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

Chapter 69 With Zhuge Liang around, Liu Bei could confidently move forward.
Zhuge Liang's words were all reasonable.

The last sentence, "Do not let past events ruin the great cause of General Zuo," made Guan Yu and Zhang Fei feel ashamed.

"Since we are undertaking a great cause, personal grudges should be put aside. Third brother, we should remember our elder brother's benevolence and obey the strategist's orders." Guan Yu was the first to express his stance.

Zhang Fei snorted and turned his head, saying, "Fine! As long as Tian Yu can truly help Xianhe persuade Xianyu Fu to submit to my elder brother, I, I, I will personally go to apologize."

Seeing that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei no longer objected, Jian Yong said, "Guo Rang left in the past because he was forced by circumstances; even the Left General felt confused about the future at that time."

"General Zuo did not blame Guo Rang, but regretted that he could no longer accomplish great things with Guo Rang. Now that General Zuo wants to take Hebei, Guo Rang has not yet submitted to a new master. If we persuade him with kindness and loyalty, Guo Rang will certainly not refuse."

Zhuge Liang then cupped his hands to Jian Yong and said, "I entrust the matter of going to Youzhou to persuade them to go there. The situation is turbulent and there are many bandits on the road. I hope you will be careful in all matters."

Jian Yong nodded in agreement.

To ensure Jian Yong's safety, Zhuge Liang selected several skilled archers and horsemen from the White Feather Army to accompany Jian Yong to Youzhou.

Subsequently.

Zhuge Liang also set up a Recruitment Hall in Gaotang County, where Sun Qian, a disciple of Kang Cheng and an aide to the Left General, was stationed to receive scholars who came and went.

The Mi brothers and Cao Xuan continued to cooperate with Chen Zhen to settle the people.

Guan Yu continued practicing his swordsmanship.

The White Feather Army was temporarily handed over to Pang Tong by Zhuge Liang.

“Liang knows that Shi Yuan is well-versed in military strategy, but even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice. If he cannot command troops and arrange them in formation, his military strategy will be useless. The White Feather Army under the Left General’s command consists of strong soldiers from all directions. Shi Yuan can be temporarily put in charge of their training.”

Pang Tong not only had no objection to Zhuge Liang's arrangement, but was also somewhat excited.

If Liu Bei hadn't had so few soldiers, Pang Tong would have long wanted to lead troops into battle formation to put his knowledge to use.

"Kongming understands my heart!" Pang Tong laughed and replied, "I will certainly not fail you!"

Everyone else had plans, but Zhang Fei had nothing to do.

"Strategist, we mustn't favor one over the other!" Zhang Fei said anxiously, wringing his hands.

After everyone had left, Zhang Fei's towering figure blocked the doorway, as if afraid that Zhuge Liang would leave.

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan and smiled, "Why is Chief Clerk Zhang in such a hurry? I have an extremely important military matter that I need to entrust to someone who is both wise and brave. After careful consideration, I believe that only Chief Clerk Zhang is capable of handling this important task."

Upon receiving Zhuge Liang's subtle praise, Zhang Fei beamed with joy: "Strategist, your insight is truly remarkable, recognizing my wisdom and courage. Entrust me with military affairs, and I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Taking advantage of Zhang Fei's good mood, Zhuge Liang slowly said: "A general who is not knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, divination, yin and yang, battle formations, or military strategy is a mediocre talent."

"When Liang first entered Hebei, he was unfamiliar with the astronomy and geography of Hebei, which made him very worried. He wondered if Zhang, the registrar, could lead a group to draw a map of the mountains and rivers from Gaotang to Zhuoxian, and record the astronomical and meteorological conditions of each place."

The distance from Gaotang to Zhuoxian is about 800 li, and the journey involves crossing multiple river systems and the complex terrain of the Hebei Plain. In addition, surveying in the Han Dynasty relied on human labor on foot or horseback riding, simple compasses, ropes and rulers and other tools, so the survey distance was limited.

Meteorological records need to be obtained from local people and verified through on-site observation.

With each step overlapping, the conservative estimate is at least two months, but the actual timeframe could be longer due to a combination of factors such as weather and manpower.

The task was extremely complicated and difficult!

Brute force alone is not enough; you also need to use your brain!

Just listening to it made Zhang Fei feel like his head was about to explode. He wanted to refuse, but he had just made that boastful statement.

You can't just proudly proclaim in the first sentence, "The strategist has such keen insight that he recognized my wisdom and courage," and then decline in the second sentence, "My intelligence is insufficient; the strategist can seek someone more capable."

A tree is like a skin, and a person is like a face.

We absolutely have to save face!

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Fei feigned composure and patted his chest, assuring his team, "It's just leading people to draw maps and record astronomical phenomena. What's so difficult about that? I guarantee I'll complete the mission."

"With Zhang the Registrar's words, I am relieved." Zhuge Liang echoed and encouraged him, then took out a list from his bosom: "The scholars on this list may be able to lend Zhang the Registrar a hand."

Zhang Fei took the list and glanced at it, and was overjoyed.

The list consists of scholars from the area between Gaotang and Zhuoxian. These scholars enjoyed traveling and were more or less famous and well-connected in their localities.

With these scholars by his side, Zhang Fei's military tasks of drawing maps and recording astronomical phenomena were greatly reduced, and he wouldn't be left without a local guide to consult.

The strategist is still looking out for me!

After bidding farewell to Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei happily left with the list.

Although Liu Bei left Gaotang County, military and political affairs continued to operate smoothly under Zhuge Liang's command.

Zhuge Liang's presence was also the source of Liu Bei's confidence to bring Huang Zhong and Xu Shu directly to see Yuan Shao: with Zhuge Liang secretly coordinating military and political affairs to lay the foundation for Liu Bei's career, Liu Bei could pretend to be stupid and act as if he posed no threat in front of Yuan Shao.

Just as Zhuge Liang had predicted.

When Yuan Shao saw that Liu Bei had only brought three hundred conscripted soldiers to "join forces," his wariness of Liu Bei lessened considerably, and he even had the leisure to joke: "There are rumors in Xuchang that 'the only heroes in the world are Xuande and Mengde.' How come Xuande is in such a sorry state today?"

Fortunately, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were not present; otherwise, Yuan Shao's joking remark would have surely angered them.

Liu Bei was already used to such jokes.

Cao Cao did the same thing back in Xuchang.

"General, you are wise! Such rumors are not to be believed. These are words Cao Cao used to doubt me!"

“In the past, when a sudden rain was about to fall, Cao Cao used the image of a dragon hanging from the sky to symbolize the heroes of the world, and said that he had traveled to all corners of the world and would know the heroes of all corners of the world.”

"I said at the time, 'The great general of Hebei comes from a family that has produced high-ranking officials for four generations. His family has many former officials. Now he is also in charge of the Jizhou region. He has many capable subordinates. He is a hero!'"

Liu Bei remained composed and tactful, guiding Yuan Shao's joking conversation towards Cao Cao's "discussion of heroes over plum wine."

Yuan Shao's remark was merely a jest to test Liu Bei, not an attempt to deliberately make things difficult for him. Upon hearing Liu Bei mention discussing heroes over green plums and wine, Yuan Shao laughed and said, "I'll just guess for now. Mengde will surely laugh at me for being 'fierce in appearance but cowardly in courage, fond of scheming but indecisive; he hesitates to risk his life for great things, but forgets his life for small gains.'"

Liu Bei was secretly surprised.

How could Yuan Shao be so calm?

Before Liu Bei could speak, Yuan Shao's next words revealed his true nature: "Although I dare not compare myself to Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu, I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors, occupy the fertile lands of Hebei, and command a million soldiers. Mengde's drunken ramblings are truly laughable."

"Now Xuande has come from afar to help me, but he only brought three hundred rabble, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are nowhere to be seen. The resources entrusted to him for the title of 'hero' seem rather meager. Xuande has secretly hidden troops in Gaotang. Could it be that he has other intentions?"

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)