20demayo Chapter 102 Jiang Wei's Resourcefulness
Chapter 102 Jiang Wei's Resourcefulness
Chapter 102 Jiang Wei's Resourcefulness (Seventh Update, Requesting Monthly Tickets)
Tazhong.
It belonged to Wudu Commandery. Wudu and Yinping Commanderies were originally inhabited by the Di people. The Di people's customs were similar to those of the Han people; both were agricultural societies. When Cao Cao conquered Hanzhong, the Di king Dou Mao rebelled and was killed by Cao Cao. Most of the Di people were then relocated to Guanzhong.
Jiang Wei's garrison was located in a mountain valley with fertile land and abundant water resources.
The area was once inhabited by the Di people, leaving behind many relics.
Jiang Wei led his troops on a northern expedition, but was once again defeated, losing many elite soldiers. He retreated to Tazhong, where he rested and repaired the land and canals, intending to plant wheat, both to avoid disaster and to grow food as military supplies.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wei dispatched scouts into the mountains to hunt animals of all sizes and bring them back to feed the soldiers.
The people of Sichuan and Chongqing are skilled at farming, and many of them were experts at growing crops before joining the army.
Jiang Wei enjoyed high prestige and thrived in the army. Although they were defeated again, the army's cohesion remained strong.
Under his command, the soldiers were scattered throughout the valley, some tilling the fields, others building canals, like ant soldiers. Despite their large numbers, they were well-organized.
morning.
Jiang Wei, feeling restless, led his trusted men up the mountain path to the halfway point, where they looked down at the soldiers below.
The expansive view here instantly lifted Jiang Wei's spirits, and a long-lost smile appeared on his face.
The most difficult thing about the Northern Expedition was food.
The laborers had to push wheelbarrows over mountains and valleys to deliver the grain to the front lines, and the difficulties they faced were unimaginable.
The country is facing such difficulties, and the people are exhausted. If he grows wheat here, it will greatly reduce logistical pressure and benefit the country.
"One year. Give me another year. I can launch another northern expedition. As long as I successfully take Liangzhou, the decline of the Han Dynasty can be stopped." Jiang Wei felt a surge of pride, his brows furrowed with sharpness. His demeanor was completely different from when he was fighting in the court.
He was from Liangzhou, a place rife with war. From birth to old age, he lived amidst conflict.
Only here, in the army, could he truly thrive.
After watching for a while, Jiang Wei decided to go back. Just then, three guards climbed up the mountain to find Jiang Wei. Upon seeing him, their eyes lit up, and one of them jogged over and whispered a few words in Jiang Wei's ear.
Jiang Wei's expression immediately hardened, and he nodded to his personal guards. He then turned to Lai Zhong, the military advisor who had followed him, and said, "Advisor, our scouts have received news that Cao Wei is mustering troops in Guanzhong."
"What does the General mean?" Lai Zhong asked, a thought flashing through his mind.
Jiang Wei placed his left hand on the hilt of his sword, stamped his foot, and sneered, "I heard earlier that Sima Zhao was training troops in the Central Plains and had Tang Zi build ships, seemingly preparing for a major campaign against Eastern Wu. Now he's training troops in Guanzhong. How could such petty tricks fool me? I suspect Sima Zhao's attack on Wu is a pretense, his true intention is to attack Han."
"We are currently isolated in Tazhong, which is very dangerous. I am also not at ease about Hanzhong. I will write to His Majesty to order Zhang Yi and Liao Hua to be stationed at Yang'an Pass and Yinping Bridge respectively."
Lai Zhong nodded and said, "The General's considerations are thorough."
Yinping Bridgehead, located between Tazhong and Hanzhong, was the rear route of their army.
Yang'an Pass is extremely important to Hanzhong. As long as the imperial court holds these two passes, even if Sima Zhao attacks Han, it won't be a big deal.
On the contrary, because of Jiang Wei's defense strategy in Hanzhong, allowing the enemy to enter, if handled properly, would present a great opportunity to exploit.
"Zhong Hui?! Although I've never fought him, I believe he's no stronger than Deng Ai. If we can defeat Zhong Hui's 100,000 troops, then Yongliang will be vulnerable, and we can take advantage of the situation to launch a northern expedition and achieve great success." Jiang Wei's tone became increasingly agitated, sharp as a knife. He took a deep breath, calmed himself slightly, and turned to leave.
"Let's join the army and conduct a simulation," Jiang Wei said.
"Yes," Lai Zhong bowed in agreement.
Hearing their conversation, everyone perked up and became eager to get started. They returned to the foot of the mountain to the temporary General's Mansion.
Jiang Wei first wrote a memorial and dispatched a trusted confidant by express horse to Chengdu to present it to the emperor. He then summoned his advisors and generals.
Inside the lobby.
Jiang Wei presided over the meeting and, together with his strategists, deduced the course of the battle.
How Zhong Hui and Deng Ai acted.
How should they defend themselves and seize the opportunity to annihilate the two generals?
Jiang Wei was full of vigor and chatted merrily with everyone. He seemed to think Deng Ai was short-witted and Zhong Hui was reckless.
The generals of Cao Wei were all cowardly and incompetent.
Strategically, Jiang Wei underestimated the enemy, but tactically, he was extremely cautious.
Chengdu.
It remains peaceful and prosperous, as if it were a long-lost golden age. However, in subtle ways, one can still sense the danger and decadence beneath the glittering facade.
No matter how heavy the makeup, it can't hide the crow's feet of an older woman.
Even the most prosperous Chengdu could not conceal Liu Han's decadence.
in the palace.
The Forbidden City was heavily guarded, with soldiers stationed every five steps and sentries every ten. Those without duties went about their own business.
Inside the Tiger Cavalry camp, the sound of horses' hooves was very crisp.
The eunuchs and palace maids were busy serving the nobleman and trying to figure out what he was all about.
Harem.
Liu Shan fell ill not long ago and almost died. After seeing the imperial physicians and shamans, his condition has improved, but his health is not as good as before.
He was old and obese, and increasingly preferred quiet to activity.
Ministers rarely saw him, as if he were a high-ranking woman in a large mansion.
morning.
Inside the palace, Liu Shan sat on his throne, looking listless. Only Huang Hao accompanied him.
"Hao, am I going to die?" Liu Shan suddenly looked up at Huang Hao with fear in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't say that," Huang Hao said hastily, startled.
Liu Shan realized what was happening and raised his right hand to cover his mouth. The word "death" was too heavy to say.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. With such a good emperor as Your Majesty, Heaven will surely grant you a long life," Huang Hao comforted him.
Liu Shan was delighted to hear such words. "Yes, I am a good emperor! Look at the state of Eastern Wu and Cao Wei! While I, the Han Dynasty, have almost never killed any ministers, and I have used few forms of torture."
Thinking of this, Liu Shan looked up and asked, "Hao, I wish to grant a general amnesty."
A general amnesty means pardoning the sins of the people.
It is a good policy.
That's what Liu Shan thought.
Huang Hao knew that granting amnesty to the entire population was not feasible, because frequent amnesties would only deter criminals. Criminals who committed crimes this year could escape and return next year under amnesty.
How can a country prosper if this cycle continues endlessly?
But if Liu Shan wanted a general amnesty, then so be it. Could the emperor's wishes not be granted?
"Your Majesty is benevolent," Huang Hao praised.
Liu Shan was overjoyed and planned to grant a general amnesty. Just then, a eunuch entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, an urgent memorial from the Grand General."
Liu Shan immediately looked dejected. The country was doing well, but with Jiang Wei's return, it was like boiling water, leaving him utterly exhausted.
Jiang Wei is gone; out of sight, out of mind.
Yet they still cause trouble.
Nevertheless, Liu Shan still had Huang Hao bring over the urgent report.
Huang Hao glared at the eunuch who came to report, and the eunuch was so frightened that he shuddered and turned away.
After reading it, Liu Shan told Huang Hao about it and asked, "Hao, what do you think?"
Remembering Jiang Wei's attempt to kill him, Huang Hao's evil intentions grew, and he said, "Your Majesty, news came from Eastern Wu that Sima Zhao is preparing troops in the Central Plains to attack Eastern Wu. In my humble opinion, the General is overthinking it."
After a pause, Huang Hao said, "If Your Majesty is still worried, you can have a shaman perform divination."