Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 133 Wang Lang
Wang Lang's prefectural seat was located in Shanyin County, Kuaiji, which was later known as Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City.

Yong'an and Shanyin are about 150 miles apart, with several cities and more than ten passes along the way. The messenger sent by Han You traveled day and night, and arrived in Shanyin at 3 p.m.

After reading the letter, Wang Lang was shocked and immediately summoned all civil and military officials to the official temple to discuss the matter.

When he arrived at the hearing hall, he had calmed down, wearing a long robe with wide sleeves and a calm demeanor, and had regained the elegant demeanor of a master of Confucian classics.

Wang Lang, courtesy name Jingxing, was a native of Tan County, Donghai. He was 42 years old this year and had studied under Grand Commandant Yang Ci. After Yang Ci's death, Wang Lang resigned from his official position to mourn him. Upon completion of his mourning period, he was selected as a filial and honest official and a talented scholar, and appointed as an official in the Xuzhou prefecture. His erudition, self-discipline, and rigorous discipline made him a renowned Confucian scholar of his time.

At this time, Wang Lang was still relatively loyal to the empire and Emperor Xian. In the spring and summer of last year, he persuaded Tao Qian to select good horses, load gold and silk, and travel thousands of miles to pay tribute to Emperor Xian. The amount of money he paid was staggering. The gold, pearls, treasures, brocades and silks alone could be described as a cartload.

Emperor Xian, who was being controlled by Li Jue and Guo Si, was deeply moved by the tribute, which was like a glimpse of light in the darkness. He then issued an edict to promote Tao Qian to the positions of Governor of Xuzhou, General of Andong, and Marquis of Liyang. Wang Lang also benefited greatly from this and was appointed Governor of Kuaiji.

Wang Lang was a skilled administrator. After taking office in Kuaiji, he established schools, promoted Confucianism, reduced taxes and levies, and built dikes and dams. The people of Kuaiji were deeply moved by his virtue, and a children's rhyme was often circulated: "Kuaiji boasts clear mountains and clear waters, the prince governs with wisdom, encouraging farmers to cultivate mulberry trees, reducing taxes and levies, reading aloud in schools, and promoting the teaching of propriety and morality."
However, Wang Lang had a fatal weakness, which was that he valued civil affairs over military affairs and was not good at military affairs.

He adhered to the Confucian principles of benevolence, ritual governance, moral cultivation, people-centeredness, and moderation, and he also inherited the Confucian rejection of military affairs.

In today's chaotic world, being unfamiliar with military strategy and not being good at serving in the army is a sin!
If Qiantang was not a matter of great importance, he would not have summoned his subordinates to discuss the matter of raising an army.

Most of those who served him were scholars, among whom the most outstanding were Yu Fan, Xu Jing, Zhou Xin, Zhou Yu, and Shang Sheng.
When it comes to teaching the classics and writing elegantly, these people are all outstanding. But when it comes to military affairs, one sentence can describe them:

No one can fight!

Everyone sat down in the hearing hall and deliberated for a moment. Xu Jing then veiled his objection, "Your Majesty, ritual is used to stabilize the state and order the people. Righteousness is used to straighten people's hearts and distinguish right from wrong. Qiantang is under the jurisdiction of Wu Commandery. If our army were to dispatch troops, it would be an invasion of another county, a violation of ritual and righteousness, and unbecoming of a gentleman."

Xu Jing, whose courtesy name was Wenxiu, was a native of Pingyu, Runan. He was good at evaluating people. In history, he successively served Kong Rong, Chen Yi, Xu Gong, Wang Lang, Liu Zhang, Liu Bei and others, and later became one of the Three Dukes of Shu Han.

If I were to use one sentence to describe this person, it would be 'A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall'. Wherever there is danger, he will avoid it in advance and cherish his life very much.

His words hit Wang Lang's soft spot. Wang Lang was always polite and righteous, and he was worried about invading his county, fearing that this would damage his reputation.

Yu Fan, a man of straightforward character, responded bluntly, "Qiantang has only been under the jurisdiction of Wu Commandery for fifty years. Before that, it belonged to Kuaiji for three hundred years. How can you say you're invading another county? Today presents a golden opportunity, and with the tide of fortune on your side, you should seize it. Qiantang is only thirty-five miles from Yongxing and a mere one hundred and ten miles from Shanyin. If it falls into Yan Yi's hands, and given his penchant for warfare, our county will never have peace again."

Yu Fan's words made Wang Lang both alert and excited. Kuaiji had 35,000 troops. Qiantang at this time was not only a godsend opportunity for him, but also a piece of fat meat that was delivered to his mouth and he could swallow it with just one mouth.

But Wang Lang didn't want to take the blame for the military expedition. Stroking his long beard, he pondered, "Daming, what do you think should be done about this?" Daming was Zhou Xin's courtesy name. Earlier this year, after surrendering Danyang to Wu Jing, Zhou Xin fled to Kuaiji and took refuge with Wang Lang, who admired his talent and respected his virtue.

After the events in Danyang, Zhou Xin often reflected on himself and blamed himself, thinking about the suffering of the people of Danyang. He tossed and turned every night, his heart aching with regret. Now living under someone else's roof, he felt disheartened and had become taciturn. Upon hearing this, he said, "Your Excellency is wise. All of you present here are talented and will surely know what to do. I dare not speak rashly, but will obey your orders."

Wang Lang was at a loss for ideas and turned to Shang Sheng, "What do you think, Lord Shang?"

Shang Sheng, a former Marquis and current Chief Secretary, had led his army to a crushing defeat against Han Yan, a lieutenant under Sun Ce. He was known for his decisiveness and courage. He immediately said solemnly, "Yan Yi is incredibly ambitious, and his ambitions are significant. If allowed to run rampant, he will undoubtedly be a threat. Judging from his actions, he's like a young tiger; once fully grown, he'll devour us. Your Excellency, don't let this tiger become a threat; you should act now."

Wang Lang was quite satisfied and stopped asking for others' opinions. He stood straight and said solemnly, "Since this is what you all say, I will obey. Our army will march to Qiantang today to drive out Yan Yi and prevent him from harming the people of Qiantang. He recently defeated Zhu Zhi and should not be underestimated. Although our army is large, we must be cautious. Daming, I entrust the responsibility of commanding the battle to you, and Shang Jun can serve as deputy commander."

Wang Lang believed that Zhou Xin's defeat at the hands of Wu Jing was not due to his own fault, but rather to his benevolent heart and his concern for the people. When he received the military report from Danyang that day, hearing that Xin had abandoned the city to protect the people, he was practically moved to tears and considered Zhou Xin a close friend. Among all the generals in Kuaiji, none could match his leadership talent. Zhou Xin was the perfect choice to lead the army.

Zhou Xin had sought refuge with Wang Lang, and he felt compelled to repay his kindness. After a moment's thought, he said, "I have been so kind to you, Lord, and I shall certainly obey your orders. However, there is one thing I must ask for your approval, otherwise I would never dare to take on this important task."

Wang Lang said solemnly, "Daming, please speak."

Zhou Xin stood up from the couch and bowed deeply. "Please, my Lord, give an order that our soldiers shall not plunder or harm the people after entering Qiantang territory."

"No one has ever loved the people as much as you do. Your benevolence is truly supreme." Wang Lang's face was filled with emotion. He stood up and solemnly returned the greeting to Zhou Xin: "Your words are exactly what I want. If anyone in the army offends the people, you will deal with them!"

Zhou Xin bowed again: "Your Majesty is benevolent!"

Everyone in the hall bowed in unison, "Your Majesty is so kind!"

Wang Lang humbly returned the greetings one by one, but a hint of complacency flashed in his eyes.

After the matter was discussed, Zhou Xin and Shang Sheng took the order and documents and left the hearing hall. On the one hand, they sent people to various cities in Kuaiji to mobilize troops, and on the other hand, they ordered people to prepare horses and rushed to Yongxing without stopping.

When Zhou Xin arrived in Yongxing, he mobilized troops from Yongxing and Fuchun, the two cities closest to Qiantang, overnight. The army would march towards Qiantang the next morning.

At this moment, Yan Yi was leaning over his desk, sometimes thinking, sometimes writing, writing letters to Wang Lang, Han You, Xu Zhao and others.

(End of this chapter)