The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 375 Advancing is like a dragon soaring too high, regretting its fate; retreating is like a thorn growing in the courtyard.

Just as Chen Deng was anxiously awaiting news from Luoyang, he received a handwritten letter from Li Yi.

Chen Deng hurriedly opened it, and saw that the letter briefly stated:
To Brother Yuanlong:

"It has been a long time since I last sent my regards; I miss you dearly."

"The perch from Huijiang is exceptionally fresh and succulent, a delight for the whole family, leaving a lingering fragrance on the palate."

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness and would like to offer you a few carp from Luoyang in return."

"However, this food is highly toxic, so please do not eat it raw. Remember this."

"Regarding the marriage alliance between Chen and Li, I, your humble brother, have been tossing and turning in bed, but ultimately feel it is not appropriate."

“Brother, you come from a prominent family in Jiangnan and command a powerful army in Huainan. The court has long been watching you closely.”

"And my younger brother has undeservedly become the chief minister, and has wrongly led the people of Hebei."

"If we were to form another marriage alliance, I fear that such a large organization would attract unwanted attention and invite slander from my colleagues."

"If the Chen and Li families each take a step back, all three families will be at peace. I hope you will consider this carefully."

"Furthermore, Your Majesty has already granted you the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies, as requested by you to lead the campaign against Wu."

"However, my brother sits in the central army and does not personally engage in combat."

"Brother led the elite troops of Huainan as the vanguard, and the command during the campaign truly relied on Yuanlong."

"My brother is naturally bold and unrestrained, and his subordinates are mostly free spirits."

"This time, the four armies are attacking together, and they are all veterans of countless battles. I fear they are unruly and difficult to control."

"I hope you will temper your fierceness, value peace, and join me in killing the Wu traitors."

"The autumn dew soaks my clothes; please take good care of yourself."

"Farewell, Prime Minister Yi."

After reading Li Yi's letter, Chen Deng threw it on the table and sighed deeply:
"Ziyu has indeed refused the marriage proposal!"

Cang Ci stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Since the Prime Minister is unwilling to arrange a marriage, what plan does the General intend to devise?"

Chen Deng gazed at the map and slowly said:

"Now that things have come to this, we can only proceed cautiously step by step."

"The most urgent task is to launch a campaign against Wu."

"You need not waste time discussing the gains and losses of the court, but focus on the battle at hand."

He traced the Yangtze River with his fingertips and said in a deep voice:
"I have already learned that Sun Quan has appointed Lu Xun as Grand General and deployed defenses along the river."

"According to the scouts, no fewer than 100,000 troops have been mobilized from Jiangdong."

"They occupy a natural stronghold and have Lu Xun as their commander. If our Han army does not have 200,000 troops, it will be difficult to break through their defenses."

The registrar quickly interjected:
"I heard from people in the capital that the imperial court seems to be planning to use 200,000 troops to destroy Wu."

Ok……

Chen Deng stroked his beard and nodded:
“Ziyu is indeed far-sighted. I have been in Huainan for many years.”

Therefore, it is known that destroying Wu would require at least 200,000 men.

“Ziyu is in the capital and has not been in military service for a long time. His decisions and plans are exactly the same as mine.”

Cang Ci frowned and said:
"With an army of 200,000, at least 400,000 laborers will be needed."

"This is an act that harms the very foundation of the nation!"

To defeat the Wu Kingdom, it's indeed not necessary to have as many as 200,000 troops.

But this was a war that would destroy a nation.

The occupation, advance, pacification, and security of the area alone required a large number of fresh troops.

Therefore, wars that destroy a country usually require a long period of preparation.

It's not a small matter.

Chen Deng slammed his hand on the table and stood up, proclaiming loudly:

"Weapons are instruments of violence."

"However, if Wu is not destroyed, the war will continue and even more people will die!"

"A short pain is worse than a long one. It would be a blessing for all the people to settle Jiangnan as soon as possible."

Having said that, he waved his sleeve and gave the order:

"You shall immediately levy corvée labor in accordance with the Han system, without levying excessive amounts or delaying the process!"

Cang Ci solemnly accepted the order:

"Yes! I will certainly follow the rules."

A river breeze blew through the tent. Chen Deng stood alone under the lamp, gazing at the flickering flame, and murmured to himself:
"Lu Boyan, let's see who comes out on top!"

……

In Jianye City, King Sun Quan of Wu stood with his hands behind his back in front of the palace, his brows furrowed.

Suddenly, a secret agent rushed in, knelt down, and reported:
"Your Majesty, the imperial court in Luoyang has decided to launch an attack on Wu, intending to send 200,000 troops, advancing by both land and sea!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan's expression changed drastically.

He took several steps back and muttered:
"Two, two hundred thousand..."

He suddenly remembered Lu Xun's words from the past—

"Wu's army is holding the river. If the enemy numbers 100,000 or 150,000, they can still manage to fight back."

"If two hundred thousand men from the entire nation come, the outcome will be unpredictable!"

Thinking of this, Sun Quan became even more anxious and immediately waved his sleeve, saying:

"Quick! Quick!!"

"Quickly dispatch a fast horse to the river defense and inquire of Lu Boyan how to deal with this!"

The messenger traveled day and night to the front lines of the Yangtze River, arriving at Lu Xun's camp to deliver Sun Quan's question.

After listening, Lu Xun pondered for a moment, then picked up his brush and wrote a letter, which he sent back to the messenger.

And instructed:
"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to defend, but the Qi army is powerful and cannot be stopped by Wu alone."

"The Wei and Wu alliance is as close as lips and teeth."

"With a formidable enemy at hand, how can King Cao Pi of Wei sit idly by?"

"We must immediately send an envoy to Chengdu to seek aid and jointly resist the powerful enemy!"

The messenger returned with the report, and Sun Quan read the letter.

After reading it, he nodded and said:
"Boyan's words are exactly what I was thinking!"

He then ordered his men to prepare cattle and wine to reward the army, and sent his trusted minister Gu Yong with a letter of state to Shu, seeking aid from Wei.

The following day, Sun Quan personally went to the riverbank to reward the three armies.

He saw the soldiers building fortifications and practicing naval warfare day and night.

He took the wine cup and approached Lu Xun and the other generals, and said with great emotion:

"General, you have worked hard, and I am greatly comforted."

"Now that the Qi army is pressing on our borders, the survival of Jiangdong rests entirely in your hands!"

Lu Xun solemnly cupped his hands in greeting:
"Having received such great favor from the nation, how could I not do my utmost?"

"However, this battle is not just a matter for the State of Wu. If Wei can send troops to contain the Qi army's flank."

"Then the enemy's forces can be divided, and we can seize the opportunity to defeat them!"

Sun Quan agreed wholeheartedly and urged Gu Yong to set off immediately.

Gu Yong was a member of a prominent family in Jiangdong and an important minister of the Wu Kingdom.

Logically speaking, officials of this rank should not be used as military officers.

But Sun Quan sent him out this time, which shows that Sun Quan was really anxious this time.

At the same time, he also wanted to convey his "anxiety" to Cao Pi.

Hopefully, he can remember the alliance between Wu and Wei and understand the principle of mutual dependence.

Send troops to rescue our old friend from Wu.

……

Gu Yong traveled to Chengdu in a hurry to see King Cao Pi of Wei.

In the hall, Gu Yong bowed deeply to the ground, his voice tinged with urgency:

"King Wei, you are wise to see that Liu Bei has mobilized the entire army of the state to invade my Jiangdong."

"The King of Wu has specially dispatched his ministers to earnestly request the King of Wei to consider the alliance and send troops to assist him."

Cao Pi sat high on his throne, toying with a piece of glistening honey in his hand. Upon hearing this, he slightly raised his eyes:

"Oh? From what you're saying, my lord, Liu Bei has actually mobilized an army of 200,000?"

If the Han army really mobilized at least 200,000 men, it means that Liu Bei truly aimed to achieve his goal in one decisive battle.

The plan is to resolve the Jiangnan issue in one fell swoop, rather than engaging in a protracted war.

They'd cede one city today and five more tomorrow.

Then look at how Sun Quan even sent out ministers of Gu Yong's caliber.

It's clear they're really in a hurry.

"Exactly!"

Gu Yong bowed deeply and said, “The people of Qi are advancing by land and water, with a thousand warships. Next year they will sail downstream.”

"Although the Wu Kingdom possesses the natural defenses of the Yangtze River, it is still unable to withstand such a large army on its own!"

Cao Pi put the honey in his mouth, and the sweetness melted on his tongue. He squinted his eyes.

"Grand Commandant, you have just returned from the southern campaign. I wonder what your opinion is on this matter?"

Sima Yi stepped forward from the ranks, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance."

"If Wu falls, Wei will be left with no one to hold it up."

"Liu Bei is a man of great talent. If he gains control of Jiangdong, his power will be unstoppable."

"In my opinion, we must save Wu!"

His words were sharp and his gaze piercing.

Cao Pi took another piece of honey and chewed it slowly:

"Grand Commandant, how many troops do you think should be dispatched?"

Sima Yi pondered for a moment:

"Hanzhong has been garrisoned for a long time. We can send 50,000 elite troops to raid Guanzhong and contain the Qi people's flank."

"In this way, they will be unable to attend to both ends, thus relieving the military pressure on the southern front."

Upon hearing this, the courtiers in the hall whispered among themselves.

Cao Pi seemed not to hear, and reached for the candied fruit on the plate.

Sima Yi, with his keen eyesight, noticed that Cao Pi's fingers were trembling slightly and that there were fine beads of sweat on his forehead, and a thought struck him.

"Your Majesty."

Sima Yi stepped forward, lowering his voice.

"Honey may be sweet, but too much of it may harm your health."

"I have observed that Your Majesty has been drinking and eating excessively lately, yet you are growing thinner day by day. This is a sign of diabetes."

Cao Pi laughed heartily upon hearing this, but his laughter was somewhat hoarse:

"Grand Commandant, you are overthinking it! I am in good health, how could I possibly have diabetes?"

He took another piece of honey and put it in his mouth, saying, "Since the sugar industry in Sichuan flourished, the national treasury has been full."

"I eat candy alone, firstly to enjoy its delicious taste, and secondly to set an example for the people of Sichuan."

"When the sugar industry prospers, the people of Sichuan will become wealthy."

"When the people of Shu are prosperous, the world will be at peace."

Sima Yi frowned, but dared not offer any further advice.

He knew that Cao Pi was stubborn and headstrong, and that if he said anything more, he might bring trouble upon himself.

Cao Pi waved his sleeve and said:
"I believe that the plan proposed by the Grand Commandant is excellent."

"Starting today, you shall go to Hanzhong to prepare the army."

"Prepare to send troops to harass Liu Bei's flank and help Wu's army relieve pressure on the Jiangnan front."

"I accept your order."

Sima Yi bowed deeply, but his gaze couldn't help but sweep over Cao Pi's sallow complexion and chapped lips once more.

After the court session, Sima Yi walked alone on the palace road, the autumn wind lifting the corner of his robe.

The attendant asked in a low voice:

"Grand Commandant, the King seems indifferent to this matter and doesn't seem to care much about his health."

Sima Yi shook his head and sighed:
"The king is deeply ill but is unaware of it."

"However, national affairs are of utmost importance, so we will set off for Hanzhong tomorrow."

"The king's illness..."

"The will of Heaven is hard to defy."

Sima Yi looked up at the sky and let out a sigh.

"We, your subjects, can only do our best and await the will of Heaven."

"Alright, hurry up and prepare. The 50,000-strong army will be dispatched soon."

Meanwhile, Cao Pi sat alone in the inner palace, with candied fruits piled up like mountains on the table.

He reached for the food, but suddenly felt a stinging pain in his fingertips. Upon closer inspection, he...

A small wound oozed blood, which took a long time to clot.

"strangeness……"

Cao Pi muttered to himself, yet still put the blood-stained honey into his mouth.

"What's wrong with me?"

Cao Pi felt his head was spinning.

But he didn't pay much attention and just shook his head.

"It must be due to the recent busy schedule of official business."

He called out, "Someone, bring some more honey from the new tribute of Jiaozhou!"

……

Just when the states of Wei and Wu were fearing the might of the Han Dynasty,

Throughout the Han Dynasty, local officials at all levels had received notifications from the imperial court.

Preparations for conscripting laborers have begun.

Hebei province fared the best.

The land of Hebei is fertile and its granaries are full.

As soon as the imperial edict to conscript laborers arrived, officials in various prefectures and counties immediately posted notices to conscript laborers.

Although the people were reluctant, many people volunteered because taxes had been relatively low in recent years and the government had promised to compensate them with money and grain.

Zhuojun, as the place where the emperor rose to power,

In front of the prefect's mansion, young men lined up, and officials called out their names.

An old farmer patted his son on the shoulder and said:

"My son, you must act with caution this time you accompany the army."

"The emperor is benevolent and will not let you suffer in vain."

His son bowed and agreed.

"Father, rest assured, I will certainly live up to the imperial court's summons."

Upon seeing this, the prefect stroked his beard and smiled, then said to his attendants:

"The people of Hebei are indeed loyal and obedient."

"No wonder it's a blessed land built by Prime Minister Li."

"If the whole world were like this, why worry about not achieving great things?"

Although Qingzhou and Xuzhou were not as wealthy as Hebei, they were still able to make a living.

However, in recent years, frequent wars and continuous forced labor have led to growing discontent among the people.

In Langya County, an old man stood at the entrance of the village, leaning on his cane, and saw that the constables had come to conscript men again.

He stood there angrily, and cursed:

"The emperor claims to love his people like his own children, so why does he levy taxes every year, preventing me from even planting my crops?"

"The fields at home are lying fallow; how will my wife and children eat?"

A nearby villager was shocked and quickly covered his mouth, whispering:

"Old man, watch your words!"

"These are treasonous words. If the authorities hear of them, your entire family may be wiped out!"

The old man angrily flung his sleeves:
"Either way, I'll starve to death, so what's there to fear?"

However, he dared not say anything more and could only watch helplessly as his only son was conscripted.

Although the people of Qingxu region had some minor complaints, most of them still cooperated earnestly with the imperial court's work.

This was also thanks to the fact that when Li Yi was the governor of Xuzhou, he bestowed many favors and benefits upon the region.

As for the Henan region, it suffered the most severe damage from the war.

Therefore, Liu Bei issued a special decree to reduce the number of able-bodied men in Henan by 30%.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, some local officials in Henan commented:
"The imperial court wants a total of 400,000."

"If Henan reduces taxes, other places will have to collect more."

"If the governors of other prefectures and counties complete their missions, but we in Henan are left behind, wouldn't that make us look incompetent?"

Therefore, the officials, for the sake of their own future,

They secretly decided to reduce their corvée labor in accordance with the imperial decree.

In reality, only slight adjustments were made to the household registration.

Those who fled were still counted in the population, while the elderly and weak were not removed from the register.

However, this move was also opposed by other officials in Henan.

They considered this behavior to be a crime of deceiving the emperor.

Moreover, since the imperial court has already issued an edict to reduce corvée labor, it means that other prefectures and counties must have made corresponding arrangements.

Why should we be so clever?

After some debate, the higher-ups ultimately decided to levy 70% of the amount stipulated by the imperial court.

As for the shortfall...

The county was ordered to raise funds on its own.

This vague instruction was passed down through the county and township levels, and by the time it reached the village, it had become completely distorted.

Upon receiving the document, the Prefect of Yingchuan immediately summoned his subordinates:

"The imperial court's conscription deadline is urgent; every household must provide one able-bodied man!"

"Prefect, didn't His Majesty reduce the corvée labor by 30%?"

The clerk in charge of household affairs whispered a reminder.

The prefect sneered:
"Reduce military service? The Huainan front is waiting for supplies!"

He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Tell all counties that fail to meet their quotas that the magistrate will be dismissed!"

Amidst the continuous autumn rain, the constables carried official documents stamped with red seals as they traveled through the villages.

On the outskirts of Runan County, Inspector Zhang Xi, accompanied by more than ten yamen runners, stormed into a village, causing chaos and panic.

"By imperial decree, we are to conscript laborers to attack Wu!"

Zhang Xi kicked open the thatched hut door, and the old woman inside was so frightened that she knocked over her spinning wheel.

The village headman hurried forward and tremblingly handed over the roster:

“Zhang… Inspector Zhang, all eligible men in this village have registered here.”

Zhang Xi glanced at the roster and suddenly pointed to a name:
Why didn't Chen Da apply for the job?

"Reporting to Inspector Zhang, Chen Da fell off a cliff while collecting herbs last month, and his leg bone has not yet healed..."

"Therefore, that's why I didn't include him in the list."

"We'll carry him there, even if we have to!" Zhang Xi shouted sternly.

"The imperial court is about to launch a campaign against Wu. If you delay the nation's campaign, can you afford to suffer the consequences?"

After saying this, he turned to the yamen runner and said...

"Go to the Chen family and arrest them! Anyone who dares to disobey will be treated as a traitor!"

When the laborers stormed into Chen Da's house to arrest people, Chen Da's wife tearfully gave all the family's money to Zhang Xi.

She only begged that he would not force her husband to go to the front lines.

Having received the money, Zhang Xi was in no hurry to leave, saying:
"I am just a supervisor, and if I cannot pay the specific amount of corvée labor as required..."

"Someone must also be punished."

Chen Da's wife understood, and went back into the house to give Zhang Xi the only valuable gold hairpin in the house.

"I would be grateful if Inspector Zhang could make an exception for me."

Zhang Xi glanced sideways at the room and saw that they were indeed so poor that they had nothing left to offer and could not squeeze out a single penny.

Only then did he leave with his men, saying:

"...Alright, considering that Chen Da does indeed have a leg injury."

"Let's exempt him from corvée labor for this southern expedition!"

After saying that, he led his men away in a swagger.

Only Chen Da's wife remained, glancing at the empty pot where not a single grain of rice remained, and letting out a long sigh.

Tonight, they can only hope that some kind-hearted villagers will be able to help them out.

It is said that officials went door to door, using various pretexts to forcibly collect a lot of rice and flour.

I wonder if they have any leftover food at home.

The same scene played out in various counties.

In Chenliu, the county magistrate invented "auxiliary service money," claiming that those who paid the money could be exempted from service.

He would submit a memorial to the imperial court explaining the matter.

In Dongjun, the government withheld the rations of the laborers, issuing only half a portion each day.

The worst affected area was Yingchuan.

They secretly increased the number of conscription slots—

The court demanded 70%, but he levied 90%, and the extra 20% required the laborers to bring their own food to redeem it.

Yingchuan has long been a gathering place for aristocratic families.

It went through the rule of Cao Cao, and then a large number of elites followed Cao Cao into Shu.

The power structure in the Yingchuan region has undergone several rounds of reshuffling.

The overall management here is also quite chaotic.

The autumn wind was bleak. Old Wang squatted on the edge of his field, staring blankly at the unripe millet ears.

Yesterday, the constables came and confiscated his only son; today they've come again to demand "labor rations."

"Old man, please don't blame us for being heartless."

The constable, holding his money bag, said, "Our lord said that one bushel of millet is equivalent to one day's service."

"If you pay ten bushels of grain, your son will be able to return home a hundred days earlier."

Old Man Wang trembled as he emptied the rice jar:

"Sir, this is all that's left..."

The bailiff glanced at the less than three bushels of stale grain and suddenly kicked over the rice jar.

"You old fool, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

After saying this, he turned and left, leaving the old man kneeling among the scattered grain and weeping bitterly.

That night, in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Yangzhai County, Yingchuan, a dozen or so ragged farmers gathered around a dim campfire.

"Corrupt official! Corrupt official!"

"My son was conscripted only half a month ago, and then came the news of his death..."

The speaker was Old Man Wang, his cloudy eyes burning with anger.

"They said it was an accidental fall into the water, but the body brought back by the fellow villager was covered in whip marks!"

In ancient times, the most arduous task was corvée labor.

Especially during the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, when productivity was generally underdeveloped and transportation was inconvenient.

Those who performed corvée labor usually suffered severe physical harm, even if they didn't die.

Those who can survive corvée labor in a large-scale battle are definitely considered to have incredibly tough luck.

"My family paid five shi of millet, and they came to ask for more the next day!"

The younger Wang Wu gritted his teeth.

"The inspector also said that the money paid before was for 'road repairs,' and now the official corvée labor fees are being calculated!"

Another farmer sneered:
"The imperial edict clearly stated that the corvée service should be reduced by 30%, but in our case it's increased by 20%."

"Do any of you know what's going on here?"

He dipped his brush in the rainwater and scribbled on the offering table.

"Look, everyone..."

"The prefecture takes 70%, the county adds 20%, and the townships take another layer..."

"In the end, it all went into the pockets of these corrupt officials!"

Thunder roared outside the dilapidated temple, and lightning illuminated angry faces.

Old Wang, holding a hoe, stood up shakily.

"Since I'm going to die anyway, I might as well..."

"That's outrageous!"

Wang Wu picked up a hoe and smashed it against the offering table, sending wood chips flying.

Three days later, when a group of constables came to the village as usual to collect grain, they were met with hoes and sickles.

When the inspector arrived with his troops, he found seven corpses hanging on the official road, and the mouth of the foremost constable was stuffed with a bloodstained notice.

It was that altered conscription document.

"Whoever kills an official will have his entire family executed!"

"How dare you rebel!"

The inspector roared as he charged into the village, only to be met with bamboo arrows raining down from all directions.

When he was hoisted up the old locust tree at the village entrance, he finally saw that the leader was none other than the hunchbacked old man, Wang.

The news spread like wildfire.

Within just ten days, tens of thousands of refugees gathered at the junction of Yingchuan, Runan, and Chenliu counties.

They elected this old man Wang as their leader, calling them the "Peaceful Service Army," which was dedicated to killing corrupt officials.

When the news reached Liang Guoli, who was also in Henan,

King Liu Lizheng of Liang was playing chess with his prime minister, Zhuge Jun.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall. Chen Tai, the chief clerk, rushed in, holding a sealed military report, beads of sweat still on his forehead.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report from Henan!"

Chen Tai knelt on one knee and presented the bamboo slips, stating, "The refugees in Yingchuan and Runan have gathered and rebelled, and have already killed twelve officials appointed by the imperial court."

"Reports indicate that there are over ten thousand rioters!"

Liu Li's hand, holding the chess piece, hovered in mid-air.

He put down the black jade chess piece and unfolded the military report, his brows furrowing more and more as he read it.

"Who did this!"

After reading it, Liu Li slammed his hand on the table and stood up, causing the chess pieces on the board to jump around wildly.

"How dare they tamper with His Majesty's decree on reducing corvée labor and force the people of Henan to rebel!"

Liu Li strictly followed the imperial edict issued by Liu Bei and complied with the regulations on reducing corvée labor.

He even reduced it further.

I never expected that some local officials would take advantage of the fact that the emperor is far away and use this important national event to seek personal gain.

Zhuge Jun picked up the scattered military reports and examined them closely, his beard trembling slightly:
"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words."

"However, the rebels killing officials and seizing the county is a heinous crime."

"Report this to Luoyang immediately and request the court to make a decision."

Liu Li got up and strolled to the outer corridor of the hall. The autumn rain had just stopped, and the sound of dripping water from the eaves could be heard.

He gazed at the dark clouds in the south, then suddenly turned to the crowd and said:
"No! Father is currently preparing to attack Wu. If he hears of chaos in the Central Plains, it will surely distract him."

The king's robe fluttered in the wind. "Since I am receiving the Han's bounty, I should share your burdens."

The implication was that he planned to send troops to quell the rebellion.

Zhuge Jun was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and rushed forward, loudly reminding him:

"Your Majesty! The Han law clearly states that a vassal king may not mobilize troops without an imperial edict."

"Moreover, although there are many refugees, they are really just a mob and will not amount to anything."

"It's just a minor ailment, we just need to wait patiently for the imperial decree."

Why get involved in this mess?

Have you not heard that the more you talk, the more mistakes you make, and the more you do, the more errors you create?

"The prime minister only sees the laws and regulations, but not the crisis."

Liu Li pointed south and said seriously:

"The rebellion is just beginning, and the situation is not yet ripe."

"If we wait for official correspondence from the imperial court, the problem will likely have spread like wildfire!"

He suddenly raised his voice and loudly ordered:
"Commander Zhuge Ke!"

Before long, a young general dressed in fish-scale armor strode into the hall.

This man was none other than Zhuge Ke, the nephew of Zhuge Jun, who had come to join them from the State of Lu last year.

As he bowed, the ring-pommel sword at his waist struck the armor plates, producing a crisp sound.

"Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider!"

Zhuge Jun stood in front of his nephew and advised him:
"The Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms in the past all arose from the usurpation of power by the vassal kings..."

"These are turbulent times. If we rashly launch a military campaign, we risk arousing the Emperor's suspicion."

Liu Li laughed heartily and said:

"Does the Chancellor suspect that I, Liu Li, am going to become the second King Wu of Wu?"

His laughter stopped abruptly, and he reached out to help the old minister up.

My father often said, "Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish."

"The people's uprising is like a raging fire. If we wait for water to be diverted from Luoyang to put it out, the Liang Kingdom will have been reduced to ashes long ago!"

Chen Tai seized the opportunity to speak:
"I have just checked the supplementary decree of the Han Law. If a vassal king encounters a sudden rebellion in his own prefecture, he may suppress it first and then report to the emperor."

The candlelight in the hall flickered, casting uncertain shadows on everyone's faces.

Liu Li smiled slightly and said:
"Did you hear that?!"

"If there is any rebellion in this state, I have the authority to act expediently!"

Seeing this, Zhuge Ke also knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said:
"Your Majesty, I am willing to be the vanguard."

"The refugees have no armor or formations, but three thousand elite cavalry will suffice."

Liu Li was, after all, a vassal king, and received many rewards from the imperial court.

The Liang Kingdom was still able to support three thousand cavalrymen.

Although the number of refugees is said to be in the tens of thousands.

But as Zhuge Ke said,

These people are nothing but ants, a mob.

To put it bluntly, they are just a group of disorganized, undisciplined ordinary people who can't survive.

They lacked sophisticated equipment, elite troops, and systematic training.

This is why Zhang Jiao, who claimed to have a million Yellow Turban soldiers, was ultimately defeated by Lu Zhi's tens of thousands of regular troops.

No matter how many bandits there are, they are no match for a regular army.

Liu Li clapped his hands in approval:

"Good! Pass on the order!"

"I hereby command Zhuge Liang with 1,000 light cavalry as the left wing, and Chen Zhubu with 1,000 infantry as the right wing. I myself will command the central army."

"Mobilize the troops immediately and set off!"

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Zhuge Jun sighed deeply:
"In that case, I request to serve as an advisor to the army."

"However, one must immediately submit a memorial to apologize afterward."

At midnight, torches outside Suiyang City blazed like dragons.

Three thousand elite troops stood in formation, their iron armor gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

Liu Li, riding a white horse and clad in silver armor, raised his gilded spear before the army:

"Soldiers! It is wrong for rioters to kill officials, but in the final analysis, it is because they are driven by corrupt officials."

"Today, I, the King, will personally lead the expedition. I shall execute the ringleaders and pardon those who were coerced!"

"I am willing to follow Your Majesty!"

The three armies shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the countryside.

The army traveled day and night, and by dusk the next day they arrived at Gebei, where the rebels had gathered.

Scouts reported that the rioters were distributing grain in the open space in front of the embankment, completely unsuspecting.

Liu Li climbed to a high place and looked into the distance. He saw more than 10,000 people in tattered clothes sitting in various places, and an old man with white hair was speaking in the center.

A hempen flag bearing the inscription "Acting on behalf of Heaven" stands beside him.

"They really are a bunch of rabble."

Zhuge Ke squinted to observe, then cupped his hands to Liu Li and said:

"I request to lead my light cavalry to circle around their rear and cut off their retreat."

Chen Tai frowned:
"Judging from the fact that most of them are the elderly, women, and children, a forceful attack might harm innocent people..."

Liu Li raised his hand to stop the two from arguing and shouted:

"Beat the drums and form ranks to first intimidate their hearts!"

At a command, war drums thundered, and three thousand elite soldiers appeared from three sides.

The refugees were thrown into chaos, and the white-haired old man was none other than Old Man Wang.

He hurriedly organized able-bodied men to take up farm tools and fight back.

However, how can hoes and sickles stand against standard weapons?

Within half an hour, the rioters were routed.

"Those who surrender will not be killed!"

Liu Li spurred his horse into the battlefield, and with a single thrust of his spear, sent a man charging at him with a woodcutter's knife flying, but without killing him.

His regal bearing, clad in silver armor and riding a white horse, caused many refugees to kneel and beg for mercy.

By the time the moon rose above the mountain, the war was over.

When the prisoners were being counted, the guards brought in an old man named Wang with disheveled white hair.

Although the old farmer was tied up, he stood up straight and looked directly at Liu Li.

"Your Majesty!"

The guards shouted sternly.

Liu Li waved his hand:

"Untie me, take a seat."

After Old Man Wang was seated, he asked in a gentle voice.

Why is the old man causing trouble?

A hint of surprise flashed in Old Wang's cloudy old eyes, followed by a bitter laugh:
"The old man only wanted justice for his unjustly killed child."

As he spoke, he pulled out a blood-written document from his robes, saying, "This is the true account of the forced conscription of men in Yingchuan County. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

"justice?"

Liu Li accepted the blood-written letter.

In the candlelight, the more he looked, the more somber his expression became.

The account books show that Nie Liang, the prefect of Yingchuan County, not only levied 20% more labor service than allowed, but also embezzled most of the laborers' rations to enrich himself.

The last page also included more than a dozen lawsuits bearing bloody handprints.

"Does the old man know that killing an official and rebelling is a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of three generations of one's family?"

Liu Lihe's booklet.

"know."

Old Man Wang raised his head and said, "But please, Your Majesty, consider this: if your son were driven to death by a corrupt official, what would you do?"

The hall fell silent.

Zhuge Jun's expression changed, and he was about to rebuke him, but Liu Li raised his hand to stop him.

After a long silence, the young prince suddenly rose from his seat and bowed deeply to the old farmer.
"It is the imperial court that has failed the people."

“I am not a father yet, but I know that.”

"If I die, my father will surely avenge me."

"Although the court has wronged you first, you must die."

After saying that, he pointed to the captive refugees who were forced to join the rebellion.

"As for them, I will petition the court to plead for their lives."

"Spare his life."

Old Wang was stunned, then tears streamed down his face as he bowed deeply and said:
"With Your Majesty's words, this old man has no regrets even in death..."

Three days later, at the Gebei execution ground.

Despite the earnest advice from Zhuge Jun and others that "the law does not punish the heart," Liu Li still sentenced Wang Laohan to beheading according to the law.

Before his execution, the old farmer suddenly shouted:

"Your Highness, Prince Liang! This old man only asks to be buried next to my child after I die—"

"There is a mass grave in Xishan, Yingchuan, where more than three hundred wronged souls are buried!"

As the ghost-headed knife fell, Liu Li turned his face away.

Upon returning to camp, he immediately summoned Chen Tai.

"Prepare the carriage immediately; I will personally travel to Yingchuan."

Zhuge Jun was greatly alarmed upon hearing this:

"Your Majesty has already taken military action without authorization. If you cross the border to investigate the case again..."

"This, this, this is so against the rules!"

"Now that the rebellion has been quelled, let us first submit a memorial to apologize."

"Even if Your Majesty truly wishes to investigate the case, it is not too late to do so once the imperial decree is issued!"

Fortunately, the suppression of the rebellion went very smoothly, and the post-war resettlement work was also done quite well.

So it shouldn't be a big problem.

"The round trip to Luoyang will take at least six days."

"Six days later, Nie Liang became prepared."

"I arrived suddenly, intending to catch him off guard!"

"Prime Minister, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

Liu Li took out the seal of the Prince of Liang and said, "You should first submit a memorial to my father, the Emperor, and explain this matter in detail."

"If you issue another document to Yingchuan in my name, say..."

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's say that the Prince of Liang has been ordered to inspect the people's conditions in Henan."

"Later, I will personally submit a memorial to my father to apologize."

……

(End of this chapter)