My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 650 Discussing Grain Procurement
The following morning, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Chengdu government office was somber.

Zhang Song, Qin Mi, Yang Hong, and others sat upright on the steps of the palace, with a newly painted map of the Five Provinces behind them on a screen, and armored soldiers standing on both sides with their hands on their swords, their blades gleaming coldly.

More than sixty powerful and influential figures from Chengdu, both large and small, knelt below the hall, their brocade robes concealing a turbulent undercurrent of power.

At this moment, the more than sixty people kneeling all knew why Zhang Song, Qin Mi, and Yang Hong had come to see them. Zhang Song, Qin Mi, and Yang Hong in the hall also knew that these people knew their purpose.

Honestly, those kneeling below had no intention of contributing money or grain. After all, Liu Feng had taken Chengdu and needed them to collect taxes and grain to stabilize the people's hearts.

In their view, this is a mutually beneficial relationship, so why should they contribute more money and supplies?

Even Cao Ang, who was barely able to maintain his foothold in Chengdu, spent over a month on the eastward retreat, and they didn't dare touch their assets.

Otherwise, with Cao Ang's tens of thousands of elite armored soldiers, how could each family still have hundreds of thousands of shi of grain and goods left in their private treasuries?

It was looted clean eight hundred years ago.

It's important to know that Cao Cao's army was unparalleled in its ability to demolish and siege cities, even surpassing Yuan Shao's army. If it weren't for this skill, Cao Cao would have already conquered the devastated territories of Yanzhou and Sili.

However, Cao Ang ultimately did not dare to take action against the powerful clans and gentry of Chengdu.

The reason is actually quite simple: besides the fact that the Left Army was watching with predatory eyes, the local gentry and powerful families in Chengdu were difficult to deal with.

The saying goes, "When the world is in chaos, Shu is in chaos first; when the world is settled, Shu is not settled."

This is no joke.

Throughout history, Sichuan has always been the most difficult region to pacify. The wars in the southwest lasted for an entire Han Chinese civilization, reaching their climax during the Ming and Qing dynasties before finally coming to a complete end.

However, due to the terrain, most of the battles in the southwest were very fragmented and sporadic, and thus were not well known in historical records.

Therefore, the Zhao clan of Shu Commandery, the Li clan of Jianwei, and the Pang clan of Guanghan formed a united front to resist. Their attitude was simple: they were fine with collecting taxes and grain according to the established rules. But if they wanted more grain, that was also possible, but only in exchange for better treatment and conditions.

The Zhao family of Shu Commandery is not mentioned much in history, but in fact, they were very prominent in Yizhou during the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

The Zhao family was a prominent clan in Chengdu and one of the most influential local powers in Yizhou during the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

The Zhao family, including Zhao Jie, Zhao Qian, and Zhao Wen, held the highest official positions for three generations, creating a prestigious situation of "three ministers from one family".

Zhao Jie served under five emperors: An, Shun, Chong, Zhi, and Huan. He was known for impeaching powerful officials and was considered a veteran of five dynasties. His status and seniority were unparalleled. He held the positions of Grand Commandant, Minister of Works, and Minister of Education. He was also enfeoffed as Marquis of Chuting for his great contribution in the establishment of Emperor Huan.

His son, Zhao Dian, rose to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies and was known as one of the "Eight Worthies" along with Li Ying.

His grandson Zhao Qian served as Minister of Works during the reign of Emperor Xian, and his second grandson Zhao Wen succeeded Yang Biao as Minister of Public Works. Father, son and brothers successively held power in the court, and their influence at the time was no less than that of the top families of Yuan and Yang. Moreover, they were the only family in the history of the Eastern Han Dynasty to have three generations of three high-ranking officials.

This is a glorious achievement that even the most prestigious and powerful clans in the land, such as the Yuan and Yang families, have not accomplished.

However, like the Yang family, the once glorious and prosperous Zhao family ultimately failed to adapt to the times and change its strategies during the warlordization of the aristocratic class at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and eventually began to decline.

Although the Zhao family no longer holds military power or territory, they have formed a community of interests with powerful clans such as the Dong family of Guanghan and the Yang family of Jianwei through marriage alliances. Their influence extends from the central government to the Yizhou region, making them the core representatives of the Shu County gentry.

During the reigns of Liu Yan and his son Liu Zhang, the Zhao clan, along with the Yang, Dong, Zhang, and Pang clans, formed a core force of local power.

Although they were relatively close to and supportive of Liu Yan and his son Liu Zhang, their own power was too great, and they were always on guard against by Liu Yan and his son Liu Zhang.

"As you all know."

Zhang Song gently stroked the golden seal on the table, his voice like a clear spring striking stone: "Since entering Sichuan last year, General Zuo has taken all six southwestern prefectures and the two Shu kingdoms. Moreover, as General Zuo, he has received the Emperor's decree to open up new territory and command the five southern prefectures. Now he commands 200,000 armored soldiers, warships, and 10,000 battleships. With such power, let alone Cao Zixiu and Zhang Gongqi, even if the Grand General himself came, he would have to avoid his sharp edge and retreat three steps."

There's a lot of exaggeration in Zhang Song's words.

Currently, Liu Feng's actual control is mainly over Jianwei Commandery and Yizhou Commandery. He only controls the commandery capitals and major counties of Jianwei and Zangke Commandery; he has no time to manage the vast rural areas and can only let them fend for themselves. As long as no major rebellion breaks out, he will not interfere even if the areas are ceded to other states. As for Ba Commandery, it mainly received Zhao Wei's rule and is currently being integrated into it.

As for the remaining Yuexi and Yongchang counties, they had absolutely no influence. Both sides were wary of each other and dared not make any rash moves.

Liu Feng's side naturally wanted to concentrate its forces on eliminating the threat from the north, and even launch a major campaign from west to east, aiming to swallow the Cao family whole. Naturally, he did not want to divert his energy to fight a protracted war of attrition with these mountain barbarians.

Especially when he thought about how even if the other side lost, they would just disappear into the deep mountains and forests, and the protracted battle and the lack of any gains would make Liu Feng suffer a huge loss.

In contrast, the situation in Yongchang Commandery was better. The area was a typical example of the tributary system, with ethnic minorities governing the rest of the region, except for the commandery seat and a few Han Chinese counties.

Most of the Baiyue tribes in Yongchang Commandery were loyal to the Han Dynasty and had little ambition for independence, preferring to maintain the status quo. As long as Liu Feng did not seek to expand his power in the area or levy taxes, they would not rebel.

In the original timeline, after the rebellion, Yong Kai wanted to join forces with Yongchang County to rebel, but was rejected by the Baiyue tribes of Yongchang County. Later, Yong Kai tried to expand into Yongchang, but was defeated and suffered heavy losses, which greatly helped the Shu Han to quell the rebellion later.

Liu Feng, who was familiar with this period of history, naturally could not provoke the Baiyue tribes in Yongchang County. He simply sent envoys to the area to inform local officials and Baiyue tribal chiefs that the Zuo Mu Army had taken over the power of Yizhou and that the local authorities would continue to follow the old ways without making any changes.

At the same time, they promised to organize caravans to sell scarce goods such as salt, sugar, sesame oil, iron pots, and cloth in the area in order to win over and stabilize the local people.

As for Gao Ding of Yuexi Commandery, he is an extremely ambitious man, but his strength is limited, with only a few thousand soldiers. Moreover, Liu Zhang also has more than a thousand Shu soldiers in Yuexi Commandery, and there are also more than a thousand soldiers from Shu Commandery and Shu State keeping him in check. Gao Ding is still hesitant and dares not make any rash moves.

Therefore, Liu Feng only truly controlled three commanderies: Ba, Jianwei, and Yizhou. Although Liu Feng only seemed to occupy three cities—Chengdu, Guangdu, and Jiangyuan—in Shu Commandery, he was actually not far from taking it all. Shu Commandery consisted of only eleven counties, but the most valuable were Chengdu, Pixian, Jiangyuan, Fanxian, and Guangdu, located on the Chengdu Plain, crisscrossed by waterways, and fertile land irrigated by the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

Other counties such as Linqiong, Jiandi Road, Wenjiang Road, Baling, Guangrou, and Mianchi Road are all located in the mountains, and are relatively underdeveloped in terms of population and economy.

Of the five most important locations, Liu Feng has already acquired three. As for Fan County, it is only twenty or thirty miles from Chengdu, and Cao Ang will inevitably lose it. After the allied forces withdraw from Chengdu, it will be abandoned sooner or later.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that Liu Feng has already taken control of Shu Commandery, but whether he can obtain additional funds, supplies, and manpower from Shu Commandery depends on the attitude of these powerful families in Chengdu.

"General Zuo's power is already established. He is a man who is respectful to scholars and eager to recruit talented people. He treats us scholars with great courtesy and kindness."

Zhang Song's gaze swept over everyone in the hall, especially Zhao Yan and his son Zhao Yi, the leaders of the Zhao family who remained in Chengdu.

Zhao Yan was the son of Zhao Dian, and a cousin of Zhao Qian and Zhao Wen.

Zhao Qian had already passed away in the third year of the Chuping era, and Zhao Wen was now serving as the Minister of Works in Luoyang. Therefore, the Zhao family in Chengdu, Shuzhong, was now led by Zhao Dian's sons, Zhao Yan and Zhao Yi.

At the same time, they were also the leaders of the local gentry in Chengdu. As long as Zhao Yan and his son Zhao Yi nodded, the matter was basically half done.

Now, all eyes in the hall were focused on Zhao Yan and his son. Not only Zhang Song, but also Qin Mi and Yang Hong were staring intently at each other. Especially Yang Hong, whose family and the Zhao family had been related by marriage for two generations. Although it wasn't Yang Hong and her sister who married Zhao Yan, they could still be considered brothers-in-law.

Zhao Yan looked up and scanned the entire room, then bowed slowly and deliberately, and said, "Since both General Zuo and the Prefect have said that the city is short of food and asked us to contribute generously, although we are in a difficult situation, we will not stand idly by. Even if General Zuo and the Prefect did not ask, we would naturally do our best to help."

Upon hearing Zhao Yan's words, Zhang Song, Qin Mi, and Yang Hong were overjoyed, believing that the situation was now settled.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yan then abruptly changed the subject, saying, "However, the war in Shu has lasted for two years. Last year's spring planting was greatly affected, and the autumn harvest was even worse because of Zhao's wrath, resulting in almost no harvest. What we have left is just what we've accumulated over the years. But which wealthy family in the city doesn't have the expenses of hundreds of people? My Zhao family alone has over a thousand people, and we need more than two thousand shi of grain every month. Where would we find any extra grain?"

Zhang Song's face immediately darkened, as if it could drip water. Qin Mi and Yang Hong were both surprised and suspicious, unable to understand why Zhao Yan would be so unwise.

At present, General Zuo's power is great, and he has taken control of Chengdu, while Liu Zhang and Cao Ang have taken the manpower and resources of Chengdu and fled east. It seems that Yizhou is bound to fall into the hands of General Zuo. Zhao Yan actually has no intention of serving him, but instead shows the intention of resisting him. The two men can't understand what Zhao Yan is really up to.

Zhao Yan paid no heed to the shock, confusion, and anger of Zhang Song, Qin Mi, and Yang Hong, and continued speaking to himself: "However, since the Prefect has spoken, my family cannot turn a blind eye. We are willing to do our utmost to reimburse 100 shi of rice, 100 shi of millet, and 200 shi of beans to relieve the city's urgent needs..."

"Lord Zhao! This is the main hall of the prefectural government. All those present are pillars of Shu Prefecture. The matter we are discussing concerns the life and death of all the people of Chengdu."

Qin Mi couldn't help but shout angrily, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"

Qin Mi's words were quite impolite, and it's no wonder he was so angry; Zhao Yan's words were far too frivolous. Providing only four hundred shi of grain, half of which was coarse grains and beans, was even more mocking than not providing any at all.

"Why do you say that, Your Excellency?"

Zhao Yan's face was full of innocence and confusion, while the local Chengdu gentry and powerful families around him even secretly laughed.

The fact that Liu Feng had recommended Qin Mi to be the Prefect of Shu Commandery had already been made public overnight, so there was absolutely no problem with Zhao Yan addressing Qin Mi as Prefect.

However, when this title reached Qin Mi's ears, it carried a faint hint of mockery, which was quite jarring and made her very uncomfortable.

**
With Cao Zheng's detour finally ending and him entering Fucheng, the first phase of the Battle of Fucheng came to a close.

Liu Feng, who took control of Chengdu, and Cao Ang, who retreated north to Guandi, both received the news around the same time.

Upon learning the outcome of the Battle of Fucheng, Liu Feng was astonished to find that He Qi, Zhou Yu, and others were at a slight disadvantage. Then, upon seeing that the enemy generals were Li Zheng, Cao Chun, and Cao Xiu, he finally understood.

Of the three, Cao Chun's abilities were on par with Zhou Yu's. Both were well-rounded all-rounders, and both had the demeanor of a Confucian general, which made them popular among scholars. They were also kind to their subordinates and maintained strict military discipline.

Cao Chun was probably superior to Zhou Yu in martial prowess, but in several other aspects, he was likely slightly inferior. It's just that Cao Chun died too young; otherwise, younger generations like Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen wouldn't have stood a chance against him.

Cao Chun had a distinguished military record during his lifetime. He made outstanding contributions when Cao Cao was starting out. Later, after the Cao family became powerful, he began to build the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, the first elite force for Cao Cao to lead the Three Kingdoms.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry was essentially built up by Cao Chun, and Cao Cao trusted him implicitly to lead this elite force for an extended period, demonstrating the extent of Cao Cao's trust in Cao Chun. After Cao Chun's death, Cao Cao did not transfer the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to any other general, but instead took command of it himself.

The difference is thus evident.

Another highlight of Cao Chun's career was the Battle of White Wolf Mountain. While Zhang Liao was imprisoned in the Temple of Martial Arts, Cao Chun was also among those imprisoned, personally leading the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry in the battle alongside Zhang Liao.

If Cao Chun had not died, he would surely have become the governor of the Yangzhou war zone and displayed his talents.

As for Cao Xiu, history has proven his abilities.

It can only be said that Cao Xiu's abilities were excellent, but his flaws were also very obvious. He was too stubborn and would not listen to advice, but his military skills were still above average.

With such a reinforcement lineup, plus Li Zheng and Yan Pu in Fucheng, it's not surprising that they were slightly at a disadvantage due to the haste.

However, Cao Cao's army's deployment in this manner, daring to send over ten thousand elite troops to reinforce the east, suggests that they are certain they will be trapped in Chengdu.

Thinking of this, Liu Feng couldn't help but show a hint of admiration.

Sima Yi was indeed wise; although his methods were somewhat underhanded, they were certainly effective.

(End of this chapter)