18. Walking in Circles

After some thought, he summoned Niu Er and Zhou Xiu, instructing them to prepare a few gifts and pay a visit to Tian Feng at Julu, treating it as a New Year’s greeting. Finally, inspired by a sudden idea, he called for Chen Rong to request a piece of aged angelica root, carefully packed in a wooden box. He also selected a set of tables and chairs, crafted by carpenters under Wang Bo’s guidance to mimic those from his previous life, as a present for Tian Feng. The two received their orders and set off after a few final reminders.

Speaking of the carpenter, Wang Bo stomped his foot, exclaiming, “How could I have forgotten this entirely?” He immediately summoned Yang Feng and instructed him: issue orders across the entire army to locate and bring in any craftsman with a skill, along with their families if they have one. This was especially urgent for blacksmiths, armorers, and physicians—if persuasion failed, they were to be taken by force, but treated with respect upon arrival, their rations matched to those of auxiliary soldiers. Some simple sedan chairs were also made, specifically for the elderly, infirm, women, and children among the artisans during the northern march. The level of care left Yang Feng utterly astonished.

Wang Bo patted Yang Feng’s shoulder mysteriously and said, “This concerns the very foundation of our Han Revival Army! Its purpose will be revealed in time—do not underestimate its importance, brother!”

After the holiday, everyone in the Han Revival Fortress was busy once more. Endless supplies were sorted and packed for the upcoming march, and tools needed for mountain travel were produced at full speed. The whole fortress operated like a ceaseless assembly line, bustling yet orderly. Wang Bo was very satisfied with the performance of Yang Feng and the other Yellow Turban leaders. It seemed the historical failure of the Yellow Turban uprising was not due to lack of execution, but rather a shortage of tight organization and talent to lead the whole operation. It was like a brawny brute with no mind—unsuited to the technical craft of raising a banner in rebellion.

Liao Hua and his companions, since Du Yuan’s return bearing news of the “Saintess’s” safety, were rejuvenated as if dry wood revived by spring. Their previous occasional despondency vanished; they worked diligently, proactively seeking out Yang Feng to discuss improvements to the fortress, especially regarding the military. This pleased Wang Bo, yet also made him aware of his own superficiality in such matters.

A few days later, Niu Er and Zhou Xiu returned with bad news: Tian Feng had been recruited by the Julu Prefect and would soon leave to assume his post. Wang Bo felt regret and a faint irritation, but Tian Feng accepted the gifts without comment. Only upon seeing the angelica root in its wooden box did he pause in thought, then simply smiled and shook his head. However, the gifts he returned to Wang Bo were exactly what Wang Bo needed—some so rare they could not be bought with money. Wang Bo felt much more balanced after seeing them.

One was a silk map of the territories of Bing, Ji, and You Provinces—a strategic chart detailing local geography, culture, and the distribution of powers. It especially covered the destinations of the Han Revival Army’s northern march: the counties of Yanmen, Taiyuan, the abandoned Yunzhong, Dingxiang, and Shuofang in Bing Province, as well as the counties passed through in Ji and You Provinces: Changshan, Zhongshan, Zhuo, Shanggu, Dai, and others, all described in detail, with clarity about military strength, terrain, and mountain passes. Data on the Southern Xiongnu, Xianbei, Wuwan, and Wuhuan tribes was sparse, only general sketches. The dense notes in small clerical script beside the map showed Tian Feng’s painstaking effort.

Additionally, Tian Feng sent back over a dozen handwritten letters of recommendation for Wang Bo, addressed to Tian Feng’s old acquaintances in the counties along the northern route. Two of these were especially precious: one for the Yanmen Prefect, and one for the Chief Historian of Dai, both key contacts for the Han Revival Army in the future. Tian Feng truly spared no effort.

The northern route was thus decided: following the eastern slopes of Pangu Mountain in western Ji, passing through Zhongqiu of Zhao, Fangzi, Yuanshi, Jingxing, Lingshou, Nanhangdang of Changshan, Shangquyang, Tang, Guangchang of Zhongshan, all the way to the vicinity of Ji of Dai County. After a brief rest, crossing the vast flat valley south of Pingcheng, entering the Guji Mountains, and finally reaching the ancient city of Shanwu in Dingxiang County.

This route passed through more than a dozen counties, forming an inverted “L” shape, spanning thousands of li, mostly mountain paths—difficult terrain. It would be a tremendous test of the Han Revival Fortress’s military and civilian strength and willpower, no less fierce than a life-and-death struggle on the battlefield.

Wang Bo would have preferred a straight line, but crossing the remote, birdless Pangu Mountains was daunting. He could not abandon the hard-won warhorses, and even if they managed to cross, they would have to pass through the crucial Gouzhu Pass at Yanmen. By then, the exhausted Han Revival Army would be easy prey for Lord Lü Bu.

The cavalry would follow the foothills, while the rest, except those with pack animals, would proceed on foot along mountain paths, staying within forests to avoid encounters with county troops and unnecessary trouble.

From Tian Feng’s advice, Wang Bo learned that Lü Bu was currently among the northern Hu tribes of Bing, earning considerable fame. Previously, under Ding Yuan, he had risen by slaying Hu warriors, and now served as Ding Yuan’s chief bodyguard. Wang Bo felt more at ease—so long as there was shared animosity toward the Hu tribes, major conflict with Lü Bu before Ding Yuan marched to Luoyang was unlikely. Besides, Lü Bu was but a minor military officer for Ding Yuan, and given the general disdain of Eastern Han civil officials toward military men, he would not be given independent command. As long as they avoided him, a direct clash was improbable. As for other unknown prefects and generals, they had repeatedly failed to subdue the wild Hu tribes, so facing the Han Revival Army would be no challenge.

Wang Bo firmly believed that after this arduous march, so long as losses were not severe, the Han Revival Army would be forged into an invincible force.

Once the marching route was settled, the next step was to assign tasks and designate commanders. The nearly six thousand soldiers and civilians were divided into four groups.

The vanguard was commanded by Liao Hua, with Huang Long as deputy and Niu Da as march marshal, leading the Niu brothers, archers, and part of the hunting team—five hundred in all. They would march ahead, clearing the way and selecting campsites.

Wang Bo himself commanded the central force, leading the officers and all the elderly, infirm, women, and children—four thousand in total. He assigned most of the able-bodied men to widen and level the mountain paths, clearing obstacles for the supply train.

Yang Feng took charge of the rearguard, joined by Zhou Cang, Liu Shi’s shield-bearers, and most of the supply train—over thirteen hundred, providing cover at the rear.

Ping Han and Zhang Baiqi led the heavy-load team, scouts, and cavalry—three hundred along the foothills, echoing the central force. Niu Feihu’s scouts monitored the movements of county troops, warning of trouble to avoid conflict.

Additionally, Zhou Xiu and Wang Qi reorganized the former security team of seventy into five messenger squads, dedicated to transmitting information between units, making two trips daily to ensure swift support in case of enemy contact.

After consulting Du Yuan, Wang Bo left him at the fortress, leading two hundred plus some prisoners as the garrison, continuing to liaise with Yellow Turban remnants and track their movements in Qing, Yan, and Jing. Once the Han Revival Army was established in the north, further plans could be made. Wang Bo specially instructed Du Yuan: once the Black Mountain Army rose up, send men to Tian Feng’s residence to secretly protect him, even going himself if needed—no harm to Tian Feng was acceptable.

All preparations complete, they awaited the Black Mountain Army’s uprising. Time passed slowly until news arrived: the Black Mountain Army had emerged and was attacking northern Ji.

In the second month of the Zhongping era, under Emperor Ling, the long-hidden Yellow Turban remnants, led by Zhang Niujiao, Chu Feiyan, Yu Du, Sui Gu, and others, rose again in the western mountains of Ji, calling themselves the Black Mountain Army. Their momentum was immense, raiding counties of Zhao and Changshan in Ji, and using mountain paths from Pangu to slip into southern Bing, attacking Shangdang, Henei, and other counties.

Yellow Turban survivors from all over, previously scattered by government troops, now responded, spreading chaos that almost surpassed the initial uprising. The north of the Han empire was in turmoil—urgent requests for aid flooded the capital Luoyang. Emperor Ling, who had just been celebrating the supposed extinction of the rebels and the execution of the Zhang brothers, was so shocked he nearly fainted, raging in court and pounding the imperial desk. Unable to locate Huanfu Song, who was quelling the Qiang in Liang, he vented his wrath on Zhu Jun.

If not for the intervention of the powerful Zhang Rang and the eloquent Yuan Kui, who were as helpless as the other ministers, and the pleas of many officials, Zhu Jun would have been executed on the spot.

With no troops or funds to spare, Zhu Jun was sent to Henei to raise soldiers and suppress the Black Mountain Army, while in Ji, messengers were dispatched to offer amnesty and, absurdly, local gentry were ordered to raise their own troops and provisions for self-defense.

Thus began the rise of warlords and the fragmentation of the Han empire. The dynasty, which had lasted centuries, gradually lost control of its territories, spiraling into decline.

The resurgence of the Black Mountain Army created a favorable opportunity for the Han Revival Army’s march north. Both forces operated in the Pangu mountains, yet kept to their own business.

At Wang Bo’s command, the army set out, beginning a difficult trek. No one complained; all believed their leader was sent by Heaven to save them, and would guide them to a better life. With unwavering faith, they marched toward their paradise.

The county troops along the way, terrified by the Black Mountain Army’s reputation, shut their gates and cowered on their walls at the sight of any large force, making no attempt to pursue them into the mountains.

This made the Han Revival Army’s march remarkably smooth; they even sent soldiers posing as Black Mountain Army to extort some supplies and weapons, leaving Wang Bo grinning daily.

They marched from dawn to dusk, ate two hearty meals, and rested for at least half an hour every hour. Thanks to four or five months of intensive training, in the first half-month they managed to cover more than sixty li per day, despite Wang Bo deliberately limiting their pace.

To preserve strength for prolonged marching, Wang Bo ordered on the sixteenth day: from then on, daily travel would not exceed forty li; after fifteen more days, reduced to thirty li, and unless extraordinary circumstances arose, this speed would be maintained.

The elderly, women, and the recruited artisans received special care: after each hour of marching, they were placed on custom-made sedan chairs by robust men from the logistics team, ensuring ample rest. Wang Bo did not assume the airs of a leader, but walked on foot with his officers, inspiring awe and admiration for his benevolence and exemplary conduct, and virtually eliminating desertion.

After more than twenty days of marching, the Han Revival Army passed smoothly through Jingxing Pass, easing Wang Bo’s worries.

Jingxing Road, on the eastern central Pangu Mountain, is one of the main routes connecting Ji and Bing. Going west through the endless Pangu mountains, one reaches the flat, fertile Ji plain. In an agrarian era, such land meant abundant grain, and grain meant countless lives. Thus, Ji had always been fiercely contested by Han factions and the prime target for foreign raids. The strategic Jingxing Pass arose accordingly.

The mountains are steep, with jagged rocks; small trees grow with roots deep in crevices, more extensive than their branches above. The undulating ridges converge at a narrow spot, barely a few dozen yards wide, blocked by a stone wall built by human hands. The wall, several yards high and made of blue stones of varying sizes, is topped with arrow slits. Occasionally, soldiers can be seen behind the battlements, and below are several tightly shut arched gates.

Wang Bo, with Xu Chu and five hundred soldiers, paused under the pass, observing from a distance as the defenders watched warily, marveling at its strategic position. This was from the eastern side—on the western, the main defensive direction, it would be even more formidable. Any forced attack would cost even the best troops dearly.

Fortunately, the Han Revival Army had no need to pass through the gate, only to skirt beneath it. Several dozen li away lay the city of Zhengding; without the Black Mountain Army’s help, Wang Bo would have struggled to get through.

Scouts reported that Zhengding County had kept its gates closed, having recently fought a major battle with the Black Mountain Army, and was now under martial law—perfect timing for the Han Revival Army’s passage. After Yang Feng led the rearguard safely through, Wang Bo exchanged a few words and headed toward the central force, several li away.

They quickened their pace, nearly catching up to the central force, only to find it veering off the road toward the mountains. Wang Bo, puzzled by the early hour—not yet time for camp—wondered who gave the order, or if something had happened to the central force.

Two messengers raced up, breathless, shouting, "Report, Lord! General Liao has sent word: the vanguard has encountered the enemy! Please dispatch reinforcements immediately!"

"What? What's the situation?" Wang Bo asked.

The messengers caught their breath and recounted exactly what they had seen.

Liao Hua’s vanguard had already passed Jingxing Pass and was clearing a campsite beside a lush mountain path. Scouts reported a few li away, two groups of men were fighting—likely a small band of Black Mountain Army, pursued by villagers after looting.

Liao Hua, seeing their numbers were few, paid little mind. He sent men to keep watch, while others hunted or set up camp as usual.

Unexpectedly, a short while later, the sound of hooves and shouting drew near. Liao Hua, seasoned and alert, immediately called Huang Long and the others to organize a defense.