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

Li Ru stroked his beard as he waited for the soldiers to bring him the map.

Before long, two soldiers brought a map that had been prepared earlier and hung on a shelf to the central command tent.

Duan Yu immediately recognized that this was something Li Ru had prepared beforehand.

A considerable amount of time has passed since Li Ru captured Chang'an, and it's impossible that he did nothing during that time.

It now seems that Li Ru has made some arrangements.

The map is composed of five parts pieced together.

This includes the Western Regions, Liangzhou, the Sili Commandery, Bingzhou, and the Hanzhong area of ​​Yizhou.

Li Ru stood up, adjusted the map stand to a suitable position, and then stood aside and said, "My lord, please take a look."

"This is the territory currently under your control, and the adjacent areas."

Your Majesty's current territory includes the Western Regions, Liangzhou, and half of the Sili Commandery, with adjacent areas including Bingzhou and Hanzhong in Yizhou.

Duan Yu listened and nodded slowly.

"In my opinion, Your Majesty's future advance should focus on Luoyang as a secondary objective, while prioritizing the north and south flanks."

Li Ru pointed to Bingzhou and Hanzhong and said, "Bingzhou is where you, my lord, started your career. It is adjacent to the northern grasslands. If you, my lord, can take Bingzhou, you will be able to border the Southern Xiongnu and become one with them. In the future, you can use Bingzhou to advance into Jizhou and Youzhou."

"The Xiongnu have a strong army. With the relationship between you and the Southern Xiongnu, you can make up for the lack of troops under your command and form a powerful cavalry to attack Bingzhou from the north and south."

"Although Hangu Pass is advantageous for defense, it is also a shackle. If Luoyang gathers a large army outside Hangu Pass, it will be very difficult for you to leave through Hangu Pass, not to mention that there are eight other passes blocking Luoyang."

Emperor Guangwu chose Luoyang as his capital not only because of its extensive waterways, but also because of its eight strategic passes.

Taking Luoyang was only the first step.

If we capture Luoyang, we will also have to face the problem of defending it.

The people in Luoyang were not dead; the city was dead, but the people were alive.

Just like Dong Zhuo, who occupied Luoyang, he was unable to defend it after the eighteen warlords gathered to attack him.

If Duan Yu captures Luoyang, but the people of Luoyang flee, then his next challenge will be defending Luoyang.

At that time, Luoyang's eight passes, which were well-connected in all directions, were clearly inferior to the present-day Hangu Pass.

Duan Yu understood the general meaning that Li Ru was trying to convey.

First, consolidate the foundation, and then plan for what comes next.

"Your Excellency has just conquered the Western Regions this year, and there are still many unstable factors there."

Li Ru slowly said, "The Northern Xiongnu still survive, and the Wusun have fled north of the Tianshan Mountains. These will all pose a threat to the Western Regions in the future, so we have no choice but to divide our forces to defend them."

"Liangzhou lacks troops, which is a problem. Therefore, if you want to expand your army, you should recruit soldiers in Liangzhou and expand your territory and population."

"A million refugees just moved to Liangzhou last year. Although the population has increased, it will still take at least another year to convert them all into soldiers."

"Even if we adopt the method of recruiting one out of ten soldiers, Liangzhou will only have 160,000 soldiers."

One in ten recruits is already the limit.

With a population of 1.6 million, Liangzhou had 500,000 able-bodied men and women after deducting the elderly, children, and women.

Nearly 200,000 were drawn from the 500,000 young and middle-aged population.

There are still more than 300,000 left.

This is only the troop strength.

This doesn't even count as corvée labor.

Warfare involves not only soldiers and horses, but also corvée labor for transporting provisions, weapons, and supplies.

To maintain the supply of provisions and baggage for 160,000 troops, at least an equal number of corvée laborers would be required.

In other words, if a war were to be launched with a force of ten men, then 300,000 able-bodied men from Liangzhou would need to be mobilized.

It's simply unrealistic to leave only 200,000 able-bodied men in such a vast region as Liangzhou.

Who will cultivate the land?

Should we rely on the elderly, the weak, women, and children?

And who will guard the Western Regions? There are also Qiang people in Liangzhou that need to be guarded against.

I'm afraid that before the battle even begins, Liangzhou will collapse first.

This is one of the reasons why Dong Zhuo's group was destined to fail in history.

Liangzhou's war potential is too low. Without the other prefectures and counties in the world, Liangzhou alone cannot possibly contend with the entire world.

"I understand what Mr. Wen means," Duan Yu said slowly.

Li Ru smiled with great satisfaction.

Duan Yu's current achievements and past experiences do not reflect his arrogance and hubris, which is precisely the quality a leader needs.

If Liangzhou were to forcibly capture Luoyang given its current situation, it would likely have its foundation crippled in the future.

Conquering the world is not something that can be achieved overnight, but rather a long and arduous process, requiring steady progress step by step.

Although the Han Dynasty seemed to be in turmoil, most of the territory was actually in the hands of the Liu clan.

Throughout the glorious four-hundred-year history of the Han Dynasty, there were many loyal ministers and generals who remained devoted to the nation.

The Han Dynasty was not the Qin Dynasty. When Emperor Gaozu conquered the Qin Dynasty, it was the will of the people and the result of the nobles of the six former states rising up to attack after reclaiming their former kingdoms.

What Duan Yu needs to do now is to challenge the four-hundred-year-old foundation of the Han Dynasty with his own strength.

Conquering the world and governing the world must be done simultaneously.

Otherwise, it is very likely that the city that has just been captured will change hands again the very next day.

"My lord, opening up Bingzhou can connect you to the Southern Xiongnu and provide you with soldiers from the Southern Xiongnu. Although Bingzhou is vast and sparsely populated, it is where you started your career. If you occupy Bingzhou, you will have the support of the people!"

Hanzhong is vast and populous, connecting to the land of Bashu, which is known as the Land of Abundance, and also linking to Jingzhou, thus laying the foundation for your future journey to Jingzhou.

With these two locations acquired, and after two or three years of digestion, management, and governance, they can provide a secure rear for Your Majesty.

At the same time, Liangzhou will become even more secure after recuperation, and with the vastness of the Western Regions, your foundation is already established.

"good."

Duan Yu agreed with Li Ru's opinion: "What Wenyou said is exactly what I was thinking."

Duan Yu continued thoughtfully, "We are about to enter the autumn harvest area. My plan is for the Liangzhou troops to rest and recuperate after returning to Liangzhou."

Xun You, Jia Xu, and others have already given me their advice. The Liangzhou troops have been fighting for more than half a year, and after a long march, their morale is low. With the autumn harvest over and winter approaching, there is no possibility of advancing this year.”

“Therefore…” Li Ru continued, “Your Majesty can begin conscripting laborers to repair Chang’an after the autumn harvest, and also stabilize the political power in Chang’an.”

"Prince Bian is currently traveling between Ji County and Chang'an. Your future foundation also lies in Chang'an. Ji County is no longer a suitable place for Your Majesty to establish your position."

Repairing Chang'an is imperative.

Moving the Marquis's residence from Ji County to Chang'an was also imperative.

Regardless of whether Luoyang is occupied in the future, Chang'an will definitely remain the core of the regime.

There is a question of ownership involved.

If he continues to focus on Liangzhou, the gentry of the Sili Commandery will not feel a sense of belonging.

The core of a regime is located in a certain region, and the gentry in that region will take that region as their core.

Waiting for Liu Bian to enter Chang'an and establish the regime in Xijing is one of the most important things to do next.

Of course.

After that, there is another important thing to do, which is to fight a battle.

Although Liangzhou currently lacks the capability to advance into Luoyang.

However, a battle still needs to be fought outside Hangu Pass.

The powerful families of Zuo Fengyi, You Fufeng, and the Prefect of Jingzhao are all still in the observation stage.

To bring this group under my command, I have to fight them first.

..............

The night is quiet.

Inside the Jiaofang Hall of Weiyang Palace in Chang'an City.

After bathing, changing clothes, and dressing up, He Lingsi, now dressed in a red phoenix robe, looked radiant.

Not far away, two palace maids were coaxing Duan Tian, ​​who was lying in a small bed, to sleep.

Of course, after moving into the Jiaofang Palace, the name Duan Tian could no longer be used; he should be called Liu Tian.

Sitting in front of the bronze mirror dressing table, He Lingsi gently touched the phoenix crown on her head.

Standing behind her was He Lingman, who was wearing a black robe with a white gauze over it.

"My sister is so lucky."

While helping He Lingsi fix her hair, He Lingman said, "Sister, you stayed in Jiade Palace and Changqiu Palace in Luoyang. Now that you're in Chang'an, you're staying in Jiaofang Palace."

"The Marquis of Ji's love for his elder sister is truly meticulous, making his younger sister extremely envious."

He Lingsi looked at He Lingman in the bronze mirror, covered her red lips and chuckled: "Why be so sour, little sister? In the future, if you give birth to a son or daughter for Duan Yu, you might as well move into Duan Yu's harem?"

He Lingman gently shook her head.

It's not that easy.

Her background destined her to never be able to attend high-class events in her life.

At best, she was just a mistress and plaything of Duan Yu.

“Sister… there’s something I don’t know if I should say.” He Lingman slowly began, “Sister, although you seem to be doing well now, you should also plan for the long term.”

He Lingsi suddenly stopped fiddling with the phoenix coronet, turned to look at He Lingman, and asked, "What do you mean by that, sister?"