The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 540 Zhuge Miscalculated Again
The day the imperial edict reached Chang'an, it was raining heavily in midsummer.

Outside the Taiji Hall, rain poured down the eaves, splashing countless water on the bluestone slabs. Inside the hall, the teacup in the hands of Crown Prince Qin Chengqian fell to the ground with a "smack", and broken pieces of porcelain flew everywhere.

"Father actually let the second son take charge? And bring that Zhuge Liang with him?!" Qin Chengqian's face turned ashen, and his wide sleeves trembled slightly with anger.

The spy knelt on the ground with his forehead pressed to the ground: "It is absolutely true. The imperial edict has reached the Ministry of War and will be announced to the world tomorrow."

Qin Chengqian turned around suddenly, knocking the table against him and causing it to shake. He grabbed the memorial on the table and threw it to the ground: "Ridiculous! A hundred thousand troops were sent south to be handed over to a prince who had never led an army? And that traitor Zhuge Liang - he was Liu Bei's confidant!"

The candlelight in the hall flickered, casting Qin Chengqian's distorted shadow on the wall. The sound of rain gradually increased, as if it was about to drown the East Palace.

"Your Highness, please calm down." Imperial Tutor Cui Yan stepped out from the shadows and bent down to pick up the scattered memorials. "There is still room for maneuver in this matter."

"Turn around?" Qin Chengqian sneered, "The imperial decree has been issued, how can it be turned around?"

Cui Yan stroked his gray beard, with a gleam in his eyes: "When a general is away from home, he may not obey the king's orders. But when the king is away from home, the general may also not obey the king's orders."

Qin Chengqian narrowed his eyes: "What does the Master mean?"

"Food and grass." Cui Yan whispered the word, like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, "An army of 100,000 consumes countless food and grass every day. If the supply from the rear is not smooth..."

In the rainstorm, a flash of lightning split the sky, illuminating Qin Chengqian's face as he suddenly realized something.

After a long while, he finally heard the other party sigh and said, "Forget it, I can't do this alone. I am angry that my father let the second son lead the army to fight. If we lose the war, 100,000 soldiers will be stained with blood on the battlefield."

"Your Highness." Cui Yan wanted to say something but was stopped by Qin Chengqian.

"Cutting off their food supply will only cause 100,000 soldiers to bury their bones in the southwest. This is not what a benevolent monarch should do. I should put the country first and put the brothers' disputes in secondary place." Qin Chengqian shook his head.

The thought just now just flashed through his mind and quickly disappeared. He could hide it from others, but he could never hide it from his father.

He could imagine what would happen to him if Qin Shou knew the news, so he gave up the idea without hesitation.

"Your Highness." Cui Yan wanted to persuade him, but unexpectedly, he was greeted with Qin Chengqian's cold eyes. He was so scared that he dared not persuade him anymore and could only retreat obediently.

At the same time, the gate of the sky prison slowly opened in the rain.

Zhuge Liang stood at the prison door, raindrops dripping down his temples. He looked up at the gloomy sky and took a deep breath of the humid air. After months without seeing the sun, even this heavy rain seemed precious.

"Sir." An oil-paper umbrella covered his head. Qin Chengji had stood beside him without knowing when, with an unconcealable joy in his eyes, "Father is wise, it is just as you expected."

Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Your Highness, I just guessed the emperor's intention by chance."

"Sir, you are too modest." Qin Chengji lowered his voice, "I have ordered people to prepare the carriage and horses. Please come to my house to take a bath and change clothes first, and then we will discuss the details of the southern expedition."

The carriage was moving slowly in the rain, and the sound of the wheels rolling over the puddles could be clearly heard. Zhuge Liang lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked at the hazy Chang'an City in the rain. The streets were empty, with only a few tall houses with lights on.

"Your Highness, you know that the most difficult part of this southern expedition is not on the battlefield." Zhuge Liang suddenly spoke.

Qin Chengji said seriously: "Please give me some advice, sir."

Zhuge Liang lowered the curtain and turned to Qin Chengji: "The most difficult part is the court. The prince will not let you achieve success easily."

"With the emperor's decree, how dare he interfere?" Qin Chengji asked with some disbelief.

"In the Southwest War, the key is not the bravery of the soldiers, but the food and equipment. Once someone chokes you, it will be fatal." Zhuge Liang analyzed. "Humph, if he dares to do so, I will report it to my father." Qin Chengji snorted coldly.

"No." Zhuge Liang held his arm. "If Your Highness complains now, it will make you look petty. The Crown Prince's move can be used to my advantage."

Qin Chengji looked at Zhuge Liang in confusion: "What do you mean, sir?"

Zhuge Liang's eyes flashed with a sharpness: "Your Highness, do you know the meaning of 'borrowing someone's strength to defeat someone else'? The prince has withheld food and fodder, so we will let everyone in the world know."

The carriage turned a corner, and the wheels splashed a large amount of water. Qin Chengji looked at Zhuge Liang thoughtfully, and suddenly understood something, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

The next morning, the rain stopped slightly.

The candlelight was bright in the study room of Qin Chengji's residence. Zhuge Liang had changed into a long blue gown and was drawing a map at his desk. Xu Shu stood by and offered suggestions from time to time.

"Report--" A guard walked in quickly, "Your Highness, General Zhang He is here to visit."

Qin Chengji stood up quickly: "Please come in."

Soon, a burly and resolute general strode in. He was still in his armor, and it was obvious that he had just arrived from the military camp.

"Your humble servant pays respect to His Highness the Second Prince." Zhang He saluted with his fists clasped together, his voice as loud as a bell.

"General Zhang, there is no need to be so polite." Qin Chengji stepped forward and helped him up. "This is the military advisor Zhuge Liang, and this is the military officer Xu Shu."

Zhang He turned his gaze to Zhuge Liang, a complex expression flashing in his eyes: "I have heard of Mr. Wolong's name for a long time."

Zhuge Liang returned the greeting with a salute: "General Zhang is a great figure in Hebei, and I have admired him for a long time."

"General Zhang, are the food and equipment ready?" Qin Chengji asked impatiently.

"Everything is ready. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue have already sent letters to Sichuan. Most of the food and equipment will be paid from Bashu." Zhang He replied quickly.

"Are all payments made based on quantity?" Qin Chengji was a little surprised.

Zhang He looked at him curiously and said hesitantly, "Your Highness, this is a matter of national importance. Who dares to be presumptuous?"

Zhuge Liang took over the conversation: "General Zhang is right. The most urgent task now is to prepare for war. The terrain in the South Barbarians is complex, and our army must be prepared for mountain warfare."

Zhang He frowned and said, "Sir, you don't know that the southern barbarians are not only dangerous in terms of terrain, but also full of poisonous insects and miasma. The soldiers from the Central Plains are not used to the local climate and water, and 30 to 40 percent of them fall ill before the battle. I'm afraid we'll have to mobilize a large number of doctors to accompany the army this time."

"That's why we need to prepare early." Zhuge Liang took a list from the table and handed it to the other party, saying, "I have listed the anti-malaria drugs and light armor. Please take a look, General Zhang."

Zhang He took the list and was more and more surprised the more he read it. He asked, "Sir, you have even considered these details?"

Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "The southern expedition is of great importance. How dare I neglect it?"

"Sir, please be careful. I believe we will be able to return victorious soon this time."

Seeing that the other party was so thoughtful, Zhang He became less guarded.

(End of this chapter)