuge Liang is determined to wear me down!"
"Do you think I should advance at what time?"
"The first to bow and speak was Sima Yi: 'According to the previous division made by Your Majesty and us, it seems we are to engage in a stalemate in Xianbi for some time before deciding further action.'"
"But now that we know that the General Protector of the Qiang, Lu Xun, and the General of the Main Force, Xiahou Xian, are both attacking Wujie together, this area's military situation is no longer our primary concern. The areas around Wujie and Yinping are more important in terms of coordinating troops against Shu forces."
Cao Ruoxi nodded lightly, "In simple terms, Lu Xun and Xiahou Xian on their side can break the stalemate. And if I lead the main force to confront the Shu forces at Xianbi, it's easy to get caught in a deadlock, isn't it?"
Sima Yi nodded in agreement.
"That's a relief," Cao Ruoxi said with a smile. "Since Zhuge Liang wants to wear me down, I will wear him down instead."
"He has the advantage of transporting supplies via the Western Han River, but I can also transport supplies to Xianbi and Hechi through the Wei River and the Gu Dao River."
"Let's wait for General Lu to open the situation there, and I can advance with ease. I don't believe that if our Wei army reaches Yinping and Baishui, Zhuge Liang would not retreat."
"Your Majesty is wise. Engaging in a stalemate between our two armies is the perfect opportunity to strengthen the defense around Xianbi and prepare for future garrisoning of troops." Zhang He sat on one side, calmly speaking.
Cao Ruoxi looked at Zhang He and Sima Yi, then spoke, "Since I am here myself, is there anything I can do to mess with Zhuge Liang's mind?"
"What method does Your Majesty plan to use?" Sima Yi inquired out of curiosity.
"You all are not familiar with this Zhuge Liang," Cao Ruoxi said with a smile, "Being an enemy of Zhuge Liang, using persuasion or attempts to win him over will be of no use at all."
"The thing I need to do the most is let Zhuge Liang understand what I have done in Wei territory."
"Jiang Wei, come here to me!" Cao Ruoxi waved to a figure in the corner of the hall, directing him.
Upon receiving the command, Jiang Wei took a few steps forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, what are Your orders for me?"
"Jiang Wei has been studying at the Imperial Academy for a long time. Well, today, let Jiang Wei act as the scribe and write a letter for me to send to Zhuge Liang!" (Chapter ends)
