With the plan settled, the troops rested in Chen County for only a day. On the sixth day of the tenth month, they marched north again, continuing along the Langdang Canal, also known as the Langtang Canal-the Cai River of later ages-straight into Chenliu Commandery, which theoretically already belonged to enemy territory.
The Cai River was also an artificial river. Countless artificial waterways had been dug throughout the Central Plains and Hebei for irrigation, transportation, and the movement of supplies. This one had been dug by King Hui of Wei back in the Spring and Autumn period.
Had its name not contained the word "canal," there would have been no way to tell now that it was artificial.
The troops continued along the river. Although they no longer had Ding Zhun's battalion helping transport supplies, Zhu Teng still did his best to assist with logistics, since both his sons were in the army. In fewer than four days, the advancing troops reached Xunyi County, a strategic point in western Chenliu-the Kaifeng of later ages.
"Xun" meant to dredge or deepen; "yi" meant laws and standards... It was said that King Hui of Wei had begun his great waterworks projects in the Central Plains here. A river running horizontally was called the Xun River, and another running vertically was called the Yi River. The town between them, at their junction, was thus named Xunyi.
As its name suggested, this place was destined to be a vital hub of land and water transportation in the Central Plains.
In response, Wang Hui, Administrator of Chenliu for Great Yan, proved most faithful to his word. He withdrew the five hundred men originally stationed there and handed the city over without a fight.
Yes, this was one of the important strategies settled at that night's