How to establish an invincible army in the late Han Dynasty?
Opinions vary!
There is no absolute standard answer, but Sima Yi had witnessed too many glories of the Dragon Hawk Camp, and coincidentally, he was exceptionally good at summarizing.
Just now, he expounded upon Yu Jin's troop commanding methods and the Dragon Hawk Camp's training methods.
Next, then…
Seeing the astonished expressions of Lu Xun, Chen Gong, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin…
Sima Yi continued with a smile, "What I just described is the training method of the Dragon Hawk Camp. Since we are in Jiangdong, let me also discuss the troop commanding methods of the Little Hegemon, Sun Bofu of Jiangdong!"
Huo…
Sun Bofu?
Upon mentioning this name, everyone’s eyes instantly widened.
Even though Sun Ce had been dead for two years, his fame was still unforgettable. And the invincible army he led that swept through Jiangdong, causing all six commanderies and seventy-two counties of Jiangdong to tremble in fear?
His method of leading troops?
Did Sima Yi also know? Or rather… did his master also teach him this?
Before they could ponder further…
Sima Yi’s words poured out, “The reason why Sun Bofu could forge an invincible army! The core that permeated his troop commanding and training was the four characters ‘Benevolent and Righteous Army’!”
“First and foremost, when the army is seen by the populace, its formation must be neat and orderly, like a regular army, not like ruffians or bandits. As the saying goes, ‘Orderly troops, embraced by the people’!”
“Secondly, be absolutely respectful of the common people, committing no offense. If anyone dares to take a commoner’s dog, chicken, or a head of lettuce, they shall be put to death!”
“Thirdly, do not forcibly recruit laborers! Those who forcibly recruit shall be severely punished. To be a soldier, one must possess a disciplined image, a reputation for loving the people, freedom of choice, and the charisma of a leader to gain the people’s support! We cannot engage in forced buying or selling!”
Sima Yi’s concise words continued to flow…
A neat image;
A reputation for loving the people;
Freedom of choice;
The charisma of a leader…
These words made Lu Xun’s eyes light up, as if… a new door to the world had been opened.
He already possessed great talent in commanding troops; what he lacked was merely a series of practices and experiences. Were these vivid examples not the best experiences?
However, Lu Xun did not know that these vivid examples… were precisely what Lu Yu had repeatedly taught these students in the Imperial Academy, and had repeated many times!
Master Lu never spoke superfluous words; what he said was always substantial!
And repeating them many times further indicated their extreme importance!
As for… Lu Yu himself, although he had never truly led an army, his methods of commanding troops were all recorded in ancient texts!
For example, the two points just mentioned…
They were records concerning the Little Hegemon Sun Bofu’s command of troops – “The soldiers obeyed orders and dared not plunder, leaving chickens, dogs, vegetables, and produce untouched. The people were greatly pleased and even offered cattle and wine to the army!”
– “Issued benevolent decrees, and those who surrendered were questioned no further. Those who willingly joined the army were to serve with their own belongings, exempt from taxes and labor. Those unwilling were not forced. Within ten days, they gathered from all directions!”
Of course…
When Lu Yu explained these to Sima Yi and other students, he tried to use plain language, simple and direct, so that everyone could understand.
After all, not everyone was as intelligent as Sima Yi or Yang Xiu; they also had to consider the sons of generals like Xu Yi and Man Chong!
Therefore…
Sima Yi’s eloquent narration was very down-to-earth!
And his words were far from over.
“Finally, Sun Bofu’s army never had factions. Those who joined were all brothers. There was no so-called Sun family army, Yuan family army, or Yan family army. All were accepted without suspicion and treated equally! It was based on these four points that he built a victorious army, a benevolent and righteous army, capable of fighting tough battles and winning!”
As Sima Yi said…
Many might question calling Sun Ce’s army a benevolent and righteous one.
But in reality…
Throughout the entire Han Dynasty, one could hardly find such an army that committed no offense against the people and did not take even a needle or a thread from them!
And his rapid rise had also provided Lu Yu with much inspiration!
So much so that when Lu Yu studied another person’s method of commanding troops, he found many continuations of the Little Hegemon’s methods!
As for that other person!
It was Lu Meng, who crossed the river in white clothes!
His method of governing troops could be said to have surpassed his predecessors and achieved victory!
Hiss…
At this moment, the entire military tent was silent!
But not a single person spoke, as if… Sima Yi’s words were convincing.
Similarly, everyone still wanted to listen… to hear what other brilliant insights the disciple of the renowned Marquis of White Horse, Lu Ziyu, could offer!
“Master Lu always told us students that whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the empire. The Little Hegemon Sun Bofu’s mention of committing no offense wherever he passed was a part of winning the hearts of the people! Not interfering with the lives of the people, not demanding grain and wealth from the people, these were all bottom lines! Even if they only demanded a straw hat, or if the offending soldier was from the same hometown as the commander, they would be severely punished without leniency!”
“In addition, the rear of the soldiers is very important. We must not let the soldiers’ homes be in turmoil. Similarly, once the enemy’s rear is in our hands, the war will be over. We will care for their elderly and weak, send greetings to the elderly morning and evening, send clothes to the cold, send food to the hungry, and medicine to the sick!”
“Let them send a message of peace to the front lines! What does it matter if the enemy commander loves his soldiers like his own children? The families in the rear are the core of the soldiers, and also their most realistic interests. Without their families? Who would still fight!”
Upon saying this…
Lu Xun exchanged a glance with Chen Gong. Behind Sima Yi, Zhang Chunhua, disguised as a man, also realized that her husband’s words had struck a soft spot of this Lu family patriarch, and her husband’s demeanor filled her heart with admiration and love!
Zhou Tai, however, was still arguing, “Then, according to you, as long as the army is well-disciplined, commits no offense against the people, and cares for the soldiers’ families, one can forge a hundred-battled army like the ‘Dragon Hawk Camp’ that shakes the world? Is it that simple!”
Sima Yi’s expression was calm, “Still a bit lacking!”
“What?” Zhou Tai asked loudly.
“Belief!” Sima Yi blurted out the two words. “In the past, Master Lu specifically mentioned one person when discussing military governance.”
“Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!”
“That… repeatedly defeated Liu Xuande?” Zhou Tai retorted.
“Precisely!” Sima Yi said calmly, “You only see Liu Xuande being repeatedly defeated and repeatedly fleeing? But you fail to see that after being defeated by Lu Bu in Xuzhou, he could quickly gather troops in Xiaopei and reorganize; after being defeated by Prime Minister Cao at Yuan’s camp, he could again gather troops in Runan and fight repeatedly; his surprise attack on Xuchang with thirty thousand troops was destroyed, but he could still raise a strong army in Xinye? May I ask why?”
Sima Yi answered his own question, “Belief! It is because of belief that Liu Bei, even if defeated a hundred times, can rise up a hundred times! And Liu Bei’s greatest strength is not the bravery of his sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, but belief! A belief that, despite repeated defeats, no one has ever defected!”
Upon saying this, Sima Yi paused, raised his hand, and said, “If you add belief to the points that General Zhou mentioned earlier, it would be enough to forge a hundred-battled army, an invincible army!”
Military governance…
Lu Yu did not understand!
But he knew how Yu Jin governed his troops;
How Sun Ce governed his troops;
How Lu Meng governed his troops;
How Liu Bei governed his troops!
By removing the dross and retaining the pure, removing the false and retaining the true, and discarding the dross in their military governance, what remained would naturally be a hundred-battled lion, the military soul and backbone forged by the Dragon Hawk Camp!
Huu…
Lu Xun was greatly inspired. He had read many military books, but there were no such detailed military books in this world!
“Young Master Sima’s theory on strengthening the army is quite profound! You have traveled a long way, and I have prepared a resting tent for you, Young Master Sima. Please rest first, and we shall discuss further tomorrow!”
“Young Master Sima, please!”
Upon hearing this, Sima Yi politely withdrew.
After walking a considerable distance, Zhou Tai stood up and said indignantly, “Indeed, what he said has some truth to it, but he… after all, has never led troops! It’s hard to say it’s not just theoretical talk…”
“Heh!”
Lu Xun smiled, waved his hand, and looked back at Zhou Tai meaningfully. “General Zhou, Zhao Kuo talked theories and caused hundreds of thousands of people to be buried alive by the Qin army, but… my elder brother Lu Ziyu also talked theories, yet he forged an invincible army that made all thirteen provinces of the empire tremble in fear.”
“General Zhou, do you think this Sima Zhongda is also talking theories?”
Er…
As these words left his mouth, Zhou Tai was rendered speechless.
On the other side, Sima Yi, with Zhang Chunhua, left the big tent and walked to the riverbank…
Zhang Chunhua whispered with pleasant surprise,
“You’ve convinced them!”
Sima Yi maintained his steady pace and replied in a low voice, “It’s not that I’ve convinced them, it’s this theory of military governance by Master Lu that has convinced them!”
Zhang Chunhua smiled, “Then you’ve also completed your mission!”
“Not enough!” Sima Yi couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile. “I saw a spark in Lu Xun’s eyes. He… is by no means content with this!”
“What do you mean?” Zhang Chunhua asked.
Sima Yi continued, “We must keep the door open tonight!”
Upon saying this… as if smelling a hint of fish, Sima Yi closed his eyes and sighed, “I’ve long heard that Jiangdong is a land of fish and rice. Tonight, we’ll likely be eating fish!”
Upon saying this…
He looked towards the mountains before him, where the fierce Yue people were stationed!
Governing troops is not something that can be accomplished overnight! Baimi Novel
But this battle…
Whether it be the Lu family or he, Sima Yi, was determined to win!
…
…
In Jizhou, Ye City, after the army of 300,000 retreated to Youzhou, Cao Cao returned to Ye City.
On this night…
An unextinguished oil lamp flickered, casting a hazy shadow on Cao Cao’s furrowed brow. It seemed… he was particularly restless in his sleep!
Indeed, he had had a nightmare!
The newly taken wife, Lady Liu, who was not young but still graceful, was sleeping beside him. Suddenly… Cao Cao cried out from his dream, flailing his hands.
“Horse! Horse! Kill the horse! Kill the horse!”
Lady Liu was also startled awake, “Prime Minister, Prime Minister… what’s wrong? What’s wrong?”
But Cao Cao covered his head and cried out miserably, “My head, my head hurts so much…”
“Someone… someone!”
Lady Liu exclaimed, not bothering to put on her clothes.
But Xu Chu outside the door had already rushed over with the Tiger Guards…
“Summon the imperial physician, summon the imperial physician!”
…
Not long after, an imperial physician inserted silver needles into Cao Cao’s temples. This physician was from Qiao Pei and a disciple of Zhang Zhongjing in the medical department!
When Cao Cao had a headache, he was often treated by this physician, but… recently, Cao Cao’s headaches had become increasingly frequent.
Huu…
Accompanied by heavy breaths, Cao Cao finally quieted down, but his expression showed unbearable pain in his forehead.
“Is the Prime Minister’s head ailment recurring, or the symptom mentioned by Immortal Doctor Lu, where clear qi sinks and turbid qi rises…”
The physician opened his mouth to speak…
“Alas!” Lady Ding sighed from the side. Behind her were Lady Bian, Lady Du, and Lady Yin.
But only Lady Ding knew what it meant for the clear qi to sink and the turbid qi to rise!
In the end, it was because Cao Cao never passed gas…
All the turbid qi accumulated in his head, and Lu Ziyu had previously mentioned that this illness was difficult to cure…
It was Hua Tuo who proposed trepanation, but Cao Cao imprisoned him. If it weren’t for Lu Yu and Zhang Zhongjing, Hua Tuo would have likely been beheaded by Cao Cao.
“Aman, don’t overthink, and don’t get angry! When you get angry, your head will hurt!” Ding Hui said tenderly and chidingly.
At this time, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi also rushed over… surrounding the bed.
“Is Father’s headache any better?” Cao Pi asked first.
Cao Cao deliberately ignored him and instead looked at Cao Zhi, “Zijian, why are you here? Isn’t your newspaper in Xuzhou? The newspaper guides public opinion, so you are of utmost importance. How can you come to Ye City so casually.”
“Father, don’t worry!” Cao Zhi quickly replied, “It was Master Lu who sent me, not only me, but also Master Zheng Xuan. He said that from now on, the newspaper’s headquarters will be moved to Ye City!”
Ah…
Cao Cao’s head suddenly ached a bit more.
Cao Zhi quickly stepped forward, “Father, let your son massage your head…” He gently massaged Cao Cao’s forehead, and Cao Cao smiled approvingly.
Cao Pi asked the physician, “Father was fine during the day, how could he suddenly have a headache?”
“The Prime Minister… it seems to be… because of a nightmare!” The physician answered hesitantly.
But Cao Cao opened his eyes, his brows furrowed, “I had a dream of three horses eating from the same trough. I wonder what omen it portends!”
“Three horses?” Cao Zhang patted his forehead. “In the world today, only the Yongliang region has three horses, Ma Teng, Ma Chao, and Ma Tie!”
Ma Teng was a warlord in Guanxi, Ma Chao was his eldest son, and Ma Tie was his second son…
They were descendants of General Fubo Ma Yuan, a proud and disciplined military family!
Currently, in the warlord-dominated Guanxi, the famous members of the Ma family were these three father and sons, and besides them, there was also Ma Chao’s cousin, Ma Dai…
In short…
As long as one mentions “Ma,” one naturally thinks of the Ma clan of Xiliang first!
“Is Father worried about Ma Teng of Xiliang?” Cao Pi asked proactively…
But Cao Cao was still covered in cold sweat…
All that appeared in his mind was this word “Ma.” Horse… Horse… There are horses in Xiliang, and there are horses in Henei!
Thinking of this, Cao Cao felt another splitting headache.
Seeing that his acupuncture was not very effective, the physician reminded him, “The Prime Minister’s headache has recurred, why not summon Immortal Doctor Lu… It seems…”
“No!” Cao Cao waved his hand…
Lu Yu was currently in charge of the northern expedition matters in Youzhou. This concerned the border and the great undertaking, and Cao Cao did not want to interfere with him!
“Summon Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo!”
“Yes!”
With a command from Cao Cao, the imperial physician understood and slowly withdrew with his head lowered.
Not long after, the gathered people dispersed, as if to give Cao Cao an environment for rest.
Only Xu Chu remained by the bedside.
“Zhongkang!”
“Prime Minister!”
Cao Cao’s voice was weak, “Go and investigate where that disciple of Yu’er named Sima Yi is now, and what mission he is carrying out!”
Er…
With this sudden sentence, Xu Chu realized something, “Prime Minister suspects… that the ‘horse’ in the trough is related to the Sima clan of Henei?”
Huu…
Cao Cao exhaled heavily. He did not answer Xu Chu but instead reminded him.
“This Sima Zhongda is a disciple highly valued by Yu’er. Surveillance and investigation related to him and the Sima clan of Henei must be conducted in secret! Once anything is discovered, report it directly to me!”
“Yes!” Xu Chu promised heavily.
Just as he was about to turn around.
“Wait!” Cao Cao shouted to stop him. “Also, summon Zhicai and Gongda to see me! It is time to discuss how to deal with those horses in Xiliang!”
“Yes!” Xu Chu promised again.
This night…
This yamen was destined to be sleepless…
…
…
The lamp was extinguished, and the faint moonlight penetrated through the cracks in the window, falling on the ground like scattered frost.
“What?”
Lu Yu suddenly woke up from his bed. Dian Wei told him about an incident that happened in Ye City last night.
“Horse?”
Lu Yu quickly put on his clothes, opened the door, and let Dian Wei in.
Dian Wei’s expression was quite serious.
“It’s a horse. The Prime Minister even uttered the words ‘kill the horse.’ It seems the Prime Minister had a nightmare of three horses eating from the same trough, and his head ailment recurred… He has already sent people to fetch the divine physicians Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo from Xudu City!”
Hiss…
Lu Yu tapped his forehead.
Three horses eating from a trough, this… he was too familiar with it!
In ancient times, people believed, “What is dreamt of at night will surely come true during the day.” And three horses eating from the same trough, “trough”… is also “Cao.” How could Cao Cao ignore this!
And this omen, interpreted broadly, “eating from the same trough” means encroachment and annexation. According to the dream interpretation, these three horses were destined to threaten Cao Cao’s foundation.
Huu…
Lu Yu let out a long sigh.
“Has the Prime Minister taken any action?”
“He summoned advisors Xun You and Xi Zhicai to discuss until dawn…” Dian Wei replied truthfully.
“And then?” Lu Yu asked eagerly.
“Then he sent an urgent dispatch to Lord Xun of Xudu, seemingly concerning Ma Teng of Xiliang!”
Oh…
Lu Yu nodded.
If it was Ma Teng of Xiliang, then it was fine…
Lu Yu was about to give some instructions.
Dian Wei’s words followed, “Young Master, an urgent dispatch has arrived from Donghai Commandery in Xuzhou…”
“Urgent dispatch?”
“That’s right!” Dian Wei took out a letter from his embrace. “I had intended to report it to you tomorrow…”
Lu Yu slowly unfolded it…
It was one thing not to look, but upon looking, he was stunned.
– Yamatai Kingdom?
– Himiko.
Subconsciously, Lu Yu thought of these two names!
She? Why did she come at this time?
Wait…
Lu Yu suddenly realized something, his pupils constricting.
Sailing from the Kingdom of Yamatai into Donghai Commandery of Xuzhou… at this period? Was the shipbuilding technology of the Kingdom of Yamatai so advanced?
Could they already sail the oceans?
After all…
A warship capable of sailing the oceans, compared to the so-called “monchong” and “louche” of the Great Han… it was simply a swift kill and a crushing defeat!
Hiss…
Lu Yu gasped for air. He seemed to see an invincible Great Wei navy on the sea and rivers…
…
…