Micang Mountain

　　Micang Mountain is located on the western side of Tiandang Mountain, about 5 kilometers north of Mian County. To the south, it faces Dingjun Mountain across the Han River from afar. The mountain is round as if covered, shaped like a steamed bun, and resembles a grain storage mound. It is surrounded by dense forests and thickets, but the summit is bare and flat as a mat. It was once a grain storage site used by Cao Cao. In the 23rd year of the Jian’an era (218 AD), Liu Bei, the ruler of Shu, attempted to advance into Hanzhong. He had been confronting Wei general Xiahou Yuan at Yangping Pass (the former site is now in Laocheng Township, Mian County) for over a year. Due to stalled attacks, he sent someone back to Chengdu to seek advice from Zhuge Liang.

　　After careful consideration, Zhuge Liang sent General Huang Zhong, the Marquis Who Pacifies the North, to provide support. Upon arriving at Yangping, Huang Zhong outwitted and defeated Zhang He, the defending general of Tiandang Mountain, and killed Generals Xiahou De and Han Hao, capturing both Tiandang Mountain and Micang Mountain. He then set fire to the Wei army’s provisions. The struggle over provisions between Wei and Shu at Micang Mountain led to the defeat of the Wei forces. Seizing the momentum, they also occupied the peak opposite Dingjun Mountain (now known as Mapo Mountain, said to be where Zhuge Liang grazed his horses, located south of Mianxi Station on the Yang’an Railway and north of the Tomb of Zhuge Liang). After his defeat, Zhang He fled back to Dingjun Mountain to report Huang Zhong’s prowess to his commander, Xiahou Yuan. But the consistently arrogant Xiahou Yuan underestimated Huang Zhong, thinking he was just an old, weakened general not worth worrying about, and decided to engage him in a decisive battle the next day.

　　Later came the scene where Huang Zhong directly charged toward Dingjun Mountain and beheaded Xiahou Yuan. Huang Zhong played a pivotal role in helping Liu Bei capture Hanzhong and establish himself as king in the former state. Regarding the mystery of Micang Mountain, there is a local legend that when Liu Bei’s troops attacked the mountain, the soldiers, exhausted from their long march and starving, discovered a cave at the foot of Micang Mountain that emitted a milky stream. After drinking the milky water, the soldiers regained their strength and courage, pressing forward victoriously to take the mountain. The panic-stricken Wei army hastily retreated. On their way past Micang Mountain while transporting provisions, they passed by the cave and saw the milky stream. One soldier, impatient and under pressure due to the urgency of war, thought the cave opening was too small and the flow too weak. He tried to enlarge it with a stick, but suddenly the opening vanished. The Wei soldiers were terrified and fled in disarray.

　　Since then, the saying “There is a cave beneath Micang Mountain; it provides grain water for Liu but not for Cao” has circulated among the people. Many have tried to find this cave, but to this day, it remains a mystery. However, not far from Micang Mountain, on the western side of Tiandang Mountain, there is a forestry station where local rangers discovered a spring. The spring water remains milky year-round, and although the surrounding forest soil is yellowish, the water is pale white — the reason for which remains unexplained. One theory suggests there used to be a stele beneath Micang Mountain, but over time it has disappeared. These legends add to the mystique and enigmatic aura of Micang Mountain. Timeless Micang Mountain has witnessed the clashes and glories of history. Today, it still stands silently amidst the memories of bygone days, watching the sun, moon, and stars, and observing the vast transformations of the land and rivers.