Yunzhong Prefecture, Shaling County.
Twenty miles north of the county seat, there is a village called Chenzhuang.
North of the village, there is a small path with a dense forest on both sides.
In the woods, bushes grew thick and trees were tall and sturdy. Hidden and lurking behind the bushes and trees were figures.
These people, armed with bows and crossbows and spears, were intently staring at the direction north of the path.
Suddenly, a fast horse galloped from south to north towards the grove of trees.
The clattering of hooves drew everyone's attention.
The messenger arrived at the edge of the woods, reined in his horse, and shouted into the woods, "Three hundred Xianbei cavalrymen entered Wuquan County yesterday and have all been ambushed and killed. The danger is over!"
Upon hearing this, the people lying in ambush in the woods were taken aback.
"No way, we've put so much effort into setting this up for so long, and we've waited so long, and this is it?"
"Who says otherwise? Damn it, do these Xianbei people look down on us? Why don't they come here?"
"Exactly! I was saying I'd kill a Xianbei so I could get a reward and join the army, and this is what I got?"
"I don't know what these Xianbei people were thinking. They don't even have enough people to go around, yet they dare to launch a sneak attack?"
The group that had been lying in ambush in the woods emerged from their hiding place, venting their frustrations with curses and swears.
They were very angry that the Xianbei people had not come to their side.
Upon seeing this, the messenger immediately spurred his horse and left to deliver the message to the next village.
Like in Chenzhuang, the people who were lying in ambush in the other villages expressed their dissatisfaction after learning that the Xianbei cavalry had been wiped out, but at the same time became more confident.
In the past, for the people of the border regions, nomadic invaders were a nightmare.
Whenever ordinary people are raided by grassland tribes, most of them either pray to God for protection or place their hopes on the enemy's mercy. Very few people rise up to resist and unite to kill the enemy.
Now, after this incident, the people have realized that the steppe cavalry are nothing special, and that as long as they work together, they can kill them on their own.
No one could have imagined that such a simple ambush would have such a huge impact, strengthening the people's determination and confidence to defend their homes and resist the enemy.
This impact is far more gratifying than the killing of three hundred Xianbei cavalrymen.
After learning about the situation among the people, the governor of Yunzhong County wrote a memorial to the imperial court while simultaneously recording the details of the situation and forwarding it to the border counties of Wuyuan, Dingxiang, and Shuofang.
...
On May 1st, the news reached Luoyang.
Kong Rong, the editor-in-chief of the Great Han Daily, wrote extensively about the joint ambush of the Xianbei invasion by the common people of Yunzhong, wandering knights, soldiers of the prefectures and kingdoms, and the intelligence bureau, and published it in the most prominent position in the newspaper.
The main point of the article is to tell people that invaders are not to be feared. As long as the military and the people are united, no matter who it is, as long as they dare to invade, they will be made to return without ever coming back.
School teachers and storytellers also promoted it vigorously.
The people of Luoyang also greatly praised their compatriots in the border region for their courage in facing the enemy.
Deyang Palace.
"Okay, okay!"
Sitting behind his desk, Liu Hong smiled as he looked at the memorials sent from Yunzhong, nodding repeatedly.
In Liu Hong's view, the local government in Yunzhong was able to respond so quickly to this sudden incident, not only because of the timely intelligence from the Investigation Bureau, but also largely because of the local government's ability to mobilize and influence.
The reason why the government has such a strong appeal and mobilization power is due to the degree of trust that the people have in the government.
It was precisely because the people trusted the government that they did not panic and actively responded and cooperated.
This result is what Liu Hong cares about most.
Whether a country is strong or not depends primarily on the degree of trust that its people have in the government, in addition to its military strength and economic level.
When the people are willing to trust the government, follow the government, and are united as one, there is nothing that cannot be overcome.
Seeing the emperor's happy expression, Cheng Yu sat silently opposite him at his desk.
He wasn't thinking as much as Liu Hong was thinking; what he cared about most was the counter-espionage plan sent by the Yunzhong County Detective Agency.
A moment later, Liu Hong put down the memorial and looked up at Cheng Yu opposite him.
"Zhongde, what do you think of that counter-espionage plan?"
"Your Majesty, I think this plan is excellent. It can greatly reduce the relationship between the Xianbei herdsmen and Tanshihuai. If there is an opportunity, we can even use them to eliminate those Han traitors who have defected to the Xianbei!"
Liu Hong's expression shifted: "Hmm~, Zhongde's statement suggests that he already has a more detailed plan?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Cheng Yu nodded, then took out a plan from his pocket and respectfully handed it to Liu Hong.
Just as Liu Hong was flipping through the documents, Cheng Yu said slowly, "Your Majesty, I plan to emulate the rebellion of the King of Bohai, sending men to impersonate those who infiltrated the Han Dynasty, and then return to Tanhan Mountain to await their opportunity..."
After reviewing the plan, Liu Hong glanced at Cheng Yu and said, "Now that Wen You is there in Tanhan Mountain, we can get everything we want. Why do you still need to send people over?"
"Your Majesty, we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket!" Cheng Yu replied calmly.
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong narrowed his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing deep within them.
"Aren't you afraid that I will treat you the same way?" Liu Hong's words seemed to come from both near and far in Cheng Yu's ears.
Cheng Yu: "This is what those in positions of power should do!"
Liu Hong narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Cheng Yu without saying a word.
Cheng Yu sat there calmly, his expression unchanged.
The entire hall fell silent.
"Hmph, Wenyou has already sacrificed enough for the Han Dynasty. I will not allow you to do this, and don't even think about doing anything else!"
Finally, Liu Hong exhaled and said with a warning in his voice.
"I obey the decree!!"
Cheng Yu bowed respectfully.
Liu Hong then waved his hand: "Alright, the counter-espionage plan can be carried out. Once they have completed the plan, we will withdraw immediately!"
"Your subject understands!"
Cheng Yu agreed and then bowed and left.
After leaving Deyang Palace, Cheng Yu turned his head and glanced at the deep hall, a smile appearing on his lips.
Although he just said that it is only natural for superiors to guard against and monitor their subordinates, who wouldn't want to gain the complete trust of their superiors?
However, in order to protect Li Ru, the emperor rejected his proposal.
Cheng Yu felt no disappointment; on the contrary, he was deeply moved.
After returning to the headquarters of the Investigation Division, Cheng Yu erased the latter half of his plan and then sent it to Yunzhong County.
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