manynovel Page 342
Page 342
The Battle of Guandu became a stalemate, with both sides building fortifications and attacking each other with arrows and trebuchets. Meanwhile, a famine struck the north, rendering both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's armies unable to launch large-scale attacks. The famine also affected the areas controlled by Luo Chen, but thanks to Zhang Juzheng's effective mobilization and maintenance, the Luo army fared relatively well, and there were no large-scale, widespread starvation deaths as in previous battles.
Luo Chen repeatedly wrote to Yuan Shao, suggesting that after the famine, he divide his forces into two routes: one to confront Cao Cao's army at Guandu, and the other to march straight to Xuchang to deliver a fatal blow to Cao Cao, since Cao Cao's army was smaller. However, Yuan Shao seemed hesitant. His replies were inconsistent; one moment he readily agreed, the next he was full of difficulties and risks. Luo Chen was extremely annoyed. Such indecisiveness and wavering were unacceptable for a general! Moreover, Luo Chen knew that Xu You's defection to Cao Cao would likely lead him to attack Yuan Shao's grain depot at Wuchao. Therefore, Luo Chen repeatedly wrote to Yuan Shao urging him to heavily guard Wuchao and advising him not to easily lash out at his advisors… Luo Chen dared not say too much; directly advising him to be wary of Xu You might be seen as sowing discord, and besides, Luo Chen's knowledge of so much was rather suspicious…
Luo Chen is currently extremely busy, his main focus being pre-war preparations. Once the famine in the north subsides, the decisive battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao will immediately commence. Luo Chen plans to lead his army into Cao Cao's territory, conquering cities and seizing land, aiming directly for Xuchang. With this pincer attack, Cao Cao will inevitably collapse. Then, Luo Chen can focus on dealing with Yuan Shao and unifying the north. His most urgent task is to oversee the mass production of stirrups to equip his cavalry. Simultaneously, he must also oversee the research and development of advanced technologies such as gunpowder. Fortunately, he has Zhang Juzheng's assistance in domestic affairs and the economy; otherwise, Luo Chen would certainly be overwhelmed.
On this day, Luo Chen was listening to Xu Da's report on the standoff between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, and they were discussing the strategy for advancing.
"Yuan and Cao are vying for power, and both are trying to win over Liu Biao of Jingzhou. However, Liu Biao seems unwilling to get involved and is reacting coldly," Xu Da said.
"Liu Biao has no ambition and no future. If he doesn't join the struggle for the Central Plains now, and waits for the victor to unify the north, whether it's Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, or even me, Luo Chen, we'll all march south and take over Jingzhou..." Luo Chen sneered. "By the way, Zhuge Liang of Nanyang in Jingzhou should be farming at home right now. I might as well go see him and hear his thoughts on national affairs..."
"Zhang Situ pays his respects." A soldier walked in.
Zhang Juzheng followed him into the house: "My lord... I wanted to talk to you about the land system. Now..."
“Oh, General Xu Da, you can listen here. Go ahead and speak,” Luo Chen said quickly. “Your recent measures have been excellent, helping Guanzhong survive the famine.”
“I think there is a system in my memory that is very suitable for the current situation… I think it is called the Equal Field System,” Zhang Juzheng said.
“That’s right, Zhang Situ and I think the same thing about the equal-field system of the Tang Dynasty!” Luo Chen said happily.
"The Tang Dynasty?" Zhang Juzheng looked blank. Luo Chen was quite puzzled; he glanced at Xu Da, who also seemed to know nothing about it. Were the dynasties these people should know about being censored?
Chapter Seventeen: Powerful Clans and Clans
The sky is like a round canopy, the land like a chessboard. People are divided into black and white, vying for glory and disgrace. The glorious live in peace, the disgraced are destined for a life of toil. In Nanyang, there is a recluse, who sleeps soundly, never finding restful sleep!
—Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Meanwhile, Luo Chen and Zhang Juzheng discussed the Tang Dynasty's equal-field system, but Zhang Juzheng seemed completely clueless about the term "Tang." The system might be disabling the summoned characters' knowledge of the dynasty; otherwise, there might be some confusion...
Luo Chen didn't delve into the matter further: "I agree with your opinion on the equal-field system. Your experiment with land distribution in Guanzhong was very successful and can be extended to Hanzhong."
Zhang Juzheng was quite pleased to receive Luo Chen's approval: "Then, regarding taxes... I have a plan, the Single Whip Law, which will convert all land taxes into silver at market price, and only collect silver when taxes are levied, thus avoiding double taxation..." Zhang Juzheng was quite proud of the Single Whip Law he had created and couldn't wait to promote it to Luo Chen.
“Hehehe…” Luo Chen had expected him to do this. “This is not the middle or late Ming Dynasty. Now there is more land but fewer people, and the government structure is simple. There is no need for this method at present.”
"Yes, yes." Zhang Juzheng was somewhat disappointed.
The most serious problem of this era was not the cumbersome government bureaucracy, but the powerful clans. During the late Eastern Han Dynasty and the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the power of these clans greatly increased, and Luo Chen clearly felt the government's inadequacy; administration couldn't even extend to the townships. These powerful families were extremely influential, frequently influencing local affairs. Take Yuan Shao, for example; his family produced many high-ranking officials, making them a bureaucratic family. Yuan Shao was still one of the Three Dukes, and Luo Chen, for the sake of an alliance, appointed him Grand Marshal. Relying on clan power, Yuan Shao rose rapidly, firmly controlling large swathes of land in Hebei. Eastern Wu also cooperated with powerful clans, not to mention Liu Zhang and Liu Biao. Liu Bei, a poor man, still referred to himself as the Imperial Uncle wherever he went. Cao Cao and Luo Chen were somewhat displeased with these powerful clans. Cao Cao, the adopted son of a eunuch, didn't really accept their influence; while Luo Chen hoped to achieve a Han Wudi-style strengthening of central authority and suppress local power. Currently, Luo Chen hasn't launched a full-scale war against the clans, but once his regime is consolidated, he will use the army to deal with them. Luo Chen thought about these things: why not take advantage of this land reform to deal with the local powerful families?
"The equal-field system needs to be accompanied by some supporting systems," Luo Chen instructed. "First, a strict household registration system must be established, with every household strictly registered. Second, the acreage must be thoroughly investigated, and it must be determined how much arable land is within the controlled area, and whose land it is—the peasants', the powerful families', or the imperial family's. A detailed map must be drawn up. Third, in terms of the military, I plan to implement the Tang Dynasty's Fubing system, integrating soldiers with farmers. This requires the control of the national administrative organs to be implemented down to the village level."
Zhang Juzheng pondered, "These measures can greatly strengthen central authority and improve the country's mobilization capacity. However... these measures will inevitably be resisted by local powerful clans. Your Majesty is wise and powerful, with extraordinary courage, but it is indeed very difficult to advance this matter..."
“We have an army!” Xu Da spoke up from the side. “I am willing to lead a large army to ensure the implementation of this measure.”
Luo Chen frowned in thought. Undoubtedly, these measures would encounter immense resistance. However, only through their implementation could the nation undergo a complete transformation and its national strength double. Institutional innovation and technological innovation were the twin engines of national development in this era. As long as Luo Chen ensured the resolute advancement of both, he would surely unify China and elevate Chinese civilization to new heights.
"We must push forward even if there is resistance," Luo Chen said resolutely. "You first implement it within the controlled area. If there are any issues or those who dare to resist, I will immediately send a large army to wipe them out. Who knows, I might even relocate these people to Xiliang or the northern desert then..."
With a decisive move, Luo Chen initiated a series of bold reforms.
Luo Chen ordered Ma Dai to lead 20,000 troops to patrol Wugong, Xianyang, Lantian and other places to supervise the implementation of land allocation and household registration systems. Some places also formed purely militarized villages and began to implement the Fubing system.
Luo Chen was supposed to be on the front lines supervising the execution of this matter, but he secretly went to Nanyang. He wanted to meet Zhuge Liang.
After defeating Cao Cao, they would have to fight Yuan Shao, then Liu Biao. Perhaps Luo Chen would even have to endure a Battle of Red Cliffs and be forced to retreat north. Luo Chen was somewhat undecided about the previous military strategy. He thought that now was the time to see Zhuge Liang, and maybe he could recruit him before Liu Bei…
Nanyang is within Jingzhou territory, so going there is quite dangerous. Fortunately, it's in the countryside, and the local government won't know if they go secretly. Luo Chen only took Yan Qing with him. Luo Chen was quite concerned about the shortage of manpower. He was currently busy developing gunpowder, manufacturing stirrups, implementing the equal-field system on a large scale, cracking down on powerful clans, and preparing for war. His generals were extremely busy. For example, Yan Qing had recently been assigned to work with blacksmiths to manufacture stirrups, and now Luo Chen had summoned him to meet with Zhuge Liang.
Luo Chen summoned Zhang Juzheng, Lü Bu, Lin Chong, and Xu Da, who was in the capital, and announced that he was going to see Zhuge Liang.
“Nanyang? Jingzhou territory? It might not be safe for our lord to go there,” Yan Qing was the first to express his concern. Xu Da, Zhang Juzheng, and others also expressed their concerns.
“What Zhu… Zhu Liang? And the Crouching Dragon? I’ve never even heard of him!” Lü Bu said. “He’s just a farmer tilling the land. What’s so special about him that I would risk so much to meet him?”
Everyone couldn't help but chuckle, and Luo Chen also smiled: "I didn't come here to invite you all to discuss this. I've already made my decision. I'm just informing you so you won't panic when you find out I'm not here anymore. Xu Da can return to Tongguan tomorrow. Keep a close eye on Cao Cao's army's movements and be ready to fight at any time!"
"Yes, my lord," Xu Da replied.
"I must not relax any measures! In addition, Lu Bu can expand his army slightly, and Ma Dai can also expand his army. Be careful not to conscript men. For now, we will adopt the recruitment system. Once the Fubing system is fully implemented, we can use the conscription system."
All the civil and military officials accepted the order and left.
Luo Chen, carrying Yan Qingxiao's money, traveled and spent the night there, arriving in Nanyang in a few days.
Nanyang is indeed a beautiful place! It's early summer, the rice paddies are lush and green, and the fields are a vibrant tapestry of color. Farmers sing songs, one of which goes:
The sky is like a round canopy, the land like a chessboard. People are divided into black and white, vying for honor and disgrace.
Those who are honored live in peace, while those who are disgraced are destined for a life of toil. In Nanyang, there is a recluse who sleeps soundly, never finding restful sleep possible!
Luo Chen recognized the lyrics and thought they seemed to be from the novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. He spurred his horse forward and asked, "Brother! Is there a Mr. Wolong around here?" The farmer nodded, "Yes, his house is behind the thatched hut on the hill in front. This song was written by Mr. Wolong! We listen to him sing it every day, and we've gradually learned it." Luo Chen was overjoyed. He thanked the farmer, dismounted, and walked towards the hill.
The small hill was lush and green, with a babbling brook and a gentle breeze. Luo Chen and Yan Qing spotted a small thatched hut in the distance and hurried over. They wondered if they would be able to meet Master Wolong.
Chapter Eighteen Nanyang
It is said that Luo Chen led Yan Qing to Nanyang to visit Master Wolong. The place was lush with green hills and flowing streams, a tranquil and beautiful landscape. Luo Chen's tense state of mind and body, which had been strained for so many days, felt quite relieved.
The two men led their horses slowly to the thatched hut, and Luo Chen gently knocked on the door. The wooden door creaked open, and a boy peeked out. The boy looked Luo Chen and Yan Qing up and down. The two men were imposing and exuded a commanding presence; although they were not wearing military uniforms, their swords and posture suggested that they were generals or princes.
"Who are you two guests looking for? What can I do for you?" the boy asked.
"I am Luo Chen, the current Prime Minister. I have come to seek your advice, Master Wolong. I wonder if Master Wolong is at home?" Luo Chen hurriedly replied.
"It seems that Master Wolong has gone out to travel..." The boy scratched his head. At this moment, a voice came from inside the door: "Who is it?" Just then, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in blue, came out. The boy had a scholarly look on his face, and Luo Chen guessed that he was Zhuge Liang's younger brother, Zhuge Xu. "Young master, this man says that he is the current prime minister, Luo Chen," the boy hurriedly replied.
The boy was startled and hurriedly opened the wooden gate: "547, I apologize for neglecting you two. Please come inside and have a seat."
Luo Chen followed the boy into the study. The room was simply furnished, with books piled high inside.
"I am Zhuge Xu, the younger brother of the Crouching Dragon," the young man said, appearing quite curious. "I've heard that the current prime minister is a hero. Chang'an is quite far from here. May I ask why you've come from so far away, General?"
"I've heard that Master Wolong of Nanyang is a peerless genius, capable of bringing peace and stability to the country, which is why I've traveled a great distance to seek his guidance," Luo Chen said, bowing. "When will Master Wolong return?"
“My brother has been traveling for some time now, and I estimate he will be back in a day or two… General, you have come from afar. If you don’t mind, why don’t you stay at my humble abode for a day or two and wait for my brother to return?” Zhuge Xu warmly invited.
Luo Chen had already made plans. He was far away and couldn't follow Liu Bei's example of visiting Zhuge Liang three times. He intended to find an inn to stay in for a day or two if he couldn't meet Zhuge Liang. Of course, the situation in the north was constantly changing, and in a couple of days, Luo Chen would have to return to be ready to join the battle… Staying in an inn did have one problem: it was crowded and noisy, which wasn't very safe. After thinking it over, Luo Chen agreed; this place was quiet and much safer.
"Please don't spread the word that Prime Minister Luo has come here," Yan Qing said to Zhuge Xu from behind. "Understood, understood," Zhuge Xu quickly replied.
Luo Chen and Yan Qing settled into a side room. Luo Chen read for a while that evening and then prepared to sleep. In his drowsy state, he heard the wooden door creak open, as if someone had entered. Zhuge Xu's voice rang out: "Master, you're late...it's already late." Yan Qing beside him immediately woke up. In the dim light, Luo Chen saw him instantly draw his sword, becoming quite alert. Luo Chen also got up and listened intently to the sounds outside.
The visitor appeared to be alone. He slowly strolled into the house and seemed to begin eating.
This person doesn't seem to be an assassin from Liu Biao's army or Cao Cao's army. This person is so openly entering the house to eat, could it be that Zhuge Liang has returned? Luo Chen made wild guesses in his mind.
"Why are there two more fine northern horses in the stable?" the man asked, seemingly a young man.
"Uh..." Zhuge Xu's voice rang out, sounding rather hesitant, "It's two relatives of mine... who came to visit, and they've already gone to bed."
"Hehehe... I've never heard of you having relatives in the north." The man was clearly not very convinced, but seeing that Zhuge Xu was trying to cover it up, he stopped asking and changed the subject: "When will Mr. Wolong return? I was on my way to Liu Biao's place for work, so I didn't get to travel with him."
"I'll probably be back in a day or two." Zhuge Xu breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Zhuge Xu wasn't pressing the matter further. "How is it working for Liu Biao, sir? I've heard that Liu Biao is a hero who recruits many talented people."
Luo Chen heard the gentleman sigh softly: "No, no, Liu Biao has no ambition, is indecisive, and lacks strategic vision... He recruits talented people but cannot make good use of them, treating them as mere decorations. Once the situation in the north is settled, whether it is Yuan, Cao, or Luo, they will inevitably march south, and then the good days in Jingzhou will be over."
Luo Chen's heart itched with excitement at these brilliant words. This man was likely a great talent, but it seemed there was no wise lord to serve him. Why didn't Luo Chen recruit him? Even if he didn't get to see Zhuge Liang, the trip would still be worthwhile.
He hastily opened the door to the side room and entered the main room. "Greetings, sir," Luo Chen said awkwardly, bowing. Zhuge Xu was startled. Luo Chen looked up at the guest; the man was very tall, wearing a square cap, his robes fluttering, exuding a refined air. This guest seemed to be observing him with considerable interest. Then Yan Qing, fearing for Luo Chen's safety, also came out.
"The two gentlemen have such heroic spirit..." the gentleman said with a smile, but his eyes were looking at Zhuge Xu with a mocking gaze. "Could you two generals be some kind of king or general from the north?"
Luo Chen made no attempt to conceal his identity, stating directly, "My name is Luo Chen, the current Prime Minister."
Upon hearing this, the gentleman was taken aback: "I had long heard that General Luo Chen was a young hero, but I did not expect him to be so young..." He stood up and bowed, "My apologies, General. You have stabilized Guanzhong and dominated Hanzhong for several months. Your strategic advances and retreats are all very skillful. You are truly a wise and powerful ruler. I admire you."
"You flatter me, sir," Luo Chen replied modestly. "To be honest, sir, I, Luo Chen, have been feeling deeply confused and weary lately, and I urgently need the guidance of men like Wolong and others like you who are capable of bringing peace and stability to the country. I am truly quite anxious about this..."
"Oh, by the way, this is Mr. Xu Shu, courtesy name Yuanzhi, a close friend of my elder brother," Zhuge Xu introduced.
"Having just listened to Mr. Yuanzhi's brilliant remarks about Liu Biao, and now seeing your refined and elegant demeanor, I, Luo Chen, am truly fortunate to have met Mr. Xu Yuanzhi today..." Luo Chen said respectfully.
Luo Chen didn't mince words. Ignoring the late hour, he sat down to consult Xu Shu about the strategic situation: "Luo Chen is deeply perplexed. Both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are powerful. I want to unite with Yuan Shao to destroy Cao Cao, but Cao Cao is a cunning and ruthless figure; how can he be so easily defeated? That's one reason. Secondly, even if Cao Cao is defeated, the north will still be dominated by Luo Chen and Yuan Shao, two tigers who will inevitably clash. At that time, Luo Chen might even have to travel as far as Youzhou to besiege the Hebei forces—how difficult that would be! It would greatly deplete our army's strength, and we probably can't afford the cost of two wars. Thirdly, and more seriously, if I advance into the Central Plains, with all three tigers united, who knows if Yuan Shao can maintain the alliance? The strategists in Hebei aren't stupid either! In that case, even if Luo Chen resolves the north, he won't be able to march south to attack Liu Biao..."
Xu Shu nodded repeatedly: "General's analysis is extremely reasonable. I, Xu Shu, will humbly offer my analysis."
Chapter Nineteen Seeking Advice
Xu Shu was about to analyze the current situation for Luo Chen. He asked Zhuge Xu to bring out a map and frowned, saying, "What the general said makes perfect sense. Currently, the south is dominated by Sun Ce, Liu Biao, and Liu Zhang. The overall strength of the south is far inferior to that of the north. Liu Zhang is weak and incompetent, Liu Biao has no great ambitions, and Sun Ce is powerless to launch a northern expedition. Therefore, the north is just a three-way struggle, and it can be said that the northern territory is closed."
"General, you now have three options: First, as you said, participate in the struggle for supremacy in the North and Central Plains, successively defeating Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, and even Yizhou and Jiangdong, to unify the world. However, this method consumes too much energy, and you may be too weak and exhausted. Second, take advantage of the chaos in the North to expand your influence to the South, accumulate strength, and prepare to fight the victor after the war between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. This way, you can contend for supremacy in the Central Plains. Third, recuperate and rebuild within your territory, hold Tongguan Pass, and your controlled area can guarantee at least several decades of peace. By doing so, you can observe and wait for changes in the world before making a better plan."
Luo Chen listened to Xu Shu's analysis, which was watertight and extremely logical, and felt as if he had suddenly seen the light. He was overjoyed and kept saying, "Master, you are very insightful! Master, you are very insightful!" The two felt as if they had known each other for a long time, so they sat down by candlelight and talked for a long time to discuss the feasibility of the three methods. However, Xu Shu could not decide which plan was better.
Before they knew it, dawn was breaking, and both men were somewhat weary. Luo Chen was determined to hire Xu Shu as his advisor, and said, "Where do you hold office, sir? Why don't you come back to Chang'an with me? That way, I can consult you at any time..." Xu Shu laughed heartily and didn't refuse, saying, "I am foolish and ignorant, like a firefly compared to the bright moon to Master Kongming, but since you are so earnest, I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty." Luo Chen was very pleased, and the two chatted for a while longer before going to sleep.
Luo Chen awoke around noon, and in his hazy state, he saw Xu Shu talking to someone. Just then, Yan Qing whispered in his ear, "My lord, Master Wolong has returned." Luo Chen jolted awake, almost fully waking. He hurriedly got out of bed and saw a young man, eight feet tall, with a handsome face, wearing a feather fan and a turban, exuding an air of refined elegance. "Luo Chen is quite ashamed; you were still sound asleep when I arrived," Luo Chen said, bowing deeply. "I have long admired your name, and meeting you today is a great comfort," Master Wolong smiled slightly, quickly returning the bow with his feather fan. "I am a foolish and uncultured man from Nanyang; I am deeply ashamed that you have come from so far."
After everyone settled into the main room, Luo Chen eagerly spoke up: "I have come from afar to seek your guidance, sir." Kongming nodded knowingly: "Xu Yuanzhi has already told me that General, your wisdom and martial prowess are unparalleled in the world, and you must have a plan... I am but a humble man from Nanyang, and I am afraid I can hardly help you, General." Luo Chen became anxious: "Sir, you are too modest!" Xu Shu also chimed in from the side: "Master Kongming, why don't you share your views, so we can all learn from them?"
Seeing that he could not refuse, Kongming had no choice but to take out the map and begin to analyze: "Xu Yuanzhi's three options are very accurate. The third option is the conservative one, namely, to defend Tongguan to the death, recuperate, and seek another opportunity. It can be done as a last resort. But General, you are an ambitious leader who wants to make a difference at this time, so I'm afraid you may not be willing to choose it..." Luo Chen couldn't help but laugh and said, "Sir, you know me well."
"Very well, then regarding the other two options, General Luo has already experienced the difficulty of the first one himself." Kongming lightly waved his feather fan, pondered for a moment, and then said, "But I heard that General Luo has still stationed 100,000 troops at Tongguan, preparing to contend for the north." Luo Chen stood up and replied, "That's right, to be honest, that was my original plan, but I've been considering the difficulties and am hesitant, so I've come to consult you." Kongming shook his head: "General, you have 100,000 troops, while Cao Cao has over 300,000, and Yuan Shao has over 800,000; your strength is not optimistic. If you launch an attack so easily, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold out to the end."
Luo Chen frowned in thought. Zhuge Kongming spoke again: "General, you held Tongguan for over a month against Cao Cao, suffering heavy losses and barely managing to hold out, unable to launch a counterattack. In anyone else's hands, Chang'an would have fallen long ago. Fortunately, you deployed your forces skillfully, remaining calm in the face of danger and forging alliances. In the end, Cao Cao was forced to retreat. This encounter between you and Cao Cao demonstrates two things: first, you are indeed exceptionally wise and brave, a rare talent in this era; second, it is a fact that our army is still significantly weaker than Cao Cao's." Luo Chen nodded repeatedly upon hearing this: "Our army is indeed not yet ready to confront Cao Cao's army head-on; Cao Cao's strength is still far superior to ours."
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"Exactly. Once Cao Cao's army confuses or forces Yuan Shao to halt his advance, you, General, will inevitably be alone against the enemy, which is very dangerous. Furthermore, even if you defeat Cao Cao's army, you will still have to continue fighting Yuan Shao, and unifying the north and even the whole country will be a long way off!"
"Then what are your thoughts, Mr. Kongming?" Xu Shu asked.
"We must firmly defend Tongguan in the east, and send our main force south to wipe out Liu Zhang," Kongming said succinctly.
"Does the gentleman mean to sit back and watch Cao Cao defeat Yuan Shao?" Luo Chen asked. "General, you predicted that Cao Cao would defeat Yuan Shao?" Kongming asked curiously. Luo Chen immediately realized he had let something slip. He knew this part of history, so he just blurted it out, unaware that most people at the time believed that Yuan Shao had a much better chance of winning than Cao Cao. "Uh, yes..." Luo Chen stammered.
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"General, you share my humble opinion," Kongming said. "After Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shao, he will inevitably penetrate deep into Hebei and even Youzhou. General, you can take advantage of the time when Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are fighting to annex Yizhou, integrate the entire west, and extend your influence into Jingzhou. This is the best strategy."
“Yizhou is surrounded by towering mountains and steep cliffs, and its terrain is treacherous. It won’t be easy to conquer it…” Xu Shu said with some concern.
“Yizhou is indeed strategically important, but Liu Zhang is currently weak and incompetent, making this the best opportunity. If someone else were appointed governor, we might not be able to take it… We can advance via the main road from Jiameng Pass,” Kongming said. “But there is another risky move…”
"Yinping Trail?" Luo Chen asked.
"Indeed! General, you are truly omniscient!" Kongming was both surprised and impressed. "But this move is quite risky; it could lead to the annihilation of the entire army."
"Hehehe..." Luo Chen chuckled. Anyone familiar with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms knows...
"Sir's analysis is truly enlightening; I will follow your advice!" Luo Chen said. "I would like to humbly request that you accompany me to Chang'an, so that I may seek your guidance morning and night..."
Zhuge Liang smiled slightly: "General, you are a wise ruler who will be encountered once in a hundred generations. You will surely accomplish great things. It's just that I, Kongming, am dull-witted. I am a rustic from Nanyang, and I only wish to farm here and travel around in my spare time... I do not seek fame or fortune."
Luo Chen was anxious and said, "Sir, don't rush to make a decision. Let me, Luo Chen, say a few words."
Chapter Twenty: Yizhou
Zhuge Liang politely declined Luo Chen's invitation. Luo Chen, anxious, said, "I was originally a Yellow Turban leader, but due to the corruption of the regime and the suffering of the people, I served in Dong Zhuo's army, witnessing several coups and becoming an independent force, repeatedly engaging in battles. What I feel most deeply is the immense impact of war on the people. Now, I have no other intention than to break up the separatist regimes, achieve peace within the country, and allow the people to live and work in peace."
Zhuge Liang nodded, deeply moved.
"Now the country is divided among warlords and powerful clans, and ordinary people are subjected to multiple forms of exploitation and control. The country is poor and weak, and the barbarians from all directions are becoming increasingly rampant. Luo Chen wants to change this situation, but unfortunately, he is alone and powerless. Therefore, he earnestly requests that you, sir, come out of seclusion and help him!" As Luo Chen spoke, tears streamed down his face.
Everyone present was moved.
Zhuge Liang was deeply moved: "It's alright, May 17th. Although I am dull-witted, I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse and assist you in unifying the world."
"Thank you, sir!" Luo Chen thanked him repeatedly.
Having made his decision, Kongming gave instructions to Zhuge Xu, and that very day he followed Luo Chen to Chang'an. The group traveled day and night, arriving in Chang'an in a few days.
"Summon Xu Da and Ma Chao to Chang'an to see me!" Luo Chen ordered the two to be brought over by a meteor horse. During this time, Luo Chen met with the court officials and officially appointed Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu as chief and deputy military advisors.
The next day, Xu Da brought Ma Chao to see Luo Chen. Xu Da first reported on the battle situation between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao: "The armies of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao have been evenly matched, and it is said that Cao Cao's supplies are running out and he is in great danger. I suspect that Cao Cao will not be able to hold on, and Yuan Shao's victory is imminent. When should our army launch an attack?"
Luo Chen shook his head: "Change the strategic plan. Shift to a defensive posture in the east and attack south." Xu Da was taken aback. After a moment's thought, he said, "I will resolutely obey my lord's orders. How exactly should we adjust the plan?"
"Xiahou Yuan has 60,000 troops in Hanzhong, and it is said that he has recently expanded by another 10,000. You will draw 50,000 troops from the garrison around Tongguan to join Xiahou Yuan. The 120,000-strong army on the southern front will be under your full command, with Xiahou Yuan and Ma Chao as your deputies. After your troops have joined forces, you will immediately advance towards Jiameng Pass. After capturing this pass, you will pass through Jiange, take Fucheng, and march straight to Chengdu!" Luo Chen said, handing his sword to Xu Da. "You will have full command. Anyone who disobeys, no matter who they are, will be executed on the spot!"
"Yes!" Xu Da took the sword and went to Tongguan to mobilize troops without stopping.
Luo Chen instructed Yan Qing to muster 20,000 imperial guards from the capital, preparing to personally lead them along the Yinping Trail. When it came to Luo Chen's safety, Yan Qing was always very cautious: "My lord, how can you personally venture into the lion's den? If anything goes wrong, I, Yan Qing, will be condemned to death. My lord should go with the main army; I, Yan Qing, can lead this force..." Luo Chen shook his head: "Although Xu Da's army is formidable, the real main force consists of these 20,000 men. As my lord, I should be on the most crucial front line. After we reach Chengdu, we will force Liu Zhang to surrender. Xu Da's task is to use the main army to ensure that all the passes and cities of Shu surrender to our forces. Those who dare to stubbornly refuse to surrender will surely face the fall of their cities and the death of their people." Yan Qing was still quite worried about Luo Chen's safety, so Luo Chen had no choice but to agree to send Lü Bu with the army.
Luo Chen then summoned Xu Shu: "Master Yuanzhi, this time the main force and generals are all heading south, leaving the Guanzhong region extremely vulnerable... Although the battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao is raging, we must still be prepared..."
“My lord, please speak freely,” Xu Yuanzhi said. “I would like to request that you, sir, go to the Tongguan area to command 50,000 troops to guard against any foreign armies entering our Guanzhong region.” Xu Shu nodded repeatedly: “The Tongguan area is extremely important and should be strictly guarded. I am willing to be stationed at Tongguan and defend it rigorously.” Luo Chen was overjoyed: “With you here, sir, I can rest assured.”