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

Chapter 171 Liu Bei wins a great victory and demands 200,000 shi of grain from Yuan Shao (1st update)
Having seen countless people throughout his life, Liu Bei had long since discerned that Huchuquan intended to change his mind.

The reason why Huchuquan was allowed to print documents was simply to show favor to the Black Mountain generals and to give them a legitimate reason to kill the Hu in Bingzhou.

As for Hu Chuquan himself?
Having captured the Xiongnu Chanyu by his own skill, how could he be easily released?
Moreover, with spring planting approaching, Changshan Kingdom needs a large number of people to reclaim wasteland, and the captured Tu Ge and Wuhuan people are the most suitable people for this purpose.

To facilitate management, Liu Bei also needed a "Reclamation Commandant" who had prestige among the Tu Ge and Wuhuan people, and Chanyu Huchuquan was the most suitable candidate.

Allowing Huchuquan to lead the Hu people in cultivating the land and learning Han culture was a great favor bestowed upon Huchuquan by Liu Bei, and Huchuquan should be grateful for it.

On the way back to the city, Liu Bei encouraged Huchuquan with the stories of Huo Qubing capturing Jin Midi alive, Emperor Wu's favor towards Jin Midi, and Jin Midi assisting Emperor Zhao. He told Huchuquan to take Jin Midi as an example, and that as long as he worked diligently in all matters, he could also be ennobled and appointed as a minister like Jin Midi, and even be posthumously granted a title, bringing glory to his family and protecting his descendants.

Liu Bei's encouragement left Hu Chuquan speechless with grief.

But people are under the eaves and have to bow their heads.

In Bingzhou, Huchuquan was a fearsome Chanyu, but in Changshan, he was merely a prisoner.

With the completion of the battlefield cleanup.

Liu Bei also received a list of spoils from this battle:
They annihilated more than 3,000 defeated soldiers from the Tu Ge and Wuhuan tribes, including more than 60 people with titles, such as the Tu Ge Left Guli King and the Wuhuan leader Afugan.

They captured more than 8,000 Hu soldiers alive, including the Chanyu Huchuquan.

More than 8,000 warhorses, more than 30,000 cattle, sheep, mules and camels were captured from the battlefield, along with a large amount of military equipment, food, gold and silver.

Looking at the rich spoils, Liu Bei couldn't help but smile with joy.

In particular, the captured warhorses, cattle, sheep, mules, camels, weapons, grain, gold, silver and other supplies were a timely help for Liu Bei's military farming in Changshan State.

Liu Bei had 10,000 infantry and cavalry to support, and now he had accepted the surrender of the Black Mountain Army, which added 100,000 more people to the garrison, plus 8,000 captured Hu soldiers. The daily expenses were enormous.

Even with the grain and provisions promised by Yuan Shao and Yuan Xi, the daily logistical pressure was still immense.

With the spoils from the battlefield, Liu Bei was able to relieve his urgent need for food supplies.

Immediately, Liu Bei began writing battle reports to Yuan Shao.

Liu Bei had long understood Yuan Shao's personality: he was extremely concerned with saving face!

Therefore, in the battle report, Liu Bei cleverly attributed the credit for pacifying the Black Mountain leaders and defeating the Hu Alliance to Yuan Shao's "effective leadership," and also vividly described Yan Liang's feat of "taking Afugan's head from among ten thousand troops as easily as taking something out of a bag."

Of course, Liu Bei did not forget the most important issue of "insufficient funds and provisions," and immediately asked Yuan Shao for "200,000 shi of grain."

"Strategist, see if there's anything else to add." Liu Bei handed the battle report to Zhuge Liang, his joy barely concealed in his voice.

Zhuge Liang glanced at it and smiled, "General, you may add another entry to commend the merits of Protector-General Xin Zhe. At the same time, send this battle report to Xin Ping first and ask him to pass it on."

Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands in praise: "The strategist's words are brilliant! Commander Xin followed me into the fray, displaying the spirit of a true hero."

After pacifying the six commanderies, Xin Zhe was appointed by Liu Bei as Protector-General and served by his side.

When Liu Bei led his generals into battle, Xin Zhe also fought alongside him. Although he didn't achieve the same feat as Yan Liang in slaying Afugan, his courage in fighting alongside Liu Bei was commendable. After considering Zhuge Liang's suggestions, Liu Bei rewrote the battle report and ordered it to be sent to Ye City overnight, making sure it was personally delivered to Xin Ping.

The messenger lived up to expectations, delivering the battle report to Xin Ping in just one day.

Upon learning that the battle report was sent by Liu Bei, Xin Ping was initially puzzled. However, after seeing Xin Zhe following Liu Bei into the fray, Xin Ping couldn't help but beam with joy.

"My son Xin Zhe is so brave and valiant!"

Then, Xin Ping hurriedly drove to find Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao was currently enjoying music and dance, drinking heartily with his beautiful concubine in his arms. His servants wanted to stop him, but Xin Ping dismissed them and went straight to the main hall where Yuan Shao was, shouting loudly:
"Reporting to the General, good news from Changshan!"

The music suddenly stopped. Yuan Shao was about to get angry, but when he heard Xin Ping shout "Good news!", he suppressed his anger.

Seeing that Yuan Shao was displeased, Xin Ping quickly handed the battle report to Yuan Shao.

With just one glance, Yuan Shao pushed away the beautiful concubine in his arms, stood up abruptly, and lingered on the words "General Yan took Afugan's head from among ten thousand troops as easily as taking something out of a bag, and his might shook the barbarian bandits" for a long time.

Upon seeing the words, "The Great General devised strategies within the command tent and won battles a thousand miles away, leading to today's magnificent feat of the Hu barbarians being beheaded and the Black Mountain tribe submitting," Yuan Shao could no longer contain his joy and burst into laughter!

"Xuande is too kind in his praise!"

While he outwardly called it "undeserved praise," Yuan Shao genuinely believed that Liu Bei had achieved great success through strategic planning. In Yuan Shao's mind, if he hadn't appointed Yan Liang and Wen Chou as Liu Bei's deputies, how could Liu Bei have won such a great victory?
Seeing Yuan Shao's delight, Xin Ping cautiously reminded him: "Although General Zuo has won a great victory, it is quite impolite of him to ask for 200,000 shi of grain."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Yuan Shao rebuked him, "Xuande has already appointed your son as Colonel of the Vanguard, yet you show no gratitude and instead utter such foul language. What kind of logic is this? Xuande quelled the Black Mountain threat in less than a month, saving a great deal of military expenses. He only needs 200,000 shi of grain to settle the people. How can you be so disrespectful?"

Xin Ping hurriedly explained, "General, please calm down. It's not that I'm ungrateful, but 200,000 shi of grain is no small amount. If Shen Pei sees that the Black Mountain threat has been quelled, he might make excuses to shirk responsibility. If General Zuo mistakenly believes that it was at the General's behest, it might create a lifelong grudge."

Yuan Shao frowned: "Since I have already given the order, how dare Shen Pei disobey my command?"

Xin Ping added, "The military order the Grand General gave to Shen Pei was to assist the Left General in suppressing the rebels, not to help him pacify the people. Better safe than sorry."

Shen Peisu was disliked by Yuan Shao, and Xin Ping's words only added to his troubles. Yuan Shao frowned and asked, "Zhongzhi, what do you think I should do?"

Seeing this, Xin Ping was secretly delighted and offered a suggestion: "General, you can have Young Master Shang personally oversee the matter. This will not only prevent Shen Pei from shirking his responsibilities and arousing the suspicion of the Left General, but also make the Left General grateful for Young Master Shang's kindness. In the future, if Young Master Shang has any requests, the Left General will certainly do his best."

Upon hearing the words "Young Master Shang," Yuan Shao's spirits lifted instantly.

Although he had not yet formally designated an heir, Yuan Shao had long favored Yuan Shang, and when training his three sons, he placed Yuan Shang in the most prosperous Ji Province.

Xin Ping's words struck a chord with Yuan Shao.

If Yuan Shang gains Liu Bei's support, who can challenge him?

Thinking of this, Yuan Shao had Xin Ping relay the order, putting Yuan Shang in charge of overseeing the delivery of 200,000 shi of grain to Changshan State. He also gave special instructions: "After Zhongzhi meets Xianfu, you can convey my message. The way to employ people is to prioritize checks and balances. The Shen clan is large and powerful, so we can only use their wisdom and strength, and we cannot have complete faith in Shen Pei."

　I went to steal a cow last night, and I'm feeling dizzy today. I'm going to take a nap first, and I'll continue this afternoon. I'll still be up at 5 a.m. today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)