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

"Now Jing and Yi are united as one, with a solid foundation."

Everything is largely in place. Our army only needs a little preparation before we can launch a northern expedition, march out of Xiangyang and Fancheng, punish the traitor Cao Cao, and restore the Han Dynasty.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall perked up.

Zhang Fei, who was naturally impatient, immediately strode forward and said in a rough voice:

"Big brother! What else do we need to regulate!"

In my opinion, everything is ready now, with well-trained troops and sufficient supplies, so it's the perfect time to launch a northern expedition immediately!

In the past, my strategist Zhuge Liang always told me to wait for "a change in the world," but I, Old Zhang, felt that our foundation was too weak and we had no choice but to wait for the right time.

My elder brother now controls two states, his power is as solid as a rock, and his strength far surpasses what it once was.

When the eldest brother sends out troops, the world will change!

"Please give the order, brother, let me, Zhang Fei, be the vanguard and the first to march towards Xiangfan!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall burst into laughter.

Guan Yu shook his head slightly, a hint of helplessness in his expression; Zhao Yun's lips curled into a slight smile, and the other civil and military officials also relaxed their expressions. The previously tense atmosphere of the meeting eased somewhat.

Liu Bei shook his head and smiled, then said slowly:

"Yide, the Northern Expedition is a grand strategy for the nation, affecting the balance of power between the North and South. We must not act rashly or hastily."

Although the overall situation is settled, we still need to plan carefully before acting and make thorough arrangements to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

At this moment, Pang Tong slowly rose, waving his feather fan, and calmly took over the conversation:

"What you say is absolutely right, my lord."

It's understandable that Yide is anxious, but while everything seems to be ready, there are still several fundamental tasks that need to be settled before a large-scale military campaign can be launched.

If a hasty expedition is launched, neglecting both the initial and subsequent stages and creating an imbalance between internal and external forces, it could easily lead to hidden dangers.

Zhang Fei scratched the back of his head, looking bewildered: "Oh? Strategist, is there anything else that hasn't been taken care of?"

Pang Tong turned to look at Gu Sulin beside him and nodded slightly:

"Zi Mao and I have always shared similar views, so let Zi Mao explain in detail."

Gu Sulin cupped his hands and rose, calmly speaking slowly:

"In my opinion, there are three essential things that must be done before the Northern Expedition, and none of them can be omitted."

Firstly, he sent an envoy to Eastern Wu to forge an alliance with Sun Quan, agreeing to launch military campaigns at the same time.

Secondly, he dispatched a fast horse to Hanzhong to order General Wei Yan to prepare his troops and await orders. Once the Northern Expedition began, he was to immediately send troops to Qin Chuan to harass Longyou and Guanzhong, thus tying down Xiahou Yuan's main force on the western front and preventing him from easily marching south to reinforce Jingxiang.

Third, integrate the armies of Jingzhou and Yizhou.

The Jingzhou army had long been skilled in battle formations, possessed excellent weaponry, and was well-trained, but lacked combat experience; the Yizhou soldiers had experienced the fierce battles of entering Shu and Hanzhong, and were brave in actual combat, but lacked unified military discipline and battle formation training.

The tactics, commands, and organization of the two regions are different, so it is necessary for the military advisor to reorganize them, unify the rules, and conduct joint training in order to form a powerful force.

Pang Tong nodded repeatedly, then turned to Liu Bei and solemnly reported:

"Zi Mao's words were all to the point and perfectly aligned with Tong's thoughts."

Only by establishing diplomatic alliances, containing forces on the western front, and combining the two armies can the rear be secured.

With no worries about the rear, the Northern Expedition can proceed with unstoppable momentum.

Having finalized his plan, Liu Bei immediately said in a deep voice:

"Absolutely right!"

Therefore, all military deployments, the allocation of civil and military personnel, and all other matters will be entrusted to you, Shiyuan, for overall coordination and arrangement.

"Shiyuan, you are hereby appointed as the Chief Military Advisor for the Northern Expedition. All military and political affairs, military regulations, and the deployment of officers and soldiers shall be determined by you."

"Yes, sir!"

Pang Tong's face lit up with joy. He bowed and accepted the order, then turned and stood in the hall, assigning military orders one by one in a clear and organized manner, demonstrating the strategic vision of a master strategist.

"Ji Chang".

I will immediately appoint you as my envoy, and send you with gifts to Jiangdong.

He met with Sun Quan, explained the greater good, and agreed to launch a joint northern expedition in early March. If the northern expedition succeeded, they would share the Central Plains and solidify their alliance.

Ma Liang calmly stepped forward: "As you command."

"An urgent messenger was sent to Hanzhong to deliver the order to Wei Yan."

He ordered them to reorganize the troops on the western front and allow them to conserve their strength.

"Once our army marches north in March, we will immediately dispatch a detachment to harass Yong and Liang, thus containing Cao Wei's western front and preventing them from reinforcing Xiangfan in the east."

"Yes." The guards bowed and accepted the order, then immediately withdrew.

After a pause, Pang Tong looked at Guan Yu and continued to give instructions in a slow voice:

"Yun Chang, you shall remain the commander-in-chief of the Jingzhou navy."

Repair the warships and naval fortresses along the Han and Yangtze Rivers, reorganize the navy, control the waterways, open up the waterways and supply routes to Xiangfan and the advance route, isolate Cao Cao's army on the river, and make the land and water routes mutually support each other.

Guan Yu replied in a deep voice, "Yes."

"Yide, investigate the spies in Jiangdong. On weekdays, assist the main camp in training the infantry's elite troops. When the main army sets off, serve as the vanguard of the Northern Expedition to attack and defeat the enemy."

Upon hearing that he would be the vanguard, Zhang Fei was overjoyed and immediately replied, "Yes!"

"Zilong".

Pang Tong then looked at Zhao Yun:

"You write a letter and send an envoy to Wuling to inform the barbarian king of Wuxi, Sha Moke, and order him to fulfill the agreement and come to help, leading his barbarian troops out of the mountains to join you."

The Wuxi barbarians are skilled in mountain forests and waterways, making them suitable as flanking forces for the Northern Expedition, specializing in mountain guerrilla warfare and jungle raids.

Zhao Yun cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes."

"Gongyan, Juda".

Pang Tong turned to look at Jiang Wan and Xiang Lang:

"When Ji Chang returns from his mission, the two of you will jointly manage the overall logistics of Jingzhou."

An inventory of grain reserves in the granaries of Jingzhou and Xiangyang prefectures was conducted, and the canal transport routes of Yizhou and Hanzhong were compiled. A special logistics camp was established, with designated posts and responsibilities assigned.

Continue to repair the official roads and post stations, dredge the Han River canal, and ensure that grain, weapons, arrows, and carts can be continuously sent to the front lines.

At the same time, taxes and levies were reduced to appease the people, and soldiers were strictly prohibited from harassing the civilians, thus stabilizing the morale of the people in Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

The two accepted the order in unison.

"Xiaozhi, Zimao.

You two will continue to participate in military affairs.

Xiaozhi was adept at assessing terrain and understanding enemy positions. He could conduct advance reconnaissance of the mountains and rivers of Xiangfan, as well as Cao Cao's army's deployment, and devise strategies for attack and defense.

Zi Mao, well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of existing systems and the long-term implications, suggested establishing a simplified and feasible military merit system, drawing on ancient practices, clearly defining rewards to boost morale; simultaneously, he advocated for reforming military law, enforcing strict prohibitions, clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments, and rectifying the entire army's conduct.

The two accepted the order in unison.

Subsequently, Pang Tong appointed Huang Zhong, Huo Jun, Wu Yi, Li Yan and other generals, assigning them various duties, such as assisting in training soldiers, preparing for the flanks, or guarding key passes.

He also ordered Mi Zhu, Yin Guan, Chen Zhen, Yang Yi and other civil officials to either stay in Jiangling or be assigned to various places to manage the civil administration, household registration, city defense, public security, and subsequent transport of grain and fodder in Jingzhou, so as to ensure that the rear of Jingzhou would remain stable and undisturbed during the great battle at the front.

"In addition, I presided over the reorganization of the Jing and Yi armies."

They merged the troops from Jingzhou with 30,000 elite troops from Yizhou, reorganized their forces, unified their commands, and enforced strict military discipline.

The old barriers between the two places were eliminated, and the infantry and cavalry were mixed together, with unified training methods.

The entire army thoroughly studied Zhuge Liang's Eight Formations, coordinating with the commander's repeating crossbows in offensive and defensive formations, with infantry and cavalry working together, and attacking from both close and long range.

Liu Bei sat upright in his high seat, watching quietly, nodding slightly, his heart completely at ease.

With all tasks assigned, the civil and military officials received their orders and withdrew, and the entire city of Jiangling immediately began to function.