xymnovel Chapter 165 Watching the Fire in Hanzhong
Chapter 165 Watching the Fire in Hanzhong
Chapter 165 Watching the Fire in Hanzhong
"Whether he is worthy or not is another matter," Jian Yong continued, "but the fact remains that he occupied the capital of Yizhou and killed the governor."
"The imperial court... should receive a report soon."
Liu Bei raised his eyes: "Has the court made any move?"
"Not yet," Jian Yong shook his head, "but soon. Xi Jian's death and the chaos in Yizhou are no small matter. Even if Luoyang is slow to react, it should react by now."
The tent was quiet for a while.
The crackling of the charcoal fire illuminated the solemn faces.
Xun Cai suddenly spoke, her voice soft but clear: "My lord, a horse that suddenly rises to prominence will surely perish quickly."
Liu Bei looked at her.
"Cai'er, what do you mean?"
"Ma Xiang was born a salt worker. He suddenly gained a high position. He had no foundation or strategy. He only relied on the righteous cause of killing Xi Jian to gather people."
Now that Xi Jian is dead and has lost his title, his subordinates are a mixed bag, prone to plundering, and the people are growing resentful. Xun Cai paused, "More importantly, he has no long-term plan, does not engage in production, only knows how to seize grain, does not maintain military discipline, and only knows how to bestow official titles."
Such actions are like a child carrying gold through the market; certain death is imminent.
Everyone in the tent nodded.
Liu Bei got up and walked to the "Map of Yizhou Counties" hanging on the tent wall.
The finger traces a path from Hanzhong, through Micang Road, past Mianzhu, Fuxian, and Luoxian, finally stopping in Chengdu.
"This fire that Minister Ma started," he said slowly, "burns quickly, but it will also be extinguished soon."
"Brother!" Zhang Fei shouted, "What are we waiting for? Let's quickly muster our troops, march into Yizhou, and strike while the iron is hot!"
Guan Yu patted his shoulder: "Yide, let your elder brother finish speaking."
Liu Bei turned around and looked at the crowd.
"Prime Minister Ma has cleared the obstacles for us. Xi Jian is dead, the former officials of the prefectures and counties are either dead or have fled, the powerful have been robbed, and the people are in a state of panic. At this time, whoever can turn the tide will be the new master of Yizhou."
Guan Yu hesitated, "But will the imperial court... allow it?"
Liu Bei looked at Jian Yong and said, "Xianhe, write the memorial. Write it earnestly and with righteous indignation. Write that I, Liu Xuande, as a member of the Han imperial family, am extremely anxious to see the chaos in Yizhou and am willing to personally lead the troops of Hanzhong to extinguish this fire for Your Majesty and recover the prefectures and counties."
Jian Yong noted down: "When will it be dispatched?"
"Now," Liu Bei said, "the news of Ma Xiang's ascension to the throne is about to reach Luoyang, and the court is in a state of panic. Soon, the eunuchs, the imperial relatives, and the upright officials will be arguing amongst themselves. At this time, our memorial will be just in time."
"Brother is brilliant!" Zhang Fei slapped his thigh. "When the time comes, those people in the imperial court will definitely be scrambling to let us send troops!"
Liu Bei nodded: "But memorials alone are not enough. Zijing."
Qian Zhao clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Present."
"Send a secret letter to Master Lu, explaining the situation and asking him to speak up when the opportunity arises. Also, prepare a generous gift for Zhang Rang, so that he will feel that we are sensible and grateful."
Qian Zhao hesitated: "Zhang Rang... a eunuch, his reputation is too bad."
"His reputation is bad, but his words carry weight." Liu Bei waved his hand. "The emperor trusts him. If he's willing to put in a good word for us, we'll achieve twice the result with half the effort."
"Yes."
"Furthermore," Liu Bei said, looking at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "Yun Chang and Yi De, the entire army is on high alert. Supplies must be stockpiled at the rice granary and road crossings. Soldiers must intensify their training, especially in mountain warfare. Yizhou is mountainous, and we'll need them."
"Yes, sir!"
"Xianhe," Liu Bei said, then looked at Jian Yong, "when you write your memorial, add a clause: say that Hanzhong has few soldiers and generals, and request the court to allow the recruitment of refugees to strengthen the army. We need to expand our army."
Jian Yong paused, pen in hand: "Big brother, how much expansion?"
"Let's expand by five thousand first," Liu Bei said. "We currently have five thousand soldiers in Hanzhong; let's add another five thousand to make it ten thousand. We'll tell the outside world it's for suppressing a rebellion, but in reality... it's for the future."
Everyone was shocked.
Ten thousand soldiers.
With these 10,000 soldiers, we can advance to attack Yizhou or retreat to defend Hanzhong, truly possessing the resources to contend for supremacy.
The arrangements are now largely finalized.
Everything is arranged properly.
Liu Bei looked around at everyone: "Any more questions?"
Zhang Fei scratched his head: "Brother, when are we going to send troops?"
"Wait," Liu Bei said. "Wait for the imperial edict, wait for the internal strife in Ma Xiang's court, wait... let's get ready."
He got up, walked to the tent entrance, and lifted the curtain.
The rain was still falling outside, a light drizzle that pattered against the tents with muffled thuds. In the distance, on the drill ground, soldiers were training in the rain, their shouts of battle piercing the downpour.
"This chaotic world," Liu Bei said softly, gazing at the rain, "is like this rain. It's annoying to watch, but after the rain, the land becomes fertile."
He lowered the curtain and turned around.
"Go and get on with your business."
Everyone bowed and withdrew.
Only Liu Bei and Xun Cai remained in the tent.
Xun Cai stood up, walked to his side, and gently placed her hand on his arm.
"My lord," she whispered, "the journey to Yizhou is fraught with peril."
"I know," Liu Bei said, taking her hand, "but I have no choice but to go."
He paused, then looked at Xun Cai's lower abdomen.
The area is still flat, but life is already being conceived there.
"Cai'er," his voice softened, "you stay in Hanzhong and take good care of yourself during your pregnancy. By the time I return, the baby should be born."
Xun Cai shook her head: "I will go with my husband."
"No," Liu Bei said firmly. "Yizhou is a dangerous place, and you are pregnant; you cannot take the risk."
"My lord," Xun Cai looked into his eyes, "although I cannot fight on the battlefield, I can assist in military affairs and organize documents. Staying in Hanzhong, worrying day and night, would not be good for my pregnancy."
Liu Bei remained silent.
He knew Xun Cai was right. However, the battlefield was dangerous, the Shu Road was difficult and the journey was arduous, and Xun Cai was pregnant after all; Liu Bei could not let her take such a risk.
"No," he said firmly, "You stay in Hanzhong and take good care of your pregnancy. You are not allowed to go to the front line."
Xun Cai smiled helplessly: "I agree."
She nestled into Liu Bei's arms, her head resting against his chest.
Liu Bei held her close, listening to the rain outside the tent, and gradually felt at ease.
He had children, a family, and these brothers who would follow him through thick and thin.
In this chaotic world, there is a reason to keep fighting.
That night, Jian Yong drafted a memorial under the lamp.
The brush tip, saturated with ink, fell onto the hemp paper, each word carefully written: "Your subject, Bei, kowtows twice, filled with trepidation: The bandit Ma Xiang of Yizhou has gathered a crowd to incite rebellion, murdered Governor Xi Jian, seized the province, and proclaimed himself emperor. His usurpation is outrageous and arouses the wrath of both Heaven and man. Though I am foolish and dull, I am a member of the Han imperial family, and seeing the province fall and the people suffer, my heart burns with anguish..."
He stopped writing here and looked out the window.
The rain stopped, and the moon peeked out from the clouds, its cool light shining on the wet campsite, reflecting shimmering silver light.
He recalled Ma Xiang's face, contorted with excitement, in the dilapidated temple in Mianzhu.
I recall the scene at the city gate of Luo County, where Xi Jian's blood splattered five steps away.
Zhao Zhi's eyes darkened as he recalled the Chengdu Imperial Palace.
How many more people will die if this memorial is submitted?
he does not know.
All he knew was that in chaotic times, those with soft hearts don't live long.
Jian Yong took a deep breath and continued writing: "...Your Majesty, I am willing to personally lead the soldiers of Hanzhong to rush to the aid of the rebels day and night, to annihilate the rebels and recover the prefectures and counties. I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant my request, so as to demonstrate Heaven's wrath and bring peace to the people..."
"
The ink stains the bamboo slips black, and the work continues all night long.
Outside the window, the moon has disappeared into the clouds again.
It's almost dawn.