The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 138 Fighting for a Breath of Fresh Air
This demand from the Di people is undoubtedly somewhat unreasonable.

The entire court was filled with righteous indignation and condemned the Di tribe leaders for breaking their word.

Even the most seasoned and prudent individuals, such as Huang Quan, did not show any kindness.

On the contrary, Liu Bei, who had been wandering around with Mi Wei recently, remained calm at this moment.

He pulled Mi Wei to recite the "Ode to Xixia" for everyone before saying:

"Do you all know why I insist on forming an alliance with the Di people?"

Seeing everyone looking at each other blankly, he continued:

"Then let me rephrase my question: Why did Li Xi build the plank road in the Xixia Gorge back then?"

Upon hearing this, the older and more knowledgeable men realized what was going on, but they did not rush to answer.

Liu Bei called on Guan Xing: "Anguo, you tell us what to say."

Guan Xing was startled and subconsciously looked at Mi Wei.

As a result, Mi Wei kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his mind.

He could only force a reply: "The purpose of cultivating Taoism is to facilitate trade between the north and south."

Liu Bei: "And then?"

Guan Xing lowered his head awkwardly.

Liu Bei then looked at Ma Dai.

Ma Dai: "To facilitate their submission to the Qiang and Di peoples?"

Liu Bei's eyes brightened slightly, and he pressed further, "Is it the Qiang or the Di?"

Ma Dai also lowered his head in embarrassment.

Afterwards, Liu Bei questioned the young generals one by one.

This includes Wang Ping and Ma Zhong, who were under Mi Wei's command.

Aside from Ma Zhong's firm answer that the main focus was on assimilating the Di people, there were some bright spots.

The answers from the others were largely the same.

Although Ma Zhong answered the Di people, he could not explain why.

The conclusion was drawn backwards simply because the alliance was with the Di people.

Purely a clever trickster.

After asking around, Liu Bei turned to Mi Wei and said:

"Tell the gentlemen why I value the Di people more."

It was an implicit assumption that Miwei knew the answer.

Then they saw the deer's majestic voice:
"Although the Qiang and Di are both of the Hu people, their habits are quite different."

"The Qiang people live a nomadic life, driving cattle and sheep and following water and grass, which is very different from the Central Plains."

"The Di people are mostly engaged in farming, cultivating the land in all four seasons, much like the Han people."

"Therefore, although allying with the Qiang people may bring them horses, sheep, and archers, it is difficult to assimilate their people and enrich the border regions."

"Forcibly relocating people inland will only leave future problems."

"The Di people, due to their similar habits, are easily incorporated into the Han people. Over time, they will become no different from the Han people. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

In fact, a significant portion of the people and residents of Wudu that Cao Cao and Yang Fu relocated were Di people who were engaged in agriculture.

At this moment, Meng Da, who was standing in the corner, suddenly spoke up:
"How do you know that the Di people are mostly engaged in farming? Could it be that you have also traveled to Longyou?"

Mi Wei said, "Although I have never traveled to Longyou, I recently followed His Majesty to inspect the fields and saw a large number of abandoned millet and wheat fields."

“The former owners of these fields were some Han Chinese and some Di people… This can be determined from the clothing and utensils left behind in the rural houses.”

"This shows that in the past, the people living in Wudu, regardless of whether they were Han or Di, all had the custom of planting millet and wheat."

As he spoke, Mi Wei held up the stone inscription he had copied:

"That's why the Xixia Song says: 'The people have savings, and five coins' worth of millet and wheat.'"

"This is because local people widely grow millet and wheat, so when the harvest is good, the price of grain is low."

The young generals stared at the bamboo slips in Mi Wei's hand, each lost in thought, remaining silent for a long time.

Meng Da, who had already guessed the answer, looked at Mi Wei's figure standing out from the crowd.

He secretly exhaled a breath of stale air.

It seems they've made up their minds.

Liu Bei said:
"Just as Master Shan said."

"The Di people have similar customs to the Han people. If they can be assimilated into their culture, then Hanzhong and Wudu can be fully developed. This will be of great benefit in the future, whether it is to resist the northern invaders or to launch a northern expedition."

He sighed again:

"I have been fighting with the Cao family for twenty years, fighting for a place to live, for the imperial power of the Han dynasty, and for the hearts of the people."

"But ultimately, it's all about pride!"

"If I don't win this battle, I won't be able to rest in peace even in the afterlife!"

Upon hearing this, everyone knelt down in a thunderous roar, proclaiming their intention to die ten thousand times.

Liu Bei told everyone to rise, and said:
"Recently, I was deeply moved by the magnificent scenery of our land, and I would like to share this sentiment with you all."

"But empty words cannot solve your predicament." "You all should carefully discuss how to respond to the Di people's request!"

Huang Quan and other veteran officials had already guessed Liu Bei's intentions.

After considering their ideas for a moment, they each came up with their own.

So everyone expressed their own opinions.

After a heated debate.

This drew a bottom line for the Di people.

Liu Bei can continue north to form alliances.

However, the northernmost point can only reach the upper reaches of the Xihan River south of Qishan.

Although this location is already in enemy territory, it is still near the Qishan Pass, making it convenient to retreat south at any time.

This location is not far from the Di road proposed by the Di people.

If you are sincere in forming an alliance, you shouldn't mind taking these extra steps.

If they continue to make excuses, then we can only conclude that those Di people's leaders have ulterior motives.

Of course, this was ultimately the reigning emperor taking the risk himself, so necessary precautions were essential.

Besides Ma Chao and Wu Yi in Qiangdao needing to make a decision on the spot, Wei Yan in Hanzhong also needs to officially head north to Baoxie Road to garrison troops, preparing to leave Guanzhong at any time to contain Cao Zhen and Zhang He's main forces.

And behind Wudu.

Zhang Fei of Brazil, Zhang Yi of Zitong.

They also need to prepare their troops and horses, ready to march north to provide support at any time.

In short, to avoid prematurely getting bogged down in a full-scale war between the Han and Wei dynasties.

Instead, we need to prepare for a second option: a full-scale war.

This is exactly what the art of war says: "Do not rely on the enemy not coming, but rely on our own preparedness to meet him."

Another batch of messengers set out in all directions.

For a while.

The entire Yizhou responded with great enthusiasm, as if facing a formidable enemy.

……

Jincheng Commandery has been an important town in Liangzhou since the reign of Emperor Zhao of the Former Han Dynasty.

Its territory is where several rivers converge.

North of the Yellow River, in the upper reaches of the Hetao region.

It connects to Longyou via the Tao River to the south.

To the west lies the famous Hexi Corridor.

Even during the Jian'an period, when the Central Plains were in chaos, this place remained a strategic location fought over by military strategists.

If we were to say how things are different now compared to the past...

This means that the county seat was moved eastward from Yunwu County in the central area to Yuzhong, which is on the far side.

The reason is obvious at a glance.

Because Yuzhong is farther away from the Qiang and Hu settlements, but closer to Longyou and Guanzhong.

They can get reinforcements from the rear more quickly.

On this day, the Prefect of Jincheng, along with the Protector of the Qiang, Su Ze, a scholar, went out of the city early to welcome a reinforcement that had come from afar.

Before long, a strikingly handsome figure came into view.

Su couldn't wait any longer and immediately rode up.

"Lord Zhang, we've been waiting for you!"

The visitor was Zhang Ji, Zhang Derong, the newly appointed governor of Liangzhou by Cao Pi.

"Last year I said that Zou Qi was mediocre and incompetent, and the future of Liangzhou depended on you, a true hero!"

"Now, a year has passed, and it's exactly as expected!"

Zhang Ji dismounted and bowed, saying:
"Last year, the campaign against the Qiang bandits was entirely due to the bravery of Lord Su and Generals Hao (Zhao) and Wei (Ping) in fighting the enemy."

"If it's merely to promote the prefect's reputation, how can it be worthy of being called a hero?"

"When it comes to heroes, Lord Prefect should be the foremost."

Su laughed heartily and said:

"Then let's consider this a case of heroes recognizing each other as heroes!"

His smile vanished instantly.
"My lord! Lord Derong! The enemy's forces are now raging, and I am left to fight them alone. I truly long for your arrival!"

Zhang Ji's expression immediately turned solemn:
"I levied taxes on various counties along the way, but found that many of the Qiang and Di tribes were unwilling to comply. Upon inquiring, I learned that Liu Bei and Ma Chao had marched north, so I hurried here... But I don't know what the situation is like in Liangzhou this year?"

Su sighed:
"If it's just the same Qiang bandits causing trouble as last year, then it's not a problem. What I'm most worried about is the Shu bandits!"

"But Jincheng and Guanzhong are separated by mountains and rivers, making it inconvenient for them to support each other."

"There are still the Wei and Qian rivers that connect Longyou. Once you cross Longxi Prefecture, you enter the truly uncivilized land!"

"I've been here so long, I feel like I'm turning into a Hu Rong!"

(End of this chapter)