The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 108 Liu Bei selects his generals for the campaign, and the generals vie for credit and become the vanguard (3rd update)
Just as Xianyu Fu was about to send someone to contact Liu Bei, he suddenly heard that Yan Rou had sent an envoy.

When the messenger met Xianyu Fu, he presented Yan Rou's letter, which stated: "Liu Bei has rebelled and intends to seize the six commanderies. The six commanderies are interdependent and should defend and advance together. I urge the governor to send troops as soon as possible and gather them in Ji County."

Xianyu Fu did not reply, but instead handed the letter to Tian Yu.

After glancing at the contents of the letter, Tian Yu winked at Xianyu Fu and then bowed and said, "Prefect Yan is in trouble, and Dai County should send troops to help him. You can reply to Prefect Yan, and the troops from Dai County will arrive in Ji County soon."

Xianyu Fu understood and immediately wrote back to Yan Rou's messenger, saying, "In the past, I fought against Gongsun Zan with Governor Yan, and today I will not stand idly by!"

The messenger was overjoyed and left with the letter.

"Yan Rou actually intends to unite the troops of six prefectures and gather them in Ji County!" Xianyu Fu said solemnly, "Given Yan Rou's character, he will definitely borrow troops from the Wuhuan again."

When Xianyu Fu mentioned "borrowing troops from the Wuhuan", his expression became complicated.

Initially, Liu Yu adopted a policy of appeasement towards the Wuhuan, which earned him a good reputation among them. Therefore, when Xianyu Fu, Xianyu Yin, Qi Zhou, and others gathered troops to avenge Liu Yu, they recommended Yan Rou, who had prestige among the Wuhuan, as the Wuhuan Sima, and recruited tens of thousands of Wuhuan people.

Although they defeated Gongsun Zan one after another, the Wuhuan people became more unrestrained and continued to raid Han people and occupy Han territory in the south.

As a result, today, the Wuhuan people have an absolute advantage in Dai Commandery, Shanggu Commandery, Yuyang Commandery, Youbeiping Commandery, and Liaoxi Commandery, while the number of Han people is decreasing!
Originally, he only wanted to borrow troops to take revenge, but in the end, he ended up letting the wolf into the house.

Xianyu Fu's statement, "If it weren't for Guo Rang's help in Dai County, how could I have survived to this day?" was not an empty boast. If it weren't for Tian Yu's assistance, Xianyu Fu would have been driven out by the Wuhuan of Dai County long ago.

Tian Yu's tone became more murderous: "That's why I want the Prefect to lead the officials and soldiers of this prefecture to submit to the Left General!"

Throughout his life, Tian Yu served as the guardian of the northern border for Cao Wei for many years. He also participated in campaigns against the Wuhuan people of Dai Commandery, the execution of Gu Jin, and the defeat of Kebineng. He dedicated his life to eliminating the threat posed by the Hu people to the Han people.

The reason why Xianyu Fu was persuaded to submit to Liu Bei was not only because of Liu Bei's past kindness, but more importantly because Liu Bei could both govern with benevolence like Liu Yu and fight against the Wuhuan like Gongsun Zan!

Tian Yu had a clear understanding of the overall situation in Youzhou.

Yuan Shao had no interest in fighting the Wuhuan; he only wanted to contend for the Central Plains. Cao Cao might have the same ambition, but he was currently far south of the Yellow River. As for Youzhou, no matter who was in charge—Xianyu Fu, Yan Rou, Wang Song, or Yuan Xi, the governor of Youzhou—they could not defeat the Wuhuan!

The only one capable of defeating the Wuhuan was Liu Bei, who had suddenly returned to Zhuojun with the intention of accomplishing great things!
Seeing Tian Yu's sudden surge of murderous intent, Xianyu Fu hesitated to speak.

If Xianyu Fu and others hadn't let the wolves into the house, how could the Wuhuan people have turned the tables and become the masters in the six counties of Youzhou?
Xianyu Fu felt guilty about this.

Among the various prefectures of Youzhou, there were also many former subordinates of Liu Yu who were dissatisfied with the Wuhuan people's usurpation of their position. For example, Tian Chou, who lived in seclusion in Xuwu Mountain, hated the Wuhuan people to the bone.

"The officials and soldiers of Dai County shall all obey Guo Rang's orders." Xianyu Fu felt ashamed, so he simply gave up thinking and listened to Tian Yu.

After thinking for a moment, Tian Yu said, "I will ask Jian Xianhe to return to Zhuo County first to convey the governor's intentions. The governor will then lead the troops of Dai Commandery to Ji County to pretend to join forces with Yan Rou. In order to prevent the Wuhuan of Dai Commandery from taking the opportunity to harass the families of the officials, soldiers and civilians, I will stay in the city."

Xianyu Fu nodded: "Then we will follow Guo Rang's wishes!"

Subsequently.

Tian Yu then found Jian Yong, who was still waiting for news in the city, and truthfully told him about Xianyu Fu's intention to lead the local officials and soldiers to surrender to Liu Bei, as well as his feigned agreement to Yan Rou to gather troops in Ji County, and other matters and arrangements.

Jian Yong was overjoyed: "With Guo Rang's help, Xuande will surely succeed. Guo Rang, rest assured, Xuande is neither Liu Yu nor Gongsun Zan. As long as Xuande is here, neither Yan Rou, Wang Song, nor the Wuhuan kings can cause trouble in Youzhou anymore!"

Subsequently.

Jian Yong quickly returned to Zhuo County and conveyed to Liu Bei the details of Tian Yu persuading Xianyu Fu to lead the officials and soldiers of Dai County to surrender, as well as Xianyu Fu's feigned agreement to Yan Rou's request to gather troops in Ji County.

Liu Bei was overjoyed upon hearing this: "I will never betray the kindness and righteousness bestowed upon me by the state."

Not long after.

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and other core civil and military officials gathered at the Left General's residence. Upon seeing Jian Yong, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

With Jian Yong's return, the question of persuading Xianyu Fu of Dai Commandery to submit became clear.

Upon learning of the events in Dai Commandery, Pang Tong was the first to offer his congratulations: "Yan Rou has gathered troops in Ji County, and Xianyu Fu has led his officials and soldiers to surrender. General, your great undertaking is accomplished!"

Liu Bei laughed loudly: "Yan Rou relies on his prestige among the Wuhuan people to try and block my large army with his small territory. How foolish! This gives me the perfect opportunity to intercept and kill the Wuhuan!"

The reason Liu Bei released the news of the campaign against the six commanderies in advance was to provoke the discontented forces in the six commanderies to gather troops and cause trouble.

In this way, Liu Bei would not have to divide his troops to conquer the six commanderies, and he could also save on the provisions needed for the march.

Liu Bei is still very poor, and he would rather split a single grain of millet in half to use it.

The best strategy is to win the biggest victory with the least amount of military spending.

Everyone was excited.

They have been marching north from Xuzhou for more than half a year. Although they fought Wang Zhong, Liu Dai, and Hua Yan along the way, they were saving their strength to deal with in order to mediate between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.

But now it's different.

Whether it's fighting local forces like Yan Rou and Wang Song, or the Hu people's Wuhuan, we no longer need to hold back!
"Brother, I volunteer to be the vanguard!" Zhang Fei stepped forward as the crowd whispered among themselves.

He then shouted to the crowd, "Everything is about first come, first served! Don't try to take it from me! Anyone who dares to take it from me, I'll get mad at them!"

Zhao Yun laughed and said, "Yide, you are already the Left General's Chief Clerk, while I am only a Cavalry Commander. How about you let me take the vanguard position?"

Zhang Fei glared and directly asked Liu Bei for permission: "Brother, I voluntarily resign from my position as chief clerk! Zilong is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and can serve as chief clerk!"

His words shocked the entire audience.

I've seen people scramble for the first strike position before, but I've never seen anyone scramble for it like this!

"Yide, you—" Zhao Yun began, but then sighed helplessly.

Zhang Fei laughed triumphantly: "Who else wants to compete with me for the vanguard? Hahaha—"

But deep down, Zhang Fei was screaming: Let whoever wants to be the registrar be it, I've long since given up on it!
Liu Bei put his right hand to his forehead, unable to bear looking directly at the scene, and then raised his eyes to signal to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang suggested, "Since everyone is not competing but only being modest, why don't we draw lots?"

Zhang Fei's face fell instantly: "Strategist, can we not draw lots? I've already given the chief clerk position to Zilong, so he can get promoted without making any contributions."

Zhuge Liang smiled and waved his fan: "If General Huang Zhonglang and Commander Guan also agree not to draw lots, then we will not draw lots."

The voice just fell.

Huang Zhong and Guan Yu both shouted, "As the strategist wishes, let's draw lots!"

With only Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei could still act like a "scoundrel," but with Huang Zhong and Guan Yu added to the mix, Zhang Fei was helpless.

"Let's draw lots then, the vanguard is definitely mine!" Zhang Fei snorted, his eyes darting around, seemingly lost in thought.

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)