Chapter 100

Crossing the Jin Ling Mountain Range and stepping into Guanzhong, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile not long after.

Exiting the Yagok Road, the Wuzhang Plains come into view. Just a bit further, and you’ll reach the Wei River, which cuts through Guanzhong.

But what I saw wasn’t just the Wei River.

On the other side of the Wei River, the Wei Army had already taken position, waiting for us, coming into view.

“Indeed, Guo Huai. He won’t let us pass easily.”

As soon as Guo Huai heard that we had turned towards the Jin Ling Mountain Range instead of the Tianshui Army, he must have rushed out of Chang’an City.

It wasn’t just a problem of us stirring up trouble inside Guanzhong.

Crossing the Wei River, not far away, was Jieting. If we blocked that, Zhao Chang, who had entered Liangzhou, would be like a rat in a trap.

“It’s obvious they’re positioning themselves on the other side of the river to prevent us from crossing, and if we head to Chang’an, they’ll attack from behind.”

It was a straightforward but highly effective move. And it also blocked the advantage we had chosen by taking the Yagok Road to control both Jieting and Chang’an simultaneously.

I never expected them to just sit back, but facing it head-on was still a bit disappointing. If Guo Huai had stayed holed up in Chang’an City, we could have blocked Jieting and wiped out the Wei Army trapped in Liangzhou.

With Seomak held back by Wang Ping, and Ma Chao, Xiao Ce, and I attacking from three directions, could they have held out?

Bi Yi, who was also observing the enemy camp across the Wei River, spoke with regret.

“With them coming out like this, it’s difficult for our army to go anywhere.”

I wonder how it was when Zhuge Liang crossed the Jin Ling Mountain Range during the last Northern Expedition, following the same route.

Blocked at the pass and unable to engage due to Sima Yi’s refusal to fight, Zhuge Liang had to use Wuzhang Plains as a forward base and attempt a flanking maneuver.

But repeatedly thwarted by Guo Huai, who saw through Zhuge Liang’s intentions, he had no choice but to prepare for a prolonged war centered around Wuzhang Plains.

By the way, it was around that time that Zhuge Liang sent women’s clothing to Sima Yi to provoke him. Sima Yi, who had already been defeated by Zhuge Liang in a previous battle, didn’t take the bait.

Considering these points, Guo Huai was better than Sima Yi at discerning and predicting the enemy’s intentions. That’s why he successfully blocked our path.

They didn’t seem intent on crossing the river to attack us either. A standoff ensued across the Wei River. I went to the riverbank to carefully observe the enemy camp.

Looking for any weaknesses, but the Wei Army under Guo Huai’s command was disciplined and well-armed. However, upon closer observation, something felt off.

“There are a lot of cavalry.”

“Our stirrups leaked, leading to a significant increase in Wei’s cavalry, right?”

“Even considering that, it’s a lot. Hmm, I see. They brought the Xiongnu.”

No wonder they got here so quickly from Chang’an City—most of them were cavalry. And about half were likely Xiongnu or other nomadic tribes.

“Facing the Xiongnu will be tricky for our cavalry.”

Even with stirrups making it easier for less skilled riders to function as cavalry, the horsemanship of nomadic tribes like the Xiongnu is on a different level.

Kang Yu said it would be tricky, but if we were to face them head-on, our chances would be slim.

“This won’t be easy.”

Hearing my muttered complaint, Bi Yi offered his opinion.

“General, from what I know, the Wuzhang Plains around here are easy to defend and suitable for farming. They don’t seem likely to retreat easily. How about setting up camp at Wuzhang Plains and waiting for an opportunity?”

Bi Yi’s suggestion was exactly what Zhuge Liang had done.

But the situation Zhuge Liang faced and what we’re dealing with now are quite different. Zhuge Liang had a force of 100,000 at Wuzhang Plains, while we only have 20,000.

It’s questionable whether farming alone would sustain us, and it’s uncertain what changes might occur on the Tianshui and Xiang Province fronts while we hesitate.

“No. There’s no time for a prolonged war. We must end this quickly.”

While rejecting Bi Yi’s suggestion, my eyes never left the enemy.

The Wei River, swollen from summer rains, had receded significantly by autumn. Though not as sharp as Ma Dai or Bang Deok, my vision was good enough to make out their features.

“No heavy cavalry…?”

The Xiongnu are mostly horse archers, so that’s understandable, but the Wei Army being entirely horse archers was puzzling. However, I soon figured it out.

‘It’s because of the stirrups.’

Without stirrups, it’s extremely difficult for the Han Chinese to train horse archers, but with stirrups, the difficulty drops significantly.

Of course, it’s still much harder than regular cavalry, which is why even the Lanling Army doesn’t have proper horse archers. But for Wei, which already had excellent cavalry, creating horse archers with stirrups isn’t impossible.

The absence of heavy cavalry was resolved, and the answer led to a strategy to break the current stalemate.

‘It’s worth a try. No, this will definitely work.’

For this Northern Expedition, Shu Han has made countless preparations. It’s not just about stockpiling food and repeated training.

Apart from my diplomatic missions, we’ve continuously sent out scouts, discovered new talents, developed new weapons, and repeatedly reviewed our strategies and tactics.

Especially regarding Guanzhong. Knowing how Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expedition unfolded, we couldn’t have not prepared for it.

Step by step, the relentless pursuit to reach that high ground. I felt the moment had come for that obsession to shine.

“Hu Yan.”

Yu En, who was accompanying me, immediately responded to my call.

“You called, General.”

“We’ll have to use it. Get it ready.”

“That? What is it, General?”

“I’ll inform everyone, so don’t get impatient, Bi Wenwei. Open the military council. Summon all officers to my tent, along with Bai Yao.”

Bi Yi, whose curiosity was the strongest among those I’ve met, quickly left to announce the council. His determination to satisfy his curiosity is admirable.

Perhaps Bi Yi’s efforts paid off. It didn’t take long for the officers to gather in my tent.

Jiang Wei and Bi Yi, who handle military affairs in the Rear General’s Office.

Ma Dai, Bu Chuan, and Guo Yi, who command the Lanling Army under me.

O Yi and Yu En, who lead their own troops but are under my command this time.

And their deputies, O Ban and Huo Ji.

Including me, there were ten attendees at the council.

After glancing at each of them, I got straight to the point.

“We need to cross the river.”

At my declaration, Bi Yi and Yu En, who already knew, remained calm, but the others couldn’t. Some sighed, while others looked worried.

But sensing the determination in my words, no one objected. They probably expected that since I brought it up, there must be another plan.

“O Yi.”

“Yes, Commander.”

When I called O Yi, he responded respectfully despite being my junior. O Yi, with his virtuous nature and emphasis on military discipline, fully acknowledged my command.

“Prepare the floating bridge for the crossing.”

“I will follow your orders.”

“The sooner, the better.”

“There are plenty of trees around, so it shouldn’t take too long.”

Nodding at O Yi’s reliable response, I turned to Yu En next.

“Hu Yan.”

“The inspection is complete. We’re ready anytime.”

“Good.”

One of the two key units in this battle was Yu En’s troops.

‘I never thought we could win in a cavalry battle.’

Facing Wei’s cavalry, which dominates Xiliang and the north, is the worst of the worst.

The Lanling Army’s cavalry has been able to perform well so far thanks to the advantages of stirrups and the strength of some of the mightiest generals in the land.

Knowing our disadvantage, I, and Shu Han, have constantly pondered ways to counter the enemy’s cavalry.

And this battle will prove that those efforts were meaningful.

“I’ll explain the outline of the operation.”

§

Just as Chang-ran observed the Wei Army, Guo Huai also closely watched the Shu Han forces across the river.

‘Fortunately, we arrived first.’

Sending out scouts without ruling out the possibility of them coming directly from Hanzhong turned out to be a stroke of genius.

Though Guo Huai had taken the initiative, there wasn’t a speck of complacency in his heart.

The opponent was a mere 21-year-old woman. But Guo Huai had already witnessed firsthand what kind of existence Chang-ran was.

Her martial prowess was unbelievable for someone so young. Just two years ago, Chang-ran had killed his superior, Zhang He, whom Guo Huai himself acknowledged as superior.

The idea that individual martial prowess could overcome strategy was shaken by her presence right before him. How could he afford to be complacent?

‘This time is different. Zhang Fei was there then. That man was a true monster. With just Chang-ran alone, we can overcome her.’

Determined to avenge his humiliation, Guo Huai recalled the day he had to flee, leaving Zhang He behind, and tried to predict Chang-ran’s next move.

‘The front is blocked. Where will she strike next? Will she attack Beiyuan to block Jieting? Or target Chang’an by attacking Yangshui?’

Either way was fine. Guo Huai hadn’t stationed himself north of the Wei River for nothing.

If Chang-ran headed for Beiyuan, she’d have to cross the Wei River. If she attacked Yangshui towards Chang’an, she’d have to cross the Wugong River before the Wei River.

Meanwhile, Guo Huai could simply use the cavalry’s speed to move quickly.

‘She won’t decide to bypass us and attack Chang’an directly. Beiyuan is the most likely target.’

Just as Guo Huai was tentatively confirming Chang-ran’s route, the Chang-ran Army made a large-scale move.

“Finally, they’re moving. Inform the entire army, the enemy is on the move.”

Guo Huai’s eyes never left the Chang-ran Army.

Where are they going?

West to Beiyuan? East to Yangshui?

Chang-ran’s answer was neither.

“A floating bridge…?”

Chang-ran’s choice was a frontal assault.