RPAGF Chapter 29 Seeking to Form an Alliance with the Wuhuan
Chapter 29 Seeking to Form an Alliance with the Wuhuan
The subordinate official paused for a moment, then added, "There is one more thing: this Liu clerk is now the prospective son-in-law of Hou Chong, the governor of Liaoxi."
"Prefect Hou has already arranged to marry his youngest daughter to him, and they are just waiting for the wedding to take place."
"Previously, the fact that Liaoxi Commandery was able to persuade the Yang family to donate 100,000 shi of grain and 1 million strings of cash to repair the border fortresses and train local militias was all thanks to this Liu clerk."
"He was in charge of the entire epidemic prevention and control effort in western Liaoning, from the strategy to its execution."
"Our Prefect Hou has been given full authority, allowing him to take charge of all epidemic prevention matters in the entire prefecture."
That's it!
All the doubts in Qiao Xuan's mind were instantly cleared up.
Lu Zhi's direct disciple, Hou's prospective son-in-law, a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, and a member of the Han imperial family.
With these three identities as a foundation, coupled with this brilliant and comprehensive book on epidemic prevention, it is not surprising at all that western Liaoning was able to stabilize the epidemic.
He picked up the bamboo scroll again and examined it carefully. The more he looked, the more shocked and impressed he became.
This Liu Bei was definitely not a bookish Confucian scholar who only knew how to read books; he was probably another Lu Zhi.
His epidemic prevention strategies did not copy any ancient texts; they were all methods adapted to the realities of the Liaoxi border region.
For example, in border regions where the land was vast and sparsely populated, he set up beacon towers to send out warnings and established checkpoints every ten miles to strictly control the movement of people.
For example, if there was a shortage of doctors and medicine in the border areas, he would prepare the medicine according to the prescription and distribute it to each fort, so that literate officials could prepare it according to the prescription, which could be done without the need for medical workers.
For example, when migrants poured in, he neither stopped nor drove them away, but set up isolation camps to house them, providing food and lodging. If there were no abnormalities after seven days, they would be relocated. This not only stabilized the people's hearts but also prevented the spread of the epidemic.
How could this be a mere lowly military clerk?
This is a man with the talent of a prime minister, a man of great talent who can stabilize the country and bring peace to the people!
What's even more remarkable is that he has a kind heart.
The core of the entire strategy has never been "preventing the epidemic," but rather "protecting the people."
It specifically states that the elderly, sick, and infirm should be provided for by the government, as neglecting them would make it easier for the epidemic to spread.
The bodies of those who died from the plague were to be buried in coffins provided by the government, and were not allowed to be left exposed in the wilderness.
Throughout his life, Qiao Xuan witnessed the petty scheming and corruption in officialdom, and saw many officials who disregarded the lives of ordinary people for the sake of political achievements.
Young people like Liu Bei, who possessed ability, vision, and benevolence, were extremely rare.
He suddenly remembered the young Cao Cao he had met in Luoyang several years ago. He was just like that, young in age but with a broad vision, decisive in his actions, and extraordinary talent.
This Liu Bei seems to be more benevolent and composed than Cao Cao was back then.
"Excellent! Well done, Liu Bei!"
Qiao Xuan slammed his hand on the table and burst into loud laughter, instantly sweeping away the gloom that had been weighing on his heart for more than a month.
He not only found a life-saving remedy for epidemic prevention in Youzhou, but also discovered a rare and extraordinary genius!
He immediately stood up and gave orders to his subordinates below the hall, his voice loud and clear, regaining his usual unquestionable authority.
"First, immediately make fifty copies of this 'Complete Book on Epidemic Prevention in Western Liaoning' and send them to the ten prefectures and kingdoms of Youzhou by fast horses."
"The prefects and chancellors of all prefectures are hereby strictly ordered to carry out this order without deviation, word for word! Anyone who dares to disobey this order will be immediately dismissed and investigated!"
"Secondly, issue an order that all counties and prefectures must not obstruct any displaced people who wish to travel to Liaoxi. They must provide them with provisions and escort them to ensure their safe arrival in Liaoxi!"
"Third, prepare the carriage! I want to go to Yangle City in western Liaoning in person. I want to see this young man named Liu Bei with my own eyes!"
The officials responded in unison and quickly went to carry out the order.
Qiao Xuan stood in front of the hall, gazing out the window towards western Liaoning, his eyes gleaming.
He knew that after this epidemic, Liu Bei's name would not be limited to just Liaoxi County.
This complete book on epidemic prevention will soon be spread throughout Youzhou with his orders, and may even travel along the post roads to Luoyang and reach the imperial court.
A young man, a member of the Han imperial family, a disciple of Lu Zhi, and capable of stabilizing the country, was destined to stir up a storm in this chaotic world.
At this moment, in Yangle City, Liaoxi, Liu Bei was unaware that his name had already reached the desk of the Governor of Youzhou and was about to spread throughout the entire northern frontier.
Liu Bei stood atop Yangle City, gazing at the vast grasslands beyond the Yanshan Mountains to the north. His fingertips gently tapped the city bricks, his eyes swirling with thoughts.
Tian Yu, carrying a scroll of documents, quickly climbed to the top of the city wall and bowed, saying, "My lord, a caravan that just returned from Liucheng has brought news."
"The Qiuliju tribe has also been hit by a major epidemic, and many people in the tribe have died. For three consecutive days, the Qiuliju tribe invited shamans to perform rituals to pray for blessings, but the epidemic has only gotten worse."
Upon hearing this, Xu Rong frowned and said, "Although the Wuhuan people also have constant friction with the Han people, some even engage in clandestine looting!"
"However, they are the main force resisting the Xianbei. If anything goes wrong, things will be bad when facing the Xianbei in the future!"
Liu Bei nodded and praised, "Yuan Zhao is right!"
"We have just stabilized western Liaoning, and our foundation is still weak."
"The Wuhuan are right next to us. If we allow the epidemic to spread and the tribes to fall into chaos, they will either raid south to survive or be swallowed up by the Xianbei. Either way, it will be a disaster for us."
Tian Yu quickly realized what was going on and frowned, saying, "Does our lord intend to use the pretext of fighting the epidemic to befriend Qiu Liju and stabilize the rear in Liaoxi?"
"Not only!" Liu Bei smiled slightly, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes.
"We should take this opportunity to find out the details of the grasslands, especially the movements of the Xianbei in the east."
"After Tanshihuai unified the Xianbei, he raided the border south every year, with Liaoxi bearing the brunt. If we want to deal with the Xianbei, the Wuhuan are the best help and the best shield."
After Tan Shihuai unified the Xianbei, he divided them into three major parts: East, West, and Central, with each part containing more than ten towns.
Each town had approximately 3000 to 6000 archer cavalry.
Liu Bei only knew of its leader, Tan Shihuai, his son Helian, and others such as Budugen and Kebineng.
Further details are unknown, since the Xianbei people split after Tan Shihuai died in the dream.
He was subsequently slaughtered by Cao Cao and never gained any real fame.
And what about the Wuhuan?
From the time of Emperor Wu of Han onwards, the Wuhuan people gradually migrated inland to the border areas of the five counties along the border of Youzhou and settled there.
The Eastern Han court established the Protectorate of the Wuhuan as a special officer to supervise them, granting them a salary and special privileges in trade, in exchange for their role in scouting the borders and defending against nomadic tribes moving south.
A stable "Bao Sai Wu Huan" system had long been established.
Today, the Wuhuan are divided into: Shanggu Nanlou tribe, with about 9000 households.
The Qiuliju tribe in western Liaoning consisted of approximately 5000 households.
There are also four core tribes: the Supuyan tribe of Liaodong, the Wuyan tribe of Youbeiping, and the Supuyan tribe of Liaodong.
Their grazing land was situated precisely on the route the Xianbei people would take to invade from the south, making it the first line of defense for the border of Youzhou during the Eastern Han Dynasty.
I heard that Liu Bei wanted to befriend Qiu Liju.
Although Xu Rong felt the grassland was dangerous, he said no more.
He simply clasped his hands and said, "Since my lord has made a plan, I am willing to protect you, even at the cost of my life."
Three days later, Liu Bei only brought Xu Rong, Tian Yu, and ten personal guards.
They also brought ten cartloads of medicinal herbs, Atractylodes lancea and Artemisia argyi for epidemic prevention, and dozens of volumes of copied epidemic prevention prescriptions. Traveling light and simply, they left Yangle City and headed towards Liucheng.