How to really enjoy the Three Kingdoms part 2
Further on the campaigns of Khong Minh
On Google Maps. go to satellite view and find again Hanzhong. Then ask for directions to Tianshui. The programs will respond with three alternate itineraries, two similar to the two already mentioned in part 1, and then a third one going Northwest from Hanzhong. Now Tianshui (Thiên Thũy) is the second largest city in the province of Gansu (Cam Túc). In the Three Kingdoms, it is mentioned quite often in connections with the Northern campaigns of Khong Ming. It is in the region called Longyou (Lũng Tây). In one of the campaigns, Khong Minh was able to conquer three commanderies (quận) in this region but had to give them up. Tian Shui is also the hometown of Jiangwei (Khương Duy), the successor of KM. Lung Tay is often mentioned as a granary area where troops can go to gather food supply.
Now start again, and find Jiange (the one near Guangyuan, Sichuan) using Google Maps. Then ask for directions from Tianshui. The itinerary will show up as a line going toward Hanzhong then making a sharp turn toward Jiange. This is the classic invasion route from the North to Sichuan, and all through the Three Kingdoms armies go back and forth trying to attack and protect that route. Tao Thao took it to attack Hanzhong, KM took it in the other direction to attack the North, and Zhang He (Trương Cáp) followed it to his death in from of Jiange.
Jiange is one of the most evocative names: in Vietnamese it is Kiếm Các, or in English Saber Pass. It is the Northern entrance to Sichuan. So famous was it that Sichuan used to be called, for those who read the poetry of Du Fu (Đỗ Phủ), Kiếm Nam -- South of Saber Pass .
Now go back to the itinerary and zoom on the area near Hanzhong where it makes the sharp turn. You will see something called Dingjunshan (Định Quân San). This a famous area for two reasons:
1. This is where the decisive battle took place that gave Luu Bi the control of Hanzhong. At this site the commanding general of Wei, Hạ Hầu Uyên was slain by Hoàng Trung.
2. This is where the tomb of Khong Minh can be found. If you zoom in enough you can see it. Pay your respect.
OK, let me know if you enjoy this stuff. If you do next time I will tell you about Kinh Châu.