Counterattack

The first issue addressed at the court assembly Liu Bei held after ascending to emperor was undoubtedly Sun Quan’s acceptance of the title King of Wu.

Sun Quan had accepted the title of King of Wu bestowed by Cao Pi. This suggested that they had covered up the old resentment from when Hefei was robbed like an empty house due to Pang Tong’s stratagem of luring the tiger away from its den, and formed a Wei-Wu alliance again.

The crisis Liu Bei presented must have been great enough to cover the mutual distrust between the two sides that had broken down due to betrayal.

Pang Tong, who had become Grand Commandant, had anticipated this result for a long time, so he opened his mouth before anyone else.

“Sun Quan’s defection was a predetermined course. However, what is more concerning is that Wei’s internal purge was concluded quickly despite the defection of the Marquis of Xiyi.”

The Marquis of Xiyi was the title Liu Bei had given to Xiahou Mao when he ascended the throne.

Excluding the royal titles that essentially only members of the imperial clan could receive, the first-rank marquis title of Xianhou, the highest noble rank, was held by only three people in Shu Han at present.

The two besides Xiahou Mao were Liu Biao, Marquis of Yancheng, and Shang Ju, Marquis of Qingyi, who were the first to submit a memorial urging Liu Bei to ascend the throne. They were recognized as renowned scholars with high reputations, though their practical abilities were lacking.

It’s said that Mi Zhu was also to be given the title of Xianhou, but he refused. It seems Mi Fang’s affair remained as an original sin for Mi Zhu.

Anyway, such a high position was given to Xiahou Mao. Even Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Father remained at the second-rank marquis title of Xianghou.

It was an extreme show of conferring rank. Though it was a title without real power compared to Xiahou Ba who had risen to General of Chariots and Cavalry, usually given to imperial in-laws, it was unrivaled for making a show.

Though we didn’t expect a great purge of the Xiahou clan, we had expected internal turmoil, but surprisingly, Cao Pi coldly cut off only the necessary parts and wrapped it up.

He executed Xiahou Mao’s clan except for the youngest son to continue Xiahou Dun’s lineage, and nullified the marriage with Princess Qinghe as if it never happened.

The entire Xiahou clan, including the high-risk Xiahou Yuan bloodline, was transferred from the Shu front to Liaodong or Huainan. Even Xiahou Shang, Cao Pi’s childhood friend and capable person, couldn’t avoid being removed from court.

Xiahou Mao’s actions, which could be said to have handed over Guanzhong, should have been punished as treason with extermination of his entire clan, and that wouldn’t have been enough.

It’s clear that Cao Pi doesn’t just cherish his relatives indiscriminately, just looking at Cao Hong. However, thinking about it, Cao Pi also took good care of people he liked.

Cao Pi was the one who properly pushed people he liked despite opposition from those around him. But Xiahou Mao was also one of them, so I thought his tendencies might change due to this incident. Perhaps it was offset by his affection for Xiahou Dun.

‘Well. People don’t change easily.’

Plus, there would have been opposition from those around him. There would have been a recognition that carrying out a great purge of the Xiahou clan here would be suicidal.

Seeing how he attempted an alliance with Sun Quan right after cleaning house, the impact of losing Guanzhong was certainly enormous. Even Cao Pi seems to take the situation seriously and come to his senses.

“Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Zhong Yao… Outstanding talents counted among the best in the world are wasting their abilities in vain for Cao Zhi. What a pity.”

Liu Bei let out a sigh, mentioning the Three Excellencies-level personnel of Wei, except for Jia Kui who had helped Xing Yí and Guo Huai.

It was possible for Wei to quickly recover from damage and prevent chaos despite continued defeats because of their presence.

It would be understandable if there were problems with Cao Pi. Of all things, they were all receiving Cao Pi’s favor and freely displaying their talents.

“Your Majesty, once Cao Zhi manages internal affairs without major troubles, he will surely turn his eyes outward. Though our country has greatly expanded its territory by continuing to win battles, Cao Zhi’s power is still not to be underestimated, so we must hurry to prepare.”

Pang Tong spoke indirectly that Wei’s power was not to be underestimated, but frankly speaking, Wei still had the strongest national power among the Three Kingdoms.

Before revolutionary advances in science and technology, from ancient times to the medieval period, population was practically equivalent to national power. However, that gap had now narrowed considerably.

Those who praise Wei and Cao Cao in modern times say things like Cao Cao’s unification of the world was certain from the Battle of Guandu, or that Wei’s national power exceeded 90% of the total when the Three Kingdoms were established, but that’s said without knowing.

Just looking at the records when Jin destroyed Shu and Wu and achieved unification, the population ratio was roughly 10 : 45 : 25.

Wei’s national power was only between 50% and 60% of the total on the continent.

It may be inappropriate to use the expression “only” for a figure exceeding half of the total, but it means that Wei was not capable of an absolutely overwhelming material offensive.

Though it’s a story from almost 40-50 years later, considering that population growth rates in ancient times were not that great, there probably wouldn’t be much error compared to now.

And those figures are from the original history where Shu had lost Jingzhou, and Wei still held Nanjun and Hefei.

The power ratio at the current point, having acquired Yongyang and Guanzhong beyond Hanzhong, and occupying Yangfan beyond protecting Jingzhou, was close to 5:7:3.

Of course, Shu Han is 5, Cao Wei is 7, and Eastern Wu is 3.

‘Wei was disgustingly big. They’ve completely handed over the west based on Tongguan to Shu Han, and even lost Yangfan, yet still this much…’

Those in charge of internal affairs couldn’t possibly not know what I knew.

Though it feels like we’re stronger due to momentum, anyone who can analyze coldly would know that Wei still has enormous latent power.

It’s just that they can’t focus their strength due to Eastern Wu, Liaodong, ethnic minorities, internal security, etc. But once they form an alliance with Eastern Wu, it’s a different story.

Zhuge Liang, who had been listening to Pang Tong’s words, stepped forward and said:

“First, I believe we need to send an envoy to Sun Quan to properly understand his intentions.”

“Isn’t Sun Quan’s intention already set from accepting the royal title? Or are you suggesting that if Sun Quan was swayed by the royal title, our country should also bestow a royal title on Sun Quan to persuade him?”

“As Your Majesty says, it’s highly likely that Sun Quan’s heart has left our country. Now that the Cao side has first given up on the grudge of Sun Quan betraying Cao Cao and taking Hefei, it will be difficult to prevent their alliance.”

Pang Tong knew this too, which is why he immediately argued to prepare for their attack first.

“However, we still don’t know how actively Sun Quan will oppose our country. Since Cao Zhi and Sun Quan have joined hands, our country will inevitably be at a numerical disadvantage, so confirming Sun Quan’s will to resist and appropriately distributing troops will be the key to this defense.”

“The Chancellor’s words are truly correct. Then who would be good as an envoy?”

“Minister Deng Zhi has eloquence and boldness, so he would be sufficient. It’s timely as he’s here in Chang’an for the affairs of the Northern 客曹.”

Thus, Deng Zhi’s dispatch was decided.

As it was an urgent matter, Deng Zhi departed for Jiangnan immediately after the court assembly ended.

How long has it been since he went from Chengdu to Xiliang, and now from Chang’an to Jianye (Wu’s capital). He must have truly been born under a traveling star.

Though I felt sorry for Deng Zhi’s circumstances, things were moving urgently on this side as well.

In addition to Zhao Yun who had been guarding Tongguan, Father was sent as reinforcements, and handovers continued through the night to minimize the work vacuum caused by the massive reorganization of official positions.

Zhuge Liang, who also held the position of Governor of Yizhou, returned to Chengdu, but Liu Bei remained in Guanzhong. Many opposed, but Liu Bei’s will was firm.

He argued that since Zhang Fei, the Minister Coachman, had gone to the front lines to block the enemies, he should stay to watch over Chang’an and Guanzhong.

Because there was still hope that Sun Quan would remain neutral, Liu Bei was able to break the opposition and stay in Chang’an.

Wei Yan moved to Shangyong where he could support both Northern Jingzhou and Guanzhong, and Ma Chao, who had been defeating Wei’s remaining forces in Xiliang, regrouped his army and returned, among other measures taken step by step to prepare for the enemies’ attack.

In the meantime, Deng Zhi returned. Deng Zhi, who came back with his cheeks sunken from hurrying so much, brought the worst results.

“Sun Quan said that if we return all the hostages and Jingzhou, and recognize the authority of the King of Wu, he would gladly submit to our country.”

“…He’s willing to abandon even his own son to oppose our country.”

Sun Quan had sent his second son, Sun Lü, to us as a hostage as the price for his defeat in the Battle for Jingzhou.

Having sent one of only two sons he had, he must have felt his succession was in jeopardy. Feeling a sense of crisis, Sun Quan had his third son, Sun He, earlier than in the original history. So now he must have felt he could sacrifice one son.

“Wei and Wu. We’ll have to face both simultaneously.”

Liu Bei muttered bitterly.

Just when it seemed we had finally brought the great undertaking of unifying the realm within reach after occupying Guanzhong, a crisis came right away. And it was a great crisis where we might lose the core regions of Guanzhong and Jingzhou.

It was natural for Liu Bei’s face to be shadowed. No matter how much Shu Han had grown tremendously, when Wei and Wu are combined, their national power is twice that of Shu Han.

The last consolation was that we could rely on geographical advantages.

Just as orders were issued to Father, Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and others for the personnel to block Wei, this time personnel to block Wu were discussed.

As this was an agenda that had been discussed once before, the atmosphere of the court was relatively lighter than with Wei.

If left like this, it seemed it would be concluded with just some reinforcements added to what was previously discussed.

Though I tried to hold my tongue as much as possible, this time I had no choice but to speak up.

“Your Majesty, may this humble official dare to say a word?”

“Oh, yes. Go ahead and speak.”

“Though it may be presumptuous, Sun Quan’s generals are not to be taken lightly. The front with Sun Quan will be in two places, Southern Jingzhou and Nanzhong, but I humbly submit a word because it seems insufficient to block them.”

Even just Lu Xun and Zhu Ran are famous generals continuing the lineage of Wu’s Grand Governors. Though it’s said they didn’t play a big role during the Battle for Jingzhou, I at least knew how dangerous they were.

Liu Bei spoke as if my concern was excessive.

“Governor of Xinnan Feng Xi is truly a talent capable of leading an army. Wasn’t Lu Xun blocked by Wei Yan? I think Feng Xi would be able to block Lu Xun. And though Governor of Nanzhong Yi Hui hasn’t shown military talent, when I talked with him, he had his own views on tactics, and I’ve attached the two wings you boast of next to him, so what is there to worry about?”

Governor of Xinnan Feng Xi in charge of Southern Jingzhou’s troops and Governor of Nanzhong Yi Hui ruling the seven commanderies of Nanzhong.

As Liu Bei said, Ma Chong and Zhang E, whom I had sent to Zhuge Liang during the Southern Campaign, were beside Yi Hui. And to come to Nanzhong, they have to pass through the difficult terrain of Jiaozhi, so there’s no great worry.

What’s worrying is Xinnan, which is likely to be the main battlefield. Though Liu Bei, who is good at judging people, says Feng Xi is an outstanding talent, I simply can’t think he surpasses Lu Xun.

“As Your Majesty knows, this humble official met Zhou Gongjin when young.”

“Zhou Yu… I remember too. How impudent, he said to come in as a daughter-in-law, didn’t he?”

“…This humble official also had the experience of directly facing Lu Xun when he was a prisoner, and Lu Xun was a talent comparable to Zhou Gongjin.”

“What? To that extent? Lu Xun is comparable to Zhou Yu?”

Liu Bei’s attitude changed drastically at the name Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu. How could he forget that name? If he hadn’t been seriously injured during the Battle for Nanjun, and if he hadn’t died young and was still alive now, could Liu Bei have come this far?

When I brought up the name of the once-in-a-generation prodigy who had looked down on the world, Liu Bei also became utmost serious.

“Then who do you think should be sent to Xinnan?”

“More than half of our country’s troops are already stationed in Guanzhong. Please have Governor Wei, who has returned to Hanzhong, support Xinnan.”

“Hmm… I see. With Yide, Zilong, Ma Mengjie, and you Mingjing, Guanzhong has no lack. I’ll order Wenchang to go to Xinnan.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

With this, the urgent fire was put out.

In Guanzhong: Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Wu Yi.

In Jingzhou: Guan Yu, Pan Jun, Wei Yan, Feng Xi.

In Nanzhong: Yi Hui, Ma Chong, Zhang E.

‘With this lineup, even if it’s a joint attack by Wei and Wu, if we focus only on defense, we should be able to overcome it.’

A reversal of offense and defense that came simultaneously with the reversal of alliances. Though difficult, from the defender’s position, if we rely on natural features and fortresses to face them, there’s a chance of victory even with numerical inferiority.

However, Wei’s counterattack had only just begun.