Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

The ship sailed for seven days, arriving at Guangling during the spring flood season, when the river water was muddy and yellow. At the dock, Guan Yu was already waiting with his army. Guan Yu, dressed in a green robe and riding a red horse, stood at the forefront, followed by five thousand naval soldiers in neat formation—these were all veterans trained in suppressing bandits along the Qing and Xu coasts in recent years, with dark skin and sharp eyes like eagles.

"Brother." Guan Yu dismounted and clasped his hands in greeting. His phoenix eyes swept over Zhuge Liang behind me, and he nodded almost imperceptibly—this was a rare recognition he gave to this "little strategist."

"You've had a hard time, Yun Chang." I disembarked and patted his strong arm. "How's Jiangdong doing lately?"

"Chaos." Guan Yu said succinctly, "After Sun Ce's assassination, Wu Commandery was placed under martial law, and Xu Gong's retainers were active everywhere. Lü Bu was recruiting soldiers in Kuaiji, and most of Yan Baihu's former subordinates had joined him. In addition..." He lowered his voice, "Zhou Yu secretly came to Guangling half a month ago, ostensibly to inspect the river defenses, but his fleet stopped outside our water fortress for half a day before leaving."

I raised an eyebrow: "He's here to spy on military intelligence?"

"It doesn't seem like it." Guan Yu shook his head. "He only brought a dozen or so small boats. If he were spying, it would be too conspicuous. It seems more like... he deliberately let us know he's nearby."

I pondered for a moment, then smiled: "This is a greeting. It's telling us that Zhou Gongjin is keeping an eye on things in Jiangdong."

On the way into the city, the streets of Guangling were much more bustling than they had been three years ago. When it was first "borrowed" to be stationed here, it was just a dilapidated border town. Now, shops lined the streets, cargo ships gathered at the docks, and there was even a special "mutual market" where furs from Youzhou, salt from Qingzhou, ironware from Xuzhou, and ginseng from Liaodong were all traded.

"My lord, as you instructed, Guangling's commercial tax revenue last year was equivalent to half of Xuzhou's," said Chen Deng, the Guangling prefect who was accompanying him. "It's just that there are too many spies from all sides, making it impossible to guard against them all."

"Having spies is good; it shows how important this place is." I waved my hand. "As long as they do business according to the rules, let them see what they want. If it's really confidential information, they won't see it anyway."

Chen Deng understood – the truly secret shipyards and armories were located on an island in the middle of the river outside the city, and entry and exit required triple inspection.

In the backyard of the Governor's Mansion, I brewed some newly picked spring tea. Zhuge Liang sat opposite me, a small notebook spread out on his lap, ready to take notes—this was his habit; he would meticulously record every important meeting and review it afterwards.

"Kongming, why do you think Zhou Yu needed to 'greet' him?" I asked.

The boy pondered for a moment: "I think there are three possibilities. First, it's an attempt to curry favor. Sun Ce's injuries may be more serious than rumored, and Zhou Yu needs to keep us calm to avoid being attacked on two fronts."

"And the second one?"

"Deterrence. Let us know that the Jiangdong navy can reach Guangling at any time, so we can negotiate a better price."

"Thirdly?"

Zhuge Liang paused, then looked up: "Sow discord. Deliberately loitering outside our water fortress, if seen by Lü Bu's scouts, they will think that Sun Ce has already allied with us. In that case, Lü Bu may launch a preemptive attack on Sun Ce, or he may come to ask for help—either way, the chaos in Jiangdong will deepen, and we will have no choice but to intervene."

I picked up my teacup and blew on the floating tea leaves. "Which do you think is most likely?"

"...The third possibility," Zhuge Liang affirmed. "Zhou Yu is a strategist and wouldn't do anything pointless. Moreover, a merchant ship came from Wu Commandery a couple of days ago, saying that doctors have been frequently visiting Sun Ce's residence recently, but the amount of medicinal herbs they purchase is not large—the injury may not be serious, or it might even be a feigned injury."

I nodded approvingly: "That's why we need to watch this show in Jiangdong carefully before we step in."

Before he could finish speaking, a guard came to report from outside: "My lord, Lu Bu's envoy has arrived and is waiting in the side hall."

Zhuge Liang and I exchanged a glance.

They came so quickly.

Standing in the side hall was a scholar, around thirty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard, dressed in an incongruously ornate brocade robe—he was Chen Gong's confidant, named Wang Kai. Historically, he was not well-known under Lü Bu, but at this moment he represented a regional warlord.

"Wang Kai, under the command of Marquis Wen, pays his respects to Lord Liu." As he bowed, his eyes were scanning the furnishings in the hall, especially taking a few more glances at the newly painted "Map of the Four Seas" on the wall.

"Sir, there's no need for such formality." I gestured for a seat. "Did Fengxian send you here regarding matters in Jiangdong?"

Wang Kai hadn't expected me to be so direct. He paused for a moment before saying, "Exactly. That brat Sun Ce, relying on his strength, has repeatedly invaded our territory. The other day, he even sent spies to infiltrate Kuaiji, intending to assassinate Lord Wen. Such actions are outrageous!"

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. "Bo Fu actually acted this way? Do you have any evidence?"

Wang Kai took out a bloodstained letter from his sleeve: "This was brought by a captured spy. It bears Sun Ce's seal and orders him to 'act according to circumstances'."

I took it and glanced at it—the seal was crude, and the writing was riddled with errors. Even if Sun Ce was reckless, he wouldn't leave such a weakness. It was clearly a forgery, or rather, it was something Lü Bu needed to "capture."

"How despicable!" I placed the letter on the table. "What does Fengxian intend to do?"

"Lord Wen wishes to raise an army to punish the rebels, but..." Wang Kai changed the subject, "Sun Ce and you have a past relationship, so he specially sent me to inquire. If you wish to remain neutral, Lord Wen is willing to offer three years' worth of salt tax from Kuaiji Commandery as a reward."

I laughed: "Three years' worth of salt tax? Fengxian, that's quite a generous offer. But you should know, sir, that I am ordered by the court to oversee Qing and Xu provinces, and I shouldn't be interfering in matters of Jiangdong. However..."

I paused deliberately.

Wang Kai pressed further, asking, "But what?"

"But Sun Ce did fight alongside me against the rebels, and if he truly commits such an unjust act, I cannot stand idly by." I picked up my teacup. "How about this, sir, stay in Guangling for now, and allow me to send someone to verify this. If this is true, I will give Fengxian an explanation."

After dismissing Wang Kai, Zhuge Liang asked softly, "Teacher, are you really going to verify this?"

"Verify what?" I chuckled. "This is clearly Lu Bu's pretext for starting a war. I'm stalling him for a few days to wait for Zhou Yu's reaction."

Sure enough, Zhou Yu's messenger arrived the following evening.

The messenger was not an ordinary one, but Lu Su.

The advocate of "allying with Liu Bei against Cao Cao" in future history is now just a young advisor to Zhou Yu, dressed in plain clothes, with a gentle temperament but clear eyes.

"I am deeply sorry for not being able to greet you properly when Mr. Zijing has come in person." I personally went to the gate of the mansion to welcome him—this was the highest honor.

Lu Su appeared slightly surprised and returned the greeting solemnly: "Lord Liu, you flatter me. Zhou Gongjin sent me here, firstly to convey General Sun's greetings, and secondly... to clarify some misunderstandings."

After entering the hall and taking their seats, Lu Su went straight to the point: "Has Lü Bu's envoy arrived yet?"

It arrived yesterday.

"Did Lü Bu say that my lord sent someone to assassinate me?"

"Yes."

Lu Su took out a scroll of silk from his bosom and unfolded it: "This is a copy of the troop mobilization document issued by the Prefectural Governor of Kuaiji last month. It states that three thousand troops will be mobilized to Zhang'an to defend against the Shanyue tribes. And the place where the so-called 'assassination attempt' took place is Zhang'an."

He pushed the document towards him: "The timing doesn't match. The troop deployment came first, followed by the 'assassination attempt.' Besides, if my lord truly intended to assassinate me, why would he use official seals and documents? Nor would he act on the very grounds where he deployed his troops."

The logic is clear and the evidence is compelling.

I looked at Zhuge Liang. The young man nodded slightly—he agreed with this deduction.

"What Master Zijing says makes sense." I put away the document. "But since Lü Bu has already sent an envoy, it shows that his mind is made up for war. General Bofu, how do you plan to respond?"

Lu Su looked directly at me: "Zhou Gongjin asked me to ask you, my lord: If Lü Bu attacks, will you sit idly by or help him?"

The question has been thrown back at us.

I pondered for a moment: "I have a past relationship with Bo Fu, and I also have a friendship with Feng Xian. If war really breaks out, I will be in a difficult position."

"That's why Zhou Yu said it's best not to go to war," Lu Su said. "Our lord is willing to negotiate peace with Lü Bu, to divide the country along the river and not invade each other. But we need a mediator of sufficient standing to act as guarantor."

"So you came to me?"

"Because you are the only one who can get Lü Bu to sit down and talk," Lu Su said sincerely. "And...it's also in your best interest."

"Oh?"

"If Jiangdong falls into chaos, Cao Cao will surely take advantage of the situation. At that time, no matter who wins, Sun Quan or Lü Bu, they will be powerless to resist Cao Cao. And if Cao Cao gains control of Jiangdong, his next target will be..." Lu Su didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

I laughed: "Gongjin, you've got a good plan. You've tied me to Jiangdong."

Lu Su said frankly, "In chaotic times, we are all interconnected; if one is gone, the other will be gone."

That night, I was alone in my study weighing the options.

A soft knock came from outside the door.

"Teacher, I've prepared a refreshing soup." Zhuge Liang came in carrying a tray.

I took the soup bowl and looked at him: "Kongming, if it were you, what would you choose?"

The boy put down the tray and walked to the map: "I believe Lu Su is absolutely right. If Jiangdong falls into Cao Cao's hands, we will be attacked from two sides. But if we help one side to destroy the other, the remaining one that becomes dominant may turn against us."

"so?"

"Therefore, the best scenario is for Sun Quan and Lü Bu to continue their stalemate, but keep it at a level where they won't actually fight," Zhuge Liang said, tracing a line across the Yangtze River. "To achieve this, three things are needed: First, we must station a large force in Guangling, so that neither side dares to make a move; second, we must secretly provide support to both sides, making them feel that they can win with our support, but without daring to actually attack; third..."

He paused for a moment: "We need a common enemy."

My eyes lit up: "Go on."

"Cao Cao," Zhuge Liang uttered two words, "As long as Sun Ce and Lü Bu both believe that Cao Cao could march south at any time, they will focus their main efforts on defending against Cao Cao, rather than fighting amongst themselves."

"How can we convince them?"

"Intelligence can be gathered, but the best way is..." the boy looked up, "to make Cao Cao actually make a move."

I stared at the map, and suddenly remembered something: "Yuanzhi said yesterday that Cao Cao sent Cao Ren to reinforce Shouchun with 3,000 troops?"

"Yes. It's nominally about suppressing bandits, but Shouchun is only separated from Jiangdong by the Huai River."

I laughed: "Kongming, tomorrow you write two letters for me. One to Sun Ce, saying that Cao Ren is training troops in Shouchun and may be planning to march south, so he should be careful. The other to Lü Bu, with the same content, but add a sentence—if you need military equipment and provisions to aid in defense, I can sell them to you at a fair price."

Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up: "This is... selling weapons to both sides?"

"War is business." I patted him on the shoulder. "The more they buy, the more favors they owe us, and the less likely they are to start a war—after all, if they cause trouble, how will they pay back their debts?"

The following day, I met with both Wang Kai and Lu Su.

"Gentlemen, I have just received an urgent report." I said with a grave expression, "Cao Cao has sent Cao Ren to reinforce troops in Shouchun, which may indicate his intention to march south. This matter concerns the safety of Jiangdong. If the Sun and Lü families were to fight amongst themselves at this time, wouldn't that be giving Cao Cao a chance to profit?"

Both of their expressions changed.

"Therefore, my suggestion is—" I unfolded the draft peace treaty I had prepared long ago, "The Sun and Lü families shall cease hostilities for three years, with the current line of control as the boundary. During this period, if Cao Cao's army invades the south, both families shall cooperate to resist the enemy. I, Liu Bei, am willing to act as guarantor and may provide food and military supplies if necessary."

Wang Kai hesitated: "This...what about Marquis Wen..."

"Sir, please convey a message to Fengxian," I said solemnly. "If we fight Sun Ce to the death now, even if we win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. When Cao Cao's army marches south, what will he use to resist? It would be better to temporarily cease hostilities and accumulate strength. I have a batch of newly arrived fine horses from Youzhou. I can give Fengxian three hundred on credit to help him build up his cavalry."

To Lu Su, I said something different: "Bo Fu is brave and fierce, but weapons are instruments of violence and should only be used as a last resort. Wouldn't it be better to conserve our strength now, and wait until Cao Cao is entangled with Yuan Shao's old troops before making our northward march? I am willing to provide craftsmen to help Bo Fu improve his warships."

Both of them were persuaded.

Or rather, their mastermind needed this excuse.

Ten days later, representatives of Sun Ce and Lü Bu signed a peace treaty in Guangling. During the ceremony, I sat in the middle as the guarantor, watching the two generals glare at each other, but in my mind I was plotting something else.

"Teacher, how would Cao Cao react if he knew about this?" Zhuge Liang asked on the return journey in the carriage.

"He'll be angry, but he won't move for now." I closed my eyes to rest. "He just got into Ji Province, and things are unstable internally. If we launch a southern expedition now, Yuan's old troops will definitely rebel. So we have six months to a year."

"and then?"

"Then..." I opened my eyes, "it'll be a test of who can resolve their internal problems first."

When the carriage arrived at the Governor's Mansion, Xu Shu rushed out to greet him: "My lord, something has happened in Liaodong."

My heart sank: "Speak."

"Wang He, the military commander in charge of agricultural settlements, embezzled military rations and was caught by Tian Yu. But... this implicated more than a dozen former officials from Liaodong, two of whom were recommended by Shen Pei."

This is tricky.

Shen Pei has only recently joined the army; severely punishing his men might alienate them. But if they are not punished, how can military discipline be maintained?

How much is involved?

"Eight hundred bushels of military rations, and... three hundred mu of farmland were forcibly seized, driving two old farmers to their deaths."

I paused for a moment, then said, "Bring the case files here, and have Shen Pei come too. Also, have Zilong lead troops to the Wang family; don't let a single person escape."

That night, the study was brightly lit.

After reviewing the case file, Shen Pei's face flushed red, and he suddenly knelt down: "My lord! I misjudged people and recommended this scoundrel. Please punish me!"

I helped him up: "Mr. Zheng Nan, there's no need for this. You recommended these men, but they committed the crime. The question now is—how to handle this in a way that both upholds military discipline and reassures the troops?"

Shen Pei gritted his teeth: "According to the law, he should be executed! Those three hundred acres of land should be repaid tenfold to the victims. The Wang family's property should be confiscated and used to compensate the families of the deceased."

"What about the other former officials involved?"

"..." Shen Pei closed his eyes in anguish. "Investigate thoroughly. Those who deserve to be killed should be killed, and those who deserve to be exiled should be exiled. Liaodong is newly annexed; if this trend is not corrected, the consequences will be endless."

I looked at Xu Shu: "Yuanzhi, what do you think?"

Xu Shu said softly, "Mr. Zheng Nan is very righteous, but... if we really kill more than a dozen people, I'm afraid it will make all the old troops in Liaodong feel insecure. It would be better to divide and conquer: the ringleader Wang He should be beheaded and his head displayed to the public; the accomplices should be exiled to the mines or have their property confiscated, depending on the severity of their crimes; as for the two recommended by Mr. Shen..."

He looked at Shen Pei: "Let them atone for their crimes by going to the most arduous northern border to cultivate the land. They can only be pardoned after five years without any offenses."

Shen Pei glanced at Xu Shu gratefully.

I nodded: "Okay. But let's add one more clause: half of the assets of all those involved in the case will be confiscated and the other half will be used to compensate the people. Starting today, Liaodong will implement a 'reward for whistleblowers' program. Anyone who reports corruption and whose report is verified will be able to recover 10% of the embezzled funds."

Zhuge Liang suddenly spoke up: "Teacher, I believe that we should also establish an 'Inspection Bureau' to specifically investigate official conduct. Personnel can be transferred from the three provinces and rotated regularly to prevent collusion with local officials."

"Approved." I made the decision. "This matter will be led by Mr. Zheng Nan, with Kong Ming assisting—you should also learn how to manage people."

Three days later, at the western market entrance of Xiangping City.

Wang He was beheaded in public, and the stolen goods were displayed across half the street and immediately returned to the victims. Tens of thousands of onlookers watched, many of whom knelt and wept—all of them were tenant farmers who had been oppressed.

"My lord, after this case, the administration in Liaodong should be much more efficient." Afterwards, Tian Yu reported, "However... some former subordinate generals complained privately that my lord was too harsh on the people of Liaodong."

"Is it strict?" I countered. "Compared to the indiscriminate killing during Gongsun Du's era, at least I've left them a way out. Tell those people that if they want to follow me, Liu Bei, they have to abide by my rules. Those who don't want to can leave now; I'll pay their travel expenses."

No one dared to leave.

Half a month later, news came from Jiangdong: Sun Ce's injuries had healed, and he was holding a grand military review in Wu Commandery. Lü Bu, on the other hand, was busy reorganizing Kuaiji and training the three hundred Youzhou horses.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao's scouts reported that the powerful Zhen, Cui, and Lu families of Ji Province had jointly submitted a petition opposing Cao Cao's "appointment based solely on talent" and demanding the restoration of the "recommendation system."

Internal troubles began.

I stood atop the city wall of Guangling, gazing at the rolling Yangtze River.

"Teacher, what do we do next?" Zhuge Liang asked.

"Do three things." I held up my finger. "First, fully integrate Liaodong, cultivate land and train troops, and build this place into a true rear base."

"And the second one?"

"Keep an eye on Cao Cao. When he and the powerful clans are at their most intense fighting..." I paused, "we'll stab him in the back."

"third?"

I turned to look at the boy who was growing up: "I'll train you to be someone who can stand on your own. Because this battle may last a very long time."

The river breeze fluttered the banners, making them rustle.