Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 468 Lin Dao: I said, Tongguan is in my hands, it can be taken in a day or two.
"General Zilong, your divine might is unparalleled!"

Upon seeing the energetic Zhao Yun, the usually arrogant Wei Yan's smile became strangely unnatural.

"Hahaha~"

Zhao Yun laughed loudly, "Wen Chang, you fought well! You have recovered the ancient capital of Chang'an in one fell swoop, and the great cause of the Northern Expedition can be accomplished. You should be credited with the greatest merit!"

Generals such as Ma Dai, Wu Yi, and Chen Shi praised the two generals repeatedly, saying that they were pillars of the Han Dynasty and the nation's backbone, comparable to Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.

Wei Yan was arrogant and felt that the Han Dynasty was now entirely supported by him.

Especially after the successful surprise attack on Chang'an, he became incredibly arrogant.

However, Zhao Yun defeated Cao Zhen's elite troops with inferior forces on the Baoxie Road.

When news arrived that Wei Yan, at the age of seventy, had killed the enemy's Grand General and Commander-in-Chief Cao Zhen in battle, his expression immediately changed.

The great achievement of the surprise attack on Chang'an suddenly lost its appeal.

Fortunately, Zhao Yun was indifferent to fame and fortune, and devoted himself to the country and the world.

After meeting, he took the initiative to praise Wei Yan and did not cause any conflict by boasting about his achievements.

If it were the equally arrogant Guan Yu, he would probably have given him a disdainful look and stroked his beard with a slight snort.

"Now that Guanzhong has been initially pacified."

Wei Yan, his gaze shifting, asked softly, "In my opinion, we should quickly attack Tongguan and head straight for Luoyang."

"General Zilong, what do you think?"

After the successful surprise attack in the Ziwu Valley, Wei Yan's confidence soared.

After capturing Chang'an, they planned to take Tongguan and march straight into Luoyang.

If this matter succeeds, Wei Wenchang's achievements will be comparable to those of the Marquis of Huaiyin.
"This matter~"

Zhao Yun stroked his beard and pondered, "I'm afraid it won't be easy."

From the day it was established, Tongguan has been an extremely important pass.

Its strategic location makes it an absolutely formidable pass in the world.

They had already launched a surprise attack on Chang'an once before. Even if the Wei army were fools, they would know to strengthen the defenses of Tongguan. How could they be given a second chance to launch a surprise attack?

Sometimes, unconventional strategies can play a crucial role in turning the tide of battle.

The problem is, he can't use it all the time!

The art of war dictates that the orthodox and the unorthodox should be combined, with the orthodox serving as the primary force and the unorthodox as the secondary force.

Zhao Yun opposed another surprise attack on Tongguan, because the chances of success were almost nonexistent.

However, to save face for Wei Yan, he only mentioned the difficulties instead of directly opposing it.

This is probably a manifestation of emotional intelligence.

Wei Yan frowned slightly, about to explain his plan.

But then they heard a series of footsteps outside. It was Prime Minister Zhuge and Lin Dao returning to hold a military meeting after finishing their discussion.

"This Northern Expedition will restore the Han dynasty!"

"Thanks to everyone's hard work!"

"Before me, and behind me, esteemed generals!"

"Your achievements have been recorded in the victory report and presented to His Majesty the Emperor."

"I will never forget the rewards and honors bestowed upon me!"

The core of ancient warfare was actually very simple.

That means they're willing to spend a fortune.

If you offer the right benefits, everyone will be willing to fight to the death, and you will naturally be able to win.

This principle was followed from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Tang dynasty, and they were truly willing to offer substantial benefits.

It was precisely because of this that the great achievements of the powerful Han and prosperous Tang dynasties were created.

As for later dynasties, they treated military men like cattle and horses, not giving them enough benefits, yet making them risk their lives.

Do you really think everyone is an NPC?
Therefore, it was only natural that the country and the world would fall one after another.

Here, Prime Minister Zhuge first established the theme of meritorious service, indicating that he had already recommended everyone's achievements to the emperor.

This is called stabilizing morale.

Only then did we begin to discuss serious matters.

"Prime Minister."

At this moment, Wei Yan interrupted, saying, "This humble general has something to report."

Zhao Yun frowned, feeling that Wei Yan was taking credit for something.

Such a surprise attack on Tongguan should at least be discussed privately with the Prime Minister before being brought up.

Why bring this up at this time?

Prime Minister Zhuge's smile remained unchanged as he waved his feather fan and asked, "Wen Chang, please speak frankly."

"Prime Minister."

Wei Yan glanced at Lin Dao, who was watching the commotion, and said, "Most of the spoils captured in the city have been taken away, and many soldiers in the army are complaining. I am powerless to do anything about it."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Lin Dao.

Lin Dao, who had initially just been watching the spectacle, suddenly burst into laughter.

Is this targeting me?

"There's no need to say more about this."

Prime Minister Zhuge immediately suppressed his smile and waved his feather fan. "I had already made an agreement with Zihou on this matter. Zihou will be the first to select all the spoils."

"You all know this."

"Most of the military supplies and provisions were provided by Zihou."

"Without the supplies provided by Zihou, how could we have taken Guanzhong so easily?"

What Prime Minister Zhuge didn't mention is that the Kunlun Mirror, which Lin Dao provided and which allows us to see the past and future, is of even greater significance!

Compared to that, what are mere goods and supplies?

"As for the rewards for the generals and soldiers."

Prime Minister Zhuge already has a plan to deal with this matter.

"Rewards for military achievements will be distributed in the form of land!"

Lin Dao needs almost any kind of supplies.

There are only two kinds of things you don't want.

One is people, the other is land.

Because he can't take either of these things with him or convert them into cash.

Prime Minister Zhuge gave the spoils that originally belonged to the soldiers to Lin Dao in exchange for material support.

The soldiers' rewards were calculated in the form of land.

If this occurred during the Qin Dynasty, it would also include servants who had become slaves.

Without a doubt, the allure of the land was greater than that of the spoils of war.

After all, ever since the people of the Central Plains first planted seeds, land has become the most important means of production.

This is like in later generations, when you are given a car, a house, and money, and then you have to choose between dividends and shares in a company that will be passed down through generations. How would you choose?
As for where the land came from, it was naturally seized from Cao Wei. Prime Minister Zhuge and Lin Dao reached a consensus.

The Shu army purged local powerful clans and aristocratic families in exchange for Lin Dao's full support.

The wealth of these powerful eunuchs went to Lin Dao, while their land, houses, and people—things that Lin Dao couldn't take away—belonged to the Han Dynasty.

As for the lives of the powerful eunuchs, they were naturally destined for the King of Hell.

"Next~"

Prime Minister Zhuge's gaze swept over the generals, and he began to issue military orders.

"After ordering Wang Ping, Ma Su, and others to lead their respective troops to sweep through Longyou, they shall proceed to Liangzhou."

"Ma Dai," Prime Minister Zhuge specifically called out Ma Dai's name, "Are you willing to go?"

The Ma family were local tyrants in Liangzhou, typical of the powerful local clans.

If Ma Dai were to go, it would naturally have a remarkable effect.

Under normal circumstances, you just need to give the order.

But Ma Dai's situation was different; he also carried the deep-seated hatred of his entire family's blood feud.

Therefore, Prime Minister Zhuge gave him the opportunity to choose for himself.

Ma Dai fell silent, pondered for a moment, and then bowed respectfully.

"Prime Minister, I will never forget the family grudge!"

"I beg the Prime Minister to grant my request!"

If the Northern Expedition is hopeless, it is only natural for Ma Dai to go to Liangzhou and exert the influence of the Ma family.

But now that the opportunity for revenge was right in front of him, he ultimately chose to take revenge first.

Prime Minister Zhuge expressed his understanding of this.

After nodding in agreement, he spoke again, "Fei Yi is to remain in Guanzhong to stabilize the region, supervise the laborers and provisions, clear up land and household registrations, gather displaced people to cultivate the land, and settle prisoners of war..."

"All other generals and their units, follow me and take Tongguan!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

Zhao Yun immediately stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister, Tongguan is easy to defend but difficult to attack. If our army is stationed under the city and cannot break through, I fear there will be problems."

"Why don't we take the Puban Ferry?"

This is a perfectly normal concern.

Tongguan Pass is extremely strategic and difficult to conquer.

If the siege drags on without success, it will give Cao Wei time to react.

Given the size, population, and resources of Cao Wei, given enough time, the previous losses could be gradually recovered.

Most importantly, the immense psychological impact of the recapture of Guanzhong will gradually fade with time.

This is the most important advantage of the Shu Kingdom at this time.

In comparison, it's clear that it's easier to break through at the point of Putaka.

After all, the river is wide, and there are plenty of ways to cross it.

"This matter."

Prime Minister Zhuge, who always planned carefully before acting, waved his feather fan and smiled.

"A plan has already been made."

"With Zihou's help, Tongguan Pass can be taken in a day or two!"

All eyes turned to Lin Dao.

"Ah."

Lin Dao nodded. "We are all people of the Central Plains. If we kill each other too much, it will go against the harmony of Heaven."

"I did not want the people of the Central Plains to suffer more from war, so I stepped in to help them in order to end the war as soon as possible."

He wasn't lying; that's exactly what he thought.

Since it is destined that one side will fall completely, then we should find a way to speed up this process, thereby reducing the suffering of the people.

After all, it's always the ordinary people who suffer in wars.

Lin Dao had always been indifferent to the life and death of powerful clans, but the losses suffered by ordinary people were something he could not accept.

If that's the case, then let's just take matters into our own hands and end this war as soon as possible.

Wei Yan and the others frowned deeply.

They acknowledged that Lin Dao was a very powerful merchant who could acquire astonishingly good things.

Even the best things, can they really open up Tongguan Pass?

These words are an overstatement.

And isn't the Prime Minister getting a little too big for his britches, actually believing what a merchant said?
"I said, Tongguan is in my hands, and it can be taken in a day or two."

Lin Dao raised a finger and pointed it at Jiang Wei.

"You, Jiang Boyue."

"Organize a suicide squad to capture Tongguan!"

"This tremendous credit is yours."

Tongguan is located on the Loess Plateau.

The land is high in the south and low in the north, covered with a thick layer of loess.

The terrain, shaped by the climate, is rugged and difficult to traverse.

There are actually many small paths that can be used to detour, but the problem is that these paths cannot be used by large troops, let alone supplies and provisions.

The only way to launch a large-scale offensive beyond the pass is to break through the Tongguan Pass.

The biggest challenge in attacking this place is that the terrain restricts the deployment of superior forces.

“Bojo”.

Prime Minister Zhuge instructed Jiang Wei, who was already wearing armor, "Remember, the priority is to capture the pass. Your job is to cover the subsequent troops entering the pass."

Jiang Wei immediately bowed and said, "I accept the order!"

Do you know why Lin Zihou publicly singled you out?

When asked by the Prime Minister, Jiang Wei shook his head and said, "This disciple does not know."

"This was arranged by Lin Zihou," Prime Minister Zhuge said, taking a breath. "With Lin Zihou's full assistance, the great cause of restoring the Han Dynasty is just around the corner."

"But Lin Zihou is impatient and demands that things be done as quickly as possible."

"That is, to break through Tongguan Pass, advance straight to Luoyang, and destroy Cao Wei in one fell swoop."

"I believe that with his abilities, he is certainly capable of doing it."

"That's why there aren't many opportunities to make a name for oneself."

"You need to make achievements and grow up as quickly as possible."

Jiang Wei then understood that this was a way of giving him the credit for being the first to scale the walls.

"Yes." He still had some doubts. "Tongguan is so strategically important, can it really be breached?"

The next moment, the roar of the engine answered his question.

Lin Dao drove his tracked artillery over!
The cannons are aimed directly at the city walls!
(End of this chapter)