Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

That night.

Before nightfall, Liu Bei's army arrived at an area thirty miles away from Nanwuyang and camped along the banks of the Wushui River, which flows down from the west side of Nanwuyang.

More than 10,000 troops were stationed at three huge camps on the banks of the Wushui River.

This place is the only road connecting Linyi to Nanwuyang.

To the southwest, it is blocked by Mount Ni and separated by the Wu River, while to the northeast, it is the continuous Mount Meng.

Meanwhile, a million Yellow Turban rebels from Qingzhou were hiding in the Mengshan Mountains, intending to bypass the Wushui River and plunder along the way.

Inside the camp under the cover of night.

Liu Bei sat upright in the central command tent.

Cao Cao invited him to meet at Nanwuyang.

It was already late at night, and we could no longer continue our journey. We had to wait until the next morning to go.

At this moment, besides Liu Bei, there were two men dressed in scholar's robes sitting in the central command tent.

One was in his early twenties, while the other looked much older, around forty.

Jian Yong, dressed in a gray Confucian robe, sat to Liu Bei's right, while Zhuge Gui, dressed in a black Confucian robe and wearing a scholar's hat, sat to Liu Bei's left.

Zhuge Gui was born into the Langya Zhuge clan. His ancestor, Zhuge Feng, served as Guanglu Dafu and Sili Xiaowei during the reign of Emperor Yuan and was highly regarded by Emperor Yuan.

The Zhuge family had lived in Langya for generations and enjoyed a very high reputation.

Previously, Zhuge Gui served as the Prefectural Assistant in Mount Tai, but he returned home to avoid trouble during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

After Liu Bei became the Chancellor of Langya, he personally visited Zhuge Gui and then recruited him as his advisor.

During the day, the two were responsible for managing the supplies at the rear of the army.

After setting up camp, Liu Bei informed the two of Cao Cao's invitation to meet in Nanwuyang.

“Master Zigong, Cao Cao has invited me, most likely about the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou. What do you think I should do?” Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Gui.

Dressed in a black robe, Zhuge Gui knelt behind the table, gently stroking his beard.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Presumably, Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou, wants you to withdraw your troops."

"The purpose of your visit, sir, is to suppress the bandits and gather refugees, and the purpose of Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou, is naturally the same as yours."

"But our lord has been preparing since the beginning of the year, and the journey has consumed so much time and resources, so we cannot give up easily."

"Why don't we discuss this with Cao Cao? There are a million Yellow Turban refugees in Qingzhou, and Langya alone cannot accommodate them all. Why don't we each take a portion?"

"In this way, we can also avoid causing conflict."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei nodded slowly.

“What Master Zigong said makes sense. I have learned a lot.”

"Tomorrow I will discuss this proposal with Cao Cao. If he is truly willing, then we will follow Mr. Zigong's suggestion and each of us will get what we need," Liu Bei said.

Zhuge Gui bowed to Liu Bei with his hands clasped in greeting.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhuge Gui returned to his camp.

However, Jian Yong did not leave.

"Xianhe has something to say?" Liu Bei turned his gaze to Jian Yong.

Upon hearing this, Jian Yong nodded.

"I just don't know if I should say it or not."

Liu Bei suddenly laughed.

“Xianhe and I have known each other for more than ten years. We are from the same hometown and have accompanied each other all the way to this day. Although we are not blood brothers, we are closer than blood brothers. So what is there that I cannot say?”

"There are no outsiders here, so Xianhe can speak freely if he has anything to say."

After Liu Bei finished speaking, he picked up the hot tea that was placed on the table and took a sip.

Jian Yong, who had been leaning back in his seat, sat up straight and took a sip of wine.

"My lord, since you took office as the Chancellor of Langya, you have had many more people around you."

"The Wang clan of Langya... the Zhuge clan... the Xu clan..."

“Xianhe,” Liu Bei interrupted Jian Yong, “is not entirely my wish. As you know, we are new to Langya, and we need the help of local powerful families to establish ourselves in many ways…”

"My lord, I have no jealousy whatsoever, and I am aware of your situation, but..."

Jian Yong frowned and said, "These people are ostensibly acting on your orders, but in reality, they are still thinking of themselves in many matters."

"Zhuge Zigong said that Langya could not accommodate the million refugees of Qingzhou, and suggested that you take only a portion."

"Is Langya Kingdom truly unable to provide for them?"

Jian Yong shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that's not the case."

"However, if we were to resettle a million refugees, it would inevitably infringe upon the interests of the local gentry."

Liu Bei took a deep breath and remained silent.

some things.

Not saying something doesn't mean you don't understand.

In fact, Liu Bei understood this better than anyone else.

Is Langya Kingdom truly unable to accommodate a million refugees?

Of course.

But some people are unwilling.

The Zhuge clan, the Wang clan...

Liu Bei had already understood the meaning behind Zhuge Gui's words.

However, as an outsider, and one who relied on Tao Qian to gain a foothold in Langya, he could only do so by compromising.

He recruited Zhuge Gui and appointed him as his chief advisor.

He recruited members of the Langya Wang clan and placed them as officials, including the chief administrator.

This is all about exchanging benefits.

In exchange for their support.

"Hey......."

Liu Bei sighed deeply: "Xianhe... this is a last resort."

Jian Yong shook his head and said, "My lord, although Duan Yu acts domineeringly, there is one thing I think he does very well."

Liu Bei frowned suddenly, and his left ear, which had already healed and was missing, suddenly throbbed with pain.

"My lord, Duan Yu always holds a power of his own. Only when he truly wields the butcher's knife does he have the right to speak fairly with others."

"Duan Yu led a million refugees to Liang and settled them. These million refugees were the source of Duan Yu's confidence."

“I wish for a peaceful and harmonious society, but…” Liu Bei shook his head and said, “It is so difficult.”

"My lord...we've come this far, and what hasn't been difficult?"

"If you really want to settle down in Xuzhou, you need to get rid of all your constraints, but at the very least you need a sharp knife."

"Now that you are relying on Magistrate Tao, your troops and provisions are all provided by Magistrate Tao."

"Most of his civil officials were also from the Langya aristocratic family."

"If one day Magistrate Tao no longer needs you, and only needs a transfer order, then you will be helpless, won't you?"

"Your Excellency appears to be in high esteem today, as the Chancellor of Langya, but isn't it all due to a single word from Prefect Tao?"

Liu Bei's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and his hand unconsciously clenched into a fist inside his sleeve.

"Back then, in Lord Lu's army, you risked your life to protect him, but what happened in the end?"

"If it weren't for the fact that you still have some use to Magistrate Tao, you would probably be nothing more than a minor county official by now."

Jian Yong's words were very direct.

Every word seemed to pierce Liu Bei's heartstrings.

This brought Liu Bei back to the battlefield in Ji Province, where he faced Duan Yu directly.

"My lord, if you want to control your own destiny, you must break free from the shackles of others."

"This is one of the few opportunities adults have right now!"

“If we can seize this opportunity, then you will no longer be bound by others!” Jian Yong said with a serious expression.

Liu Bei took a deep breath, then clasped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Jian Yong and bowed, saying, "Please instruct me, Xianhe."

Jian Yong's eyes gleamed.

"My lord, if these million refugees from Qingzhou could be absorbed by you..."

"If we can be used by you, my lord, you will immediately have two or three hundred thousand troops at your disposal."

"If the remaining refugees are allowed to cultivate wasteland and salt fields, there will be a continuous flow of money and food."

"Why should a leader with a powerful army and abundant resources be hindered by others?"

"That's why I said that taking down these million refugees is the only chance for you, sir, to break free from your constraints."

Liu Bei nodded slowly.

Yes, that's right.

This is the truth.

But the key issue is how to manage these million refugees.

He faced obstruction from Cao Cao and rejection from the powerful Langya clan.

How can he take control of these million refugees?

"Does Xianhe have any good strategies?" Liu Bei asked Jian Yong.

Since the problem was raised by Jian Yong, we can't just talk big.

Jian Yong nodded: "As long as you allow it, I will naturally help you secure this foundation."

Liu Bei nodded earnestly and said, "Please instruct me, Xianhe."

Jian Yong picked up the wooden spoon from the wine jar beside him.

He didn't even pour the wine he scooped up into his cup. Instead, he drank three spoonfuls with a wooden spoon, wiped the wine off his beard, and said with a glint of shrewdness in his eyes, "If you want to take down these million gold refugees, you need to make two preparations, sir."

"Firstly..."