My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 57 Yuan Long's Recommendation (Long Article)

Both of these strategies are quite good on their own, and when combined, they are incredibly powerful.

Chen Deng was increasingly alarmed as he listened. Even he couldn't think of any good solutions. At most, he could only issue a strict order forbidding the sale of grain and use force to drive away the grain-collecting teams.

Even this tactic is like drinking poison to quench thirst, sacrificing future development for a temporary reprieve.

It's easy to drive away caravans, but getting them back is much more difficult.

Without caravans transporting supplies, not to mention local development and commercial taxes, the various supplies needed by the local people will gradually become scarce, and over time, there will inevitably be widespread complaints.

Zang Ba had absolutely no way to deal with this.

Moreover, even if it were a desperate measure, Zang Baxian still needed to see through the situation.

Chen Deng guessed that although Zang Ba was intelligent, he would most likely not be able to see through Liu Feng's scheme.

Although Zang Ba's wisdom is unfathomable, he will most likely sense something is amiss, and he will probably be troubled for quite some time.

It's truly tragic that they only realize what's happening when disaster strikes.

Chen Deng was observing Liu Feng, and Liu Feng was also observing Chen Deng.

Because he wanted to take this opportunity to test Chen Deng's attitude.

Finally, after Liu Feng finished explaining his entire plan, Liu Bei asked Chen Deng for his opinion: "Yuanlong, do you think this plan is feasible?"

Chen Deng said decisively, "This plan is excellent! I urge the governor to implement this plan as soon as possible. It will take at least three months, or at most half a year, to subdue Zang Ba and bring Langya under the control of the governor."

Liu Bei was overjoyed. He had complete faith in Chen Deng. Since even Chen Deng thought the plan was feasible, Liu Bei had no more worries.

Just as Liu Bei and Chen Deng were getting along well, Liu Feng, oblivious to the situation, interrupted, saying, "Father, Chief Clerk, Zang Ba is ignorant of fate and disobeys the government. This local strongman actually has the ambition to carve out his own territory. He deserves to fail. However, after eliminating Zang Ba, I have some immature ideas that I would like to present to Father and Chief Clerk for your consideration."

Liu Bei and Chen Deng were both captivated by Liu Feng's words and listened attentively.

Liu Feng carefully revealed his plan: "I mentioned to my father before that after eliminating Zang Ba, we can take the opportunity to go to Ju County, force Xiao Jian to surrender, and take back the entire Langya territory."

However, Langya County is located in a dangerous area and is plagued by bandits, and its northern part is constantly harassed by remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Therefore, I wonder if we should divide Langya Prefecture into three?
In the south, the prefecture capital was Kaiyang, and it remained Langya Prefecture, governing four counties: Kaiyang, Linyi, Jiqiu, and Zengguo.

In the northwest, Dongguan was the capital of the prefecture, which was divided into four counties: Dongguan, Dong'an, Yangdu, and Gumu, forming the Dongguan Prefecture.

In the northeast, Ju County was the capital of the prefecture, which was divided into five counties: Ju County, Zhu County, Dongwu County, Haiqu County, and Langya County, forming the Jucheng Prefecture.

In fact, Liu Feng's method of dividing and conquering was derived from Cao Cao.

Cao Cao did this in the third year of Jian'an, 198 AD.

That year, Cao Cao held the official position of Minister of Works, not Grand General, nor was he the future King of Wei.

Logically speaking, if he could change the status of a prefecture or kingdom, there was no reason why Liu Bei couldn't.

It's simply a matter of one submitting a genuine memorial to the court, and the other submitting his own.

This is not something that touches on the bottom line of the imperial court, nor is it something that would provoke strong opposition from local gentry and powerful families. Therefore, as long as Chen Deng takes the lead in expressing support, and Liu Bei does indeed take down Zang Ba and Xiao Jian, then this matter will not be difficult to accomplish.

Chen Deng pondered for a moment, and his thoughts were just as Liu Feng had predicted. He felt that this was not a bottom-line issue, and it would even create two more prefectural governor positions for Xuzhou out of thin air. He was somewhat inclined to agree. "My lord, although the young master's suggestion is somewhat abrupt, it is not unthinkable. There are indeed many problems in Langya County, and they have long been disobedient to the orders of the prefecture. If we divide and rule them, it may not be a bad strategy."

Upon hearing Chen Deng's agreement, Liu Bei's mind began to work.

He didn't immediately say whether he agreed or not, but instead asked Chen Deng, "With this division, Yuanlong, do you have any recommendations for the two additional prefects?"

Liu Feng's heart skipped a beat. What's wrong with his father? At least let me finish what I have to say.

If Chen Yuanlong eats all the fruit here, what am I supposed to eat?

Not to mention the probing I had just planned.

Liu Feng had already decided to recommend Chen Qun for the position of Prefect of Dongguan or Jucheng. In terms of seniority, Chen Changwen, who had served as the Prefect of Yuzhou, was qualified.

Moreover, both of these commanderies were separated from Langya Commandery, and each only governed four or five counties, which was just right.

At the same time, it would also be possible to probe the attitude of the local gentry in Xuzhou, led by Chen Deng, towards the entry of gentry from Yuzhou into Xuzhou to take up official positions.

Liu Feng was well aware that Chen Deng greatly admired Chen Qun and the Chen family behind Chen Qun.

If even such an appreciative attitude cannot prevent fierce resistance, then the plan to introduce scholars from Yuzhou will be very troublesome.

This will greatly influence and change Liu Feng's subsequent plans.

Chen Deng and his shrewdness allowed them to discern part of Liu Feng's intentions from the fleeting anxiety on his face.

He said with a smile, "This is an important matter for the prefecture, and I shouldn't be speaking out of turn. But since the magistrate has been so kind as to look after me, I dare not speak frankly from the bottom of my heart."

Liu Feng inwardly cried out in dismay, but there was nothing he could do.

If one were to interrupt rashly at this moment, it would not only be impolite but also expose one's true intentions too thoroughly. If this were to offend Liu Bei and Chen Deng, it would truly be a loss.

Perhaps we should be patient and listen to what Chen Yuanlong has to say to see if there's any way to salvage the situation.

Even if you end up losing everything, at least you've learned a lesson, which is better than losing even more.

Liu Feng was secretly calculating in his heart when he saw Chen Deng smile slightly at him and say, "Jucheng County only has some Yellow Turbans in the north, the east is by the sea, and the southwest is all our state's territory. Therefore, we only need to send a capable official to govern, and in about two or three years, we will surely be able to return a prosperous land to our lord."

Of all the talented people in the prefecture, in my opinion, Chen Qun and Chen Changwen are capable of undertaking this important task.

Liu Feng was taken aback. He hadn't expected Chen Deng to recommend Chen Qun. This was truly unexpected.

Liu Feng certainly didn't expect this, nor did Liu Bei.

In fact, when Liu Bei heard Liu Feng's words, his first reaction was to try to secure a vacancy for Chen Qun as a prefect.

Back in Yuzhou, Chen Qun had strongly advised him not to come to Xuzhou to take over the post, but he had not listened to his advice, and he already felt guilty about it.

Furthermore, after his advice was ignored, Chen Qun did not abandon his post and run away. Instead, he diligently followed Liu Bei from his hometown to Xuzhou, and his status was changed from Biejia to ordinary Clerk.

It wasn't that Liu Bei mistreated Chen Qun. Given Liu Bei's character, after arriving in Xuzhou, he wanted to hand over the vacant position of Chief Administrator to Chen Qun. However, the latter refused and suggested that Liu Bei select from the local scholars of Xuzhou.

(End of this chapter)