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

After Nanzheng surrendered and the entire Hanzhong region was pacified, Liu Bei, as Left General and Governor of Yizhou, took up residence in Hanzhong. It took him more than half a year to gradually implement various policies and decrees, consolidate the foundation of the northern frontier, and ensure that everything was carried out in an orderly manner.

The first priority was to complete the handover of civil administration in Hanzhong and, in accordance with the previous agreement, facilitate Zhang Lu's relocation to Sichuan.

Liu Bei appointed Pang Tong to oversee the handover of government affairs. Zhang Lu also cooperated wholeheartedly, clarifying the household registers, land records, government treasury funds and grain, and the affairs of the Daoist sect, and transferring them all to the officials appointed by Liu Bei.

During the handover period, the Five Pecks of Rice sect continued its religious affairs as usual, without disturbing believers or abandoning its benevolent policies, and the people of Hanzhong gradually calmed down.

After the political transition was completed, Liu Bei, as promised, allocated provisions, carts, and horses to escort Zhang Lu, his clan, core advisors, and followers, along with those who wished to accompany him, to slowly relocate to Qingcheng Mountain in Shu Commandery.

On the day of his departure, Liu Bei personally went outside the city to see him off, showing his sincere respect.

Zhang Lu was grateful for his trustworthiness and bid him farewell repeatedly, stating that he would devote himself to spreading the faith thereafter, never interfere in local military and political affairs, and only manage religious affairs in the rear to reassure the people.

After the civil administration was stabilized, Liu Bei began to implement the policy of military farming to strengthen the power of Hanzhong.

Following the advice of Gu Sulin and Pang Tong, he recruited refugees and assigned soldiers to the fertile land of Hanzhong and the peaceful farmland around Yangping Pass, setting up military and civilian settlements.

Military settlements were managed by garrison soldiers who would farm in peacetime and don armor in wartime, striving for self-sufficiency; civilian settlements, on the other hand, were exempted from rent and taxes, provided with oxen and seeds, and encouraged returning villagers to cultivate the land and settle down.

At the same time, water conservancy projects were repaired and field roads were renovated. In just over half a year, all the barren land in Hanzhong was reclaimed, and the reserves of grain and fodder gradually increased, which were not only sufficient to supply the local military and civilians, but also to stockpile war supplies.

Hanzhong was thus transformed into a northern frontier base that could advance into Yongliang and retreat to protect Yizhou, eliminating any worries about food shortages.

In order to dispel the dominance of the local gentry in Yizhou and consolidate the unity of Yizhou and Hanzhong, Liu Bei took advantage of Zhang Lu's relocation of his former officials from Hanzhong to the interior and ordered the selection of eligible young men from the Yizhou gentry to serve in various counties of Hanzhong in batches.

These young men were mostly talented members of their families. Sending them to Hanzhong to manage civil affairs, household registration, and grain supplies not only gave them a place to demonstrate their abilities but also dispersed the local forces in Yizhou, preventing them from forming cliques and becoming too powerful in the heart of Yizhou and hindering military and political affairs.

Liu Bei employed him according to his abilities and rewarded and punished him fairly, gradually winning over the hearts of the people. This enabled the government to communicate effectively with Hanzhong and the interior of Yizhou, and the threat of local separatism was eliminated.

After the handover of civil administration, the cultivation of military farms, and the division of power among the gentry were all settled, and Hanzhong was stable, prosperous, and well-defended, Liu Bei finally decided to set off to return to Jingzhou to coordinate the Northern Expedition.

On the eve of his departure, Liu Bei summoned his generals in Hanzhong to finalize the selection of those to defend the northern frontier.

He stood on the high platform of the Nanzheng government office, gazing at the fluttering banners and disciplined troops outside the city. Turning to the generals beside him, he spoke with unwavering conviction:

"With Hanzhong pacified, provisions, armor, and weapons are all readily available."

I intend to follow the previous strategy and immediately return to Jingzhou to prepare for the Northern Expedition.

However, Hanzhong is crucial to the survival of Yizhou, and someone must defend this northern gateway to the death. Which of you is willing to shoulder this heavy responsibility?

Before the words were finished, a tall and imposing general with a fierce and heroic air stepped forward; it was Wei Yan.

He knelt on one knee and declared loudly, "My lord, this humble general is willing to remain and defend Hanzhong!"

A smile gradually appeared on Liu Bei's face, and he nodded repeatedly: "I have always favored Wen Chang."

Wei Yan raised his head and bowed again, saying, "If Cao Cao brings the entire army of the world to attack, I beg you, my lord, to resist him; if he sends a mere 100,000 troops, I beg you, my lord, to devour them."

All the generals showed admiration, and even the usually composed Gu Sulin nodded slightly.

Liu Bei was overjoyed and personally helped him up, laughing, "Excellent! With such lofty ambitions, Wen Chang, Hanzhong will surely be safe!"

Changing the subject, Liu Bei pondered and said, "However, the military and political situation in Hanzhong is complex, and relying solely on military generals to pacify it is insufficient. I still need to leave a civil official to assist me."

His gaze fell upon the crowd, and he asked, "Who is willing to stay and defend Hanzhong with Wen Chang?"

Fa Zheng stepped forward and solemnly recommended: "My lord, Huang Quan, also known as Huang Gongheng, is calm and composed, well-versed in civil administration and border affairs, and has long been in Shu, familiar with the customs of the Qiang and Di peoples in the three prefectures. He is the best candidate to assist Wen Chang and jointly govern Hanzhong."

Liu Bei's eyes lit up: "That makes sense! Gongheng is skilled in both civil and military affairs, and acts with prudence and caution, making him the perfect candidate."

Liu Bei immediately issued the following orders: Ma Chao was promoted to General Who Pacifies the West, stationed at Xiabian in Wudu, to pacify the Di and Qiang tribes and keep a close watch on Yong and Liang; Wei Yan was promoted to General Who Guards the Distant Lands, to oversee military affairs in Hanzhong; and Huang Quan was appointed Prefect of Hanzhong, to be immediately transferred to Hanzhong to remain and manage affairs. The three men each performed their duties, relied on each other, and worked together to stabilize the northern border defenses.

After receiving the order, Wei Yan immediately requested permission from Liu Bei and presented his proposed strategy for defending the various sieges:

They built fortified strongholds at the various valley passes leading from the Qinling Mountains to Hanzhong, divided their troops to defend these passes, and deployed troops and supplies everywhere. They used the treacherous terrain to block the Cao Wei army layer by layer, preventing them from entering the Hanzhong Plain. They were trapped on the mountain roads and could not advance or retreat. In this way, they were able to defend against a large enemy with a small force and keep the enemy outside the country's borders.

Liu Bei was overjoyed after reading the plan and repeatedly praised Wei Yan for his courage and resourcefulness, granting him permission to deploy defenses according to the strategy.

Seeing this, Gu Sulin moved to Wei Yan's side and whispered his instructions, his tone solemn:

"General Wenchang, with your firm defense of Hanzhong and your implementation of the strategy of defending the surrounding areas, it goes without saying that Hanzhong is as solid as a rock."

When Jingzhou launches its Northern Expedition, Cao Cao's southern front will be under immense pressure, and he will surely order Xiahou Yuan to transfer troops from the western front to provide support.

At that time, the lord will send a message to you. You do not need to launch a large-scale military campaign. You only need to lead the troops from Hanzhong to frequently harass the borders of Guanzhong and Longyou, making a show of force and keeping them at bay. This will make Xiahou Yuan wary of the offensive from Hanzhong and thus he will not dare to easily send too many troops from the western front south.

This would greatly alleviate the pressure on Jingzhou's northern expedition.

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He cupped his hands and replied in a deep voice, "Rest assured, sir, I will keep your words in mind. I will certainly use a harassment tactic to contain Cao Cao's army."

With everything arranged, Liu Bei left behind 30,000 troops and sufficient provisions and weapons, ordering Huang Quan, Ma Chao, and Wei Yan to strictly guard Hanzhong and Wudu, control the border, and appease the people.

Then, he looked at everyone and slowly began to speak:

"Now that Gongheng has been transferred to Hanzhong, Chengdu also needs someone to oversee the overall situation."

Liu Bei's gaze fell on Pang Tong, his tone sincere:

"Shiyuan, you have fought alongside me for many years. You should return to Jingzhou with me to plan the Northern Expedition. However, Yizhou is crucial to the Northern Expedition and requires someone of your talent to oversee it. Would you be willing to stay in Chengdu and take charge of the important matters in the rear?"

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong was taken aback, and his expression changed slightly.

He longed to return to Jingzhou with Liu Bei, personally go to the front line of the Northern Expedition, and make unparalleled contributions. He never thought of being left behind to guard the prefecture.

Yizhou was important, but it was ultimately a remote corner. Compared to the grand scale of Jingzhou's military campaigns and its ambition to conquer the Central Plains, how could Yizhou possibly unleash its full potential?

He opened his mouth, but didn't know how to respond. He felt a sinking feeling in his heart, and his expression betrayed his disappointment.