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

Chapter 285 Your Majesty should plan ahead
"Prime Minister, have I done something wrong?"

Upon seeing Zhuge Liang's slightly tired face, Liu Shan felt both uneasy and somewhat guilty.

The prime minister was so engrossed in the affairs of the state that he neglected to eat or sleep.

If I can't help, fine, but how can I hold you back?

I'm so nervous.

However, when Zhuge Liang spoke, it was as gentle as a spring breeze in March:

"Your Majesty's consultation with a general knowledgeable in military affairs is a sign of your ability to recognize and utilize talent. How can this be considered a 'disaster'?"

Liu Shan: "Then I..."

Zhuge Liang: "Your Majesty was just asking too hastily."

Liu Shan: "As expected..."

Zhuge Liang: "But it was just a bit hasty, not a major mistake."

Liu Shan: "So..."

Zhuge Liang: "I have come today to quell public opinion."

"!"

Liu Shan immediately stopped feeling uneasy.

He even turned around and ordered people to bring wine and food, wanting to treat the prime minister well.

However, Zhuge Liang politely declined.

"His Majesty."

"Now that Guanzhong is at peace, the people are exhausted and the scholars and commoners have not yet fully submitted to the government."

"Your Majesty should guide the debate among the generals toward preparations for war, rather than war."

Liu Shan was a little confused now:

"How are the preparations for war going? How about the war starting?"

Zhuge Liang patiently explained:
"Whether we send troops to Henan or Hedong, we need to prioritize dredging the Wei, Luo and other canals to ensure the smooth flow of grain and supplies in the future."

"Furthermore, the line of Yumen, Puban, Tongguan, and Huayin is the gateway to Guanzhong. If the gates cannot be closed, how can the army exert its full strength to march eastward in the future?"

"Therefore, in terms of preparing for war, the two factions do not actually have any fundamental contradictions."

"As for starting a war."

"I believe that the most urgent task is to focus on agriculture and grain production, and to close the borders and allow the people to rest, rather than sending troops to the Three Rivers region."

Liu Shan understood this time.

The Prime Minister's move is a delaying tactic!

However, it does reflect the reality.

So Liu Shan agreed on the spot.

Seeing that Zhuge Liang had easily resolved a minor incident, Liu Shan's curiosity was piqued again:

"I wonder if the Prime Minister believes we should send troops to Hedong or Henan first?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang subconsciously glanced at Dong Yun, the Yellow Gate Attendant.

The latter immediately understood and led his attendants out the door.

Only then did Zhuge Liang speak to the belatedly aware Liu Shan:

"Your Majesty has asked a question, and I dare not fail to answer."

"I humbly believe that it would be better to go to Hedong."

Liu Shan: "Why?"

"Warfare is based on deception," Zhuge Liang replied in a low voice.

"Therefore, when you are capable, make it appear that you are incapable; when you are active, make it appear that you are not active; when you are near, make it appear that you are far away; when you are far away, make it appear that you are near."

"If we leave Henan first, we can only attack Tongguan and take the narrow road. The generals will not be able to make any changes in their tactics, and the enemy will not have any problems in their defenses, which is not in our favor."

"Does Your Majesty still remember how the late Emperor and the generals used their troops in the previous Battle of Guanzhong?"

Liu Shan blurted out, "If they attack from multiple directions simultaneously, the Wei army will be overwhelmed and unable to defend one area at a time?"

Zhuge Liang nodded: "Anything else?"

Liu Shan pondered for a moment with a pained expression, then suddenly remembered that among the generals, besides Guan Yu, there seemed to be another person who had not participated in this matter. He then recalled this person's plans during the capture of Chang'an, and looked up, saying:

"The artillery formation set up by General Wei, seemingly intended to bombard Chang'an, was actually a trap to lure Cao Zhen to his death... is that right?"

Zhuge Liang nodded and smiled, "Mi Shishan is indeed skilled at combining the orthodox and unorthodox tactics." "Therefore, the principles of warfare are all interconnected."

"If we lose our ability to adapt and only know how to charge headlong into battle, the enemy can easily find a way to counter it, and we will achieve less with more effort."

"This is precisely why I prefer to go to Hedong."

Liu Chan suddenly realized.

Although I don't know why the dialogue between the ruler and his ministers suddenly turned into a master testing his disciple.

But he was already used to it and didn't see anything wrong with it.

He then said, "Since the Prime Minister already has a plan, why not announce it to the public? In this way, everyone, from top to bottom, can begin preparations for war as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang hesitated for once, and slowly said:

"I just said that the art of war emphasizes deception and change, but there are not many generals who can truly do this."

"While the Hedong route is more adaptable, it also presents more uncertainties, making it necessary to exercise caution in troop deployment and general selection."

“Besides, the General has not yet expressed any opinion on this matter, and I fear that we may disagree with him… that would be undesirable.”

Upon hearing Guan Yu's name, Liu Shan unconsciously straightened his posture.

Although, according to Liu Bei's arrangement, Zhuge Liang's rank was above Guan Yu's.

But no one can deny that Guan Yu's prestige in the Han army was unmatched for the time being.

These two sides are really going to have a conflict.

That's far more terrifying than the current debates between Zhang, Wei, Zhao, Guan (Ping), and others.

Upon thinking of this, Liu Shan, who had already relaxed, couldn't help but feel uneasy again.

Just then, Dong Yun returned to the palace:
"Your Majesty, General Wei requests an audience."

Is Miwei here?

Liu Shan glanced at Zhuge Liang.

But the latter looked equally surprised.

Soon, Mi Wei hurried over, first paying respects to the emperor and the prime minister with the proper etiquette, and then explaining his purpose:

"Your Majesty consulted me earlier, and I should have responded immediately."

"Unexpectedly, my parents suddenly fell ill, and my wives and concubines are both pregnant, which makes things very inconvenient. I have had to personally serve them medicine and soup. Only today, when my parents' condition has improved slightly, have I dared to go out... I hope Your Majesty will forgive my disrespect!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan subconsciously looked at Zhuge Liang again.

The latter immediately said to Mi Wei:
"The Minister of Works has been so busy with the country that he has fallen ill, yet I was completely unaware of it; this is truly an oversight!"

Mi Wei: "If we talk about serving the country, my father and I are not even a fraction as good as the Prime Minister."

"If the Prime Minister blames himself for this, where will my father and I find ourselves in shame?"

He then said to Liu Shan:
“My father said that if something were to happen to him and my mother, I would have to observe a three-year mourning period to fulfill my filial duty and would not be able to serve the court.”

"Therefore, I have been specially urged to enter the palace today to do my best to answer Your Majesty's questions."

"However, my wisdom and capacity are limited, and I can only come up with two strategies, even with my utmost effort."

After a slight pause, Mi Wei continued:
"Firstly, whether we send troops to Hedong or Henan, it will be two or three years from now."

"Unless fate changes, we should close the borders and allow the people to rest and recuperate. Only when we have a well-trained army and sufficient food should we consider war."

Upon hearing this, before Liu Shan could even look at Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang had already looked at him first.

His expression was full of admiration.

It also seems to express admiration that wise people share similar views.

Liu Shan recalled his earlier suspicions about Mi Wei and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

At this moment, Miwei continued:
"Secondly, although the General has his own insights, he has a deep and profound gratitude to the late Emperor and is determined to repay it to Your Majesty."

"As long as His Majesty has a plan, even if the Grand General has a different opinion, he will only submit a memorial to advise him, rather than refuse to accept the order."

"Your Majesty should make your own plans, seek wise counsel, and heed good advice. Then, issue an edict to all officials. In this way, loyal ministers and patriots, both inside and outside the court, will be driven by Your Majesty. Subsequently, the whole country will work together to resist foreign enemies, and there will be no internal strife."

Liu Shan was moved upon hearing this.

At that moment, he began to understand why the other party, at such a young age, was able to share the responsibility of being entrusted with the care of the late emperor with the chancellor.

If one were not a loyal and virtuous minister, how could one offer such sincere and honest advice?
After Zhuge Liang and Mi Wei took their leave, Liu Shan pulled Dong Yun aside and said:
"I have figured it out. If I want to revive the Han Dynasty and become the ruler of a great nation, I must entrust important responsibilities to the Chancellor and the General of the Guards."

"If that's the case, why not go all the way and grant them the authority to establish their own governments, thus entrusting them with the affairs of state?"

(End of this chapter)