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

Chapter 197 Zhuge Liang anticipates Yuan Shao's thoughts, Guan Yu transfers military power (2nd update)
The withdrawal from Zhending was something Zhuge Liang had planned long ago.

Liu Bei is currently nominally appointed as the governor of Zhuojun, but in name only he can govern the military and political affairs of Zhuojun.

Even if the Black Mountain people came under Liu Bei's command, it could only be considered a special case and handled specially. They could not openly challenge Yuan Shao by saying that the Black Mountain people could only listen to Liu Bei and not Yuan Shao.

Before openly turning against Yuan Shao, it is better to retreat strategically to maximize benefits and minimize harm.

Moreover, what Yuan Shao really wanted was just face.

As long as he gives Gao Rou enough face, Yuan Shao is unlikely to actually send someone other than Gao Rou to manage the 100,000 Black Mountain people. If he accidentally forces the 100,000 Black Mountain people to rebel, Yuan Shao will lose face again.

Zhuge Liang cleverly used Yuan Xi to lure Gao Rou to Changshan State, where Gao Rou was appointed as the legal officer and concurrently served as the chief judge in the Left General's office. This effectively created a link between Liu Bei and Yuan Shao.

Gao Rou is a smart person.

After Zhuge Liang's frank explanation, they did not ask any further questions.

As the legal officer of Changshan State and the chief clerk of the Left General's Office, Gao Rou should do his job well. As for other matters, Gao Rou neither wants to nor can he manage them.

Tao Sheng looked regretful; the difference between having Zhuge Liang in Changshan and not having him was stark.

However, Tao Sheng also understood that a genius like Zhuge Liang could not stay in Changshan State forever. It was already Tao Sheng's good fortune that he could continue to implement the series of procedures and rules that Zhuge Liang had established in Changshan State, just like Xiao He followed Cao Cao's rules.

The procedures and rules established by a prime minister with the talent to govern the whole country for a small state like Changshan were enough for Tao Shengxue to study for a lifetime.

"If you have free time in the future, you are welcome to visit Zhen Ding more often. As long as I, Tao Sheng, am still the Chancellor of Changshan, I will certainly not neglect you, Mr. Zhuge."

Tao Sheng patted his chest and assured him that in chaotic times, having more friends means having more options, and one should always leave oneself a way out in case one ends up with nowhere to go.

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, his usual gentle and refined demeanor evident: "As long as Prime Minister Tao doesn't mind, I will definitely come often in the future."

Tao Sheng was even more delighted, for with Zhuge Liang's words, this escape route was now clear.

Tao Sheng then ordered a banquet to be prepared for Zhuge Liang's farewell.

Zhuge Liang acted decisively, handing over all affairs to Tao Sheng and Gao Rou before Yuan Shao's party arrived in Zhengding, and then leaving Zhengding with Zhang Nan for Zhongshan.

Guan Yu remained in Zhen Ding to command the 10,000 troops. As a result, Liu Bei was still only ordered to recruit and train new soldiers and command the 10,000 troops, without interfering in the local affairs of Changshan Kingdom.

When Yuan Shao arrived in Zhen Ding City, he was greeted by Tao Sheng and Gao Rou.

When did Wenhui arrive in Zhending?

Upon seeing Gao Rou, Yuan Shao was immediately surprised.

Gao Rou hurriedly informed Yuan Shao that he had been invited by Yuan Xi to enter Changshan State and that he had served as the trial legal officer of Changshan State and the judicial officer of the Left General's Office.

Upon hearing that Gao Rou was now in charge of the 100,000 Black Mountain people, Yuan Shao's face immediately lit up with joy: "With Wenhui's talent, he is more than qualified to be a prefect or chancellor. Why bother with the trial of the position of legal clerk? You will be the chancellor of Changshan from now on."

Tao Sheng was about to speak when he suddenly heard Yuan Shao say that Gao Rou was to be the Chancellor of Changshan. He froze instantly: "I've been dismissed?"
Gao Rou was also stunned. Who would ask someone to be the Chancellor of Changshan in front of Tao Sheng?

Yuan Shao then turned to Tao Sheng and said, "Xianyi told me on the way that the former Chancellor of Zhongshan intends to retire and return to his hometown. It just so happens that I am going to Zhongshan to escape the summer heat. You can go to Zhongshan with me to fill the vacancy of the Chancellor of Zhongshan."

Although it was only a lateral transfer, following Yuan Shao to become the Chancellor of Zhongshan was far more significant than going to Zhongshan on his own. Tao Sheng went from surprise to joy and hurriedly bowed his head in gratitude: "This humble one is willing to die for the Great General!"

Yuan Shao laughed loudly: "You once saved my family, so I will naturally not treat you unfairly." Gao Rou was also excited. The legal clerk and the chancellor of Changshan were worlds apart. He immediately bowed and thanked him, saying: "I am willing to govern Changshan for the General."

After changing the appointments of Gao Rou and Tao Sheng, Yuan Shao then inquired about Liu Bei's whereabouts.

Tao Sheng truthfully replied, "General Zuo has gone to Zhongshan to visit a friend. If the General goes to Zhongshan, he should be able to run into General Zuo."

Yuan Shao was slightly surprised and asked, "Who is currently commanding the ten thousand troops of Changshan Kingdom?"

Without hesitation, Tao Sheng said, "For the time being, Guan Yu, the deputy general under the Left General, will lead the troops."

Yuan Shao was even more astonished: "Could it be Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang, who snatched the severed head from the midst of a massive army?"

Tao Sheng nodded: "That is indeed the person."

Yuan Shao lowered his head and pondered.

In fact, before arriving in Zhengding, Yuan Shao had already learned that Liu Bei had gone to Zhongshan. That's why he made a special detour to Zhengding and took the opportunity to put Yan Liang and Wen Chou in charge of the 10,000 troops.

The reason for reassigning Gao Rou as the Chancellor of Changshan and transferring Tao Sheng to Zhongshan was to erase Liu Bei's network of connections in Changshan.

Everything went smoothly except for Guan Yu, who was difficult to deal with.

Xu You suggested in a low voice, "General, you can invite Guan Yu to the banquet and observe his attitude before making a decision. Hmm, General Zhuge Liang, the strategist of the Left General, can also be invited to the banquet as well."

Yuan Shao nodded and then instructed Tao Sheng to make the arrangements.

Tao Sheng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Reporting to the General, Military Advisor Zhuge has handed over all his duties and left Zhengding for Zhongshan."

Yuan Shao's eyes narrowed: "Why did you leave?"

Tao Sheng concealed the real reason, only mentioning the less important details: "Military Advisor Zhuge is the Left General's military advisor. He stayed in Zhengding earlier only because he was afraid that we would not be able to settle the 100,000 Black Mountain people and thus break the Left General's trust. Since Prime Minister Gao came to Zhengding, Military Advisor Zhuge saw that Prime Minister Gao acted justly, so he handed over all the affairs at hand to us."

The implication is that Zhuge Liang was only temporarily stationed in Zhen Ding, and not permanently.

Upon hearing that Zhuge Liang was so sensible, Yuan Shao was relieved and simply sent Tao Sheng to invite Guan Yu to the banquet.

however.

To Yuan Shao's surprise, Guan Yu brought the official seals and documents with him to the banquet, saying that Liu Bei had instructed him to hand them over after Yan Liang and Wen Chou returned to Zhen Ding.

Liu Bei was the commander-in-chief, and since the commander-in-chief was not in Changshan State, it was reasonable and in accordance with the rules to hand over the seal and documents to Yan Liang and Wen Chou, who were the deputy commanders.

The fact that the seal and documents were handed over so readily caught Yuan Shao off guard.

Yuan Shao was even thinking that if Guan Yu refused to hand over military power, he would have to detain Guan Yu first, but Guan Yu directly sent over the seal and documents.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou, who were at the table, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Yuan Shao had really clashed with Guan Yu, Yan Liang and Wen Chou would have been caught in a dilemma.

It wasn't until the two men toasted with Guan Yu that Guan Yu whispered to them, "My elder brother didn't want to make things difficult for you two generals, so he gave you instructions before leaving Zhongshan. He only hopes that you two generals will command your troops well and not be misled by villains, lest you ruin the lives of your soldiers."

Upon hearing this, Yan Liang and Wen Chou were even more moved: "General Zuo has thought so much about us, we must never forget this kindness!"
　Update 2 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)