The Yizhou army briefly rested at Yangping Pass. Liu Bei left Ma Chao to guard the pass and personally led the army eastward to fully recover Hanzhong.
In the past, Hanzhong, which was comparable to Yizhou under the rule of Zhang Lu, had two major population migrations, which resulted in the area being empty and desolate. When Yizhou advanced slowly, the crowing of cocks and the barking of dogs in the villages along the way was not heard, as if it had entered an uncivilized country. It's like a wild land.
A few days later, Yizhou's army entered Nanzheng. The empty city gave people a sense of lifelessness.
In uninhabited places, vacant land and houses are ownerless. Soldiers no longer have to sleep in the wilderness. Everyone can find a place to shelter from the wind and rain, but no one thinks that they are wealth, because without people, there is no wealth.
After finally capturing Hanzhong, Liu Bei always felt that there was something missing. He stood at the door of the mansion for a long time, looking at the empty long street in a daze.
Fa Zheng came over and said, "My lord, there is no need to be sentimental. Most of the people in Hanzhong are in Zitong. When the time comes, some of them will be moved back. In a few years, they will be able to restore their former glory."
"What I'm worried about is not Hanzhong. Yide went to Wudu non-stop. The situation there should be similar, right?" Liu Bei said sadly.
"Zhang Ji and Cao Xiu acted in a hurry. They should have moved only the registered population. As for the Shenlang Qiang, Di and other mountain tribes, they might be able to retain a lot of them. The three generals can just allow them to live down the mountain." Fazheng analyzed.
While the two were talking, news came back from the northern scouts. Zhao Yun led his troops into Baoxie Road to inquire about the news. The situation in the valley was the same as Pang Tong analyzed. A large number of migrating people died on the way, and many Cao camps were abandoned due to injuries. Among the poor soldiers, a Cao army of 2,000 people mutinied and surrendered to Zhao Yun.
Liu Bei was surprised at first, then shook his head and sighed: "It's just as Shi Yuan expected. It's a pity that we can't take advantage of this great opportunity."
Fa Zheng comforted him: "The final battle in the war is national strength. It is not easy for my lord to fight against the powerful Cao Cao with one state. Now that I have taken over Hanzhong and Wudu, they are both desolate and exhausted. Yizhou has almost spent all its money and food." Kong, we have to operate it for several years before we can take Yongliang from the north..."
"Bei already knows what the military advisor said. Even if Cao Cao tramples on himself on Baoxie Road, we do not have enough troops and food for the Northern Expedition. We must let Deng Shizai move the people over as soon as possible." Liu Bei expressed solemnly.
"It will take time to relocate the people. Your lord can take advantage of Cao Cao's withdrawal and send troops to capture the three counties of Xicheng, Shangyong and Fangling in the east of Hanzhong. There is a ready population and land there." Fa Zheng suggested.
"Do you want to wait a little longer? The soldiers are too tired after fighting for a long time, and there is no extra food and grass to support the army..." Liu Bei seemed hesitant.
Fazheng smiled slightly: "The three eastern counties are nominally subordinated, and their combat effectiveness is far beyond that of Cao's army. The lord can choose capable soldiers to attack from the west, and then send another general to attack Fangling directly from the east. The last two groups of soldiers and horses You can learn from Shangyong."
Liu Bei's eyes lit up when he heard this: "What Xiaozhi said is very good. Bei can write a letter to Yun Chang and ask him to send troops to Xiangfan to contain Cao Ren. In this way, the three eastern counties will be in his pocket."
"If my lord captures the three eastern counties and connects the entire Han River, he will be able to support General Guan in taking Xiangfan." Fazheng nodded in agreement.
"Okay, okay, prepare to send troops now. Although there are many generals in Nanzheng, who will send troops from the east road?" Liu Bei asked curiously.
Fazheng thought for a while, and finally replied firmly: "Zidu is now the governor of Yidu. It is suitable for him to go north to Fangling. The lord can be listed as an alternative..."
Liu Bei smiled and said: "Xiaozhi doesn't need to be so cautious. Zidu and you welcomed me into Sichuan. I know his abilities very well."
Fazheng smiled awkwardly: "I was influenced by them..."
After deciding on the plan to attack the three eastern counties, Liu Bei immediately sent people to Jingzhou to convey the message. On the one hand, he asked Guan Yu to put pressure on Xiangfan, and on the other hand, he ordered Meng Da to lead his troops north to attack Fangling.
At this time, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao returned to occupy Wudu. Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, and Wei Yan, who had distinguished themselves in the Battle of Hanzhong, were all in Nanzheng. All the generals in the camp thought that Liu Bei would choose Xicheng and Shangyong among them. However, Liu Bei did not. Liu Feng was accidentally made handsome.
Liu Feng was arranged by Fazheng to be used as a bait in Dingjun Mountain. Perhaps Liu Bei felt guilty and wanted to compensate his adopted son, or perhaps he saw that Cao Cao used his adopted son Cao Zhen smoothly, so he gave away the easy-to-get credit.
In May of the 24th year of Jian'an, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao re-captured Xiabian. They distributed houses and fields to the Qiang, Di and other tribesmen, guided them down the mountains to live near towns, and sent people to Deng Ai to borrow people to teach farming. .
At this time, Deng Ai was organizing and calling on the people to return to Hanzhong. These people transported grain, grass and materials during the Battle of Hanzhong, and were the main transportation force on Liu Bei's army's logistics line.
Although they can return home, many people have taken root in Zitong and are unwilling to go back to Hanzhong.
After Deng Ai mobilized for a long time, only half of the original people were willing to return. During this period, he wrote to Lantian to ask for advice, and the answer he got was: the war is over, the army and the people are exhausted, follow your own volition, and do not force it.
Jinniu Road became lively again. On the busy road, people walked very leisurely. One of the carriages seemed to be in a hurry. There were soldiers guarding the carriage in front and behind. Passers-by guessed who the big shot was in the carriage.
A few days later, the carriage stopped in front of the Nanzheng Prefecture.
Liu Bei took advantage of Liu Feng's attacks on the three eastern counties and often held banquets with his advisors and generals in Nanzheng to celebrate. He has been thinking about how to reward the heroes recently. After all, there are too many meritorious personnel including Yang Song. If the rewards and punishments are not clear, it will create hidden dangers in the future. .
Don't worry about poverty but inequality. With Pound's lesson learned, Liu Bei became much more cautious this time. He studied his merit book every day.
Because it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice, Liu Bei never came up with a good plan.
"It's so lively here." Zhuge Liang smiled and crossed the threshold of the hall with a feather fan and turban.
"military adviser?"
"Kong Ming?"
...
All the ministers in the palace looked surprised, but Fei Shi's expression was a little strange, wondering, could it be that he came here for that matter?
Pang Tong and Fa Zheng were good at planning and commanding the army, but their handling of government affairs was slightly inferior to that of Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei was overjoyed to see Zhuge Liang and said that he had an additional adviser for the matter of rewarding heroes.
Liu Bei stood up to greet him, took Zhuge Liang's hand and returned to the main seat, asking someone to set up a seat next to him.
"Hanzhong is a foregone conclusion. The military advisor is not stationed in Chengdu. Why come all the way here?" Liu Bei asked curiously.
Zhuge Liang smiled mysteriously: "Because a major matter in Chengdu is undecided, I came to see the lord in person."
"A major issue in Chengdu is still unresolved? The military advisor recommends Yang Jixiu to succeed Xiaozhi as the governor of Shu County. This person should be very talented. Is there anything that you two can't decide?" Liu Bei looked confused.
Zhuge Liang nodded, then stood respectfully in front of Liu Bei, then took out a scroll from his arms, raised his hands above his head and pushed it forward.
"My minister, Zhuge Liang, respectfully invites my lord to ascend the throne of Hanzhong. This is the emperor's edict."
