Chapter 45, Chapter Twelve: Holding the Weapons and Calculating
Just as Liu Jun was taking advantage of the chaos to pacify Hanzhong, Bazhong and other places, Liu Kun sought help from Tuoba Yilu, the Duke of Dai. Tuoba Yilu personally led an army of 200,000 and defeated Liu Yao.
Liu Kun then requested that troops be sent to Liu Cong, but Tuoba Yilu politely declined.
At the same time, Liu Kun wrote to Liu Jun, ordering him to send troops north to avenge his father and grandfather.
After much deliberation, Liu Jun decided to convene a meeting of all the generals of the shogunate that very night to discuss the matter.
The tent was still dressed in white mourning clothes. A map was laid out on the table, and Liu Jun leaned against the armrest, his face flickering in the dim candlelight.
“I think it’s not advisable,” Zhuge Quan was the first to object. “Hanzhong has just been pacified, and Liu Cong and Li Xiong are eyeing it covetously. If we send troops now, all our previous efforts will be wasted.”
This is a truth that everyone knows, so everyone nodded in agreement.
Even Liu Yong and his family retainers, though they couldn't help but weep when they thought of their late lord, did not advocate sending troops.
Liu Jun pondered for a long time, then said calmly, "I am determined to send troops."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was shocked, but no one spoke. Everyone knew that Liu Jun was filial and fraternal, and had become famous for serving his grandparents in the chaos of war. If he were to be driven to revenge, it would be understandable. However, judging from his expression, although he was sad, his eyes were clear and he remained calm and sharp, not as if he had lost his composure.
“Being impulsive and aggressive may bring temporary satisfaction, but it is of no benefit in the long run,” Liu Jun said, his face ashen as he held the sachet that Guo had made for him. “It is rare that the Tuoba Xianbei have raised an army to help us. If we do nothing, we will miss this opportunity.”
He stood up, lightly tapping a corner of the map with his Flying Sword. “Gentlemen, please look. According to the letter from the Lord, Tuoba Liuxiu and Tuoba Pugen are leading tens of thousands of troops to attack Jinyang. In addition, he himself is leading 200,000 troops as reinforcements. The Xianbei cavalry will surely win this battle, but they will only help the Lord reclaim Bingzhou and will not continue to wage war against the Xiongnu.”
"But there is a different situation. You see, the Xiongnu territory is currently located between Liangzhou and Yongzhou, and further west is Liangzhou, which is still nominally under Jin control. If we can agree with the court to send troops to attack Yongzhou or Hedong while the Xiongnu are fighting the Tuoba Xianbei, at the very least we can relieve the pressure on Bingzhou by besieging Wei, and at the middle level we can recover the lost territory in Guanzhong and save the court from crisis... Of course, the best-case scenario is that the Tuoba Xianbei take advantage of the situation to pursue, and Wang Jun of Youzhou and Tao Kan of Jingzhou can also send troops to respond, annihilating the Hu bandits, recovering the lost territory, and returning to the old capital. This is not impossible."
Liu Jun couldn't help but sneer, "However, if all of you gentlemen could put aside your past grievances and work together with one heart and one mind, our dynasty wouldn't be in such a precarious situation."
“Excellent, what you just said is indeed a brilliant plan, but it is not without its risks, so we must prepare for it as soon as possible.” Zhuge Quan said slowly, “For example, after the troops are dispatched, Liangzhou will also be vulnerable in defense, so we must leave a trustworthy general to guard against Li Xiong taking advantage of the chaos to launch an attack.”
"Indeed, in addition, we need to ask the Secretary to keep an eye on the movements of Wang Jun and Shi Le. Shi Le has not yet turned against Liu Cong. If he is also involved, the situation will become even more complicated."
"Please, Your Excellency, arrange the troops!" Liu Dan, impatient as ever, immediately stood up. "I, though unworthy, will be the vanguard!"
“No rush,” Liu Jun interrupted him, “I will submit a memorial to the court and ask Zhuge Gong to draft it. I will also write a private letter to His Majesty and Chief Secretary Wen. I will also personally contact Li Ju, Guo Mo and other generals scattered throughout Guanzhong.”
Liu Jun's gaze lingered on Zhuge Quan. "Lord Zhuge is mature and prudent. With you in charge, I have complete peace of mind. Be especially wary of local powerful figures and refugees causing trouble. Kill the ringleaders without exception, and treat the other accomplices leniently."
"By the way," Liu Jun instructed Lu Jing, who was standing beside him, to take out a box of books. "This is the Shu Law, which was established by Zhuge Liang. I have further improved it by combining it with the Wei Law and the Jin Law. If you have time, Lord Zhuge, you may take a look and then promulgate it throughout Liangzhou. There are military laws for governing an army, national laws for governing a country, and a province should also be governed by clear laws and teachings."
Zhuge Quan accepted the order, bowed, and said, "I accept the order. However, recently officials and commoners have been coming to inquire about this matter. I wonder what your plans are for this, sir."
Liu Jun did not hesitate, "According to the old system, the land rent is four liters of millet per mu per year, and on average, each person pays two bolts of silk and two catties of cotton per year. No other levies may be made under any other name besides rent and tax. As for the displaced people, they shall still be subject to the military-agricultural system, with an appropriate reduction, how about two-fifths of the tax?"
"only."
On the eve of leaving the city, Liu Jun left Lu Jing behind to take care of his family, then personally circled around Liangzhou City before speeding north without looking back.
"My lord, why do you insist on leading the expedition in person?" Liu Yong looked at his young master, who had been watching him grow up since childhood, and saw him transformed from a carefree child prodigy in the capital into a struggling governor of a remote province. He couldn't help but feel sorry for him as he looked at his thin profile.
Liu Jun glanced at him and spoke succinctly, but the profound meaning in his words chilled Liu Yong to the bone: "The empires of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu of Han were obtained through their own efforts. The foundations of Emperor Wu of Wei and Emperor Xuanwu of Zhou were also established on horseback. None of the great achievements of Emperor Shang and Emperor Wu of Zhou were accomplished without pioneering spirit and enduring hardships."
Liu Yong quickly looked around and found that apart from the two of them, there was no one else within five steps. He breathed a sigh of relief, but did not know how to reply. In the end, he only said, "I am a servant of the household, and I follow your lead."
Having harbored his ambitions for over a decade, Liu Jun now felt an indescribable sense of exhilaration as he finally let them out. He silently gazed at the chaotic darkness.
What he never told Liu Yong was that, originally, because he was still young and his wings were not yet fully grown, he wanted to use Liu Kun's reputation to seize the world and become like the Wen of Wei or the Wen of Jin. However, the fall of Jinyang made him completely disillusioned with Liu Kun. Regardless of whether he was a loyal minister of the Jin dynasty and had no intention of rebelling, judging from his behavior, he was ambitious, extravagant and frivolous. How could he be a person who could accomplish great things?
Today, his incompetence in managing his subordinates has led to the defection of his troops, the loss of Bingzhou, and the death of his parents; one day, perhaps his wife and children, or even himself, will be the ones to suffer.
When Yin Xiaocheng returned with the information, Liu Jun was first taken aback, then laughed in anger.
Years ago, Liu Kun nearly offered Dai Commandery to the Tuoba tribe as a concession, but Liu Jun persuaded him otherwise, and he ultimately relented, substituting Xingbei for Dai Commandery. He sent his general Xing Yan and the Xianbei general Tuoba Liuxiu to guard the area. By chance, Xing Yan acquired a fine piece of jade and presented it to Liu Jun, intending to reward him. However, due to a falling out between father and son, Liu Kun, seeking to appease the Xianbei, gave it to Tuoba Liuxiu instead. Unexpectedly, Tuoba Liuxiu, insatiable in his greed, repeatedly demanded more from Xing Yan. When refused, he took Xing Yan's wife hostage. Enraged, Xing Yan led his troops to defeat Tuoba Liuxiu, then surrendered to Liu Cong and requested permission to attack Bingzhou.
Throughout this process, Xing Yan never asked Liu Kun to uphold justice or sought his help; even a three-year-old wouldn't believe that.
Given the choice between an ordinary general under his command and a powerful Xianbei nobleman whom he could not afford to offend, Liu Kun's choice was obvious.
But it was precisely this insignificant person whom Liu Kun looked down upon who ultimately caused his city to fall and his family to perish.
Thinking of Liu Fan and Guo Shi, Liu Jun gripped his horsewhip tightly and swore through gritted teeth—if he didn't avenge this, how could he be considered a human being!
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