“Can strategists not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 110: Saiyin Mountain Ridge.
To paint a clearer picture of Qiao Yan’s route, it wasn’t just a straight shot north.
Rallying the troops for war is easy, but smashing the alliance of the Quidou brothers? Now that’s a whole different ball game.
Both the Left Guli Wang of the Southern Xiongnu and Liu Hong, far off in Luoyang, thought Qiao Yan’s choice to strike back against the Xianbei in spring was like kicking the hornet’s nest without any warning; she was trying to gain the upper hand.
But for Qiao Yan, after Quidou’s death, both Fuluohan and Budugen each commanded tens of thousands, while facing the likes of Ke Biner for decades—that’s not just a simple situation.
The northern desert had its fair share of fierce folks, and in this mini Ice Age, resources were running low. Times were tough, pushing even the softest souls to become hard nuts.
The marching army was camped out at Yanmen—this was also the direction the Xianbei took when raiding down the old Southern Xiongnu routes, yet Qiao Yan had no intentions of launching her attack from there.
Before the patriotic chant, she had a chat with Zhang Liao.
With Qiao Yan starting the trend of making 3D maps, Zhang Liao thought, “Hey, why not?”
Having lived here for generations, he was still a Zhang by blood despite his ancestors flipping names thanks to the Mayi strategy fail. He may not have the luxury of glancing at 3D maps like Qiao Yan, but he could perfectly replicate the terrain around Yunzhong, Dingxiang, and Yanmen.
This included the gates between Sumu Mountain and Yanmen, the exits heading north from Pingcheng, as well as the two key passes of Wuyao and Wugang near Dingxiang, and the plain formed by the Yellow River snaking through.
North of the Yanshan range is where the Xianbei currently made their cozy nest.
The route they chose out of the Yanshan was crucial.
Going north via Yanmen was too obvious.
Following the ancient military route of General Huo could lead them through Daijun, where today’s prefect is none other than Wang Ze, brother of Wang Rou of Jinyang, making it feasible to cross paths as they had a bit of history.
If they drifted slightly westward, they could hit Dingxiang and punch through from the Yanshan Gorge pass.
But after some deep thinking, Qiao Yan found neither option was safe.
After the earlier battle with Xiutuge, she had people explore out from the Guyang Pass to the northwest—there, she spotted vigilant Xianbei scouts. They were way more cautious than those from Xiutuge; as soon as they spotted each other, they were out of there! With both sides on swift horses, it would be tricky to stop them from reporting back to their leader.
So what about from Guyang, or the area from Dingxiang to Daijun?
Frequent skirmishes meant there were plenty of scouts hanging around.
While Qiao Yan knew she wouldn’t get lost up north, she wasn’t keen on getting prepped for a welcoming committee.
If the Guyang Pass, Wuyao Pass, and northern mountain passes beyond Yanmen and Daijun weren’t suitable for a surprise attack, was there a chance to charge straight through?
She and Zhang Liao found common ground—they’d go via the Baidao Pass!
This route was also taken by General Wei during the northern battles in the sixth year of Yuanxun.
As the fourth major pass after Jilu, Gaoque, and Guanglu, the Baidao Pass was fortified during the reign of Zhao Wuling Wang, designed to keep out trouble. But since the path was far trickier than Guyang, there were fewer Hu people passing through, until the Huns stormed through again in the fifth year of Yuanxun, only to get scattered in the subsequent battles.
Next, it turned into a fortress due to the military factions that settled there during the Northern Wei and into the Sui and Tang dynasties.
But what drew Qiao Yan here was its positioning smack dab between Guyang and Yanmen; it was the perfect spot for her sharp edge to stab in!
And because of this battle plan, after deploying from Yanmen County, the whole army veered west along the Yanshan range, passing through Wuyao, Wugang, and Wuqian, heading straight into the northern Baidao plain.
To put it in terms more familiar to modern folks, they could call this place—Chili River.
Right by that river, under Yanshan, the sky looked like a giant yurt covering the land.
Looking back south from the Yanmen Great Wall, it was a scene of solemn border defenses; yet from their current position beneath Yanshan, facing west revealed a beautiful landscape with lush water and grass.
If there hadn’t been so many Hu incursions in recent years, the Han people wouldn’t have to worry about the Xianbei stepping in due to the bounty of this area; what she should be seeing was cattle grazing as the wind ruffled the grass, rather than currently witnessing the wild grass sprouting in spring with no sign of life around.
Only the winding tributaries of the Yellow River were there providing nourishment to this land that could be called fertile.
Qiao Yan couldn’t help but feel drawn to this place.
Just like the open coal mines between Yanmen and Xihe still waiting to be developed, most of the population from Bingzhou was active south of Taiyuan, leaving this rich land outside of their control severely underutilized.
General Zhang Rengyuan from the Tang Dynasty had cultivated over 3,800 acres of good farmland here, saving the treasury a fortune.
Even if people were too scared to live here, she would still make this her military base.
But all this dreaming hinged on first smashing the Xianbei’s ambitious plans!
“Qiao Hou?” Seeing Qiao Yan fixated on the vista, Zhang Liao stepped in to check.
Qiao Yan shook her head, “Nothing, just pondering the open terrain here. If conditions allow in the future, this would be a grand place for displaying military prowess. We should fortify a city here, and further south, we must develop livestock, aquaculture, and agriculture. It’s a waste as it stands.”
The mini Ice Age, capable of freezing even the Huai River, would cut down the planting time here by at least four months. But once the outer threats were managed, this could become the safest granary.
“Let’s go, over Yanshan.”
The Baidao got its name because the mountain stones here are lighter in color compared to the red rocks of the Guyang Pass.
This wasn’t the easiest road to navigate. It wasn’t until the Yuan Dynasty’s Yanyou years that they fixed up the Baidao, transforming it from a “dangerous terrain” into a “smooth route.”
And at that moment, the benefits of her 3D map usage became clear.
Initially, Zhang Liao didn’t get why Qiao Yan, the governor, insisted on overseeing the battle and being at the front; however, after trekking half the distance over Yanshan, he realized the route they’d chosen was the best decision they could have made.
Clearly, Qiao Yan had done her homework, even at the trickiest spots like Centipede Bay.
As they started downhill on the mountain path, the shadows of the northern grasslands began to emerge before them.
With the Baidao march saving them considerable stamina, the soldiers remained alert and energized. But Qiao Yan wanted a furious charge once they entered the grasslands, so she decisively ordered that even though it was just the second afternoon since they set out, they should camp as they exited the Baidao.
“Actually, we can march under the cover of night as soon as we leave the mountain pass and directly attack the enemy camp,” Lü Bu murmured.
He might have sensed that Qiao Yan wasn’t such a tough boss to deal with, so he brought this issue up to her.
“The soldiers in the border lands often struggle to see the road at night; how are the Xianbei any different?”
Qiao Yan fiddled with the charcoal used for warmth, the firelight flickering dimly, and answered Lü Bu’s question with a question of her own. “I won’t allow any mistakes during the march through the valley. Even if we’re discovered, it must be when we’re very close.”
It was obviously not easy to explain this distinction to Lü Bu; after all, it boiled down to having eaten more animal entrails.
She wouldn’t hesitate to use cunning tactics when necessary, but right now, marching through the valley like this was already a bit of a gamble. She preferred to rely on traditional methods with a sprinkle of cleverness.
Qiao Yan shot another glance at Lü Bu.
Maybe it was because this was his first time participating in such a border war; the future fierce general wore a youthfully eager expression and spoke again, “If you truly have excess energy to spare, I’ll give you a task.”
Lü Bu immediately straightened up.
Seeing Qiao Yan point upward, she handed him one of the ten telescopes equipped for this march.
“Climb up there, and if you see any Xianbei scouts, you must shoot them down at the valley entrance. Can you do that?”
After reaching an agreement with Mi Zhu from the Eastern Sea, this particularly cooperative merchant had already sent the first batch of white crystals to Bingzhou during the winter preparation, which was why Qiao Yan had enough telescopes to spare.
Lü Bu replied, “Rest assured, Lord Qiao.”
Of course, Qiao Yan wasn’t sending him alone to complete this mission; Lü Bu was well aware of that.
He quickly gathered a few other energetic young men from his squad and headed toward the valley entrance.
Qiao Yan watched his retreating figure, shaking her head in a somewhat helpless manner.
But in a time when most people in the Central Plains were fixated on power struggles, someone like Lü Bu, who would jump at the chance to fight and climb the ranks, seemed rather endearing as he could help her achieve this goal of first fending off external threats before stabilizing internal affairs.
As she turned her gaze away, she saw Zhang Yang approaching her.
“This time, we’ve communicated Lord Qiao’s orders about bringing extra charcoal and having hot water ready,” he said. “However, for the subsequent rapid assault, we can’t carry water; otherwise, the supplies would be too cumbersome. I’ll monitor the situation in the camp, so don’t worry.”
Qiao Yan nodded, indicating she had full confidence in his leadership.
This journey could be considered backed by the experience of predecessors, but Qiao Yan dared not forget how young Huo Qubing had died tragically; therefore, she was particularly concerned about ensuring enough water and food for this expedition.
Just as Zhang Yang said, starting early tomorrow morning, the light cavalry would lead the way, ensuring they could raid the enemy camp before the Xianbei even noticed their march plans.
At the speed of light cavalry, which was about three hundred li a day, they certainly wouldn’t be able to carry the potable water they had prepared south of Yanshan, so they’d have to rely on the grassland’s water.
Fortunately, with Hua Tuo’s disciple Wu Pu present in Bingzhou, during the winter preparations, Qiao Yan had asked him to assist in designing a set of medicine packs suitable for the border environment to be used before heading out.
Moreover, under the supervision of the officers, they must drink boiled water, which should help reduce casualties.
She wrapped her cloak around her and looked up at the starry sky, as it was just the end of February and beginning of March, the bright moon nowhere in sight, only the stars peeking between the jagged rocks of the valley.
This tranquil sight surprisingly suppressed the restlessness stirring within her during the night.
It also allowed her to quickly fall into a deep sleep once she crawled into her sleeping bag inside the tent.
At the first hint of dawn the next day, she rose full of energy, washed up, and had breakfast from the supplies carried along.
The atmosphere in the camp was buzzing in anticipation of the impending rapid assault, with only sounds of people moving about to feed the horses; no one was gossiping.
When Qiao Yan’s fine chestnut mare was led to her, she shrugged off her cloak and mounted, already seeing her team ready to go.
She raised her hand, signaling for them to advance.
Her mare, seeming to sense the special moment, fidgeted anxiously, and at her command, took off in excitement.
As the leading cavalry of over four thousand thundered into the valley, they joined up with Lü Bu’s scouts and rushed straight into the northern grasslands.
At this moment, Qiao Yan no longer needed to lead the way.
Zhang Liao and Lü Bu’s two cavalry units flanked from both sides, charging ahead while she followed behind with Zhang Yang’s group.
Of course, trailing them was the infantry carrying supplies and medical chests.
Riding across the grasslands felt completely different from being within the Central Plains.
The relentless northern winds from Yanshan slapped against their faces, yet they utterly failed to dampen the fierce ambition coursing through those marching toward conquest.
If she felt this way, how could those eager to achieve results in this battle feel any differently!
Even though the challenge before them would be a nearly two-day rapid assault!
For the Xianbei, who dominated the northern grasslands, this seemed like just another ordinary twilight.
This year, not managing to raid the Central Plains had indeed made their winter quite rough. Fortunately, they had finally moved past the loss of their leader, Tan Shihua, and under the leadership of Quidou, Fuluohan, and Budugen, they established a stable forward base at the foot of Saiyin Mountain.
This was their forward outpost station in preparation for attacking Han territory, and the patrolling cavalry around here were regularly dispatched from this location.
As dusk settled, the sheep and cattle released on the grassland returned to the camp, and the patrolling cavalry had gathered back, forming a solid protection squad.
This seemed like the safest place imaginable.
However, just as the last ray of sunlight sank below the horizon from the southwest, they heard a terrifying noise approaching from afar.
This was no ordinary late-returning herd or patrol team; it was the rumbling sound of an army setting out!
Amid the lingering twilight, a contingent of cavalry, completely unknown, charged right up to the perimeter defenses.
The leading general rode a tall steed, clearly towering, and the Fangtian Huaji in his hands waved down, cutting a bloody path through the chaos.
Once the initial attack was successful, he showed no signs of hesitation, continuing with his troops straight toward the center of the camp.
That was where the command center of this outpost was located.
And in a commanding position there was Fuluohan’s elder brother and Quidou’s blood brother, the one supervising the battle lately!
