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

Since Liu Ba agreed to serve, Liu Bei immediately entrusted him with important responsibilities. He was not involved in factions or military affairs, but was in charge of finance, law, and urban regulations. He fully fulfilled his previous promise, and neither the old officials of Shu nor the Jingxiang faction dared to interfere in the slightest.

The next morning, Liu Ba went to the prefectural government office and began to investigate the root causes of the treasury deficit.

At that time, Yizhou had just been pacified. To reassure the army, Liu Bei had promised that the soldiers could take a share of the treasury's wealth after the city was captured. After entering the city, the soldiers rushed to take what they wanted. In addition, Liu Zhang had been in power for many years and the finances were corrupt. Powerful people concealed taxes, currency was rampant and prices soared. Military funds, rewards, and people's livelihoods were all in short supply. The state government's accounts had only a few pieces of silver left, which was not even enough to cover the basic salaries of officials.

Faced with this predicament, both civil and military officials in the government were at a loss, but Liu Ba remained calm and confident. He immediately summoned his subordinates in charge of currency and the market, and brought them the old monetary system of Sichuan and the price registers of the market. He spent the whole day at his desk drafting three decrees, which were presented to Liu Ba for record the next day.

At this time, Pang Tong was still out on a military post and had not yet returned. Liu Bei then read the document together with Fa Zheng, Huang Quan, Gu Sulin, and others. Liu Ba wrote with a steady hand and clear strategy, and the opening went straight to the heart of the matter: "The treasury is empty now, not because of a lack of grain and silk, but because of the collapse of the monetary system, the imbalance of prices, and the disorder of market regulations. If these three strategies are implemented in combination, the predicament can be resolved in a few months."

Firstly, the government minted the Zhibai coin to unify the currency system. The thin and light Wuzhu coins that were privately minted in Sichuan were abolished, and the government set up special furnaces to mint the Zhibai Wuzhu coin. The legal face value of one new coin was equal to one hundred old Wuzhu coins. The materials used for minting were strictly controlled to ensure the weight and quality of the coins, and to prevent private minting and shoddy production. The authority of the new currency was established with official credit, and the government quickly collected scattered silver and goods from the people to replenish the treasury.

Secondly, prices were stabilized and fluctuations were strictly controlled. The government determined fair prices for essential commodities such as rice, flour, cloth, salt, iron, and agricultural tools, strictly prohibiting merchants from hoarding and speculating or driving up prices. Violators were severely punished to balance market supply and demand, prevent inflation, protect people's livelihoods, and prevent excessive spending by the government treasury.

Thirdly, official markets were established to regulate commerce. An imperial edict ordered the establishment of official markets throughout the country, appointing officials to manage them, overseeing the allocation of goods, the circulation of currency, and the regulation of transactions. The government controlled the buying and selling of goods, ensuring fair prices, thus regulating market order and ensuring that all revenue went to the local government, cutting off the avenues for powerful figures to manipulate the market for profit.

Liu Bei was overjoyed after reading the report, and exclaimed, "Zichu is truly a genius of unparalleled talent! These three strategies hit the nail on the head, and the finances of Yizhou are saved!" He immediately approved the report and ordered the allocation of craftsmen and copper to fully cooperate with Liu Ba in implementing the new monetary policy without any obstacles.

Liu Ba acted swiftly and decisively. Upon assuming office, he immediately began construction, selecting sites and setting up furnaces to mint coins. He strictly controlled the weight and quality of the coins, ensuring that every single 100-yuan coin was well-made and of sufficient weight. The coins were quickly distributed in Chengdu and various counties. At the same time, he posted notices, set prices, dispatched officials to inspect the markets, severely punished merchants who hoarded and speculated, and rapidly established official markets to coordinate private transactions.

At the beginning of the new policy, there were many doubts among the people, merchants objected, and ordinary people also had concerns about the new currency.

Liu Ba personally oversaw the Chengdu official market, using the government's credit as collateral to exchange old and new coins at the legal exchange rate, strictly enforcing the principle of fair pricing. Within a few days, market prices stabilized, the flow of goods became smooth, and the people no longer worried about soaring prices, gradually accepting the Zhibai coin.

Seeing that the government's orders were strict and that Liu Ba enforced the law harshly and without mercy, the powerful merchants no longer dared to secretly manipulate the market and had no choice but to comply with the regulations.

Within a few months, the previously empty Yizhou treasury was quickly filled, with gold, silver, money, and grain piling up like mountains. This was not only enough to pay the soldiers' rewards and the officials' salaries, but also had a surplus to use for the relief of refugees, the repair of city defenses, and the aid of the poor. The previously precarious financial predicament was completely resolved.

The people of Shu were grateful for the stable livelihoods brought by the new policies, and the soldiers received their due rewards. With peace prevailing, even those who had previously held prejudices against Liu Ba were now convinced of his abilities and admired his talent for governing the country. Huang Quan, Fa Zheng, and others also praised Liu Ba's administrative skills, and Liu Bei placed great trust in him, entrusting him with all matters of finance and regulation.

With the treasury full and the Shu region stable, all matters were settled.

On an auspicious day, the main hall of the Governor's Mansion of Yizhou was decorated with ceremonial guards, and bells and drums sounded. Liu Bei, dressed in official robes, ascended the hall to receive the seal of office. He officially assumed the title of Governor of Yizhou and concurrently served as Commandant of the Capital Region under the name of General of the Left of Han. He then proclaimed this to all the counties and prefectures in Shu, pacified the people, rectified officialdom, and established his rule.

After the ceremony, the merits were assessed and rewards were distributed, with civil and military officials being appointed to high positions.

Liu Bei sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the former Jingzhou and Xiangyang generals and the surrendered officials from Shu below. His words were fair and just, his rewards and punishments clear and impartial, showing no regard for past grievances and revealing the magnanimity of a wise ruler.

Zhuge Liang was first appointed Military Advisor General, overseeing all affairs in Jingzhou; Pang Tong was appointed Left General's Chief of Staff, managing the affairs of the Left General's office and taking charge of Shu. Both men participated in military strategy, coordinated government affairs, and oversaw important internal and external matters, wholeheartedly assisting each other. One was in charge of Jingzhou, and the other devised the strategy to conquer Shu, making great contributions.

Feng Fazheng was appointed Prefect of Shu Commandery and General Yangwu, in charge of the important city of Chengdu, serving as his chief strategist and trusted confidant.

Guan Yu was appointed General Who Dissipates Bandits and Governor of Nan Commandery, to guard Jingzhou and resist Cao Cao in the north;

Zhang Fei was appointed General Who Conquers the Barbarians and Prefect of Lingling, commanding troops to guard the east and deter Sun Quan.

Zhao Yun was appointed General of the Right Army and Prefect of Wuling. He was loyal and brave in protecting his lord, made many military achievements, and went south to pacify the barbarians.

Huang Zhong was appointed General of Valiant Might and Prefect of Bazhou, stationed in Langzhong, and in charge of the defense of northern Sichuan; Wei Yan was appointed General of the Vanguard, stationed in the northern border of Bazhou, and guarded Jiameng Pass; Huo Jun was appointed Lieutenant General and transferred to guard Baishui Pass.

Liu Feng, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Ma Liang, Yi Ji, and other former subordinates of Jingzhou were all rewarded, promoted to important positions, and stationed in key locations.

As for the former officials of Shu, Yan Yan was appointed as General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, to guard Ba Commandery and pacify the local area;

Dong He was appointed General of the Army, and Huang Quan was appointed General of the Guards. They participated in military and political affairs and assisted in governing the administration of Yizhou.

Although Liu Ba was the last to join the government, he made great contributions by using money to govern Shu and resolve the national crisis. He was appointed as the Western Cao Yuan of the Left General, in charge of finance, regulations, and laws.

Xu Jing, Zhang Yi, Meng Da, Li Yan, Wu Yi and other officials in Sichuan were all appointed according to their talents and given official positions to appease the gentry and aristocratic families in Sichuan.

Gu Sulin was also rewarded by Liu Bei for his strategic planning and assistance in governing and pacifying the people. He was given a key civil service position as a military advisor and participated in central government affairs.

The remaining civil and military officers were rewarded in order of their military merits and political achievements, receiving gold, silver, land, houses, grain, and silk, without any omissions. The former troops of Jingzhou and Xiangyang and the surrendered officials of Shu each received their due rewards, the factions coexisted peacefully, and harmony prevailed throughout the land.

After the bestowal of titles and rewards was completed, all the civil and military officials bowed and kowtowed, shouting "Thank you, my lord!" Their voices echoed throughout the hall.

From this point on, Liu Bei firmly established himself in Yizhou, possessing both Jing and Yi provinces. He had a well-trained army and ample supplies, and was assisted by wise ministers such as Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Liu Ba, Huang Quan, and Fa Zheng, as well as fierce generals like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan. Liu Ba, with his innovative monetary policies, laid the financial foundation for Shu Han and became an indispensable and capable minister in Liu Bei's group.

Amidst the chaos of war, the foundation of the Shu Han state became increasingly solid.