Chapter 163: Liu Qi’s Cry For Help
Gan Ning paced a few steps with his hands behind his back and asked again: “How many soldiers want to go home?”
“Probably about half!”
Gan Ning calculated in his mind and then smiled, saying: “Half is fifteen thousand men, twenty shi of grain to redeem one, which is exactly three hundred thousand shi. It seems the other side knows the score!”
“Reporting to the general, this subordinate told him that more than fifteen thousand want to return to their hometowns.”
“So that’s how it is. No wonder the other side calculated so precisely.”
Gan Ning smiled and said: “This price is acceptable, but add one more condition: the families of the surrendering soldiers must be allowed to come to Jiangling Commandery without obstruction!”
“This is standard procedure. This subordinate has already told them, and they fully agree.”
“Then that’s settled! Twenty shi of grain per soldier. Use this batch of grain to resettle the families of the surrendering soldiers. Settle them east of the Han River and west of the Wei River, centered on Yundu County, establishing over a hundred villages. Entrust this matter to Zhuge Jin, and have Huang Zhong’s army fully assist him.”
“This subordinate understands. Also, should we add two more colonels?”
Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said: “I’ve been considering dividing colonels into three grades: colonel, lieutenant, and second lieutenant. Commandants will also be divided into three grades.
This time, appoint Fu Tong and Chen Mu as lieutenants, half a grade below other colonels, and promote Lou Fa, Zhang Xi, Wang Xiaoman, and Kan Huang to second lieutenants.”
“This subordinate understands the general’s intent. This subordinate will draft the new military system plan, and make the appointments after it is approved.”
The Yuzhang Army and Jingzhou Army ultimately reached a prisoner of war agreement with three clauses: first, all prisoners choose voluntarily to stay or return; second, for each returning prisoner of war, Jingzhou will compensate the Yuzhang Army with twenty shi of grain, and after the grain arrives, the soldiers return to Jingzhou; third, the families of prisoners who stay may come to Jiangxia if they wish, and Jingzhou must not obstruct them.
This prisoner exchange lasted a full month, while the families coming to Jiangxia continued until after the autumn harvest. Nearly ten thousand soldiers’ families chose to cross the Yangtze River to settle in Jiangxia Commandery. They were registered as military households, placed around Yundu County, with each household given twenty mu of grain fields and two mu of residential land, plus one shi of grain subsidy per month as transition aid, continuing until the summer harvest of the following year.
After Jingzhou’s disastrous defeat in the Battle of Jiangxia, it meant Liu Biao could no longer provoke Jiangxia Commandery, and the Yuzhang Army secured Jiangxia Commandery.
This also let the Yuzhang Army’s top brass taste the benefits of intelligence, leading them to increase intelligence investments. By year’s end, the number of intelligence scouts dispatched more than doubled, covering all important county towns.
After midsummer passed, autumn soon arrived. In early September, continuous autumn rains began sweeping the Yangtze River shores, bringing a sharp chill.
That afternoon, a scholar arrived at Wan County, Liu Bei’s old base, where three of his forty thousand army were currently assembled.
The scholar came to the Left General’s Mansion, Liu Bei’s government office. He cupped his hands to the soldiers at the door and said: “Please report to Liu Huangshu that I am delivering a letter for Young Master Liu Qi, and I have his token!”
The scholar took out a token and handed it to the soldier, who turned and went inside.
Soon, a civil official came out, cupped his hands in salute, and said: “I am Chief Clerk Jian Yong under Liu Huangshu. May I ask who you are, sir?”
“I am Deng Zhi, retainer to Young Master Liu Qi, here specially to deliver his letter!”
“I’ve long admired you. Please follow me, Mr. Deng!”
Jian Yong led Deng Zhi to Liu Bei’s official residence, where Liu Bei was already waiting at the door with a smile.
“Is the visitor Deng Bormiao?”
Deng Zhi was very surprised. “The Imperial Uncle knows me?”
Liu Bei smiled and nodded. “I stayed in Xinye for over a year and often dealt with the Deng family. How could I not know Younger Brother Bormiao!”
Deeply moved, Deng Zhi hurriedly presented Liu Qi’s letter. “This is Young Master Qi’s letter. Please read it, Imperial Uncle!”
Liu Bei took the letter but did not read it immediately. Instead, he sent Jian Yong to fetch Strategist Zhuge Liang.
Previously, Zhuge Liang had predicted that the Jingzhou Army’s attack on Jiangxia would lose thirty thousand men, with the entire army captured. Facts proved Zhuge Liang’s prediction spot on, earning even greater respect from Liu Bei.
Soon, Zhuge Liang strolled in, saw Deng Zhi, and smiled: “Isn’t this Bormiao?”
Deng Zhi was also a student of Sima Hui and had studied in Longzhong for ten years, meeting Zhuge Liang many times. Deng Zhi hurriedly saluted: “Long time no see, Younger Brother Zhuge!”
Liu Bei handed the letter to Zhuge Liang, who read it once and smiled, asking: “Young Master Qi seems to lack confidence!”
Deng Zhi sighed and said: “Jingzhou’s entire military and political leadership supports Second Young Master Liu Cong. The only supporter of the Eldest Son, Kuai Liang, holds an idle post. Previously, the governor favored establishing the eldest over the youngest, but after the governor fell ill and his health completely collapsed, he can only lie on his sickbed clinging to life. They say he can hold on for two or three more years, but in my view, even one year is doubtful. Now the governor no longer mentions succession arrangements, which is actually to ensure a smooth transition, tacitly approving Second Son Liu Cong’s succession.”
Zhuge Liang nodded. “So the Eldest Son has a strong sense of crisis, which is evident in the letter.”
Deng Zhi said anxiously: “The Eldest Son is very anxious now and doesn’t know what to do. He earnestly requests the Imperial Uncle and Strategist Zhuge to advise him on how to avoid the impending disaster!”
Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei exchanged a glance, sharing a very subtle look. In fact, they had discussed this issue long ago and settled on a plan. They had just been waiting for the opportunity, for Liu Qi to come seeking their help.
Liu Bei sighed: “Liu Qi is my nephew. I cannot abandon him to death. Strategist, think of a way for him!”
Zhuge Liang pondered briefly and said: “Shen Sheng stayed inside and died; Chong Er went into exile and survived. Why doesn’t Young Master Qi emulate Chong Er’s exile? Even if Cai Mao wants to harm him, he won’t have the means.”
Deng Zhi somewhat understood. “The gentleman’s meaning is—”
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly: “Jiangling is a key stronghold needing a heavy minister to garrison it. Why doesn’t Young Master Qi request to garrison Jiangling, holding thirty thousand elite troops? Even Cai Mao wouldn’t dare act rashly to kill him!”
Deng Zhi hesitated: “I’m just afraid the governor won’t agree!”
Zhuge Liang said calmly: “Rest assured! Cai Mao and Kuai Yue will surely persuade the governor. Deposing the eldest for the youngest already violates ritual norms, so Cai Mao and the others are quite guilty. Now with Young Master Qi voluntarily requesting exile, they couldn’t ask for more.”
Zhuge Liang then wrote a letter, instructing in detail how Liu Qi should request exile, gain military power. Deng Zhi was overjoyed, took the letter, bid farewell, and left.
Liu Bei said somewhat worriedly: “Will Liu Jingsheng really let Liu Qi go to guard Jiangling?”
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly: “No father wants his sons to turn on each other after his death. He will agree. Even if he doesn’t think of it, Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, and the others will persuade Liu Biao. However, Cai Mao and the rest may not agree to handing military power to Qi, so another approach is needed.
Have Liu Qi offer all his family wealth to his stepmother Madam Cai. That way, Madam Cai will also agree for Liu Qi’s wife and children to go along, and she will help him get military power.”
“So Madam Cai is the key!”
“Exactly! She is the key to whether Liu Qi and his family can safely go to Jiangling.”
