Wuguan is surrounded by the tall Shaoxi Mountain in the north and dangerous terrain in the south. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and is naturally dangerous. It is the gateway to Guanzhong and the southeast.
According to this dangerous location, it can be defeated by two people and hundreds of people. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is known as the "Hundred and Two Passes of Qin". Together with Hangu Pass, Xiao Pass and Dashan Pass, it is called the "Four Fortresses of Qin".
Dong Zhuo caused chaos in Guanzhong, and many people fled to Jingzhou, including celebrities such as Qi Mukai and Du Ji. However, banditry was rampant along the way.
After Cao Cao captured Chang'an and Zhang Xiu presented Nanyang, he sent troops to guard Wuguan and clear the territory. From then on, the road became smooth and became a hub connecting Chang'an to Jingxiang and Wuyue, with an endless stream of pedestrians.
However, with the rise of Liu Qi's new army, he outsmarted Nanyang and defeated Cao's army, Wuguan became the gateway to Guanzhong, and Cao Cao sent an additional 5,000 elite troops to garrison here.
Zhong Yao, the prefect of Chang'an, also set up additional post stations along the route. From Chang'an to Shangluo, there were a total of eight post stations, both for gathering information about the former army and to ensure timely supply of food and grass.
Half a year has passed, and the winding mountain road outside Wuguan has long been deserted and overgrown with grass. Coupled with a first snowfall, the mountains are gray and desolate.
The weather was gloomy, the northwest wind was howling, and a group of men and horses were walking slowly on the mountain road. The man leading the army with a face as thick as a jujube and a solemn expression was none other than Wei Yan.
When he was lowering his head and heading on his way, someone stood in front of him at the mountain pass. He turned around and reported: "General Wei, after turning around this mountain col, you will reach the Wuguan Pass. There are no sentries from Cao's army. It must be because of the cold weather and the ground that they are all hiding in the pass."
Wei Yan waved, and everyone hid in the leeward place to rest for a while. They stepped forward to observe the situation in Wuguan, and saw a figure moving behind the gate. Apparently, the defenders had not completely relaxed their vigilance, and there were still patrols.
However, Wuguan is built on a high ground in the middle of the mountain, with cliffs to the north and a ravine to the south. There are only two gates on the east and west. If you want to enter the pass, there is only one passage.
He turned to Hu Ji and said: "This Wuguan is built on the mountain. If the troops want to enter the pass, the mountain road is rugged. The pass is high in cliffs and deep in the valley. It is narrow and difficult to navigate. It is indeed easy to defend but difficult to attack."
Hu Ji nodded and said: "This place has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. If we don't use it wisely, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky to attack it."
With a clang, Wei Yan drew out his green sword. A resolute face reflected on the blade, and he said in a deep voice: "If I take this pass, even if Cao Cao has a hundred thousand soldiers, it will be in vain."
After observing for a while, the two returned to the mountain col, took a short rest, and watched as the sky was getting dark, and they led the three thousand Red Flame Army towards Guanxia.
Just after turning around the mountain col, a sharp whistle suddenly sounded from the cliff several feet high, followed by green smoke, drums were turned off and the defenders were busy.
Wei Yan was secretly shocked. It turned out that there was a hidden sentry on the cliff. From that position, he could have a clear view of the mountain road. He could even see a bird flying by, let alone sneak in for a sneak attack.
"Put up the flag!" Wei Yan ordered loudly, and soldiers behind him raised the flag of Cao's army.
The men and horses lined up neatly and marched towards the pass. Everyone was wearing Cao Jun's armor. Wei Yan was holding a green sword and striding forward.
"Who is here? Tell me your name!" The guard was confused when he saw a group of Cao soldiers coming, and shouted loudly.
Wei Yan came to the pass, clasped his fists and said, "We are Luoyang soldiers and horses, who is guarding the pass?"
"This is General Fenwei Xia Houcun!" A general from Guan Guan leaned out and asked puzzledly: "How did Luoyang soldiers and horses come from outside the Guan Guan?"
Wei Yan said loudly: "This is General Fenwu Yan Wei, who came to guard the pass on the orders of the Prime Minister. Please open and close the gate quickly."
"General Yang Wei, you and others..."
"Yan Wei is not Yang Wei!" Wei Yan was furious.
"I know you are Yang Wei!" Xia Houcun said impatiently: "How do you pass through Nanyang?"
Although he is a descendant of Xiahou, he grew up in Huainan and did not know that he had an accent problem. This time he was recommended by Cao Ren and transferred to Wuguan to perform meritorious service.
Unexpectedly, before my butt was warmed up, General Fenwu, who had a higher position, came again, coming from outside the pass, and I was filled with doubts.
He used a pseudonym and was misunderstood by this kid. Wei Yan was so angry that he gasped, but he was sure that the information provided by the guard and Xu Shu was the same. He was secretly happy and no longer dwelled on the matter.
He took a deep breath and clasped his fists and said: "The military situation is urgent and the trip is delayed due to snow. We dare not take a detour to Guanzhong and come over the mountains from Lushi."
Xia Houcun asked: "In that case, is there any official document with a talisman?"
Wei Yan replied: "While traveling over mountains and ridges, I accidentally lost the official document."
"Hahaha, what a big joke!" Xia Houcun looked up to the sky and laughed loudly: "Liu Qi thought he was a loser, but he didn't know that I am as smart as a monkey! Come on, shoot an arrow..."
"Wait a minute!" Wei Yan shouted hurriedly: "We are personally appointed by the Prime Minister. If you dare to take action, General Cao Ren will not be able to protect you."
Hearing Cao Ren, Xia Houcun was shuddered and snorted: "You must be Jingzhou soldiers and horses. Do you think I can't recognize you because of your armor?"
Wei Yan raised the green sword and shouted: "Although the official document is lost, the Prime Minister believes that the object is here. Can you recognize this sword?"
Xia Houcun slowly lowered his raised hand, unable to see clearly from a distance, and shouted: "Send it up."
At the critical moment, the defenders used ropes to hang down the basket. Wei Yan ordered his men to take the sword to the bottom of the city and put it into the basket.
Xia Houcun took the sword, pulled out half of it, and exclaimed: "Qingzhi sword?"
Wei Yan sneered and said, "Since you recognize this sword, do you know it is the Prime Minister's sword?"
Yitian and Qingzhi are Cao Cao's swords, and everyone in the Cao army knows about this.
The key point is that Xiahou visited his clansmen in Xuchang and asked Xiahou En for a copy of the Qingzhi Sword, which made it even more certain.
"You... how come you have the prime minister's sword?" Xia Houcun's face changed slightly.
"Did you know that I am the Prime Minister's son-in-law?" Wei Yan said with a proud smile: "The Prime Minister has to make a detailed report in the past few days. Liu Qi intends to plot in Guanzhong and sent me to guard Wuguan. I am afraid that the general has not been in office for a long time and was recommended by General Cao, so he will not be willing to obey orders. , hereby hand this sword to me and order the whole army,"
"This..." Xia Houcun hesitated.
Cao Cao had seven or eight biological daughters, and there were also countless daughters of married women who were adopted as adopted daughters. How could he know who his son-in-law was?
"You haven't turned the switch yet, how dare you disobey me?" Wei Yan stood at the foot of the city with his hands on his hips and shouted: "In that case, return the sword quickly, and I will return to Luoyang immediately."
"General Yang, calm down!" Xia Houcun came to his senses and hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "The young general's duty is to be cautious. Since the prime minister has a sword, it is like the prime minister coming in person. How dare you disobey? I will go down to the pass to welcome you!"
The door slowly opened. Wei Yan winked at the people behind him and stepped forward. The soldiers followed closely and swarmed to the front of the gate.
Xia Houcun hurried out of the seclusion, holding the green sword in both hands, and bowed to greet him.
The person coming here is not only a close confidant of Cao Cao, but also one level higher than him in official rank. Naturally, he must be handled with caution.
Wei Yan stepped forward to take the sword, nodded and said with a smile: "The general is quite shrewd when he reins in his horse."
Xia Houcun looked up and saw the cold light flashing in Wei Yan's eyes. He was so frightened that a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back, and he hurriedly said: "The general will not dare!"
Wei Yan snorted slightly and walked to the pass first. Xia Houcun hurriedly followed and said with a smile, "I have ordered people to prepare a banquet to welcome the general."
Wei Yan waved his hand and said, "Business matters are important, so there's no need to rush to dinner now!"
