Chapter 204 Qian Zhao's Worry
Jingxing, as one of the eight Jingxings in Taihang Mountains, has a very special geographical location.
The Taihang Mountains stretch for 800 miles, starting from Yanshan Mountain in the north and ending at Wangwu Mountain in the south, connecting to the Shanxi Plateau in the west and the North China Plain in the east.
Jingxing is the only road that can accommodate large carts, and Tumen Pass is known as one of the "Nine Passes in the World".
Because the terrain is "high and flat on all sides, and well-like in the middle and lower parts", it is called Jingxing. Although it is suitable for the passage of large troops, the strategic significance of this pass is not as good as Huguan, and it is difficult to control the surrounding areas.
Of course, Zang Ba did not think that Yuan Shao would attack this place at first, and there were more reasons than this.
The eastern exit of Jingxing is located on the west side of Changshan County, and Changshan County was garrisoned by Xu Huang at that time. Once Yuan Shao and Cao Cao sent troops, Xu Huang would certainly strengthen the defense of Jingxing.
Moreover, if Yuan Shao wanted to attack Jingxing, he had to arrange more troops to defend the periphery. Otherwise, if his retreat was blocked by Xu Huang, it would be tantamount to seeking his own death.
However, Zang Ba did not expect that Xu Huang would be led by Gao Lan to the northern part of Jizhou to assist Guan Yu, resulting in most of the Changshan troops being withdrawn.
Later, Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang led their troops to attack the junction of the northeastern part of Changshan and Zhongshan County, forcing Cheng Xu and Tian Ning to go and defend it.
In this way, the western part of Changshan County was completely vacated and was easily taken over by Yuan Shao.
After all, these places were not defensible, and because Tian Ze knew that his war with Yuan Shao would inevitably affect these places, he did not manage these places seriously, and most of the population had been relocated.
After arriving at Shangquyang, Xu Huang immediately summoned Cheng Xu and Tian Ning to inquire about the progress of the battle.
Cheng Xu was facing an army of nearly 50,000 at the time, so he gathered all the troops he could muster together, leaving Changshan County completely vacant.
Fortunately, Tian Ning was very calm. Although he did not know much about the overall intelligence, facing such a critical situation, he did not rush to send troops to rescue.
Instead, after quick thinking, he left behind 3,000 soldiers to guard the many important roads in the northern part of Taihang Mountain before sending out troops to provide support.
He also played a little trick under the city of Shangquyang, planning to attack Xinshi County and cut off their retreat. Relying on his familiarity with the terrain, he led Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang around in a circle and successfully merged with Cheng Xu.
At this moment, Xu Huang was sincerely glad that the deputy generals arranged by Cheng Yu were indeed reliable.
These generals with the surname Tian were arranged by Cheng Yu. The purpose was self-evident. Cheng Yu had already explained it and put them in the open.
But Xu Huang and others did not think much of it, because these people were just assistants, not only did they obey orders, but they were also highly qualified and their main focus was stability.
Although he can't perform any amazing operations, he uses his troops in a very standardized and smooth way.
Just like in this situation, when he didn't know much intelligence from all parties, Tian Ning was still able to keep his responsibilities in mind and make quick and calm judgments, keeping the northern part of Taihang Mountains under control.
Otherwise, Jingxing would be too dangerous.
At this time, Yuan Shao's arrangements had been completed, and Guan Yu, Xu Huang and others were also clear that their target must be Jingxing.
After all, in the northwest direction of Jizhou, apart from Jingxing, the only option left is to go north to Zhongshan Kingdom, pass the mountain pass, and bypass Taihang Mountain.
But this is definitely impossible, because Shangquyang is still in Xu Huang's hands, and the road to the north is completely blocked.
However, Jingxing, which was originally surrounded by heavy troops, was now empty.
"The commander guarding Tumen Pass is Qian Zhao." Xu Huang murmured as he looked in the direction of Jingxing.
At Tumen Pass, although Qian Zhao was unaware of the movements of Yuan Shao's army, he had already keenly realized that he might be in danger.
When Qian Zhao first learned that Xu Huang was heading east to support Guan Yu, he felt something was wrong.
After learning that Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang's troops had surrounded Quyang and Tian Ning was going to support them, Qian Zhao immediately realized that the enemy's target might be Tumen Pass.
At this time, there were three thousand defenders inside the pass.
Huguan has been blocked, and the message cannot be passed. Even if someone is sent to remind Xiaquyang, it may be too late. Moreover, although Tian Ning is close to him, they are from different factions. It is the limit for Tian Ning to remind him after sending troops. It is impossible for him to give up the rescue just because of his speculation.
Moreover, Tian Ning had done his best to leave 3,000 soldiers to defend the northern part of Taihang Mountain, which at least solved most of his worries. Otherwise, he would have to consider the problem of defending the northern path.
After realizing the dangerous situation he was in, Qian Zhao immediately began to make arrangements.
First, scouts were sent to conduct reconnaissance along both sides of Jingxing, and at the same time, the secret sentries were awakened to strengthen vigilance and avoid enemy sneak attacks.
Secondly, contact the surrounding soldiers and young men in the villages, explain the pros and cons, and call on them to come to help.
Qian Zhao was extremely grateful at this moment that Xun You had the foresight to disperse some troops around Tumen Pass just in case. Although there were not many of them, together with the young and strong men from various villages, they still gathered nearly two thousand people.
Finally, Qian Zhao sent scouts to contact Taishi Ci.
Although I don't know if it will work, I can only try it as a last resort.
As for the surrounding situation, Zang Ba was trapped in Huguan, Xu Huang was lured away, and the remaining troops were also unable to protect themselves. The only one who might come to support was Taishi Ci.
Compared with harassing the surrounding areas and threatening food routes, the safety of Tumen Pass is more important.
Moreover, once Yuan Shao concentrated the main force of his attack at Tumen Pass, the effect of harassing nearby might be even better.
Standing on the city wall, Qian Zhao looked at the setting sun with melancholy.
The long dark night is coming.
"Do your best and leave the rest to fate." Qian Zhao murmured.
He had done everything he could. Although he didn't know what he would face next, he knew it would be an extremely difficult battle.
This battle will determine the direction of the entire war.
A huge pressure was hanging over Qian Zhao's heart.
Although he was regarded as Huangfu Song's favorite disciple, he was ultimately just a novice who had joined the army for only a few months.
However, despite being nervous, Qian Zhao still forced himself to suppress his worries.
Stay calm in the face of big events and remain complacent in the face of benefits and losses.
At this moment, Qian Zhao truly understood the importance of what Huangfu Song had said.
After inspecting the city wall and giving some instructions to the soldiers guarding the city, Qian Zhao slowly walked down the wall, ready to make final arrangements before the battle.
The two thousand newly recruited men were not all of the surrounding military forces, but the remaining men had places they needed to defend, so it was impossible for all of them to come.
Moreover, it is still unclear whether Yuan Shao will come to attack Tumen Pass. It is just Qian Zhao's guess.
If Qian Zhao had not enjoyed great prestige in the army and had not been granted the power to manage the surrounding tribes by Zang Ba before the war, it would have been difficult to recruit them.
Nearly half of these 2,000 men are young and strong men who have received some training. If they can train a little longer and become more familiar with the precautions for defending the city and the use of weapons, they will have more chances of survival.
The same goes for soldiers. If they can cooperate more and rest for a while, they can hold out for a longer period of time.
Although the scouts had not reported any movement of Yuan Shao's army, Qian Zhao did not dare to slack off at all.
He would rather believe that he had misjudged the matter, even if he would be questioned and punished for it, than have it affect the war.
However, things did not go as planned, and Yuan Shao's army still arrived.
(End of this chapter)
