Chapter 29: The Five Routes of Hanzhong

Liu Chen’s face showed little joy upon hearing this.

"Your Highness, are you concerned about the situation in Hanzhong?" Zhuge Chong, noticing his mood, immediately sought to comfort him. "Although some soldiers fled Yangping Pass toward Hanzhong, there are few troops there. Zhong Hui’s main force is still some distance away, so we may well be able to take Hanzhong."

Deng Zhong also urged, "Jiang Shu is nothing but a mediocre talent. If Your Highness gives me five thousand men, I can take Hanzhong within two days."

"With Yangping Pass secured and such a vast supply of provisions, we have created a situation where we can corner the enemy like dogs in a closed courtyard. My concern is not the present, but the future." Liu Chen gazed at the distant mountain ranges.

Having seized Yangping Pass, the crisis for the blazing Han dynasty was resolved. Even if Zhong Hui occupied Hanzhong, it would be of no use; he and Jiang Wei could coordinate from north and south to trap Zhong Hui to death within Hanzhong. The only option left for Zhong Hui would be to abandon Hanzhong, head toward Shangyong or Xicheng, and traverse the mountains to secure his own survival.

But what about himself? Must he repeat the military campaigns of Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei? To march out of Qishan six times, to launch nine Northern Expeditions, to invade Longxi only to plunder a few people back?

"What is Your Highness implying?" Zhuge Chong asked, a hint of hesitation on his face.

"Who is the commander defending Chencang?" Liu Chen asked.

"Does Your Highness intend to seize Chang'an?" Deng Zhong exclaimed in surprise.

"I wish to seize Chang'an, but my current forces are insufficient and preparations are inadequate. Even if we took it now, we could not hold it. However, taking Chencang is still feasible," Liu Chen said with a wry smile.

There are five ancient routes from Hanzhong into Guanzhong: the Qishan Road, the Chencang Road, the Baoxie Road, the Tangluo Road, and the Ziwu Road. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Qishan Road runs along the valley of the West Han River, offering flat and open terrain suitable for large-scale troop movements and supply transport. The Chencang Road follows the Xie River, a tributary of the Wei River, winding through the Qinling Mountains to avoid the most treacherous peaks, though the journey is long.

The Baoxie Road, relying on the Xie and Bao rivers, is the shortest and most accessible route between Guanzhong and Hanzhong. It was the main official road used during the Qin and Han dynasties, favored by Qin for its conquest of Shu and by Zhuge Liang for his Northern Expeditions. The Tangluo Road requires crossing the most perilous sections of the Qinling Mountains and the Liupan Mountains, and is rarely used by armies. The Ziwu Road, being extremely dangerous and vulnerable to pincer attacks from three sides, was once proposed by Wei Yan for a surprise attack on Chang'an, but was blocked by Zhuge Liang.

The simplest and most effective way for Liu Chen would be to follow the official road and seize Mei County. Yet, occupying Mei County would lead to a protracted war with the Wei state, which is not the outcome Liu Chen seeks; the current strength of Shu-Han does not allow for a long, drawn-out conflict with Cao Wei. Although Chencang is small, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, backed by San Pass. Back then, Hao Zhao held off Zhuge Liang’s tens of thousands with only a thousand soldiers. By seizing Chencang, Liu Chen could secure a bridgehead into Guanzhong with minimal cost. Thus, even knowing the disadvantages of the Chencang Road, he had no choice but to take it.

"The Lieutenant General is Liu Hong," Zhuge Chong replied. "He is no simple man; he is a close friend of Sima Yan. He is accompanying Zhong Hui on this campaign and is stationed at Chencang primarily to gain experience."

"Deng Zhong, you shall temporarily command Yangping Pass. I will go to Chencang with Changmao to seize that bridgehead," Liu Chen decided. He had to capture Chencang first; once news of Zhong Hui’s defeat reached Guanzhong, capturing Chencang would become nearly impossible.

"As you command," Deng Zhong replied promptly.

In Hanzhong, Commander Jiang Shu was stunned to learn that Yangping Pass had fallen and hastily summoned his officers to discuss countermeasures.

"Yangping Pass is lost, and Liu Chen’s army may march south at any moment. Do you have any sound strategies?" Jiang Shu’s face was pale, his voice trembling with panic. As a former Shu-Han general who had defected, he knew that falling into Liu Chen’s hands meant certain death.

The officers looked at one another, none daring to answer. With fewer than a thousand troops in Hanzhong, how could they stand against Liu Chen’s ferocious army? The man had consecutively defeated Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu; he could not have achieved such feats without a massive force.

At this, the military advisor Sun Hui stepped forward and said in a low voice, "General, the only course of action now is to hold firm and wait for reinforcements. Although the Great General has not yet arrived, he is close at hand. We need only hold for a few days; once his reinforcements arrive, we can strike from both inside and outside to repel Liu Chen."

Jiang Shu shook his head with a bitter smile. "Behind the Great General is Jiang Wei. He can barely protect his own hundred thousand men, let alone rescue us. Furthermore, if Liu Chen launches an all-out assault, we will not last three days."

Sun Hui lowered his voice. "If we cannot hold, why not... why not surrender to Liu Chen? After all, you were once a Shu-Han general. If you redeem yourself through merit, perhaps you might find a way to survive."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Jiang Shu’s eyes, but it quickly faded. He shook his head and said, "I have already proven disloyal by defecting to Wei. If I were to betray Wei and return to Han now, how would the world view me? Besides, Liu Chen has a fierce temperament and hates traitors above all else; I fear he will not grant me a way to live. Do not forget how Zhang Miao died."

A glint of cunning appeared in Sun Hui’s eyes. He whispered, "General, Liu Chen is young and arrogant. Having won successive victories, he must be full of pride. Why not feign surrender to lure him into the city, then set an ambush to capture him? This would not only resolve the crisis in Hanzhong but also win you unparalleled merit for the Great Wei!"

Jiang Shu frowned, hesitating. "This plan is clever, but Liu Chen has many advisors. Would he fall for it so easily? Besides, with Yangping Pass lost, he can simply besiege us without attacking. Why would he risk entering the city?"

Sun Hui gave a sinister smile. "Because Yangping Pass is lost, Liu Chen must be eager to take Hanzhong to cut off General Zhong’s retreat. We can send a trusted confidant to secretly report that you are willing to surrender the city, but fear your subordinates might rebel, and ask him to lead his elite troops into the city to quell them. If Liu Chen comes, we ambush him at the gate; if he does not come, we have lost nothing."

Jiang Shu pondered for a moment, hope igniting in his eyes. He clapped his hands and said, "Good! We shall follow this plan. Send a reliable man to Yangping Pass at once; he must make Liu Chen believe in our sincerity!"

Meanwhile, Liu Chen and Zhuge Chong were on their way to Chencang. In the twilight, a swift rider caught up to them and handed over a secret letter from Hanzhong. After reading it, Liu Chen sneered, "Jiang Shu is willing to surrender the city? Does such a fickle, treacherous man deserve to speak of loyalty?"

Zhuge Chong took the letter, read it carefully, and frowned. "Your Highness, this is suspicious. If Jiang Shu truly wished to defect, he could simply open the gates to welcome us. Why insist that Your Highness personally enter such a dangerous place? I fear this is a trap."

Liu Chen crumpled the letter in his hand, his gaze as cold as a blade. "Jiang Shu is a man of fickle character. He first betrayed Shu to join Wei, and now that he sees our strength, he wants to perform the same trick again. Such a petty man is not to be trusted."

Zhuge Chong pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Your Highness, since Jiang Shu has laid a trap, why not play along?"

"Oh?" Liu Chen raised an eyebrow. "What clever plan does Changmao have?"

Zhuge Chong leaned in and whispered, "Jiang Shu wants to lure Your Highness into the city, so he must have an ambush at the gates. We can send a team of elites disguised as your personal guards to pretend to enter. Once the ambush is revealed, our main army outside can seize the moment to attack the city. With a pincer attack from inside and out, Hanzhong can be taken in a single stroke!"

"Hmph, we must take Chencang first. If we lose this opportunity, capturing Chencang later will be as difficult as ascending to heaven. As for Hanzhong, it will be ours sooner or later," Liu Chen decided without a second thought.

"Your Highness is wise," Zhuge Chong agreed.