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

On the 18th day of the first month of the seventh year of Jian'an, in Xuchang.

In the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence, the charcoal fire burned brightly, but it couldn't warm the faces of everyone present.

Cao Cao sat in the main seat, a military report from Ji Province spread out before him. He had read it three times, his fingers clenching tighter with each reading.

"On the fifteenth of the first month, another three hundred households from Julu County fled north." His voice was not loud, but it was like a dull knife cutting flesh. "The magistrate of Qinghe County reported that the people 'heard that there was a way to survive in the north, so they helped the old and carried the young away, and they could not be stopped.'"

No one in the hall responded.

Xiahou Dun stood with his hand on his sword, his brow furrowed with suppressed anger. Cao Ren looked down at the tips of his boots, remaining silent. Cheng Yu's eyes were lowered, his face expressionless. Jia Xu sat in the darkest corner, like a clay statue.

Cao Cao slowly raised his eyes and swept them over everyone present.

"Where is Lord Xun?"

Cheng Yu said softly, "Your Excellency is still bedridden and sent someone to inform me that your cold has not yet healed, and you fear that you might pass on your illness to the Prime Minister..."

"A cold." Cao Cao clenched the two words between his teeth. "When I saw him on the twelfth of the first month, he was perfectly fine. He caught a cold after the court assembly on the fifteenth of the first month."

No one responded.

Cao Cao stood up and walked to the map that had been hanging there for three years. His finger pointed over Xuchang, over Ruxukou, over Jianye, and finally stopped at Xiangping.

"Liu Bei feigned illness and seized three counties in Hebei from me." His voice was eerily calm. "Now the people of Ji Province are fleeing north in droves. In another year, the land of Hebei will probably belong to the Liu family."

"Prime Minister," Xiahou Dun finally spoke, "this humble general requests permission to lead the army north and recapture the three commanderies!"

"Head north?" Cao Cao turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife. "What do you have to take to go north? How many troops has Liu Bei stationed in Hebei? Guan Yu's Mo Dao troops, Zhao Yun's White Horse Cavalry, Gao Shun's new army—can you defeat them?"

Xiahou Dun gritted his teeth and did not argue.

"If we can't win in the north, then we'll go south." Cao Cao turned around, pointing his finger at Ruxu. "Sun Quan is a brat. He's only been in charge of his father and brother's legacy for three years. Zhou Yu is in command of the army, and there's a lot of suspicion between the ruler and his ministers. Jiangdong may seem like a solid block, but it's full of cracks."

He looked around at everyone:

"First, destroy Jiangdong, severing one of Liu Bei's arms. Then, march north and fight to the death against those who weave mats and sell shoes."

"Prime Minister," Cheng Yu finally spoke, "Jiangdong is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and its navy is formidable. If we rashly march south..."

"I know," Cao Cao interrupted him. "That's why this time, I won't attack Jingzhou, but will go straight for Jiangdong. Ruxu, Wuhu, Jianye—we'll push straight through. No matter how capable Zhou Yu is, he only has two hands."

He walked back to the head of the table and sat down again.

"Xiahou Dun".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Lead 30,000 troops as the vanguard, set out on the 20th of the first month, and garrison Hefei."

"promise!"

"Cao Ren".

"exist."

"Supervise the grain and baggage supply, and conscript 50,000 laborers. Within three months, I want to see enough grain to feed 200,000 people for a year at Ruxukou."

"...promise."

Cao Cao's gaze finally settled on Jia Xu.

"Wenhe, do you think Liu Bei will make a move?"

Jia Xu raised his eyes, his voice as calm as ever: "The Prime Minister has a five-year agreement with Liu Bei. If he breaks the agreement and crosses the river north, he will lose the trust of the world; if he keeps the agreement and does not move, he will watch Jiangdong perish. Either way, it will be beneficial to the Prime Minister."

"So you think he won't move?"

"I believe he will make a move, but not now," Jia Xu said slowly. "He will wait until the Prime Minister and Jiangdong are both exhausted before reaping the benefits."

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes.

"Then I'll strike faster," he said, emphasizing each word, "and eliminate Sun Quan before Liu Bei can react."

---

On the same day, in the western part of Xuchang, at Xun Yu's residence.

The plum trees in the backyard had all shed their blossoms, their bare branches standing against the gray sky. Xun Yu, draped in a thick cloak, sat alone on the veranda, a copy of the Analects spread out before him, yet he couldn't concentrate on a single word.

Footsteps approached. His eldest son, Xun Yun, carrying a bowl of medicine, walked closer cautiously.

"Father, it's time to take your medicine."

Xun Yu took the medicine bowl, but didn't drink it; he just held it to warm his hands.

"Father..." Xun Yun hesitated, "Why are you doing this? You feign illness and refuse to attend court; what about the Prime Minister..."

"You don't understand," Xun Yu said softly.

"I truly do not understand," Xun Yun knelt down. "Father has served the Prime Minister for twenty years, offering advice and devoting himself wholeheartedly. Now that the Prime Minister is about to launch a southern expedition, why does Father..."

"Why not second it?" Xun Yu took over the conversation, giving a wry smile. "Because this battle cannot be fought."

He put down the medicine bowl, stood up, and looked at the northern horizon.

"Liu Bei has cultivated his territory in Liaodong for four years, winning the hearts of the people and securing a well-trained army and ample supplies. The Prime Minister's increase in taxes in Ji Province has driven the people into rebellion and chilled the hearts of the noble families. Instead of addressing internal issues, he has launched a southern expedition—if he wins, it will only be to pacify Jiangdong for Liu Bei; if he loses, the north will be shaken, and Liu Bei will surely take advantage of the situation."

He turned to look at his son.

"Regardless of victory or defeat, the Prime Minister has already lost this battle."

Xun Yun was stunned.

"Then why didn't Father speak frankly to him?"

"Speak frankly?" Xun Yu's smile held a bitter edge. "Kong Rong spoke frankly, and he died. Cui Yan spoke frankly, and he was imprisoned. If I were to speak frankly, do you think the Prime Minister would listen?"

He sat down again and closed his eyes.

"The time when he could listen to advice had already passed."

---

On the 20th day of the first lunar month, in Linzi, Qingzhou.

On the third day after Zhuge Liang arrived in the prefecture.

Zhang Qian, an old official sent by Tian Yu, accompanied him and they had already traveled through the three counties east of the city. At each place, they would first look at the account books, then the granaries, then the resettlement sites for displaced people, and finally ask the local elders questions.

Zhang Qian was in his fifties and had worked under Tian Yu for ten years, having met many superiors. For the first two days, he was still assessing the capabilities of this fourteen-year-old "young magistrate."

On the third day, he took it.

"Brother, Wangjiaji is just ahead." Zhang Qian pointed to the village with wisps of smoke rising from its chimneys in the distance. "This village has three hundred households, mostly refugees who fled from Jizhou last year. The local powerful Wang family controls the water source upstream, and the refugees dare not speak out against it..."

"Is the county not responsible for the water supply?"

"I can't control it." Zhang Qian smiled bitterly. "Someone in the Wang family is a clerk in the prefecture, and the county magistrate can't afford to offend him."

Zhuge Liang reined in his horse and did not immediately enter the village.

"Zhang, the registrar."

"exist."

"What does Article 3 of the Commercial Tax Law say?"

Zhang Qian was taken aback, then recited in reverse: "Anyone who monopolizes resources or engages in market manipulation shall be fined three times the tax. If it involves essential public services, the tax may be increased to five times the tax."

"Is water a necessity for people's livelihood?"

"yes..."

"The Wang family is monopolizing the water source, leaving displaced people unable to irrigate their land. Isn't this bullying and monopolistic behavior?"

Zhang Qian's forehead was beaded with sweat: "Yes... but the Wang family has connections in the prefecture..."

"Then let the prefecture have a say." Zhuge Liang dismounted. "Let's go into the village."

They didn't go directly to the Wang family's house, but first questioned several elderly farmers. One old man, missing a front tooth, pointed upstream, his hand trembling:

"The Wang family said that this water was a canal dug by their ancestors, and if you want to use it, you have to pay... Two bushels of grain per mu (unit of land area), if you can't pay, then don't farm..."

"Have you submitted it?"

"I've already paid... what if I don't? The kid needs to eat..."

Zhuge Liang did not speak immediately. He walked to the edge of the field, squatted down, looked at the turned soil, and then looked at the gleaming ditch in the distance.

"Zhang, the registrar."

"exist."

"Pass on my message to the magistrate: Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), please invite the head of the Wang family to the county office for a talk. Tell him that the Prefect of Qingzhou wishes to discuss the water source with him."

"Brother, what's wrong...?"

Zhuge Liang stood up and dusted off his hands.

"Article 3 of the Commercial Tax Law will be implemented starting today."

---

At noon on the same day, in Wu County, Jiangdong, at Zhou Yu's residence.

Zhou Yu leaned against the couch, his face pale and coughing incessantly. Lu Su sat beside the couch, holding the military report he had just received, his brows furrowed.

"Gongjin, Cao Cao has raised an army. Xiahou Dun's 30,000 vanguard troops are already on their way to Hefei."

Zhou Yu kept his eyes closed and did not speak.

Lu Su lowered his voice: "What do you think?"

Zhou Yu opened his eyes, his gaze still clear.

"Cao Cao can't wait any longer." His voice was hoarse, but his reasoning was clear. "When Liu Bei seized the three counties of Hebei, he lost face; when the people of Ji Province fled north, he lost substance. He needs a victory to prove to the world that he is still the same Cao Cao."

"Then we..."

"Fight!" Zhou Yu propped himself up to sit up. "Even if we can't win, we have to fight. The longer it drags on, the more advantageous it will be for Liu Bei."

"On Liu Bei's side..."

"Send an envoy." Zhou Yu looked at Lu Su. "Zijing, go to Xiangping again. Tell Liu Bei: If Cao Cao launches a southern campaign and Jiangdong falls, he will be next."

Lu Su pondered, "What if he just stands by and does nothing?"

Zhou Yu gave a very faint smile.

"He won't."

Why?

"Because he is not Cao Cao." Zhou Yu leaned back on the couch. "Cao Cao wanted to win, Liu Bei wanted the world. A person who wants the world will not watch his allies be swallowed up."

---

On the 25th day of the first lunar month, in Xiangping.

When Lu Su arrived, it started snowing again.

I personally went to the city gate to greet him. This envoy from Jiangdong had ridden all the way, his face was blue from the cold, and he almost lost his balance when he dismounted.

"Mr. Zijing, you've worked hard."

"Lord Liu," Lu Su bowed deeply, "I have been ordered by Gongjin to have important matters to report to you."

In the main hall of the Governor's Mansion, the charcoal fire burned even brighter than usual. Lu Su held a bowl of hot ginger soup and drank it all in one gulp before he could catch his breath.

"Cao Cao has raised an army of 100,000, and Xiahou Dun's vanguard has already arrived at Hefei. Gongjin sent Su to inquire—" He raised his eyes, looking directly at me, "My lord, is the alliance still in effect?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Xu Shu's gaze fell on my face. Xun You lowered his eyes, lost in thought. Sima Yi stood in the corner, his expression calm.

I put down my teacup.

"Mr. Zijing, the covenant remains unchanged."

Lu Su did not relax: "Then what does Your Excellency intend to do?"

I stood up and walked to the map.

"Cao Cao's southern campaign will undoubtedly be a swift and decisive attack. He wants to destroy Jiangdong before I can react." I turned to look at him. "But he forgot one thing."

"What is it?"

"He and I had a five-year agreement, but he didn't have one with Jiangdong." I smiled. "He broke the agreement to march south, while I honored my promise and remained inactive. But honoring an agreement—there are many ways to honor an agreement."

Lu Su's eyes lit up.

"What you mean, my lord, is..."

"Supplies." I looked at Tian Yu. "Transfer 200,000 shi of grain from Liaodong and transport it by sea to Jiangdong. Tell Gongjin that I will provide the grain, and he can fight the battle."

"Armaments." I looked at Ma Jun again. "Send over five hundred newly made suits of lamellar armor and three thousand ring-pommel swords together."

"And one more thing—" I finally looked at Xu Shu, "Have the night watchmen spread some rumors on the borders of Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou. Say that 'Cao Cao's army is marching south, leaving the rear vulnerable, and Liu Bei is about to make a move.'"

Xu Shu understood: "A bluff to force Cao Cao to divide his forces?"

"Yes." I returned to my seat. "If he won't let me move, I won't move. But I can make him think I'm going to move."

Lu Su stood up and bowed deeply.

"The noble character of the governor will be remembered in Jiangdong."

I waved my hand.

"Master Zijing, go back and tell Gongjin—delay for three months. If Cao Cao does not withdraw his troops after three months, I will personally go to Hefei to ask him to withdraw."

---

It was already dusk when Lu Su was seen off.

Xun You remained in the hall, gazing at the map in silence for a long time.

"My lord," he finally spoke, "are you really going to Hefei in three months?"

"What does Gongda think?"

"I believe that Cao Cao should retreat in three months." His voice was soft. "Two hundred thousand shi of grain is enough for Jiangdong to hold out for another six months. Xiahou Dun's urgent attack has failed, his soldiers are exhausted, and more than half of the grain has been used up... At that time, my lord only needs to make a feint in Xuzhou, and Cao Cao will surely retreat."

I looked at him.

"Gongda, you're right."

He raised his head.

"But that's not enough." I walked to the map, pointed at Hefei, and said, "I don't want him to retreat."

"What my lord wants is..."

"When he retreats, I want him to leave Hefei behind." I turned to look at him. "If Hefei is in Cao Cao's hands, the gateway to Jiangdong will always be open with a crack. That crack must be plugged."

A realization flashed in Xun You's eyes.

"So, our lord agreed to provide provisions and weapons because..."

"Let him fight, let him fight for a long time, let him fight hard," I said calmly. "We'll make our move after he and Jiang Dong are both tired."

The hall remained silent for a long time.

Xun You suddenly laughed.

It was a rare smile on the face of a 49-year-old man.

"I understand."

---

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the headquarters is not to be taken into custody at night.

Sima Yi sat at his desk, with three newly translated secret reports spread out in front of him.

A document from Xuchang states that Cao Cao planned to hold a flag-raising ceremony on the first day of the second lunar month and officially launch his southern expedition on the fifth day.

A report from Hefei states that Xiahou Dun has begun conscripting laborers to strengthen city defenses and stockpile grain.

A message from Jiangdong: Zhou Yu, despite being ill, boarded a ship to personally inspect the water fortress at Ruxukou.

He placed the three secret reports side by side and studied them for a long time.

Then he got up and walked to the map covered with small flags.

Cao Cao's black flags pressed down on Jiangdong in dense formation.

The red flags of Jiangdong are concentrated along the line of Ruxukou, Wuhu, and Jianye.

Meanwhile, the small white flags of Liaodong remained quietly planted in the locations of Youzhou, Qingzhou, and Liaodong, without moving.

He reached out and gently placed a small white flag in the location of Hefei.

There are black flags flying there now.

But his hand did not leave.

---

At 9 PM, I sat alone in my study.

On the desk were three things: Xun You's "Collection of Admonitions", the first report sent by Zhuge Liang from Qingzhou, and a bronze plaque that had been rubbed until it shone—the one that Zhao Dazhuang had returned.

When I turned to the last page of the "Collection of Admonitions," I read the line "I often think of the wind and snow in Zhuojun, and I often remember the hands that wove the mats" countless times.

Zhuge Liang's report was very detailed: how he planned to deal with the Wang family's occupation of the water source; the obstacles encountered in implementing the commercial tax law; the progress in resettling displaced people... In the last paragraph, he wrote:

Before I departed, my lord said, "You are not alone." When I arrived in Qingzhou, I realized that this was no exaggeration. Whenever I encountered difficulties, I thought of how my lord dealt with Mi Wei in Liaodong; whenever I faced obstacles, I thought of the four words "divide and rule" in Xunzi's book. I am not alone. Behind me are my lord, my teachers, and three thousand students from Liaodong.

The students will certainly live up to your expectations.

I put the report down.

Pick up that bronze medal.

Fourteen years have passed.

The old soldier with the missing arm knelt in the snow and said, "This humble general has disgraced the White Horse Cavalry."

But he is still alive.

He took his son to Liaodong.

The child's name was Hutou. He was lying in the medical school, and Fu Shou was watching over him, saying that he would live.

As long as I can live, that's good.

I got up and walked to the window.

Snow stopped.

The moonlight illuminated the courtyard.

In the distance, the lights of the scout headquarters were still on. Further away, the lights of the medical school were also on. And still further away, in the wooden shacks of the refugee camp, there were still scattered flickering lights.

The 30,000 refugees have been settled.

Five thousand households have already been allocated land.

Three hundred students were following Zheng Xuan along the border, touching frostbitten hands and feeding medicine to dying children.

Things will get better.

I turned back to my desk, spread out a sheet of white paper, and wrote:

"On the 25th day of the first month of the seventh year of Jian'an, it was sunny."

When Lu Su arrived, he reported that Cao Cao was on a southern expedition.

The grain supply was approved to be 200,000 shi (a unit of dry measure), and the weapons to be 500 sets.

With the arrival of March, Hefei is within reach.

—Notes.

Put down the pen and blow out the light.

Outside the window, the moonlight was bright.