Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3783 Be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace; if you are mindful, you will be prepared, and if you are prepared, you will have no worries.

If Zhao Yun hadn't spoken first, Zhang Liao wouldn't have taken the initiative to discuss these sensitive issues with him. It wasn't that Zhang Liao was being reserved or coy; rather, it was because such matters required extreme caution.

Moreover, without Fei Qian's explicit orders, it would be unwise to discuss "replacement" or "substitution" without authorization. Therefore, whether it is Zhao Yun or Zhang Liao, they can only use the objects to represent people and the events to discuss the matter.

Zhang Liao glanced at Zhao Yun, then slowly said, "The work of education and the integration of culture requires perseverance and the passage of time. Furthermore, it requires those in power to be upright and honest, possessing long-term vision and remaining constantly vigilant, so that their actions will be effective and their policies will be implemented smoothly."

Zhang Liao's tone grew slightly heavier as he mentioned a name that could not be avoided: "Regarding the affairs of the Western Regions, the Protector-General, being stationed in the Northern Regions, must have heard of them. While Lü Bu is indeed brave, and certainly made great contributions to the country when the Western Regions were initially pacified, his long years of governing the frontier have gradually diminished his ambition and vigilance. He has become increasingly negligent in his duties, entrusting daily administrative affairs to relatives and friends, such as Wei Xu. These petty men, once they gained power, only cared about forming cliques, exploiting local merchants and vassal states, and excluding dissidents and virtuous officials."

Zhang Liao paused for a moment, then did not continue.

He held his teacup, but out of the corner of his eye, he observed Zhao Yun's expression.

If Zhao Yun showed any impatience or disgust, Zhang Liao would immediately change the subject or end the matter on the surface.

Zhao Yun's face remained calm. He remained silent and did not urge Zhang Liao to finish his tea. He then picked up the teapot on the stove and poured more tea for Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao watched the tea swirl in the teacup, then finally said in a low voice, "Within the Protectorate of the Western Regions, any official who is honest and upright, refuses to collude with the corrupt, attempts to govern impartially, and upholds the prestige of the Han Dynasty, is either demoted or reassigned to a sinecure, or... several virtuous officials have died mysteriously, either by encountering bandits on the road or committing suicide at home... As a result, the hearts of the people in the Western Regions have been lost, resentment is rampant on the trade routes, and the various states are gradually becoming disaffected. A crisis is brewing, and a catastrophic disaster is brewing."

This was the clear signal Zhang Liao was giving.

The Han Dynasty itself had a system of appointed officials, but during the Eastern Han Dynasty, due to the incompetence of the central government and the growing power of local officials, this system could not be effectively implemented.

The living example of Lü Bu is right before our eyes.

A once highly decorated and powerful official, due to his long-term absence from the front lines and lack of effective supervision and checks and balances, became complacent and appointed the wrong people, leading to systemic corruption among his subordinates. This ultimately triggered a crisis of rule, forcing the central government to take strong action at great cost.

Zhang Liao turned his gaze to Zhao Yun, his eyes frank and sharp, as if to confront the core of the problem. "Under these circumstances, our lord has no choice but to once again mobilize a large army to personally lead an expedition to the Western Regions, to reform the bureaucracy, and to eradicate corruption. The amount of money, provisions, and troops consumed in this process is countless, and it has chilled the hearts of many virtuous officials and rulers in the Western Regions who originally longed for the Han dynasty and hoped for its rule."

"This situation is not solely Lu Bu's fault; it also stems from systemic flaws. Those who have long held sway over a region, wielding immense power, are prone to complacency and easily exploited by corrupt officials if there are no effective checks and balances, and no regular rotations. Even if the official himself is incorruptible and remains steadfast in his principles, it is difficult to prevent his subordinates from harboring ambitions, using his name to commit illicit acts, accumulating small evils into a major problem. At that point, not only will past achievements be wasted, but the nation will suffer a grave calamity. Having experienced the Western Regions incident, my lord has learned a painful lesson and must have given considerable thought to the terms, responsibilities, oversight, and rotations of those in command, and has already devised a comprehensive plan."

Zhang Liao's words were an explanation, a reassurance, and a reminder.

Zhang Liao used the incident involving Lü Bu to tell Zhao Yun that the central leadership of the Flying Cavalry political group's adjustment of regional officials was not due to distrust or suspicion of Zhao Yun personally, but rather based on the profound lessons and systemic reflections drawn from Lü Bu's defeat in the Western Regions.

Holding the same important position for a long time is inherently prone to various problems. Even if Zhao Yun himself was honest, self-disciplined, and conscientious, it was hard to guarantee that the large bureaucratic system under his command would not have problems. Even if Zhao Yun's policy ideas were to be continued, fresh blood would be needed to replenish them and adjustments would be made to avoid stagnation.

This is not directed at Zhao Yun personally, but rather a 'system' arrangement that must be considered for the long-term stability of the overall situation and the healthy and lasting peace of the cause.

Therefore, even if it wasn't Zhang Liao who came this time, or even if Zhang Liao came and couldn't reach an agreement with Zhao Yun, someone else might take over the Northern Region in the future.

This is a predetermined strategy from the central command; it's not something that Zhang Liao or Zhao Yun can decide on their own...

Silence fell again in the tent, but this time it was no longer filled with suspicion, awkwardness, and invisible pressure. Instead, it was a kind of calm and clarity that came after a deep understanding had been reached and a tacit agreement had been established.

Both Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao were intelligent enough that some things didn't need to be explained so clearly, or that they would only regret it when things had escalated beyond repair. By describing their own experiences, the subtle barrier between them was dissolved through this metaphorical yet incredibly honest reminiscence and exchange.

Zhao Yun revealed his true feelings.

By recounting events in the Northern Region, he explained the achievements he and the people and soldiers of the Northern Region had made over many years, as well as the unfinished tasks at hand, and also hinted at his willingness to adapt to the overall situation and cooperate with possible adjustments.

On the other hand, Zhang Liao explained the necessity and underlying reasons for the adjustment. After all, the lesson of Lü Bu was right before their eyes. He tried his best to appease Zhao Yun's emotions and implied that this was not a personal grudge, but an institutional arrangement based on the overall interests of Fei Qian's political group.

As long as Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao remain on the same side and are still willing to follow Fei Qian's lead, changing their order and position is not a major issue.

Zhao Yun remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "I have never been to the Western Regions, nor do I know anything about them. I only know of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms... I wonder if Wen Yuan knows what lies west of the Western Regions?"

Zhang Liao shook his head slightly, "I don't know the details either. However..."

Zhang Liao took a half-burnt piece of wood from the stove where the tea was being warmed, stomped out the fire, and then began to draw on the ground inside the tent. "This is Hexi... further west is the Western Regions."

"The Western Regions have two routes, north and south. The northern route includes Yanqi and Kucha, while the southern route includes Khotan and Shache..." Zhang Liao said as he drew, "As for Shanshan... it's no longer a concern... The two routes converge in the west, forming a place called Shule. West of Shule lies the Western Regions, with Dayuan to the north and Dayue to the south. North of Dayuan is Kangju, and south of Dayue is Jibin. Northwest of Kangju is Yancai, and southeast of Jibin is Yanjie. If you go further west... you'll reach Parthia... and west of Parthia... I don't know..."

Zhao Yun watched intently, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. He suddenly understood why Fei Qian had sent Zhang Liao to 'replace' him. It wasn't because Zhang Liao was significantly more capable than Zhao Yun, but because after experiencing this journey from the snowy regions to the Western Regions, Zhang Liao's understanding of the world was far greater and more profound than Zhao Yun's…

If your vision is limited to your own small plot of land, then your limitations will naturally extend to that small plot of land as well.

Just like those guys from the Central Plains of Shandong.

"The world... how vast it is..." Zhao Yun couldn't help but exclaim.

Zhang Liao placed the wooden strip back into the red-hot furnace and said, "Our lord has said that if we want all the land under heaven to be Han territory, it cannot be accomplished in just two or three generations... We need sincere cooperation to have any hope."

Zhao Yun nodded, but didn't delve deeper into the topic, as they still had another problem to solve.

Yecheng.

Zhao Yun's gaze returned to the map of Hebei on the table. "Wen Yuan's words have enlightened me. However, though the world is vast, one must accumulate small steps..."

Zhao Yun stopped dwelling on his own fate and focused entirely on the battle at hand. "The current stalemate in Ye City might be a good opportunity to use that 'old friend from Nanyang' to make a significant impact."

Zhang Liao followed Zhao Yun's line of thought, "Does the Protector-General mean... to turn the tables and do the opposite?"

"Indeed." Zhao Yun's eyes gleamed. "This man has come to attack our morale, to sow discord among us, and to alienate us. We can then feign falling into his trap. We can spread rumors that Wei Wenchang, dissatisfied with the slow response and unable to obtain supplies and weapons, argued with me and you, Wen Yuan, in court, and even stormed off, intending to head south alone to seek glory..."

The news of Wei Yan's departure could not be concealed, nor was it necessary to.

Zhao Yun continued, "Then have the soldiers deliberately feign low morale and lax discipline in the camp... If this misleads Cao Cao and Chen Yi in the city into thinking our army is unstable and our generals are at odds, and that we have an opportunity to attack, they might be unable to resist and launch an attack."

Zhao Yun unfolded the map, his gaze sweeping across it as if searching for a specific location. "If the enemy attacks... we can lay an ambush, waiting in ambush to annihilate their elite troops who have broken out of the city, thus breaking this stalemate!"

Zhang Liao pondered for a moment, then added, "This plan is brilliant! However, the details still need careful consideration to make it as realistic as possible, so as to lure the fish in. Hmm... First, the dissemination of the message needs to be subtle. We can punish a few 'troublemaking' soldiers so that the prisoners hear about it..."

"The soldiers should feign laxity, but we must be careful not to overdo it... How about we let the barbarian cavalry fight it out under the city walls?" Zhang Liao continued, "Perhaps we could also... create an opening, allowing the captured Cao army soldiers to 'accidentally' escape, so they can bring back what they 'saw' and 'heard'..."

The two discussed in hushed tones, leaning forward, their voices low and focused, as they began to meticulously plan each step, analyze every possibility, and consider every detail.

Unbeknownst to them, the two gradually drew closer. Although their bodies did not touch, their shadows on the ground had already merged into one.

The autumn wind outside the tent still howled, whipping the flags and making a rustling sound, but the atmosphere inside the tent was completely different.

The previous misunderstandings and suspicions have been completely dispelled through their wise, kind, and effective communication and their shared understanding of prioritizing the overall situation.

What replaced it was the high degree of tacit understanding and immense power that the two world-renowned generals once again united closely for a common goal.

A battle of wits surrounding Ye City has entered a new and more complex phase.

……

……

One autumn rain brings a chill.

The autumn rain pattered against the blue bricks of Anyang city, splashing up tiny, cold water droplets.

North of Anyang lies Yecheng. As neighboring cities, Anyang and Yecheng have shared many similarities and intricate connections throughout the ages…

Whether this connection is good or bad is a matter of opinion.

The State of Wei during the Warring States period had already established Ye County.

Later, in the fifty-eighth year of King Nan of Zhou, King He of Qin conquered the town of Ningxinzhong in the state of Wei and renamed it Anyang, which means stability and prosperity.

As for why he was called "Ning Xinzhong," such a strange name, no one knows. Perhaps only the leader of the Wei Kingdom at the time could know the answer...

Perhaps it's because it's located within "Ningxin"? Or perhaps it represents a "new" town within "Ning" city?

Such a historical place name is shrouded in a hazy veil. It seems clear and simple, but who can fully know the details behind it?

Just like the people's hearts in Anyang right now.

Everyone has a heart, but you can't see into someone's heart.

Rainwater flowed down the battlements of Anyang City, much like the silent fear and unease that permeated the city.

Wearing a straw raincoat, Shen Rong stood in the cold shadow of the city gate tower, his eyes, sunken from long-term anxiety, fixed on the hazy world shrouded in rain and mist at the end of the southern official road.

He is afraid.

An overwhelming fear, coupled with the fear that his fear would be discovered...

Shen Rong couldn't let anyone realize he was afraid, so he put on military uniform early on and led his private army to participate in the defense of Anyang under the pretext of "defending Anyang".

Only in this solitary and dark corner did Shen Rong reveal his true inner emotions in his eyes.

Some time has passed since that bloody night of purges.

Everything seems to have passed, and everything seems no different from before.

Even on the city walls, there were a few more heads hanging.

No, no, it makes no difference if there are more heads; after all, what year, what month, doesn't have more dead people...

However, this time it seems to be really different.

Shen Rong couldn't help but look towards the top of the city wall, where the head, long since rotten and blackened, was hanging, completely unrecognizable.

Those were the heads of Cui Yue and the others.

The act of beheading and displaying one's head was originally intended to warn all those with ulterior motives.

However, this "stability" maintained by terror is as fragile as paper, easily shattered by a gentle breeze and drizzle.

Shen Rong's heart was no longer the "decisiveness" and "ruthlessness" he had displayed that night when he suppressed the "rebellion".

Instead, there is a growing sense of panic that gnaws at our hearts and lungs.

"Damn it, damn it! Cheng Zhongde, that old scoundrel has ruined me! Ruined me!"

A voice screamed wildly in Shen Rong's heart.

Like most boxers, all the blame falls on others. Even if they are wrong, they will still ask with righteous indignation, "Putting everything else aside, aren't you all right? Putting aside my infidelity, didn't you ever even consider it?"

Shen Rong was the same. He killed people, set fires, seized land, and used rice shops, pawnshops and other businesses as platforms to exploit the people of Anyang. His hands were stained with the blood of innocent people, but he still thought he was a "good person".

The news of Wen County's fall and Cheng Yu's defeat and death spread like wildfire through the blockade, quietly reaching Anyang City.

At first, when the judge Rongming knew that most of the news was true, he still denounced it as a rumor spread by the Flying Cavalry and even arrested and imprisoned several "rumor-mongers".

Shen Rong personally went to the streets of Anyang and loudly proclaimed that the people of Anyang are all of high moral character and should respond to the government's call to "not believe or spread rumors"...

However, you can't hide fire with paper, and you can't cover up shit with a lid.

After all, the smell will eventually be revealed over time.

Then more scattered fleeing soldiers and panicked refugees brought increasingly detailed and consistent accounts—

Wen County has indeed changed hands, and Cao's army in Wen County has been almost completely wiped out!
Shen Rong was taken aback. Wasn't it said that Cao Cao's army had strategic depth and could always retreat in an orderly manner while preserving most of its strength?
Then even worse news followed.

Hanoi districts and counties are surrendering one after another...

Damn it, these guys were always saying they were loyal to the Han Dynasty and the Prime Minister, weren't they?

Each message was like a heavy slap in the face, leaving Shen Rong not only dizzy and disoriented, but also extremely embarrassed.

He felt as if he were standing on the edge of a collapsing cliff, with a bottomless abyss below.

He now deeply regrets why he trusted Cheng Yu's judgment so much and why he was so "decisive" in purging Cui Yue and others.

If it were back then...

If we had waited and observed back then, or even secretly feigned compliance with Cui Yue, would we have had a better way out today?
But there is no regret medicine in the world.

His hands are stained with the blood of Cui Yue and others. How will the Flying Cavalry settle this blood debt?

He dared not think further, and beckoned to his trusted aide, whispering, "While the rain and fog obscure the view...go and collect those heads from the city wall..."

The confidant asked, somewhat puzzled, "Should we...save it?"

Shen Rong nodded. "Find a place to hide it...so no one can see it...if anyone asks, just say it was raining heavily and it fell off the city wall..."

Although the confidant was unaware of the situation, he still accepted the order and left.

Shen Rong watched his trusted aide's figure disappear into the rain and mist, then suddenly remembered, 'In this weather... the Flying Cavalry shouldn't be marching... they probably won't be here yet...'

"That's it! Ye City! Yes, there's still Ye City!" Shen Rong muttered to himself in the cold rain, like a drowning man clinging to a piece of driftwood, trying to convince himself, "The Crown Prince is still in Ye City, a city with high walls, deep moats, well-trained soldiers, and ample provisions! Chen Changwen is resourceful and wise! The General of the Cavalry... the General of the Cavalry, when he commands troops, will naturally first conquer fortified cities, and capture the leader of the enemy! As long as Ye City remains unconquered, his army will inevitably march straight towards Ye City. Why... why would he waste resources and time attacking a small town like Anyang?"

When a troop of cavalry marched north before, didn't they go straight north from Chaoge without stopping for long?

Shen Rong pondered this idea repeatedly and found it increasingly reasonable.

Compared to Ye City, Anyang was a small city with a small population. How could its value compare to that of Ye City, the center of the Cao family?
The main force of the Flying Cavalry will inevitably head north to besiege Ye City. Perhaps they will only send a detachment to monitor Anyang, or even try to persuade them to surrender.

If only he could persuade them to surrender, then he could have interrogated Rong...

Perhaps even the Shen clan might still have a chance?