Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 158: Training Five Schools and Allying with Youzhou

"Sir, I have over 3,000 soldiers and horses, Shangdang has about 2,000 soldiers, and we have about 5,000 infantry and cavalry. If we can mobilize the two Xiongnu tribes in Yanmen and the 700 cavalrymen in Pingcheng to go south, we can have about 6,000 to 7,000 soldiers and horses."

In the Li Ting camp, Zhang Yu inspected the soldiers' training, while Zhang Liao followed beside him and said.

Zhang Yu frowned and murmured, "Shangdang is a thousand or two thousand miles away from Pingcheng. If we mobilize the two Xiongnu tribes from Yanmen and the Yunzhong cavalry south, not to mention the long journey, I wonder if the Xianbei will take advantage of the situation and attack the Canhebi Salt Pond, or attack the Xiongnu people."

Since the news of the White Wave Bandits' defeat of Niu Fu arrived, Zhang Yu has been accelerating his military preparations to prevent them from advancing eastward and joining forces with the Black Mountain Bandits entrenched in the river valleys on the edge of the Taihang Mountains. To prepare for this, Zhang Yu now needs to take inventory of his available troops.

"If we don't transfer the cavalry from Pingcheng, if the Baibo bandits march eastward, Shangdang will only have 5,000 infantry and cavalry available, with more than a thousand imperial guards as the main force, the rest being county soldiers as secondary, and the newly recruited soldiers as auxiliary." Zhang Liao said.

Zhang Yu paced back and forth, his sword in hand, saying, "The enemy claims to have over a hundred thousand troops. While that number may be false, there are at least sixty to seventy thousand refugees. Add to that the Xiongnu's three thousand rebel cavalry from Yu Fuluo, and their available infantry and cavalry should be over ten thousand. Using five thousand new and experienced infantry and cavalry against over ten thousand bandits is like using a small force against a large one, which is not the right way to fight. We will need to dispatch some of our cavalry south."

"If we want to defeat the enemy with a small force, we need cavalry to accomplish this important task. Now let Shi Yi, Hu Yanle and other select Xiongnu and Yicong 500 cavalrymen to march south, and the rest of the troops will stay in Yanbei." Zhang Yu said.

"promise!"

It was not that Zhang Yu did not want to use the Xiongnu soldiers, but there were risks in using the Xiongnu soldiers for an expedition. The Xiongnu cavalry were not professional soldiers, and their expeditions would be the same as the Han people, which would also delay production.

Moreover, when the Xiongnu cavalry moved south, because they were close to the border, the empty Xiongnu tribe was easily looted by the Xianbei tribe on the border. Once the Xiongnu cavalry learned that their tribe was being looted, they would easily flee and return home.

The 700 cavalry led by Li Song were used to intimidate the Hu people in Yanbei and protect the two Xiongnu tribes. If he led his troops south, the Xiongnu and Hu people would most likely not be content.

Therefore, Zhang Yu would not normally mobilize troops from Yanbei unless absolutely necessary. Currently, due to concerns about the situation in Shangdang, Zhang Yu could only dispatch 500 elite cavalrymen south, leaving Li Song to protect the two Xiongnu tribes.

"How are the soldiers and new recruits in the lower counties doing now?" Zhang Yu asked.

"The county troops were led by the former prefect Liu Bo. Now that Liu Bo has passed away, the county soldiers have not taken any action." Zhang Yang said.

Zhang Yu pondered for a long time and said, "To strengthen the military, it is not appropriate to let outsiders take charge of the army. Zixun and Zhongkang can take over the 2,000 county soldiers, and Zhang Jun will hand over the cavalry to Wenyuan for command, and Bo'an will take charge of the 2,000 newly recruited soldiers. Wenyuan will take charge of the cavalry as a lieutenant, and Lai En and Bo Dao will assist him!"

The five thousand infantry and cavalry were planned according to the plan of one thousand infantry lieutenants and eight hundred cavalry lieutenants. They could be roughly divided into four infantry lieutenants, one cavalry lieutenant in charge of the cavalry, and two hundred personal soldiers directly under Zhang Yu.

"Does it have a title?" Zhang Liao asked.

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "The main army will be named Du Liao, the cavalry will be named Yun Zhong Cavalry, and the remaining four infantry camps will be named Xian Zhen and Gu Shan, each divided into two camps on the left and right."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu looked at Gao Shun and said, "If we fight the Baibo bandits in battle, victory or defeat depends on the cavalry, and victory or defeat depends on the infantry. Zixun is particularly good at commanding troops, so when we fight, you must be the vanguard. Now I will organize four infantry battalions, and the armor and weapons will take precedence over you."

"promise!"

Gao Shun suddenly felt a heavy responsibility and said, "Training troops is difficult to accomplish overnight. I request that you transfer several hundred of your former subordinates to me, and mix them with strong and capable soldiers. In a few months, I will be able to train a thousand elite soldiers for you."

"Can!"

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "After the spring, I will see Zixun and your troops. Don't let me down!"

"No!" Everyone responded with their hands raised.

Zhang Yang saw that Zhang Yu would first assign the elite cavalry to Zhang Liao, and then assign the elite infantry to Gao Shun, leaving the infantry battalion under his command mostly old and weak soldiers. Zhang Yang's expression gradually revealed dissatisfaction, but because everyone was present, he could not complain to Zhang Yu in person.

After discussing some key points, Zhang Yu asked all the generals to withdraw and take the time to reorganize the army.

After everyone left, Zhang Yang stayed behind and complained, "Jian, Gao Shun is an outsider. If we let him take charge of the elite troops, aren't you afraid that Gao Shun will run away out of greed?"

Zhang Yu comforted him and said, "We have Baibo in the west and Heishan in the east. Zixun is strict in military discipline and loyal to military affairs. How can we not entrust him with important tasks? Besides, Zixun's family is on the way. What are you worried about now?"

After a pause, Zhang Yu said, "Although my uncle is in charge of a weak army, I have an important task for you now, and it is only you who can handle it."

"What's the matter?" Zhang Yang asked excitedly.

"The world is in turmoil today, and Bingzhou is surrounded by mountains and rivers. My Zhang family has the military and we should protect the territory and the people, and pacify the counties of Bingzhou. If the bandit threat can be eliminated, I will plan to take Taiyuan next year, and no one except my uncle can be the governor of Shangdang!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "If Taiyuan can be taken over by the Zhang family, I will hand over the Shangdang prefecture to my uncle and let my uncle govern the people for my Zhang family."

Zhang Yang was very full after eating the cakes prepared by the Shangdang governor. He was overjoyed and rubbed his hands together, saying, "If Ji'an has Taiyuan, Shangdang must be handed over to someone he trusts, but I'm afraid I am not up to the task."

"What's the problem?"

Zhang Yu put his arm around Zhang Yang's shoulders and said, "Uncle, you have done a great service by pacifying the people of Shangdang, expanding the cultivated land, punishing the bandits, and ensuring that the army has sufficient rations."

"That's not difficult!"

Zhang Yu followed up and said, "There are only 10,000 or 20,000 households in Shangdang, and only more than 100,000 people. It may not be enough to support 5,000 soldiers. So next spring, uncle can lead the troops to settle in the army. In their spare time, they can farm, and in their spare time, they can fight."

"Military settlement?" Zhang Yang looked reluctant when he heard that. He wanted to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy, but Zhang Yu arranged farming work for him.

"The Shangdang prefect has a heavy responsibility, and supplying military supplies is a key matter. Is it possible that my uncle is unwilling?" Zhang Yu sighed.

"willing!"

Zhang Yang gritted his teeth and said, "Ji Ji has no other requests, and the Shangdang governor has a heavy responsibility, so I am willing to serve as a military garrison for the army."

"It's just for the time being, uncle, I'm sorry!" Zhang Yu comforted him.

Shangdang had only a little over 20,000 households, and even if all the people were squeezed dry, it wouldn't even be enough to support 5,000 soldiers. Especially with the potential influx of refugees next year, military settlement was an inevitable choice for Zhang Yu.

As for who to let the army station, Zhang Yu thought about it and thought about it. There are not many people who can help him work wholeheartedly. He can only use the Shangdang prefect as a pie to tempt Zhang Yang to help him with the army station.

As for Lu Fan and Man Chong, although they were considered to be both military and political talents in history, they are currently unable to support such a large business due to their lack of experience, and they also have to take care of military affairs.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu not only missed Zhong Yao and Du Ji, he also needed an expert in internal affairs to help him manage internal affairs and plan money, food and military supplies.

"It seems I need to write a letter to Zhong Yao to see if he can come to help me!"

Zhang Yu sighed to himself and decided to write letters to Guo Tu, Sun Zi, Zhong Yao and Du Ji, inviting them to come and help him.

On that day, Zhang Yu returned to Huguan City from Liting and bent down to write a letter.

"Moshan, I will send the four letters to you according to the names on the letters."

Zhang Yu stuffed the written letter into a brocade bag and handed it to Zhang Feng, instructing him, "Send one letter to Nanzheng in Hanzhong, the other two to Luoyang City, and the third to the Qinghe Shell Mound."

Du Ji was in Hanzhong, Sun Zi and Zhong Yao were in Luoyang, and Guo Tu, who had made great contributions in saving Wang Yun, was listed as a filial and incorruptible official and was appointed as the chief of Beiqiu in Qinghe County.

Zhang Feng put away the brocade bag, bowed and said, "I will send my trusted confidant to deliver the letter."

"good!"

Soon after Zhang Feng left, the attendant quickly entered the hall and said, "Your Excellency, Yu Changshi is waiting outside the hall for orders."

"Please quickly!"

"promise!"

After a while, Yu Yi entered the hall, dusty and exhausted. He bowed and said, "I have fulfilled your trust and have arrived in Zhuo County to pay a visit to Liu Mubo."

"how?"

Zhang Yu waved his hand and asked his attendants to serve him warm water. He said, "Shao Ran has traveled thousands of miles and has worked hard. Unfortunately, Governor Liu passed away. Now I am temporarily in charge of Shangdang, and I have appointed you as the Chief Clerk."

Yu Yi bowed and said, "Thank you for your love and respect. Liu Mubo has already said something about raising an army to fight the bandits."

"please!"

"Liu Mubo said that from what he saw in the prefectures and counties that raised armies, they claimed to be righteous soldiers fighting against the bandits, but in fact they had no intention of caring for the country and the people. So he has no intention of raising an army now, and asked the general to wait and see the situation. Moreover, Liu Mubo said that if Shangdang is poor and difficult to live in, the general can lead the troops to Youzhou." Yu Yi said.

Hearing this, Zhang Yu clapped his hands and smiled, saying: "Liu Mubo knows the general situation. Now that Youzhou has become our ally, I have nothing to worry about!"

Liu Yu would not participate in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, but Zhang Yu could still remember this due to his previous life knowledge, so he decided to follow Liu Yu. Liu Yu's invitation to him to station troops in Youzhou was something he had not expected.

After Liu Yu came to power, he dismissed a large number of troops because there was no military rebellion in Youzhou, leaving only Gongsun Zan's troop. If he went to Youzhou, given his relationship with Liu Yu, he would most likely get more resources than Gongsun Zan.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yu had already planned a strategy for Bingzhou, so it was impossible for him to leave Shangdang and go to Liu Yu. Of course, if Zhang Yu failed to establish his own regime, he could go to Liu Yu's camp and seek an opportunity to make a comeback.

Now, since Yidang is close to Youzhou, if Zhang Yu is really in danger and asks Liu Yu for help, there is no doubt that Liu Yu will send troops to rescue him, which is a disguised alliance with Liu Yu.

Yu Yi hesitated for a moment and asked, "Sir, now that Lord Liu has no intention of attacking Dong, what plans do our army have?"

Zhang Yu pointed to the documents on the desk and said, "The population of Shangdang is declining, and the tax revenue is not high enough to support the army. The Baibo bandits in the west seem to be heading east, and our army is not well trained, so we need to train them. There will be a military riot in the capital next year, and refugees may enter the country, so we need to plan wasteland. In addition to the above, there are more trivial matters, and I need Shao Ran to help me with my worries."

Yu Yi understood and said, "Please tell me what to do!"

"good!"

"Book of Tang: Chronicle of Taizu" reads: "In November, Black Mountain bandits ambushed and killed Shangdang Governor Liu Bo, leaving the counties without a leader. They then asked Taizu to take charge of Shangdang and govern Huguan. Soon after, Taizu was promoted to General Du Liao and concurrently appointed Governor of Shangdang."

(End of this chapter)