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

Chapter 277 Zhao Yun is the most favored in this world, appointed as the Prefect of Shangdang (4th update)
After congratulating Liu Bei, Pang Tong immediately analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the current situation: "Although Kongming has successfully captured Zhongshan and Changshan and opened up the passage from Youzhou to Shangdang, the battle line is too long. Too many troops stationed will lead to insufficient forces, while too few troops will make it difficult to defend. My lord needs to make a choice."

Liu Bei nodded slightly, his expression turning solemn as he said, "Huguan Pass is strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. It can block enemy forces from Wei Commandery and defend against attacks from the Hanoi direction. As long as we hold this place, neither Yuan Shang's nor Cao Cao's armies can enter Bingzhou. If Cao Cao cannot capture Huguan Pass, he will have no choice but to head north through Yanzhou and Xuzhou. Even if Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan are willing to ally with Cao Cao, they would never dare to let Cao Cao's army cross the Yellow River. Given Cao Cao's character, how could he willingly become a stepping stone for the Yuan brothers?"

If the Yuan brothers rashly allow Cao Cao to enter the country, Cao Cao will surely seize the opportunity to use the "borrowing a path to conquer Guo" strategy. Unless the Yuan brothers' subordinates are all mediocre and incompetent, Cao Cao's only option to seize Hebei is to confront Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan militarily. But as Shi Yuan said, one's strength is the other's weakness; if I adopt a defensive posture, I will no longer be able to intervene in the war between Cao Cao and the Yuan brothers.

Liu Bei then looked at everyone and asked about the offensive and defensive strategies.

Zhao Yun, standing by, advised, “My lord, you are wise. The way to govern a country lies in ensuring the well-being of the people; the key to military strategy is to first conserve strength. Now, the north has suffered repeated ravages of war, the people are displaced, the fields are barren, and the granaries are empty. My lord has already secured the strategic pass between Youzhou and Shangdang, and can now plan for Jizhou to the south, look towards Guanzhong to the west, and deter the Rong and Di tribes to the north. This is indeed a situation where you can advance or retreat as needed. However, at this time, you should restrain your military might to alleviate the people's suffering, rather than rashly starting a war.”

"I humbly request three things: First, to distribute land and houses to the common people. Currently, many prefectures and counties have unclaimed wasteland and vacant houses. These should all be registered and distributed to displaced people and the poor according to their households. If people have stable property, their hearts will naturally be with them. Second, to reduce taxes and corvée labor to support the people. Newly settled people can be exempted from household taxes for three years and their military service can be postponed. Once their families have established themselves, they can be conscripted again, so that the people will not complain and the national treasury will be sufficient. Third, to encourage agriculture and sericulture to fill the granaries. Officials should be sent to teach the people farming, provide them with grain and seeds, and supervise and encourage cultivation and weaving. In just a few years, the northern lands can be restored to fertile soil."

"When Emperor Gaozu of Han entered Guanzhong, he established three laws, and the people's hearts were won over. When Emperor Guangwu pacified Hebei, he implemented lenient policies, and his foundation was solid. Now, if Your Majesty wishes to establish a kingdom, you should take Youji as your base and the people's hearts as your foundation. If you can ensure that the people live in peace and prosperity, then soldiers and taxes will come naturally. Why worry about not achieving your great cause?"

Compared to conquering new territories in four campaigns and four garrisons, Zhao Yun was better suited to serving as a governor-general in his homeland, guarding and protecting the people.

These words can be considered a memorial entitled "Request to Cease Military Operations and Allow the People to Rest" that will be recorded in history.

Upon hearing Zhao Yun's advice, both Pang Tong and Xu Shu showed surprise on their faces.

Since Zhao Yun joined Liu Bei, he had always participated in battles as a military general. Neither of them had ever imagined that Zhao Yun could also speak of such governing skills as those of a prefectural or county-level official.

Amidst exclamations of surprise, Pang Tong clapped his hands in praise, his eyes gleaming: "General Zhao's strategy is truly a resounding revelation! I've always thought of General Zhao as someone skilled in battle, but I never expected him to possess the wisdom of Xiao He. These three matters seem simple, yet they perfectly embody the principle of 'deepening the roots and strengthening the foundation.' Distributing wasteland will attract displaced people like rivers flowing to the sea; reducing taxes and corvée labor will gradually increase the people's strength like seedlings growing in spring; and encouraging agriculture and sericulture is like Fan Li's ten-year plan for accumulating resources." He then turned to Liu Bei and said, "If you, my lord, implement this strategy, within three years, the two provinces of You and Bing will be abundant with money and grain. At that time, when we march south to contend with Cao Cao, we will be invincible."

Although using Xiao He's theories and Fan Li's strategies is an exaggeration, Pang Tong's evaluation of people is always higher than their actual abilities, with the aim of encouraging ambitious people to motivate themselves. Moreover, Zhao Yun's argument of ceasing hostilities and allowing the people to live in peace coincides with Liu Bei's current situation, and his viewpoint is no less insightful than that of the governor and prime minister.

Xu Shu stroked his beard and nodded, his smile deepening. He agreed, saying, "Shiyuan is absolutely right. I have just thought about it carefully, and General Zhao's strategy is indeed a brilliant one of 'using stillness to control movement.' Cao Cao and the Yuan family are fighting like two tigers vying for food, but our army can emulate King Wen's deep cultivation of Qishan, gradually developing to sustain our military and civilian strength. The proposal to 'lend grain and seeds, and supervise farming and weaving' also hits the nail on the head regarding the key points of the north. In the past, when Geng Yan pacified Yuyang, he first enabled the people to resume their livelihoods so that the army could be self-sufficient." Xu Shu also turned to Liu Bei and said, "Now that General Zhao understands the fundamental needs of the people and is also fierce and skilled in battle, striking fear into the hearts of the enemy, why doesn't Your Majesty appoint General Zhao as the Prefect of Shangdang to guard Huguan City and govern the people of Shangdang? With General Zhao's prestige and this excellent strategy, we will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

Zhao Yun was taken aback. When he heard Pang Tong talk about the choice between offense and defense, Zhao Yun worried that Liu Bei would compete with Cao Cao and neglect the well-being of the people. In a moment of impulsiveness, he braced himself and offered his advice.

Zhao Yun originally thought that if he could successfully persuade Liu Bei, that would be good; if not, he would follow Liu Bei's arrangements.

Unexpectedly, Pang Tong and Xu Shu both agreed with Zhao Yun's proposal to cease hostilities and allow the people to rest. Pang Tong praised Zhao Yun for having the wisdom of Xiao He and the strategy of Fan Li, while Xu Shu recommended Zhao Yun as the governor of Shangdang, wanting Zhao Yun to put his ideas into practice!
Upon being praised and recommended by Pang Tong and Xu Shu, Zhao Yun felt a sudden pang of unease and quickly lowered his head, saying, "I am but a mere warrior, lacking in talent and learning, and dare not compare myself to those of my predecessors. I have no experience in governing counties and prefectures. If my words are inappropriate, please admonish me, my lord."

Liu Bei raised his hand to stop Zhao Yun's modesty, his gaze gentle yet firm as he looked at Zhao Yun: "Zilong, why be so modest? Your words today are incisive and to the point; how could an ordinary warrior speak of such things? Distributing land to the people, reducing taxes and corvée labor, and encouraging agriculture and sericulture—these three policies, just as Shi Yuan said, are truly the benevolent way to 'deepen the roots and strengthen the foundation'!"

He then rose and walked to the map hanging in front of the tent, pointing to the territories of You and Bing prefectures, and said with a sigh, "Emperor Gaozu won the hearts of the people of Guanzhong by establishing the Three Laws, and Emperor Guangwu established his rule over the empire by establishing military farms in Hebei. Now, the lands our army has just acquired are still scarred and unhealed. If we forcibly conquer them, we will only waste the people's strength and lose our foundation."

Turning abruptly, Liu Bei stared intently at Zhao Yun and said solemnly, "Since Zilong has the ambition to bring peace to the country, why not put his words into practice? The position of Prefect of Shangdang is none other than yours!"

Before Zhao Yun could decline, Liu Bei pressed Zhao Yun's shoulder and said earnestly, "Governing a prefecture and governing an army are essentially the same, differing only in their details; both hinge on 'comfort and relief.' Zilong was deeply respected by the local people when he was in Changshan, and coupled with his resolute and loyal nature, he will surely live up to your expectations. I will appoint Mi Zhu as the prefectural assistant to assist in civil administration; this will ensure complete success."

Zhao Yun immediately bowed and said, "I am willing to obey my lord's command. I will do my utmost and live up to your trust!"

Seeing Zhao Yun's excited expression, Liu Bei then smiled at Pang Tong and Xu Shu, saying, "Shiyuan, Yuanzhi, do you only realize today how great Zilong's talent is? Zhao Zilong of Changshan is not merely a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men, but a pillar of the state!"

Everyone in the tent laughed upon hearing this, and the previous tense atmosphere vanished instantly.

Finally, Liu Bei solemnly announced: "From this day forward, the policy of 'dismissing the army and allowing the people to rest' will be implemented in the two provinces of You and Bing. We will send many spies to closely monitor the battle situation between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. We should strengthen our troops and await the opportune moment!"

　I received several phone calls today, ugh. I'll stop at four updates for now. Five updates won't be enough. I'll go to bed early to adjust my sleep schedule and continue with five updates tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)