Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Yizhou, Jianning Prefecture, Dianchi County.

Beside Dianchi Lake, on a makeshift altar.

"...Today, I, in my capacity as General of the Great Wei and Duke of Wenxi, swear an oath with the lords of Jianning County. Each county head who abandons Shu and returns to Wei will remain a county head leading his own territory, and the alliance will last for generations. There will be no need for taxes, and the Great Wei will never wage war against us! Each prominent family in the county will appoint one Marquis within the Passes, and each will select their sons to study at the Imperial Academy, where they can serve as officials in the Great Wei in the future!"

As Guanqiu Jian finished speaking, the accompanying translator relayed the words to the local barbarian and tribal leaders in their native language. Then, a sacrifice was offered to heaven and a memorial was burned, signifying the completion of the alliance.

These conditions were a definite boon for the prominent Han Chinese families in the south, confirming their political status and opening up avenues for their sons to rise in the imperial court. Luoyang, the Han capital for two centuries, was widely recognized as the heartland of the empire; going to Luoyang was the best option. In comparison, what was Chengdu? It was also beneficial for the local leaders, at least they would no longer have to pay tribute to Chengdu in gold, silver, lacquerware, and various military supplies, even if the amount paid was not substantial.

To be honest, Guanqiu Jian was only making a temporary promise to reassure everyone. As for what would happen in the future, they would discuss it after the Shu region was pacified.

From Guanqiu Jian's perspective, the development of the various prefectures in Nanzhong at this time was far behind that of Jiaozhi Prefecture in Jiaozhou, and could even be said to be far inferior.

The land of Nanzhong has always been complex, and Dianchi County of Jianning Commandery happens to be located at the center of the various commanderies in Nanzhong. When Zhuge Liang once conquered Nanzhong, his army finally stopped at Dianchi Lake before returning north to Chengdu. At that time, Zhuge Liang advanced in three routes, with a total force of no more than 20,000.

Undoubtedly, this is the first time in this land that a force of 30,000 has reached the shores of Dianchi Lake.

In the preceding months, as Guanqiu Jian advanced his troops, the Shu Kingdom responded accordingly, gathering its forces to prepare for resistance.

Zhuge Liang once campaigned against the Nanzhong region and returned victorious, but the Nanzhong region could only be described as "roughly peaceful," with frequent rebellions over the years. The Chengdu court was powerless to stop this and could only maintain a superficial stability. It appointed officials to the local barbarians, Yi, Qiang, and Liao people in the various counties of Nanzhong, establishing a broad but not deep administrative system under the jurisdiction of the Yijiang Governor.

Ma Zhong, the governor of Yijiang, set off from his garrison in Wei County and led his 4,000 infantrymen south to the Dianchi and Yuyuan areas to recruit local barbarians and Liao people to assist in the battle. At the same time, he also sought help from Sun Deng of Zangke County. Sun Deng also sent General Liu Zan with 7,000 men to go south to assist in the battle.

Guanqiu Jian came from afar. Although his troops were not very strong, they were numerous and powerful, so they were able to gradually conquer strategic locations by virtue of their superior numbers. The strongest part of his troops was the four thousand soldiers from Jiaozhou who had crossed the sea from Hepu County to Jiaozhi County in the past.

Ma Zhong's troops were similar, with his 4,000 men at the core, and the various barbarian tribes and rabble were also unusable. Fortunately, Sun Deng's troops were able to make up for some of the shortcomings.

However, after the situation remained deadlocked for some time, as the vanguard of the Wei army arrived in Jiangzhou, Liu Shan, who was in Guanghan, reacted quickly upon receiving the news. On the same day, he ordered an envoy to rush to Wei County to deliver an imperial edict, ordering Ma Zhong to lead his troops back north to provide reinforcements. He also summoned Sun Deng to lead his army to provide reinforcements in the name of an ally and elder brother.

After receiving the imperial decree, Ma Zhong withdrew his troops and headed north the next day, instructing the local powerful families and village chiefs to disband and return home. Sun Deng received Liu Shan's document almost simultaneously and also decided to lead 10,000 men, including Liu Zan's troops, north.

Both Ma Zhong and Sun Deng were well aware of this. Compared to the safety of Shu, what did Nanzhong matter? Sun Deng understood the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," and the Han state had been very kind to him; he would definitely help them no matter what.

Even if this place is temporarily handed over to Guanqiu Jian, how long can Guanqiu Jian stay here? Can he really march two thousand li north from Dianchi Lake to Chengdu? He has already marched fifteen hundred li from Jiaozhi to Dianchi Lake!
The geographical distance was the real source of Liu Shan, Ma Zhong, Sun Deng, and others' confidence. With the alliance concluded, no banquet was held in the army. The local powerful clans and the leaders of the Man, Yi, and Liao tribes from various counties in Jianning County returned to their respective camps. Guanqiu Jian and others also returned to their camps.

"If I hadn't come here in person, I would never have imagined that such scenery existed in the wild lands of the South. Today, as I gazed at the view of Dianchi Lake from the altar, I was momentarily lost in thought." Guanqiu Jian smiled and looked at everyone: "The scenery of the South is quite different from that of the Central Plains."

Shi Bao also laughed and said, "We are all northerners, so it is normal that we have never seen this place before. This place has already been handed over to the Great Wei. If the general wants to come here in the future, he can come here at any time."

Guanqiu Jian nodded, his smile gradually fading: "Our army has been locked in a stalemate with the Shu army for a long time. Now the Shu army has suddenly retreated, abandoning even the local powerful clans' private soldiers and the Liao people's reinforcements. It can be described as extremely hasty. In my opinion, something big must have happened in Shu, otherwise they would not have retreated so hastily."

"Gentlemen," Guanqiu Jian looked around, "we first traveled from the Central Plains to the South China Sea, then to Hepu, crossed the sea to Jiuzhen and Jiaozhi to fight, and today we have come to Dianchi Lake. All we ask for and wish for is to repay the court and His Majesty's great kindness."

"We have arrived at Dianchi Lake. This is the territory of Jianning Prefecture, not far from Wei County, where the Yijiang Governor's Office of the Shu Kingdom is located to the north. Now, how should we proceed with the battle? I would like to hear your opinions."

Shi Bao cupped his hands and said, "This subordinate believes that the general should select elite troops and continue the northward march!"

“General,” Zhu Yi said with a worried look, “the army has been marching from Jiaozhi for more than three months. These troops were originally mainly composed of the rebels, and they only obeyed orders because of your great authority. The soldiers are already homesick, and they also lack warm clothing. Their morale only improved after the Shu army retreated these past two days. If we continue the attack, I'm afraid it will be difficult to sustain for long.”

"The climate in the south is quite different from that in Jiaozhou. I hope the general will consider this carefully."

"I second that opinion," Sima Shi replied, bowing. "If we launch a direct attack and risk making a mistake, it would be disastrous."

Guanqiu Jian pondered for a long time before sighing, "Marching in Jiaozhou is not like marching in the Central Plains. The logistics can only guarantee the army's food, and Jiaozhi County cannot supply anything else. I understand the feelings of the soldiers in the army. It would be really difficult to force them to go to Shu."

"However, now that we've arrived at Dianchi Lake, we should still explore further to the north. Otherwise, I won't be satisfied and will find it difficult to explain to His Majesty."

"Chief Secretary." Guanqiu Jian looked at Zhu Yi: "I brought 30,000 soldiers from Jiaozhi. Since most of the Shu army has been dispersed, I intend to select 20,000 weak soldiers from the army in the next two days. You will then lead them to retreat to Jiaozhi County. After that, you and the Prefect Sima will select 3,000 usable soldiers from among them and then disband them so that they can return to their hometowns."

Zhu Yi cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate understands. So, General, what should we do here?"

Guanqiu Jian snorted lightly: "Having reached Dianchi Lake, we'll only be a few hundred li from Wei County. How can we easily retreat? Let's take the Yijiang Governor's Office of Shu Kingdom first!" (End of Chapter)