Wuguan is backed by the steep Shaoxi Mountain in the north and borders on dangerous terrain in the south. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and is a natural gateway to Guanzhong and the southeast.
Because of this strategic location, one could outmaneuver two people against a hundred and it was easy to defend but difficult to attack, so it was known as the "One Hundred and Two Qin Passes" and was called the "Four Barriers of Qin" together with Hangu Pass, Xiao Pass, and Dasan Pass.
When Dong Zhuo disturbed the Guanzhong region, many people fled to Jingzhou from there, including famous scholars such as Qi Mukai and Du Ji, but bandits were rampant along the way.
After Cao Cao captured Chang'an and obtained the offering of Nanyang by Zhang Xiu, he sent troops to guard Wuguan and clear the territory. From then on, the road was unobstructed and Chang'an became the hub connecting Jingxiang and Wuyue, with a constant stream of travelers.
But with the sudden rise of Liu Qi, the capture of Nanyang by strategy and the defeat of Cao's army, Wuguan became the gateway to Guanzhong and Cao Cao sent an additional 5,000 elite troops to garrison there.
Chang'an prefect Zhong Yao also set up more post stations along the way. There were a total of eight post stations from Chang'an to Shangluo, which were used to gather information about the front army and ensure the timely supply of food and fodder.
Half a year had passed, and the winding mountain roads outside Wuguan had long been deserted and overgrown with weeds. With the first snow, the entire mountain was grey and bleak.
The weather was gloomy, with the northwest wind howling. A group of soldiers were walking slowly on the mountain road. The man leading the troops had a face as pale as a date and a serious expression. It was Wei Yan.
As he was hurrying along with his head down, someone standing at the mountain pass in front of him turned around and reported, "General Wei, after turning the mountain pass, we are in Wuguan. We don't see any Cao's scouts. It must be because of the cold weather that they are hiding inside the pass."
Wei Yan waved his hand, and everyone hid in a leeward place to rest temporarily. They went forward to observe the situation in Wuguan Pass and saw figures moving on the pass. It was obvious that the defenders had not completely relaxed their vigilance and there were still people patrolling.
However, Wuguan was built on a high ground halfway up the mountain, backed by a cliff to the north and facing a steep ravine to the south. It only had two gates, east and west. This was the only way to enter Guanzhong.
Turning to Hu Ji, he said, "This Wuguan Pass is built on the mountain. If we want to march into Guanzhong, not only will the mountain road be rugged, but the pass is narrow and difficult to navigate because of the high cliffs and deep valleys. 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 it is not captured by wits, it would be extremely difficult to attack by force."
With a clang, Wei Yan drew out his Qingguang sword. A resolute face was reflected on the blade. He said in a deep voice, "If I take this pass, even if Cao's army of 100,000 comes, it will be in vain."
After observing for a while, the two returned to the valley, took a short rest, and seeing that it was getting dark, they led three thousand Red Flame Army soldiers towards the pass.
Just after turning the corner of the mountain, a sharp whistle suddenly sounded from the cliff several meters high, followed by blue smoke rising up, the sound of drums, and the defenders were busy.
Wei Yan was secretly shocked. It turned out that there was a secret sentry on the cliff. From that position, he had a clear view of the mountain road. He could even see a bird flying by, let alone a sneak attack.
"Raise the flag!" Wei Yan gave a loud order, and the soldiers behind him raised the flag of Cao's army.
The soldiers and horses were arranged in an orderly manner and marched towards the pass. All of them were wearing Cao's armor. Wei Yan strode forward with a Qinggang sword in his hand.
"Who is here? Tell me your name!" The defending general was puzzled when he saw a group of Cao's soldiers coming, and shouted loudly.
Wei Yan arrived at the pass, clasped his fists and said, "We are soldiers from Luoyang, who will guard the pass?"
"I am General Xiahou Cun!" A general at the pass leaned forward and asked in confusion, "How did the troops from Luoyang come from outside the pass?"
Wei Yan shouted, "I am General Yan Wei, and I am here to guard the pass on the orders of the Prime Minister. Open the gate quickly."
"General Yang Wei, you guys..."
"Yan Wei is not Yang Wei!" Wei Yan was furious.
"I know you are Yang Wei!" Xiahou Cun asked impatiently, "How did you get through Nanyang?"
Although he was a descendant of Xiahou, he grew up in Huainan and had no idea that he had a problem with his accent. This time he was recommended by Cao Ren and transferred to Wuguan to make contributions.
Who would have thought that before he could even get comfortable in his seat, another General Fenwu, who held a higher position, arrived, coming from outside the Great Wall. He was filled with doubts.
Wei Yan was so angry that he was gasping for breath for using a pseudonym and being misunderstood by this kid. However, he was secretly happy when he was sure that the information provided by the guard general was the same as that provided by Xu Shu, and he no longer dwelled on the matter.
He took a deep breath and clasped his fists, saying, "The military situation is urgent, and the snow has delayed our journey. We dare not go through Guanzhong and come over the mountains from Lushi."
Xiahou Cun asked: "In this case, do you have the official document?"
Wei Yan replied, "I accidentally lost the document while crossing the mountains and hills."
"Hahaha, what a joke!" Xiahou Cun laughed up to the sky and said, "Liu Qi thought I was a drunkard, but he didn't know that I am as smart as a monkey! Come on, shoot the arrows..."
"Wait!" Wei Yan shouted hurriedly, "We are appointed by the Prime Minister himself. If you dare to attack, even General Cao Ren can't save you."
Hearing Cao Ren, Xiahou Cun's heart trembled, and he snorted coldly: "You must be soldiers from Jingzhou. Do you think I can't recognize you just because you changed your armor?"
Wei Yan raised the Qinggang sword and shouted, "Although the official document is lost, the chancellor believes that the item is here. Do you recognize this sword?"
Xiahou Cun slowly lowered his raised hand. It was hard to see clearly from a distance, so he shouted, "Send it up."
At the critical moment, the defenders lowered a basket with a rope, and Wei Yan ordered his men to take the sword to the foot of the city and put it into the basket.
Xiahou Cun took the sword, pulled out half of it, and exclaimed, "Qinggang Sword?"
Wei Yan sneered and said, "Since you recognize this sword, you know it is the Prime Minister's sword?"
Yitian and Qingguang were Cao Cao's swords, and everyone in Cao's army knew about it.
The key is that Xiahou En visited his clansmen in Xuchang and asked Xiahou En for the Qinggang Sword to see it, which further confirmed it.
"You...how come you have the Prime Minister's sword?" Xiahou Cun's face changed slightly.
"Do you know that I am the prime minister's son-in-law?" Wei Yan said with a proud smile, "The prime minister has recently received a report from a spy that Liu Qi intends to attack Guanzhong, and sent me to guard Wuguan. I am afraid that you have not been in office for long, and you are recommended by General Cao, so you are unwilling to obey orders, so I hand this sword to me to command the whole army."
"This..." Xiahou Cun hesitated.
Cao Cao had seven or eight biological daughters, and he also had countless daughters of other married women whom he adopted as his adopted daughters. How would he know who his son-in-law was
"If you still don't open the gate, do you dare to disobey my order?" Wei Yan stood at the foot of the city with his hands on his hips and shouted: "Since this is the case, return the sword quickly and I will return to Luoyang immediately."
"General Yang, calm down!" Xiahou Cun came back to his senses and hurriedly clasped his fists and said, "It is my duty, so I have to be cautious. Since the Prime Minister has the sword, it is like the Prime Minister himself. How dare I disobey? I will go down to the pass to welcome him!"
The gate slowly opened. Wei Yan winked at the people behind him and stepped forward. The soldiers followed closely behind him and rushed to the front of the gate.
Xiahou Cun hurried out, holding the Qinggang sword in both hands, and bowed to greet him.
The visitor was not only Cao Cao's confidant, but also one level higher in official rank than him, so naturally he had to be careful in dealing with him.
Wei Yan stepped forward, took the sword, nodded and said with a smile: "Pull back before it's too late, General. You are quite smart."
Xiahou Cun looked up and saw the cold light flashing in Wei Yan's eyes. He was so scared that a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back. He hurriedly said, "I dare not!"
Wei Yan snorted slightly and walked towards the inner part of the pass first. Xiahou Cun hurriedly followed him and said with a smile, "I have ordered people to prepare a banquet to welcome the general."
Wei Yan waved his hand and said, "Official business is more important, there is no need to rush to eat!"