In 534 AD, the Northern Wei Empire, which was in its heyday, split. At that time, three political and military groups appeared in the ancient land of China? Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Xiao Liang. As Du You, a historian in the Tang Dynasty, said, since the Eastern and Western Wei Dynasties, the world has been divided into three parts: Chen Liang has Jiangdong, Yuwen has the West, and Hebei is high. ? In fact, if we compare the three schools in an all-round way, although the economy of the Southern Dynasties was rich, the concept of gate valve was extremely serious, which led to the political decay of the Southern Dynasties. So its military strength has also been greatly affected. Not to mention Xiao Liang's inability to restore the Central Plains in the frequent wars between the East and West Wei Dynasties, just saying that frequent civil strife is enough to put the Northern Expedition back on track. The southern regime was weak, and the northern regime was the most powerful in the Eastern Wei Dynasty, where Gao Huan was in power. Generally speaking, Gao Huan's ruling territory of the Eastern Wei Dynasty almost covered the most prosperous and densely populated areas in China at that time. Militarily, Gao Huan in the early years of the Eastern Wei Dynasty controlled a Xianbei army of 200,000 people.

Note: As can be seen from the figure, the territory controlled by the Western Wei Dynasty was similar to that of Qin in the middle of the Warring States Period, while the Eastern Wei Dynasty controlled the richest land and the densest population east of Lushan Mountain, and its territory extended to the Huaihe River Basin. It is equivalent to the land of Zhao, Wei, Han, Qi, Yan and some Chu States during the Warring States Period.

Although the Western Wei Dynasty occupied a well-known position in the same period? Luhai? Known as Guanzhong, but the agricultural economy of Guanzhong was destroyed from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties until the end of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and there were Mozhe Niansheng Uprising, Thousands of Ugly Slaves Uprising and Small Uprising. In the face of repeated defeats, not to mention the casualties caused by both sides in the war, it is enough to kill the people in the frequent tug-of-war between the two sides to make the Guanzhong Plain full of dead bodies. In addition, although Guanzhong has been known as the land with superior shape since ancient times, the improvement of the situation in Guanzhong must control the Longmen Pass, Pujin Ferry Pass, Xiayangdu Pass, fenglingdu Pass and Song-Han Pass below Yumenkou of the Yellow River. And all these strategic places, Yu Wentai didn't grasp. Therefore, after Yu Wentai supported Xiu Yuan to establish the Western Wei regime, it could not compete with Gao Huan in population and resources. In view of this, in 536 AD, Gao Huan assembled 200,000 elites at one time and attacked Yu Wentai in three ways, which was the famous battle of Tongguan in the history of the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

Guanzhong situation

Judging from the deployment of Gao Huan's troops, Yu Wentai will definitely die in this battle. Frankly speaking, Gao Huan's troops went straight to the death of Yu Wentai, which was also the best one for the lean men who were interested in unifying the world to capture Guanzhong in history.

South Road: Situ Gao Aocao will attack Wuguan, follow the example of Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, and enter Wuguan to station troops according to the old road, destroy Qin and contain the troops.

Middle Road: Gao Huan's brother-in-law and viceroy, Dou Tai, led the main force to attack Tongguan through Sanmenxia area and Songhan passage, which was the main way for Henan troops to enter Guanzhong.

North Road: Gao Huan personally stationed his troops in Puban (now Yongji, which is the Pujin Ferry mentioned earlier) and confronted the Guanzhong army in Yu Wentai across the Yellow River. This road is similar to the property management road. Although it is a bypass path compared with Song-Han Road, it is one of the main roads for Shanxi forces to enter Guanzhong (the other two roads are Longmengdu and Xiayangdu).

Gao Huan 3 rd Army

Facing the deployment of Gao Huan's troops, "A Mirror of Resources and Tongzhi" recorded Yu Wentai's plan to defeat the enemy.

First of all, has Yu Wentai, who is stationed in Lintong, seen Gao Huan? Junpuban, build a three-pontoon bridge and want to cross the river? Later, he told his judgment to the generals. The thief looked after me on three sides and made a pontoon bridge to show his necessity. This desire to form our army made Dou Tai listen to the West. Dou Tai has been a striker since Huan started fighting. He is a sharp chess piece, and he is arrogant after repeated victories. If he attacks him today, he will be defeated. Cotai, you're leaving without a fight. ?

However, the generals in Guanzhong were afraid of Gao Huan's powerful military strength and doubted Yu Wentai's judgment. Everyone was afraid. So, Yu Wentai also began to hesitate. Later, his son Yu Wenshen brought him a message.

Dou Tai, the Lord of Huan, attacked Puban today and refused to save it. I'm trapped inside and outside, which is also a dangerous road. It's best to choose a light and sharp one to slip out of the small pass. When Dou Tai is in a hurry, he will have a decisive battle. If he is happy and heavy, he will not be saved. If I get to Thailand, I can catch up with it. If you capture Thailand, you will be in a state of ecstasy. If you return to the division and strike it, you can win it. ? After listening, Yu Wentai strengthened his confidence! So, Yu Wentai decided to put all your eggs in one basket and concentrate on luring Dou Tai into the ambush circle.

History? Dou Tai suddenly heard of the arrival of the army, and the wind blew up. The Prime Minister took out Muze, attacked Dou Tai and broke it, and everyone was exhausted. Dou Tai committed suicide and spread it to Chang 'an. The prime minister was overjoyed, and the river ice was thin, so he could not go to the rescue and quit the pontoon bridge. ?

At this point, the battle of Tongguan ended.

The records in the history books are always brief, but if you think about it carefully, you will understand that Yu Wentai's ability to fight against Gao Huan's main force has probably considered three points.

First, on the other side of the Yellow River where Gao Huan is stationed is Huazhou, where Wang Pi, the leader of Guanzhong, is stationed. Previously, Gao Huan sent troops across the river to attack Iowa, but was often defeated by Wang Pi. Huazhou was ruled by Wuxiang, which is now Dali County. Its land was occupied by the dog Rong in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the dog Rong occupied an area and built the king city as the capital. After the Qin dynasty destroyed Dali Rong, it was renamed Linjin because the city was located on the bank of the Yellow River and the other side was the Hedong area controlled by the State of Jin. It can be said that if Gao Huan wants to invade Guanzhong, it must win Iowa.

Second, even if Gao Huan wins Iowa, Gao Huan, who wants to command Chang 'an, still needs to go through a difficult terrain? Shayuan. Shayuan, located in the south of Dali County, between Luohe River and Weihe River, is about 15 Li long from east to today's Xingwang Village and from west to Xiaoyi Town. Historically, the long-term oscillation of the Yellow River, Luohe River and Weihe River directly caused the complex geographical environment in this area. Therefore, there is more quicksand in the north of Shayuan zone, and it is mostly near the river beach in the south, with ups and downs in the middle, mixed with swamps, shrubs and weeds.

Third, although Gao Huan's valiant soldier Gao Aocao poses the greatest threat to Chang 'an, the peaks on both sides of Wuguan Road stand tall, which has been a side door in and out of Guanzhong since ancient times, so it is very inconvenient to give full play to the enemy's superior forces. At the same time, Yu Wentai also controls Shangluo, Lantian Pass and other places in Wuguan area, so it can completely defend Gao Aocao with its topography. Of course, the key to Wu Guan's insistence is whether Yu Wentai can defeat Dou Tai all the way.

To sum up: In the battle of Tongguan, Yu Wentai won more with less, and held his ground for the time being. Of course, it is also one of the things that Yu Wentai needs to do most. Among them, Hongnong County is one of the goals of Yu Wentai. Hongnong county built grain from east to Guanzhong in Sanmenxia and Northern Wei Dynasty. It can be said that Yu Wentai's capture of Hongnong was a key step for the survival of the Western Wei Dynasty after Tongguan War. Because in the second year of the battle of Tongguan, there was another drought in Guanzhong. Yu Wentai officially survived the famine with the grain of Hongnong County, and saved enough strength with the grain of Hongnong County, and defeated Gao Huan again in the battle of Shayuan in 537!