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

Ten days later, Ma Liang rushed back to Jiangling from Jiangdong to report back.

After careful consideration, Sun Quan agreed to the alliance between Shu and Wu, stipulating that if there were no unforeseen circumstances, he would send troops to Hefei in March of the following year to coordinate with the Northern Expedition.

The messenger from the western front also brought back a reply: Wei Yan had received the military order and had already begun to prepare his troops, ready to set off once March arrived.

Upon receiving the proclamation for the Northern Expedition, Ma Chao knew he was burdened with the heavy responsibility of defending Wudu and could not leave. Therefore, he ordered Pang De to lead a thousand Xiliang cavalry to Jiangling overnight to assist in the battle.

Pound arrived in a cloud of dust with his iron cavalry, their armor gleaming. His knights were all fierce and brave, seasoned veterans who had guarded the border for many years.

Liu Bei personally received Pang De, praising his loyalty and bravery, and also expressing his admiration for the formidable reputation of the Xiliang cavalry.

Pang De readily clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and declared his willingness to follow the army north, charge into battle, and serve on the battlefield, thus contributing to the Northern Expedition.

Throughout February, there were daily drills and martial arts performances at the training ground outside Jiangling City without interruption.

Pang Tong personally went to the main camp every day to analyze the key points of the Eight Formations and, taking into account the terrain characteristics of Jingxiang's watery and marshy areas, fine-tuned the details of the formation and filled in the gaps in offense and defense.

The armies of Jing and Yi were gradually integrated and worked together, discarding old habits and unifying commands. Infantry and cavalry advanced and retreated with precision, and crossbows fired in unison, creating an atmosphere of fierce battle.

Guan Yu also personally supervised the training of the navy. Various warships, including tower ships, pontoons, fighting ships, and small boats, were densely packed on the river. The naval and land warfare tactics complemented each other and gradually became integrated.

Jiang Wan and Ma Liang assisted in the transportation of grain, and granaries everywhere were well-stocked with grain. All land and water routes for transporting grain were opened up without any obstruction.

Gu Sulin drafted the military merit regulations and new military laws, which were finalized by Liu Bei and Pang Tong. More than a hundred copies were made and distributed to the officers and soldiers of each battalion.

In addition, there was the Wu-Shu alliance, the western front troops restraining Cao Wei, the combined forces of Jing and Yi, ample food supplies, barbarian soldiers willing to serve as flanks, and the implementation of new military regulations. All the external threats and internal deficiencies of the Northern Expedition were filled.

Time flies, and it's already the end of February. The cold wind is slowly receding, the early spring atmosphere is getting stronger, and all preparations for the Northern Expedition are in place.

On the eve of the Northern Expedition, Shamoke personally led 15,000 Xi barbarian soldiers to the outskirts of Jiangling City.

The barbarian soldiers were all clad in animal skins and wielded rattan shields, swords, and spears. They possessed the fierce and untamed nature of the mountains and forests, and stood in formation, exuding an imposing aura.

Liu Bei personally led Zhao Yun and Gu Sulin to greet them outside the city. Sha Moke strode forward, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a booming voice:

"Wuxi Shamoke, in accordance with the previous alliance, has led ten thousand barbarian soldiers to assist in the battle. He is willing to follow Lord Xuande to the death in the northern expedition to punish the rebels!"

Liu Bei quickly stepped forward to help them up. Seeing that the barbarian soldiers were elite and fierce, he was overjoyed and gently comforted them:

"Chief Shamoke is a man of great principle who has kept his promise and is a blessing to all people!"

"I am greatly pleased. Once the northern expedition is successful, the Five Streams barbarians will surely be richly rewarded!"

Shamoke bowed in gratitude and vowed to lead the barbarian soldiers to fight bravely against the enemy in order to repay Liu Bei's kindness. Afterwards, Zhao Yun led the barbarian soldiers into the camp and settled them in, incorporating them into the flank of the elite troops.

By this time, the combined land and water forces of Jing and Yi numbered over 80,000, a formidable army with well-equipped armor and weapons, and highly skilled in battle formations, capable of fighting on both land and water.

With a secure rear, a pledge to allies, and barbarian troops available as flanking forces, everything is in place.

On the eve of the army's departure, candles burned brightly throughout the night inside the Jiangling government office.

Liu Bei stood before the map of Xiangfan, his brows slightly furrowed. He turned to look at Pang Tong, who was deep in thought, fanning himself with a fan, and said in a deep voice:

"Shiyuan, we are leading 80,000 elite troops northward, and Xiangfan will surely be a bitter battle."

Jingzhou is our foundation. Now that Kongming is far away in Yizhou, he can't reach us. Only Mi Fang, Deng Zhi and others are left to guard it. I am still uneasy.

This expedition is far too risky, almost a desperate gamble.

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong put away his feather fan, nodded solemnly, and said, "What my lord is worried about is exactly what I have in mind."

Our army has mobilized all the elite troops from Jing and Yi provinces to march east, leaving our rear vulnerable. Although there is an alliance in Jiangdong, there is also a hidden covetousness, and Wen Ping is also eyeing us covetously in Jiangxia.

Without someone to oversee the overall situation and calm all sides, any changes at the front will inevitably lead to chaos at home. This battle is indeed a risky gamble.

"Kongming is in Shu, where he has rectified the administration of Bashu and appeased the people, thus stabilizing the overall situation in Yizhou. We must not act rashly."

Liu Bei paced back and forth, pondering, and tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. "We need to select from those left behind a group of people who are proficient in both civil and military affairs, excellent in both military and political matters, and have sufficient prestige to take charge of all affairs in Jingzhou, rather than letting everyone do their own thing."

A glint flashed in Pang Tong's eyes, and he immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "My lord, this man must be Ma Liang!"

Ma Liang was personally promoted by Zhuge Liang, and I have witnessed his abilities firsthand. Although he is young, he is indeed capable and his talent in governance is unparalleled in Jingzhou. He acts with composure and strict adherence to the law.

He was able to appease the people, coordinate the transport of grain and fodder, control Mi Fang and others, rectify officialdom, and intimidate local gentry.

Moreover, this man is fair and just in his dealings, deeply respected by the army and the people, and capable of stabilizing the situation in Jingzhou; furthermore, there is the river defense and city defense system left by Zhuge Liang in Jingzhou, so it is unlikely that Eastern Wu would succeed in breaking their agreement and launching a surprise attack.

He paused, then continued, "Issuing an order immediately to promote Ma Liang to Chief Administrator of Jingzhou Prefecture, overseeing all military and political affairs in Jingzhou. Mi Zhu will be in charge of city defense, Jiang Wan will be in charge of civil administration, and Xiang Lang will be in charge of grain transport, all under Ma Liang's control."

Then, Chen Dao was ordered to leave a portion of the White Feather Army to assist in the defense of Jiangling, under the command of Ma Liang. This was to protect the city's defenses, deter petty villains, prevent spies, and suppress any unrest among the gentry.

In this way, Jingzhou's internal affairs, military affairs, grain transport, and border defense were all under unified control, no longer a disorganized mess, thus ensuring the safety of the rear.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's doubts vanished, and he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Shiyuan's plan is excellent!"

"Loyal and devoted to the country, Ji Chang is capable of shouldering great responsibilities. With him in charge of Jingzhou and overseeing the overall situation, I have no more worries!"

Immediately, Liu Bei picked up his pen and wrote a military order, appointing Ma Liang as the governor of Jingzhou's military and political affairs, and in charge of the civil and military officials left behind.

……

Liu Bei chose an auspicious day, built a high altar outside Jiangling City, fasted and offered sacrifices to Heaven, and held a grand oath-taking ceremony for the Northern Expedition.

On that day, banners fluttered like clouds, armored soldiers lined the fields, bugles sounded solemnly, and music and rituals were deep and resonant.

Liu Bei, dressed in military attire, slowly ascended the platform, looking up at the sky and down at the boundless array of soldiers.

Pang Tong and Gu Sulin stood beside him, while civil and military officials lined up below. The generals held their swords, the civil officials had their sleeves hanging down, and tens of thousands of armored soldiers stood silently, their fighting spirit concentrated in their chests.

Liu Bei's gaze was expansive, his voice not loud, yet it pierced the entire hall; every word was profound, every sentence heart-wrenching, revealing the aspirations of a benevolent ruler.

"The world is in chaos, and the country is in disarray."

The traitor Cao usurped power and plunged the country into chaos, holding the emperor hostage, humiliating officials, and oppressing the people.

In the Central Plains, the people were displaced and suffered unspeakable pain. This was a disgrace to the Han Dynasty and a great hardship for all the people!

I rose from humble beginnings, and have spent my life wandering and struggling. My only wish is to restore the Han Dynasty, bring peace to the land, and save the millions of people in this chaotic world.

Over the years, thanks to your unwavering support and countless battles, we have secured Jingzhou, Yizhou, Hanzhong, and Jiangdong, overcoming numerous difficulties to build the foundation we have today.

Now, Jiangdong has an alliance with us and is willing to join us in attacking the Central Plains; the western defenses are in place and can restrain the powerful enemy Cao Wei.

The combined forces of Jing and Yi were well-equipped; their provisions were piled up like mountains, ensuring a continuous supply; the barbarians were united in their submission and willing to serve them; the administration was efficient and orderly, and the rear was secure and safe.

Everything is ready. Today, I offer this sacrifice to Heaven and Earth, and proclaim this to all living beings under Heaven—

"By imperial decree, we shall eliminate the traitors, restore the Han dynasty, and bring peace back to the world!"