The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 16: The oppressive feeling of hindsight bias, like seeing Mount Tai.
In terms of rhetoric alone, Zhuge Liang's arguments were not particularly sophisticated.

But when paired with Zhuge Liang's demeanor, tone of voice, and the aura of someone who had served as prime minister for over a decade, it becomes entirely different.

The subtle sense of oppression made Cao Xuan feel as if he were facing the towering Mount Tai.

High-level debates are often simple and unpretentious.

A few words can determine victory or defeat.

Sweat beaded on Cao Xuan's forehead.

For a moment, Cao Xuan was at a loss for words!
Compared to Zhuge Liang, who had honed his skills over decades and integrated military and political affairs, Cao Xuan was as insignificant as an ant under a large tree.

In contrast, consider Zhuge Liang.

With a calm and composed demeanor, he lightly waved his feather fan, appearing as ethereal as a banished immortal, as if he didn't take Cao Xuan seriously at all. This only made Cao Xuan feel more bitter and frustrated, wishing he could have a fistfight with Zhuge Liang.

Seeing that the usually eloquent and persuasive Biejia had been easily defeated, Che Zhou's gaze toward Zhuge Liang became more solemn.

Is this child really only eighteen years old?

Che Zhou was a seasoned veteran of officialdom.

Zhuge Liang's demeanor, tone, and aura just now did not resemble that of an eighteen-year-old scholar who had just entered the world; rather, he seemed more like a high-ranking official who had been in power for many years!

Even Che Zhou, who had spent years in officialdom, felt as if he were facing Mount Tai when confronted with Zhuge Liang's imposing presence.

Seeing that Cao Xuan was at a loss for words, Liu Bei still wore a faint smile: "Kong Ming is young and impetuous, and his words are rude. I hope Governor Che will forgive him."

He said "please excuse my poor performance," but to Che Zhou, it meant something completely different, as if he were saying: Governor Che, your position as Prefect is not up to par!

Che Zhou cursed inwardly: You call this youthful impetuosity?
"Hahahaha!"

Despite the scolding, you still have to put on a smiling face.

Che Zhou feigned a loud laugh to cover his embarrassment.

"General Zuo first helped me to fill the household registration in Xiapi, and now he wants to help me to gather righteous people and civilians. I am extremely grateful."

"With General Zuo's assistance, I have nothing to worry about!"

Liu Bei also laughed: "Governor Che, you are too kind. We are both working for the Minister of Works, and we are not different from each other."

Regardless of whether Che Zhou is sincere or not, as long as he is willing to use a smile, things can be discussed.

Cao Xuan snorted inwardly, his gaze toward Zhuge Liang filled with hostility.

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan lightly, glanced at Cao Xuan but didn't look at him again. Someone of Cao Xuan's caliber wasn't worth Zhuge Liang's excessive attention.

After Liu Bei suppressed Che Zhou's arrogance, his tone became humble.

Unable to prevent Liu Bei's intervention, Che Zhou simply handed over the military affairs of conscripting men from various counties as laborers and transporting grain and supplies to Langya to Liu Bei.

Conscripting laborers has always been a task that offends people.

If you don't do it well, you'll be blamed by your superiors.

If it's done well, it will be hated by the people.

Therefore, when conscripting laborers, each prefecture would usually send a corrupt official to be in charge.

The practice of first subjecting the people to hardship, and then punishing corrupt officials to reduce public discontent, is a common one.

Che Zhou was already troubled about who would be responsible for conscripting laborers, and just then Liu Bei came to share the burden. Although Che Zhou seemed unhappy about Liu Bei's involvement, he secretly wished it were so.

After Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang left, Cao Xuan said admiringly, "Lord Che's plan is brilliant! Liu Bei boasts of his benevolence and love for the people. If he were to impose harsh conscription measures that cause the deaths and injuries of the laborers, the people would surely resent him. If he were to outwardly comply but inwardly defy the orders and delay the process, Lord Che could then rightfully ask the Minister of Works to punish Liu Bei!"

Che Zhou stroked his short beard and sneered, "Liu Bei thinks he has a reputation in Xuzhou and looks down on me, Che Zhou. He is just relying on his martial prowess and the fierce soldiers he has as his henchmen."

"I, Che, am the governor of Xuzhou recommended by the Minister of Works. I excel in civil administration, so why should I contend with Liu Bei using military force? Since Liu Bei wants to get involved in this mess, how can I not help him?"

There was a pause.

Che Zhou then instructed, "That is true, but Liu Bei's newly recruited strategist, Zhuge Liang, is no ordinary madman; the Prefect can send more spies to keep a close watch, and report immediately if Zhuge Liang makes any unusual moves!"

Cao Xuan already harbored resentment towards Zhuge Liang, and immediately clasped his hands in acceptance of the order: "Your subordinate will certainly not fail the trust placed in you by Commander Che." When Liu Bei returned to his residence and informed everyone of the conscription of laborers, their expressions varied.

The people had followed Liu Bei for a long time and were no strangers to conscripting laborers.

We are well aware of the difficulties involved.

“Cao Cao has always been harsh on conscripted soldiers, and his punishments are severe. Therefore, whenever he conscripts soldiers, it always causes resentment among the people. Che Zhou deliberately put you in charge of conscripting soldiers, which must be to ruin your reputation. Why did you agree to Che Zhou’s request?” Guan Yu asked in a deep voice.

Cao Cao was most adept at using troops with lightning speed.

Although it can catch the opponent off guard, it puts a lot of pressure on logistics.

The urgency of war was inevitably matched by harsh corvée labor.

The numerous rebellions under Cao Cao's rule were closely related to his harsh treatment of corvée labor.

Zhang Fei angrily cursed, "That old man Che Zhou is extremely rude! If I have the chance, I will definitely capture and kill Che Zhou to avenge my brother."

Liu Bei sighed inwardly.

If he could have killed Che Zhou, Liu Bei would have killed Che Zhou long ago, seized Xiapi, and joined the rebellion against Cao Cao.

But clearly, now is not the right time to kill Che Zhou.

Although Cao Cao was wary of Liu Bei and wanted to trap him in Xuchang, he did not truly intend to kill Liu Bei. Otherwise, Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao would not have left Xiapi so readily.

same.

Although Liu Bei wanted to kill Cao Cao, he would still maintain a facade of "friendliness and harmony" with Cao Cao before completely turning against him.

Jianghu is not only about fighting and killing, but also about human relationships.

"Military affairs are difficult; Che Zhou wouldn't give me easy ones. What Che Zhou is willing to give me must be something that gives him a real headache."

“But if I succeed, not only will the corvée laborers suffer less punishment, but I will also gain their trust. Those who achieve great things cannot be bound by immediate gains and losses.”

Liu Bei spoke in a calm tone.

Liu Bei was also aware of the difficulties involved.

However, in order to strengthen himself by leveraging the power of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Liu Bei had to be patient and could not shirk his responsibilities simply because of military difficulties.

After all, the current governor of Xuzhou is still Che Zhou!

What Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others did not know was...

There was a deeper reason why Liu Bei agreed to conscript laborers and transport grain and supplies.

One reason for the forced laborers was to transport grain and fodder; in times of emergency, they could be forced to forage for food.

Both groups of laborers were mostly able-bodied men and women, who could rise up in rebellion and become soldiers in times of emergency.

The difficulty of military affairs is only on the surface.

What Liu Bei truly valued were provisions and manpower.

In the past, Liu Bei was betrayed by Lü Bu, his food supplies were cut off, his soldiers scattered, and the situation became so tragic that even the officials resorted to cannibalism.

Since then, Liu Bei has learned his lesson and has always prioritized the supply of provisions.

Historical records state that after Liu Bei acquired Zhuge Liang, he entrusted him with full authority over finances and taxes. Even after other wise ministers and strategists came to join him, none of them could replace Zhuge Liang's authority over finances and taxes.

It can be seen.

Finished.

Liu Bei then looked at Zhuge Liang and instructed him, "I will lead Yun Chang, Yuan Zhi and others to various counties to conscript laborers and hand over the grain and fodder to Governor Che. I will entrust this to you, strategist. Yi De can stay in Xiapi to protect you."

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(End of this chapter)