Five hundred soldiers in Helian Heng's army were beheaded and displayed publicly in a mere half-day, sending shivers through the entire force.
"This is the consequence of disobeying military orders! Anyone who dares to discuss the contents of the Great Gan Daily again will be executed on the spot!!"
Helian's army finally fell silent, every soldier fearing for their own lives.
"The Xichuan army has advanced a hundred li beyond Jianmen Pass and is heading towards Hanzhong. Their numbers exceed a hundred thousand!"
Yang Hong, the Prefect of Hanzhong, was in Xichuan attending to official duties when he was suddenly informed by a scout on the front lines. Startled, he dropped his official documents and proceeded to inspect the city walls and the garrison.
"Although Hanzhong has troops stationed, we cannot guarantee that there are no spies from the Helian family among them. We need to seal the city immediately!"
After conferring with the deputy general left by Nan Jiyun, Hanzhong decided not to engage the enemy proactively. Instead, they sealed the city and prepared for a defensive stand, evacuating civilians from outside the city walls into the city to await reinforcements.
"The Helian family from Xichuan has arrived!" "I heard that the Helian family often captured people when they were in Xichuan, with thousands of civilians disappearing every year. Is that true?" "If our resistance fails and Hanzhong falls, we too will surely..."
Panic spread through Hanzhong city, fueled by instigation from spies.
Furthermore, some officials from the Duguxia family secretly dispatched their subordinates to sneak out of the city under the cover of night, reporting the city's situation to the Helian family.
The chief editor of the Great Gan Daily, who remained in Hanzhong, penned a lengthy article overnight to reassure the populace of Hanzhong's stability, printing it urgently using movable type.
"The imperial court will absolutely not abandon the people of Hanzhong. Two thousand reinforcements from Yanzhou are en route to Hanzhong, enough to defend the city and await reinforcements from the western front!"
Following the propaganda from the Great Gan Daily, public sentiment slowly stabilized, and Yang Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The Yang family of Hanzhong, despite the pressure from aristocratic clans, had been upholding royal authority. They had finally seen a glimmer of hope in the past two years.
If Hanzhong were to fall, the Yang family would likely be annihilated by the Helian family...
The spies within the city, finding their efforts futile, could only continue to lie low and search for opportunities to sabotage the city walls.
Liang Xiao arrived with his troops thirty li north of Hanzhong and was surprised to learn that Hanzhong had sealed its gates.
"That Helian Heng actually dared to march out of Jianmen Pass and attack Hanzhong??"
Nan Jiyun and others exclaimed in surprise, "Marshal's foresight is impeccable! Hanzhong must have discovered the enemy's approach!"
Liang Xiao was merely surprised.
His original plan was to sneak into Hanzhong quietly and then quietly lead his troops to attack Jianmen Pass.
This Helian Heng actually dared to march out of Jianmen Pass?
While his feigned troop movements were a significant factor, the reason for Helian Heng's daring attack on Hanzhong was obvious.
The Helian family intended to take complete control of all territories in the Shu region during the time it would take him to travel to Liaodong and return, thus blocking all entry points into Shu from the northern border of Great Gan!
"That brat Helian, could he be planning to declare himself emperor?" Liu Fan pouted.
Liang Xiao's eyes lit up, "That's entirely possible! General Nan, you will personally proceed to Hanzhong, inform the defending general that reinforcements have arrived, await further orders, and prepare for a preemptive strike!"
While the main army rested, Nan Jiyun rode back to Hanzhong without delay.
Yang Hong, upon learning of Nan Jiyun's return, also felt a sense of relief and urgently inquired about the reinforcements.
Upon hearing that Hanzhong was preparing for a preemptive strike, Yang Hong and others were shocked and hastily advised against it: "Even with reinforcements, our army's numbers are inferior to Helian Heng's. We should hold our ground and only pursue and harass the enemy after they retreat..."
Nan Jiyun waved his hand, "There is no time for hesitation. Military orders are paramount, just prepare!"
The generals were puzzled by his meaning, but Nan Jiyun, as the nominal highest-ranking defender of Hanzhong, had the authority to issue commands.
The city remained sealed, but the west and south gates could be opened at any moment. Two armies of twenty thousand each were gathered at these gates, awaiting Nan Jiyun's order to sally forth and engage the enemy.
Hanzhong's actual troop strength, after repeated redeployments, reached fifty thousand. Under the guise of sending troops to support the western front, they marched out during the day and then quietly returned under the cover of night...
Helian Heng's army had advanced eighty li beyond Jianmen Pass and also received intelligence from the front lines.
"Hanzhong has sealed its gates?"
Looking at the deployment of Hanzhong's forces in his hand, Helian Heng grinned, "The Duguxia family is truly reliable, providing even the exact locations of the three thousand defending troops. It seems Duguxia Qun has been forced into a corner by Liang Xiao and is preparing to surrender Hanzhong."
"Are there really only thirty thousand troops in Hanzhong?" The strategists were skeptical.
Only when Helian Heng produced a secret letter and everyone had read its detailed contents did they cease their doubts and erupt in laughter.
"It appears the enemy is confident of defending Hanzhong with only thirty thousand troops, yet they are unaware of how many of your Lord's informants are within the city!"
"Would I, this general, dare to lead my troops out without thorough preparation?" Helian Heng laughed heartily, his gaze sharp. "Our army also has the assistance of the Sun Moon Army and the Spring Revival Sect. We can mobilize up to two hundred thousand troops, more than enough to capture Hanzhong! However, to declare oneself emperor and win over the populace, we need to achieve victory before our allies act!"
"Relay orders to the three armies: hasten to capture Hanzhong and intercept the enemy reinforcements!"
The eleven thousand strong Helian family army marched day and night towards Hanzhong.
Liang Xiao's ninety thousand troops did not enter Hanzhong directly. Instead, they bypassed Hanzhong to the northwest and headed straight for Dingjun Mountain, southwest of Hanzhong, preparing to intercept Helian Heng.
Nan Jiyun immediately led ten thousand troops out of the city, bringing the total to one hundred thousand, with the remaining forty thousand guarding Hanzhong and guarding against spies.
In the vicinity of Dingjun Mountain, a hundred thousand troops gathered. However, a large number of scouts and patrols were still dispatched to prevent any unauthorized personnel from approaching the military camp.
To ensure complete safety, Liang Xiao also ordered Liu Fan to lead the ten thousand troops brought by Nan Jiyun to garrison Nanzheng, preventing Helian Heng from encroaching upon the people of Nanzheng.
While his feigned troop movement had been effective, since the enemy had taken the initiative to attack, he had to end the conflict swiftly.
Once the enemy realized that the scale of Great Gan's forces far exceeded their estimations, they would undoubtedly retreat to Jianmen Pass. Even if forced to abandon Jianmen Pass later, they would completely destroy the Jianmen Plank Road.
The remaining ninety thousand troops were stationed south of Dingjun Mountain, ready to engage the enemy and, utilizing the terrain, observe the approaching enemy forces from afar.
Helian Heng's scouts rushed back to report to the army.
"The enemy has taken the initiative to occupy Dingjun Mountain?" Helian Heng frowned.
"Nan Jiyun is courageous and skilled, and Dingjun Mountain is a strategically advantageous location that is difficult to attack but easy to defend. Proactively defending this area is not entirely problematic!" the strategists lamented with furrowed brows.
"It's still easier than directly attacking Hanzhong!" Helian Heng scoffed.
The eleven thousand strong Helian family army marched all the way south of Dingjun Mountain, preparing to attack the mountain.
Within the Dingjun Mountain military camp, Liang Xiao ordered his soldiers to eat their fill and rest, ready for battle.
His troops had marched rapidly from Yanzhou, taking nearly two months to reach Hanzhong. Even if the soldiers were made of iron, they were bound to be fatigued.
Fortunately, by the time he returned to the northern border from the great desert, he had already actively established supply lines from Hanzhong to various locations in the northern border.
Great Gan had captured a large quantity of livestock from the barbarians. The supply stations along the route could provide meat for these ninety thousand troops, ensuring that all ninety thousand ate meat daily to maintain their morale.
Although the journey had been arduous, and these were new recruits who had joined the army less than a year ago but had undergone strict training, the provision of meat, coupled with a comprehensive system of rewards and compensation, made everyone willing and eager, lest they be eliminated for falling behind.
It was time to demonstrate their resilience and combat effectiveness to their marshal, the Marquis of Anguo!
Liang Xiao's troops were resting and recuperating, while Helian Heng's forces, eager to capture Hanzhong as soon as possible, were still on the march.