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

Chapter 128 A Tiger Crouchs and a Dragon Coils Over Youzhou; Mediocre People Are Not Worth a Worry (4th Update)
Liu Bei inflicted a major defeat on the Wuhuan outside Wuzhong City, beheading Tadun, Wuyan, Nengchen Dizhi, and more than ten other kings and prisoners, capturing over ten thousand people and seizing countless horses, weapons, cattle, and sheep.

Word spread.

From Dai County in the west to Liaoxi County in the east, whether it was Han Chinese cities, fortified villages, or Wuhuan, Xianbei, and other Hu tribes, everyone was astonished.

When Liu Bei first announced his intention to quell the rebellion of the six commanderies, few people, whether Han or non-Han, took his words seriously.

Sixty years ago, Youzhou had 300,000 registered Han Chinese households. However, due to natural disasters, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the rebellion of Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju, the chaos of Dong Zhuo's rule, the struggle between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan, the struggle between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, the invasion of the Wuhuan kings, and other man-made disasters, the number of registered Han Chinese households in Youzhou has now plummeted to less than 50,000!
Those who could dominate Youzhou were all heroes who emerged from the sifting of time.

It was wishful thinking for Liu Bei, a mere prefect of Zhuojun who had just entered Youzhou, to think he could conquer six commanderies.

however.

In less than two months, Liu Bei quelled the rebellion in six commanderies and executed Han and Hu heroes such as Wang Song, Nanlou, and Tadun.

In particular, the Wuhuan forces such as Nanlou and Tadun turned most of the land in Daijun, Shanggujun, Yuyangjun, Youbeipingjun and Liaoxijun into pastures after the border defenses of Youzhou were out of control.

Compared to the less than 50,000 registered Han Chinese households, the Hu tribes controlled by the Wuhuan kings such as Nanlou and Tadun, as well as the Han Chinese they captured, totaled far more than 200,000 households.

Despite such a huge disparity in strength, Liu Bei still managed to achieve a terrifying record that shook the Han and Hu tribes in the border regions.

Faced with Liu Bei's "goodwill" in exchanging Wuhuan prisoners for the captured Han people, the Wuhuan tribes also sent envoys to communicate with Liu Bei.

At the beginning, the Wuhuan envoys were not very friendly, feeling that Liu Bei was hesitant, and they wanted to bargain with Liu Bei.

Liu Bei did not argue with the Wuhuan envoy. A few days later, a cavalry force known as the "Wuhuan Cavalry" penetrated deep into the Wuhuan tribes.

These cavalrymen were not only extremely familiar with the locations of the Wuhuan tribes, but their fighting style was also exactly the same as that of the Wuhuan cavalry. In just a few days, they wiped out more than a dozen Wuhuan tribes. Apart from the Han Chinese who were captured and enslaved in the Wuhuan tribes, no one was spared, regardless of whether they were weak or strong.

Liu Bei publicly declared, "What does your internal strife among the Wuhuan people have to do with me?"

Anyone with eyes can see that this "Wuhuan cavalry" is related to Liu Bei, but if Liu Bei doesn't admit it, who can prove it?

The people were from the Wuhuan slave camp; the horses were raised by the Wuhuan people; their fighting style was also that of the Wuhuan people; even their name was "Wuhuan Cavalry." What else could this be but infighting among the Wuhuan people?
In addition, in early September, there was an unusual solar eclipse (recorded in the Zizhi Tongjian).

What was originally interpreted as a "disaster" was transformed into an "auspicious omen" of divine protection because of Liu Bei's defeat of Tadun and others. Rumors even circulated wildly among the Wuhuan tribes that "Liu Bei covered the sun and beheaded Tadun."

Although the solar eclipse and the killing of Tadun did not occur on the same day, more than 30,000 Wuhuan cavalrymen surged to attack Liu Bei like a tidal wave. As a result, Tadun, Wuyan, Nengchen Dizhi, and more than ten others, including the famous king, were all killed. Su Puyan, who was lucky enough to survive, was so frightened that he "heard the wind and the cries of cranes and thought that Liu Bei's pursuers had arrived, and saw plants and trees that looked like people and thought that Liu Bei had hidden an ambush." ​​Who would dare to question the authenticity of "Liu Bei blocking out the sun and killing Tadun"?

Driven by the frenzied sweep of the Wuhuan cavalry and the rumors that "Liu Bei has covered the sun and beheaded Tadun," the Wuhuan envoys, who had originally wanted to bargain, were all terrified and could only nod in the face of Liu Bei's "goodwill."

By the end of September.

Liu Bei then appointed Tian Chou as "acting as the Prefect of Youbeiping and concurrently serving as the Prefect of Liaoxi Commandery, overseeing the military affairs of the two eastern commanderies of Youzhou," and granted him command of the "Wuhuan Cavalry."

Tian Chou accepted the appointment without hesitation. He had long harbored a deep hatred for the Wuhuan people and had been gathering them in the Xuwu Mountains for the past few years, constantly plotting to wipe them out. Now that Liu Bei had crippled the Wuhuan people in Youbeiping and Liaoxi Commandery, it was the perfect opportunity for Tian Chou to pacify the region.

Tian Chou's ability to govern the more than 5,000 households of people in Xuwu Mountain in an orderly manner demonstrates his administrative skills. With Tian Chou overseeing the military and political affairs of the two prefectures, Liu Bei was quite at ease.

Furthermore, redeeming the captured Han people was not something that could be accomplished in a day or two, and Liu Bei needed Tian Chou to oversee the process.

"The world is in chaos, and many things are beyond our control. I entrust all matters in Youdong to Zitai." Before leaving, Liu Bei held Tian Chou's hand tightly and entrusted him with this important task.

Tian Chou was also deeply moved and vowed, "As long as I am here, General, you can rest assured about everything in Youdong!"

Subsequently.

Liu Bei dismissed all his civil and military generals, including Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Chen Dao, Jiao Chu, and Zhang Nan, and headed from Wuzhong City towards Zhuo County.

Watching Liu Bei and his entourage depart, Di Hu, a retainer of Tian Chou, secretly slapped himself: "General Zuo didn't even leave anyone to supervise you, sir? Aren't you afraid that you'll grow too powerful?"

Tian Chou rebuked, "General Zuo's integrity is well-known, how could he doubt me? If you dare to utter such slanderous words again, even if you have followed me for many years, I will definitely expel you."

Di Hu shrank back, startled and ashamed, and apologized, "Sir, please don't scold me. I was wrong."

a few days later.

Liu Bei arrived in Zhuo County.

Upon receiving the news, Yuan Xi hurriedly led Han Heng and other officials from the governor's office out of the city to greet them.

Liu Bei pacified six counties within two months and beheaded powerful chieftains such as Tadun and Nanlou. Even after confirming the intelligence repeatedly, Yuan Xi was still shocked.

As the large banner bearing the character "Liu" drew nearer, Yuan Xi felt a surge of fear. He stepped forward respectfully, his face beaming with smiles and showering the banner with praise.

"General Zuo's sweeping conquest of six prefectures is truly a blessing for Youzhou, surpassing even the wise men of old! I waited anxiously day and night in Zhuo County, never expecting General Zuo's divine might to sweep away the rebellious like thunder! The Tadun and Nanlou, who had been entrenched for many years and were extremely rampant, were wiped out in one fell swoop by General Zuo with a mere laugh! It is truly awe-inspiring."

Faced with Yuan Xi's praise, Liu Bei remained calm, displaying his usual gentle demeanor.

"Governor Yuan is too kind. I am acting under the orders of the court and the General-in-Chief to protect the borders and ensure the safety of the people; this is my duty. The initial pacification of the six prefectures is entirely due to the concerted efforts of Governor Yuan and all the generals and soldiers; it is not my achievement alone. The Wuhuan, having suffered such a heavy blow, have recognized the might of Heaven and are no longer a threat. However, Youzhou has been ravaged by war for a long time, its vitality greatly diminished, and everything is in need of rebuilding. The most urgent task is to settle the refugees and soothe the wounded. I have returned this time to discuss matters such as military farming, armor repair, and the pacification of the people with Governor Yuan and the other gentlemen."

Hearing that Liu Bei did not claim credit but instead intended to share the credit, Yuan Xi was overjoyed: "How dare I claim credit for such a small contribution of grain and fodder? With General Zuo in charge of Youzhou, we can rest easy from now on! I am willing to personally write to the General and elaborate on General Zuo's extraordinary achievements in pacifying Youzhou! I will also fully cooperate with General Zuo in matters such as land reclamation, armor repair, and pacification of the people."

Yuan Xi readily agreed.

Yuan Xi wasn't really concerned about matters like military farming, armor repair, and pacifying the people. What he cared about was writing to Yuan Shao to detail his extraordinary achievements in pacifying Youzhou, hoping to gain Yuan Shao's reward!
　Requesting monthly votes, here's the fourth chapter!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)