Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 227 still needs encouragement
Wuyuan County relocated people to new settlements.

The midday sun was still not hot, and a gentle breeze carrying a slight coolness softly enveloped a row of neat adobe houses that nestled against the Yinshan Mountains and faced the newly reclaimed land.

The houses were new, and the earthy smell was still there, but there was no mess or dilapidation.

The crisscrossing ditches deliver melted snow and fresh water from the foot of Yinshan Mountain to every planned field, and the land is moist in the morning light.

Zhang Xian removed his black armor cloak from his previous role as a general, and wore only a worn-out indigo blue linen robe with a cloth belt casually tied around his waist, and leather boots for easy walking.

If it weren't for his upright posture and the lingering sharpness between his brows, at first glance, he would be no different from an ordinary wealthy man.

Behind him followed by his personal guard commander, Ashan, and two elite soldiers, all dressed in civilian clothes, keeping a distance, vigilant yet not appearing out of place.

He did not bring any entourage on this trip; he simply strolled around to see how the people who had voluntarily migrated from Luqi County were settling into their new homes.

The old guard in Lüqi County has always been the foundation he trusts most.

"Busy now?"

Zhang Xian walked to the edge of a field that had just been plowed and greeted an old farmer who was bending over to check the soil.

The old farmer had a dark complexion and was in his thirties or forties.

Upon hearing the voice, Liu Mu straightened up, squinted to see who it was, and was first taken aback, then revealed a smile that was both excited and a little awkward.

"Envoy?! What brings you here?"

He instinctively reached out to bow.

Zhang Xian grabbed his arm and said with a gentle smile, "Brother, no need for formalities. I'm just taking a stroll to see how everyone is doing. Is the tilling going smoothly?"

His gaze fell on a polished, gleaming curved plow beside him, its plowshare gleaming coldly in the morning light.

"So easy! So easy!" Liu Mu rubbed his hands excitedly, pointing at the curved plow.

"My lord, this precious thing you've created, paired with an ox, can plow at least five or six acres a day! Just look at this soil."

He bent down and grabbed a handful of black, oily soil: "It's so fertile it's practically dripping with oil. All these years, it's been wasted by those scoundrels."

This sunny slope, nestled against the mountain, is sheltered from the wind and receives plenty of sunshine. With a irrigation canal bringing in fresh water, it's even more fertile than the land back in our hometown of Luqi!

"That's good."

Zhang Xian nodded, squatted down, and rubbed the damp soil between his fingers.

"The seeds are all prepared? Spring planting cannot be delayed."

"Ready, ready!" Liu Mu nodded repeatedly.

"The agricultural officials who came with us have already distributed the seeds and taught us a new method, what's it called... anyway, it's much better than just sowing seeds in the past! Everyone is eager to get the land ready in the next few days so we can start planting!"

His eyes sparkled with anticipation for a bountiful harvest.

"Is everyone at home well?"

Zhang Xian clapped the loose dirt off his hands, stood up, and looked at the mud-brick house not far away.

"Good! All good!" Liu Mu's face was filled with satisfaction.

"I got married late, and married a widow. She should be at home pickling vegetables right now, while the little one is learning to read with the village teacher! Hey, thanks to the magistrate, even we peasants can have children who can read!"

He paused, then lowered his voice: "My lord, to be honest, when we first heard that we were going to move to this wasteland of Wuyuan, we were all very apprehensive. But since we were going to follow you, we all came!"

As he spoke, he somewhat reservedly invited Zhang Xian to go to the earthen house.

Zhang Xian didn't refuse and followed Liu Mu forward.

Just as he arrived at the courtyard gate, a woman wearing an apron and with a simple face peeked out from the house. She was surprised to see Zhang Xian, but her face immediately lit up with a warm smile.

"Oh! It's the magistrate! Please come in and have some water! Husband, what are you standing there for? Please invite the magistrate in and rest your feet!"

This is Liu Qianshi, Liu Mu's wife.

"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry to bother you."

Zhang Xian did not refuse and replied with a smile, following Liu Mu into the mud-brick house, which was not spacious but was very clean and tidy.

It seems that the health education efforts in Luqi are very effective.

The room was simply furnished, with a kang (heated brick bed) taking up half of the space, covered with a newly woven reed mat.

A rough wooden table and several stools made from tree stumps.

Farm tools and some miscellaneous items were neatly stacked in the corner.

Steam rose from the stove, filling the air with a mixed aroma of grains and pickled vegetables.

"My lord, please sit down! My home is humble, please don't mind!"

Liu Qianshi hurriedly wiped the cleanest tree stump stool with her sleeve, and then quickly poured a bowl of steaming hot water and placed it on the table.

"It's freshly boiled, use it to moisten your throat."

"You're too kind, sister-in-law. Do you have any hot water at home?"

Zhang Xian sat down and spoke casually.

Although he had previously mentioned the benefits of drinking more hot water, he did not force his subjects to comply.

Firewood is also a significant expense in this era.

"It was also in accordance with the advice of the physicians before I left. They said that it is inevitable to suffer from water and soil in a new place, so it is best to boil the water before drinking it. In the past, I only boiled water occasionally in Luqi."

Zhang Xian nodded and took a sip of the slightly earthy-smelling boiled water.

"Is there a younger child in the family who goes to school?"

"Yes, yes, they went there bouncing around first thing in the morning!"

When her son was mentioned, Liu Qianshi's smile widened.

"That kid used to just run around the mountains when he was back in our hometown, but now he's really eager to go to school! When he came back, he even seriously taught his dad to read! He said it was a rule set by you, my lord, that all children must be literate so they can have a bright future! My wife and I are illiterate, but we hope that Tiger will be successful and serve you, my lord!"

"His name is Hu Zi. That reminds me of one of my brothers, who is also named Hu Zi, but he is now working at Weize Pass."

Zhang Xian casually chimed in with a few words, then watched as Liu Mu and his wife suddenly became busy.

A little while later, Liu Mu rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said, "My lord, look... it's almost noon. If you don't mind, why don't you have a meal here? We just steamed some bean rice, some freshly pickled radish and mustard greens, and some chopped cured meat... It's nothing fancy, just... just a little something from the bottom of my heart!"

His eyes were eager, filled with anticipation.

Zhang Xian looked at the simple and honest couple and smiled.

"Great! I've been wanting to try your cooking, sister-in-law! This freshly pickled mustard greens, paired with rice and beans, is quite appetizing!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Liu was overjoyed: "Oh! Please have a seat, Your Excellency, it will be ready soon!"

After saying that, he turned around and hurried off to the stove to get busy.

Liu Mu chatted with Zhang Xian, and the conversation naturally revolved around the land, the harvest, new farm tools, mutual assistance in the village, and expectations for the children's future.

His words revealed his admiration and trust in Zhang Xian, a heartfelt recognition rather than fear of power.

Meanwhile, on a small earthen slope outside the resettlement area, Wu Qiong, the city gate captain, arrived with an attendant.

Using the excuse of exploring the frontier scenery, he asked the chief secretary for an escort and slipped away.

The scene he saw was completely different from the picture of refugees he had imagined.

What comes into view are neat houses, crisscrossing ditches and field ridges, and farmers working nimbly in the fields, sweating profusely.

The air was filled with the smell of cooking smoke, the earthy odor of freshly turned soil, and even the faint sound of children reading aloud in the makeshift school.

“Captain…this…this doesn’t look like a border settlement…” The attendant was also dumbfounded and murmured.

"They seem more like...like those well-managed tenant farmers of wealthy estates..."

Wu Qiong remained silent, her expression complex.

He saw officials carrying booklets and rulers moving between the fields, pointing things out, while the farmers listened attentively, taking notes and trying to get along harmoniously.

What shocked him even more was seeing a figure squatting at the gate of a courtyard, holding a bowl and chopsticks, like an old farmer.

Marquis of Jinxiang, General Zhang Xian!
This fearsome man, who once built a mound of ten thousand skulls in the former territory of Hu Ting, frightening the remaining Hu barbarians into a panic, was now sitting without any airs on a simple tree stump stool in the home of a migrant, holding a rough porcelain bowl in his hand, eating a few dishes of pickled vegetables and big mouthfuls of golden bean rice!

He even saw the old farmer's wife, an ordinary peasant woman, smiling broadly as she added another spoonful of rice to Zhang Xian's bowl, muttering something under her breath.

Zhang Xian, surprisingly, smiled and nodded in agreement, showing no displeasure whatsoever, as if he were simply having a meal at his neighbor's house!
This scene had an even stronger impact on Wu Qiong than the grim military formation and the terrifying mound of corpses.

"Eating with the people..."

Wu Qiong's heart was in turmoil.

"...How could he lower himself like that? And these migrants...how could they..."

He recalled the powerful and influential people he had met in Luoyang, and even when they were dealing with their retainers and servants, they were far less natural than he had been.

A complex emotion, difficult to describe, began to grow in Wu Qiong's heart.

It was shock, confusion, and even... a touch of emotion that he himself was unwilling to admit?
"The will of the people...is what I desire..." The four words on his secret draft flashed through his mind again. At this moment, those four words seemed to have come to life.

This is not an exaggeration, nor is it merely a matter of fearing power.

Wu Qiong stood silently for a long time until she saw Zhang Xian bid farewell to Liu Mu's family and leave, surrounded by his guards, heading towards the central army camp.

He seemed to have just come to his senses.

He shook his head slightly and sighed, "Alas, the task Brother Benchu ​​asked me to do was so easy."

After returning to Luoyang, there was no need to fabricate any praise for the Marquis of Jinxiang; simply recounting some of what he had seen and heard would suffice.
-
night.

Inside Jiuyuan City, the General's Mansion, newly built on the ruins of the old city, is brightly lit.

The lively atmosphere of rural homes during the day was replaced by the somber atmosphere of military life.

Inside the enormous council chamber, a long table roughly planed from a single massive log occupied the center.

A huge map of Bingzhou and its surrounding areas was spread out on the table, with mountains, rivers, counties, passes, and various symbols representing the enemy and our own situation clearly marked in cinnabar and ink.

Beside the map, oil lamps illuminated the hall as bright as day, also reflecting the generals sitting around.

Zhang Xian had changed back into his black martial attire and sat upright in the main seat.

To his left were, in order, Huang Zhong, the Protector of the Xiongnu; Zhao Yun, who succeeded as the Commandant of the Liaodong Camp; Lü Bu, the Commandant of Jiuyuan; and Zhang Liao, the Commandant of Yanmen. To his right were Liu Bei, his brother Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, several captains of the Youyi Army, and the battalion commanders of several Jiaqi Army battalions.

As for the strategists, Xun Yu was still in Taiyuan coordinating the rear, Guo Jia was in Xihe Commandery, and Xi Zhong was in Qiangyin; none of them were present at the moment.

Han Ji was still supervising the construction at the crafts camp and did not attend this purely military meeting.

The person in charge of recording the records was the newly appointed Chief Clerk of Wuyuan County, who was previously a county official in Taiyuan County and had been promoted to this position.

The generals bowed and took their seats, and Zhang Xianyi shared his thoughts on what to do next.

Lu Bu spoke first, his voice loud and clear, tinged with excitement; he had thoroughly enjoyed the battle.

"Lord!"

The moment he opened his mouth, he addressed me as "my lord." Ever since Wu Qiong brought me the decree announcing my promotion to Commandant of Jiuyuan, I bowed down and submitted to him on the very day.

With the imperial decree granting him a promotion, he could naturally break away from Ding Yuan and recognize Zhang Xian as his successor.

"The remaining barbarians in Wuyuan Commandery have been wiped out! We have enough prisoners to build the city! What are we waiting for? This humble general is willing to be the vanguard, leading the wolf cavalry straight to Yunzhong Commandery! Let's drive all those mixed barbarians who occupy the homeland of our Han Dynasty into the Yin Mountains to feed the wolves!"

He slammed his large, fan-like hand heavily on the map, marking the location of Yunzhong County.

Zhao Yun frowned slightly, but calmly replied.

“Brother Fengxian, the situation in Yunzhong County is complicated. It has been long since the Han Dynasty. According to the latest intelligence report from Youyi Army, the main forces occupying the Shaling and Yuanyang areas of Yunzhong are small groups of Xianbei Yuwen and Tuoba tribes, as well as some of the scattered Xiutuge Hu from the Southern Xiongnu.”

Although they have their disagreements, if our army launches a large-scale attack, they might temporarily unite to resist. Moreover, the terrain of Yunzhong is more like grassland, which is conducive to cavalry movement but not to our army's heavy infantry deployment. A hasty and rash advance could lead to disaster.

Zhang Liao calmly added, "Zilong is quite right. Our army has just recovered Wuyuan, and our foundation is not yet stable. The defenses of Jiuyuan, Yiliang and other cities are still being reinforced, and the supply lines also need time to be stabilized."

If the main force is deployed entirely to Yunzhong, leaving the rear vulnerable, and if unforeseen events occur deep within the grasslands, or if there is an alarm in the Xihe or Yanmen directions, it may be difficult to defend both ends. This humble general believes that the priority should be consolidating Wuyuan, while simultaneously dispatching elite cavalry to continuously harass the various Hu tribes in Yunzhong with small detachments, exhausting their strength and disrupting their morale. The best strategy is to wait until internal strife arises or our rear is secure before launching a swift and decisive attack.”

"Wen Yuan is too cautious!" Lu Bu snorted in dissatisfaction.

"Those Xianbei barbarians, a rabble! We've already razed the Qiangqu royal court to the ground, what are we afraid of? Tire them up and harass them? That'll take forever! Speed ​​is of the essence! We should take them down in one fell swoop while they're still in shock!"

Liu Bei spoke at the opportune moment, his voice gentle.

"General Fengxian is eager to fight, which is his ambition to make contributions to the country. However, the concerns of Generals Wenyuan and Zilong are also for the safety of the army and the stability of the battle situation."

The land of Yunzhong has been inhabited by both Han and non-Han peoples for a century. The hearts of the people are divided, so we must be especially careful. We believe that military advances are essential, but psychological warfare should also be pursued in parallel. Perhaps we can follow the general's approach in Wuyuan?

On one hand, they used the guerrilla army and elite wolf cavalry to continuously strike at the enemy's manpower, burn their pastures, and cut off their trade routes. On the other hand, they sent out spies to contact the remaining Han Chinese tribes in Yunzhong County and to try to sow discord between the various Xianbei tribes and between the Han and the non-Han peoples.

If internal strife can be created within the region, or if some tribes are inclined to submit, then the recapture of Yunzhong will be much easier.

He pointed to several outposts in Yunzhong County on the map that might still be inhabited by Han people.

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and said in a deep voice, "What you say is reasonable and well-founded. I observe that the Xianbei, Yuwen Tuoba and other tribes are not a monolithic entity. We can assess the character of their leaders and either entice or coerce them. If we can make one or two tribes work for you, then the gates of Yunzhong will be wide open."

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, and his voice boomed like a bell.

"I think so, too."

The generals offered their opinions one after another, and the focus of the debate was on the speed and strategy of the advance.

Lü Bu advocated a swift and decisive battle, using brute force to overcome cunning; Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao advocated a steady and methodical approach, focusing on consolidating the foundation first; while Liu Bei proposed a more comprehensive strategy that prioritized winning hearts and minds, with military force as a secondary measure.

Zhang Xian listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the rough wooden tabletop, his gaze sweeping across the map, encompassing areas such as Yunzhong, Dingxiang, and even Shuofang west of Wuyuan, and the desert north of Yinshan.

His mind raced, rapidly processing information from all sides: the scouts' reports, Han Ji's briefing on equipment production capacity, and Xun Yu's report on grain reserves and resettlement progress in Taiyuan and Xihe.

The argument gradually subsided, and everyone's eyes were focused on Zhang Xian, awaiting his decision.

Zhang Xian finally raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the generals, and spoke in a deep voice. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

“What the generals have said is all reasonable. Wuyuan has just been recovered and must be secured. This is the bridgehead and cannot be lost. Hansheng.”

"The general is here!"

Huang Zhong solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"The Jiaqi Army in Yunzhong County has few opportunities to use its skills. I hereby appoint you to take charge of Jiuyuan and oversee all military, political and defense affairs of Wuyuan County! Within three months, perfect the defenses of the four cities of Jiuyuan, Yiliang, Chengyi and Linwo!"

The construction of the city walls, beacon towers, roads, and agricultural settlements are all proceeding at an accelerated pace according to the predetermined plan! The necessary manpower, resources, and officials of the prefecture are fully guaranteed! Any negligence will be your sole responsibility!

This meant that the entire rear area of ​​the newly recovered region was completely entrusted to him.

"Your humble servant obeys! I will certainly not fail my lord's trust!" Huang Zhong's voice was firm and powerful.

"Zhao Yun! Zhang Liao!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao stood up at the same time.

"The Youyi Army will be jointly under your command! Starting tomorrow, they will launch attacks in shifts, organized by battalion and squad! Their target is the entire Hu tribes of Yunzhong County!"

Zhang Xian's finger heavily traced the area of ​​Yunzhong County on the map.

"The primary task is not to conquer cities and seize territory, but to clear the fields and hunt! Burn the pastures near the Yinshan Mountains of Wuyuan! Attack their scattered herds! Intercept and kill their scouts and caravans! Push the battle line into the heart of Yunzhong and keep them from having any peace!"

Remember, the primary objective is to eliminate their manpower and destroy their war potential! If you encounter small groups of Han Chinese remnants, try to provide them with assistance! If you encounter nomadic tribes, those who surrender should be taken as slave laborers, and those who resist... should be slaughtered!

"promise!"

Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao responded in unison, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit—this was precisely what they excelled at.

"Lu Bu!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Lü Bu's spirits lifted, thinking that the main attack mission had finally fallen to him.

"The wolf riders are sharp and fierce, and their responsibilities are even greater."

Zhang Xian's words surprised Lü Bu slightly.

"Your wolf cavalry will be divided into several groups and patrolled in the vast area where Wuyuan and Yunzhong, Xihe and Shuofang meet! This is both to deter and to provide mobile support! If the enemy in Yunzhong dares to gather their main force and march south to retaliate..."

If there are any unusual movements by the Hu (barbarians) in the direction of Xihe or Shangjun, the wolf cavalry must respond swiftly and decisively! At the same time, closely monitor the movements on the northern slopes of Yinshan Mountain and be wary of possible enemy reinforcements emerging from the depths of the grasslands! Can you do this?

Although Lü Bu did not get the task of attacking Yunzhong, Zhang Xian almost made the wolf cavalry patrol the entire Bingzhou. This task was equally important and was more in line with the wolf cavalry's characteristics of rapid mobility.

After a moment's thought, he clasped his hands in a deep fist and said, "Rest assured, my lord! If any barbarian dares to show its face, I will smash its head to pieces!"

"Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei stood at attention.

"Xuan De."

"Your strategy of winning hearts and minds suits me perfectly. I will send the three of you to lead a capable team and spies to infiltrate Yunzhong County! There are two tasks."

First, contact the surviving Han Chinese families and inform them that the royal army has recovered Wuyuan and will soon reclaim Yunzhong! Those who wish to migrate will be met by my men, and those who wish to stay in their homeland will be secretly organized to coordinate an attack from within and without when the main army arrives!

Secondly, they sought to make contact with minor leaders among the Yuwen and Tuoba tribes who were not so hostile to the Han people, or who had conflicts with the powerful tribes.

We can offer them generous rewards of salt, iron, and cloth; if they surrender, they will be richly rewarded after the war! If they remain stubborn…”

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Xian's eyes: "Then quickly report the location of their tribe and details of their troop strength to Zilong and Wenyuan!"

"promise!"

Liu Bei bowed and accepted the order, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes—this was precisely where he could put his strengths to good use.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei solemnly agreed.

Zhang Xian's gaze finally settled on the more expansive northern region on the map.

"Yunzhong, Shangjun, and even the old prefecture of Shuofang... these former Han territories that have been subjugated by barbarians for a hundred years must all be restored!"

"Gentlemen, we still need to strive harder!"

"I will obey the former general's orders!"

(End of this chapter)