Chapter 243 - Brother Zhuge Become An Official (1/2)

Chapter 243 – Brother Zhuge Become An Official

Liu Mang’s army finally began its movement after being in Hefei for nearly one month. During this time, both Black Flag and Urban Army trained themselves whenever got any times and although they are yet to reach their before elite status, they benefited a lot from their training. Job advertis.e.m.e.nt that Liu Mang created, had brought him a lot of benefits. Liu Mang also had prepared defenders for Gus.h.i.+, Anfeng, Hefei and Lujiang. 12,000 Gan Ning naval units were sent back toward Lujiang. Liu Mang needed divide the naval units into two division of naval units, one in Shouchun, one in Lujiang as well docks and repair shops and construct them with maximum speed in order to be launched together as soon as possible.

Those who entered the army that Liu Mang selected is around 8,000 people. Those who can enter Black Flag and Urban Army are 3,000 people, causing their numbers totaled 9,000 people!!! The remaining 5,000 people were commoner who only asking for food from Liu Mang, but their body is healthy and strong. If not, how can they walk so far? So, Liu Mang takes them in, and divided them into 5 to accompany magistrates of each Gus.h.i.+, Anfeng, Hefei and Lujiang to guard those cities. The others was a.s.signed as garrison troops as field units already had Urban Army and Black Flag. Liu Mang also pulled out 200 troops of heavy cavalries, although Liu Mang’s subordinates all not riding white horses, their heavy armor is silver colored. Also Liu Mang also ordered his men sew two piece of clothing last night, to create one set of Chang Pao (Olden times chinese male robe) for all of them to use.

And their commander is, of course, Zhao Yun. Although Liu Mang has yet to give a squadron name for those 200 heavy cavalries, however since Zhao Yun is the one who is leading it, its name is, of course, the Penetrating White Horse Cavalry, although their number is much less than what Zhao Yun used to lead. To remedy this problem, Liu Mang has kept increasing his armaments and production of heavy armors. And the roadblock for expanding cavalries is warhorse. Hebei region is impossible to send out warhorse again. If one wants to obtain warhorse, there are only two ways. One, is by traversing through Jiangdong and buy horse from Liaodong. Second, is travel through Jing Province and goes to Liang Province to buy horse. Both of them are not viable options as of now. Buying through Jiangdong, is 100% not a viable option as when Jiangdong army saw Lu Bu army merchant s.h.i.+ps or wars.h.i.+ps, they will sink it as soon as possible. Although Liu Biao of Jing Province is still on amicable terms with Lu Bu army, but importing warhorse through Jing Province? It will surely confiscated by Liu Biao’s customs. Jing Province Liu Biao is only one problem, buying horse from Liang Province, they must pa.s.s Zhang Lu of Hanzhong’s territory, Zhang Xiu of Fort Wan’s territory for them to reach Shouchun and they also need to pa.s.s Runan. The journey will be arduous.

Another way to obtain warhorse, is to mate those Arabian warhose that Liu Mang brought!!! The males are not castrated and have many mares, but spring already pa.s.sed and their mating season already ended!!! So, this year is impossible to give birth to foals. Can only wait for the next spring for mating season. Even using that method, they also need to prepare a subst.i.tute for those warhorse, otherwise when they give birth to foals, what ride is available to those Bing Province Wolf Cavalry?

Since Liu Mang publicized job ads, all warlords interest on him was extinguished. After all, Liu Mang’s job ads offended n.o.bles in this very nation. Not to mention, all warlords is doing their own war here and there with the most obvious ones from Liu Mang’s side were Liu Biao of Jing Province and Sun Ce of Jiangdong, their fire can even be seen from Liu Mang’s position. From the intel, Sun Ce army got the upper hand again. That is because in Sun Ce army appeared a capable person. He solely transformed the wars.h.i.+p anatomy and durability. He used twice of the required lumber in order to make a wars.h.i.+p, he also covered the surface of the wars.h.i.+p in mixed molten copper and molten iron, improving its defense while adding weight, so as not to tumble the s.h.i.+p. Also even at the end of Eastern Han Dynasty, wars.h.i.+p were built with watertight compartments and it made the wars.h.i.+p extremely durable. Even if they were riddled with arrow, even if they were blazed with fire, even if the hull was shot through, as long as the watertight compartment is not compromised, the wars.h.i.+p will not sink. Such results can be seen when Liu Biao of Jing Province and Sun Ce are doing naval battle. When Liu Biao’s navy was shot, they sink almost immediately, but Sun Ce army’s wars.h.i.+p did not. Although the surface damage is serious but because of watertight compartment, it will not sink into the water. Sun Ce army can just tow them back to the dock, order artisans to repair the s.h.i.+ps, resupply the s.h.i.+p with crews and it will be back again for action.

On the contrary of Sun Ce’s advantage, Jing Province naval units’ casualties is a little heavy as s.h.i.+p repairing cost is ma.s.sively lower to the cost of building another s.h.i.+p. Jing Province will have to source a lot of money again and even if they are rich, they cannot last long enough with damage like this. Before long, Huangzhou city as well Wuchang lost again and again. And right now Jiangdong navy is starting to approach Sanjiangkou. If Sanjiangkou were lost as well, Jing Province navy will return to the state when they still don’t have ballistae.

Jiangdong has been suppressing lot of anger. They spent a lot of money to obtain the ballistae blueprint from Liu Mang of Lu Bu army. They are preparing a lot of ballistae in order to catch Jing Province off guard. They even gave several thousand artisans, along with a lot of precious metals and jewelries in order Lu Bu army to commit themselves, not to give the blueprint to Jing Province in one month. One month is enough to fit all of Jiangdong’s wars.h.i.+p with ballistae.

However, who knows Liu Mang played them both. He did not sell the blueprint, he sold the ballistae along with the wars.h.i.+p. It is really unexpected that they are the one who were caught off guard by Jing Province. If not for Zhou Yu’s decisive action, having obtained information about ballistae beforehand, perhaps Kuai Liang already wiped out all of them. But even with that advantage, Zhou Yu still lost in his expedition and retreated, their casualties amounted to Han Dang’s fleet wiped out. And now, since Sun Ce of Jiangdong did not dare to aggravate Lu Bu army, Liu Biao of Jing Province will be his target of anger. Sun Ce, Tais.h.i.+ Ci, Zhou Yu, Lu Su all pulled out in order to do battle with Liu Biao. Their already magnificent roster is becoming more magnificent with addition of the rear managed by Zhang Zhao and his younger brother, Sun Quan.

Jing Province then also prepared their own roster with Wen Ping as their general, supported by Huang Zu. Regarding Kuai bros, even though they are first-cla.s.s adviser, they don’t have the ability to manage people. With that disadvantage, Jing Province Navy is lacking one of crucial component, but suddenly the problem is suddenly solved as when Liu Biao is still stumped suddenly there is a G.o.d-ranked figure that joined the Jing Province Army.

That person’s name is Zhuge Liang, Taoist name is Sleeping Dragon. He is not yet entered into office, but his reputation is very big!!! So much that there is a saying, the one who obtained Sleeping Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix shall conquer this nation!!! That saying might be a little exaggerated, but it is the ancient’s way of promoting. Who would use a person without reputation? Since Zhuge Liang’s reputation is so great, when he entered Jing Province Army, Liu Biao is extremely happy. He has been wis.h.i.+ng to obtain talented people for Jing Province for far too long. In this chaos times, his Jing Province is a haven, therefore many famous scholars and talented people, such person Master Sima Hui, Taoist name Master Shuijing and Pangde Gong or Pang Gong (Lord Pang). Liu Biao of Jing Province had visited them for don’t know how many times, hoping that these people will become an official of Jing Province. But Liu Biao always returned empty-handed, as they did not like Liu Biao. According to them, a person like Liu Biao who only seek to protect his inheritance is not worth their service. So, Liu Biao can only have his heart broken by those people.

And now Zhuge Liang is conducting a contradictory act toward Master Shuijing. He actually took up official post in Jing Province. A person this talented is joining Jing Province made Liu Biao happy to no end. And it made him thinking in his senility, maybe just maybe these talented people will eventually join Liu Biao. When Zhuge Liang joined Liu Biao’s army, everybody except him, think he is insane and gone loopy!!! Zhuge Liang just stay silent and calm as usual, however that blacked-face in Runan when hearing this news, he is shocked for quite some time.

After Zhuge Liang joins Liu Biao army, he rejected Liu Biao’s offer to become governor of Xiangyang, instead he insisted to Liu Biao that he must goes to the army, helping Wen Ping and Huang Zu protecting Jiangxia as the situation is no good. Their casualties is too high, Wen Ping hired soldiers out of 70,000 troops were thinned out to less than 50,000 troops. Their wars.h.i.+ps losses are also suffered serious damage, so much that Jing Province naval personnel already give themselves up, lost their courage and want to return to Jing Province. Liu Biao also had did the worst case scenario. If Jiangxia is to be lost, all of them to retreat to s.h.i.+yang, Wulin and Chibi and maintain status quo with Sun Ce army. Now Zhuge Liang’s request to be sent to the front, of course Liu Biao not agree at the beginning. He is afraid Zhuge Liang is harmed and his image who already not good to begin with will be destroyed completely. Master Shuijing probably will criticize him following the rest of the scholars despising him. Fortunately before Zhuge Liang arrived, Master Shuijing and Pang Gong (Lord Pang) paid him a visit and said Zhuge Liang want to work for Inspector of Jing Province Liu Biao, in order to protect his homeland from Sun Ce. Zhuge Liang’s second hometown is Nanyang, Jing Province. So Jing Province can be considered second homeland to him.

Cai Mao and Zhang Yun and other n.o.bles who heard Zhuge Liang’s request all in once voice supporting his decision. They all wanted this Zhuge Liang to go to the front. Being a governor of Xiangyang is a very big position. Xiangyang is the wealthiest city out of all Jing Province cities. All merchants are gathered there, communicating there, doing their trading there. That means the tax revenue is really good, equalling to half of Jing Province whole revenue. So, being a governor of Xiangyang is such a pretty prosperous position, and Cai Mao and the others will not let anyone take that position except for them. The Kuai brothers are also acquaintated well with Master Shuijing and Lord Pang and they also want to see what kind of person Master Shuijing’s protege is. However, regarding the position governor of Xiangyang, both of them don’t want the position as well, but they also don’t want outsider to be governor of Xiangyang. So, with everyone’s effort, Zhuge Liang smoothly become Jiangxia army military adviser, governing 50,000 troops. His influence is further expanded when Liu Biao wrote a letter saying “Everything must consult military adviser Kongming before taking action!!!” Cutting Wen Ping rights severely as everything must report first to Zhuge Liang.

Regarding Huang Zu of Jiangxia. Although Jiangxia is his domain but that place is almost exhausted to the extent due to constant battles that protecting it is meaningless and finally Jiangxia is lost. So now, he returned in shame and anger. Since Huang clan is one of four biggest clans in Jing Province, Liu Biao gave Lingling Commandery and Guiyang Commandery for him to appease and to encourage Huang Zu. Even Huang Zu also was given 1,000 personal troops in order for him to take office. Hmm, Zhuge Liang? Wen Ping is knitting his brow. In his hand, there is the letter from Liu Biao which content is the one written above but with addition that Zhuge Liang is sent to be Wen Ping’s a.s.sistant. Wen Ping knows about Zhuge Liang of Nanyang, the Sleeping Dragon. Although Wen Ping respected his talent, but he would rather keep this people off distance. He knows that this person had talent and famous throughout the land, but n.o.body knows his real situation and Wen Ping is not one to speculate a person. Now it is different, Zhuge Kongming has took up an office, and become one of Liu Biao’s men. He also said that he is to be Zhuge Liang’s a.s.sistant, therefore making Wen Ping a senior general, an a.s.sistant toward a newcomer. How would Wen Ping feel?

Wen Ping indeed is a general in Jing Province but he always is Huang Zu’s subordinate. However, Huang Zu only commanded 20,000 troops, while Wen Ping is commanding 50,000 troops. With this comparison, it is safe to say that the decision-maker is Wen Ping. And now with Huang Zu returned to Jing Province, Wen Ping should be the commander right? Unfortunately not. He didn’t have real power before, he don’t have power now, he is just waiting for Zhuge Liang to take over his leaders.h.i.+p baton. (TN: Poor Wen Ping, you are mistreated but still a loyal SOB, if I were you, I will slit Huang Zu’s throat and take command for myself)

Kongming, why are you in Jing Province? The blacked-face person is stunned. He is currently sitting inside Runan Government office, reading the intel in his hand. He and Zhuge Liang had a bet to serve their own wise lord together and after several years, they would meet again once more to compare whose lord is the better one. He had traveled to meet his wise lord and finally show his face to this nation. Who had ever expected that his wise lord give him big responsibility. Now, he and Kongming’s wise lord is about to do battle, so he expect to fight against his old friend, so he done a very careful preparation to fight a good battle, but whoever thought that this event comes out. What are you thinking of, Kongming? The blacked-face man sighed and really could not see him through.

What is Zhuge Liang really thinking? He didn’t know that Kongming is already planned to go to Lujiang after Battle of Wancheng, but because of that job advertis.e.m.e.nt, he changed direction. Why, you ask? The reason it is because the job advertis.e.m.e.nt that Liu Mang sent out, is good for short term but not good for long term, as it offended this nation’s n.o.bles and its loss outweigh its profit. Offending n.o.bles is never a good thing, as they are influential and respected over their regions. An obvious example, Jing Province had 4 big clans governing it. Liu clan even though it is the royalty, he still need to appease other n.o.bles in order to be accepted in Jing Province. At that time, Liu Biao chose Cai clan and marry Cai Mao’s younger sister in order to appease other n.o.bles as they are the biggest ones in Jing Province, with that act alone, he is able to grip tightly on his rule of Jing Province. Liu Mang, who had offended n.o.bles with his job advertis.e.m.e.nt, will not get n.o.bles’ support at all. They will never help Liu Mang to obtain this nation, on the contrary they will be very glad to destroy him. It can be said now, in order Liu Mang to progress even an inch, he will face arduous challenge. Those n.o.bles can be very useful, because every time a warlord conquer a region, those n.o.bles will quickly lend their money and resources and even help to convince commoners.

Since Liu Mang had turned into one of major warlord who strived to reach hegemony, if he wanted to subjugate those n.o.bles, he can only do two things either to kill them all or be killed himself, if he continue this path (TN: The path taken by Daenerys Targaryen now) If Liu Mang is not the warlord favored by Zhuge Liang, he will not do anything to help him. Since he is, Zhuge Liang decided to help him from shadows, but his help is too small currently, so he need to become an official of Jing Province in order to help him more and finally presenting Jing Province as a gift for Liu Mang.

While thinking about that, suddenly Kongming’s s.h.i.+p is docked at s.h.i.+yang Commandery. Since the waterway is unsafe, Zhuge Liang need to take land route and go directly Sanjiangkou. After pa.s.sing through quite a distance, finally Kongming and his party reached Sanjiangkou camp. But he has yet entered the camp when a general and his men greet Zhuge Kongming. Zhuge Liang kept observing Wen Ping and thought Is this person really Wen Ping?! Wen Ping’s facial structure is very handsome very much like a scholar, but because of that scar, his status as general is cemented. Making this middle-aged man more dignified.

Is this person Zhuge Kongming? Wen Ping also similarly observing Zhuge Liang. While Kongming don’t show any expression at all, Wen Ping is knitting his brow. It is because Zhuge Liang is too young. Can this little squirt really the military adviser? He’s not even yet 20 years old!!! Can he decide the life and death of this army? Thought Wen Ping. Wen Ping is a military commander and regarded strength as a true value in combat. And this Zhuge Liang who is not yet reach 20 years old, his lord regarded his strength as very high. This is the same thing like Zhao Kuo. Zhuge Liang’s reputation might be as big as Zhao Kuo’s own reputation if he lived during Spring and Autumn Period. Zhao Kuo was known in every corner of Zhao Country capital, and even King of Zhao himself is very interested of him and it is because Zhao Kuo is really talented in military tactics. He had studied them since childhood, he is also experts in debate, surpa.s.sing his own father Zhao She in terms of tactics and debates. He was a child prodigy that even surpa.s.sed Zhuge Liang in Jing Province, however his end is not good, as being good in stratagem in paper and being good in debate, cannot prove that he is also good in real combat. So, he was routed in the Battle of Changping and his Zhao countrymen of 200,000 souls were buried alive by General Baiqi and Zhao Country is no more.

Wen Ping afraid that this Zhuge Liang, by being a military adviser, is just another Zhao Kuo. If it is true, might as well just surrender to Jiangdong!!! But better than captured, better to die with honor, fighting to the end. While Wen Ping is still thinking, Zhuge Liang opened up his voice first “General Wen Ping!!! Zhuge Liang of Nanyang paid his respect to general!!! All of people said that general possessed the prowess of General Meng Tian now that Liang has seen, it seems like it is the truth!!!” (TN: A general of old ages known for his heroics act by defeating Xiongnu)

Wen Ping is a commander, so no matter what Liu Biao had ordered Wen Ping, he still cannot abandon hiscourtesy. It is also in order to get close to Wen Ping and also to show that he is inexperienced. With this, Kongming and Wen Ping’s relations.h.i.+p will inevitably be harmonious. Wen Ping then said “Military adviser Kongming praised me too highly!!! This old official just performed his duty, to defend one’s homeland!!!”