Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 276 The Han King's warships sailed down to Lujiang, and the hearts of the people of Huainan were won over.

While Luoyang is once again rising from the ashes and reshuffling the power structure, Lujiang is also on the rise.

The water glistens, the blue waves stretch for miles, and rows of multi-story ships line up end to end, their sails stretching for more than ten miles.

Yuan Shu stood atop the dragon boat's multi-tiered structure, his white robe fluttering in the wind.

He glanced at Cai Mao, who stood respectfully beside him, nodded and smiled, and said:

"Minister Cai has done a good job this time. These boats have saved the army from a lot of trouble. He deserves a great credit."

Cai Mao bowed in gratitude.

As the two were talking, the large ship had already docked at the riverbank.

People from both sides of the strait, wearing yellow headscarves and carrying the elderly and children, came in dense crowds, prostrating themselves and praying towards the location of the ship.

They prayed for peace and prosperity, for the living, and for the dead, like a child who had been wronged at home finally seeing their parents.

Yuan Shu looked at them; some were covered in wounds, others had severed limbs, which showed how fierce the defense had been in the Battle of Lujiang.

He didn't say anything more, but ordered Pang Tong to break off a branch and Kongming to fetch a bowl of water.

Before long, Pang Tong brought over a willow branch, although it was bare because it was near the end of the year.

Yuan Shu frowned slightly, but still had him hold the willow branch and ordered Kongming to carry clean water, and followed him off the boat.

Yuan Shu dipped a willow branch in water and sprinkled it on the people, shouting:
"Peace and prosperity for all nations, with bountiful harvests year after year."

Oh, heavens, bless my people.

May the weather be favorable, bringing peace and happiness to all, and may the world be at peace.

"My decree is proclaimed to Heaven, and the sun and moon bear witness!"

Those people who were sprinkled with clean water were overjoyed and knelt to thank the King of Han, while those who were not sprinkled remained kneeling on the ground for a long time, unwilling to get up.

The King of Han showed no impatience whatsoever. The short journey from Lujiang Ferry to the city on foot took less than an hour by fast horse.

He walked and stopped, just like the great wise teacher of yesteryear, measuring the suffering of these people with his own feet, so that every believer who came here would receive sweet rain and be satisfied.

Pang Tong and Kongming had also discussed this matter privately, since no one knew better than them that it was nothing more than ordinary willow branches and clear water.

Pang Tong praised him, saying, "Teacher, your fame throughout the Jianghuai region is not without reason; this is the wonderful way to win people's hearts!"

Kongming's gaze toward the King of Han was slightly different from before.

"Perhaps Teacher Yuan just wanted to make these people a little happier?"

When his two disciples whispered about him behind his back, Yuan Shu was not annoyed. Instead, for the first time, he adopted the tone of a teacher and instructed them:
"People always need to have aspirations, and what I'm doing now is giving them aspirations."

Throughout history, the common people have often asked for very little. But if a country causes its people to lose even this basic hope for the future, then that country will perish.

"You two are both my disciples. My youngest son is foolish. After my death, this vast legacy will require your encouragement and support. Do not disappoint me."

Pang Tong/Kongming: "."

Teacher, let me tell you, this isn't our first time in Yuan's camp. We've heard the story of the sickly young boy and Yuan Ce's son several times these past few days.

Despite their inner thoughts, the two of them still maintained a respectful demeanor.

"I will certainly live up to my teacher's expectations."

As the people followed Yuan Shu all the way to the outskirts of Lujiang City, he was greeted by a group of Lujiang garrison generals.

Led by Zhang Xun, Gu Yong, Zhu Huan, Yang Feng, Mao Jie, and other generals who participated in the defense of Lujiang prostrated themselves on the ground and knelt to welcome the King of Han.

“I, Zhang Xun, am a guilty subject who has failed the expectations of the King of Han. I have suffered a series of defeats and have come to this point. I know that my sins are grave and I deserve to die ten thousand times.”

I dare not ask for leniency; I only beg to submit to the law and accept my punishment, leaving my fate entirely to the King's discretion, without uttering a single complaint.

When the generals saw that even General Zhang Xun had made such a statement, they all naturally bowed down and confessed their guilt.

Yuan Shu merely watched this scene coldly, "Please, I will punish you?"
"You have sworn to defend Lujiang to the death, ensuring the preservation of our Huainan territory. This is a great achievement; what crime have you committed?"

Despite Yuan Shu's insistence that they were innocent and had rendered no harm, no one dared to respond to his icy expression and tone. They could only lower their heads deeply and plead, "Please punish us, King of Han."

Yuan Shu then slowly stepped forward and said to Zhang Xun with a cold smile:
"Zhang Qing, now that you have confessed, do you know where your crime lies?"

"This guilty subject regrets that he underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, falling into Cao Cao's ambush. He was defeated and retreated to Lujiang, missing the opportunity to fight and almost ruining Your Majesty's great cause."

Yuan Shu shook his head indifferently, "Wrong! Cao Cao's feigned passage through Nanyang was something even I couldn't have predicted. Facing his sudden pincer attack with Wen Ping, you were fortunate enough to escape unscathed. What crime have you committed?"

Zhang Xun was surprised and looked up at Yuan Shu. In his astonished gaze, he met a pair of disappointed and heartbroken eyes.

"Your crime is that you saw 100,000 Yellow Turban people coming to your aid, but you dared not open the city gates to cooperate."

The general was as cowardly as a mouse, and dared not fight to the death, but instead watched as his men were slaughtered by Cao Cao's army.

"For this mere Lujiang, you nearly caused the deaths of 100,000 of my people; your crime is far greater!"

Zhang Xun opened his mouth, wanting to explain that Cao Cao's army had been attacking the city for days, and the city's troops were stretched thin.

Once we leave the city to fight, I fear that Lujiang will fall in an instant. If Lujiang is lost, Cao Cao's army will be able to drink from the Huai River, and the number of civilians killed or wounded will be more than 100,000.

However, when his gaze fell upon the densely packed Yellow Turban people behind Yuan Shu, and seeing the scars and wounds on their bodies, Zhang Xun's myriad explanations fell flat, leaving him speechless with emotion.

At this moment, he understood that the Lord Yuan before him was no longer Lord Yuan, but the manifestation of the will of the people, the Yellow Heaven Responding Origin Manifesting Sage Dao Lord who resides high in the sky!

When the Daoist Lord manifested His divine power, the truth, explanations, and reasons were no longer important. What He wanted to settle was the grievances of the countless Yellow Turban people in Lujiang City who had sacrificed their lives and shed their blood, never to return to Huainan.

Zhang Xun remained silent, prostrated himself on the ground, and bowed, saying:
"I am willing to die ten thousand times to atone for my sins. I beg the King of Han to punish me. I will have no complaints about my merits."

Yuan Shu was satisfied; this man could be considered a trusted minister!
He then ordered him, “Considering your vow to defend the city to the death, even if you have not achieved great merit, you have still endured hardship.”

Now I resign my post and become a soldier, to fight alongside me. In the future, when we attack a city, you will be the first to scale the walls, slay generals, and raise the flag, with you as the vanguard.

"By retracing the soldiers' path, I can teach you that every time your soldiers fought against Cao Cao's army, they were risking their lives. How can you be so reckless?"

Upon hearing this, the resentment of the Yellow Turban people behind Yuan Shu, who had suffered heavy casualties after rushing to support Lujiang and resisting Cao Cao's army with their own flesh and blood, dissipated considerably.

After all, the high-ranking general who commanded them to fight to the death was about to become a common soldier just like them, and also go out to fight to the death against the enemy.

Hearing the same order, Zhang Xun breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The King of Han still loves me. Although I was temporarily demoted to a lowly soldier, I was able to stay by his side. When I can be promoted back is just a matter of the King of Han's word.

After Zhang Xun, Gu Yong also paid homage.

"Your subject also accepts punishment."

Now that Gu Yong was also to be punished, the people hurriedly pleaded for his life.

"King Han, Prefect Gu is a good official!"

"King of Han, ever since Prefect Gu came to Lujiang, those powerful and tyrannical people no longer dare to bully others."

"King Han, with Prefect Gu governing Lujiang, we have no longer suffered from hunger."

As Gu Yong watched this scene, seeing the people kneeling and begging for mercy for him, his eyes also welled up with tears.

Yuan Shu kindly helped him up and asked with a smile, "Does Minister Gu understand now?"

Gu Yong remained motionless for a long time, tears streaming down his face, and bowed again, saying:

“I am guilty! My guilt lies in failing the hopes of the people. As the governor, I have failed to protect the peace of this region.” “Indeed, the guilt lies with me.”

As the King of Han, I have been unable to maintain peace under my rule, engaging in endless wars and military campaigns.

"All the people are guilty, and the blame lies with me."

Gu Yong looked up, his tearful eyes gazing blankly at the Prince of Han before him. Despite his quick wit and eloquent speech, he was speechless, unsure how to respond.

Fortunately, Yuan Shu did not make things difficult for him; he simply helped him up and said to him:
“The defeat in battle is the fault of the general; what crime have you, a mere civil official, committed?”

Gu Qing governed Lujiang for several years, working diligently day and night, ensuring smooth internal affairs and harmonious relations, and revitalizing all sectors.

He developed water conservancy, distributed land for rent, enacted laws and regulations, and promoted education.

The local customs are simple and honest, the old and young live in peace, people leave their doors unlocked at night, and no one picks up lost items on the road.

This is a great achievement.

Now, I shall govern Jingzhou.

Gu Yong initially thought he was about to be punished when he saw the King of Han approaching with a cold and stern expression and a murderous aura.

Instead of punishing him, the King of Han bestowed such a significant appointment upon him, leaving everyone somewhat bewildered.

"I am of shallow talent and meager virtue, and I fear that I am unworthy of this honor and will fail the great expectations of the King of Han."

Yuan Shu bowed to him, saying, "The people of Jingzhou have suffered under Liu Biao's rule for too long."

I urge Minister Gu to go to Jingzhou, relieve the people from their suffering, and save them from chaos. Do not fail my expectations.

This scene made Zhang Xun, who had just been demoted to a lowly soldier, look at Gu Yong with a rather resentful gaze.

I've been blamed for everything; where can I go to seek justice?

Next was Zhu Huan, who was about to kneel down to beg for forgiveness when Yuan Shu helped him up.

"I have read all the battle reports of the Battle of Lujiang. The city was able to be defended entirely thanks to Minister Zhu."

Even his several unwise actions were due to Zhu Qing's low status and the generals' failure to heed his loyal advice.

As the saying goes, "When an awl is placed in a bag, its benefit will naturally become apparent; when a person is in distress, their talent and virtue will naturally be revealed."

You possess great talent, but it is a pity that your previous official position was low and your military strength was meager; otherwise, you might have been able to turn the tide.

Now that Zhang Xun has been dismissed, you will temporarily take command of an army in his place, holding the position of General Who Guards the West and overseeing the troops of Jingzhou. Continue to work together with Minister Gu, and do not fail my expectations.”

"Your subject respectfully obeys the king's command and kowtows to express gratitude for the emperor's grace."

"Having received such special treatment, how could Huan not devote himself wholeheartedly to repaying His Majesty?"

Yuan Shu nodded. He was quite confident in Gu Yong and Zhu Huan. Both of them came from families in Jiangdong, were capable, and had been tested in battles in Lujiang. They were suitable for important positions.

Next came the generals from the Golden Terrace, such as Yang Feng and Mao Jie. They had been transferred by Yan Xiang to lead the Yellow Turban people into battle due to the urgency of the war.

Yang Feng was still smiling obsequiously. The King of Han wanted to appease the people, so he let Zhang Xun take the blame. Gu Yong and Zhu Huan were promoted and given important positions. As for himself, there was no need to say anything.

However, the words that suddenly rang in his ears were like a thunderclap, as if he had fallen from the clouds.

"You lot, don't go around confessing one by one."

Tell me, who gave Lord Yan the idea to let the common people take up arms and fight?

Meeting his gaze, Yang Feng felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and stammered a reply.

"This is Mao Jie's plan!"
King Han, please report: The common people are untrained and unfamiliar with battle formations. If they were to engage Cao Cao's army in a direct confrontation, they would find it difficult to defeat them.

To defend Lujiang, the gateway to Huainan, Mao Jie suggested a strategy of attacking from afar.

Although most people are not skilled with bows and arrows, fortunately, no expertise is required to shoot slingshots; anyone with hands can do it.

These words were all reasonable, and Lord Yan agreed with them.

We used this strategy to defeat Cao Cao's army.

"joke!
Lord Yan is ignorant of military strategy and was deceived by you. Am I also ignorant of military strategy?

The reason why Lujiang was so well defended was that if it were lost, there would be no strongholds or important towns in the rear, and Cao Cao's army could directly reach Huainan without any way to defend it.

Now that we have mobilized 100,000 people, why not block a key road in the rear towns, dig ditches and build fortifications to strengthen the city's defenses?

At that time, they abandoned Lujiang and withdrew their troops to defend the rear against the enemy. A total of 100,000 Yellow Turban people defended the area by building deep trenches and high walls.

With defenses in front and continued construction of camps in the rear, if Cao Cao's offensive is fierce, we will abandon the front camps. In the rear, our Huainan region is rich in resources, and millions of people will dig trenches and build fortifications for you without end!
The more they attacked, the more they retreated; the more they retreated, the more they built; the more they built, the more they defended; the more they defended, the stronger they became. How then could Cao Cao's army possibly defeat them?
The deeper the enticement goes, the more I will trap them in Jingzhou, turning Cao Cao's entire camp into turtles in a jar!

"You lot have harmed my people and ruined my great cause; what more is there to say?"

Upon hearing Yuan Shu's words, Zhang Xun, Zhu Huan, and others who had experienced the hardships of the Battle of Lujiang all brightened up and looked ashamed.

Zhang Xun was even more ashamed, as he often boasted that he had mastered the tactics of the King of Han, such as digging trenches and building fortifications.

I never imagined that I would only realize today that I had only learned the basics, that I only knew how to build fortifications and besiege, but I did not know that the true secret of this method was to use it for defense.

The more they attack, the more they retreat; the more they retreat, the more they build; the more they build, the more they defend; the more they defend, the stronger they become!

Having learned these sixteen words of truth, he wished he could have Cao Cao fight him again, and this time he would surely defeat Cao Cao until he was in despair.

Zhu Huan suddenly realized that this plan would be too costly in terms of manpower and resources elsewhere and would be extremely difficult to implement anywhere.

Only in Huainan, the people are of one mind with the King of Han. To protect the peace of Huainan, the people will spontaneously and enthusiastically dig ditches and build fortifications. Moreover, Huainan is the most abundant and prosperous in the nine provinces.

The King of Han has now made this method public, which has probably enraged him so much that the Battle of Lujiang was fought at the cost of countless lives in Huainan.

It seems that in Han Wang's eyes, why are you risking your lives when we can win by simply throwing money at it?
Even if the King of Han were to openly proclaim such a strategy, it is likely that all the feudal lords in the world would avoid Huainan's advance and would no longer dare to covet this place.

Huainan is known for its abundant resources and grain, and the Yellow Turban people are united in their hearts. Given that everyone knows the sixteen-character mantra of the King of Han for defending Huainan, it would be suicidal for them to send an expedition here to fight the King of Han at the cost of their lives.

Everyone was filled with shame and embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Yang Feng and the others were already in a state of panic and hurriedly apologized.

"Your Majesty, this is Mao Jie's plan!"

Only Mao Jie knew he was doomed and no longer needed to pretend, so he laughed loudly, "You traitor Yuan! You forced me to surrender at Golden Terrace, how could you have imagined this day would come?"

It is regrettable that Jie was incompetent and unable to assist Cao Cao in conquering Lujiang and advancing directly to Shouchun!
You traitor Yuan, you deceive the emperor and lie to the emperor, falsely claiming to be the King of Han, forcing people to surrender, and fooling the world!
The sun is shining brightly! The sun is shining brightly!
"The day the Prime Minister is ordered to quell the rebellion, captures Shouchun, and beheads you, Jie will surely punish you in the netherworld!!!"

Why bother?

In this chaotic world, to be able to enjoy wealth and glory—is that still a disservice to you?

Yuan Shu's eyes were indifferent as he calmly gave the order.

"Mao Jie, Yang Feng, and others secretly colluded with the traitor Cao and used poisonous schemes to harm the people of Huainan."

He should be torn to pieces to vent the hatred of the people!

Yang Feng and the others cried out urgently!

"King Han!!!"
This is Mao Jie's plan!

(End of this chapter)