Three Reconstructions of the Han Dynasty: I Helped Zhuge Liang Perfect the Longzhong Plan

A winter breeze, carrying a chilling dampness, swept across the Gong'an dock, and Gu Sulin and Pang Tong's boat slowly approached the shore. A large flag bearing the character "Liu" flew high on the mast, with small "Han" flags adorning the edges. The wind billowed the flags, creating a dignified and imposing presence.

The officials of the manor were already waiting on the shore. As soon as the boat docked, they stepped forward to lead the way. Gu Sulin and Pang Tong entered the city together and went straight to Liu Bei's manor to report back.

Inside the main hall, Liu Bei, along with Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and other civil and military officials, were already waiting. Upon seeing Gu Sulin return, Liu Bei immediately rose, quickly stepped forward, and personally helped him up: "Zimao, you've traveled a long way to Jiangdong; you must be tired from the journey. How did things go in Nan Commandery?"

Gu Sulin bowed respectfully, his expression calm, and first reported the facts regarding Nanjun: "My lord, I have been fortunate to fulfill my mission. During this trip to Nanxu, I have reached an agreement with Marquis Wu that Nanjun will be temporarily lent to you. Marquis Wu has agreed to act according to the previous agreement and will not draw up a new contract. When the time is right, the borrowed territories of Jing and Xiang will be returned together. Lu Zijing is already in Jiangling preparing for the handover. Once his letter arrives, we can go there to take over the city's defenses and civil administration without any further trouble."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall erupted in cheers. Zhang Fei immediately clapped his hands and laughed, his voice shaking the roof tiles: "Excellent! Mr. Zimao is truly capable, he actually managed to take Nanjun! Now we don't have to be confined to Gong'an anymore, we finally have a base where we can advance and retreat freely!"

Guan Yu stood to one side, his usually calm face losing its coldness and sternness, replaced by a friendly smile. He stroked his beard, nodded, and spoke in a gentle voice: "Nanjun guards the strategic location of Jingzhou and Xiangyang. If we obtain it, the situation in Jingzhou will be even more secure. Your contribution to this mission is invaluable."

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, standing with a smile, his gaze towards Gu Sulin full of approval: "Zimao's handling of the matter is thorough, upholding the greater good of the alliance while also resolving the predicament of Jingzhou; truly a win-win solution." All the civil and military officials echoed his sentiments, praising Gu Sulin highly. Liu Bei, his face beaming with joy, nodded repeatedly, the great weight lifted from his heart.

Once the noise in the hall had subsided, Gu Sulin stepped aside and led Pang Tong to the front of the platform, saying loudly, "My lord, in addition to handling the affairs of Nanjun, I have also invited a peerless talent to Jingzhou on this mission. This person has lived in Jingxiang for a long time and his talent is widely known, but he has not been given important positions in Jiangdong. Therefore, I have invited him to return and assist you, my lord."

Liu Bei's gaze fell on Pang Tong. Seeing that he was dressed in a simple blue robe, had an ancient appearance, and a hint of arrogance between his brows, Liu Bei couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Pang Tong bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant: "Pang Tong of Xiangyang greets Imperial Uncle."

The people in the hall were slightly taken aback. Zhang Fei frowned, thinking that this man was quite arrogant, but Liu Bei raised his hand to suppress him.

Upon hearing the name "Pang Tong of Xiangyang," Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and his tone became suddenly fervent: "Is this the young phoenix that Mr. Shui Jing mentioned to me? Years ago, Mr. Shui Jing said that both the Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix were talents fit to be kings' advisors. I have always remembered this, only regretting that I did not meet them sooner. To meet them today is truly my great fortune!"

Pang Tong was also taken aback, not expecting that Liu Bei had actually heard of him before and remembered him so well. The slight probing intent in his heart immediately disappeared.

Seeing this, Gu Sulin continued, his tone tinged with regret: "However... Zhou Yu has just passed away, and Sun Quan has been troubled lately, failing to recognize your great talent and instead dismissing you. That is why you have temporarily left Jiangdong."

Upon hearing this, both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang showed regret.

Zhuge Liang stepped forward, looking sincerely at Pang Tong: "Shi Yuan and I have a long-standing friendship, and I am well aware of Shi Yuan's talent. Jiangdong's abandonment of him was a loss for Jiangdong; his coming to join us now is a blessing for our lord!"

Upon seeing this, Liu Bei became even more solemn and stepped forward to bow deeply: "I have long admired the talent of Phoenix Chick. It is not your fault that Jiangdong cannot utilize it."

Pang Tong felt a warmth in his heart, knowing that this imperial uncle was genuinely seeking talent, not just pretending.

Gu Sulin seized the opportunity to add: "My lord, Mr. Pang previously served as the Chief Clerk of Jiangling Nanjun, and is familiar with everything related to city defense, household registration, civil administration, and granaries. Many of the former officials in Jiangdong also have old acquaintances with him, making him the most suitable person to take over the affairs of Jiangling."

Liu Bei's eyes lit up: "Excellent! Let it be as Zi Mao wishes. Immediately appoint Pang Shiyuan as the Chief Clerk of Nan Commandery, in charge of the handover and subsequent governance of Jiangling. If needed, just ask; Kongming, Zi Mao, and I will support you without hesitation! Once Nan Commandery is stable, we will promote you according to your merits, and we will certainly not let you down!"

Pang Tong was very pleased upon hearing this. The position of Chief Clerk in Nan Commandery was familiar to him, and the promotion based on merit indicated great importance; he no longer felt the stifling atmosphere he had experienced in Jiangdong. He immediately bowed and said, "I am deeply grateful for the high regard shown to me by my lord, Master Zimao, and Kongming. I am willing to faithfully perform my duties, stabilize Jiangling, and live up to your expectations."

All the officials in the hall cheered, and Liu Bei was in high spirits. He ordered his troops to prepare for battle and await the handover of Jiangdong.

Three days later, Lu Su's messenger arrived, saying that the handover of Jiangling was ready. Liu Bei immediately mustered his troops, with Guan Yu leading the elite to guard the city's defenses; Zhuge Liang and Gu Sulin advised on strategies; Pang Tong went ahead to rendezvous with his old subordinates; and Liu Bei himself led the main army to follow.

At the foot of Jiangling City, Lu Su personally awaited them, and the two sides were perfectly at ease with each other. Pang Tong, familiar with the place, led Lu Su to check the seals, household registers, city defense maps, and grain and fodder ledgers, completing the task in half a day without the slightest error.

The Jiangdong garrison withdrew in batches, and the Jingzhou soldiers entered the city to garrison. The people of Jiangling cheered and maintained order without any disturbance.

Liu Bei climbed the tower and looked into the distance. He thought to himself that now he had Nan Commandery in his hands, Pang Tong by his side, and his civil and military officials were of one mind. He felt that the road ahead was suddenly clear.

With the handover settled, Jiangling City and its surroundings were at peace. Pang Tong did not rush to take over the affairs himself, but instead, based on his strengths, he systematically sorted things out from three aspects: civil administration, military affairs, and city defense.

The following morning, Pang Tong entered Liu Bei's residence and presented him with a newly drafted "Strategy for Governing Nan Commandery." Liu Bei unfolded it and examined it closely. He found it to be clearly organized, covering everything from household registration reform and land tax reduction to city defense repair and fortress control, as well as the resettlement and reorganization of the old troops from Jiangdong. Each point was specific, feasible, and reasonable.

Liu Bei was increasingly astonished as he looked at him, thinking to himself: "I had only heard of the name of the Phoenix Chick before, but now I have personally witnessed his governance strategy. He is even more pragmatic than Zhuge Liang. They are truly complementary talents."

Before Liu Bei could ask, Pang Tong took the initiative to report: He had ordered the city's granaries to be taken over, the old grain and fodder to be checked, the rotten grain to be removed, and new grain to be requisitioned. Within three days, the Jiangling granaries would be back to normal. He also ordered the officers to guard the four gates, strengthen the city's defenses, and keep a close watch on the Xiangfan direction to the north to prevent Cao Cao's army from taking advantage of the chaos to invade the territory.

In just two days, the atmosphere in Nanjun was completely transformed. The people were undisturbed, the former officials obeyed orders, and the soldiers were disciplined and orderly, presenting a stable yet dynamic situation.

Standing in the courtyard of the government office, Liu Bei watched Pang Tong calmly deploy his troops, and a sudden inspiration struck him.

These talents are not only strategists, but also excellent generals in governing the country.

Gu Sulin stood to the side, looking at Pang Tong, his heart at ease.

This is only the beginning.

It was only after he entered Shu and plotted to seize Yizhou that Pang Tong's true brilliance was fully revealed.