In November of the 24th year of Jian'an, Liu Bei withdrew his troops and returned to Hanzhong.
Although the victory was great, the logistical pressure was too great.
There has even been civil unrest in Yizhou.
You must know that the Cao Wei Group is extremely harsh on the people at the bottom.
There are numerous examples in history of Cao Wei exploiting the people, and even giving birth to a woman can be regarded as a benevolent government.
Therefore, it is normal for the Cao Wei group to have civil unrest in the rear. There were even rebellions every year during the Cao Wei Dynasty.
However, except for the "Zhi Baiqian" who is really helpless, the Liu Bei Group has relatively loose policies towards the people and treats them kindly.
Therefore, there were relatively few rebellions by Liu Bei's group in history, and only aristocratic families, powerful families, and Yi kings such as Yong Kai, Gao Ding, Zhu Bao, Huang Yuan, Xu Ju, Gao Sheng, Ma Qin, Liu Zhou, Meng Huo, etc. rebelled.
There was only one Mianzhu mountain bandit Zhang Mu who was a rebel at the bottom, and this man was a bandit and robber, not a low-class people who had been oppressed.
The rest are governors from various places, wealthy families in Yizhou, and leaders of ethnic minorities in southern Yizhou.
It can be seen from this that the Liu Bei Group suppressed aristocratic families and cared for the people at the bottom, and the regime indeed gained support from the people.
However, this battle not only caused several rebellions by aristocratic families in the rear, but also caused two cases where the people of two counties in Shu County were overwhelmed and chose to kill officials and order uprisings.
This shows how great the logistical pressure is on the Liu Bei Group and how serious the consequences are.
But fortunately everything is over.
After Liu Bei returned to Hanzhong, he immediately dispatched the army back to the counties so that the counties could support the army on the spot without having to travel long distances to transport food.
Only Guan Yu and Xu Shu were left in Hanzhong, and Zhang Fei, Deng Zhi, Li Yan and others were sent to Liangzhou to pacify Xiliang. Pang Tong was then sent back to Shu County, and Jiang Wan, Fei Yi and others were sent to Ba County to pacify the area and quell the civil strife.
He then returned to the court with his troops and went south from Hanzhong Micang Road to Jiangzhou. Then Liu Bei followed Zhuge Liang's suggestion and carried out a comprehensive recuperation policy in Yizhou, sending the transferred civilian laborers back to their original places, and distributed coins and materials to provide for them.
reward.
After a series of measures, although the consequences and hidden dangers brought about by this year's war have not been eliminated for the time being. However, due to the accumulation in the previous few years and the large increase in productivity, there is still enough food and grass in the rear, which can barely support the situation.
On the Jingzhou side, the main impact of floods was more severe, and the logistical pressure was almost entirely on the people of Yizhou, leaving the people of Jingzhou with no corvee burden. However, the floods submerged Nanjun, Jiangxia, Xiling and other places, causing considerable disasters. Still need to
Governance.
Fortunately, Nanyang was taken back. As the important grain and grass land in Jingzhou, Nanyang was previously occupied by Cao Cao's army. Cao Cao did not have time to relocate the people and did not have the extra troops to carry out large-scale massacres. However, the people of Nanyang suffered less military losses.
Therefore, after taking Nanyang back, Shen Chen immediately asked Zhou Buji, Cai Du and others to carry out local governance and quickly restore productivity. In addition, Kou Feng requisitioned grain and grass in Jingnan and assigned civilians to work as corvees to reduce the burden on Yizhou.
Amidst this hustle and bustle, the war between Jingzhou and Guanzhong finally came to an end. Each of the three families began to manage their internal affairs, reduce corvees, reduce taxes and production, hoping to restore their vitality as soon as possible.
Bajun, Yizhou, the residence of the King of Han in Jiangzhou.
Liu Bei sat on the throne.
In this battle, Liu Bei dispatched more than 300,000 troops, including 100,000 on the north line of Guanzhong and 200,000 on the south line of Jingzhou. He spent countless money and food, and mobilized more than 300,000 to 400,000 civilians and corvees. The entire Yizhou was almost as strong as
Being hollowed out.
If Zhuge Liang had not worked hard to support and manage the situation in the rear, Liu Bei and Shen Chen would not have been able to wait for the day of victory, and chaos would have occurred in the rear, causing the food road to collapse and civil strife to break out.
In fact, due to the continuous autumn rain, the Shu Road was like Li Yan in history. He encountered heavy rain and was unable to follow up. Liu Bei on the front line almost ran out of food in more than ten days.
Zhuge Liang also made a decisive decision and immediately chose to change the road, allowing the civilians and auxiliary soldiers to carry horse loads from the most difficult Bashu Road to Xicheng County, Shangyong County, which was later Ankang City, Shaanxi Province, and then from Xicheng to Tangluo Road.
To Guanzhong.
This trip is the most difficult and dangerous, because although the Bashu Road and the Tangluo Road are not as exaggerated as the Ziwu Road, almost the entire journey is covered with cliffs and there are few roads to walk on. However, they are also rugged and extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, you will be injured.
It is possible to miss the mark, fall under the cliff, and be shattered to pieces.
Hundreds of civilians and auxiliary soldiers who were transporting grain and grass from the rear died on this road, which shows how difficult it was.
Therefore, Zhuge Liang took the most credit by sitting in the rear.
The first thing Liu Bei did after returning to Jiangzhou was to reward him based on his merits and lay the foundation for rewards and punishments for this battle.
In the main hall of the palace of the King of Han, Zhuge Liang sat first on Liu Bei's right hand, followed by Fazheng, Jia Xu, Ma Liang, Zhou Lin, Li Hui, Yang Yi, Liao Li and others.
The first general on the left is Ma Chao, and the rest are Wei Yan, Pang De, Zhang Ren, Yan Yan, Huang Quan, Lei Tong, Yang Ren, Ma Dai and others.
Currently Shen Chen is stationed in Jingzhou, and Huang She, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Gan Ning and other generals are there. Zhang Fei has gone to Xiliang, Pang Tong has returned to Shu County, and Guan Yu and Xu Shu continue to stay in Hanzhong.
Therefore, the only heavyweight civil servants and generals are Zhuge Liang, Fazheng, Jia Xu, Ma Liang, Ma Chao, Wei Yan, Pang De and others.
Liu Bei looked around and his eyes paused on Ma Chao for a moment.
Logically speaking, if Ma Chao is allowed to return to Xiliang, he will definitely be able to recover Xiliang much faster than Zhang Fei.
But he couldn't let Ma Chao go.
Historically, he was very wary of Ma Chao and only gave him a high status but little real power.
Therefore, it would be stupid to send Ma Chao back to Xiliang.
If Ma Chao rebels again, with his prestige in Xiliang, he can mobilize hundreds of thousands of Qiang people.
Therefore, Liu Bei must keep Ma Chao by his side at all times, and he also said that this shows that he values him.
But of course these things cannot be explained explicitly.
At this moment, Liu Bei glanced at the people below, then stood up and said: "Everyone, we have won this battle."
"Hahahahaha."
Many advisers and generals below smiled and cheered.
Liu Bei stood up, bowed his hands to everyone and said in salute: "This time we fought against Cao Cao and Sun Quan, and we all won. It was all thanks to your help, all thanks to the soldiers of the three armies who fought hard, and all thanks to the hard work of the millions of people in Yizhou. I am extremely grateful.
I think this is repayment, so I just want to thank you."
Everyone stood up quickly and returned the greeting: "The King of Han has spoken seriously."
"Everyone, sit down."
Liu Bei smiled and waved his hand, motioning for everyone to sit down.
After everyone sat down, Liu Bei said with a smile: "Now that the general situation has been established, the overall situation has been decided. However, the war has just subsided, and there are constant disturbances in the rear. The people are in dire straits, so we still need to comfort the people more."
Zhuge Liang then said: "What the king said is true. The people are suffering, so we should stop fighting, stop using swords and crossbows, plow the good fields, and support the people's livelihood. In Yizhou, at least for a few years, there can be no more wars, nor can there be any more wars."
Transferring civilian husbands to work as corvees."
"Um."
Liu Bei nodded and said: "This matter will be left to the Prime Minister of the country, the Prime Minister of the Middle Kingdom, the Prime Minister of the Right and the Yushi officials. The local governance of Yizhou will all depend on you."
"only."
Zhuge Liang, Fazheng, and Jia Xu surrendered.
Although Pang Tong is not here, he returned to Shu County. Now the main territory of Yizhou is Shu County, Ba County and Hanzhong County, and the population is also concentrated in these three places.
Therefore, Liu Bei's intention was to let the four people manage the northern part of Yizhou well, recuperate and restore the vitality of Yizhou.
After saying that, Liu Bei looked around and said: "Xiaoqing wrote that he has recovered the entire territory of Jingzhou and driven Cao Cao and Sun Quan out of Nanzhou. Although Jingzhou was greatly affected by this turmoil, Xiaoqing said it was mostly due to floods.
As a result, Nanyang, Zhangling and Jingnan counties are all relatively stable. Next spring, when Jingzhou's grain and grass harvest is harvested, the people can also be mobilized to serve as corvees. He hopes that I will send troops to attack Wu by then. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I agree."
Fazheng stood up immediately and said: "This battle in Jiangdong has severely damaged the vitality of Jiangdong. The number of troops has been reduced to 7788, and it is difficult to resist anymore. Cao Cao has also lost troops and generals. It is not easy to hold the land in Henan without losing it. It is impossible to do it again."
We have troops to rush to the aid of Sun Quan. But we only have the internal strife in Yizhou, which is very serious, and Jingzhou is still okay, so we can send troops to attack Wu."
"Um."
Liu Bei nodded slightly, then looked at Zhuge Liang and said, "Kong Ming, what do you think?"
"I also agree."
Zhuge Liang said: "Xiaoqing once said, "It is better to chase down the poor bandits with the remaining brave men, and not to be a famous scholar." To kill a snake, you have to hit it seven inches, and to cut a grass, you have to remove all the roots. After the battle in Jiangdong, it was almost collapsed. Sun Quan's internal affairs were inevitable.
The rebellion continues, if we can send troops at this time, and cooperate with the inside and outside, it will be easy to take Jiangdong."
This was the strategy that Zhuge Liang formulated for Liu Bei in the early days of Shen Chen to divide the world into two parts: north and south. Although historically this strategy was proposed by Lu Su, now Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang are obviously the pioneers and have been working hard for the implementation of this plan.
The time is now.
Sun Quan was defeated, Cao Cao was unable to send troops, and the immortals in Jiangdong were hard to save. If we don't take advantage of this moment to wipe out Jiangdong in one fell swoop, when would it be possible?
"I also second the proposal."
"Second."
"Second."
Ma Chao, Jia Xu and others stood up one after another. Ma Chao had no right to speak independently, while Jia Xu did not want to speak.
But now that Zhuge Liang and Fazheng all agree, it is naturally impossible for them to oppose it.
Seeing that everyone thought it was okay, Liu Bei said: "That's it, let's leave today. Kong Ming, Xiaozhi, Wenhe, and Ji Chang. You stay and discuss the issue of the first credit for this battle."
"only."
The generals retreated one after another, but the civil servants stayed.
Liu Bei summoned several important civil servants to go to the backyard. He was walking in front. It happened to be a light rain recently in Jiangzhou. The rainwater fell along the eaves and soaked the cobblestones in the courtyard.
They walked down the corridor. Liu Bei looked at the banana trees in the courtyard and said to Zhuge Liang as they walked: "Kong Ming."
"Um?"
"Who do you think made the greatest contribution to this battle?"
"My Lord deserves the greatest credit."
"Ha ha."
Liu Bei smiled and said, "I think you are the one who deserves the most credit."
Zhuge Liang thought for a while, then nodded and said, "Yes, I have the greatest contribution."
"Xiaoqing is second, what do you think?"
"Of course."
"Um."
Liu Bei nodded.
The two of them continued walking forward.
Liu Bei was walking, and suddenly his face looked melancholy again, and he said with a little sadness: "Xiaoqing hopes that I will fight against Wu personally, take Yun Chang with me, and Xiaoqing will take charge of Guanzhong. Kong Ming, you think... I don't know why.
, I feel a little psychologically uncomfortable."
"I know what my lord is feeling, but Xiaoqing is not wrong. If my lord made a mistake, Xiaoqing would blatantly criticize him. But my lord has done a good job. He knows how to behave. Now that he is a king and a minister, he should also abide by etiquette."
Zhuge Liang said seriously: "Although Xiaoqing said that feudal kings will eventually be eliminated by history, a wise king should not expect every descendant to be wise, and talented ministers should not expect every generation of kings to be noble.
Virtue and ability. But now that the lord is wise, he should follow the trajectory of history. From now on, more appropriate systems and higher productivity will be needed to advance history."
Shen Chen once discussed these words with Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Pang Tong and others, and also told Liu Bei. Any feudal king must face the reality that the nine sons of the dragon are all different, and we cannot expect that every emperor will be a good emperor.
We need to accept the emergence of more playful emperors like Emperor Huan of Han and Emperor Ling of Han.
Once an incompetent and playful emperor appears, the blow to the dynasty will be devastating. People like Huizong of the Song Dynasty are famous emperors, and they directly brought down the huge Northern Song Dynasty.
Therefore, Liu Bei recognized Shen Chen's thoughts and theories because he knew very well that what Shen Chen said was right.
If he wanted the Han Dynasty to last forever and the dynasty to last forever, then he would not choose to be suspicious of Shen Chen, but would work with Shen Chen, Zhuge Liang and others to find a way to make the dynasty last longer and make the lives of the people better.
The better, the less darkness and corruption there will be in the officialdom, so that future generations will have wise kings from generation to generation and virtuous ministers from generation to generation.
Liu Bei has been supporting them to move forward, and this support is sincere and spares no effort. He hopes that he can maintain a close relationship with Shen Chen, Zhuge Liang and the others, so that the friendship between the monarch and his ministers can be preserved.
.
But a few days ago, he received a letter from Shen Chen, and he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Shen Chen mainly did three things in his letter.
First, many heroes were recommended, such as Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, Wenpin, Lu Chang, Zhang Xiu, Zhou Buyi, Cai Du, Deng Ai, Huang She and others, and they were greatly praised.
Second, he believed that Zhuge Liang should be the first to win this battle.
The third is to hope that Liu Bei will personally conquer Jiangdong, which has been crippled by him, and hope that he will guard Hanzhong on behalf of Guan Yu, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as generals to attack.
There are a few other trivial matters that I won’t mention.
These three things actually include one principle, which is to give credit to others.
Shen Chen knew that his contribution this time was too great, almost unclaimable, and it would inevitably make things difficult for Liu Bei, so he gave up all the credit, even wiping out Jiangdong, and picking peaches for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
Such good intentions made Liu Bei happy, sighing, and feeling sad at the same time.
Liu Bei said to himself countless times that he was not Liu Bang, and Shen Chen was not Han Xin. Even if Shen Chen wanted to rebel against him one day, he would go to the battle alone and ask him why he turned his back on him.
He obviously treats the young gentleman wholeheartedly and never has any suspicion or distrust. Why would he think that he would be suspicious of him because of his superior achievements?
But Zhuge Liang's words still made Liu Bei realize that maybe Shen Chen was thinking about him.
Because people's hearts are complicated, even if Liu Bei can trust Shen Chen wholeheartedly, what will other courtiers think?
Especially Guan Yu.
Always arrogant.
Even if Guan Yu obeys Shen Chen.
But if the credit is not as good as Shen Chen, there will inevitably be some grudges.
Therefore, Shen Chen devalued his own merits not because he was afraid that Liu Bei would be suspicious of him, but because he was afraid of people's hearts.
After figuring this out, Liu Bei felt much better and was even more moved. He said to Zhuge Liang: "Kong Ming."
"Um?"
"If I die one day, the country will be entrusted to you and Xiaoqing."
"."
Zhuge Liang was silent for a long time, then slowly bent down and saluted: "Wei."
I came back late today, and I’m tired from climbing mountains to worship ancestors. It’s too uncomfortable. There’s only one chapter, but don’t worry, it’s just for today. From now on, I’ll update it every day with thousands of words. Last month, I was delayed because of moving issues. It has been a few days, but I am still diligent in updating. Trust me, when I used to write, I always gave myself a day off, but I haven’t given myself a holiday in two months. Even when there were few updates, I would get at least 4,000 chapters a day. Words, character guarantee, work hard to code words, write better works and give back to everyone.