Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 189 How to Rule the World

On March 29th, the sky was gray and gloomy, with gusts of south wind blowing from time to time.

The journey was hundreds of miles long, and there were no auxiliary soldiers to transport food and fodder. The cavalry traveled light, bundling their weapons, arrows, and armor with sackcloth and carrying them on the backs of horses that could bear the load.

The remaining dry food, horse feed, sickles, herbs, robes and sundries were carried on another horse.

The three horses had their reins tied with ropes to prevent them from being frightened and running away when the horse was marching quickly.

Fortunately, it was spring and the lush green grass solved the problem of carrying a large amount of fodder in time. We only needed to bring more large and small beans and some clean water.

Most county towns in the Han Dynasty were built against rivers for easy access to water. However, this time, Liu Bei went the other way. He did not follow the river to the closer Linsui County, but instead chose to attack Dan County from afar.

People can endure thirst, but horses cannot endure thirst after running long distances. Water source became the key to the advance. Without a guide familiar with the local area to lead the way, the entire army had to dig wells and dig the ground to get water before running far.

In an environment where you are unfamiliar with the terrain, having a reliable guide can make the difference between success and failure in a battle.

"Envoy, after we cross this hill, we will be close to Dan County in more than twenty miles." Chen Qun reined in his horse and stopped at a steep slope. After carefully identifying the direction, he said confidently.

During this journey, he and Lord Xuande became much closer and talked about many major issues in the world. Some of his opinions made Liu Bei nod and praise him. Seeing this, Chen Qun changed his title to "Envoy".

Relying on his experience as a clerk in Pei State for several years, Chen Qun had traveled to many nearby counties and towns and was very familiar with each place. He was also young, strong and good at riding, so he successfully snatched the position of cavalry guide.

The officials in Peidi, who were over fifty years old, could not help but fuss, but there was nothing they could do. Although they were familiar with the route, a cavalry march required them to stay on horseback for a long time. Given their physical conditions, they were afraid that they would die before the end of the journey.

If you are unlucky, you may die on the way. Your own life and death is a small matter, but delaying Lord Xuande's expedition is a big matter. So you'd better let Chen Changwen be the guide.

Many officials of Pei State comforted him secretly.

In fact, Chen Qun didn't want to leave, but he came too late, and if he didn't do more work, he would not be able to catch up with the queue in front of him. He had to apologize to his colleagues in his heart.

"Long article..." Liu Bei also wanted to persuade him, but he found that this scene was somewhat familiar. Last year, Zhang Fan seemed to have rushed to lead the way and act as a guide.

After the two rivers were pacified, he was placed in Luoyang to assist Xun You in dealing with the affairs of the gentry and wealthy families in Henei and Henan. After all, the descendants of Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu, still had some weight and could serve as a middleman for the gentry in Henei.

Both the Zhang and Sima families set an example by supporting Xun You in measuring the land in Henei County.

In fact, this is how you conquer the world. The founder needs to go to each place himself. If you don't let blood be seen in that place, the gentry and wealthy families will not understand how powerful it is and will not feel fear. When the local people see the murderous army, they will weigh the pros and cons and dare not resist hastily.

From ancient times to the present, only strong armies can stabilize the rule of various places. To reach the highest position in the world, it is not because you are nominated by everyone, but because you have defeated or persuaded all those who oppose you. Only then can you be the strongest.

He who controls the world can control everyone in the world.

As long as Liu Bei led his army to a place, he didn't worry about anyone rebelling again.

Chen Ping in the early Han Dynasty sighed: He who is good at butchering meat can rule the world.

He separated the skin and fur, the tendons and flesh, the bones and flesh of the forces from all over the place like a butcher cutting up an ox, and divided the flesh very evenly, which was considered a successful mission.

The clans and powerful families in each village did not stick together. They often fought with weapons for land. If there was any disloyalty in their lives, the other powerful families admitted that they could not defeat the Qingzhou army under Liu Xuande, but they were still not as good as the hostile clans in the neighboring villages.

If there is any unusual movement, we will report it to the county and join hands with the Han army to suppress the rebellion. Anyway, everyone's interests will be harmed in the land measurement, and since there are powerful families willing to stand up and slaughter themselves, everyone is willing to get a piece of the pie.

If you make military achievements in suppressing the rebellion, you will be rewarded with land, and your clan members will have better careers. Why not do it?

Just because the arm cannot bend the thigh does not mean that it cannot bend another arm.

During the Warring States Period, whenever Qin attacked Zhao and plundered its land, Zhao would turn around and attack Yan after Qin withdrew its troops. This is called "losing the west and making up the east". I can't beat the strong Qin, and I can't beat you, the weak Yan. The clan leaders who can do this are all smart people.

"Sir, why don't I lead the scouts to find out where the enemy is?"

Zhang Liao rode over and bowed.

He was already impatient to go into battle and kill the enemy. The fight between scouts and the enemy was the bloodiest and most brutal, but to a brave man it was something he would love to have.

It is impossible not to get injured on the battlefield. What is there to be afraid of when fighting on horseback with a lance, bow and arrow?
"Wenyuan will lead the scouts as the vanguard of the entire army. Kill all the enemy troops you meet along the way, and don't let the Yellow Turban scouts have a chance to escape and report the news."

Liu Bei thought for a moment, agreed to Zhang Liao's request, and then gave the order.

Before meeting the enemy on the battlefield, scouts need to fight against scouts. As long as you can cut off the enemy's eyes and ears, the battle is half won.

"Yes!" Zhang Liao took the order and left.

……

The Yellow Turban bandits in Dan County had been attacking the city for a long time but failed, so they divided their troops to go to various villages to plunder food and money. Their leader Huang Shao had already received the message from He Yi, but did not take it seriously.

He was leading only a small troop, and the main force of the Yellow Turbans was located in Qiao County and Ling County. How could Liu Xuande attack the small number of enemies in the remote south and ignore Qiao County?

That is the location of the Yuzhou tribe, which is related to the reputation of Yuzhou. Moreover, there are cities along the way to the west that supply food, fodder and military equipment. In any case, it is more beneficial for Liu Bei to attack other generals.

Although he thought so, Huang Shao still dispersed the few dozen scouts he had left in the fields far away from the military camp to be alert to possible enemy attacks.

"Captain, all the towns and counties within a dozen miles have been looted. Why don't we go somewhere else?"

The Yellow Turban scout leader couldn't help but frowned. Commander Qu ordered a group of them to patrol ten miles east of Dan County to be on guard, while the rest of the scouts were responsible for the north, west and south.

If they go too far, they will not be able to get back in a short time. If the Han army suddenly attacks, they will be in danger of being wiped out.

"Sergeant, several brothers have just married new wives and need to buy a lot of things for their families. The common people are poor and have no clothes to wear, so they can't rob anything valuable. Didn't they rob some women some time ago?"

"I learned from them that there is a wealthy family called Ji who migrated from the south to Huangxiang. They buried their ancestors twelve or thirteen miles southeast of here. Now the tomb keepers have all run away. Why don't we..."

Someone chuckled and made a suggestion.

There are too many troops in the manors of the wealthy families, and it is impossible for them to take them down with just a dozen people. While the Ji family is afraid of the Yellow Turbans and has withdrawn their men to the manors, it would be better for them to turn around and dig up the tombs of their ancestors.

The wealthy families are not like them who cannot afford to bury their elder relatives. Nowadays, lavish burials are a trend, and they might be able to fill their ancestors' rooms with gold and jade, which would be a big profit.

Isn’t the purpose of attacking Peidi to gain money?
Otherwise, he would risk his life with the commander, bid farewell to his new bride and go to the battlefield to fight. Would he still be shouting the oath that the year is Jiazi and the world will be blessed with good fortune?

The scout leader was silent for a while. There was nothing to be found in the villages he had recently searched, and even the women were average. It would be better to get some gold and go back to Runan to find merchants to buy a few beautiful maids.

Even if the commander has a reward, who wouldn't want to enjoy more money?

They are just trying to dig up people's ancestral land and take some money. They even dare to kill living people, let alone the dry bones lying in the tomb. Even if the afterlife knew about it, what could they do to them?

The scout leader nodded at the thought and said, "Let's do it!"

(End of this chapter)