Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 823 - 619: Who Will Take the Eastern Route? Who Will Take the Western Route?
A massive map was immediately moved from the military camp to the county government, hung right in the center of the assembly hall.
Shang Ruyi knew the situation this time was very different from the previous campaign to Fufeng, and didn’t require her to intervene in any way. However, she still focused on the complex terrain drawn on the map, yet even with such focus, she clearly heard a soft mumble from across—
"So, this is what the Taihang Eight Passes look like."
"...?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately raised her head.
She saw Yu Mingyue on the opposite side, her eyes flickering slightly, probably feeling the awe of seeing such a map for the first time. Yet, in the next moment, realizing she had misspoken, she quickly pursed her lips and glanced around.
The others’ attention was also on the map and the dangerous warfare occurring in such a complex terrain, with no one noticing her. Yu Mingyue just let out a breath of relief, and upon raising her head, met Shang Ruyi’s shining gaze.
Both their breaths involuntarily paused.
However, before more emotions could be exposed in their gazes, Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye had already stood up and moved to the map, at once drawing everyone’s attention. The two said nothing, yet their eyes continuously scanned the complex terrain of the map with its intersecting ravines.
After watching for a while, their eyes also became intricate.
This map depicted the entire Taihang Grand Canyon, stretching nearly a thousand miles, connecting the north and south.
The terrain here was complex, with deep ravines. From north to south, aside from the strategically significant Shuo State and Dingxiang, the focus was on Jinzhong and Linfen. Taiyuan had been occupied by Wang Shaoji and the Western Turks, and Yu Wencheng was besieged near Yicheng, meaning Linfen was also occupied by the enemy.
If Linfen were to be occupied, Tongguan would be in danger from the south.
However, this was not the only concern.
Yu Wenye’s gaze remained on the other side of the map, focusing particularly on areas repeatedly marked from countless past battles, referred to as the "Taihang Eight Passes", which were the eight routes through the Taihang Mountain Range into the Central Plains.
Similarly, if the Central Plains were to launch an offensive here, these passes would be the eight vulnerabilities.
Chu Zhengfei just mentioned spotting a troop near Zhiguan Pass, the southernmost of the Taihang Eight Passes, which is the crucial route from Luoyang to the Central Pass, serving as the closest vulnerability to Tongguan. If Luoyang decides to invade the Central Pass through here, the pressure at Tongguan will be immense.
Furthermore, if Tongguan were breached, Yu Wenquan, who just ascended the throne three days ago, might face severe pressure. Additionally, with Wang Shaoji and the Western Turks already occupying Taiyuan, if they push southward, it could potentially crush the newly established Dasheng Dynasty in the Central Pass in its cradle.
Yet likewise—
If the forces from the Central Plains were to advance northward through here towards Jinzhong, the situation in Taiyuan would become more complex.
Yu Wenye’s gaze intensely stared at Zhiguan Pass, then shifted up along the passes to Taihang Pass, Bai Xing, Fukou Pass, finally landing on Jingxing Pass. He lightly tapped the map with his finger and asked, "When did the Western Turks send reinforcements to Taiyuan?"
Chu Zhengfei responded, "The news arrived three days ago."
"Have they arrived?"
"Not yet." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
"How many troops approximately?"
"Currently unknown. However, based on scouting reports from the front, there are at least tens of thousands."
"..."
"Once these troops also reach Jinzhong, then Taiyuan City will—"
It will be even harder, or rather, even less reclaimable.
Chu Zhengfei was merely the Tongguan Defender, unable to directly comment on the frontline combat; otherwise, it would disrupt military strategy. But everyone present, including Shang Ruyi, understood the unsaid result.
Taiyuan City was fortified, easy to defend but difficult to attack, which was precisely why Yu Wenquan was daring enough to entrust his origin land to his youngest son when he moved to Daxing City to pursue his ambitions.
But surprisingly, Yu Wencheng was so incompetent, actually losing Taiyuan City.
This loss was worsened by the fact that it was occupied by both Wang Shaoji and the Western Turks, making its reclaim exceedingly difficult. With additional reinforcements, whether they could retake Taiyuan City or return safely was uncertain.
In this tense silence, Yu Wenqian slowly stepped forward, gazed at the map for a long time, finally seeming to find something, then extended his hand, pointing to a barely visible mark: "This is Yicheng?"
Chu Zhengfei stepped forward and immediately replied, "Replying to Prince Han, this is indeed the place."
"Then, the location where the third brother was besieged is—"
"Probably, it’s here."
Chu Zhengfei also reached out, first pointing at Yicheng, then drawing a line southeast from that point: "It’s here."
Yu Wenqian immediately focused on where his fingertip was pointing—however, even Yicheng was just a tiny dot, and the valley where Yu Wencheng was located was merely a thin line, completely unclear in terms of the specific terrain.
Yu Wenqian couldn’t help but furrow his brows.
Seeing this situation, Chu Zhengfei immediately said: "The map here is incomplete, but the troops sent to Yicheng to assist King Qi should be familiar with the terrain there. We could have them draft a map overnight. If Prince Han asks, I can also immediately call someone over."
Yu Wenqian thought for a moment, gently waved his hand and said: "No rush for now."
As he spoke, he raised his head to look at Yu Wenye on the other side of the map. His cold eyes slowly moved from the map to Yu Wenqian’s face.
As their gazes met, an invisible storm seemed to be brewing.
Yu Wenye said: "Indeed, there’s no rush for now."
"..."
"My Imperial Brother and I should first understand which route we should take and what we should deal with."
Yu Wenqian smiled and nodded: "Indeed."
As they spoke, their gazes simultaneously returned to the map—though this map was very complex, reflecting the complicated terrain and military significance of the Taihang Mountain Range, from the current perspective, there was a clear point: the map had two routes.
The first was to take the West Line, heading north from Yuncheng, arriving near Yicheng at Linfen to rescue King Qi Yu Wencheng, ensuring his safety before continuing north to Jinzhong to reclaim Taiyuan; the second was to take the East Line, where, if there were troops from Luoyang arriving at Zhiguan Pass, they must be resisted early to prevent Liang Shide from joining this chaos; if not, they must quickly head north to resist the Western Turks’ reinforcement towards Taiyuan, and together with the West Line troops, attack Taiyuan City.
In other words, the two of them needed to split their forces.
The question was—
Who would take the East Line? Who the West Line?
Just looking at the routes on the map and their analyses of the situation, the West Line seemed much easier, as it simply involved rescuing King Qi surrounded near Yicheng, then heading straight north to Taiyuan; the East Line was clearly much more complex, potentially dealing with underhanded moves from Luoyang and also countering the Western Turks’ reinforcement.
Once Luoyang sends additional troops or confronts the Western Turks’ forces, it becomes difficult to disengage, and even with a victory, there might be significant losses, potentially only offering the West Line troops a distraction-free opportunity to capture the city.
Yu Wenqian stayed silent for a while before smiling and saying: "Second Brother, which route do you wish to take?"
Yu Wenye looked up at him and said solemnly: "Hierarchy dictates that the elder brother should choose first."
Yu Wenqian said: "As the elder brother, it is only proper to defer to the younger brother."
Hearing this, Yu Wenye hesitated for a moment before saying: "In that case, I shall accept."
Yu Wenqian smiled: "I’m curious, which route will Second Brother choose?"
At this moment, Shang Ruyi, who had been silent, began to breathe heavily but said nothing, simply staring fixedly at Yu Wenye’s back.
How would he choose?
Yet, at this moment, his choice seemed obvious.
Just now as they studied the map, he had been asking about the Taihang Eight Passes, which is the East Line; whereas Yu Wenqian had been inquiring about the terrain near Yicheng, the West Line.
Although comparing the two, the West Line was much less demanding than the East Line, Yu Wenye’s nature was never one to shy away from challenges, rather, he is someone who enjoys confronting difficulties.
Moreover, he and Ashina Shali of the Western Turks have been rivals since the Battle of Yanmen County; this time, as the Western Turks reinforced Taiyuan, it was likely because they knew that those in Taiyuan had already sent word to Central Pass. Yu Wenquan would definitely dispatch a general, which would surely include Yu Wenye.
This battle has the feel of a true contest between matched opponents.
However, everyone knows the significance of this Taiyuan conflict. Before their deployment, Yu Wenquan stated clearly, whoever captures Taiyuan first will be crowned as the Crown Prince!
Will Yu Wenye take a risk on this matter? Or follow the rules, establish merit, and secure the position of the Crown Prince?
After all, for the Crown Prince position, he might play the Emperor at the last moment!
At this moment, he wasn’t the only one silent; everyone in the assembly hall was quiet.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him, and Yu Wenye seemed to be making his final considerations. His fingers traced along Zhiguan Pass northward to Taihang Pass, Bai Xing, Fukou Pass. People held their breaths, seemingly waiting not just for his choice, but for the direction the Dasheng Dynasty would take.
So, his choice should be—
