The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 38 The Strategist's First Use of Troops: The Importance of Troops is Not Their Quantity, but Their Command and Deployment
Although Wang Zhong, who was stationed in Changlu, did not have as many troops as Cao Cao's elite forces, he still had an advantage over Liu Bei in terms of manpower, weapons, and armor.

If troops are not dispatched in advance to seize Xiaopei and restrain Wang Zhong of Changlu, it will be very troublesome for Liu Bei's northward march if Wang Zhong leads his troops to plunder the people.

Liu Bei currently only has the White Feather Army capable of fighting, which, although claimed to number a thousand, actually numbers only about eight hundred.

It would have been virtually impossible to have just over 800 men directly protect tens of thousands of civilians from Wang Zhong's plunder.

Xiaopei is located more than a hundred li southwest of Changlu.

If Liu Bei sends troops to seize Xiaopei, it would be like drawing an arrow in Wang Zhong's back; if Wang Zhong dares to plunder the people, Liu Bei can seize Changlu and cut off Wang Zhong's way back.

in this way.

This would restrain Wang Zhong and indirectly protect tens of thousands of people as they marched north.

"I will personally lead the troops to Xiaopei."

"The strategist, together with Yun Chang and others, should protect the families and civilians and head north first."

After only a moment's thought, Liu Bei made his decision.

However, Zhuge Liang did not agree with this decision and advised, "General, you have a thousand pieces of gold to your name. How can you risk entering Xiaopei?"

"Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians are heading north, passing through the counties controlled by the six generals of Mount Tai. If the general were not here, I fear the six generals of Mount Tai would maliciously plunder them."

"It would be better for Liang to go to Xiaopei with Guan Sima, while the general, officials, people and their families go north first. This way, we can be on the safe side."

Liu Bei shook his head: "The strategist is of paramount importance to me, and I am even more unwilling to let him risk his life in Xiaopei. Gongyou Yuanzhi recently persuaded Chang Xi, and Zang Ba and others have also received generous gifts from me. I do not expect the six of them to make things difficult for me."

Zhuge Liang advised again: "The six generals of Mount Tai are subordinate to Cao Cao. General, you must not take chances! Moreover, I have no reputation. Even if I cannot defeat Wang Zhong, it will not damage my reputation. General, you have a reputation. If you cannot win, it will make the people of Hebei look down on you."

This differs from the historical record that Liu Bei fled to Hebei alone.

Liu Bei's northward journey was aimed at establishing a foothold in Hebei, hence his reputation was of utmost importance.

In Zhuge Liang's view: King against king, general against general, Wang Zhong is not qualified to have Liu Bei personally go.

"This"

Zhuge Liang's advice made Liu Bei fall into deep thought.

Sending Zhuge Liang into danger was not what Liu Bei wanted.

But Zhuge Liang's words also made sense: if one wanted to establish a foundation in Hebei, one's reputation could not be damaged.

a long time.

Liu Bei made a tough decision: "Strategist, how many men do you plan to take to Xiaopei?"

Zhuge Liang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If Liu Bei is willing to listen to advice, things will be easier to handle.

"We only need two hundred White Feather Soldiers and three hundred able-bodied men," Zhuge Liang said without hesitation.

Liu Bei was taken aback: "Wang Zhong has two thousand soldiers in Changlu, but the strategist only has two hundred White Feather Soldiers and three hundred able-bodied men. That's too few! I will give you another three hundred White Feather Soldiers and two hundred able-bodied men to make a total of one thousand men."

Zhuge Liang firmly believed that "the strength of an army does not lie in its size, but in the ability to command its soldiers."

"Two hundred White Feather Soldiers will fight the enemy, and three hundred able-bodied men will cheer them on. That will be enough to hold off Wang Zhong! What's more, we also have Guan Yu to help us."

Seeing Liu Bei hesitate, Zhuge Liang said again, "Hesitation will only lead to trouble. I urge you, General, to make a decision quickly!"

"Alas!" Liu Bei grasped Zhuge Liang's hand and sighed sincerely, "I cannot bear to see the strategist suffer. Strategist, you must not force yourself to do anything. If things do not go well, your life should be the priority."

Zhuge Liang was deeply moved: "What does it matter if I suffer some hardship to achieve your goals, General? Rest assured, I have already made my decision!"

Liu Bei then summoned Guan Yu and Xiahou Bo and instructed them: "Yun Chang, Chong Yi, I will give you two hundred elite soldiers and three hundred able-bodied men. You two can go to Xiaopei with the strategist."

"All actions shall be under the command of the strategist. Remember: the strategist's life is of utmost importance and cannot be compromised. If you fail to protect the strategist, I will hold both of you accountable!"

Guan Yu and Xiahou Bo both straightened up and clasped their hands in acceptance of the order.

Guan Yu solemnly vowed, "Brother, rest assured, with me here, no one can harm the strategist in the slightest! If anything goes wrong, I, Guan Yu, am willing to accept military punishment!"

Xiahou Bo also patted his chest and guaranteed it.

After deploying his troops, Liu Bei once again grasped Zhuge Liang's hands and said, "Strategist, please take good care of yourself on your journey to Xiaopei!"

In response to Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang gave him a firm look: "General, you must also take care. If you encounter any indecisive matters, you can discuss them with Shi Yuan and Yuan Zhi." Then...

Zhuge Liang then sought out Pang Tong and Xu Shu and informed them of the plan to divide the troops.

Upon learning that Zhuge Liang was going to Xiaopei personally to restrain Wang Zhong, and that he was only taking two hundred White Feather Soldiers and three hundred able-bodied men, Pang Tong and Xu Shu were both surprised and said in succession:
"Throughout history, those who have consistently won battles have generally used their superior numbers to overwhelm the weak. Kongming, you must not be overconfident!"

"To restrain Wang Zhong, it is sufficient for Sima to go; why should Kongming risk his life to go himself?"

Zhuge Liang sensed Pang Tong and Xu Shu's concern and said with a smile, "I regard Wang Zhong as nothing more than a duck. Our army is short of warhorses and armor, so it's perfect to borrow some from Wang Zhong."

Seeing that Pang Tong and Xu Shu were still worried, Zhuge Liang said, "It is not that I am arrogant or complacent. Cao Cao has almost exhausted the strong troops of all the counties in order to resist Yuan Shao."

"Wang Zhong's troops are nothing but a rabble. Although they have advantages in manpower, weapons, and armor, their generals are incompetent and their soldiers are cowardly. What is there to fear?"

"On the contrary, the six generals of Mount Tai who are entrenched in the East China Sea and Langya area have elite and skilled troops under their command. Shi Yuan and Yuan Zhi need to make good plans to help the general to go north safely."

Upon hearing this, both Pang Tong and Xu Shu were startled.

Zhuge Liang was not talking nonsense.

Wang Zhong was not a skilled general; the troops under his command were merely those that Cao Cao had placed in Changlu to guard against the rebellion of the Six Generals of Mount Tai.

Taking advantage of Changlu's geographical location, Wang Zhong was more than capable of defending the city.

Without the advantage of terrain after leaving Changlu, Wang Zhong's attack was insufficient.

Zang Ba, Chang Xi, and others had been rampant in Qing and Xu provinces since the Yellow Turban Rebellion began. Over a decade of trials and tribulations had transformed even the most clumsy thieves into elite ones.

"With Yuanzhi and I here, Kongming can rest assured."

"Kongming, please take good care of yourself!"

The two men clasped their hands in a gesture of respect, ceasing their attempts to persuade each other, their eyes hardening with determination.

With Liu Bei's current meager power, he is not in a position to have everything go his way.

To survive and thrive in a competitive environment, you have to work harder than the average person.

Only the bold get to eat; the timid starve. That's the reality.

During the Northern Expeditions, Zhuge Liang devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause, personally handling every matter. This was not because Zhuge Liang was greedy for power and abused his authority, but because Shu Han was suffering from a shortage of talented individuals, making it difficult to find capable people to serve.

And now.

With Pang Tong and Xu Shu around, Zhuge Liang didn't have to shoulder everything himself.

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but laugh heartily: "With Shi Yuanhe and Yuanzhi here, I have nothing to worry about!"

Soldiers are valuable and quick.

That evening, Zhuge Liang led Guan Yu, Xiahou Bo, two hundred White Feather Soldiers, three hundred able-bodied men, and a large number of banners to Xiaopei.

Their willingness to brave hardships is truly amazing and admirable!
Later generations have said:

Looking back over China's five thousand years of history, none can be more deserving of the title of a perfect minister throughout the ages than Prime Minister Zhuge Liang.

He single-handedly supported the nation's stability and defended the country against the combined might of fourteen states with the strength of one state. He wielded power without deceiving his superiors and was skilled in attack without being reckless in warfare.

He risked his life for the country and established his dynasty in a chaotic world.

In terms of combining wisdom, courage, virtue, and loyalty, he is unparalleled throughout history.

It can be seen.

The setting sun casts its rays upon the city walls of Xiapi.

Liu Bei looked up and gazed in the direction of Xiaopei.

Although Zhuge Liang and the others had long since gone and were no longer visible, in Liu Bei's eyes:
Zhuge Liang's upright and heroic posture has remained unchanged!
Only when the sun had completely set did Liu Bei slowly turn around and give orders to his men.

"Gentlemen, follow me north!"

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(End of this chapter)