son-in-law

Chapter 1314 The Peaks of the World (Part 2)

Chapter 1314 The Peaks of the World (Part 2)

Downstream from the Yellow River, the land during the rainy season is either overcast or sunny.

It's as if a string is quietly being stretched taut in June.

After capturing Guanzhong and revealing their true intentions, Dai and Zou tightened their defenses at all passages and passes along the Yellow River and Yangtze River within their jurisdiction, blocking as much as possible the roads and communications from north to south. Dai Mengwei immediately blocked five small routes from Guanzhong to Hanzhong: Kugu, Ziwu, Tangluo, Baoxie, and Chencang. He dismantled the plank roads and strengthened the defenses, clearly demonstrating his intention to prevent the Huaxia army from advancing.

In Hanzhong, the situation became slightly chaotic.

This chaotic situation actually stems from people's livelihoods—or rather, primarily from the merchants who gather and disperse in this area.

Before the Southwest War began, the Huaxia Army broke out from Liangshan and successively occupied most of the Chengdu Plain. However, they did not rush to occupy the Jinniu Road and Micang Road, which led northeast. As a result, these places were controlled by Wu Dynasty generals and local ethnic minority leaders and chieftains.

Historically, of the two routes leading out of Sichuan from this point, the Jinniu Road was relatively prosperous. Si Zhongxian, who guarded this area, had always maintained a somewhat ambiguous attitude towards the Huaxia Army. He didn't ban merchant caravans and even expressed some support for the Huaxia Army's resistance against the Jin. This was why the Huaxia Army had always hoped to persuade him to join their side peacefully. However, with the arrival of Zong Han's army, the officials of the Wu Dynasty in Sichuan and other regions were in turmoil. Si Zhongxian, who had initially thought there was still hope of persuading them to surrender, defected to the enemy. Zong Han's army then seized the opportunity to enter Sichuan through Jianmen Pass, heading straight for Zizhou, and the great battle unfolded along this route.

When the Southwest War was halfway through, Xi Yin's army swept in from the east, and most of the Wu Dynasty officials along the way surrendered at the mere sight of them. Bazhong, Zhenba and other places thus became nominally occupied areas of the Jin Dynasty. However, due to the complex terrain and difficult roads in this area, and the fact that the ethnic minorities living here were not very obedient to the Wu Dynasty's surrender order, coupled with the fact that the Huaxia Army had already made preparations in places like Dangqu further south, the Jurchen forces did not truly penetrate into this area.

After defeating Zong Han's army in the Southwest War, the Huaxia Army recovered Hanzhong, but did not over-expand its territory. Although it controlled the Jinniu Road from Jiange to Hanzhong to the north, it left a piece of enclave in the mountainous areas of Bazhong and Zhenba that Xi Yin had ceded to Dai Mengwei. It only gradually encroached on the Sichuan Plain a little further south.

The Huaxia army's peculiar leniency was quite a dilemma for Dai Mengwei. On one hand, Xi Yin had handed over all the Han slaves captured during the southward migration, along with a large amount of territory, logistics, and supplies that couldn't be taken with him, to Dai Mengwei with a single document. This would inevitably lead to friction between them, with each side intertwined with the Huaxia army. On the other hand, in terms of the balance of power, if the Huaxia army were interested in a certain place at that time, they could easily take it by towing a few cannons. Dai Mengwei was hailed as a sage of the time, and if the Huaxia army had aggressively attacked from that point on, it would have been extremely difficult for Dai Mengwei to decide whether to be tough or soft.

Originally, it was thought that the Huaxia Army would forcefully occupy Bazhong and control the Micang Road. Dai Mengwei could only keep portraying herself as a saint who cared for the common people, hoping that when the other side attacked, she could get some criticism and not lose too much face. Who knew that the Huaxia Army never made a move, but only sent a few negotiation teams to urge Dai Mengwei: Now that you have occupied this place, you must properly open up the trade routes and not affect the free trade between our southwest and the world.

A piece of meat hanging in the tiger's mouth—nominally hers, but in reality, she didn't know when the tiger would close its mouth. Dai Mengwei felt distressed, but on the other hand, she gradually discovered the wonders of Bazhong.

In the Wu Dynasty at that time, the struggle for orthodoxy remained a major issue. Some shameless merchants and unscrupulous clans were willing to openly trade with the Huaxia Army, abandoning all pretense for money, choosing to travel through Hanzhong via the Jinniu Road or the Qutang Gorge waterway to the east. However, for some powerful clans who valued both money and reputation, Bazhong became an excellent trading option. For a time, large quantities of goods flowed in and out of Bazhong. Even Dai Mengwei sold his unsustainable populace into slavery, importing large numbers of them into Chengdu, thus making a fortune.

However, in terms of overall strategy, to avoid being powerless in the event that the Huaxia Army would one day bite him, Dai Mengwei always tried to move his own forces away from the Huaxia Army. To this end, he orchestrated a rebellion, having General Cao Silong lead a rebellion in Bazhong, Zhenba, and other places, making this area a true free trade port. Afterwards, he betrayed Liu Guangshi and entered Bianliang, which made him feel a little more at ease, at least the Huaxia Army wouldn't bite him on the head the first time they left Sichuan.

Such management and circumstances made Bazhong and Hanzhong hubs for the distribution of goods connecting the world. However, the transport capacity of the Jinniu Road and the Micang Road was limited. After the Huaxia Army defeated the Jurchens, it began to make friends all over the world with its superior products. Large numbers of workers, minerals, and grains were transported from all over the world, which meant that the transport capacity of each route was always at saturation.

To cope with this transportation bottleneck, a large number of small factories and workshops sprang up in Hanzhong. Some mineral materials were imported here, and after passing through the workshops, they were labeled as Southwest China and exported to various places. This caused a large number of merchant ships to gather on the Han River every day.

Because it became a distribution center for a large number of people and goods in just two years, the streets of Hanzhong were dirty and crowded, filled with a chaotic yet prosperous urban hustle and bustle.

People from all walks of life from other places—beggars, soldiers, gentry, and merchants—gathered here wearing different clothes and speaking various accents. At the same time, the streets were also filled with new and old scholars from the southwest, as well as "new youths" with short hair and wearing smart short jackets full of pockets.

Around June 7th or 8th, a somber atmosphere had completely enveloped the area.

Dai Mengwei's actions caused a sharp drop in trade on the Han River. Merchant ships from the Yangtze River were intercepted halfway, and merchants leaving Hanzhong could not open reliable customs gates for a time.

Many gentry and wealthy families, having made connections, brought their families up the Han River to Hanzhong City for a temporary rest, inquiring about the movements of various parties.

Some of the top merchants had received intelligence from the north several days earlier. Merchants who had been unable to ship goods from Hanzhong, though aware of the potential financial loss, were not in a hurry to leave. They gathered in the city's restaurants and teahouses, discussing the outside world. Every day, the city's newspapers were in high demand and short supply. Some even bought newspapers brought from Chengdu at high prices, circulating the news among themselves.

People realized that a major conflict was imminent, but being inside Hanzhong City allowed them to breathe a little easier.

The Central Plains had been occupied for over a decade, and everyone knew what the real war and chaos were like.

People exchanged information about the outside world. News of the fall of Lin'an had already spread. Jiangnan was not peaceful, and the predicament faced by the southeastern court was occasionally mentioned. But at this moment, people's most important focus was still on the reaction of the southwest.

The leaders of the Huaxia Army stationed in Hanzhong are now Qi Xinhan of the Seventh Army and Lu Qiaoshan as his deputy. After the trade route on the Han River was blocked, it is said that Lu Qiaoshan has sent envoys to Dai Mengwei to protest. However, there are various rumors in private that the Huaxia Army has already taken stock of its weapons and supplies in the west of the city and has begun to organize its barracks, possibly awaiting further orders from the Southwest Central Government.

Rumors also circulated underground, seemingly leaked from the General Staff, the Citizens' Council, and even the President's Office. Some said the Southwest Huaxia Army was already massing, and Ning Yi, enraged by the upheaval in Shanxi, was about to charge out for his beloved. Others said Ning Yi had foreseen Zou Xu's schemes and decided to remain inactive. Still others said the previous mutiny in Chengdu had destabilized the Huaxia Army, giving Zou Xu the opportunity to rebel, and that Ning Yi and Qin Shaoqian were now both ill. These rumors were rampant, with some even claiming Ning Yi could subdue Zou Xu with a single move, the Heaven-Turning Seal—none of which could withstand much scrutiny.

Regardless, the aftermath of the 521 Incident in the Southwest was still reverberating within the military, and the internal rectification campaign was still underway. Against the backdrop of this great upheaval, the entire Chinese military, whether the Fifth or Seventh Army, was shrouded in a terrifying atmosphere of unease, and no one dared to leak too much information outward.

Most of the people who sensed the impending disaster temporarily stopped in Hanzhong, waiting for further changes. A few people followed the Jinniu Road through Jiange and gradually headed towards Chengdu. Soon after, they witnessed a city on this land that was different from any other place.

Security was heightened near Mohe Pond. Young and able-bodied officials from various regions began reporting for duty and accepting new assignments. By mid-June, news from the Northwest, Shanxi, and Guanzhong regions was clear, and even subtle signs of activity from the Jurchens in the North were becoming apparent. The Fifth and Seventh Armies of the Huaxia Army underwent a series of troop rotations and adjustments in response to the aftermath of the May 521st Incident. The high command of the Huaxia Army understood that action was inevitable in the Southwest, but it was currently unknown which unit would be ordered to launch the attack.

"The army is submitting petitions, everyone is volunteering for battle..." It was evening, after dinner, when Peng Yueyun came over to bother Tang Minjie, who was taking a walk on the parade ground. Because they wanted to whisper, they almost completely blocked Cheng Min, who was following behind him.

Tang Minjie wasn't very fond of sports. He had been severely tortured, and his physical condition was already poor. Now it was even worse. After being injured again in March, the doctor advised him to keep up with some exercise. After Cheng Min came, she took note of these medical advice and dragged Tang Minjie out every day to relax and do things like Baduanjin and Wuqinxi. He couldn't run anymore because his knees were almost completely bruised from the torture. Even now, if he walked faster, he would still have a limp.

Cheng Min is a lively person. After arriving in Chengdu, she has all sorts of amazing stories every day. She chatters to Tang Minjie anytime and anywhere during her breaks from work. Tang Minjie doesn't mind and sometimes even chimes in. But to be honest, the information brought by his unreliable junior brother Peng Yueyun is more informative.

"...I heard Chen Tian even prepared six plans—six! We're guessing privately that it's a plan to attack Guanzhong from Hanzhong. The Fourth Division is best at special operations, long-distance raids and sweeping through enemy lines—that's their specialty... They also say that Zou Xu's troublemaking in Shanxi this time was done using half-baked special operations tactics. Can you believe it? The army has been in an uproar these past few days..."

Inside the government offices, the parade ground was quite crowded. People walked and ran in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, mostly discussing information related to the incident. Discussions about Zou Xu's activities in the Central Plains had already begun among the lower and middle ranks of the military; there was no longer a need for excessive secrecy.

Cheng Min peeked out from behind: "I want to go too! I want to submit a report too!"

“I’d love to go too, sis,” Peng Yueyun said without any airs of superiority. “But the higher-ups said our work is more important!”

"fart!"

“Yeah, bullshit!” Peng Yueyun looked at Tang Minjie, then back at Cheng Min, “How about this, sis, I’ll submit your application, okay?”

"Humph!"

"I guarantee you'll be able to go!"

"...Never mind...I'm not scared."

Cheng Min pouted. Of course she wanted to go out and fight, but Peng Yueyun had privately told her about her senior brother Tang Minjie's problems, and that he had some "self-destructive tendencies" and needed to be taken care of by friends. Cheng Min felt that she was relatively good at taking care of people, so she had to suppress her urge to go to the battlefield.

Tang Minjie listened to their conversation and shook his head with a smile.

"Brother, tell me, what exactly are they thinking...?"

"Then how do I know?"

“Let’s think about it. This isn’t taboo. Look at everyone we meet on the way from here to my house, or even all the way to Zhang Village, who doesn’t want to volunteer? It’s just me who’s not welcome. I don’t even have the chance to volunteer now.”

After completing his report at the beginning of the month, it was confirmed a few days later that he and Tang Minjie would still be responsible for supervision in the rear. In this way, they were basically cut off from any possible expeditions and would just be housekeepers. Although he had expected this, as the atmosphere of volunteering for battle in the army became more and more intense, Peng Yueyun couldn't help but feel depressed. He secretly complained in his heart that his father-in-law was not giving him a chance to make merit.

Tang Minjie shook his head: "If you don't know, it means the military is still discussing it and can't make up their minds either. Besides, why are you always eyeing Guanzhong? Is Guanzhong really that good?"

“Uh…” Peng Yueyun thought for a moment, “Five roads lead to Guanzhong, and Lao Zou and Lao Dai are so arrogant, we have to teach them a lesson. Besides, if we open up Guanzhong, it will be much easier for us to connect with Shanxi…”

“Guanzhong is the battlefield that Zou Xu planned. Why do we have to go there?” Tang Minjie said in a low voice.

“…Preset?” Peng Yueyun frowned.

"Preset?" Cheng Min also peeked out from the side.

Tang Minjie looked at the two of them, then looked around: "I'm just guessing...we'll talk about it when we get back."

The three of them crossed the playground and returned to the dormitory assigned by the Inspectorate. After opening the door and lighting the oil lamp, Tang Minjie sighed and drew a simple map on the blackboard in the room.

"This is easy to guess," he said softly. "Back in Xiaocang River, although he didn't say much, my teacher showed a mixture of fear and curiosity about the Mongol forces. This time, Zou Xu's move was primarily an alliance with the Mongols, who had already taken over Western Xia. At the same time, Zonghan of the Western Prefecture is in Yunzhong, and Zongbi of the Eastern Prefecture is in Yanjing. It's still the momentum of the two-pronged southern expedition from the east and west back then. You see..."

He hastily drew a map of the forces on the blackboard, then simply drew two lines: Mongolia from the northwest down and Zonghan from Shanxi to the Yellow River.

The lines converge in Guanzhong.

"Guanzhong and Hanzhong are separated by the Qinling Mountains. The five narrow paths seem like an insurmountable barrier, but with gunpowder for navigating them, special operations forces, and snipers, a direct assault isn't impossible. But what happens after crossing the Qinling Mountains? If we send the Fifth or Seventh Army to this so-called 'Eight Hundred Li Qin Chuan' region, can we provide adequate logistical support? Do we have enough gunpowder? Although our morale is high, should we just fight them here with cold weapons, relying on sheer courage? Look at the steppe people, what are they good at? Cavalry. The Jurchens, Zong Han, are now just a defeated army. Add to that the Iron Pagoda's charging tactics on the plains, and their tactical maneuvers are ten times more sophisticated than ours. So I'm curious, is our Huaxia Army truly invincible? How many men do we need to send here? Twenty thousand? Thirty thousand? Or how many rockets do we have to launch?"

He looked at Peng Yueyun: "Xiao Peng, you tell me."

Peng Yueyun opened her mouth slightly and blinked.