I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 419 Breaking the Face
Liaoxi Commandery, Linyu.

Even among the fourteen counties in western Liaoning, Linyu can be described as barren.

Vast low-lying areas made arable land extremely scarce, and the desolate atmosphere permeating the foothills of the Yanshan Mountains in the north cut off its access to the surrounding roads; Liucheng in the west was occupied by the Wuhuan Chanyu Tadun, which blocked the passage between Linyu and Youzhou; and in the south, it was constantly threatened by seawater intrusion, turning many flat lands that were originally suitable for cultivation into saline land.

Such a place should not have any vitality, but as early as the Warring States period, the ancestors of the ancient Yan state had already established a prefecture and county here.

Such a place should not have had the opportunity to prosper, but since Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang came here, Linyu has burst forth with a unique vitality, becoming a splash of color in this barren land.

If there is little land, then reclaim it.

Where there are many low-lying areas, the waterways should be dredged.

If the road is blocked, build a ferry crossing.

When seawater overflows, dikes are built.

Since the population was sparse, they followed the Han Dynasty system, implemented land redistribution, and reduced tax rates.

Over time, the area bordering Chongqing became the most outstanding in western Liaoning!
After inspecting the border defenses that day, Liu Bei went to find Zhuge Liang with great enthusiasm.

"What is Kongming busy with?"

Inside his simple residence, Zhuge Liang closed the paper manuscript in his hand.

"I was just thinking that Linyu has a small population and livestock are not easy to work with. If we could learn from water pumps and spinning machines and use external forces to save manpower and animal power, many of Linyu's problems would surely be solved on their own."

"..."

Zhuge Liang's words clearly touched on Liu Bei's blind spot.

But Liu Bei didn't mind. Instead, he excitedly pulled something out from behind him and handed it to Zhuge Liang: "Kongming! Look!"

Zhuge Liang looked into Liu Bei's hand and saw that it was a small hat made of yak tail.

"This is a straw hat that I knitted myself!"

Liu Bei's words were filled with smugness.

"I've seen Kongming often going to the fields to till the land and to the military camp to train soldiers, so I've made a small promise to him! Kongming, why don't you try it out and see if it suits you!"

Zhuge Liang frowned as he looked at the small hat that Liu Bei had forced into his hand.

"Does Your Highness lack lofty ambitions and merely wear a small hat for amusement?"

"Forehead?"

Liu Bei stood there, stunned, his eyes beginning to dart around.

Seeing Liu Bei so helpless and like a child, Zhuge Liang sighed softly and placed his hat on the table: "Now Your Highness is in Liaodong. Although you have the heart to support the Han Dynasty, you are like a candle in the wind. If the wind and waves are stirred up even slightly, you will die and your light will go out. You really should not put your mind on such worldly matters."

Liu Bei awkwardly looked down at the tips of his shoes: "I was just overjoyed to see that Yuan Shao's army had withdrawn."

"With Yuan's army withdrawing, Your Highness should be even more vigilant."

Zhuge Liang was earnest and patient in his advice.

Mencius said: "One is born in hardship and dies in comfort!"

Liu Bei dared to retort: ​​"But I've inspected the area, and even Tadun of Liucheng has followed Yuan Shao to the Central Plains. What do we have to worry about now?"

Zhuge Liang said with a sigh, "Your Highness is only worried about Yuan Shao, but not about Gongsun Hu?"

Gongsun?

Only then did Liu Bei realize that Gongsun Du was indeed following him around.

"But isn't Gongsun Du an ally?"

"Are there any permanent allies in this world? Weren't Yuan Shao and Cao Cao allies before?"

Zhuge Liang patiently explained to Liu Bei, "Previously, Gongsun Du was willing to ally with Your Highness because Your Highness could block Yuan Shao and prevent Yuan Shao from garrisoning troops in Liaodong. But now that Yuan Shao is not attacking Liaodong, why would he continue to tolerate Your Highness?"

His Majesty once said: "How can I allow others to snore beside my bed?"

"Isn't this exactly the situation in the Northeast today? If Gongsun Du didn't need Your Highness to defend against Yuan Shao, would he still tolerate Your Highness?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's initial joy vanished instantly.

"But... Gongsun Du still has trade relations with the Han Dynasty."

"Your Highness, Yuan Shao is about to march south, and the situation in the world is constantly changing. Many things are not static."

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, already guessing Gongsun Du's thoughts.

"If he really defeats His Highness, then no matter who wins in the future, he will be able to benefit from both sides."

"If Yuan Shao wins, then this will be his pledge of allegiance."

"If Your Majesty wins, he will take the opportunity to invade Youzhou, conquer as many cities and territories as possible, and force Your Majesty to negotiate with him."

"No matter how you look at it, as long as Yuan Shao retreats, Gongsun Du will lead his troops to attack. That's why I said that Your Highness must not let your guard down now."

Liu Bei suddenly felt a sense of irritation.

This frustration wasn't directed at Zhuge Liang, but rather at his own situation.

Liu Bei thought everything was fine once Yuan Jun retreated, but after Zhuge Liang's reminder, he realized that Gongsun Du was still lurking behind him, ready to pounce!

"Kongming, in your opinion, how should we deal with this matter?"

"It's not difficult."

Zhuge Liang remained calm and composed throughout, as if everything was under his control.

"All Your Highness needs to do is spread the word that you intend to attack Liucheng!"

Following Zhuge Liang's advice, Liu Bei spread the news that he was going to attack Liucheng.

The news reached Liaodong, Xiangping, and Gongsun Du's ears. "Liu Bei..."

As the capital of Liaodong Commandery and the biggest beneficiary of trade between Liaodong and Qingzhou, Xiangping has undergone significant changes compared to a few years ago.

The once low city walls now stand three zhang high, their specifications comparable to those of some large cities in the Central Plains. The markets, ferry crossings, and palaces within are among the most magnificent in Liaodong!

Furthermore, Gongsun Du followed the example of Jiangdong and began building ships capable of navigation, gradually venturing south to explore and hunt in the seas. Coupled with the abundance of wild animals and rare creatures in the undeveloped areas of northeastern Liaodong, Liaodong not only developed a wild and unrestrained atmosphere, but also saw a significant leap in the quality of life for its people. This further enhanced Gongsun Du's reputation in Liaodong.

However, Gongsun Du was not able to rest easy because of this.

Everything is perfect, but unfortunately, there's Liu Bei right next to him.

Many people in Liaodong have been drawn to Liaoxi by Liu Bei. This wouldn't be a problem if they were just ordinary soldiers, but in recent days, even Guan Ning, a famous scholar who has been living in seclusion in Liaodong, has been thinking of going to Linyu. This has made Gongsun Du somewhat depressed.

"If this continues, will Liaodong ultimately belong to the Gongsun family or the Liu family?"

Gongsun Kang, Gongsun Du's eldest son, saw Gongsun Du's concerns and took the initiative to suggest: "Since Yuan Shao has already withdrawn his troops and no longer needs Liu Bei, why not send troops to destroy him now!"

Gongsun Du did not rush to agree.

Because of the Han Dynasty, which was separated by the sea, Gongsun Du still had some reservations about attacking Liu Bei.

Just as Gongsun Du was having his doubts, news arrived from Linyu—

"Is Liu Bei going to attack Liucheng?"

"Absolutely true!"

Gongsun Du finally could not tolerate it.

If Liu Bei, whose power was already growing, were to capture Liucheng, it would be almost equivalent to occupying the entire Liaoxi region!

What will I use to restrain Liu Bei then?

"Liu Bei is a hero of the world."

"It's not that I can't tolerate him, it's just that with him by my side, I'm afraid I'll be taken over by him!"

However, in order not to offend Liu Miao, Gongsun Du still found a plausible reason—

"In the past, Liu Bei took the initiative to surrender to Yuan Shao and helped Yuan Shao to fight against Cao Cao, which led to the fall of the Central Plains and the capture of the emperor. He was a traitor to the Han Dynasty! Therefore, he should be punished!"

After writing the proclamation, Gongsun Du kept it hidden and ordered his generals Gongsun Mo and Zhang Chang to lead 5,000 infantry and cavalry on a rapid march toward Linyu, determined to take advantage of the current vulnerability of Linyu to seize Liu Bei's stronghold!

Gongsun Mo and Zhang Chang advanced and soon encountered Liu Bei's army's outpost scouts.

After eliminating these sentry posts one by one, the Liaodong army encountered no significant resistance along the way, which convinced the two that Liu Bei had indeed gone to Liucheng!
Just as the two were traveling near Yangle, the capital of Liaoxi Commandery, a sudden change occurred!

A young general with a broad face and a majestic appearance, wearing silver armor, riding a white horse, and holding a silver spear, suddenly led a hundred riders out and charged straight into the Liaodong army formation!
Gongsun Mo was greatly alarmed and immediately demanded, "Who goes there?"

"Changshan Zhao Zilong!"

"Just some nobody!"

Upon hearing that it wasn't Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, the two invincible warriors beside Liu Bei, the morale of the Liaodong army gradually stabilized.

But at this moment, the gates of Yangle County, which were originally tightly closed, were wide open!

There were two generals. One was nine feet tall, with a two-foot-long beard, a face like a red date, lips like painted rouge, phoenix eyes, and silkworm eyebrows. He was handsome and awe-inspiring!

The other man was eight feet tall, with a leopard's head and bulging eyes, a swallow's chin and tiger's whiskers, a voice like thunder, and a momentum like a galloping horse!
Who else could it be but Guan Yu and Zhang Fei?

The Yan army behind them was in neat rows and fully equipped, not at all like an empty formation.

Seeing this, how could Gongsun Mo and Zhang Chang not realize they had fallen into a trap?
"withdraw!"

The two ordered their soldiers to retreat, but suddenly discovered that an army bearing the banner of "Zhuge" had cut off their retreat route on the road they had come from!
"You will all die!"

Zhao Yun spurred his horse forward!

With only a few hundred riders, they charged forward with the momentum of a thousand troops!

After several consecutive charges, the demoralized Liaodong army completely lost its formation.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei arrived on horseback, and with a swift stroke of their swords, they beheaded Gongsun Mo and Zhang Chang, leaving the Liaodong soldiers with no choice but to kneel and surrender!

"Just as Kongming predicted!"

Liu Bei, somewhat fearful at this moment, arrived late.

If it weren't for Zhuge Liang's reminder, he would never have imagined that Gongsun Du would actually launch a sneak attack!
Fortunately, Gongsun Du's wolfish ambitions were discovered at this time! Otherwise, if Gongsun Du suddenly pulled such a move when I was actually going to attack Youzhou, what would have happened?
Zhuge Liang, however, did not feel relieved: "Now that we've torn off all pretense of civility, Gongsun Du will probably no longer care about saving face."

"Your Highness, you must be even more careful from now on."

"At the same time, we probably cannot participate in the war in Youzhou. This must be made known to His Majesty as soon as possible."

The original plan was for Liu Bei to lead his troops to invade Youzhou when Yuan Shao and Liu Miao were fighting a major battle in the Central Plains. However, Gongsun Du's change of attitude has clearly deprived Liu Bei of the opportunity to advance his troops westward.

"Using one tiger to devour another."

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan.

He had sensed something was wrong before.

Even if Yuan Shao were determined to fight Liu Miao again, it would be impossible for him to directly transfer all the troops from Youzhou.

It seems that Yuan Shao did this on purpose.

Without the external pressure from Yuan Jun, Gongsun Du would naturally attack Liu Bei.

"A single hair can affect the whole situation!"

Zhuge Liang vaguely sensed that there was more to this than met the eye!
"Could it be... Qingzhou?"

(End of this chapter)