The formidable barriers of the Golden Ox Path, the impregnable Jianmen Pass, with Wei Yan appointed as its commander;
The Mi Cang Path, a branch of the Great Ba Mountain, stretching for hundreds of li, passing through over ten counties, guarded by Zhang Fei, with Fa Zheng serving as his strategist...
The Litchi Path, a perilous route, with Zhao Yun dispatched as its commander.
In the direction of Yiling, Guan Yu and Ma Liang were stationed.....scorched earth policy!
On this foundation, he, Zhuge Liang, would reside in Zitong with Liu Bei, ensuring any route could be reinforced in time.
This was Zhuge Liang's general strategy for defending Bashu, utilizing three perilous paths and the formidable Yiling Pass..... Even if the Wei army numbered a million strong, taking it would not be easy.
As for the details of the garrisons, the deployment of strategies, and the routes of reinforcement.....
And where traps were set on these passes, where ambushes were laid, where mountain trails were blocked.....
Zhuge Liang had to personally investigate and strategize every minute detail.
To understand and thoroughly grasp every aspect of the defense, he wondered how many springs he had toiled through, how many nights he had stayed awake?
Coupled with the everyday governance of Bashu.
It could be said that Zhuge Liang at this age was already utterly exhausted, not for any other reason than the immense pressure exerted by Great Wei and Cao Yu.
But...
A defense that was thought to be foolproof was suddenly met with doubt... The doubters were his lord, Liu Bei, and... Li Yan, who was usually respectful and humble towards him.
"What does Minister Li mean by that?" Zhuge Liang looked at Li Yan with confusion.
"This subordinate is not questioning Military Advisor Zhuge..." Li Yan spoke gracefully, "It is simply that our Bashu cannot afford to defend..."
The five-year armistice had indeed brought a sliver of peace to Bashu, but it had undoubtedly widened the gap between Bashu and Cao Wei. According to merchants from Cao Wei, the entire Cao Wei army was now equipped with Xuánjiǎ, impenetrable to blades and spears, and their weapons were equally formidable, capable of slicing iron and severing bone and sinew...
"Precisely because of this..." Zhuge Liang interrupted, "We should focus on defense!"
A stark contrast to the Zhuge Liang of the "Chu Shi Biao" who was single-mindedly focused on offense, the current Zhuge Liang seemed determined to prioritize defense, willing to be a shrinking turtle...
This had nothing to do with the entrustment of the "former lord" or the "last wishes of the former lord"; it was due to the immense disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves.
If the gap were not so large... or if he could capitalize on internal turmoil within the enemy forces, Zhuge Liang was confident he could match them one or two times, but the current situation...
The gap was an insurmountable chasm!
This chasm could not be bridged by strategy alone.
"Heh heh..."
Upon hearing Zhuge Liang's insistence on prioritizing defense, Li Yan chuckled, his laugh filled with sarcasm. "Given the current disparity in equipment between the enemy and ourselves, what about five years from now? Cao Wei's county prince is Cao Yu. He is the foremost medical immortal of this era, possessing skillful hands and a mind filled with countless manufacturing blueprints. Who knows what marvels Cao Yu might develop with further innovations? What if, one day, they descend from the sky... just as our lord captured Liu Zhang with hot air balloons in the past? Must our Bashu simply await its doom?"
"Prime Minister Zhuge, our opponent is Cao Yu... For so many years, has anyone who adopted a defensive stance against him ended up well? Did Lu Bu adopt a defensive stance? Did the gates of Xiapi not open? Did the Shan Yue adopt a defensive stance, yet could they stop the flames that engulfed city after city? Hundreds of thousands were wiped out overnight... Did Jiangdong adopt a defensive stance, only to lose their princess and their soldiers in the end? Were Chen Gong and Zhou Yu not intelligent? But their defenses could not halt Cao Yu's offensives? Must Prime Minister Zhuge follow in their footsteps?"
His words were convincing... his arguments were reasoned!
Li Yan's words stunned Zhuge Liang. He felt a wave of dizziness. His peripheral vision caught Liu Bei on the elevated platform, and with just that glance, he experienced an even greater shock.
Because... as Li Yan spoke...
His lord, Liu Bei, cast approving glances, accompanied by meaningful, content smiles and nods. These made Zhuge Liang feel as if thorns were pricking his back, and he let out a long sigh. Zhuge Liang wanted to continue arguing, but he realized... it was all in vain.
Because...
Perhaps in his lord's heart, the seed of counter-attacking Cao Wei had been sown five years ago. This battle... whether they fight or not, they must fight!
Indeed...
Liu Bei opened his mouth, "Prime Minister has been excessively diligent in state affairs recently, attending court while ill, which is truly too taxing. The operation to counter-attack Cao Wei after the five-year agreement will be fully coordinated by the Minister of Personnel and Grand Commandant, General Li Yan. As for the route, I intend to personally lead the army out of Jinsui Pass from Hanzhong and engage Cao Yu in a decisive battle in Hanzhong..."
"Your Majesty..." Despite his weakened state, Zhuge Liang had to advise...
He could not stand idly by and watch his lord Liu Bei hand over the hard-won foundation he had established.
As he spoke, Liu Bei looked meaningfully at Zhuge Liang, "Prime Minister, have you forgotten? I have not forgotten. When I conferred with you in Longzhong, you laid out a magnificent blueprint for dividing the world into three. You mentioned that after I took Bashu, I could personally lead a force out of Shu to capture Hanzhong and defeat Chang'an. At that time... I would dispatch a Great General from Jingzhou to advance north, and with just one great victory, the entire territory of Cao Wei would collapse... Prime Minister, how can you now be timid and cautious, unwilling to go all out, when you could once propose such grand pronouncements?"
As he spoke...
Liu Bei slowly descended the dragon steps and approached Zhuge Liang. "In the past, when Cao Cao faced Yuan Shao at Guandu, Cao Cao said that if it were about the number of troops, he, Cao Cao, could never match Yuan Shao, but in terms of wisdom and courage, three Yuan Benchu combined could not match Cao Cao... Today, I have the same realization. If it were about the number of troops and combat strength, our small Bashu could not even compare to the Central Plains and Cao Wei's twelve prefectures even after a hundred years. What I am most fortunate for is that in such a situation, I still possess the great courage to stake my claim and fight against that Cao Ziyu!
"Prime Minister, you are ill... When one is ill, one should rest well. I still wish to see the Prime Minister who once spoke with great ambition, discussing strategy and governance from his humble dwelling in Wolonggang, Nanyang!"
"Your... Your..." Zhuge Liang opened his mouth, but a violent dizziness washed over him.
Accompanied by the sound of "thump" and "thump," Zhuge Liang fell to the ground.
"Imperial Physician, summon the Imperial Physician quickly!" Li Yan was the first to call out.
Liu Bei also leaned in to help Zhuge Liang. After the Imperial Physician took him away, Liu Bei shifted his tone, "Minister Li, regarding the northern expedition, I will need your continued hard work and dedication!"
"Five years ago, when I ascended the throne, I declared that we would not coexist with the Han bandits, and that the royal enterprise would not be confined to one place. I gave Cao Wei five years, and five years from now, I will surely march north to campaign. The edict has already been issued, and the entire army is aware of this matter; the news has also spread far and wide... I do not wish to go back on my word!"
"Mm... Mm..." Li Yan cupped his hands.
Although the Dongzhou faction was the last to join Liu Bei, Li Yan understood Liu Bei better than Zhuge Liang.
Liu Bei had been pursued by Cao Yu like a stray dog throughout his life. He longed to prove himself, to prove that he was not only adept at passive defense but also at proactive offense. Even if it took his entire life... he, Liu Bei, wanted to defeat Cao Yu at least once.
This was Liu Bei's obsession!
For a fleeting moment, the corners of Li Yan's mouth curved into a meaningful smile.
However...
This smile vanished in an instant, and Li Yan returned to his humble, respectful, and apprehensive demeanor as Grand Commandant!
...
...
Inside and outside the Prime Minister's mansion, imperial physicians came and went.
Countless maids rushed in with basins of water, and the wet cloths on Zhuge Liang's forehead were replaced one after another.
Even so, it took several hours before Zhuge Liang's spirits began to improve.
Zhao Yun stood by his side.
Upon waking, Zhuge Liang immediately clasped Zhao Yun's hand, "Zilong, Zilong..."
"Prime Minister..."
Zhuge Liang's voice was weak. "Regarding whether to fight or seek peace... two factions have already formed in the court. Li Yan advises His Majesty to launch a northern expedition, and His Majesty is determined to do so. But as Prime Minister, the head of all officials, I must still offer my counsel!"
Zhuge Liang tightened his grip on Zhao Yun's hand, "Please tell His Lordship for me that your subject is not advising His Majesty against attacking Wei, but rather to postpone it. Firstly, the great enemy of Shu Han is indeed Cao Wei, and it is true that the five-year armistice agreement has expired. Precisely because of this, Cao Wei will inevitably dispatch heavy troops to guard the Shu roads... In the past, when Gao Zu marched out of Shu, he still employed the tactic of 'clearly repairing the plank roads, secretly crossing the Chencang,' achieving surprise. But for His Lordship to openly attack Wei... this is different from Gao Zu's surprise! A direct confrontation... is disadvantageous to our army!"
"Secondly, the world knows that after Cao Yu captured Hanzhong, he once mentioned, 'Having gained Long, shall we then look to Shu?' but they do not know that at that time, Cao Yu sighed while gazing at Jian Ge, 'The difficulty of the Shu roads is harder than ascending to heaven.' If Cao Wei were to attack Shu from the south, then the difficulty of the Shu roads would be for Cao Wei. If Bashu were to attack Wei from the north, then the difficulty of the Shu roads would be for Bashu... Therefore, the party that attacks first must be the one to traverse the Shu roads, losing the advantage of terrain before the battle... This is an ill-advised move!"
"Thirdly, His Lordship is fixated on the past Longzhong Plan, but in the Longzhong Plan, my strategy was to divide the world into three. After His Lordship captured Jingzhou, then he could advance or retreat strategically... Now, not only has Jingzhou fallen to Cao Wei, but even Jiangdong has submitted... Even if General Guan's divine might leads to continuous victories from Yiling and the capture of Jingzhou, the supply lines would be too long, and logistics would be extremely difficult. Our army's strength, supplies, and equipment are insufficient for a long-distance march! Furthermore, there is the threat from Jiangdong... facing threats from two sides, even General Guan would find it difficult to stand alone."
"Fourthly, from Sichuan to launch a northern expedition against Cao Wei, even if His Lordship captures Hanzhong, after that... to attack Chang'an and advance eastward to Luoyang... this requires passing through Qishan and crossing Longxi. This is a distance of two thousand li, and the land of Longxi is a vast plain, unfavorable to our Bashu infantry... Food and fodder transportation is easily intercepted by the Xiliang army... If food and fodder are cut off, the northern expeditionary army becomes an isolated force... an isolated force deep in enemy territory is a great taboo!"
After half a day of rest, Zhuge Liang's thoughts became incredibly clear...
But after uttering so many words in succession, he still felt somewhat fatigued...
Too tired.
Not just physically tired, but more so emotionally tired!
After speaking, Zhuge Liang gripped Zhao Yun's hand once more, "Zilong... have you noted down everything I said?"
"Noted... noted down..." Zhao Yun nodded...
"Then immediately go and inform His Lordship, tell him to postpone the attack on Cao Wei... and give me... cough cough... give me some more time." Zhuge Liang's words became increasingly earnest.
Remarkably, Zhuge Liang's analysis this time was clear and organized...
Each point was well-reasoned and highly persuasive.
"Prime Minister, rest assured..." Zhao Yun cupped his hands, carrying Zhuge Liang's hope, and strode out of the room.
Nearby officials inquired of Zhuge Liang, "Why did the Prime Minister only ask General Zilong to report to His Lordship?"
"Because..." Zhuge Liang's voice was weak, "Zilong is the most special among His Majesty's generals, and also the most calm... Yide, Yunchang, Wen Chang have been holding back for five years and are now eager to achieve merit. They have forgotten Cao Ziyu's might, but only Zilong, having been by Cao Yu's side, knows Cao Yu's fearsomeness better! An opponent of this caliber does not allow us to make the slightest mistake!"
Speaking of which...
Zhuge Liang's gaze drifted towards the door outside, towards the place where Zhao Yun's retreating figure had disappeared.
Now, he could only hope...
That Zhao Zilong could turn the tide and persuade His Lordship to retract his decree!
Meanwhile...
After leaving the Prime Minister's mansion, Zhao Yun's副将 brought his white horse and quickly asked, "General, are you going to His Majesty?"
Hmm...
Zhao Yun seemed somewhat surprised, his eyes holding a hint of confusion.
The副将 quickly said, "Prime Minister Zhuge is the head of the civil officials, and General Zilong is the head of the military officials apart from His Majesty's sworn brothers. Since the Prime Minister cannot persuade His Majesty, naturally, General Zilong needs to persuade him..."
Zhao Yun nodded. He nodded, mounted his horse, and then turned his horse... in the opposite direction of the imperial palace.
"General... you..."
"Not going to the imperial palace!" Zhao Yun's words were decisive...
"Then..."
"Going to the residence of the Minister of Personnel, Li Yan..." A glint flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes...
He did not intend to convey Zhuge Liang's words to Liu Bei...
He even intended to relay Zhuge Liang's entire strategy to Li Yan.
Even Zhuge Liang had not expected that the usually calm and cautious Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong, would be a proponent of "offense"!
...
...
In Bashu, Chengdu, the Imperial Palace.
"I am not afraid of a decisive battle with Cao Yu, but the biggest problem with the northern expedition is grain and military supplies!" Liu Bei lamented, "In those years, Cao Cao solved the grain problem through military colonies. Cao Yu went a step further, implementing the 'Tanding Rumou' system, abolishing the head tax, and even establishing grain reserves in Hanzhong... Today, Hanzhong is already a major granary for Cao Wei!"
Liu Bei kept Li Yan alone... to discuss matters of the northern expedition.
He was now exceptionally fixated on the "northern expedition"...
"Your Majesty... Your subordinate, along with the State Father Wu Yi and Right General Huang Quan, have discussed this extensively, and our conclusion is that if each commandery and county can implement a four-six tax system, with one out of three households contributing, then after this autumn, we can collect an additional one million five hundred thousand piculs of grain, which will be sufficient to support the grand army's northern expedition for half a year!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei rose abruptly, his face filled with joy.
"Is this true?"
"It is true!"
"Excellent! With these words from you all, my heart is at ease."
"However... Your Majesty..." Li Yan shifted his tone, his face showing concern, "Prime Minister has always seemed to disagree with the four-six tax system and the three-household contribution, because this would place too heavy a burden on the people of Shu, and the popular support the court has painstakingly gained might be lost due to this four-six tax system and three-household contribution..."
Before Li Yan could finish speaking...
Liu Bei waved his hand, "I distinctly remember Chen Lin's sharp 'Proclamation Against Rebels' before the Battle of Guandu. The first sentence reads, 'Thus, there are extraordinary individuals, and then extraordinary deeds are accomplished; with extraordinary deeds, then extraordinary merits are established!' Is this not an extraordinary time? We can adopt some extraordinary measures..."
"Then, regarding the Prime Minister..."
Li Yan attempted to ask further, his words clearly implying something else.
Liu Bei understood, "Is the Prime Minister not ill? The matters of taxation and land fields will be entrusted to you! Let him rest well!"
...
...