xymnovel Chapter 53 Strategy to Suppress the Yellow Turbans
Chapter 53 Strategy to Suppress the Yellow Turbans
Li Sheng took the bamboo slip and unfolded it. He saw that the bamboo slip contained a detailed list of the supplies in the pavilion, written in neat small clerical script. It was clear what was missing, what needed to be repaired, where it could be used, and where it needed to be purchased. It was all categorized and easy to understand.
Following the list was a document, which he had previously asked Li Zili to write about strategies for dealing with the Yellow Turbans.
Li Sheng began to read it carefully.
Li Zili stood to the side, hands at his sides, his face expressionless, but his fingertips were slightly curled, clearly indicating that his inner state was not as calm as it appeared.
The policy essay was not long, only a few hundred words long, and was divided into three points.
Li Sheng read it twice from beginning to end, then looked up and gave Li Zili a serious look.
There was surprise in that look, but even more so, there was admiration.
He certainly didn't disappoint himself.
The first is called "setting up posts to spread the word".
In his article, Li Zili wrote that the Yellow Turban rebels were powerful, often traveling in groups of hundreds or thousands, far superior to the scattered bandits of three or five.
Any movement, the gathering of troops, and the dispatch of provisions will first be seen on the roads. A sudden increase in the number of pedestrians and their hurried appearance are all signs that bandits are about to arrive.
He suggested setting up simple watchtowers at the main north-south roads and essential intersections between villages within the Ting jurisdiction, with flags and drums on each tower, and assigning reliable people to guard them day and night.
Once an unusual flow of people is detected, a flag is raised as a signal, and neighbors who see it pass it on in turn, and in a short time the news can spread throughout the surrounding area.
In this way, the common people have ample time to hide, and the local militia have a place to gather and meet the enemy.
This point, though seemingly simple, actually aligns with the military strategy of "anticipating the enemy's moves."
Given his background, he probably hadn't read any military books, but with his clever mind, he managed to figure out this method from his many years of experience welcoming and sending off guests at the post station.
Although the bandits are numerous, their actions are difficult to conceal; any disturbance will first be noticed on the roads. If we can give them a warning even a moment in advance, we will have a better chance of survival.
As Li Sheng read, he couldn't help but nod inwardly to himself.
Secondly, it is said that "the alliance protects itself".
The text states that each village, fighting alone, is no match for the bandits. Only by using the post stations as a central hub and uniting the ten villages into a single force can they protect themselves.
He suggested that the village head should coordinate the efforts, with the militia from each village taking turns to receive training at the post station. On ordinary days, each militia would guard their own territory, and in case of an emergency, they would be ready to be dispatched. If one village was attacked by bandits, two or three nearby villages would join forces to come to its rescue, forming a defensive network that would prevent the bandits from defeating them one by one.
When Li Sheng saw this, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Thirdly, and this was the most unexpected thing for Li Sheng.
Li Zili clearly put more effort into this one, and his handwriting was neater than the previous two.
He started by talking about the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
"The ringleaders among the bandits are either those who spread falsehoods and mislead the masses, or those who are blinded by greed; such people are unforgivable. However, most of the followers are starving villagers with no land to cultivate and empty granaries. If they do not follow the bandits, they will starve to death; if they do, they may survive. These people are not born to be bandits, but are forced into it by hunger and cold."
At this point, he abruptly changed the subject and mentioned the county magistrate.
"I have heard that the village head is highly regarded by the county magistrate. If the village head can speak to the emperor, please make it clear to the government that: only the ringleaders should be captured, and the followers should be spared; if they defect and surrender, they should be given food and shelter. In addition, the government's public fields and unclaimed wasteland should be temporarily lent to landless people for cultivation, and their taxes should be waived for one or two years, so that they have a stable source of income and peace of mind. When the bandits hear this, they will all feel insecure and hesitate to advance. In time, the bandit force will collapse on its own."
Li Zili said "followers will not be questioned" and "they will be given public fields to cultivate."
These words, if spoken by a scholar who had broadened his horizons, would not be surprising.
But it's rather frightening that it was written by a servant who was in the inn serving tea and water and welcoming guests.
He knew that the people turned to bandits because they couldn't survive.
He also knew that as long as those who followed the thieves had a way to survive, food to eat, and land to cultivate, they would stop following the thieves.
This is a principle that many people either don't think of or intentionally ignore.
What's even more remarkable is that he also knew to take advantage of Li Sheng's "favoritism by the county magistrate" and submit this plan to test whether the government could turn a blind eye.
With this kind of mindset, if you hone it in the future, you will surely achieve great things!
Li Sheng remained silent for a moment, then closed the bamboo slip and placed it on his lap.
He looked at Li Zili with a deep gaze.
"Self-reliance, I ask you. What were you thinking when you wrote these words?"
Li Zili was slightly taken aback, then bowed and replied.
"Brother Sheng, I have lived in Tingyi for many years and have seen many people come and go. I know that most of the people in this county are thin and emaciated farmers, no different from the people in our village. They follow the bandit leader to burn, kill, and plunder, not necessarily because they are bad-hearted, but mostly because they are afraid of hunger and have been forced into a corner."
He paused here, as if considering his words.
"I think, if it gives them a way to survive, who would be willing to risk their life?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.
"So I dared to write this, taking advantage of the county magistrate's high regard for Sheng-ge. If the government is willing to only punish the ringleaders and not the followers, and to allocate some public land to settle the landless people... the bandits will collapse on their own."
Li Sheng did not respond.
This strategy, even by today's standards, is considered a first-rate response. Setting up checkpoints to spread messages, maintaining internal alliances for self-protection, and prioritizing psychological warfare—each point hits the nail on the head, and each is practically feasible.
What's even more remarkable is that the third clause, "to cultivate public fields," seems simple, but it actually unearths the root cause of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
People without land cannot survive, and those who cannot survive will follow those who can help them survive.
This principle, when discussed in depth, can be traced back to the collapse of the land system in the Han Dynasty and the annexation by powerful clans.
This is what a lowly soldier sees.
It is authentic and simple, yet it gets straight to the point.
"Self-reliance, your idea is very well written."
Li Sheng offered his evaluation.
Li Zili breathed a sigh of relief, bending over even deeper.
"Brother Sheng, you flatter me."
Li Sheng nodded and sat back down at his desk.
"You wrote that the county magistrate values me, so you want me to submit this plan when I go to the county government to speak on the matter?"
Li Zili's body stiffened slightly, then he readily admitted it.
"Nothing can be hidden from Brother Sheng. I do indeed have this idea. Brother Sheng has just become the head of the village. If you can offer a good strategy in suppressing the bandits, the county magistrate will definitely rely on you more. At that time, it will be much more convenient for the village to ask for people, money and supplies."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Li Sheng cautiously.
Li Sheng didn't speak, but simply tapped the table twice, producing a dull sound.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke.
"Self-reliance, you make a good point. But have you considered this question?"
"Please enlighten me, Brother Sheng."
"The clause you wrote allows the government to punish only the ringleaders and let the followers go unpunished, while also returning public land to be cultivated. But have you considered who owns that public land now?"