After driving off Yuan Shao and seizing all of Hebei, Shangdang Commandery in Bing Province and Hanoi had also become General Wang's territory. Zhang Yang, meanwhile, had fled across the river with Yuan Shao. The Black Mountain Army within the Taihang Mountains, along with large numbers of mountain folk and their households, had all been rounded up and resettled throughout the various regions.
Thus, the overall strategic deployment shifted from internal affairs to external expansion. Aside from the troops stationed within the territory to maintain stability, the bulk of the army was concentrated along the borders. East of the Taihang Mountains lay the Yellow River, while Shanxi crossed the Yellow River and pushed outward.
Guo Jia had previously remained in Great Plains because of wartime necessity. Due to the delay in transmitting information, he needed to direct troop movements from the front lines, relying on his personal abilities to ensure sound decisions and successful operations. That was the necessity of talented people.
Now that the war had ended and the internal troubles had been settled, Guo Jia no longer remained in Great Plains. Instead, he relocated to Upper Commandery, at Elm Forest. From there, he could stabilize West of the River, keep an eye on Chang'an, and attack Liang Province. It was a rather excellent location for coordinating forces.
The troops were also stationed in the outer regions of Shuofang and Upper Commandery, intimidating the west, north, and south alike.
To this day, Guo Jia's official post was still merely that of Army Inspector. Even his position as Administrator of Wild Goose Gate had been revoked. Yet Guo Jia's authority was considerable: he oversaw Bing Province's military and civil affairs, effectively serving as the Han Dynasty's Governor of Bing Province.
This was a temporary wartime measure. General Wang had not