Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3836: Desolate
Wei Yan and Gan Feng led their cavalry across the city walls of Wuhou State County like a whirlwind. The sound of their hooves faded into the distance, leaving only the dust swirling in the autumn wind.

The grain, fodder, cattle, and wine piled up in front of the city gate had been taken away by the cavalry, leaving behind messy cart tracks and some scattered grains.

Chancellor Zhou Ping stood atop the city wall, watching the cavalry disappear over the horizon. His humble smile vanished like the tide, replaced by a cold, mocking expression. He brushed non-existent dust from his official robes and turned to a bowing clerk behind him, ordering, "Summon the chief clerk and the granary official to a meeting."

As night deepened, the Wuhou County government office was brightly lit.

Zhou Ping sat upright at his desk, his fingertips lightly tapping a scroll of bamboo slips, which were densely covered with records of grain tax revenue and expenditure in recent years.

The registrar and the warehouse clerk stood at the lower end with their hands at their sides, looking uneasy.

Zhou Ping spoke slowly, his tone steady, "Although the cavalry's passage did not disturb the people, the grain, fodder, cattle, and wine spent on rewarding the troops must be replenished. This year, with both drought and locusts, the granaries were already empty. If this deficit is not reported, neither of us will escape blame."

Zhou Ping paused, his gaze sweeping over the two men. "Using this matter as a pretext, all the deficit will be requisitioned by the General of the Cavalry. Furthermore, an order will be issued to all villages and hamlets to levy an additional 'military withdrawal fee,' to be apportioned to each household, with a ten-day deadline for payment."

The registrar looked troubled: "Prime Minister, last year we levied an additional 'military defense tax,' and now we're imposing another one; I fear the people will be unable to bear it..."

Zhou Ping sneered: "The common people are like weeds, sprouting in spring and withering in autumn, what's there to talk about? When Emperor Wu of Han campaigned against the Xiongnu, the empire was exhausted, yet the state survived. Now, Cao Cao is fighting with General Huo Qubing, and the Qing and Xu regions are the first to bear the brunt. If no extraordinary measures are taken, how can we protect ourselves?"

He waved his hand, signaling the two men to leave. "Go and handle this quickly. Any delay will be your downfall."

After the registrar and the granary clerk left, Zhou Ping sat alone in the hall, had someone light the oil lamp, and carefully examined the accounts again.

A moment later, he picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and added the amount to the "Expenditure of the Flying Cavalry" column...

Five hundred shi of grain, twenty oxen, fifty jars of wine, three hundred shi of hay, one hundred and fifty bolts of hemp, soap and cloth, and countless wooden nails and ropes.

The brushstrokes were sharp and powerful; the ink on the bamboo slips resembled blood about to congeal.

Once the ink had dried slightly, Zhou Ping summoned his trusted aide and whispered, "What do you think of the General of the Cavalry's army now?"

The trusted confidant bowed and replied, "The General's army is a force of tigers and wolves. Yet, they pass through like the wind, neither occupying cities nor plundering civilians, only taking provisions for their troops; this seems to demonstrate restraint."

Zhou Ping chuckled, his face showing disdain. "Moderation? Mere brutes! These are all brutes who rely on strength; how could they understand the way of governing the people? The great affairs of the state are sacrifice and war! Sacrifice comes before war! War will eventually end, but the foundation of governance lies in sacrifice! Those warriors, even if they triumph for a time, are like cicadas chirping in autumn trees; when the cold arrives, they fall silent!"

The confidant nodded in agreement, and after a moment said, "I've heard that under the General of the Cavalry, those military men wish to learn civil administration. What should we do?"

Zhou Ping clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "This is utterly delusional! Long ago, Ying Bu, the King of Huainan, wanted to govern the people, but his attendants were all silk merchants and dog butchers, who always talked about how many heads they would behead. A Confucian scholar offered advice on how to calculate civil affairs, but Ying Bu scoffed, saying, 'Where my blade points, grain and silk will come naturally; why bother with pennies?' Not long after, the country fell into chaos and he died. Therefore, to control warriors, one should emulate the method of taming dogs. If they are good at fighting and biting, throw them bones; if they try to sneak into the kitchen, shout them away. Day after day, they will only know how to bark and pounce, and even if they see the cooking pot, they will not dare to approach."

His trusted aide praised, "The Prime Minister's insight is indeed brilliant!"

"No, no!" Zhou Ping said solemnly, "This is not the opinion of any one person, but rather a matter of following the trend. When Emperor Gaozu established the empire, Xiao He guarded Guanzhong, and Han Xin conquered the four directions; each performed their duties. If Han Xin wanted to participate in the decision-making of prefectures and counties, how could he be allowed to do so? As the saying goes, 'A pelican on a beam will not wet its wings.' Those warriors are like pelicans; they should focus on hunting and fishing. If you force them to manage silk and hemp, not only will their feathers get wet, but they will also disrupt the loom!"

"Therefore, this method existed from the very beginning of the Han Dynasty," Zhou Ping slowly stroked his beard. "Whenever war is mentioned, people invariably talk about the number of heads taken, the number of people killed, and the amount of spoils captured… This is a cunning strategy! It's designed to ensure that their generals are crude and incapable of planning, and their commanders are tyrannical and ignorant of farming seasons! Furthermore, they incite public opinion, so that whenever they speak of civil affairs, they are met with ridicule. Over time, they cower and cower, turning their backs to the battlefield."

The confidant suddenly realized and said, "Li Guang's difficulty in being ennobled was not solely due to bad luck; it was also because he frequently offended civil officials, causing his merits and demerits to cancel each other out. Now, observing the Prime Minister's strategy, it truly embodies the wisdom of Huang-Lao philosophy in governing subordinates."

Zhou Ping stroked his beard and smiled. "This young man is teachable. We should treat military men the same way. Distribute their merits, limit their power, and solidify their reputation. If they take pride in beheadings, this will encourage such behavior; if they get involved in money and grain, they will attack in droves. Like hawks and hounds, they are used when hungry and fly away when full. As long as their claws and beaks are sharp, and they are not allowed to spy on the cage key, they will forever be the hunter's weapon."

After they finished speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled.

In the night sky, owls hooted and flew away into the distance.

……

……

That night, the troops set up camp in a sheltered valley.

Due to the exhaustion of the troops after days of marching, Wei Yan ordered the entire army to rest for one night before advancing the next day.

Wei Yan and Gan Feng sat facing each other by the campfire, warming themselves by the fire, eating flatbread and drinking fermented rice broth, and talking in hushed tones.

"Wen Chang," Gan Feng suddenly asked, "what are your plans after the world is unified?"

Wei Yan was taken aback, clearly not expecting Gan Feng to ask such a question. He tore off a piece of bread, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly. After a long while, he said, "What plans can I have? I know nothing but fighting."

Gan Feng sighed: "Who says otherwise? All I've ever done in my life is kill people. If the world were truly at peace, I'd probably get sick from boredom."

He took a sip of the fermented rice water, his tone tinged with self-deprecation, "Sometimes I think, it would have been better to die on the battlefield before the pacification was achieved."

Wei Yan glanced at him, then suddenly laughed: "I've made up my mind. Even if the world is at peace, I will continue to fight."

"Oh?" Gan Feng raised an eyebrow. "Like Marquis Wen, fighting all the way to the west of the Western Regions?"

"That's right." Wei Yan's gaze was fixed on the leaping flames, as if staring into the distant future. "The north is Wen Yuan's territory; I won't fight him for it. There will always be battles to fight in the south or east. I've heard there are countless islands overseas to the east; I can just fight them one by one!"

Gan Feng laughed heartily: "What if the fight is over?"

"Then die at sea!" Wei Yan said resolutely.

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter, their laughter echoing in the silent valley and startling a few night birds.

But behind that hearty laughter lay a barely perceptible bitterness.

They were all seasoned generals, and naturally understood the plight of military officers after the world was at peace.

Even if the General of the Cavalry was benevolent, he could not maintain such a large army indefinitely.

What will become of these warriors who only know how to fight?
Gan Feng stopped laughing, his tone becoming serious: "Honestly, Wen Chang, sometimes I really envy Zi Long and Wen Yuan."

Wei Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I understand. Zilong is steady, and Wenyuan is thorough; they can command troops and govern the people. Unlike us..."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Besides charging into battle, I can't do anything else."

"Yes," Gan Feng looked up at the sky, "the world will eventually be at peace..."

Wei Yan abruptly stood up, dusted himself off, and exclaimed, "That's why we must seize this opportunity to achieve more military merits! To secure a bright future for our descendants!"

Gan Feng stood up as well, his eyes rekindling with fighting spirit: "That's right! Who cares about the future, let's kill to our hearts' content first!"

The two high-fived each other, then burst into laughter.

But beneath those smiles, they both understood the helplessness in each other's hearts.

As professional soldiers, they are destined to live and die with war...

For them, it was either dying on the battlefield or quietly growing old in peacetime. The latter, perhaps, was even harder for them to accept than death itself.

……

...The Han flags on the city walls of Xuxian fluttered in the increasingly cold north wind, carrying a desolate feeling that matched the season.

Inside the county government office, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense due to news of the vanguard of the Flying Cavalry.

Several minor officials, looking anxious, hurried through the courtyard and headed straight for the main hall.

Liu Ye was flipping through a scroll of bamboo slips at his desk when he heard footsteps and slowly raised his head.

"Lord Liu...Lord Liu!"

The leading clerk, panting heavily, disregarded formalities and urgently reported, "Urgent report! Wei Gan's troops under the General of the Cavalry have changed course and are approaching Chenliu territory, heading straight for our Xu County!"

Upon hearing this, a commotion immediately arose among the officials who had come with the minor official, as well as the several subordinate officials who were sitting in the hall below Liu Ye.

Many people lost their color in their faces, their hands and feet trembled, and they couldn't even hold their pens properly, causing them to fall onto the table.

Amidst the panic and confusion, Liu Ye remained calm and did not immediately issue any orders to maintain order. He simply watched coldly as the crowd inside and outside the hall gradually quieted down.

The crowd was in a flurry of activity, but seeing Liu Ye remain calm, they gradually calmed down and all eyes turned to him.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Liu Ye gently put down the bamboo slip in his hand, making a soft "tap" sound.

His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone calm and unwavering: "The Wei family? The vanguard of the Generals? These are nothing but a minor ailment, not worth mentioning. Why are you all so alarmed?"

"My lord! We must not underestimate the enemy!" Seeing Liu Ye's state, the minor official became anxious again, his voice rising several decibels. "That Wei Wenchang once dared to penetrate deep into Ji Province with only a thousand or so cavalry, causing chaos in Ye City, and still managed to retreat unscathed! This time, scouts report that his force numbers approximately five thousand, all elite cavalry! Banners fluttering, armor gleaming, their advance is overwhelming! Our garrison in Xu County is only five thousand strong, mostly soldiers from other commanderies and kingdoms. How... how can we possibly stop them?"

As the clerk finished speaking, several suppressed gasps rose in the hall, followed by many voices of agreement, creating a chaotic scene once again.

Liu Ye fell silent again, only smiling with a sense of detachment and condescension as he surveyed the officials.

After a short while, the officials calmed down again.

Liu Ye stood up, walked to the front of the hall with his hands behind his back, slightly raised his head, and surveyed the room. "You are all well-read men, how come you can't even uphold the basic principles of propriety? To cause a disturbance in the courtroom, do you know what your crime is? I may tolerate you once, twice, but not a third time! Guards!"

Liu Ye shouted in a deep voice, "Warriors, listen to my command! Anyone who makes a disturbance again will be punished with thirty strokes of the cane!"

The soldiers below responded in unison.

The officials immediately fell silent, trembling with fear.

Liu Ye looked around again before slowly saying, "You all only know Wei Wenchang's bravery, but you don't know that times have changed. Yuzhou is not Jizhou. Xu County is not Ye City."

Liu Ye's eyes were clear as he looked at the bewildered crowd below. "Issue my order! Immediately inform all counties in Yingchuan to close their city gates tightly, fortify their defenses with deep moats, and each to guard its own city! Without my written order, not a single soldier may leave! Wait until the cavalry enters Yuzhou territory..."

Liu Ye raised his voice, his tone firm and resolute: "Cut off all their food and supplies! Anyone who dares to provide the enemy with even a single grain of millet or a bundle of straw in any of the fortified villages or villages along the way will be considered a traitor and executed without mercy!"

Immediately, a military officer received the order and went to relay it.

However, the officials below the hall remained worried, looking at Liu Ye as if they wanted to say something but hesitated.

Liu Ye pointed to a minor official and said, "If you have any doubts, you may speak frankly."

The minor official quickly bowed respectfully and said, "My lord, this... the General of the Cavalry has roamed Qing and Xu provinces, and I've heard that many counties along the way receive provisions; how could they lack food? Besides, if they were to launch a blatant attack on a city, or use force to coerce it, how could the common people of the countryside dare to resist?"

The other officials in the hall nodded in agreement, clearly showing some doubt.

Anxiety and doubt still lingered in the air.

Seeing that the crowd still didn't understand his words or the key point, Liu Ye realized that if he didn't explain clearly, it would be difficult to reassure them. So he sighed softly, "It's understandable that you are confused because you don't know the reason."

Liu Ye spoke slowly, his voice revealing a calm understanding of the world: "Ji Province was originally the territory of the Yuan family. Our lord acquired it, but his favor and trust are not yet established, and his foundation is not secure. Furthermore, the north has been plagued by years of war, the people are impoverished, and powerful clans harbor their own ambitions. The sudden arrival of the Flying Cavalry is like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds; the people there are restless, and it is not surprising that some may surrender their cities for peace. This is why Wei Wenchang was able to wreak havoc in Ye City last time."

Liu Ye clearly knew some of the inside stories behind Wei Yan's previous success in capturing Ye City, but he was reluctant to elaborate. He only touched on the subject briefly before changing the subject, "As for the lands of Yan, Qing, and Xu, since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, they have repeatedly suffered from war, leaving cities in ruins and fields desolate. Although our lord has tried his best to rebuild, the region's strength has not yet recovered, and the granaries are empty. When the Flying Cavalry arrived here, it was as if they were entering an empty field, not because their military might was unstoppable, but because there were no troops to be mobilized and no food to be gathered there, leaving them no choice but to roam freely. But how much food can those barren lands provide for the Flying Cavalry?"

"But Yu Province is quite different! Especially Yingchuan!" Liu Ye's voice rose slightly. "This is the heart of the Central Plains, a vast expanse of fertile land, the very foundation upon which our lord rose to power! For many years, our lord has comforted the displaced, promoted military farming, encouraged agriculture and sericulture, and strengthened the military. The people of Yu Province have finally found a corner of peace amidst the chaos of war. Although they are not exempt from taxes and corvée labor, their situation is vastly different from those in other provinces who are displaced and forced to resort to cannibalism! They owe our lord a debt of gratitude for saving their lives and providing them with a home; how could they easily betray him and go to welcome the unknown and infamous General of the Flying Cavalry?"

The minor official hesitated for a moment, then forced himself to speak: "What you say, Your Excellency, is indeed reasonable. However... however, I have also heard that in the countryside, some foolish men and women, misled by rumors of the General's benevolent rule, privately express their envy... If the General's army arrives, it's hard to guarantee that no unruly people won't stir up trouble, and even... even some county officials, to protect their lives and property, or perhaps... or misled by empty fame, will open the city gates to welcome the enemy!"

"Swayed by empty fame?" Liu Ye raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "Tell me, what empty fame is it?"

The minor official stammered, "Or...or is it the name of 'rescuing the people from fire and water'?"

Upon hearing this, several people in the hall couldn't help but let out low snickers, but they quickly realized it was inappropriate and covered their mouths.

The minor official who had spoken immediately blushed.

Liu Ye shook his head, his tone tinged with coldness: "'Saving the people from suffering'? Do you believe that? Even if such a fool exists, wishing to perform this 'righteous act,' for whom would he save them? For the people of Yuzhou?"

Liu Ye scanned the room, and seeing no one respond, he spoke directly: "The Flying Cavalry has come from afar; how much do they consume daily, manpower and horses? While they roam freely in Qing and Xu, perhaps the local poverty allows them to restrain their troops and temporarily refrain from disturbing the people. However, once they enter my prosperous Yu Province, seeing abundant provisions and their long and difficult supply route, what do you think they will do? They will surely levy excessive taxes, perhaps even allowing their troops to plunder! At that time, the people of Yu Province will be filled with resentment, and those who welcome the invaders will not only gain nothing but also become the sinners who let wolves into the house! Which is more important? Anyone with a clear mind would know this."

The minor official was rendered speechless by the rebuttal, sweat beading on his forehead. He quickly changed his tune, saying, "It was my foolishness... But, what if it were for... for one's own future, or... or simply out of fear of death?"

"Fear of death?" Liu Ye sneered. "If the entire cavalry force were to come, overwhelming and unstoppable, surrendering to save one's life would be understandable. But now, the vanguard of the cavalry numbers only three to five thousand cavalry, deep in enemy territory with no reinforcements. They are like a tree without roots, water without a source! Though their momentum is fierce, their decline will be swift! Opening the city gates now is not to save their lives, but to seek death! Once our lord's army returns, or our encirclement is complete, these traitors will be the first to be sacrificed! To save their lives for a moment, they will ruin the future of their entire clan! Which is more important, is self-evident."

Seeing that the crowd's expressions had calmed down somewhat, but doubts remained, Liu Ye continued his analysis, dispelling the last vestiges of confusion: "As for your concerns about where the General of the Cavalry's provisions will come from… In Qing and Xu, they might have been able to manage to supply them out of fear of our forces. However, since they entered my Yu Province, I have already ordered a scorched-earth policy, cutting off all their supplies. How many days can their personal provisions last? Where will the daily grain and fodder for five thousand men come from? The people of Yu Province have received no favors from the General of the Cavalry, yet they must bear the brunt of their grain requisitions and stipends. How can they accept this willingly? At first, they may feign compliance out of fear of their military might, but as their plundering intensifies, robbing the people of their food and destroying their homes, resentment will surely arise! Without food, the people will descend into chaos; without food, the army will scatter. They seek food but cannot obtain it, they seek battle but we avoid them. They are at a loss, their morale is low, how can they hold out for long?" 』

Liu Ye concluded with unwavering certainty: "Therefore, I assert that although the Wei family's arrival appears aggressive, it will not last long, and they will certainly not dare to attack our fortified city of Xu County! Their actions are nothing more than a show of force, either plundering the countryside to replenish their military supplies or bypassing the city to attack elsewhere. As long as the people of Xu County unite as one, carefully defend the city, and remain unmoved, they will bring about their own defeat within ten days! Why should you all worry unnecessarily?"

Liu Ye's analysis gradually extinguished the panic that filled the hall.

The officials and clerks looked at each other, their fear gradually fading and replaced by a sense of realization and conviction.

The junior official who had spoken earlier bowed deeply: "Your Excellency's wisdom is boundless, your insight as clear as day! We, in our ignorance, were nearly intimidated by the rebels' power, but now, hearing your words, we realize they are nothing to worry about! We will immediately act as ordered and ensure that the Flying Cavalry cannot advance an inch in Yuzhou!"

"Good." Liu Ye nodded slightly. "Each to their post, guard the city carefully, and keep a close watch. Report to me immediately if there is any military intelligence."

The crowd responded in unison, bowed, and filed out. Although their steps were still hurried, they had lost their previous panic and gained a sense of composure.

After everyone left, the hall returned to silence. Liu Ye walked alone to the window, put his hands behind his back, and looked up at the sky. His composure remained unchanged, but a hint of solemnity flickered deep in his eyes.

What he just told everyone was not empty talk, but based on his assessment of the situation.

However, war is based on deception. How much blood will be spilled on the land of Yuzhou before his assertion today is proven?

The autumn wind swept through the courtyard trees, swirling down a few withered leaves that landed on the cold stone steps.

Xu County, the capital that bore the last dignity of the Han Dynasty, silently tensed its body in this bleak chill.