Looking North 2

Zhuge Liang broke the ice for this meeting. As it was a goal everyone had been expecting, an atmosphere of “the expected has come” pervaded the surroundings.

The room we gathered in was fully prepared for establishing strategies for the Northern Expedition. Basic writing implements and refreshments and tea placed here and there to eat and drink.

A military map depicting the terrain was spread out on the large table in the center of the room, and next to it were pieces representing the troops of Wei, Shu, and Wu lined up.

The bamboo slips and books filling three walls were reference materials for planning this Northern Expedition. From household registration records to information on Wei’s generals and military branches obtained through intelligence, and contents of past battles.

It was truly a space of the Northern Expedition, by the Northern Expedition, for the Northern Expedition.

As Zhuge Liang and I also took our seats at the table, Pang Tong said:

“First, we would like the Rear General to explain what she saw and heard during her condolence mission.”

Things I couldn’t say at the court audience.

The fact that Liu Hui’s identity was that of a spy Cao Pi was trying to plant.

The fact that Cao Pi knew the condolence delegation was spying on the interior and called us out to show off national power.

The fact that Wei’s internal political chaos was resolved faster than expected, and so on.

And among the information learned through the condolence delegation, I mixed in knowledge of the future that I knew. Things like Xue Zong, who was still practically unknown, being a talent that shouldn’t be ignored, and Cao Pi coveting the throne were of that category.

“Liu Hui…”

What Pang Tong showed the most interest in was the spy sent by Cao Pi.

“Cao Pi covets the throne. cough As we had suspected.”

Fa Zheng, who spoke while coughing lightly, focused on Cao Pi’s abdication of the throne.

“If this Xue Zong is such a talent, we should hold off on siege warfare.”

Huang Quan, who specialized in strategy, paid attention to my evaluation of Xue Zong.

It was a reaction that fully revealed each person’s characteristics. However, only Zhuge Liang remained silent until the end.

Instead of revealing his own views or interests, Zhuge Liang led the progress of the military council.

“The Rear General has accomplished a great task. What she learned by directly entering enemy territory will surely be of great help in achieving our grand undertaking.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Then next is the turn to gather the wisdom and strategies of those gathered here, and compile the scattered clues into one grand plan.”

Each person nodded or chimed in agreement to Pang Tong’s neat summary of the situation and setting of direction.

As if it was now his turn to step up, Fa Zheng opened his mouth.

“First, we need to set the goal of the Northern Expedition. I believe we should make that Chang’an.”

As if Zhuge Liang’s words to Liu Shan weren’t empty talk, Fa Zheng’s complexion was pale. But unlike his emaciated body, his voice was imbued with strong will.

Perhaps those who burn their will to the last even knowing the end of life shine more brilliantly than ever?

His mental strength, which hadn’t lost its intelligence even in the pain of illness, evoked reverence as a human being.

However, apart from respect, objective views rather than personal opinions were needed in discussing state affairs. Huang Quan raised his hand and pointed out Fa Zheng’s argument.

“I also agree that Chang’an should be given top priority. But how could Wei not know that we will prioritize Chang’an?”

The premise that those gathered here basically shared was “Advance from Jing and Yi” (Jing Yi Bingjin). The final stage of Zhuge Liang’s Longzhong Plan to advance together from Jingzhou and Yizhou.

From Yizhou, pass through Hanzhong and attack Chang’an.

From Jingzhou, cross Yangping and attack Luoyang.

Though Chang’an and Luoyang were no longer capitals after Cao Cao moved the capital to Ye, their symbolic significance still remained strong. Wei couldn’t give up either one.

If one of the two really fell to Liu Bei, the world would recall past history. Namely, the great achievement of Emperor Gao of Han, who accomplished the unification of the world using Hanzhong as a foothold.

If that happens, would the restorationists and principled righteousness advocates who were losing power in Wei stay still? Absolutely not.

Armed with their beliefs, they would not submit even in the face of Cao Wei’s sharp blade.

But Wei isn’t the mess of Jin during the War of the Eight Princes.

The current Wei is the strongest of the Three Kingdoms, with not only Sima Yi and Chen Qun, counted among Cao Pi’s trusted Four Companions, but also Jia Xu and Zhong Yao still alive and well.

They are surely calculating “Advance from Jing and Yi” as well. Even if we attack Luoyang and Chang’an simultaneously, Wei would prioritize defending Chang’an.

“Lord Wen Cheng (Zhang Liang’s posthumous title) said that Luoyang is militarily disadvantageous and difficult to defend, but Chang’an is a heaven-sent natural fortress and fertile land. Everyone will know we are aiming for Chang’an.”

“Then does Huang Zhizhong think we should make Luoyang the main target?”

“No. We should use both Chang’an and Luoyang as bait.”

At Pang Tong’s question, Huang Quan continued his explanation while moving pieces around on the map.

“The Yizhou army will take the Jigudao and head towards Guanzhong, while the Jingzhou army will simultaneously advance north and attack Wancheng. Then the Wei army will naturally think we are aiming for Chang’an and Luoyang.”

It was quite an orthodox “Advance from Jing and Yi”. But Huang Quan’s hand didn’t stop there. He grabbed a piece with the flag “Ma” symbolizing Ma Chao and immediately placed it on Tianshui.

“At that time, the General of the Left will attack Yongzhou.”

Pang Tong moved a piece from beside him. The place where he put the piece down had the characters “Jiading” written on it.

“Simultaneously block off Jiading to cut off Yongzhou from Wei. To attack Jiading, the Yizhou army in Zhen Chang would be on your mind.”

“That’s right.”

The strategy Huang Quan presented was very similar to Zhuge Liang’s First Northern Expedition.

At that time, Wei was so careless, thinking Shu was as good as finished without Liu Bei, that it was easy to lure them with just Zhao Yun alone.

The current Wei is extremely wary of Liu Bei, so the scale of the decoy had to be larger.

However, it was also true that using the huge operation of “Advance from Jing and Yi” only as a decoy to occupy Yongzhou was not good in terms of cost-effectiveness for the provisions, materials, and expenses.

“It’s a roundabout way. What we gain isn’t much compared to what we put in.”

“But it’s also the path with the highest chance of success. Considering the Marquis of Tingdao’s influence over the Qiang people, the long-term value of Liangzhou will be even greater.”

As Huang Quan said, occupying just Liangzhou alone would certainly not be a loss. Considering the war horses that could be obtained through Liangzhou, its long-term value was not light.

But Pang Tong shook his head.

“However, I oppose Zhizhong’s opinion.”

“Why is that?”

“Because what we desire is unification of the realm, not dividing up territories like the Seven Warring States.”

Saying that, Pang Tong quietly moved his hand to place pieces one by one on the map. Most were placed on Jingzhou, specifically on Sun Quan’s territory.

Pang Tong’s answer to Huang Quan’s question.

It was the existence of Wu, Sun Quan.

“If we defeat Wei and occupy Liangzhou, Sun Quan will surely point his blade at our country again.”

“Didn’t the Military Advisor make Sun Quan attack Wei to prepare for that?”

“Small grudges are covered up in the face of a country’s survival. Wei and Sun Quan not joining hands will probably end with this one Northern Expedition. If our country wins, that is.”

Sun Quan had a record of betraying us. And the only ones who had predicted and prepared for that betrayal in advance were me and Pang Tong. Therefore, Pang Tong’s words carried authority.

Pang Tong’s assertion that Sun Quan would betray again for the balance of power carried extremely high credibility.

“Therefore, we must become a wildfire. Like an uncontrollable wildfire spreading, we must expand our territory and scatter sparks across the world.”

So that we can defend even if Wei and Wu join hands to attack us.

And so that we can aim for when the sparks swell up inside their territories.

We needed to increase our weight class.

We had to occupy Chang’an, that long-cherished land, and occupy Guanzhong.

Huang Quan could not help but be convinced by Pang Tong’s persuasion with added reasoning.

When Huang Quan, who had opposed Fa Zheng’s proposal to attack Chang’an, cast a vote in favor, Zhuge Liang said:

“We come back around to Chang’an.”

The conclusion reached after Fa Zheng, Huang Quan, and Pang Tong exchanged long words was the supreme task of the Northern Expedition that we must obtain Chang’an.

The main force and supporting force were decided. The Yizhou army advancing on Chang’an would be the main force, and the Jingzhou army marching on Luoyang would be the supporting force.

But how to make Wei perceive this in reverse? That was the key.

And the solution Pang Tong presented was simple yet significant.

“A personal campaign.”

“But how could we, as subjects, dare to… His Majesty…”

Huang Quan spoke in shock at Pang Tong’s words. But Pang Tong was indifferent, as if there was no problem.

“His Majesty has already entrusted the full authority for the Northern Expedition to us five gathered here. It is our duty and loyalty to present a humble plan to achieve His Majesty’s great undertaking, not to exclude His Majesty from the grand plan.”

If Liu Bei personally takes charge of the Jingzhou direction forces, even Wei would wonder if Luoyang might really be the main target.

The weight of a king personally taking the field and a mere subordinate general doing so would be worlds apart.

“But there is a point of concern.”

“What is it, Huang Zhizhong?”

“That they focus on Chang’an and give up Luoyang. If they make the gamble of trapping His Majesty in Luoyang and surrounding him…”

Sima Yi or Jia Xu were the type of people who would do that and more.

The cunning of those old snakes coiled up in Wei territory was still intact, and the tiger that had grown into a proper adult was receiving its master’s trust and ready to pounce at any time.

They say there’s no such thing as a perfect plan in the world, but the worst-case possibility Huang Quan presented could never be overlooked no matter how low the probability.

As Pang Tong was sighing, Fa Zheng spoke:

“It’s not a difficult problem.”

“Oh! I’d like to hear the Minister of Works’ wise plan.”

“If you fear them trapping His Majesty in Luoyang, just make them reluctant for His Majesty to even enter Luoyang.”

And at the method Fa Zheng continued to speak of, everyone present froze as if time had stopped.

“Let’s make Cao Pi ascend to the throne.”