The following day, at the Governor’s Residence in Ji County.
“Let him go.”
After hearing Gongsun Fan’s report, Gongsun Zan showed a trace of regret.
“I had originally planned to promote Zilong to the rank of Military Marquis in the near future. I never expected such misfortune to befall his family.”
“Ziyu.”
“Later, have ten jin of gold taken from the treasury and given to Zilong. At least it will honor the camaraderie we once shared.”
Gongsun Zan was well aware of Zhao Yun’s abilities.
He had never suppressed or slighted him.
His plan had simply been to temper Zhao Yun for another couple of years before making him one of his right-hand men.
He had never imagined that Zhao Yun’s heart had never truly been with him.
“Brother.”
Gongsun Fan said seriously, “I don’t believe Zhao Yun is leaving solely because of his family circumstances.”
“Ziyu.”
Gongsun Zan smiled as he looked at his younger brother.
“Do you really think that matters?”
“I understand now.”
Taking a deep breath, Gongsun Fan bowed respectfully.
“Go.”
Gongsun Zan waved his hand.
“Don’t dwell on it. In a few days, I’ll lead an army to eliminate Liu Yu’s remaining followers. Ji City will still need you here to hold it.”
“This subordinate takes his leave.”
After steadying his emotions, Gongsun Fan bowed and departed.
……………
Yan Province, Jiyin Commandery
Jishi City, atop the city wall.
“Gongda, take a look.”
Zhang Jing handed the letter in his hand to Xun You with a faint smile.
“You Province has become quite lively. By now, Yuan Benchu is probably already sharpening his weapons and preparing to strike at You Province.”
He had never expected that, in this lifetime, Gongsun Zan would once again rout Liu Yu’s army of one hundred thousand men with only a few hundred cavalry. Such an achievement was no less remarkable than that of “Zhang Eight Hundred.”
It was just a pity that Liu Yu wasn’t the emperor.
Otherwise, this feat alone would have been enough to earn Gongsun Zan a place in the Temple of Military Worthies.
“My lord.”
After reading the letter, Xun You wore a solemn expression.
“I believe it is time for our Taiping Prefecture to make its move as well.”
“I’d like to hear your reasoning.”
Zhang Jing looked somewhat surprised.
The Taiping Prefecture had no military campaign planned in the immediate future.
Although they were no longer short of grain, he hadn’t forgotten that an enormous locust plague was expected the following year.
He had no desire to waste supplies before then.
“My lord.”
Xun You narrowed his eyes slightly.
“If my prediction is correct, Yuan Shao’s army has likely already entered You Province, and Gongsun Zan will almost certainly be unable to withstand him.”
“That quickly?”
Zhang Jing frowned.
Judging by the speed of the courier, it was now the twentieth day of the ninth month.
Liu Yu had been defeated on the eleventh.
Only nine days had passed.
The distance from Ye City to Ji County wasn’t much greater than that from Jishi to Ji County.
Under normal circumstances, the difference in the speed of receiving information would be no more than two days.
In other words, Yuan Shao would learn the news only about two days earlier than Zhang Jing.
And that assumed one important condition— that both sides maintained spies in You Province.
Otherwise, the delay would have been even longer.
“My lord.”
Xun You looked at Zhang Jing.
“Do you remember when Yuan Shao once sent envoys into the Taihang Mountains and stationed a large army in Zhongshan?”
“You mean…”
Zhang Jing pondered for a moment.
“Yuan Shao had already been preparing to invade You Province at that time. Now that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has presented itself, he’ll move immediately?”
In the original timeline, Yuan Shao had been locked in a bitter struggle with Zhang Yan around this period.
Because of Zhang Jing’s rise, Yuan Shao had refrained from acting rashly against Zhang Yan.
As a result, had he shifted more of his attention toward You Province instead?
“Your insight is correct, my lord.”
Xun You nodded gravely.
“From Yuan Shao’s perspective, our Taiping Prefecture firmly dominates Henan. Qing Province has resisted him despite prolonged campaigning. Zhang Yan and the Taiping Prefecture are closely aligned. That leaves You Province and Bing Province as the easiest targets.”
“Bing Province is overrun with frontier tribes. Conquering it would come at tremendous cost. In the short term, it would not strengthen Yuan Shao’s power. Instead, it would consume his existing resources.”
“But You Province is different.”
“Over the past several years, Governor Liu has thoroughly pacified and organized the lands of Yan and Yun. Its population now greatly exceeds that of Bing Province, and it possesses vast horse-breeding pastures. Whoever acquires it will see a tremendous increase in military strength.”
“Therefore, I believe that Yuan Shao fixed his sights on You Province long ago. Now, under the banner of defending the imperial court and rescuing Governor Liu, he will swiftly swallow the entirety of Yan and Yun.”
When he finished speaking, a trace of concern appeared in Xun You’s eyes.
Xun You understood the Taiping Prefecture’s grand strategy.
But if Yuan Shao were allowed to seize You Province in one sweeping campaign, then the Taiping Prefecture’s plans for the following year would inevitably be constrained by him.
Even if Yuan Shao chose not to intervene in the fighting in Henan, and instead turned his attention toward conquering Bing Province, it would still be highly unfavorable for the Taiping Prefecture.
At that point, the Taiping Prefecture would have no spare strength to look north.
Once each side controlled three provinces, the Taiping Prefecture would find itself at a strategic disadvantage.
And when the time came to defeat Yuan Shao, the price they would have to pay would likely be several times greater than it was now.
“Then, Gongda, what do you think the Taiping Prefecture should do?”
After hearing him out, the lighthearted expression gradually disappeared from Zhang Jing’s face, replaced by one of complete seriousness.
Because if Gongda’s analysis was correct, then the Taiping Prefecture would be in a very awkward position.
Its current strength was no weaker than Yuan Shao’s.
Storming cities and defeating armies was well within its capabilities.
But Yuan Shao of Ji Province was no ordinary opponent.
If they were to campaign against Ji Province, they would have to conquer the entire province.
Compared to that, Qing and Xu Provinces were far easier targets.
Those two were the true soft targets.
For the Taiping Prefecture, attacking Ji Province would still be an extremely difficult undertaking.
“My lord.”
With a solemn expression, Xun You bowed.
“I believe the Taiping Prefecture should dispatch troops against Ji Province.”
“Oh?”
Curiosity flickered across Zhang Jing’s face.
“Why Ji Province instead of Qing or Xu?”
This question genuinely intrigued him.
If the choice were his, he would certainly attack Qing and Xu first, then devote time to recuperation.
By relying on the mobilization power generated by his system of governance and concern for the people’s welfare, he would give Yuan Shao and the other warlords a lesson.
The topic of that lesson would be: On Protracted Warfare.
At the very least, it would guarantee that they remained undefeated.
After occupying three provinces, they would have the Yellow River to the north, the sea at their back, and Yuan Shu’s territory to the southwest.
They could advance when advantageous, or withdraw into a secure defensive position.
Unless Yuan Shu suddenly lost his senses and allied with Yuan Shao to attack the Taiping Prefecture— that would certainly become troublesome.
…
The more Zhang Jing thought about it, the more his head began to ache.
History had already changed.
It had handed Yuan Shao the perfect opportunity— to invade You Province while Gongsun Zan had yet to recover his strength and was beset by both internal and external troubles.
“My lord.”
Xun You explained, “Qing Province is a land that must be rebuilt from the ground up. Men like Dan Jing, Liu Bei, and Kong Rong pose little cause for concern. As for Xu Province, although Tao Qian is a capable man, he is already advanced in years. Furthermore, if we move against Xu Province, I am confident I can persuade Zang Ba to surrender.”
“At that point, Xu Province will be nothing more than something already in the Taiping Prefecture’s pocket.”
“But Ji Province is different.”
“Yuan Shao is not a man who hesitates after making plans. If he is allowed to secure You Province without interference, the consequences for the Taiping Prefecture may be unbearable.”
“And…”
At this point, Xun You spoke with meaningful emphasis.
“There is another crucial reason for sending troops into Ji Province.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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