RPAGF Chapter 48 If Kou can go, so can I.
Chapter 48 If Kou can go, so can I.
Seeing everyone's eagerness, Tian Yu smiled and said, "In grassland warfare, a guide familiar with the terrain and sufficient cavalry are indeed necessary to ensure success."
"When I went to Wuhuan this time, Qiuliju said..."
"Nonsense!"
Wang Lie, unusually, changed color suddenly, stood up abruptly, his beard and hair bristling, and said with utter disappointment, "Guorang! As a subordinate of our lord, how can you only care about your own petty gains and disregard the safety of our lord!"
"Currently, the court is rife with factionalism and suppression of dissent; the most serious offense is for border generals to form alliances with foreign tribes!"
"Previously, Xia Yu, the Protector of the Wuhuan, publicly rebuked our lord for colluding with foreign tribes and interfering in the affairs of the Protector of the Wuhuan's office!"
"Now you're even trying to persuade our lord to join forces with Qiuliju. Where does this leave Xia Yu?"
"Where does this leave the laws and regulations of the imperial court?"
"Where should we place the emperor?"
Tian Yu remained unmoved by his imposing manner, bowing respectfully and speaking earnestly and calmly: "Sir, your teachings are correct. Please allow me to finish speaking."
"Qiuliju had also been reprimanded by the Protectorate of the Wuhuan and shared the same concerns as you, so the Wuhuan army could not fight alongside the Lord this time."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Pu sighed silently, and Han Dang loosened his clenched fist. The fighting spirit that had just ignited in the hall instantly plummeted, and even the lights seemed to dim.
The reason they dared to say they would launch a northern expedition against the Xianbei with less than three thousand troops from Liaoxi was because they harbored the idea of forming an alliance with the Wuhuan through their relationship with Liu Bei.
Now, if the Wuhuan cannot be mobilized, they have less than three thousand soldiers and less than five hundred cavalry. How can they launch a distant campaign against the Xianbei?
But then Tian Yu abruptly changed the subject, his voice suddenly becoming clear and bright: "However! Qiu Liju wishes to lend us a thousand elite Wuhuan cavalry, plus a thousand fine warhorses!"
"As for the name, all you need to do is issue a proclamation to recruit soldiers to fight the bandits, and your soldiers will come to join you under the pretext of 'enlisting in the army'!"
Before he could finish speaking, Cheng Pu suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light!
Han Dang slapped his thigh, almost jumping up!
Xu Rong suddenly loosened his grip on the knife hilt, and a long-lost smile appeared on his face!
Wang Lie was stunned for a long time, then let out a long sigh of relief, and his tense shoulders and back completely relaxed.
His objection stemmed from his knowledge of Liaoxi's strength; the claim that there were fewer than three thousand soldiers was merely a flattering exaggeration.
In fact, Yan Gang's eight hundred men were genuine border troops!
As for the other miscellaneous things, in his opinion, whether they could even fight was questionable!
However, if there are a thousand Wuhuan cavalry, then it is not impossible to fight!
With another thousand warhorses and the brave soldiers of the border region, there could be another thousand riders in an instant.
In grassland warfare, having a horse versus not having one makes a world of difference.
He didn't stand on ceremony, but bowed deeply to Tian Yu, his voice full of remorse, and said, "Guorang, I was too hasty and misunderstood you."
I misspoke earlier, please forgive me.
Tian Yu hurriedly stepped aside, repeatedly bowing and saying, "Sir, you mustn't! You're making this junior feel ashamed!"
Looking at everyone in the hall, Liu Bei laughed loudly, his eyes full of determination, and said, "Sir, you are so sincere and considerate of me and Liaoxi in everything you do. With you here to fill in the gaps for me, I can rest easy."
"You are all brave and courageous, with the people at heart. With you all sharing life and death with me, I can rest easy!"
He slowly rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over everyone at the table. His originally gentle eyes suddenly ignited with a formidable sharpness and heroic spirit.
The voice was not loud, but every word was as clear as metal striking stone, drowning out all other sounds in the hall.
"The Xianbei raid our gates year after year, killing our elders, burning our houses, and plundering our grain!"
"If the enemy can go, so can I!"
"Today, I, Liu Bei, have decided—to send troops!"
"We will strike the Xianbei in the north, wipe away our past humiliation, avenge our blood feud, and bring peace to our people!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall stood up, the sound of their swords clashing ringing out.
Everyone raised their arms and shouted, the sound reaching the roof beams and causing the lamps to flicker violently. Even the soldiers on duty outside the courtyard were roused by the sound.
"I am willing to follow my lord and fight against the Xianbei in the north!"
"I am willing to follow my lord and fight against the Xianbei in the north!"
"I am willing to follow my lord and fight against the Xianbei in the north!"
With the plan finalized, everyone in the tent immediately began discussing the details, and the next step was to procure troops and provisions.
With everything settled, Liu Bei set off for the governor's mansion to see Hou Chong.
Inside the main hall of the prefect's mansion, Hou Chong was checking the autumn harvest accounts of various counties when he saw Liu Bei enter in a smart outfit. He knew that Liu Bei must have something important to discuss.
Smiling, he waved for him to sit down: "Xuande, what brings you here today? Is there something at the county office that I need to coordinate?"
Liu Bei bowed and, without taking a seat, went straight to the point: "My lord, I have come here today to ask you for a favor."
"The Xianbei Queji tribe has been plundering my Liaoxi region for years, killing my people, and seizing my money and grain, leaving behind a blood debt."
"Now, we have received definite news that our tribe has been severely affected by a major epidemic, and the tribe has been scattered and isolated. This is a golden opportunity."
"I am willing to personally lead troops north out of the border, strike directly at Queji's forces, quell the border troubles in western Liaodong in one battle, and restore peace to the people on the border."
Hou Chong's smile faded, his brows furrowed, and he said worriedly, "Xuande, do you know what you're saying?"
"Personally lead troops to attack the Xianbei in the north?"
"You are now an imperial marquis, appointed by the court, and the magistrate of Yangle County. You are a pillar of Liaoxi, and also my future son-in-law!"
Why take the risk?
"If you go to this dangerous place and something happens to you, how can I explain it to Lu Gong of Zhuojun? How can I explain it to your mother who is far away in Zhuojun?"
He truly regarded Liu Bei as a nephew, and placed all his hopes for the future of Liaoxi on Liu Bei. His first thought was never about military achievements, but about Liu Bei's safety.
Liu Bei felt a warmth in his heart, but his expression remained firm: "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, my lord."
"But precisely because I am an official in Liaoxi and a Marquis within the Pass, I should protect the people of Liaoxi even more."
"The Xianbei invaded southwards every year. This autumn, Bingzhou and Youbeiping were both plundered by the Xianbei, and people's homes were destroyed and people died."
"If we only defend and do not attack, by next autumn, when the Queji Army recovers, it will be the people of Liaoxi who suffer."
Upon hearing this, Hou Chong frowned even more deeply, turned around, walked to the desk, and said in a deep voice with his hands behind his back.
"I know you want to protect the people, but you also need to think it through. I am the governor of Liaoxi, and I have a responsibility to defend the territory. It is no small matter to take the initiative to send troops to attack the Xianbei."
"Firstly, Xia Yu, the Protector of the Wuhuan, already harbors resentment towards you and me, and he reprimanded us before because of the Wuhuan matter."
"Now that we have sent troops to the border without the court's permission, he will surely seize the opportunity to impeach us, accusing us of provoking a border conflict. What should we do when the court holds us accountable?"
"Secondly, although the Queji tribe has suffered a major epidemic, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. The Xianbei people are born on horseback and are skilled in riding and archery. Our Liaoxi Commandery has no more than two thousand soldiers at most. What do you have to fight with?"
"If we are defeated, our forces in Liaoxi will be depleted, and the Xianbei will take the opportunity to move south, shaking the entire Youzhou region. Can you and I bear the consequences?"
His concerns were all very valid.
As the prefect of a prefecture, he could not act solely on impulse; he had to consider the regulations of the court, the safety of the people of the entire prefecture, and the consequences of defeat.