Three Kingdoms

Chapter 31

Zhuge Liang entered the court and met with Liu Chan, the queen master, and said: "I am willing to lead the army to pacify the Nanman. The Nanman Menghuo united with Yong Kai, Zhu Bao, and Gao Ding to rebel. This is a serious problem for the country and must be quelled."

The queen master Liu Chan said: "The prime minister leads troops to the south, isn't he afraid that Sun Quan of the Eastern Wu and Cao Pi of the Wei State will send troops to attack our country?"

Zhuge Liang said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. Soochow just made peace with our country, and I don't think they will invade our country. If they really don't abide by the covenant and send troops to attack our country, don't worry. Li Yanshou is in Baidi City, even if Soochow Lu Xun personally led the army to attack, and Li Yan was able to repel him. The Wei army had just been defeated by Soochow, and it was difficult to restore its original military strength for a while. Besides, Ma Chao was sticking to Pingyang Pass. No matter how he fought, the Wei army could not enter Pingyang Pass. , These are all in my expectation, Your Majesty don’t need to worry. I left Guan Xing, Zhang Bao and other generals to respond to the rescue, so that nothing will happen. I will first pacify the southern barbarians, and then pacify the Wei State, so that I can repay you The kindness of the late emperor is the only way to fulfill the important task he enjoined me to assist His Majesty."

The master Liu Chan said to Zhuge Liang: "I am young and ignorant, and everything is handled by my father."

At this time, a minister stood up and shouted: "You can't send troops! You can't send troops!" Everyone took a closer look and found that it was the minister Wang Lian.

Wang continued to say: "Southern Man is a barren land, full of miasma and epidemics. I am afraid it is not suitable for the prime minister to go on an expedition in person. Yong Kai and others are all brave and foolish people. They have no generals. The prime minister only needs to send a general to go out." , will surely succeed.”

Zhuge Liang said: "The southern barbarians are far away from the capital, and have always refused to accept our country's governance. It is very difficult to surrender. I personally lead the troops to fight, and I can use both soft and hard tactics. I cannot easily send people to attack."

Wang Lian repeatedly dissuaded Zhuge Liang from leading troops to fight in person, but Zhuge Liang refused to listen.

The next day, Zhuge Liang bid farewell to the Empress Liu Chan.Order Jiang Wan to join the army, Fei Yi to be the chief clerk, Dong Jue and Fan Jian to be the clerk; Zhao Yun and Wei Yan to be generals and lead the troops; Wan Dajun marched towards Yizhou.

Zhuge Liang also ran into Guan Suo, Guan Yu's third son, on the way.Guan Suo told Zhuge Liang: "Since the fall of Jingzhou, I have been injured and have been recuperating in Baojiazhuang. Every time I want to go to Sichuan to see the late emperor, willing to avenge my father, but the injury has not healed. I just recovered recently. On the way, I learned that all the enemies of Soochow had been killed, so I went to see the late emperor on the road to Chengdu, and happened to meet the army conquering the south, so I came here to meet the prime minister."

Zhuge Liang was very happy, and immediately sent someone to report to Liu Chan, the queen master.Zhuge Liang ordered Guan Suo to be the vanguard to conquer the south together.A large group of people passing by all places will not commit any crimes.

Yong Kai learned that Zhuge Liang personally led an army of 50 to conquer, he was taken aback at first, and hurriedly discussed with Zhu Bao and Gao Ding to deal with Zhuge Liang.So it was decided: Gao Ding would attack from the middle, Zhu Bao would attack the right, and Yong Kai would attack the left. A total of 50 troops would resist Zhuge Liang's [-] troops.Gao Ding ordered E Huan to be the front vanguard. E Huan is ugly, but he is very skilled in martial arts and rarely meets opponents.E Huan led an army to the front to face Zhuge Liang's vanguard.

Zhuge Liang led an army into the territory of Yizhou.The front vanguard Wei Yan, lieutenants Wang Ping, and Zhang Yi just entered the boundary of Yizhou and met E Huan.

Wei Yan and E Huan fought, Wei Yan pretended to be defeated, E Huan didn't know what to do, and led his troops to chase Wei Yan.After chasing for a few miles, suddenly there was a lot of killing everywhere. Zhang Yi and Wang Ping rushed out from both sides, cutting off E Huan's back. .Take him to the big army camp and come to see Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang ordered E Huan to be untied, and entertained him with a sumptuous feast.Zhuge Liang asked E Huan, "Whose subordinate are you?" E Huan replied, "I am Gao Ding's subordinate." Zhuge Liang said, "I know Gao Ding is a loyal person, he must have been deceived by Yong Kai, so Only then did you rebel with Yong Kai. I will let you go back now, and you should persuade General Gao to surrender early, so as not to suffer a catastrophic death." E Huan thanked Zhuge Liang and went back.When E Huan met Gao Ding, he told Gao Ding about Zhuge Liang's great benevolence. After hearing this, Gao Ding was also very grateful to Zhuge Liang.

The next day, Yong Kai came to Gao Ding's barracks and asked Gao Ding, "How did E Huan come back?" It's Zhuge Liang's countermeasure, don't trust Zhuge Liang, he wants us to fight each other and kill each other, and then he will succeed." Gao Ding was dubious, hesitating all the time.At this time, Wei Yan, the general of the Shu army, came to challenge him.Yong Kai led 20 troops to meet Wei Yan.Yong Kai couldn't beat Wei Yan, so he flattered his horse and fled.Wei Yan led his troops to chase and kill them for more than [-] li.

The next day, Yong Kai led the troops to challenge the Shu army again.Zhuge Liang did not fight for three days in a row.On the fourth day, Yong Kai and Gao Ding divided their forces to attack the Shu army's position.Unexpectedly, they were caught in an ambush by Zhuge Liang, and many soldiers of Yong Kai and Gao Ding were captured.

Zhuge Liang ordered Yong Kai's captured soldiers to be locked up on one side, and Gao Ding's captured soldiers to be locked up on the other side.Zhuge Liang ordered his subordinates to spread rumors: "It was Yong Kai's soldiers who were killed, and Gao Ding's soldiers were all let go." Both Yong Kai and Gao Ding's soldiers heard the rumor.

After a while, Zhuge Liang came to the place where Yongkai's soldiers were imprisoned and asked, "Whose subordinates are you?" In order to survive, the soldiers all said, "We are Gaoding's subordinates." Zhuge Liang spared their death penalty, He also entertained them with wine and food, sent them out of the boundary, and let them go.

Zhuge Liang went to the place where Gaoding soldiers were locked up and asked, "Whose subordinates are you?" They all replied, "We are Gaoding's subordinates." At the banquet, he pretended to say: "Yong Kai just sent someone to surrender to me today. Yong Kai promised me to kill Gao Ding and Zhu Bao. He said that killing Gao Ding and Zhu Bao was his gift to me. I couldn't bear it." Gao Ding and Zhu Bao died at the hands of Yong Kai. Since you are Gao Ding's subordinates, it would be the best. Go back and tell your general Gao Ding to stop rebelling. If you are still caught by us You guys will definitely kill you."

Gaoding's soldiers thanked Zhuge Liang, returned to the barracks, and preached Zhuge Liang's great benevolence everywhere.After Gao Ding learned of this, he was very surprised.He secretly sent his confidants to the Yongkai army camp to inquire about news, and the soldiers in Yongkai's army were also preaching Zhuge Liang's great benevolence, and most of the soldiers in the Yong army wanted to surrender to Gaoding.

Even so, Gao Ding was still a little dubious, and he sent his confidants to the Shu army camp to inquire about the news about this matter, and he was caught by the Shu army as soon as he approached the Shu army camp.

Zhuge Liang deliberately identified them as Yong Kai's people, and asked loudly: "I asked General Yong to cut off the heads of Zhu Bao and Gao Ding early on. Why don't you give them to me now? Be my internal support." Those Gao Ding confidant soldiers hurriedly nodded vaguely in agreement.

Zhuge Liang entertained them with wine and food, wrote a confidential letter to Yong Kai, and handed it to Gao Ding's confidant soldiers. Before leaving, he ordered them: "Go back and give the letter to General Yong, and tell him to kill Gao Ding quickly. Ding and Zhu Bao come to surrender." Gao Ding's confidant soldiers pretended to agree again, knelt down and left.

They returned to the barracks, met Gao Ding, and handed Zhuge Liang's confidential letter to Yong Kai to Gao Ding. After Gao Ding read the letter, he couldn't help being furious and said, "I treat Yong Kai sincerely." Kai, I didn't expect him to do such a conspiracy behind my back!
It's unreasonable! He immediately summoned E Huan, and the two had a secret discussion in the barracks. Gao Ding told about Yong Kai's plot. E Huan said: "Zhuge Liang is a great benevolent man. We will gain nothing by rebelling against him. It is better to surrender to him."We rebelled against Shu because of Yong Kai, so we might as well kill him and surrender to Zhuge Liang. Gao Ding said, "How can we kill Yong Kai?" E Huan said: "We set up a banquet and invite him to drink and celebrate."If he comes, we will catch him just in time. If he doesn't come, it means that he has indeed betrayed us.The general can lead troops to attack his front camp, and I will lead troops to kill from behind, and Yong Kai will definitely not escape. "Gao Ding followed E Huan's suggestion, and immediately set up a banquet to invite Yong Kai to the meeting. Yong Kai did not attend the banquet because he heard rumors in his own army. Gao Ding affirmed that Yong Kai was playing a conspiracy. So Gao Ding sent troops Attack Yong Kai. E Huan killed Yong Kai with one knife, and all Yong Kai's men surrendered to Gao Ding. Gao Ding led two armies to surrender to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang immediately ordered the warrior to push Gao Ding out and behead him.Gao Ding was taken aback, and asked, "I thank the prime minister for his great kindness, that's why I killed Yong Kai to surrender. Why did the prime minister kill me now?" Zhuge Liang said, "You pretended to surrender, and you thought I was I don’t know!” Gao Ding said, “How did the prime minister know that I was pretending to surrender?” Zhuge Liang said, “Here is a confidential letter from Zhu Bao, in which General Zhu said that you and Yong Kai are life and death brothers. You will kill him immediately, so I know that you are pretending to surrender." Gao Ding said: "You have fallen into Zhu Bao's trick, and the prime minister should not trust Zhu Bao." Zhuge Liang said: "I will not either. Based on your few words, I believe you. If you can capture Zhu Bao and surrender to me, then I believe that you sincerely surrender." Gao Ding said: "Prime Minister, don't worry, I will definitely bring Zhu Bao to you." I'm here to see you." Zhuge Liang said, "In this case, let me trust you for the time being!"

Gao Ding led E Huan and his army to attack Zhu Bao.When he was about to reach Zhu Bao's barracks, he suddenly met Zhu Bao's army.

Gao Ding saw that the leader of the army was Zhu Bao.When Gao Ding saw Zhu Bao, he cursed: "Zhu Bao, why did you write to Zhuge Liang saying that I and Yong Kai jointly plot against the Shu army. Why do you use counter-intrigue to harm me?"

Zhu Bao was dumbfounded, not knowing what was going on, looked at Gao Ding inexplicably, and didn't know how to answer.Suddenly E Huan approached Zhu Bao from behind, Zhu Bao was unprepared, and was beheaded by E Huan with a knife.Gao Ding took the opportunity to say loudly: "If you don't surrender, you must die!" So Zhu Bao's soldiers all surrendered to Gao Ding.

Gao Ding led two armies to surrender Zhuge Liang, and also offered Zhu Bao's head.

Zhuge Liang laughed loudly and said, "I told you to kill these two people to test your loyalty. Now it's all right, you are indeed a loyal and loyal person."

Zhuge Liang ordered Gao Ding to be the prefect of Yizhou, in charge of the other three states and counties; he also ordered E Huan to be the general of Ya.Zhuge Liang calmed down the three armies with little effort.

Wang Zhen, the prefect of Yongchang, went out of the city to meet Zhuge Liang.After Zhuge Liang entered the city, he asked Mrs. Wang, "Who will defend Yongchang City with you?"

Mrs. Wang replied: "It is Lu Kai from Yongchang." Zhuge Liang ordered Lu Kai to come to see him.Lu Kai met with Zhuge Liang.Zhuge Liang asked him to sit down.

Zhuge Liang asked Lu Kai: "I have known for a long time that you are a highly respected person in Yongchang City. Thanks to you, Yongchang was saved. I want to put down the Nanman rebel army. I don't know what good advice you have?" A map, said to Zhuge Liang: "Since I became the staff officer of Yongchang City, I have known that the Nanman people have always wanted to rebel. I secretly sent people to the Nanman to observe their military deployment, and asked them to draw a map. The one I have in my hand is called Pingman’s Hand Map, and I dare not dedicate it to the Prime Minister until now, and the Prime Minister will try to look at it, it may be helpful to pacify the Nanman.”

Zhuge Liang took the military map that Lu Kai gave him, observed it carefully, and immediately laughed. This military map of the Southern Man's battle showed the distribution of the Southern Man's army in detail.Therefore, Zhuge Liang valued Lu Kai very much, and he immediately ordered Lu Kai to be the marching staff and guide officer.

So Zhuge Liang commanded the army to advance to the frontline positions of the Nanman.

Just a few miles away, someone riding a fast horse came to report the emperor's new order to Zhuge Liang.Zhuge Liang invited the man into his barracks.A young officer in white came in.This young officer is Ma Liang's younger brother Ma Di.Ma Liang had just passed away, and Ma Di took over Ma Liang's position.

Ma Di paid homage to Zhuge Liang, and then said: "At the order of the emperor, I specially escorted fine wine, military uniforms and other items to supply the soldiers who went out."

Zhuge Liang accepted fine wine, military uniforms, and essentials for marching, and then ordered his subordinates to distribute those items to the soldiers.Zhuge Liang left Ma Di to talk in the barracks.

Zhuge Liang asked Ma Di: "I was ordered by the emperor to conquer the Nanman rebels. I know you are very smart since you were a child. I ask you how to deal with the Nanman rebels?"

Ma Di said: "What I want to say is that the southern barbarians are remote. The barbarians think that there are high mountains and dangerous waters as military obstacles, and they have always refused to submit to my Great Shu Kingdom. Although they were defeated today, they were defeated the next day. They will rebel. The prime minister leads a large army to conquer in person, and he will definitely defeat the Nanman rebels. But once they return to the country, they will definitely conquer Wei, and the army will attack Wei. If the Nanman rebels know that the domestic forces are empty, they will take the opportunity to rebel "If you want the Nanman rebels to never rebel, you must convince them first, so that they won't rebel again. This is also true in the Art of War."

After hearing what Ma Di said just now, Zhuge Liang felt that Ma Di knew how to march and fight, and he was a person worthy of reuse, so he immediately appointed Ma Di to join the army and work as a staff officer.

The army of 50 continued to advance towards the Nanban area.

(End of this chapter)