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

Time flies, and half a year has passed.

By October of the sixteenth year of Jian'an, autumn was deepening in Jiangzuo, with red maple leaves painting the banks. However, both Gong'an and Jiangling presented a scene of prosperity and flourishing.

In the past six months, the names of Pang Tong and Pang Shiyuan have become well-known throughout Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

Since assuming the post of Chief Clerk of Nan Commandery, Pang Tong has swiftly and decisively reformed the old system of Jiangdong. He reorganized the household registration system and reduced exorbitant taxes, ensuring that Nan Commandery's land tax was abundant in just three months. He dredged the city defenses and built passes, making Jiangling impregnable. Furthermore, with his unique vision, he pacified displaced people and recruited reclusive scholars from Jingzhou and Xiangyang. In a short period of time, Nan Commandery presented a picture of a peaceful and orderly society.

Every day, Liu Bei would review the documents presented by Pang Tong when he attended to official business. Pang Tong's "Strategy for Governing Nan Commandery," though concise, was full of wisdom, and every strategy hit the nail on the head. Liu Bei often lamented to Zhuge Liang and Gu Sulin, "Shiyuan's talent is no less than Kongming's! Kongming excels at overall planning, while Shiyuan excels at practical management. With these two, Jingzhou is like a tiger with wings!"

Such achievements have already won over the people of Jingzhou.

Soon after, Liu Bei officially issued an order appointing Pang Tong as Military Advisor General, placing him on the same level and in the same position as Zhuge Liang.

All the civil and military officials had no further objections and were impressed by the talent and courage of this young phoenix. Pang Tong also lived up to expectations, working with Kongming every day to strategize and manage the political and military affairs of Jingzhou in an orderly manner, waiting only for the right time to plot against Xichuan.

Just as the governance of Nanjun was becoming increasingly stable, the situation in the north suddenly changed.

After his defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao recuperated for several years before finally launching another westward expedition to subdue Ma Chao and Han Sui, who controlled Guanzhong and Yongliang.

Ma Chao was the bravest warrior in the army. In the Battle of Weinan, he forced Cao Cao to cut off his beard and abandon his robe, nearly losing his life and causing Cao Cao great suffering. However, Cao Cao was ultimately a cunning and ruthless ruler. In a critical moment, he adopted Jia Xu's "divide and conquer" strategy, successfully instigating Ma Chao and Han Sui to turn against each other, causing them to fight each other to the death.

By September, Cao Cao's army had completely pacified Guanzhong, inflicting heavy losses on Ma Chao and Han Sui. Ma Chao had no choice but to retreat to Liangzhou.

After Guanzhong was pacified, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang with his army. In October, he held a grand banquet for his officials in the Xuchang Palace to reward them for their contributions.

At this moment, the key person also walked towards Jingzhou.

Inside Jiangling City.

The scout rushed from outside the city into the Jiangling government office, shouting before even entering the main hall, "Reporting to the lord and strategist! An urgent report has arrived from Xudu!"

Before the words were even finished, the entire council hall fell silent. Liu Bei, who was discussing the defense of Jingzhou with Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Gu Sulin, was taken aback upon hearing this and immediately put down the bamboo slips in his hands.

Liu Bei looked up: "What is it?"

The scout, catching his breath, bowed and announced loudly, "According to reports from the northern merchant caravan and the guards along the way, Zhang Song, the Prefect of Yizhou, was sent by Liu Zhang to Xuchang to pay homage to Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao disliked his appearance and arrogant manner, and publicly rebuked him without even offering him a meal. Zhang Song, deeply humiliated, is filled with resentment and has immediately turned back to Yizhou, taking the route through Jingzhou. He will arrive in my Jiangling territory in less than three days!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a subtle commotion arose in the council chamber.

Liu Bei nodded: "Understood. Go and rest."

The scout thanked him and hurriedly withdrew.

Pang Tong paused slightly, raised his eyes to look at Zhuge Liang, and smiled knowingly.

Zhuge Liang lightly waved his feather fan, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and the corners of his lips unconsciously turned up.

Gu Sulin raised an eyebrow, already understanding:

coming.

Liu Bei was initially puzzled, then his expression changed slightly, and his tone suddenly became urgent: "Zhang Song? The Prefect of Yi Province, yet he is treated so coldly by Cao Cao?"

For a moment, no one spoke in the hall, only the autumn wind blowing through the eaves, carrying a touch of coolness.

After a moment, Pang Tong chuckled, breaking the silence: "Cao Cao has miscalculated."

Zhuge Liang also smiled and said, "My lord, you may personally go out of the city to welcome him."

Liu Bei looked at the two of them, his tone tinged with confusion: "It is indeed a pity that Zhang Song has been humiliated. Moreover, since he is the Prefect of Yizhou, I should have treated him with courtesy when he came here."

Although he heard about this, he did not immediately grasp the key point, but only felt that it was an ordinary diplomatic opportunity.

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, a smile in his eyes, and spoke first, his tone calm yet insightful: "My lord, you may not know this. Zhang Songyong is no ordinary man. He has a photographic memory and is intimately familiar with the geography, census, and defenses of Yizhou. He is Liu Zhang's number one figure in charge of Yizhou's strengths and weaknesses."

Pang Tong tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, a sharp glint of understanding flashing in his eyes. He continued, "Cao Cao is jealous by nature. Seeing that he is not good-looking, he looked down on the virtuous and disrespectful. Little did he know that this man possessed a million soldiers and a map. Whoever obtained it could determine the fate of Yizhou. Cao Cao discarded him like a worn-out shoe, truly showing his blindness to the wise and foolish."

Gu Sulin nodded, his voice steady and precise: "More importantly, Zhang Song's mission this time, ostensibly to show goodwill to Cao Cao on behalf of Liu Zhang, is actually a scheme to find a true wise ruler for Yizhou. He knows that Liu Zhang is weak and incompetent, and Cao Cao is suspicious and intolerant of his talents. Only you, my lord, are benevolent and virtuous throughout the land, and you have Nan Commandery in your hands; you are exactly the way out he seeks."

Upon hearing the three men's words, Liu Bei was initially taken aback, but then a look of realization slowly appeared on his face. Looking at the tacit understanding between his three strategists, a thought stirred within him.

Seeing that Liu Bei's expression shifted slightly, Zhuge Liang pressed his advantage and gently advised, "My lord, Zhang Song must be resentful of Cao Cao and longing for a wise ruler. If we personally go out to greet him and treat him with courtesy, we will be doing him a tremendous favor. Once he is grateful for your kindness, the gates of Yizhou will be open to our Jingzhou in the future."

Pang Tong stroked his beard and smiled, his tone resolute: "This is a godsend. Zhang Song's return to Shu will surely persuade Liu Zhang to ally with us against Cao Cao. If we win his heart first, our future plans to take Western Sichuan will be much easier. My lord, please use this man as the key to our conquest of Shu from Jingzhou."

Gu Sulin didn't say much, but the three of them exchanged glances, their tacit understanding revealing their clear understanding of the situation.

Liu Bei looked at the three men, still somewhat doubtful. He shook his head and sighed, "Since this man is so talented, I should respect and value him even more. As for the affairs of Yizhou, they are all in the hearts of the people, how can they be calculated? I will personally go out of the city to welcome him. This matter is settled."

Zhuge Liang and the other two exchanged a smile and nodded slightly, but said nothing more.

The next morning, Liu Bei sent Zhao Yun with thirty elite cavalry to wait at the northern border of Nan Commandery. As soon as Zhang Song entered Jiangling territory, they escorted him all the way, treated him with the utmost hospitality, and were not allowed to be neglected in the slightest.

Zhao Yun accepted the order and immediately headed north.

Within half a day, they encountered Zhang Song and his entourage at the border.

Zhang Song, having suffered humiliation in Xudu, was depressed all the way. He thought that passing through Jingzhou would be a point of no interest to him, but suddenly a group of elite cavalrymen came. The young general in silver armor at the head of the group was calm and composed. He stepped forward and paid his respects with great ceremony, introducing himself as "Zhao Yun of Changshan," who had come to welcome him on the orders of Liu Bei.

Zhang Song was both surprised and suspicious, but a warmth had already touched his heart.

Zhao Yun escorted them all the way, speaking respectfully, a stark contrast to the cold treatment they received in Xuchang.

That evening, Zhao Yun escorted Zhang Song and his party to the post station outside Jiangling City.

The inn was already brightly lit, and Guan Yu, leading more than ten guards, was waiting there. His face was kind and his manners impeccable. He personally stepped forward to greet him: "I, Guan, am here on the orders of my lord to await your arrival, Zhang, after your arduous journey. The inn has prepared food and lodging for you. Please rest well for the night and recharge your energy. We will enter the city to meet my lord again early tomorrow morning."

When Zhang Song saw that two of Liu Bei's most outstanding generals treated him so well, he was filled with mixed emotions, and his pent-up frustration from the past few days vanished. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude.