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

Chapter 224 Liu Bei Recruits Talented Individuals from All Directions, Zhang Fei Advises Jia Kui to Choose a Master (1st Update)
"But if the money and grain are always distributed to the poor officials and common people, how will General Zuo make up for the military's needs?" Jia Kui opened his mouth and asked another question he wanted to ask.

Liu Bei's camp of over ten thousand soldiers required a large amount of grain and fodder, and relying solely on grain transport from Shangdang was not realistic.

The reason why war is classified as a man-made disaster is that once war breaks out, the towns and villages affected by the battlefield will be plundered by the troops of both sides.

When the invading side attacks, they euphemistically call it "obtaining supplies from the enemy"; when the defending side defends, they euphemistically call it "procuring supplies to defend against the enemy".

However, whether they were invading or defending the borders, they would inevitably plunder the towns and villages affected by the battlefield.

Those with a sense of righteousness would, like Liu Bei, rob the powerful and wealthy to help the starving; those without righteousness would simply stop the Si River from flowing.

Man-made disasters are ruthless, comparable to natural disasters.

"It is indeed a difficult matter." Liu Bei did not feign innocence in front of Jia Kui, but frankly admitted that distributing money and grain to poor officials and people would lead to insufficient military supplies. He then sincerely bowed to Jia Kui and asked, "Does Magistrate Jia have any good ideas for me?"

Looking into Liu Bei's sincere eyes, Jia Kui gently shook his head and said, "As a senior official of the state, I cannot." He wanted to say "I cannot offer advice to the thieves," but then felt it was inappropriate and changed his words to "I cannot betray the court's kindness."

"In these chaotic times, if we want to restore order and bring peace and stability to the country, war is inevitable." Seeing Jia Kui in a dilemma, Liu Bei did not press him further, but instead walked to the map hanging in the tent and looked at it quietly.

Jia Kui's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped, and he let out a sigh. Just as Liu Bei said, in chaotic times, war is unavoidable.

Liu Bei looked at the location of Pishi County and asked quietly, "I heard from Yide that you sent a battle report to Wang Yi, the governor of Hedong, saying that 'Pishi is a place where military strategists fight for victory and needs to be heavily guarded.'"

Jia Kui pondered for a moment and admitted, "That is indeed the case. As a senior official of the state, if I cannot defend Jiangyi for the country, I should strive to secure the opportunity to defend Hedong."

“A good plan.” Liu Bei turned to Jia Kui: “You asked me earlier how to make up for the military’s needs if we keep distributing money and grain to poor officials and people. I can’t answer that. But I can answer that if the battlefield is at Pishi, I can reduce the consumption of grain and fodder due to the extended battle lines.”

Jia Kui subconsciously recalled Zhang Fei's seven-day truce and asked in surprise, "Did the Left General deliberately send me to inform Lord Wang?"

Liu Bei nodded slightly: "General Pang once told me that since the magistrate of Jiangyi was able to hold onto the small city and block Guo Yuan, he must be a skilled strategist. As a skilled strategist, he must understand that Pishi is a strategic location where military strategists fight for victory. We can delay the attack on Jiangyi and let Wang Yi, the governor of Hedong, have the courage to reinforce Pishi. If we can settle Pishi in one battle, then all the counties in Hedong will surrender without a fight."

Jia Kui was stunned on the spot.

Liu Bei spoke calmly and unhurriedly, as if stating an extremely ordinary matter. However, to Jia Kui, it was a shocking statement: he feared that Wang Yi would not dare to leave the city and would deliberately delay the attack on Jiangyi. In this way, Wang Yi would become complacent and send reinforcements to Pishi. If even the small city of Jiangyi could be defended for half a month, wouldn't the large city of Pishi be easily defended?
In addition to being shocked, Jia Kui also felt envious.

Pang Tong was only in his early twenties, yet he was already the General of the Army under the Left General; Jia Kui was almost thirty, yet he was still just a minor magistrate of Jiangyi.

Although Jia Kui came from a poor family, he aspired to join the army from a young age. As a child, he often set up troops for fun while playing. After his grandfather Jia Xi discovered Jia Kui's talent, he orally taught him tens of thousands of words of military strategy.

However, even a once prominent family in Hedong could only become a county official at best. Jia Kui served as a county official for several years before he was fortunate enough to be appointed as the magistrate of Jiangyi.

Jia Kui couldn't help but sigh inwardly: If Lord Wang had also appointed me as a general, how could I have ended up in this state?
Having talent but not being able to use it is the greatest frustration for someone like Jia Kui who comes from a poor family.

Watching a group of arrogant but incompetent scions of wealthy families wield power was also a torment for Jia Kui.

Noticing the change in Jia Kui's expression, Liu Bei suddenly asked, "Is Magistrate Jia's family in the city?" Jia Kui nodded, "He has a wife named Liu, and his grandfather is also in the city."

A barely perceptible glint of joy flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, and he asked again, "Are your parents also in the city?"

Jia Kui shook his head, his voice tinged with melancholy: "When I was young, my parents died in the war. Fortunately, my grandfather saved my life."

"Please forgive me, Magistrate Jia; it was my rudeness." Liu Bei, feeling a sense of shared sympathy, bowed and apologized.

Jia Kui sighed and returned the greeting, saying, "Life is unpredictable, and I'm used to it. General Zuo, you don't need to take it to heart."

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit somber, Liu Bei gave Zhang Fei a wink.

Zhang Fei understood and exclaimed, "County Magistrate Jia, you have such great skills, how can you let them be buried in a small county like Jiangyi? Why don't you follow my elder brother from now on?"

Liu Bei seized the opportunity and said, "If Magistrate Jia is willing, I am willing to treat him with the utmost respect."

Seeing Liu Bei's sincere gaze, Jia Kui was tempted but also conflicted: "General Zuo, forgive my bluntness, but I have received the country's favor and do not wish to serve."

Jia Kui swallowed the word "thief" again.

Liu Bei understood the persistence of people like Jia Kui and asked, "Magistrate Jia, have you ever heard of the imperial edict hidden in the belt?"

Jia Kui's expression changed drastically.

Liu Bei's tone became more solemn, and he bowed again: "I received a secret edict from the Emperor, intending to punish the traitors and serve the King, upholding righteousness throughout the land. Unfortunately, Dong Cheng and his ilk were not discreet in their plot and ignored my advice, thus ruining our grand plan. Now, the Emperor's orders do not extend beyond the palace, and I am frequently humiliated by the traitor Cao Cao. I alone am no match for him. Therefore, I have been maneuvering between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, and have also served under Yuan Shao, traveling far and wide to recruit patriots from all corners of the land, hoping that one day I can lead them to restore the Han Dynasty and live up to the Emperor's trust!"

"If we follow the plans of Gao Gan and Guo Yuan, our trip to Hedong will inevitably lead to widespread suffering and death. I cannot bear to do that. Therefore, I used Yuan Xi's help to seize Gao Gan's military power and ordered Hu Chuquan to retreat back to Xihe, allowing Yide to seize Guo Yuan's military power. Now I wish to ask Magistrate Jia to join me in planning something important, not for personal gain, but for the sake of the country."

Jia Kui asked in surprise, "Was it General Zuo who ordered the retreat of the troops at Chuquan?"

Zhang Fei spoke with disdain: "Huchuquan was captured by my elder brother, but was later released. I thought this fellow would behave himself, but I didn't expect him to dare to go south and disturb the people. My elder brother sent a general to order him to bind himself and plead guilty. He is still in the camp with Guo Yuan. Not only that, my elder brother also sent Zhang Yan of Heishan with troops to Huchuquan's royal court in Xihe."

Jia Kui was even more surprised: "Zhang Yan? Zhang Yan, the Black Mountain bandit? He also obeys the orders of the Left General?"

Zhang Fei laughed loudly: "Zhang Yan is now the General Who Pacifies the North, recommended by my elder brother, no longer a bandit from the Black Mountain. Magistrate Jia, among all the heroes in the world today, only my elder brother can be called a hero. Among all the heroes in the various states, only my elder brother can truly act with benevolence and virtue!"

Changing the subject, Zhang Fei solemnly cupped his hands and said, "Since ancient times, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve. Magistrate Jia is a virtuous and talented man, and my elder brother is a benevolent and trustworthy hero. What is there to hesitate about?"

　Come, come

　　
　
(End of this chapter)