Wubei Zhi (Vol. 11)

The Biography of Guo Jia: The Northern Expedition

Handwritten annotations regarding the route to Wuzhong

"...Moreover, Yuan Shao Cao Cao's late rival who formerly controlled the north had shown great kindness to the various frontier tribes, and his sons Yuan Shang and his brothers are still alive. If we now abandon this front to march south, Shang will use the resources of the Wuhuan A powerful nomadic confederation to summon the officials who remain loyal to their deceased master, thereby inciting the ambitions of Tadun A prominent Wuhuan chieftain. I fear that Qing and Ji provinces would then no longer be under your control.

As for Liu Biao The Governor of Jing Province to the south, he is merely a man who sits and talks. He knows his own talent is not enough to command Liu Bei. If he gives Bei a heavy responsibility, he fears he will be unable to control him; if he gives him a light responsibility, Bei will not be useful to him. Even if you leave the state empty for a distant campaign, My Lord, you have nothing to worry about."

Cao Cao followed this advice and marched his army as far as Yi. Guo Jia said: "In military matters, divine speed is of the essence original: bing gui shen su; this phrase became a foundational idiom in East Asian military strategy, emphasizing that speed and surprise are more valuable than numerical superiority. Now, striking an enemy a thousand miles away with a heavy supply train zizhongoriginal: zizhong, the heavy baggage, equipment, and provisions that usually slowed an army's pace makes it difficult to seize a swift advantage. It is better to leave the baggage behind and take light troops along a secret path to catch them by surprise."

Cao Cao sent an envoy to recruit Tian Chou, who arrived immediately and followed the army as far as Wuzhong. It was then mid-summer with heavy rains, and the coastal areas were low-lying and flooded. The mud was so thick that the roads were mired and impassable, and the enemy also guarded the strategic mountain passes xiyaooriginal: xiyao, critical narrow paths through difficult terrain that are easy to defend, so the army could not advance.

Tian Chou said: "This road is flooded every autumn and summer. When the water is shallow, it cannot support carts or horses; when it is deep..."