The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 237 Li Yi's tearful "Memorial on Dispatching the Troops," Liu Bei angrily rebukes Xu Zhouchen

Meanwhile, Li Yi's army besieged Xiangping City.

The city's garrison, unable to bear the suffering caused by the rain, secretly went outside the city to graze cattle and horses.

Li Yi ordered his soldiers not to loot.

The people in the city were able to successfully herd their cattle back home, and seeing this, many people brought their livestock out of the city.

For a time, cattle and sheep were everywhere outside the city.

Gongsun Du was also very surprised by this situation, not understanding what Li Yi was up to.

Han Zhong offered his advice:

"Li Yi was skilled in military strategy, adept at handling crises and adapting to changing circumstances, and possessed many excellent plans."

"Now that our officials and people are allowed to go out of the city to gather firewood and graze cattle and horses, there must be some trickery involved. Your Excellency must be on guard."

Gongsun Du thought to himself that few people had gone out of the city to herd cattle before, which was why Li Yi hadn't tried to rob them.

Now that everyone has gone out to graze their livestock, if Li Yi comes to plunder, Xiangping City will immediately run out of food.

He then ordered the city of Xiangping to be sealed off.

No one may leave the city to graze livestock or gather firewood without permission.

Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed!

For a time, the soldiers and civilians in the city were in turmoil, and everyone was filled with fear.

Taking advantage of the fact that the rain had gradually stopped over the past two days, Li Yi immediately began to organize an attack on the city.

They either dug tunnels or built earthen mounds to shoot arrows from high places.

Alternatively, they could set up ladders and use counterweight catapults to bombard the enemy in turn.

They worked day and night, raining down arrows like rain.

The soldiers and civilians in the city rose up in resistance, and the war quickly entered its most intense phase.

The current situation is that everyone is holding on to their last breath, and whoever relaxes will lose everything.

Therefore, the closer to the crucial moment, the more composed Li Yi became.

While intensifying the siege of the city, they also sent people to Xuzhou to continue urging the delivery of grain and fodder.

Liu Bei read Li Yi's letter, which stated in brief:
"Your subject Yi respectfully reports to the General of Chariots and Cavalry—"

"I was ordered to conquer Liaodong, and I have been leading the charge with my weapons. I have now besieged Xiangping for more than sixty days."

"The enemy was trapped in an isolated city, with no food or reinforcements. Their situation was like a fish swimming in a pot, and they were doomed at any moment."

"However, heavy rain fell and the roads became muddy, which slightly delayed the transport of our army's supplies."

"I humbly request Your Excellency to grant me a one-month grace period. If I fail to achieve my goal by the deadline, I am willing to accept military punishment."

"In the past, Han Xin turned his back to the river and finally defeated the Zhao army."

"Sun Bin reduced the number of cooking fires, and thus captured Pang Juan."

"The current siege of Xiangping is similar to this situation."

"The enemy had no reinforcements from outside and no grain reserves inside. The soldiers were disloyal and the people were resentful."

"I have ordered the troops to dig deep trenches and build high walls to cut off their access to firewood and wait for them to collapse on their own."

"Though I am dull-witted, how could I not be willing to die for you?"

"I only hope that Your Excellency will recognize my loyalty and grant me a few weeks, and I will surely present the head of the traitor to you."

"If I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth condemn me!"

In the first half, Li Yi explained the current battle situation, while in the second half, he began to clarify his own feelings.

"I was originally a commoner, merely trying to preserve my life in this chaotic world, and I do not seek fame or recognition among the feudal lords."

“My Lord saved me, and I was allowed to serve Him. Ten years have passed since then.”

"It is said that a wise ruler who brings prosperity to the nation must have capable advisors."

"When a general goes to war, he especially relies on his strategists."

"The strategist and general Zhuge Liang possessed extraordinary talent and strategic acumen."

"His ability to govern was no less than that of Xiao He."

"If Liang is put in charge of the rear supplies, Yi will have no worries about shortages at the front."

"Lu Su, the Commandant of Agriculture, was magnanimous and well-versed in military strategy."

"He was good at treating soldiers and able to command generals, and was no less capable than Deng Yu."

“Zhao Yun, the Chancellor of Pingyuan; Tian Yu, the Chancellor of Qi; and Xu Chu, the General of the Imperial Guard, were all virtuous and honest men with loyal and pure intentions.”

"Be cautious in upholding the law, be substantial and speak little."

"I hope Your Excellency will be close to him and trust him."

"If permission is granted, with sufficient provisions, the soldiers will fight to the death."

"Good news will surely come within a month."

"Tears stream down my face as I write this, and I know not what to say."

(According to historical records, this is "Memorial of the Marquis of Tan on His Expedition to Liaodong", which is one of the texts that middle school students in later generations are required to memorize.)

Liu Bei was greatly pleased upon reading this memorial.

Deeply moved by Li Yi's arduous campaign against Liaodong, he was about to send people to various prefectures and counties to continue urging the delivery of grain and fodder.

Sun Qian walked in, holding a book in his hands, his face grave.

"...Gongyou, you've come at the perfect time."

Liu Bei hurriedly stepped forward to catch Sun Qian and instructed him, "I just received Ziyu's letter and was about to send people to continue sending grain and fodder to Liaodong."

Seeing this, Sun Qian placed the scroll on the table and said to Liu Bei with a grave expression:
"My lord, the Marquis of Tan has been campaigning against Liao for over three months."

"The counties of Xuzhou, together with the grain from the four provinces of Qing, Yan, Yu and Yang, have already distributed 1.5 million bushels of grain."

"Local officials and soldiers, in order to achieve performance targets, often forcibly levy taxes from the people."

“The people are already full of complaints, and local officials have repeatedly petitioned for an extension of the grace period.”

After speaking, Sun Qian pointed to the scrolls on the table.

"These are all documents from Xuzhou officials impeaching the Marquis of Tan."

They believed that the Marquis of Tan was now engaging in reckless military campaigns, wasting the people's resources.

"They all submitted petitions, requesting that the lord order the recall of the Marquis of Tan."

"Stop the conquest of Liaodong."

what! ?

Liu Bei frowned, never expecting that after the battle had finally reached its most crucial moment, the enemy had not yet launched a counterattack.

It was our own people who messed up first.

"...My lord, what do you think we should do?"

Sun Qian glanced at Liu Bei secretly, not daring to voice his opinion.

Liu Bei was furious and waved his hand:
“Write down the names of all the officials who submitted memorials.”

"Then summon them to the main hall for a meeting!"

"……Yes."

Sun Qian bowed and withdrew.

Before long, the officials of Xuzhou, including Zhuge Liang and Lu Su, arrived at the main hall.

Liu Bei sat high on the mat, his face solemn, and he did not say a word.

Everyone looked at me, and I looked at you, looking at each other.

None of them knew what Liu Bei was trying to do.

Liu Bei closed his eyes to rest, leaving his ministers waiting for a long time.

He then slowly opened his eyes and spoke:
"I have often heard that 'when a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders.'"

"Now that Lord Tan has personally come to the aid of the enemy, you sit in the council hall, comfortably residing in Xiapi. How could you know the hardships of the campaign against Liaodong?"

"The snow and wind in Xuzhou are unlike those in Liaodong. Lord Tan ate from the same pot as his soldiers every day and slept without removing his armor for more than sixty days!"

"Did the Marquis of Tan risk his life so recklessly for his own selfish desires?"

Liu Bei sternly questioned his ministers, his voice resounding and deafening.

Seeing Liu Bei's fury, all the officials bowed down and dared not look up.

Liu Bei was never a "good guy"; once he got angry, not even three oxen could pull him back.

The reason why Liu Bei was so angry
Even if Li Yi's campaign against Liaodong was wrong, the war had already progressed to this point.

Just as the battle was about to be decided, the ministers unanimously accused Li Yi of waging war and wasting the country's resources.

What's the point of saying all this now?

Previously, when Li Yi was alive, he worked together with Liu Bei and his ministers, and they would attack wherever they wanted.

None of the ministers dared to utter a single word.

Now, after only three months of fighting in Liaodong, the officials are already complaining bitterly.

Do you really think that just because Li Yi is gone, I, Liu Bei, can't deal with you?

Liu Bei, with his hand on his sword, descended the steps and walked to Zhang Yi, the magistrate of Quyang, his eyes flashing like lightning:
"Zhang Quyang, I have just read your memorial."

“You said in the book that the Marquis of Tan was ‘militaristic’ and ‘warlike’.”

"Do you know that last year, more than 30,000 of our border people were captured in Liaodong?"

"Does anyone know that Gongsun Du privately built a dragon carriage with nine tassels and set up cavalry with feathered banners, intending to usurp the title of King of Yan and divide our territory?"

Zhang Yi was sweating profusely and dared not answer.

Liu Bei chuckled coldly, brushed past Zhang Yi, and looked back at his ministers:
"In the army of Lord Tan, two or three out of ten soldiers had lost fingers due to frostbite, yet they still attacked the city day and night."

"You live in luxury in Xuzhou, buying courtesans, yet now you falsely accuse loyal officials!"

Having said that, Liu Bei put his hands behind his back and called out in a deep voice, "Kongming!"

Zhuge Liang stepped forward in response: "Your subject is here!"

“I remember that you once said in the post station that ‘Sun Quan has held the land of Jiangdong for three generations.’”

"How much of Liaodong does Gongsun Du currently control?"

Kongming replied, "We have been stationed in Liaodong for fifteen years."

Liu Bei sneered:
"For fifteen years you have been divided, yet you have never spoken of 'militarism'."

"The Marquis of Tan has only been leading troops for three months, and he has already committed a crime?"

Zhang Yi was sweating profusely and trembling so much that he could not speak.

Liu Bei drew his sword and swung it at the chair.

A flash of sword light, and the chair snapped in two.

"When I, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Ziyu raised an army, we often saw pedantic scholars wagging their tongues and plotting their retreat before even engaging in battle—"

"...Hmph, from this day forward, anyone who slanders the army will be treated the same way!"

All the civil and military officials in the hall were terrified, their clothes soaked with sweat.

According to the person involved, the room was chilly at the time.

Liu Bei was so enraged that the steam melted the ice on the eaves, and the snow outside was completely melted by the heat.

After reprimanding his ministers, Liu Bei ordered the dismissal of Zhang Yi, the magistrate of Quyang.

They were sent to guard the border in Liaodong and were not allowed to return to the Central Plains for five years.

As a result, all the officials were awed and dared not make any further comments on the military affairs of Liaodong.

After so many years of experience, Liu Bei's skills in managing people are now vastly different from what they used to be.

After his reprimand, Liu Bei cleverly avoided the main point and focused on the less important one.

We only talk about Li Yi's arduous campaigns, while Gongsun Du's sins are grave.

However, it made no mention of the money and supplies spent by Li Yi, or Gongsun Du's willingness to concede and negotiate.

Meanwhile, in dealing with the matter of making an example of his ministers, Liu Bei specifically chose the magistrate of Quyang, who was of moderate importance, to handle the case.

If people are not punished, the court officials cannot be subdued.

Punishing them all would alienate the people and damage the leader's prestige.

Making an example of someone to teach a lesson is just right.

Of course, Liu Bei did this to emphasize the "legitimacy" of Li Yi's campaigns.

Even though Li Yi's campaign against Liaodong was unreasonable, the die was cast and Liu Bei had to make it "reasonable".

Because before the expedition, all the ministers did oppose it.

It was Liu Bei who overruled objections and supported Li Yi's campaign against Liaodong.

If Li Yi loses, it won't just be his own prestige that suffers.

This further damaged Liu Bei's prestige as a great leader.

Therefore, no matter what, Liu Bei had to support Li Yi in winning this campaign against Liaodong.

That night, Liu Bei summoned Zhuge Liang and Lu Su alone.

He dismissed those around him, leaving only a single lamp burning dimly.

"Do you two know that today, in his memorial to the throne, the Marquis of Tan recommended only the two of you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang and Lu Su exchanged a glance and solemnly bowed.

Liu Bei walked slowly down the steps with his hands behind his back.

"You two have worked with me for a long time, and I am well aware of your talents."

"The Marquis of Tan gave you two profound advice, and there must be a reason for it."

Zhuge Liang lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

Lu Su had known Li Yi for a long time, so it was perfectly reasonable for Li Yi to recommend him.

Zhuge Liang, on the other hand, although he had been in Xuzhou for more than a year, had never actually met Li Yi.

Even as a colleague, Li Yi may have heard about his work achievements.

Zhuge Liang was quite surprised and moved by the trust placed in him.

Lu Su, who was quite familiar with Li Yi, smiled and joked upon seeing this:
"Guan Zhong knew Bao Shu not because they were from the same hometown."

"Qi Xiju, who dissects foxes, is he an old acquaintance?"

"Kongming's talent is ten times that of me."

"The Marquis of Tan was also aware of this matter, and therefore recommended him to the lord."

Well……

A scholar will die for one who understands him. When Zhuge Liang heard this, he was deeply moved.

Liu Bei laughed heartily, took out two talismans under the lamp, and handed them to the two men, saying:
"Kongming, heed my command!"

"From this day forward, you shall be in charge of grain transport and mediate conflicts between officials and the people."

"Do not let Liaodong lack food and fodder."

Liu Bei wasn't just someone who criticized his subordinates; he would also take steps to help them when they faced difficulties.

Since reports of officials levying exorbitant taxes and levies have emerged in the area, Kongming was ordered to investigate these cases as well.

According to the budget, the people should not be unable to deliver their grain.

The only possibility is that the report above states ten, while the report below levies fifty.

They exploited each other at every level, lining their own pockets.

When Li Yi was in charge of Xuzhou, he fought against corruption and promoted integrity, resulting in a period of smooth governance, harmonious society, and clean administration.

Now, less than two years after Li Yi left, corruption has already begun to fester in Xuzhou.

No wonder Li Yi strongly recommended Zhuge Liang to take over his position and continue to govern Xuzhou.

Originally, Liu Bei thought Zhuge Liang was too young and didn't have much prestige yet, and he also didn't want Zhuge Liang to work as hard as Li Yi.

But now that his subordinates have become so corrupt, Liu Bei has no choice but to take drastic measures to rectify the situation.

He then entrusted all the administration of Xuzhou to Zhuge Liang, instructing him to rigorously investigate the officials under his command.

He then handed another token to Lu Su.

"Zijing, listen to my command!"

"The military forces of Xuzhou, both by water and land, are all under your command for training."

"At the same time, we will strictly investigate whether any officials in Xuzhou are exchanging letters with people in Liaodong."

Zhuge Liang and Lu Su exchanged a glance, then suddenly knelt down:
"Sir, you understand!"

Liu Bei formally handed over the military and political power of Xuzhou to Zhuge Liang and Lu Su.

Since Li Yi left, Xuzhou has been facing a new storm.

Not to be discussed.

……

Youzhou, Liaodong, Xiangping.

Li Yi's army has been besieging Xiangping for more than three months.

When the city ran out of food, Gongsun Du had no choice but to slaughter cattle and horses for food.

With the cattle and horses exhausted, the soldiers and civilians in the city were in dire straits.

Officials and commoners had no choice but to resort to cannibalism to survive.

For a time, everyone in the city was filled with resentment and no one had any will to stand firm.

They all wanted to kill Gongsun Du and offer his head to Li Yi to surrender the city.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Du was extremely alarmed and immediately sent Yang Yi and Han Zhong out of the city to surrender to Li Yi.

The two men were lowered down from the city wall by rope.

Upon arriving at the main tent and meeting Li Yi, he expressed his intention to surrender.

"My lord is willing to surrender the entire city to the Marquis of Tan. I request that the Marquis of Tan lift the siege on the city by twenty li."

Li Yi was furious and shouted at the two men:

“In the past, the states of Chu and Zheng were of equal status, yet the Duke of Zheng still bared his chest and exposed his flesh, leading a sheep out of the city to surrender.”

"I am a high-ranking official of the Emperor, yet you all wish to relieve me of my siege and make me retreat first. Is this in accordance with propriety?"

Only a fool would remove the siege at the most crucial moment.

Gongsun Du was trying to make a fool of Li Yi.

Therefore, Li Yi ordered Han Zhong and Yang Yi to be executed.

He then said to his attendants:
“Gongsun Du is a pragmatic man and would not do such a foolish thing as asking me to lift the siege first and then surrender.”

"I suspect that Yang Yi and Han Zhong were the ones who forged the order and acted against my will. I have already killed them for Gongsun Du."

"If Gongsun Du is truly sincere, he can send a younger, wiser person to surrender!"

The attendants were terrified and retreated timidly.

He reported this to Gongsun Du, who was horrified.

There was no time to investigate Li Yi's responsibility for killing his two generals, so he quickly sent a young messenger as Li Yi had instructed.

After Li Yi met the envoy, he said to him:

"There are five essential principles for handling important matters: if you can fight, then fight; if you cannot fight, then defend; if you cannot defend, then retreat; if you cannot retreat, then surrender; and if you cannot surrender, then die!"

"Since Gongsun Du is unwilling to surrender in person, then we can only ask him to die!"

This!
The envoy was greatly alarmed upon hearing this. He thought to himself, "It was clearly Li Yi who specifically instructed us to send the young man to surrender. Why is he suddenly refusing to accept the surrender?"

The envoy was about to plead for leniency, hoping to find a way to change the situation.

Suddenly, a scout galloped into the tent and reported:
"—Reporting to my lord, our army has already breached the wall."

It turns out that although the two sides were discussing peace talks, Li Yi had never ordered a halt to the attack.

"it is good!"

Li Yi slammed his hand on the table and stood up, saying to the messenger:
“Gongsun Du has acted against the natural order and is immoral. You may go back and tell him.”

"Unless he dies, there is absolutely no possibility of peace talks between our two armies!"

what! ?

Upon hearing this, the envoy was both surprised and furious. It turned out that Li Yi had never intended to negotiate peace.

Then why do you keep asking us to change players?
play?

The messenger had no choice but to return and report the news to Gongsun Du.

Gongsun Du was quite surprised upon hearing this:

"Are you saying that Li Yi has no intention of negotiating peace?"

"...Yes, that's what he said to the villain."

This is strange.

Gongsun Du also didn't understand what Li Yi meant.

If they don't want to negotiate, why make me keep changing who to negotiate with them?
Suddenly someone reported: "The Han army has already breached the outer wall!"

Gongsun Du was greatly surprised, but then a flash of inspiration struck him, and he thought of something.

Enraged, he stamped his feet, pounded his chest, and began to curse:
"Li Yi is truly a treacherous villain; we have fallen for his trick!"

Those around him asked, "What scheme did Li Yi use?"
Gongsun Du, his face pale, explained:
“Li Yi never considered peace talks, but he repeatedly made me change people just to slow me down.”

"So that I might mistakenly believe there is hope for peace talks and not abandon the city."

"The enemy has already breached the city walls, and our opportunity has been lost."

"There's nowhere to go but to heaven and nowhere to hide!!"

Everyone suddenly realized what was going on.

It turns out that Li Yi had already made up his mind to capture and kill Gongsun Du from the very beginning.

The reason Gongsun Du repeatedly sent envoys was simply to deliberately mislead them.

First, give your opponent hope, and then crush them when they lower their guard.

"My lord, what should we do now?"

Everyone knelt down and wept bitterly.

Gongsun Du's face was ashen, and he did not utter a word.

Perhaps a loyal and devoted person would offer advice:

"Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to fight to the death."

"We will break through and cover the general's escape."

Gongsun Du looked out over the city and saw enemy troops everywhere, feeling as if his legs weighed a ton.

I simply couldn't move anymore.

"...I have never been so humiliated since I started my army."

"Those of you who wish to leave may leave now."

"Those who wish to surrender can now leave the city and surrender."

Everyone asked, "My lord, what are you going to do?"
Gongsun Du then said:
"Since Li Yi will not tolerate me, I am willing to die on the battlefield, and not betray the seven-foot body of a man."

Upon hearing this, everyone around them was saddened and wept.

Gongsun Du then led more than ten elite cavalrymen, clad in heavy armor and wielding spears, out of the city to challenge them to battle.

As soon as I stepped outside, I heard shouts coming from the mountain:

"Gongsun Du, don't run away!"

"Kill the thief! Kill the thief!"

The deafening shouts of battle echoed throughout the mountains and fields.

A moment later, a horn sounded from the mountain, followed by the simultaneous sounding of drums and horns.

A group of soldiers blocked their way; the one in the center was Li Yi, the Marquis of Tan.

Zhang Xiu and Huang Zhong stood on the left and right respectively, shouting:

"Traitors, don't run!"

Gongsun Du was greatly alarmed and spurred his horse to charge straight into Li Yi's central army formation.

He thought to himself that even if he died in battle today, he would take Li Yi with him.

Before they even arrived, they could hear shouts coming from all directions.

On the left are Ma Chao and Lü Bu, and on the right are Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

The walls were surrounded like an iron barrel, and all the soldiers rushed forward.

They killed all of Gongsun Du's men and then went up to snatch Gongsun Du's body.

Gongsun Du was robbed and torn to pieces, his body unrecognizable.

Li Yi then led his troops into the city.

Gongsun Kang, son of Gongsun Du, along with his young son Gongsun Yuan, bound their own heads and surrendered the city in front of the city gate.

After the city fell, the people were filled with fear.

They burned incense and prayed in the streets, fearing that Li Yi would punish them.

Li Yi ordered that the people should not be disturbed after entering the city.

As the army marched into the city, they saw corpses of the starved blocking the roads, and people were even eating each other.

Li Yi then ordered his men to distribute the millet in the army to the people.

More people were seen huddled in corners, and countless people had frozen to death.

Li Yi then issued another order:

"The wood from Gongsun Du's house can be dismantled, and his garden can be felled for firewood."

So he personally took up an axe and demolished the palace, and soldiers and civilians followed suit, and the firelight lasted all night as if it were daytime.

He then opened the warehouse and distributed all the silk and coins inside as rewards to the three armies.

As for the remnants of the Gongsun clan within the city...

Li Yi still resorted to the old method.
The old must die, the young ones who are willing to surrender can be retained.

Those who refuse to surrender must die.

This tactic was always effective in ancient times and never failed.

As for the former officials in the city, they were all reinstated to their original positions.

Li Yi used this propaganda method to send proclamations to the remaining counties and prefectures in Liaodong.

Since Gongsun Du was dead, Gongsun Kang and other younger generations, as well as local officials, were treated with great respect.

Therefore, none of the prefectures were willing to resist Li Yi's troops any longer, and they all submitted petitions to surrender.

As a result, all four commanderies of Liaodong—Liaodong Commandery, Xuantu Commandery, Lelang Commandery, and Daifang Commandery—surrendered.

Through the tireless efforts of Li Yi and others, the entire territory of Youzhou was finally recovered.

……

The Book of the Later Han Dynasty records this event: "Famous generals of ancient times often released their troops after conquering a city."

“Yi reversed the course, not taking a single penny from the people, nor killing a single prisoner in the city, and Liaodong was thus pacified.”

"Therefore, the Art of War says: 'To subdue the enemy without fighting,' is this not what the Marquis of Tan meant?"

Pei Songzhi later added a note saying—

"The general who protects Zhaowu is truly a rare talent throughout history."

"Therefore, Yi Hou was able to defeat Xiangping and destroy Gongsun Du, all thanks to the sincere cooperation between the ruler and his minister."

……

Now that Xiangping City has been captured, the next step is to handle the aftermath.

The most important question, of course, is who will guard Liaodong.

Now that Liaodong has been recovered with great difficulty, it certainly cannot be handed over to outsiders.

Just when everyone thought Li Yi would hand over Liaodong to Zhang Fei, Qian Zhao and other trusted ministers of Liu Bei.

Li Yi made a decision that defied common sense.

He handed over Liaodong to Lü Bu!
Undoubtedly, this decision immediately drew opposition from the court officials.

Liu Ye was the most agitated; he sought out Li Yi alone and vehemently advised him:

"My lord! Our soldiers risked their lives, enduring snow and wind, to recover the four prefectures of Liaodong."

"Never easily entrust it to outsiders."

"Lü Bu was a fierce tiger."

"This man is ambitious and treacherous; he is not someone you can keep around for long."

"Now that Gongsun Du has been driven out, Lü Bu has been appointed to guard Liaodong."

"This is like driving away one wolf and gaining a tiger."

"I urge Your Excellency to reconsider!"

Liu Ye's idea represents the views of the majority.

They all believed that Lü Bu was too ambitious, and keeping him in Liaodong would make him a second Gongsun Du.

Li Yi, on the other hand, had his own unique insights.

"Although both Lü Bu and Gongsun Du harbored ruthless ambitions, Lü Bu lacked Gongsun Du's boundless and cunning ambition."

"But Bu Dan can only defend the isolated city like a colt under a yoke."

"By taking advantage of the situation, they gradually encroach upon neighboring territories, like a falcon in the clouds."

"If the central government is secure, then the troops will be bound and their armor removed. How dare they presume to covet the imperial power?"

“If the central government collapses, then the jackals and tigers will not be limited to the Lü family alone.”

Li Yi's ability to judge people is also far superior to what it used to be.

He believed that Lü Bu's ambitions differed from Gongsun Du's.

As long as our central government is stable, Lü Bu will not dare to harbor any rebellious thoughts.

If the central government's control weakens, then Lü Bu will not be the only one rebelling in the regions.
Li Yi first explained the rationale for keeping Lü Bu in Liaodong, and then began to explain the necessity of keeping Lü Bu.

"Now that Gongsun has been defeated, we should leave Huchen to guard Liaodong."

“The Goguryeo, Buyeo, and Okjeo kingdoms, once intimidated by the power of the Du kingdom, groveled and submitted to the Du kingdom.”

"Now that they have lost their fear, they will surely develop a ferocious heart."

"If we send an incompetent general to guard it, it would be like using a lamb to ward off a wolf, only provoking the enemy's ambition."

“Lü Bu was stationed in Bingzhou for a long time, and the Xiongnu were afraid of him. His ability was enough to intimidate all the barbarians.”

"...Therefore, leaving the cloth here is indeed a long-term strategy for securing the territory."

Although Gongsun Du was Li Yi's enemy, Li Yi also acknowledged his actions in Liaodong.

That is, Gongsun Du successfully suppressed the surrounding barbarians, preventing them from developing.

Don't be fooled by the perceived weakness of the surrounding barbarians; they only became weak because they were suppressed by the surrounding regimes.

Historically, when Sima Yi pacified Liaodong, he not only massacred the city but also exterminated the entire Gongsun clan.

As a result of the death of the Gongsun clan, the Goguryeo people, who had been suppressed, suddenly rose to power.

Therefore, Sima Yi is often jokingly referred to as the "Father of Goguryeo".

Li Yi, of course, wanted to prevent this from happening.

Therefore, he chose Lü Bu, who had experience fighting barbarians, for three reasons.

First, Lü Bu himself was very capable and could keep the surrounding barbarians in check.

Secondly, the barbarians feared power but did not appreciate virtue, so a brute like Lü Bu was needed to deal with them.

Choosing a civil official would actually worsen the situation.

Third, it was precisely because Lü Bu harbored wolfish ambitions that he needed to be sent far away.

Out of sight out of mind.

Taking all these factors into consideration, Li Yi chose Lü Bu.

After listening to Li Yi's analysis, Liu Ye agreed with it, but still had doubts about the decision.

"Your Majesty's strategic planning is profound, but you are lazy and lack decisiveness."

"For example, a horse that follows the reins can easily be misled by treacherous and wicked people."

"The way to subdue the barbarians is not just through archery and horsemanship, but also through a combination of wisdom and strategy."

“When Chen Ping was in power in Chu, Zhang Liang devised strategies to subdue the enemy.”

"I humbly believe that it is appropriate to send a trusted minister to assist Bu."

"If we can guide its policies externally and monitor its actions internally, then Liaodong can be at peace!"

Liu Ye analyzed the situation and felt that someone should be appointed to assist Lü Bu.

Li Yi was overjoyed, grabbed Liu Ye's shoulder, and said meaningfully:

"Ziyang, this is exactly what I've been waiting to hear."

what?
Liu Ye was taken aback, then quickly realized: "My lord, you wouldn't be suggesting that I—"

“…Xiao Ye.”

Li Yi sat back down in the command tent and spoke earnestly to Liu Ye.

"...There are no outsiders here. You are much younger than me, so I will call you Xiao Ye."

At Li Yi's former workplace, that's how he always addressed people.

Now that he's willing to open up and call Liu Ye so confidently, of course it means...

Li Yi, speaking frankly and sincerely to Liu Ye, said:
"Although you have served a wise ruler early on, you are still young."

"In the past, Xiao He did not look down on Cao Can, and Han Xin also respected Chen Ping."

"Yichang wanted to promote you, but the lord said you lacked the decisiveness to act."

"Looking back at the campaign against Liaodong, it is clear that you are more lenient than firm."

"Wouldn't it be better to leave Xuantu here?"

As he spoke, Li Yi took Liu Ye's hand.

“I also know that Liaodong is bitterly cold, unlike the prosperous Xuzhou.”

"Only in times of turmoil can one recognize a loyal minister, and only in a strong wind can one know the strength of the grass

"The nation needs your strategic planning, and the people await your pacification; this is the time for a true man to achieve great deeds!"

"After three years of performance evaluation, I will petition for his transfer."

"At that time, fame and fortune will surely be within my grasp."

"...What do you think?"

Li Yi spoke eloquently and persuasively, offering a lengthy explanation to Liu Ye.

Liu Ye was a sensible man, but he was completely fooled by Li Yi and felt dizzy.

Because of what Li Yi said,
Whether it's the choice of words, sentence structure, or tone of voice, everything is different from before.

Liu Ye had worked with Li Yi for so long, and he had never seen Li Yi speak like this before.

Could it be that he really has high hopes for me?
Li Yi concluded with a very plain statement:

"That's the situation."

"If you want to stay in Liaodong, I will immediately report to Xuzhou."

"If you don't want to stay, I can take you back to Jizhou."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ye felt as if his Ren and Du meridians had been opened, for some reason.

Surprisingly, he discerned Li Yi's subtext—

"That's the situation." (Now that I've explained it this clearly, don't you understand?)
"If you want to stay in Liaodong, I'll report to Xuzhou immediately." (You'd better hurry up and tell me you want to stay in Liaodong, don't waste my time.)
"If you don't want to stay, I can take you back to Jizhou." (If you dare say you want to go back to Jizhou, then your good days are far from over.)
Although Li Yi didn't say it explicitly, Liu Ye felt that Li Yi meant it that way.

He immediately bowed respectfully to Li Yi, saying:

"I, Ye, though foolish and dull, dare not disobey your teachings, Your Excellency!"

"I am willing to emulate Ban Chao's ambition and carve an inscription on Yanran Mountain to repay the Han dynasty!"

"Admire the spirit of Ma Yuan, and fortify the border with bronze pillars!"

"Having pledged my life to Liaodong, I will ensure that the barbarian cavalry will not dare to invade the north of Ji!"

"May the Han banner forever fly high over Xuantu!"

……

Excellent! A fine ambition!
Looking at Liu Ye's face, which clearly showed his desire to improve, Li Yi nodded in satisfaction.

This child is teachable.

Just as Li Yi said, don't be fooled by Liu Ye's early start.

But he's only twenty-five years old.

You said you're not even 25 years old and you're going to the border regions to gain experience. Why are you competing with those old veterans from Jizhou and Xuzhou for jobs?

The political arena is a deep and murky place; Xiao Liu, you simply can't navigate it right now...

You, Liu Ye, served as an official your whole life, but in the end, you were disliked by everyone and died in madness.

That really shows you've failed as an official.

Therefore, Li Yi's arrangement was also for Liu Ye's good.

If your boss gives you a platform, you must seize the opportunity and hone your skills.

Since Liu Ye agreed, Li Yi drafted a formal letter.

Please appoint Liu Bei as the Protector of Goguryeo.

This position is similar to the Northern Garrison Commandant and the Protector of the Wuhuan Commandant, and its rank is equivalent to two thousand shi (a unit of grain).

Of course, the most important thing is to exercise the power of oversight.

As for who to monitor?

Of course, it's Lü Bu, the protagonist of Liaodong.

Although Li Yi made the decision to leave Lü Bu to guard Liaodong, he had not actually told the person in charge yet.

The goal is to persuade Lü Bu to leave the prosperous Runan and stay in the remote Liaodong.

This is a rather difficult task.

No one else could have done it; only Li Yi could resolve it.

"Someone, go and find me ten beautiful Hu women!"

"A hefty reward will be given for finding it!"

……

(End of this chapter)