Back to Chengdu

The Battle of Tangge was an unparalleled great victory. Cao Cao’s plan to send Zhang He to dampen Liu Bei’s rising momentum came to nothing, and it became an occasion to once again proclaim Liu Bei’s reputation, which had seemed to weaken slightly due to the losses from the Yiyang Standoff.

Even if they had heard about the victory at Tangge, the division of Jing Province was an inevitable event. After all, facing both Cao Cao and Sun Quan’s forces would be tantamount to suicide. They could have negotiated under slightly better conditions, though.

Liu Bei might be somewhat disappointed, but I was rather relieved.

I believe that while I have twisted the tributaries of history, I haven’t yet touched the main stream. The reason was simple: to use my knowledge of the future for as long as possible and in the most dramatic way.

I saved Pang Tong and quickly occupied Yi Province, but I knew from the start that Sun Quan would tackle us as soon as we occupied Yi Province. Thanks to cheating with the answer sheet of original history.

As long as the Yiyang Standoff occurred as in the original history, there was a high chance that the three-way battle between Wei, Shu, and Wu over Jing Province would continue as well. If we could just time the battle for Hanzhong right, that moment would surely come.

‘The flooding of Fancheng. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’

The peak of Guan Yu’s life and the highest point of Shu Han.

The moment that would shake all of China.

Of course, this was still quite some time away.

Anyway, Liu Bei, who returned to Yi Province, went straight to Chengdu upon hearing that the Battle of Tangge had ended. And he dealt with the rewards for the merits of the Battle of Tangge, for which my father and I had come up to Chengdu after a long time to participate in the merit evaluation.

“For the merit of defeating Cao Zhang and killing the lieutenant Dai Leng, General Who Maintains Vigor Zhang Ran is awarded 200 jin of gold, 500 jin of silver, 10 million coins, and 2,000 bolts of silk.”

There was no change in position.

Although I had achieved the merit of killing Lieutenant Dai Leng, the main figure of Tangge was still my father. However, my father’s position also remained the same, as he had already received the highest rank that could be given to a Left General, so his position could not be raised any further.

If they were to raise my rank, I would be on the same level as my father, who was the first meritorious subject, so it felt like they were making up for it with material rewards?

The ranks will go up including this merit when Liu Bei becomes the King of Hanzhong or Emperor later. There was no need to complain or regret it now.

I instructed Ma Chong, who had come up to Chengdu with me, on how to use the rewards received this time.

“Deshen, discuss with the officers and distribute the silk among the soldiers.”

“All of it?”

“Yes. If it’s not enough, let me know. I’ll provide more support. And use the money to help the families of the fallen soldiers and the wounded.”

“There weren’t many casualties, so there should be enough money left over after distributing it.”

“Then distribute it to the soldiers.”

Originally, the rewards given to generals implicitly meant that they should distribute them to the soldiers as they see fit, not keep it all for themselves.

Even Dong Zhuo was not stingy in distributing rewards and spoils to his subordinates, so hoarding it all would be even more insane.

“Baichan, could you use the gold and silver to procure some warhorses for us?”

Ma Dai, befitting his origins from the Ma clan who were warlords of Xiliang, still had connections in Xiliang.

However, buying warhorses from Xiliang without even securing Hanzhong was no easy task, and the transportation costs might be even higher than the cost of buying the horses.

“I’ll do my best.”

Knowing this, Ma Dai’s voice lacked its usual confidence. If they couldn’t pass through Hanzhong, they would have to go through Wudu to reach Xiliang.

Aside from the fact that Wudu was also under Cao Cao’s sphere of influence, the road itself was unbelievably treacherous. It was the Wudu-Yinping route that the Mountain King Deng Ai had crossed.

Even if they somehow secured a trade route, problems remained. Although trade between regions continued despite different spheres of influence, horses were military supplies. It was questionable whether they could be exported.

“If Xiliang is difficult, we could try the west or south. I hear horses come from there too.”

It was Liu Xun who spoke.

Although inferior in both quality and quantity compared to the Qiang people of Xiliang, the Man people in the south and the Di people in the west also raised horses. In fact, after conquering Nanman, Zhuge Liang had separately managed horses from Nanzhong.

“Good. If Xiliang doesn’t work out, consider those options too.”

After deciding how to use all the rewards, Ma Dai and Ma Chong withdrew to carry out their respective tasks.

“Let’s move too.”

“I’ll escort you.”

The reason for bringing Liu Xun to Chengdu along with Ma Chong, who assists with military affairs as Army Supervisor, and Ma Dai for securing horses, was in the meeting I had talked about with Liu Xun when leaving for Baxi before.

Liu Xun’s friend Du Zheng had arranged a meeting with Pu Yuan, the legendary blacksmith of Shu Han.

“Ah, is Du Zheng coming out too?”

Du Zheng was working as an attendant in Chengdu. Liu Xun nodded at my question.

“Yes. He said he would guide us personally.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Since he’s connected us with such a precious relationship, I should prepare a gift.”

“You don’t need to go that far.”

According to Liu Xun, when I told Liu Bei about my dealings with Liu Xun, Liu Bei became interested and met Du Zheng. Naturally, Du Zheng, who was promising as a talent for the Shu army, caught Liu Bei’s eye and his official career opened up with promotions to important positions.

“That was given by our lord, not me, so how could I substitute that?”

Du Zheng is a civil official, so stationery would be good, right?

Thanks to my father who enjoys calligraphy, we have quite a few good items at home. I can pick one that looks nice from the unused ones.

However, when I actually met Du Zheng, he politely declined my gift.

“I have already received so much that I am ashamed to accept a gift.”

“What do you mean? I haven’t done anything for you.”

“You may consider the meeting with Master Pu Yuan as a favor, but for me, the meeting with our lord is that. Even if it wasn’t your intention, I have benefited, so how could I say otherwise?”

He’s assigning value to externalities. I really didn’t do much at all. With that thought, I repeatedly urged him to accept the gift, but Du Zheng steadfastly refused.

Yet, seeing Du Zheng’s expression of worry that I might take offense, I smiled slightly. Why would I get angry over something like this? Rather, I should treat him better since he’s an incorruptible person.

Just as I was about to withdraw my hand, Du Zheng spoke hesitantly.

“It might not be much of a substitute, but may I recommend someone?”

“Recommend?”

“Yes. It’s certainly not for personal gain. I heard that you prefer to use young personnel. There’s a friend of mine and Huxian’s age in the Jianwei Army who is deeply virtuous and will surely be helpful to you.”

Even if he recommends someone, it’s up to me whether to use them or not. Besides, even if I do use them, how great a position would I give? Anyone would know it’s not for personal gain even without Du Zheng explicitly saying so.

If Du Zheng, who has built friendships with people like Liu Xun and Pu Yuan, personally recommends someone, I’d be more than welcome.

“Is that enough? I feel like I’m the one receiving a favor again.”

“How is it not a favor when it could be an opportunity for my friend to do well?”

“Then let’s do that.”

“Thank you. First, let’s meet Master Pu. I’ll speak about the recommendation afterwards.”

Since we have an appointment with Pu Yuan, it’s right to postpone it. I agreed with Du Zheng’s words and followed him.

Zhuge Liang, who is overseeing the administration of Yi Province, was actively employing the talented craftsman Pu Yuan, so Pu Yuan was currently very busy. The time to meet with me was only brief.

Apparently, even this meeting wouldn’t have been easy if I hadn’t achieved merit at Tangge. Well, if I used the power of the uncle card…

“I’ve heard much about your reputation.”

“Ah, are you Master Pu Yuan?”

My wandering thoughts were too long. I quickly gathered my wits. I can’t be rude from the first greeting.

“Yes. I am the blacksmith called Pu Yuan.”

Pu Yuan looked like the very embodiment of a master craftsman who had lived a single-minded life from his appearance.

His skin blackened from frequent exposure to fire, the roughly etched wrinkles, and thick, sturdy forearms. He was the epitome of a craftsman who had devoted his life to iron.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Zhang Ran, General Who Maintains Vigor.”

“You wanted to meet me?”

Pu Yuan skipped the pleasantries and spoke directly to the point. It was fitting for someone who works in a place where accidents could happen at any moment, dealing with fire and iron. It might have been considered rude by others, but I answered comfortably.

“I saw the Zhanmadao you made for Huxian. It was an extraordinary sword.”

“Huxian? Ah, you mean Wenlie’s friend.”

Pu Yuan looked at Liu Xun standing behind me, or more precisely, at the Zhanmadao he was carrying on his back. He nodded his head as if recalling the past when he made it.

“So, have you come to request a weapon as well, General?”

“It would be a lie to say I don’t have such a wish, but I have a different main purpose.”

“What is it?”

I recall what I had in mind from the moment I first decided to live in the Three Kingdoms era.

Eventually, cavalry is essential to conquer the Central Plains. And even before that, if there’s an excellent cavalry unit, the range of options becomes incredibly wide.

But in this era, cavalry is truly the elite of the elite, and it’s nearly impossible to cultivate in a short period. So should we give up? No. Humans are creatures that always find answers.

And I have the future answer sheet that humans have found.

How to cultivate cavalry in a short time.

That is…

“Have you ever heard of something called stirrups?”

Stirrups.