noffsinger Chapter 613 613: 613 Movements in Youzhou
Chapter 613 613: 613 Movements in Youzhou
Upon Lu Ming's arrival at the military camp, Xu Shu reported the current situation. The two then discussed the matter in depth. Capturing Hangu Pass would mean Lu Ming had achieved his goal of establishing a separatist kingdom.
The main force's detour through the Southern Xiongnu territory was intended to resolve the Xiongnu problem. "Those who are not of our race will surely have different hearts," as the saying goes. Only by assimilating them could they become our own; otherwise, they would be enemies.
"Yuanzhi, you lead the army along the route first, while I will lead a 10,000-strong cavalry force to provide support. Dong Zhuo has requested reinforcements, and Zhang Chun has assembled an army of 100,000 to attack Yanmen. Once they break through Yanmen, the rebels will advance unimpeded. Ding Yuan has been summoned to the capital, taking 50,000 cavalry from Bingzhou with him. Bingzhou is clearly undefended." Lu Ming looked at the map and couldn't help but sneer. "It seems the Crown Prince isn't stupid after all; he knows to gather some generals loyal to the Han Dynasty. I guessed correctly; the next step is to win them over."
From a future perspective, Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, was clearly a restless ruler. In a peaceful and prosperous era, he would undoubtedly be a wise monarch.
Unfortunately, the Han Dynasty is now in decline, with various warlords holding military power, obeying orders but not decrees.
Only those truly loyal to the Han Dynasty will obey; others have more or less harbored ambitions of becoming local tyrants.
"The Han dynasty is on the verge of collapse. Even if Emperor Guangwu were alive, he couldn't have done anything. The people are not in power, and powerful families monopolize the court. This is not the fault of one person alone; it's a difficult situation!" Xu Shu didn't think Liu Xie had any real ability. After careful consideration, he said, "Should we speed up the march?"
"No, proceed step by step. Our support for Bingzhou is primarily about plundering people. The Ministry of Engineering will begin building cement roads to facilitate the migration. As for Bingzhou, those old houses and jars—smashing them will allow for rebuilding." Lu Ming had no intention of actually going to the rescue. Land annexation in the Eastern Han dynasty was rampant. Powerful families controlled the majority of the land, and local gentry controlled much more. There were very few honest farmers left, as they had all been swallowed up!
They either sold themselves into slavery or starved to death in the streets.
Therefore, Lu Ming hoped the rebels would kill all the gentry so he could easily seize their assets. It was better for someone else to be the villain than for him to be the butcher.
"Yes, my lord." Xu Shu was slightly moved. This sweeping conquest of the four seas and eight wastelands, in reality, was about dealing with those deeply entrenched aristocratic families. When wealth is controlled by a few and advancement is monopolized, these kinds of problems naturally arise.
Is governing the people difficult?
No, as long as they have enough to wear and eat, that's enough.
Everything else is extra welfare. Is governing the people really that simple?
Not really. Many trivial matters can cause a huge headache.
Stealing chickens, dogs, ducks—fights can break out over territorial boundaries and irrigation canals. Problems like village bullies still exist.
At this moment, in Youzhou.
The capital, Ji County.
A magnificent mansion, decorated with artificial hills and gardens, resembling a prince's palace, was the residence of Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou.
At this moment, Liu Yu sat at the head of the table, kneeling on a cushion, the room filled with the fragrance of incense. Under his command were several military generals and civil officials, all summoned by him.
"The rebel Zhang Chun, leading 100,000 bandits, attacked Yanmen Commandery. Ding Yuan, the governor of Bingzhou, was summoned by the court to lead 50,000 of Bingzhou's fierce warriors to Luoyang. Now, Dong Zhuo of Bingzhou has requested my aid. What are your plans?" As Liu Yu spoke these words, he had already made up his mind, though he didn't voice it.
Liu Yu was a benevolent and pacifying ruler, deeply loved by the people. He advocated a policy of appeasement towards the local nomadic tribes, and was successively awarded the title of Grand Marshal and enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangben.
His prestige in Youzhou was not low; in fact, it reached the point of being worshipped by the people.
The Xianbei and Wuhuan tribes in Youzhou did not rebel. The Xianbei and Wuhuan comprised many independent tribes, so what was said to be a Xianbei and Wuhuan rebellion was actually a rebellion of tribes in Bingzhou, and had nothing to do with Youzhou.
"My lord, those who are not of our race are sure to have different hearts. This humble general believes they should be executed immediately!" A burly soldier stepped forward, a true warrior with a fierce aura, clearly skilled in combat.
This man was none other than Gongsun Zan, the future overlord of Youzhou!
Gongsun Zan, the leader of the White Horse Cavalry, struck fear into the hearts of the foreign tribes!
"My lord, Bingzhou is a long and arduous journey, with many dangerous passes. I believe we should hold our ground and await reinforcements. As long as the rebels don't come, we can remain inactive," the strategist Qi Zhou offered his advice.
"Qi Zhou, are you afraid! My Han people are being slaughtered, and you dare to stand idly by!" Gongsun Zan was hot-tempered and reckless. If it weren't for his connection to Lu Zhi, being Lu Zhi's student, he probably wouldn't have risen to this position.
"Hmph, mere bravado. How much food and provisions will a large army consume on a campaign? Not to mention the Nanlou and Wuyan tribes eyeing us covetously." Qi Zhou despised these boastful, brainless warriors!
"You're courting death!" Seeing the man's disdainful expression, Gongsun Zan wanted to beat him up on the spot! To show him what a warrior was, what it meant to have a strong fist!
"Enough!" Liu Yu, annoyed by the commotion below, grew increasingly impatient.
"Gongsun Zan, I order you to lead an army and garrison in Dai County. Do not launch any offensives."
"Yes, sir." Gongsun Zan was furious. His parents had been killed by foreign tribes, so he held no respect for any foreigners.
Liu Yu was well aware of Gongsun Zan's temper, but he had no capable generals under his command, only Gongsun Zan.
Despite his kind and generous nature, Liu Yu was not skilled in warfare. With threats from the Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and Xianbei near Youzhou, and the Goguryeo in Liaodong Commandery, coupled with recent pirate raids, he had no desire to support Bingzhou.
Even as a member of the Han imperial family, Liu Yu only cared about protecting his own small territory.
Without orders from the court, he would not send a single soldier across the border!
It wasn't selfishness, but rather a matter of fate.
The complex environment of the Eastern Han Dynasty meant that grain and commerce were controlled by powerful clans. Military campaigns consumed enormous amounts of grain, making every war a financial drain.
The governor's office didn't have that much money, and Liu Yu wasn't greedy. He cared about his posthumous reputation, not material possessions.
As a member of the Han imperial family, a prominent figure in the family genealogy, his fiefdom and salary were sufficient for his needs. He also received gifts regularly, so there was no need for him to embezzle.