Three Kingdoms: Mistakenly Becoming Liu Bei's Adoptive Father at the Start

Unlike common maps, this map does not focus on cities and villages, but clearly marks the major mountains, roads, and rivers, and also roughly marks the distances in all directions.

What drew even more attention was that in some mountainous areas, Liu Liang used layers of arcs of varying density to depict the steepness of the mountains and the depth of the valleys, making them immediately clear.

This is actually just a contour map, nothing more than junior high school geography knowledge.

In this era, it's a game-changer. Guan Yu, who understood military strategy, would definitely see the value of this image. This move is all about winning over fans with superior technical skill.

As soon as Liu Liang put down his brush, Guan Yu immediately asked, "Sir, the method of drawing this map is peculiar, quite different from the maps held by the government! I have seen maps of prefectures and counties before, which merely outline the contours of mountains and rivers and mark cities and passes. These layers of encircling lines of yours can so clearly show the high mountains and deep valleys, the gentle slopes and steep cliffs... What method is this? How can you ensure its accuracy?"

Maps from the Eastern Han Dynasty were mostly illustrative, focusing on relative locations and administrative markings. The concept of a "military topographic map" that emphasized terrain undulations and proportional distances was indeed ahead of its time.

Liu Liang said, "Yun Chang is indeed insightful and has seen the key. This is not an official map method, but a set of family-inherited land surveying techniques that my ancestors developed over several generations after migrating north to the border counties of Youzhou during the Yongyuan era. In order to survive in the chaotic world, avoid disaster, and explore dangerous places to ensure the safety of the family, they explored these techniques over several generations."

He pointed to the curved lines and explained, "These lines are called 'topography lines.' The reason is that, assuming the water surface is parallel, lines are drawn connecting points at the same height as this imaginary water surface. Where the lines are dense, the terrain is steep. Where the lines are sparse, the slope is gentle and flat. In the past, our ancestors often had to go deep into the mountains and fields to find hidden and suitable places to live or escape routes in order to avoid the harassment of the Qiang and Hu tribes and the raids of bandits. Therefore, they attached great importance to topographical surveying."

"This method has been passed down through generations and is only practiced by those in charge of the clan. It is used to record dangerous places and plan migration routes. When traveling around, I also use this method to record geography, supplemented by pacing and visual estimation to estimate distances. Although it is not as detailed and comprehensive as the official maps, I find it more convenient to identify terrain undulations and plan actual routes."

Guan Yu said, "It is indeed a secret technique passed down in your family! No wonder... This method is invaluable for navigating military routes and surveying battlefield terrain! If two armies are facing each other, having such a detailed map of the terrain will allow one to know exactly where to set up an ambush, where it is advantageous to hold a position, and where it is advisable to maneuver. Your family's knowledge is truly profound!"

Zhang Fei also came over. Although he couldn't quite understand those winding lines, he couldn't help but grin and admire Guan Yu's impressive description and the fact that the bandit dens, villages, and roads on the map were clearly marked, much better than the government's incomprehensible "scribbles".

"Forget about secret techniques, as long as it works! This map, sir, is so easy to understand. It clearly shows where Black Wind Mountain and Crow Ridge are, how far apart they are! It's a hundred times better than our previous guesswork!"

Liu Bei exclaimed, "My godfather is actually proficient in such secret and practical skills! This diagram has opened our eyes to the truth!"

Liu Liang put down his charcoal pencil and looked back and forth between Laoya Ridge and Heifeng Mountain. After a moment, he pointed his finger heavily on the winding mountain road between the two mountains.

"Laoya Ridge and Heifeng Mountain are about thirty li apart, forming a strategic defensive position and possibly exchanging information. Our army has superior strength and newly trained elite troops, so we should prioritize stability and complete defense. I suggest concentrating our superior forces to besiege the stronghold and intercept any reinforcements!"

Liu Liang said, "The bandits are divided into two groups, each holding a strategic position. If we divide our forces and launch a simultaneous attack, we might be able to capture both, but the casualties would be heavy, and unforeseen circumstances could easily arise. If one side resists stubbornly, the other might either flee or come to its aid, adding to the trouble. My idea is to concentrate our forces, defeat one group first, and then use it as bait to lure and annihilate the other. This is called besieging the stronghold and attacking the reinforcements."

Zhang Fei asked urgently, "How should we encircle the enemy and attack their reinforcements? Which enemy should we attack first?"

Liu Liang tapped the map on Black Wind Mountain with his finger: "The bandits at Black Wind Mountain are slightly weaker, and the terrain is also a bit gentler. Yide can lead two hundred of the bravest and most elite soldiers of the Right Battalion to launch a large-scale feigned attack on the gate of Black Wind Mountain after midnight tonight. The attack should be fierce, with drums beating and shouts making it seem like they are going all out to break into the stronghold, but there is no need for a real swarm attack. The main focus should be on harassing with bows and crossbows and creating momentum. It is essential to put pressure on the bandits inside the stronghold and make them call for help from Old Crow Ridge."

Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, already understanding his meaning: "Does the gentleman mean that he anticipates the bandit leader of Raven Ridge will send troops to his aid upon learning of the siege of Black Wind Mountain?"

"That's right." Liu Liang pointed to the road between the two mountains. "According to the scouts, although these two groups of bandits have friction in their daily lives, they do have an agreement to join forces when facing external enemies. If Black Wind Mountain seems to be in danger, Old Crow Ridge will most likely send troops to its aid, or at least the majority of them, in an attempt to attack Yide from both inside and outside."

He then looked at Guan Yu and said, "Yun Chang, the key to this battle lies with you. You have eight hundred soldiers at your disposal. You must secretly move them to the forests on both sides of the road that the reinforcements will inevitably take, and ambush them in strategic locations. Prepare plenty of rolling logs, stones, and crossbows. Once the bandits from Laoya Ridge are fully within the ambush zone, they must all come out on command and cut off their head and tail with a fierce attack!"

Guan Yu said, "The key to an ambush lies in its suddenness and ferocity. With eight hundred against several hundred, we can wait in comfort and attack when they are unprepared, and we can win."

Liu Liang said, "Once the bandits at Laoya Ridge are thrown into chaos within the ambush area, Yide, you leave a portion of your forces to continue monitoring Black Wind Mountain, while you personally lead the main force to quickly turn back and strike directly at the ambush site. Together with Yunchang, you will launch a pincer attack, striving to completely annihilate this largest and most organized bandit force in the open! With the main force at Laoya Ridge lost, the remaining bandits will surely be terrified, either fleeing or surrendering, and will be no cause for concern. At that time, we can return to Black Wind Mountain. When the bandits see that their reinforcements have been destroyed, their morale will have collapsed, and defeating them will be as easy as turning one's hand."

Liu Bei's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he clapped his hands, exclaiming, "Brilliant! Father's strategy is truly a masterful application of deception! First, use Yide as bait, feigning an attack at Black Wind Mountain to lure the enemy at Old Crow Ridge. Then, use Yunchang as the hammer, ambushing them on the treacherous path to force them to retreat. Finally, launch a pincer attack from both sides to annihilate the enemy's main force in one fell swoop! In this way, we can avoid the losses of a direct assault on the mountain stronghold and eliminate the bandits' fighting force at minimal cost!"

Zhang Fei understood, and grinned widely: "Haha! Let me, Old Zhang, be the bait, to intimidate them! Interesting! Once those bastards crawl out of Old Crow Ridge, I'll launch a surprise attack!"

Jian Yong thought carefully and asked, "If the bandit leader of Laoya Ridge is cautious and unwilling to send his entire force to help, but only sends a small group, or doesn't come at all, what can be done?"

Liu Liang said, "This is why Yide's feigned attack needs to be convincing. If he doesn't come, or only sends a small force, then we should change our strategy. Yide can make the feigned attack real, intensify the offensive, and show that he will break through the camp at any cost. Yunchang's ambush troops can also be divided to flank and rear of Laoya Ridge, making a show of force to deter them from making any rash moves. At that time, our army can concentrate its forces, make the feigned attack real, and take Black Wind Mountain in one fell swoop. Once Black Wind Mountain is broken, Laoya Ridge will be isolated and its morale will be dampened. It will not be difficult to take it again. The core of this strategy is to take the initiative. We can change our strategy according to the enemy's changes, and the initiative is in our hands."

Jian Yong praised, "Sir, your thinking is meticulous, encompassing both the orthodox and the unconventional. In this way, complete success can be guaranteed."

Liu Bei made up his mind: "Very well! We shall follow Father's plan! Yunchang and Yide, immediately proceed with Father's instructions, meticulously planning the march, ambush, and feigned attack. Xianhe, the scouts must reconnoiter, especially to ascertain the specific terrain on both sides of that mountain path, so that Yunchang can choose the best ambush location. The entire army shall eat well and rest in advance; tonight, we shall proceed according to plan!"

"Yes, sir!" The group clasped their hands in obeisance and went about their preparations.