The imperial cause at the end of the Han Dynasty was not one of partial peace.

Chapter 81 A Royal Cause Not to Be Confined to One Side and Liu Bei's People-Oriented Strategy

After recruiting members of his clan, fellow villagers, and former subordinates, and obtaining more than two thousand soldiers, Liu Bei did not delay and promptly led his army to set off.

The army had only traveled a few miles when they reached the famous peach orchard outside the village.

The peach trees form a forest stretching for hundreds of acres. It is currently the season for peaches to ripen, and the branches are laden with plump, reddish peaches, filling the air with a sweet, fruity aroma.

Now that he was about to leave his homeland, Liu Bei couldn't help but stop and walk to the peach orchard.

Zhang Fei was completely bewildered, so he dismounted and strode after him.

Liu Bei stood at the edge of the peach orchard, reaching out to stroke a drooping branch. The peaches on the branch were ripe and exuded a sweet fragrance.

Liu Bei stood at the edge of the peach grove, reaching out to stroke a drooping branch. The peaches on that branch were not yet ripe, their green skin tinged with a faint red blush, fuzzy and glistening with the morning dew.

"Brother, the military situation is dire, and the rebellion in Changsha is waiting for us to quell it. How can you have the leisure to sit here looking at the peach orchard?" Zhang Feibao asked, his eyes full of confusion. "These peaches are ripe, but we need to hurry on our journey. If you want some, I'll go pick a few for you to take with you!"

Liu Bei nodded and said, "Then, Third Brother, pick me a few peaches. I want to taste the flavors of home again."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, not expecting that his elder brother really wanted to eat the peach.

Didn't we just eat that yesterday? What difference could there be between eating it today and yesterday?

But he obeyed his elder brother's orders without hesitation; he strode into the peach orchard and picked a few large, red peaches.

He wiped it haphazardly with his sleeve and presented it to Liu Bei with both hands.

Liu Bei took it and then said to Zhang Fei, "Third brother, you should have one too. Savor this taste of home one last time."

He then pointed to the depths of the peach orchard ahead and said, "Let's take another look at this peach orchard, take a few more glances. After this trip, we may not see our hometown's peach orchard again for ten years."

Upon hearing Liu Bei's words, Zhang Fei, who was enjoying a peach, suddenly felt a little sad. He couldn't help but turn around and look beyond the layers of peach branches into the depths of the peach grove.

There, the branches of several old peach trees are gnarled and twisted like dragons, and the bark is etched with the furrows of time.

He still remembered that in the spring of the seventh year of Guanghe, he, his eldest brother, and his second brother became sworn brothers under this peach grove, as close as hands and feet.

At that time, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, as bright as rosy clouds. They forged weapons and honed their martial arts here, vowing to support the Han Dynasty.

The vow still echoes in my ears. The peach blossoms still linger before my eyes. Yet, in the blink of an eye, it is already the fourth year of Zhongping. Five years have passed.

He wasn't well-educated, but at his elder brother's insistence, he still learned some knowledge.

In this situation, he surprisingly didn't act like a brute, resorting to nothing more than a furious curse.

He unusually recited a line of poetry: "Brother, I suddenly remembered a line from the Book of Songs: 'The peach tree is young and tender, its blossoms are bright and beautiful. This maiden is going to her husband's home, she will bring harmony to her family.'"

"Back then, I didn't understand. I just thought the peach blossoms on the trees were fiery red and incredibly beautiful. Now, standing under these peach trees again, I suddenly understand. The poem wasn't just about peach blossoms; it was about home, roots, and the most beautiful times."

He wiped his face hastily, carefully tucked the remaining half peach into his pocket, grinned, and said, "Brother, I'll keep this walnut. When we get to Changsha, I'll find a good spot to plant it. After the war, we can drink together under the peach tree again!"

Liu Bei nodded, his spirits lifted as he surveyed the peach orchard. He said, "Let's go! Take these peach pits with you. When the branches are in full bloom, it will be the day my brother and I return home in glory. If the peach trees in this old orchard are unfortunately destroyed in the war, we will rely on the seeds you take to rebuild a peach orchard here."

Liu Bei's army advanced rapidly, crossing Chong and Yu provinces in just one month, and arrived in Nanyang.

Since the restoration of the Han dynasty by Emperor Guangwu, Nanyang has been the largest prefecture in the country. Today, Nanyang has a population of over 2.4 million.

The total population of Jingzhou is about six million, of which more than one-third are from Nanyang County alone.

This is a place that Liu Bei will inevitably fight for in the future.

Although Changsha is a fertile land, the foundation of a kingdom, its location is too far south, which is not conducive to his struggle for control of the Central Plains.

How could a kingdom be content with a precarious existence?

Therefore, once the chaos began, Liu Bei needed to seize this large prefecture first.

If he starts his military campaign from Nanyang, then he is firmly adhering to the strategy of not seeking personal gain in the central region and is launching an attack from the heart of the country.

Whether it's attacking Luoyang to the north, advancing westward to Chang'an, attacking Yingchuan to the east, or attacking Runan and Huainan to the south, they can handle it all with ease.

The innermost thoughts of the feudal lords will all be exposed to his military might.

If he can take over Nanyang and Lingling counties, plus Changsha county under his control, that would bring his population to four million.

Two-thirds of Jingzhou's population was now under their control, and the other counties could be pacified with a simple proclamation.

Once Jingzhou is in his hands, major prefectures such as Runan and Yingchuan will fall into Liu Bei's control.

The world is no longer secure!

Apart from Yuan Shao, who occupied Hebei and could barely contend with him, the others could hardly be called warlords compared to his strong foundation; at most, they were just a group of powerful and ruthless individuals with their own armies.

This is the foundation of Liu Bei's people-oriented approach and the basis of his benevolent rule.

Even if it comes down to population, Liu Bei, with Changsha, Nanyang, and Runan as his base and a population of over 20 million, could easily muster an army of 200,000 to sweep across the land.

Changsha is the closest major prefecture to Nanyang and Runan, two prefectures with a population of two million during the Han Dynasty. They are separated by only one prefecture, or even just two or three counties.

This trip south was also a way for him to survey the terrain and landscape, so that he could better prepare for his future advance into northern Jingzhou.

After all, according to his people-oriented strategy, of the four large prefectures with a population of one million, Nanyang, Runan, Lingling, and Changsha, Jingzhou alone occupies three.

In August, he finally rejoined the army and arrived in Jiangling.

Jiangling is an important town in Jingzhou. It controls the throat of the Yangtze River, embraces the three rivers and borders the five lakes—connecting Xiangyang and Hanzhong to the north, Dongting Lake to the south, controlling Bashu to the west, and linking Wu and Hui to the east.

The area is a hub of boats and carriages, and a gathering place for merchants, making it a strategic location fought over by military strategists since ancient times.

The imperial army marched south to quell the rebellion in Jingnan, and the army's provisions and supplies were all gathered here.

The governor of Jingzhou, Wang Rui, is currently stationed in Jiangling. This new governor is also a newly appointed official, having arrived only a few days earlier than Wang Rui.

This governor was definitely closely related to Liu Bei; he came from the Langya Wang clan.

That's right, it's the same Wang family that "shared the world with the King and the Horse".

Wang Rui was the grandfather of Wang Xiang, the founder of the Langya Wang clan.

This man was known for his integrity and served as a court advisor and censor, and was famous for his uprightness and willingness to remonstrate.

However, he was arrogant and held military generals in contempt.

Historically, when Sun Jian served as the governor of Changsha, he quelled the rebellion together with Sun Jian. Sun Jian regarded Sun Jian as a military man and spoke of him with great contempt.

Therefore, the two became enemies, and when the heroes were attacking Dong Zhuo, Sun Jian deliberately forced Wang Rui to commit suicide, thus losing hope of winning Jingzhou.

However, there was indeed a natural connection between Liu Bei and Wang Rui.

Liu Bei was the governor of Mount Tai, and Wang Rui was from the Langya Wang clan. Mount Tai and Langya are connected by mountains and rivers, and the people and scholars have close ties. Weddings, funerals, and commerce have been inseparable since ancient times, so they were often regarded as close as neighbors during the Han Dynasty.

Although Liu Bei was not from Langya, he governed Mount Tai for two years, and his reputation spread throughout Qing and Xu provinces. Many scholars from Langya benefited from his kindness, and it would not be an exaggeration to regard him as a "parent official".

If we think about it more deeply, this arrangement by the imperial court was probably intentional. It was intended to use people from Qing and Xu provinces to govern the Jingzhou region.

Liu Bei even wondered if the court had deliberately appointed him as the governor of Changsha because the governor of Jingzhou was Wang Rui, so that the two of them could work together to quell the rebellion in Jingnan.

This meant that his treatment would inevitably be completely different from Sun Jian's.

Sure enough, as he led his army near Jiangling, a fast horse galloped up to them.

The messenger immediately dismounted and loudly reported: "Upon hearing of the arrival of Prefect Liu and Magistrate Wang, the Prefect of Jingzhou has already led..."

The magistrate of Jiangling and others went out thirty li from the city to greet them; the imperial carriage was already waiting on the left side of the road!

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's civil and military officials were greatly encouraged. Tian Feng rode forward and said, "Lord Wang is more than 30 li away from Jiangling, yet he led his officials to welcome our lord in the suburbs. This is truly an extraordinary gesture."

"The Zuo Zhuan states: 'Propriety is the foundation of character; respect is the basis of character.' Lord Wang's actions demonstrate that our lord is highly regarded by the court and revered by the people of Jingzhou!"

Liu Bei laughed and said, "With such a grand plan to quell the rebellion, it will surely go smoothly. Come, come with me to see Lord Wang."

Soon, Liu Bei led his troops to the outskirts of Jiangling City.

Banners fluttered along the official road, and the governor's entourage lined the roadside. A horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of the pavilion, its canopy a dark brown and its banners crimson—the very standard for a governor of two thousand piculs of grain.

Beside the carriage stood a man, about forty years old, with a thin face, three long strands of beard hanging down to his chest, wearing a Jinxian hat, a crimson court robe, and a blue ribbon and bronze seal at his waist. He was none other than Wang Rui, the governor of Jingzhou.

Liu Bei dismounted, straightened his clothes, and took a few steps forward.

According to the Han system, the rank of a prefect was 2,000 shi, while that of a governor was only 600 shi. In terms of rank, Liu Bei was far superior to Wang Rui.

However, the governors held the power of supervision and could impeach the officials with salaries of two thousand piculs. They were the eyes and ears of the emperor, wielding great power but holding low positions.

Therefore, the etiquette between the prefect and the governor has always been subtle: the prefect should not be arrogant and disrespectful, and the governor should not be presumptuous and invite jealousy.

Wang Rui was clearly well-versed in this art. Before Liu Bei could even approach, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "Xuande, you have come a long way and must be tired! I have prepared a simple banquet in the city to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."

He addressed him as "Your Excellency" rather than "Lord Liu," which was neither servile nor arrogant, yet conveyed a sense of intimacy—after all, Langya and Mount Tai are separated only by a narrow strip of water, and the two were indeed from the same hometown.

Liu Bei placed his hands together in front of his forehead, bowed deeply to the ground, and said loudly, "Liu Bei, the Prefect of Changsha, pays his respects to Lord Wang. I have been ordered by the Emperor to lead my troops south to quell the rebellion and bring peace to the people. As the Prefect, you have personally come out thirty li to welcome me; I am truly unworthy of such an honor."

He rose, met Wang Rui's gaze, and said with a gentle smile, "When I was in Mount Tai, I often heard of the name of Wang Tongyao of Langya. Your Excellency is upright and outspoken in court, with a dignified and awe-inspiring character. I have long admired you. How fortunate I am to meet you today!"

Although Liu Bei was also a peerless warrior, Wang Rui dared not regard him as an ordinary martial artist.

After all, Liu Bei was a renowned scholar, famous throughout the land, and admired by countless scholars.

So Wang Rui quickly reached out to help Liu Bei up, and said with a smile, "Xuande, you flatter me. You have governed Mount Tai for two years, and your achievements are unparalleled in the world. The court regards you as a model for the world. I had read the plans for Mount Tai when I was in court, and I admired you greatly. Now that I have seen you, I know that you are a hero of the world."

He stepped aside and invited, "Xuande, please. Let us ride together in the carriage and enter the city together."

The two boarded the carriage side by side, with the governor's entourage leading the way and Liu Bei's iron cavalry following closely behind, heading towards Jiangling City in a grand procession.

The people along the way lined the road to watch and discuss. A governor had just arrived a few days ago, and now a prefect had come. Both were distinguished scholars with extraordinary bearing. It seemed that the rebels in Changsha were probably not long for this place.

The welcoming banquet was very simple, and with military matters pressing, neither of them had the heart to drink for long.

Therefore, after a brief welcoming ceremony, Wang Rui ordered the state officials to spread out a map of Jingnan in the main hall.

"Xuande," Wang Rui said, pointing to the map, "this bandit Qu Xing has gathered more than ten thousand men, attacked and destroyed cities, and there are also barbarians and bandits in Lingling and Guiyang responding. Although his number is small, his ambition is great. He calls himself a general and intends to carve out a region and oversee the military affairs of Jingnan."

"The court has appointed the two of us to jointly govern Jingnan precisely to quell this rebellion quickly and prevent it from spreading. The world praises Xuande for possessing the strategies of Sun Tzu and Wu Qi; what are your plans for suppressing the rebellion in Changsha?"

Liu Bei rose, composed and resolute, and said with conviction: "My lord, Qu Xing's rebellion, though seemingly fierce, is in reality nothing more than a mob of ants."

"Its fatal weaknesses are threefold: First, the rebels rose suddenly and had no solid foundation; they only managed to capture a few cities by chance when the Changsha garrison was weak and the government was caught off guard."

Secondly, the powerful clans within Changsha Prefecture have not genuinely submitted to the rebels; they are merely observing and waiting out the threat of military might.

"Thirdly, although Qu Xing called himself a general, he was powerless to control the barbarians of Lingling and Wuling. The barbarian tribes and the rebel army were outwardly united but inwardly divided, each harboring their own ulterior motives."

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"With these three disadvantages, as long as the royal army advances swiftly and gives them no chance to catch their breath, the rebel army will surely collapse."

Wang Rui nodded repeatedly, a hint of approval in his eyes.

Liu Bei continued, "Therefore, I believe that the key to suppressing the rebellion lies in speed. We should send elite troops straight to the heart of the region and stabilize the capital, Linxiang, before the rebel army sweeps across the entire prefecture."

"As long as Linxiang is not lost, the foundation of Changsha will not be shaken. I am willing to lead my two thousand elite cavalry, march at double speed, and head straight for Linxiang, first to appease the hearts of the good people, so that those who are hesitant will have something to rely on, and so that those who follow the enemy will know whether to advance or retreat."

Wang Rui nodded slightly, agreeing with Liu Bei's statement that this was not only a military matter, but also a matter of politics and public sentiment.

Liu Bei continued, "Your Excellency will lead the main army to follow, stationed in Jiangling, overseeing the supply of provisions and dispatching reinforcements. Your Excellency's prestige in Jingzhou is well-established, and the rebels will be wary of you and dare not launch a full-scale southward offensive. In this way, I will charge into battle while Your Excellency commands from the rear, with coordinated efforts from both sides, the rebels will be unable to attend to both ends."

Wang Rui stroked his beard and smiled, praising Liu Bei's strategy: "Xuande's plan is a perfect example of the importance of speed in warfare. However, in suppressing a rebellion, one cannot rely solely on force; a combination of soft and hard tactics is necessary."

"Your mission to Changsha is not only to quell the bandits, but also to pacify the region and win over powerful clans. Changsha has a population of one million, and its powerful clans are deeply entrenched. If we gain their assistance, Qu Xing will be nothing more than a turtle in a jar; if we lose their support, even with elite troops and fierce generals, we will find it difficult to move an inch. As long as these powerful clans do not side with the bandits, Qu Xing's rebellion will not cause any major waves."

Liu Bei, with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and asked, "I am new to Changsha and unfamiliar with its customs and traditions. May I ask, my lord, which prominent families in Changsha should I be particularly wary of?"

Wang Rui slowly said, "Among the prominent families of Changsha, the Liu family of Linxiang is naturally the foremost. Since the time of Liu Fa, the Prince of Changsha, the Liu clan has lived in Linxiang for generations, with many branches and leaves, and their influence in the prefecture is deeply rooted. The current clan leader, Liu Xiao, was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official during the Guanghe era, but later went into seclusion and did not serve in office. However, he has a very high reputation among his clan and fellow villagers, and his word is law."

"Xuande is a member of the Han imperial family and shares the same lineage as the Liu family, which is a natural advantage. If he can gain the assistance of the Liu family, the power of the imperial family in Changsha can be used by Xuande, and his influence in the local area should not be underestimated."

"Secondly, the Kou family of Luohou. It is said that their ancestor was Kou Xun, a founding general of Emperor Guangwu, who was one of the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai. The Kou family has been loyal and valiant for generations and has deep roots in Changsha. More importantly, the Kou family and the Liu family have been intermarried for generations, and the two families are mutually supportive in the prefecture. If the Liu family supports Xuande, the Kou family will certainly not stand idly by."

Liu Bei's heart stirred slightly.

He was familiar with the name Luo Hou Kou Shi.

Liu Feng was from this clan. Liu Feng's biological father was from a branch of the Luo Hou Kou clan. Historically, when Liu Bei was living under the protection of others in Jingzhou, in order to ensure the survival of his family and continue the lineage, he adopted Kou's son as his adopted son.

While Liu Bei was pondering, Wang Rui continued, "Thirdly, the Huan family of Linxiang. Their talented member Huan Jie is exceptionally gifted and serves in the local government, setting an example for the county. If Xuande can obtain Huan Jie's assistance, the scholars of Changsha will be all in his grasp."

"Fourth, the Wu clan of Linxiang. The clan leader, Wu Ju, was a man of courage and strategy, and was very popular. He also associated with the Eight Talents and Eight Worthies, including Yuan Shao and Liu Biao, and was a famous scholar in the country. He also had quite a few guests and private soldiers under his command."

"If these four powerful clans can all be put to use by Xuande, Qu Xing will be like a turtle in a jar, not a threat. However, if they are not handled properly and turn to the rebels, the situation in Changsha will likely deteriorate beyond repair. Xuande should advance with the force of thunder while simultaneously appeasing the powerful clans with the gentle touch. The best strategy is to do both at the same time."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei made a decisive decision.

Of the four surnames, three were located in Linxiang, the prefectural capital. This meant that whoever controlled Linxiang controlled the lifeline of Changsha.

Whoever wins over these three powerful clans wins the hearts of the people of Changsha.

Although Qu Xing had gathered more than 10,000 men, he failed to truly capture Linxiang. He only managed to capture a few small towns in the surrounding area by sheer luck. His foundation was still weak, which was the perfect opportunity for the royal army to advance.

Therefore, Liu Bei decisively advanced his army and set off south the next day.

Changsha's geographical situation is quite different from that of the north. Here, water vapor is abundant and fog often lingers.

The mountains and rivers were in disarray, and without a naval force, it was impossible to move an inch.

Therefore, Liu Bei ordered Tian Feng and Guan Yu to travel up the Xiang River, with boats and carriages connecting them along the way. They mainly traveled by both land and water, going up the Yangtze River into Dongting Lake. The fleet stretched for several miles, with sails like clouds.

Fearing that his soldiers from Yan and Zhao might suffer from illness due to the unfamiliar climate, Liu Bei personally led his elite cavalry along the official road and sped into the area.

This is thanks to the governance of the previous governors of Changsha.

Therefore, when Cheng Xu, the prefect of Changsha, visited the counties in February, he ordered the counties to improve their roads.

His administration was harsh and tyrannical, disregarding the agricultural season, and forcibly ordering inspectors and postmasters to regulate and punish the counties, abandoning farming in favor of building official roads.

As a result, the people complained and lamented, "Prefect Cheng loves horses' hooves but does not value the people's strength, and he passes by without a second thought."

One generation plants the trees, another enjoys the shade.

The official road that Cheng Xu had managed has now become the very road that enabled Liu Bei's swift advance.

He marched straight south from Jiangling, his speed catching everyone in Changsha off guard. In just three days and two nights, he covered more than 500 li and went straight to the heart of Linxiang.

Neither the rebels nor the local clans ever imagined that Liu Bei would dare to lead such a small force so far into the country!

Everyone was caught off guard and had no time to prepare.

Once the county soldiers confirmed that it was the seal of the Prefect, they opened the city gates. A group of officials hurriedly came to greet him, their clothes disheveled and in a state of panic.

Before they could exchange pleasantries or offer a welcome, Liu Bei decisively said, "The military situation is urgent, so there's no need for a welcoming feast. I've come from afar and am not yet familiar with the customs and culture of Changsha. Please join my personal guards immediately to invite the heads of the major clans of Linxiang to the prefectural government for a meeting—I want to hear your strategies in person."

Upon hearing this, all the clerks and officials looked at each other in astonishment.

This new governor was like a divine intervention; the powerful clans in the city were completely unprepared and had no way to assemble their troops or discuss countermeasures in advance.

This is all about seizing the initiative!

But seeing Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Wen Chou, and other cavalry commanders leading hundreds of elite iron cavalry in formation in front of the mansion, with crimson banners and black armor gleaming in the sun, how could they dare to say a word?

So more than ten county officials spurred their horses and followed Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Wen Chou, who led a cavalry unit, toward the mansions of the powerful families in the city.

Within Linxiang City, the Liu family's residence was the most magnificent, with five courtyards and two stone gate towers in front of the gate, inscribed with the achievements of their ancestors since Liu Fa, the Prince of Changsha.

The clan chief, Liu Xuan, was nearly sixty years old with white hair. He was sitting in the hall discussing the defense of the city with several clan elders when he suddenly heard a county official report that the new governor had arrived outside the city. He was so shocked that the bamboo slip in his hand fell to the ground.

Before he could change out of his court robes, he heard thunderous hoofbeats outside the mansion gate, and dozens of black-armored knights had already surrounded the residence.

The leading Han cavalry commander dismounted, politely cupped his hands, and spoke in a respectful but deferential tone: "Lord Liu, the Prefect invites you. The imperial carriage is waiting outside the gate."

Under these circumstances, would Liu Xuan dare to say he wouldn't go?

Stop joking!

Did he really think those armored soldiers were there to treat him with courtesy and respect?

If he says he won't go, he'll be forced to drink the penalty cup instead of the polite offer, and those armored soldiers might draw their swords at him in the next moment.

At the same time, outside the residences of the Huan family and the Wu family of Linxiang, there were also cavalry units "inviting" them.

This was the purpose of Liu Bei's rapid advance: to use both kindness and force, leaving these powerful clans with no option other than cooperation.

These powerful families in Changsha were not without the power to resist; if they were to recruit their retainers and servants with all their might, the total number would be no less than several thousand.

If they are allowed to make arrangements at their leisure and hold their fortified positions, they will not be without the ability to fight even against Liu Bei's elite troops.

But at this moment, the iron cavalry arrived suddenly, catching everyone off guard. None of the families had time to gather their troops, and more importantly, they didn't have time to coordinate with each other. No one dared to make any rash moves.

Therefore, in less than half an hour, the clan leaders of all the major clans in Linxiang gathered in the main hall of the prefectural government.

Liu Xuan, the eldest of the Liu clan, was the head of the group. He sat by the table, holding a cane, looking somewhat uneasy.

The main problem is that Liu Bei's behavior is quite different from that of previous governors. He couldn't wait to establish his authority as soon as he entered the prefecture.

Could it be that he intends to make Changsha Commandery his base? That's why he's so resolute and won't tolerate any provocation.

Huan Jie was only in his early thirties, but he was the most composed of them all. He had been resting with his eyes closed since entering the main hall of the prefectural government, appearing confident and composed.

Wu Ju entered the hall last, carrying a faint scent of blood. He was a burly man, and although he wore only a dark robe, it could not conceal his fierce and valiant aura. When he entered the hall, he faced Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei grinned, crossed his arms, and raised his chin. Wu Ju clenched his fists, but could only let out a heavy groan.

A moment later, footsteps sounded from the back hall. Zhao Yun, the supervisor of the gate, stood at the foot of the steps with his hand on his sword and announced loudly, "Lord Liu has arrived!"

Everyone in the hall immediately stood up and bowed.

Liu Bei stepped out from the back hall, dressed in a dark red military uniform with black trim, wearing a military cap, and with a blue ribbon and silver seal at his waist, looking every bit the part of a two-thousand-stone military officer.

"Please be seated, everyone." Liu Bei gestured with his hand, but he did not sit down himself. Instead, he stood in the hall, looked around at everyone, and said, "You are all pillars of Changsha Commandery. I am new here and should have visited each of you in person. However, the military situation is urgent, so I have to take the liberty of inviting you. I hope you will not take offense."

"But please rest assured, I have invited you here today not to force you to do anything, but to put your minds at ease."

17

"Currently, the troubles in Changsha lie with bandits, powerful and cunning individuals, and displaced people. You all only need to remain in your professions, treat the people kindly, handle official documents properly, and act in accordance with the laws of the court. As for the bandits in the prefecture, I will take charge of their suppression. Within ten days, I will surely order Qu Xing to be beheaded, and Changsha will be at peace."

This is Liu Bei's minimum requirement. As long as these powerful clans do not join forces with Qu Xing, he is confident that within ten days, his righteous and martial prowess will be mobilized and the entire county will be wiped out!

This was also a move by him to establish his authority, to let them clearly see that even without the help of powerful figures, Liu Bei could use his elite troops and generals to sweep away all the rebellious officials and traitors in Changsha County and cleanse the evil atmosphere!

As soon as Liu Bei finished speaking, everyone looked at Liu Xuan, the head of the Liu clan.

Liu Xuan, being old and prudent, preferred to observe from the sidelines. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency possesses the strategies of Sun Tzu and Wu Qi, which is known throughout the land. Now that Your Excellency is implementing such benevolent policies to protect the borders and ensure the safety of the people, we are naturally willing to support you."

Other powerful clans also expressed their determination not to collude with the bandits, and to uphold their respective duties and treat the people kindly.

Only Wu Ju remained silent, filled with anger.

Just then, Huan Jie, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them, rose from behind his desk, walked to the front of the hall, bowed to Liu Bei, and said, "My lord, the gentlemen in the hall today are either intimidated by the enemy's power or content with their own self-preservation; they are all mediocre and unfit to discuss important matters. Although I am not talented, I am willing to serve as your vanguard and offer a strategy to defeat the enemy."

Liu Bei was overjoyed, for Huan Jie truly lived up to his reputation as a model official in the prefecture, possessing extraordinary wisdom and talent.

He immediately said, "I have just arrived in Changsha and am still unfamiliar with the local situation. I was just about to ask you gentlemen for advice. What strategy do you have for defeating the enemy, Lord Huan? Please speak freely."

Huan Jie then stepped forward, pointed in the direction of the Xiang River, and spoke eloquently: "My lord, the main force of Qu Xing is now stationed in Yiyang, which controls the Xiang River to the south and is located east of Dongting Lake."

"If the Prefect leads his army deep into Changsha and directly attacks Yiyang, he will be trapped beneath the fortified city. If he fails to capture it, reinforcements from Lingzhao and Wuzhao will arrive from all sides. The Prefect will be attacked from both sides and will be unable to advance or retreat. Even with elite troops and fierce generals, it will be difficult to succeed."

"Therefore, at this juncture, it is advisable to send a small force to challenge them. The enemy governor has few troops and will surely think that our army has come from afar and is unable to withstand the attack, so he will rashly send out of the city to meet us in battle."

"At this critical moment, Your Excellency may dispatch a lieutenant general with elite cavalry to bypass them and strike directly at the Xiangjiang ferry crossing, launching a surprise attack on the Yiyang naval camp. The Yiyang ships are crucial to the transport of supplies and provisions for Qu Xing's lifeline, and they also rely on this route to retreat to Lingzhao."

"If we can burn their boats in one fell swoop and block the river downstream, with the wreckage obscuring the flow, then the reinforcements from other counties will surely think that Yiyang has fallen. Their morale will be shaken, and they will not dare to advance lightly. They will go back and forth to spy, which will take ten days or more."

"Taking advantage of this chaotic situation, the Prefect's army should advance rapidly. Yiyang can be captured, and Qu Xing can be taken."

"The terrain of Yiyang Ferry is as familiar as the back of my hand; I hope you will guide me!"