Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom Cannot Be Partial

Chapter 260 Xuan Yi Lang

The Great River.

The Yanwu-class destroyer.

Liu Shan stood atop the Flying Pavilion.

On the great river, the soldiers were busy at work.

Hundreds of shirtless men were chanting as they rolled the last few huge logs into the river and then struggled to tie them securely in the water.

Most of the trees felled to clear roads some time ago have been put to good use, greatly reducing the time needed for the Han people to build rafts.

The eight large wooden rafts, each about thirty or forty paces square, were now all completed.

Since logs are slightly less dense than water, they can float. And since the density of logs is only slightly less than that of water, the raft can draft even deeper than the Yanwu, which is under Liu Shan's feet.

Only the top layer of wood, about a foot or two deep, was visible, bobbing up and down with the river waves, while the rest of the wood sank to the bottom.

From a distance, they don't look like rafts, but rather like several moving islands that suddenly appeared in the middle of the river.

Hundreds of soldiers, who were extremely skilled swimmers, were standing on the logs that were protruding from the water, either using long oars to steer in the river or pulling on thick ropes to control the sails.

They called out to each other, gesturing and practicing how to move on the undulating raft, and how to coordinate their efforts to make the behemoth move in the turbulent river in a predetermined direction.

This is no easy task. The enormous raft has an unimaginable resistance to the current. Often, more than two hundred people have to work together to row and hoist the sails to make it deflect at an extremely slow angle.

Footsteps came from behind Liu Shan.

Zhuge Qiao and Huo Yi, who led the "Xuanyi Lang" to the front line, had just given Liu Shan a full salute on the lower deck. Liu Shan simply nodded in acknowledgment and did not turn around.

"Your Majesty!" Perhaps due to the long journey, Zhuge Qiao's voice was a little hoarse, and as he bowed respectfully, his gaze was drawn to the incredible giant raft on the river.

"This...this is the raft His Majesty used to break the sinking cone?"

Huo Yi was equally surprised, but he quickly turned his gaze from the giant raft to the emperor, his expression a mixture of respect and delight:
"Your Majesty, when we arrived in Nanzheng, we learned that Your Majesty had already defeated Pan Jun. Once the news of the victory reaches Guanzhong, all civil and military officials will be overjoyed and relieved!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Like countless other young people who personally experienced the fall of Jingzhou and the defeat of the late emperor's army, he deeply hated traitors like Mi Fang, Pan Jun, and Fu Shiren.

This victory was of extraordinary significance to the Han Dynasty, even more so than the capture of Bu Zhi in Xicheng.

Zhuge Qiao nodded repeatedly and replied:
Before setting off, the Prime Minister smiled and said to us.

"By the time we arrive at the front lines, His Majesty may already be at the gates of Zigui and Yiling. We will not be able to believe it at that time."

"Now that Pan Jun has been defeated, and His Majesty has already devised a strategy to break through the Jiangzhui and Tiesuo defenses, if we had arrived ten days later, not only would our army have been at the gates of Zigui, but we might not even have been able to recapture Zigui!"

Huo Yi also said:

"Although we have not yet captured Wu County, it is not because the Prime Minister misjudged us, but because we were eager to get there. We traveled day and night without stopping, and arrived ten days earlier than originally planned."

His face was full of excitement. This victory seemed to have nothing to do with him, but in fact it was closely related to him and to every Han Chinese.

Liu Shan then turned around and looked at the two young and energetic ministers.

They had traveled day and night from Guanzhong, and although they were still covered in dust from their journey, their eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, showing no signs of fatigue.

"It's good that you've come." Liu Shan smiled slightly, his tone calm.

"The success of the battle at the front is not only due to the bloody battles fought by the soldiers at the front, but also to the efforts of the Prime Minister and officials in the rear to supervise the people and make plans."

He paused, then asked with a smile:

"Now that you two are here, have you thought about what you can do for me?"

Zhuge Qiao and Huo Yi exchanged a glance, clearly having discussed it beforehand.

Zhuge Qiao spoke first, his voice earnest and sincere:

"Your Majesty, we are still inexperienced and have limited knowledge of military matters and warfare."

"I am willing to procure provisions for the army, count the soldiers and armor, and supervise the transport of supplies."

“We have often assisted the Prime Minister in handling these matters, and are already familiar with them, so there will be no mistakes.”

Huo Yi added:
"Indeed, supplies must precede troops. We can calculate the daily food consumption of each camp for the army to ensure that there is no shortage during the transport."

"In wartime, boats can also be coordinated and the order of crossing the river can be arranged."

"As for the post-war inventory of spoils... we can also do our best to handle such matters."

Liu Shan slowly shook his head, his gaze once again falling on the several giant rafts lying dormant in the middle of the river:
"These specific matters have long been handled by designated personnel in the military, and Chief Secretary Jiang has also recommended capable people from Chengdu."

“Your vision should not be limited to these things.”

The two were taken aback upon hearing this.

Liu Shan then continued:
"Over the past few months, the Prime Minister has been writing to me frequently."

"While there is occasional concern about the war, more often the topics mentioned are the land reclamation, water conservancy, autumn harvest, and preparations for the following spring planting in Guanzhong. Do you know why?"

Before the two could answer, Liu Shan continued:

"Because the Prime Minister knows that while the outcome of a battle on the front lines is important, the foundation of the nation lies in the stability of the country, the peace of the people, and the continuous supply of provisions."

"Without these, no matter how brave the soldiers on the front lines are, or how triumphant they are, it is all just a castle in the air."

"You have been by the Prime Minister's side for so long, I have no doubt about your ability to handle specific administrative affairs."

"But what you should learn next is how to coordinate the overall situation, how to 'stabilize the country, appease the people, provide supplies, and ensure uninterrupted supply lines'."

"This is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. Chief Secretary Jiang is assisting the Prime Minister in Chengdu. I hope that in the future, you will become people who are even more capable of shouldering this important responsibility than Chief Secretary Jiang."

Zhuge Qiao and Huo Yi immediately became solemn.

The emperor's words undoubtedly placed extremely high hopes on them and pointed out the true direction for their future.

He was not a general charging into battle, nor a bureaucrat burdened with paperwork, but a key minister who oversaw the overall situation and safeguarded the nation.

"Your Majesty's teachings will be obeyed!" The two bowed and said in unison, their hearts surging with emotion.

Liu Shan nodded slightly.

He received the Prime Minister's letter from Zhuge Qiao.

In the letter, the prime minister was naturally unaware that he had defeated Pan Jun. The letter mainly contained requests for instructions on some details of the implementation of the Fubing system, as well as a report on the recovery of people's livelihood in Guanzhong after the autumn harvest.

At the end of the letter, the Prime Minister expressed his approval of the strategy of General Zhao and General Chen Dao to send Fu Kuang and Liu Yin to lead a surprise attack in Jiangnan.

Once the Jiangzhui and Tiesuo passes are breached, whether Liu Yin's few hundred men can completely sever the connection between Wuxian and downstream Zigui and Yiling will determine the course of the Han-Wu Jingzhou War.

Liu Shan abandoned the boat and went ashore.

The riverside dock was bustling with noise.

Large numbers of Han infantrymen began to line up and board ships, preparing to cross the river to the south bank.

In the queue, one group of people stood out.

Their armor was gleaming, their weapons were excellent, and their demeanor was completely different from that of ordinary Han soldiers. Each of them had sharp eyes and exuded a fierce and courageous aura that had been forged in bloody battles.

As they walked, they exuded an air of self-confidence, displaying a distinct sense of pride and self-assurance compared to soldiers from other units.

These few hundred men were the soldiers of the Eagle Banner Garrison.

Before long, Liu Shan's gaze fell precisely on Wei Qi, who was loudly urging his subordinates to board the ship.

He led Huo Yi and Zhuge Qiao down the slope to the dock.

Upon seeing the emperor's arrival, Wei Qi hurriedly stepped forward.

Upon reaching the emperor, he suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a salute:
"This humble general, Wei Qi, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Get up," Liu Shan said, offering a slight gesture of support.

"How is your brother Wei Xing's injury?"

Although Liu Shan had met Wei Qi before the battle, he did not speak much with him.

A fleeting, almost imperceptible sadness crossed Wei Qi's face, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of heroic pride:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"

"My elder brother's injury has almost healed, but it will ache slightly whenever it is rainy."

"But this is common. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. It's a blessing to be alive and not lose an arm or a leg!"
"He often said, 'What's a little pain? I can still fight for His Majesty!'"

Liu Shan smiled and nodded.

Most of the veterans who survived the battlefield were like this; Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, Chen Dao, and even Zhao Yun, were all covered in wounds.

He glanced at the menacing, orderly ranks of the guards behind Wei Qi and asked:
"Your troops achieved great success in this pursuit at Shenjian Pass, and I have already read the military report."

"To fight with fewer troops is the way to go into battle."

"To kill four out of ten prisoners is considered a superior outcome."

"To win on the battlefield is the result of five turns of merit."

“You…and your comrades behind you, are now all cavalry captains of the Han Dynasty.”

According to the military merit transfer system established by Liu Shan and the Prime Minister:

First promotion: Cavalry Commandant, equivalent to 100 bushels of grain.

Second promotion: Cloud Cavalry Captain, with a salary of 200 shi (a unit of grain). Third promotion: Flying Cavalry Captain, with a salary of 300 shi (a unit of grain).

Fourth promotion: Valiant Cavalry Captain, equivalent to 400 shi (a unit of grain).
Fifth promotion: Cavalry Commandant, with a salary of 500 shi (a unit of grain).

Because the military service system was based on collective merit.

Wei Qi and his more than one hundred soldiers were all promoted to the rank of Fifth-Rank Merit Officer and Cavalry Commandant for their previous merit in intercepting and killing Sun Zhong and Sun Gui.

This not only meant that they obtained the right to occupy more than 600 mu of land, but also that they themselves were qualified to become honorary officials and receive corresponding salaries.

Their sons and nephews thus gained valuable opportunities to study at the Imperial Academy and even be selected as officials in the future.

This is a ladder to heaven that can change the fate of the family.

Since the merits of the soldiers had not yet been tallied, Wei Qi, upon hearing the emperor's words, was filled with immense excitement and gratitude, and clasped his hands in a fist salute once more:
"Thank you for your great kindness and generosity, Your Majesty! We...we will repay you with our lives!"

His voice even choked up a little.

He didn't know what others thought.

But he knew perfectly well that while this honor was earned through their bloody battles, if the emperor had not established the Fubing system and if the emperor had not taken special care of his elder brother Wei Xing, how could Fu Taolu have entrusted him with such an important task as cutting off the enemy's retreat?

He would never forget this kindness and the emperor's great favor.

Although the soldiers behind Wei Qi remained standing, their eyes were filled with pride, excitement, and fervor that were almost overflowing.

They felt they were different from the other ordinary Han soldiers around them; they were the Emperor's Eagle Banner soldiers, they were the Emperor's personal guard!

Their military achievements, glory, land, official positions, and even the future of their families all depend on the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty before them!
This strong sense of belonging and special status reinforced their unique and fierce temperament.

They are not only elite soldiers on the battlefield, but also the most direct supporters and defenders of imperial power. In the future, they will take turns entering the palace as imperial guards, becoming an iron shield around the emperor!
After Wei Qi stood up, a constable, suppressing his excitement, asked on behalf of his brothers a question that everyone was concerned about:

"Your Majesty, we...we are foolish...if, if we can still achieve meritorious service in the upcoming battle of crossing the river, will...will we be able to continue to receive merits?"

Liu Shan smiled upon hearing this and nodded affirmatively:
"Naturally, the system of merit transfer has already been established."

"As long as you make new contributions, corresponding honors will be waiting for you."

"I, the Emperor, and the nation, will not hesitate to bestow rewards!"

Upon receiving confirmation from the Emperor himself, the eyes of Nadubo and the Eagle-Winged Guards who overheard the conversation instantly ignited an even more intense fighting spirit.

The opportunity is here.

More land, higher rank, and a brighter future all require victory, the heads of the enemy!

"Your Majesty, rest assured! We will certainly not fail in our mission!" Nadubo responded with a resounding voice.

Liu Shan nodded in satisfaction, signaling them to continue boarding the ship.

Wei Qi bowed to the emperor again, then turned and loudly urged his subordinates:

"Hurry up! Get it over with! Stop dawdling! Let those Wu dogs taste the might of the Great Han Eagle Banner!"

The soldiers responded with a resounding roar and boarded the ships that had come to pick them up swiftly and in an orderly fashion.

Liu Shan stood at the bow of the ship, watching it leave the shore.

The river surged and flowed, a thousand sails were in motion, and a somber atmosphere permeated the sky and the river.

...

In the Han army's main camp south of the Yangtze River, rows of tents have already been erected.

The bugle calls echoed, and the footsteps of the patrolling soldiers were heavy yet rhythmic.

The smoke from the cook's cooking fire rose in wisps.

The air was filled with the aroma of millet mixed with pickled vegetables and fermented black beans.

A relatively spacious open space, which was obviously just leveled.

Several hundred Han soldiers sat in several circles.

They had just arrived in Jiangnan, their faces showing fatigue, but even more so curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible solemnity.

Because standing before them was a young scholar.

This scholar was named Du Qian, a native of Changsha. His family fled west to Shu when Jingzhou fell, and he had a deep-seated hatred for the people of Wu who had destroyed his family.

Because of his literacy, knowledge of military affairs, and deep hatred for the Wu region, he was selected by the Prime Minister's Office to become the newly established "Xuanyi Lang" in the Han army.

At this moment, he was wearing a slightly oversized blue robe, standing out from the fully armored soldiers around him.

He clutched a newly delivered copy of "The Military News of the Great Han Dynasty" tightly in his hand, looking somewhat nervous.

"Gentlemen... fellow generals and brothers."

When Du Qian spoke, his Mandarin had a distinct Jingnan accent.

Although it is not as difficult to pronounce as the elegant accent of Guanzhong, it is still slightly different from the accent commonly spoken in Sichuan.

"Today... today's supplement to the Military News has arrived. I... I am ordered to give a sermon to you all."

Faced with a group of fierce warriors, the refined scholar felt somewhat intimidated and tried his best to make his voice sound louder and more resolute.

The crowd stirred slightly.

This scene was still somewhat novel and uncomfortable for these officers, most of whom came from military backgrounds and were used to receiving direct orders from their superiors.

They exchanged glances.

Some people stood by with their arms crossed, while others rubbed the calluses on their fingers.

Some people, like Wei Qi, leaned forward slightly, showing a listening posture.

Du Qian took a deep breath, as if to encourage himself, and then unrolled the paper in his hand:

"The first thing this supplement says is the decision made by His Majesty and the central government!"

"His Majesty has said that the Eastern Expedition is not merely a matter of momentary revenge!"

"Indeed...indeed, the nation's destiny has arrived; it is the will of Heaven!"

"The Han and the traitors cannot coexist; the royal cause cannot be achieved by merely occupying a corner of the land!"

"Sun Quan usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, which Heaven detested!"

"His Majesty, by the mandate of Heaven, is to punish this scoundrel Sun Quan!"

"Pan Jun has been defeated, and His Majesty has arrived in person!"

"In a few days, Wu County will once again become part of the territory of our Great Han!"
"After this battle, the mighty Han army will march straight towards Zigui, Yiling, and Jiangling!"
"..."

As he spoke more and more, his voice gradually stabilized, and his Changsha accent took on a unique strength:

"Perhaps some brothers feel that we are doing alright in Sichuan."

Why go through the trouble of a distant expedition and risk such great danger?

"But... but please think about this!"
"How can we forget the humiliation of Jingzhou?!"
"How can the humiliation of Yiling not be avenged?!"

"How can the blood of our great Han soldiers be shed in vain?!"

His increasingly impassioned words stirred up memories of hatred among the Jingzhou officers present, and many of them turned somber.

Du Qian keenly sensed this emotion and continued speaking loudly:

"And that Sun Quan is a despicable and ungrateful man, far from being a benevolent person!"
“They levied exorbitant taxes and forced labor in Jingzhou, far exceeding what was done before. They frequently whipped the people and treated my former compatriots like pigs and dogs!”

"They forcibly conscripted the young men of Jingzhou into the army, driving them to serve as the vanguard for the Wu people!"

"They forcibly took women from Jingzhou as wives for the soldiers! To provide the Wu people with sexual pleasure!"

"Such behavior is utterly despicable, deserving of the wrath of both gods and men!"

"Damn it!" In the queue, a burly man couldn't help but curse under his breath, slamming his fist on the ground beside him.

These words resonated with many more people, and the whispers turned into clear shouts of anger.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Du Qian changed the subject and began to explain the advantages of this battle.

Then, several Wu soldiers prisoners from Jingzhou were pulled out from behind the screen and made to speak in their familiar Jingzhou accent.

The lament recounts how cruel Sun Quan was to the people of Jingzhou after taking control of the province, and how harsh and brutal his generals were to the soldiers.

"Kill Wu the dog!" Someone in the crowd shouted first, and then the echoes erupted like a landslide and a tsunami.

"Reclaim Jingzhou!"

"Must win!"

Victory is certain!
Seeing this, Wei Qi also drew his iron sword from his waist, pointed it diagonally at Jiangdong, and shouted sharply:

"Eagle Soaring Prefecture! Follow me to take Wu Gou's head and exchange it for land, property, and official rank!"

"Kill!" The soldiers responded with a thunderous roar, their voices echoing across the surrounding area.

Inspired by this, the soldiers of other battalions also raised their arms and shouted, and for a time, the sounds of battle filled the air along the riverbank.

The tense and oppressive atmosphere that had arisen from the impending battle was instantly replaced by a shared hatred of the enemy and a determination to win at all costs.

(End of this chapter)