Xiahou Xian flipped through the military reports to the left and right, then asked, "General Lu, His Majesty has instructed us to act prudently at Bai Shui Pass."
"What does the term 'consider' mean in this context?"
Lu Xun paused for a moment and replied, "The Emperor has asked us to consider our actions here, which means that we are making judgments about the military situation without clear information."
"From Bai Shui Pass to Xiaobian and Chiting, it takes almost half a month for messages to be sent and returned. With even the most accurate military intelligence delayed by half a month, how are we supposed to carry out our orders?"
Lu Xun ran his fingers through his beard and sighed, "The Emperor is truly wise!"
"Yes, Your Majesty is wise, Your Majesty is wise." Xiahou Xian bowed towards the north and then asked Lu Xun:
"What do you think, General Lu, how much longer should we remain on guard here?"
Lu Xun replied, "Since Zhuge Liang has retreated from Chiting, the purpose of dividing our forces among the Southern States has already been accomplished."
Xiahou Xian frowned and looked at Lu Xun.
Lu Xun further explained, "However, the longer we keep our forces engaged with the Shu army here, the more advantageous it is for Your Majesty."
"I'll repeat what I said before. We can hold as long as we can! If there are signs of us being unable to hold out any longer, we can retreat then!"
"General Lu's words are very accurate." Xiahou Xian replied.
However, the next day, on the twelfth of April, the attack from the Shu army became increasingly fierce.
On one hand, the arrival of Zhuge Liang himself has further boosted the enthusiasm of the generals.
On the other hand, the military situation of the Shu army has already become critical. If we do not force the Wei troops to retreat and turn northward, the situation may become irredeemable!
Here at Bai Shui Pass, a total of 24,000 Shu troops have been stationed.
On the twelfth of April in the early morning, the entire Shu army poured out of their camps and advanced in two directions.
Zhuge Liang's offensive was extremely fierce.
According to Lu Xun's original plan, the Wei army had about one-third of their forces outside Bai Shui Pass.
Four thousand Qiang troops led by Zhi Wearing followed up the rear, and they built fortresses to the north as a retreat defense.
The remaining 9,000 central army cavalry and 5,000 Qiang cavalry were divided into two groups.
Lu Xun himself was with 5,000 Qiang people and 4,000 central army cavalry encamped within the main camp. The remaining 5,000 central army cavalry were led by Xiahou Xian and established a separate camp for mutual support.
If the Shu army attacked normally, Lu Xun's current arrangement would be without any issues.
Now, Zhuge Liang is launching a full-scale attack with his entire army.
Wei Yan led the original 4,000 soldiers under Zhao Yun, as well as the additional 6,000 troops from Wu Ban and Zongyu, to converge together.
With a total of 10,000 troops, they directly attacked the middle of the two Wei camps.
Such a thick formation of infantry is impenetrable to the Wei cavalry no matter how they charge.
Zhuge Liang, leading the remaining over 10,000 troops, advanced towards Lu Xun's main camp from the east and south directions.
When Lu Xun personally looked down from the watchtower and saw the approaching Shu troops forming up, he ordered all the soldiers in the camp to mount their horses and prepare for battle.
Upon seeing the Shu army advancing so decisively, Lu Xun made a decisive retreat, leading his entire army towards Xiahou Xian's smaller camp.
It's truly impossible to fight.
In narrow encounters, the side with greater courage and stronger fighting spirit will prevail. The momentum of victory will grow larger as the battle unfolds.
The most crucial element in the fighting spirit is the determination to accept losses of troops.
For the Shu army, as long as it can achieve the goal of defeating or repelling this Wei army, sacrificing 3,000 or 5,000 lives is nothing. As long as it can divert the military resources of Shu Han towards the North and towards Yuan 'An Pass, the objective has been attained.
However, for the Wei army, Lu Xun has no way to sustain the battle.
Although the Qiang troops are under orders, it is based on the premise of being able to benefit, having been enjoying favorable conditions and winning battles in places like Ta Zhong and Chang Chang.
If the Qiang army and Shu army really did face off against each other in a direct confrontation, the Qiang people would not be fools. They might be forced to retreat immediately.
And to let the central cavalry fight against the Shu army?
The Great Wei has already won at Chiting; there's no need to waste resources here.
Lu Xun does not have such large powers! Even if Xiahou Xian truly agreed, he would not dare to do so.
Given the political implications of central cavalry and its importance in the Great Wei army, Lu Xun understands that his head is not worth a few thousand riders.
Lu Xun is fully aware of the pros and cons in this situation.
The order to retreat was also delivered promptly and decisively. After Lu Xun and Xiahou Xian combined forces, they retreated northward, setting up camp in a narrow mountain pass where they began facing off against Wei Yan's Shu army.
Xiahou Xian approached Lu Xun, full of concern, and lamented:
"General Lu, we were still discussing our stay at Bai Shui yesterday, yet in just half a day, how has the situation changed so quickly!"
Lu Xun helplessly shrugged and said, "The Shu army is determined to fight to the death. How many can we accept to lose?"
"If we cannot hold out here, retreat is the best option." Lu Xun looked at Xiahou Xian: "Moreover, General Xiahou can lead the central cavalry troops and return to His Majesty's side as soon as possible."
"Unfortunately, there's no other choice!" Xiahou Xian sighed, "Though it's a bit of a loss, at least we haven't let down the Emperor."
"If we go to Wu Jie on the way to Xianbi, it is more than 700 miles from Chiting. I can return to His Majesty's side in seven days."
Lu Xun nodded: "Then it will be more troublesome for General Xiahou. The 1,000 central cavalry at Ta Zhong, please have someone bring them back with you."
"What about you, General Lu?" Xiahou Xian asked in return.
"Me?" Lu Xun stifled a laugh: "I'll even bet it away! General Xiahou, go ahead. I'll stay here and wear down the Shu army."
"The Shu army retreats a bit, and I advance a bit. If the Shu army advances quickly, I'll retreat further, worst case scenario, all the way to Ta Zhong!"
"In summary, we need to cause some disturbance among the Shu army and cannot let them rest peacefully."
Xiahou Xian bowed respectfully, "It is noon now. I will lead my troops back immediately. Please take care of yourself, General Lu!"
"General Xiahou, take care as well!" Lu Xun returned a bow.
That's right, Lu Xun had all the central cavalry return, leaving not a single mounted soldier behind.
Lu Xun's calculation is very clever. Keeping his 9,000 Qiang cavalry here to tire out the Shu army is enough, why should he actually engage in combat?
...
At noon on the twelfth day, Xiahou Xian led his troops away from the vicinity of Bai Shui Pass, starting their retreat along the road to Yinping Bridgehead, Wu Jie, and Xianbi.
The entire thirteenth day, Zhuge Liang confirmed that the Wei army had significantly fewer troops.
On the morning of the fourteenth, Zhuge Liang left only Wei Yan and 8,000 soldiers at Bai Shui Pass, taking the rest north towards the direction of Yang'an Pass.
This kind of constant shifting of troops brings fatigue to the soldiers, which is unavoidable. However, Zhuge Liang has no choice but to increase troops to Yang'an Pass.
There's also Hanzhong to the north!
However, when on the morning of the fifteenth, Zhuge Liang was en route, he received a message from Yang Yi at Yangan Pass.
Yangping Pass has fallen.
Though Zhuge Liang had been mentally prepared for such an eventuality, upon hearing the news for real, he felt despondent, disheartened, and angry...
A series of complex emotions surged into Zhuge Liang's heart.
But there's no way out.
The path is beneath his feet, Yang'an Pass is still to the north, and the Han empire and His Majesty are to the south. Can he really give up and not care?
The more difficult and hardship, the more the spirit of transcendence is refined!
Zhuge Liang continued to advance towards Yang'an Pass, and it was not until the seventeenth day that he led his troops back to Yang'an Pass.
The situation in Hanzhong has changed almost daily these days.
On the tenth day, Cao Cao persuaded Yangping Pass to surrender.
On the eleventh day, Cao Zhen led cavalry to surround Manyang on the east.
On the same day, Zhang He's infantry arrived at Yangping Pass in large numbers.
On the twelfth day, Cao Zhen continued to advance eastward with his troops. Zhang He left 3,000 troops under Guo Huan to guard Yangping Pass and took command of 10,000 infantrymen to replace Cao Zhen and surround Manyang.
On the thirteenth day, Cao Zhen led his troops to surround Nanzheng. Two days later, on the fifteenth, after the news of the emperor's appointment of Fu Xin and Zhang Kai as marquesses reached Nanzheng, the city's defender He Dan opened the gates and surrendered.
On the sixteenth day, Cao Zhen led his troops eastward and arrived at Chenggong City. However, the city's defender was even more determined, cutting down Zhang Kai who tried to enter the city to surrender and throwing his head outside the city.
Cao Zhen had no choice but to leave 5,000 troops to continue surrounding Chenggong City and then lead the rest of his troops to intercept the people of Shu Han who were retreating southwards at the northern entrance of Mibaoshan Road.
On the eighteenth day, Emperor Cao Rui received the news of Nanzheng's surrender at Chiting.
"With the surrender of Nanzheng, the situation in Hanzhong is no longer reversible," smiled Sima Yi. "Please allow me to offer my congratulations to Your Majesty. Hanzhong has now been fully conquered and belongs to Your Majesty!"
"The small city of Manyang, Zhai He will not have difficulty capturing it."
Emperor Cao Ren nodded, "Marquis, you are right! Nanzheng is the seat of Hanzhong Commandery. It is time to celebrate now."
"I have decided to personally go to Hanzhong!"
...
The next day, as Emperor Cao Ren was preparing to set out for Hanzhong, he received news that Xiahou Xian was about to return.
Emperor Cao Ren had no choice but to wait another day before receiving Xiahou Xian's mounted army fully arrived at Chiting.
"That's excellent! That's excellent!" Emperor Cao Ren smiled and patted Xiahou Xian on the arm: "Your Majesty didn't make a mistake in choosing you. You've done a fine job!"
Xiahou Xian bowed, "It was all due to the wise arrangement of Your Majesty and the court. How could I take credit? Moreover, General Lu is likely still facing off against the Shu army at this moment, and he has given me many pointers."
"Learning from Lu Xun is correct," Emperor Cao Ren smiled and nodded. "But we cannot always think like him. Learn from him about military strategies, and then adapt and utilize them ourselves, that is the right approach."
"Don't forget your surname, Xiahou!"
Xiahou Xian solemnly saluted: "Your Majesty, you are most instructive. When I arrived at camp, I heard that Your Majesty wanted to set out southward yesterday and had been waiting for us. I am truly ashamed."
"It's all right," said Emperor Cao Ren, waving his hand. "Since we have combined forces, you can lead your troops to accompany me to Hanzhong."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xiahou Xian responded.
...
The Shu army did not actually send troops out.
Upon returning to Yang'an Pass, Zhuge Liang realized that the troops were not in good spirits, so he had to fortify and train at Yang'an Pass.
Emperor Cao Ren passed through places like Wu Xing and Ju County, and arrived at Zhang He's large camp south of Manyang City.
Emperor Cao Ren looked at Zhang He and said, "General Zhang, send someone to notify the Shu Han defender of the city."
"Now that the emperor is personally present at Manyang, if he surrenders today, the emperor will still consider him as having submitted. If he still refuses to surrender, after breaking the city, the family of the defender will be treated as traitors."
Zhang He nodded, "I understand, Your Majesty. But do you have any other plans? Besides Manyang, Chenggu is still holding out stubbornly."
Emperor Cao Ren said, "I want to personally inspect Dingjun Mountain!" (The chapter concludes here.)
