I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 26 Pacifying the Southern Regions

With the groundwork laid earlier, things went much more smoothly afterward.

The new policy concerned the future of everyone present, and even involved the interests of their families, so the ministers listened with extra care and attention.

Wang Lian, the chief secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, explained the main contents of the new policy reforms. As for the details, they would be announced separately by the Prime Minister's Office in a few days.

Seeing that none of the ministers objected, Liu Shan rose and said, "If none of you ministers have any objections to the new policies discussed at today's court assembly, then let's adjourn the court."

When Liu Shan got up, he suddenly felt dizzy and his vision went black.

Huo Yi, who was standing next to him, immediately stepped forward to help him, so quickly that it was difficult for others to notice.

After a moment, Liu Shan regained his senses.

These days I've been so busy with the new policies that I've neglected to eat or sleep, which has made me feel a bit tired.

The dizziness I felt earlier was caused by low blood sugar.

He ended the court session early because he wanted to go back to the palace to rest.

After all, the new policies will be taken over and implemented by the Prime Minister's Office.

"Your Majesty, I believe that while the new policies are good, this is a matter of great importance and requires careful consideration."

When Liu Shan saw that it was Qiao Zhou speaking, he sat back down.

Without winning over Qiao Zhou, the Yizhou faction will not obediently listen.

"Your Majesty, in the current state of the Han Dynasty, if we were to implement reforms, the court and the country would be in turmoil, and war would break out in the south. I fear the country might perish. Only when wise rulers govern the country and the laws and regulations are followed as they have been can we achieve lasting peace and stability."

Zhuge Liang frowned when he saw that it was Qiao Zhou who stepped forward to speak.

He had clearly stated before that the rebellion in the south was arranged by the emperor and there was no need to worry about it.

Perhaps this concern stems from the unresolved conflict in the South China Sea.

"The Grand Master Qiao is well-versed in the Six Classics and has written extensively; how could he have such worldly views?"

Zhuge Liang stepped forward.

For opponents of this caliber, he would have to personally take on the challenge.

"The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties had different laws. Especially in the later Zhou dynasty, the feudal lords vied for supremacy, and the warlords fought each other. They all raised different reforms in order to dominate their respective regions. Those who followed the old system became lambs to the slaughter. It can be seen that bold reforms are even more necessary in times of chaos."

"Change leads to progress, progress leads to longevity, and longevity leads to success—is this not a principle of the ancients?"

Qiao Zhou couldn't find a rebuttal at the moment, so he could only point the finger at the rebellion in the south.

"It's not that I disagree with the new policies, but these are extraordinary times. The barbarians of the four southern prefectures are not subservient to the king's rule and often rebel. Right now, Yong Kai is allied with Zhu Bao, Gao Ding, and Meng Huo internally, and with Eastern Wu externally, wanting to divide up the territory and eyeing my Yizhou with covetous eyes."

"The court should quell this rebellion now so that it has the energy and time to implement new policies. If internal strife continues and reforms are forcibly carried out, the foundation of the nation will be shaken and the country will surely perish."

Many ministers present nodded in agreement with these words.

Compared to the danger of national subjugation, implementing new policies is nothing.

Zhuge Liang had long anticipated that someone would use the rebellion in the south as a reason to obstruct the new policies, and without hesitation replied, "What the Grand Master Qiao is worried about is not worth mentioning."

"Oh, Qiao Zhou would like to hear the details."

"Throughout history, there have been many reformers. Wu Qi helped the State of Chu, which was beset by internal and external troubles, to strengthen itself through reforms. He pacified the Baiyue in the south, annexed the three Jin states of Chen, Cai, and Xi in the north, and launched a western expedition against Qin, continuously expanding the territory."

"Qi was beset by internal and external troubles. After King Wei of Qi appointed Zou Ji as prime minister, he rectified the administration and employed Sun Bin to reform the military. Later, there were the two classic battles against Wei, Guiling and Maling."

Before Shang Yang's reforms, the Qin state was known as "weak Qin" and was considered a piece of meat that the Wei state could easily annex. In the end, it was the Qin state that unified the chaotic world.

"The rise of these vassal states all began in times of crisis. I wonder if the Grand Master Qiao agrees?"

Qiao Zhou stood tall and retorted, "What the Prime Minister says is true, but it's not the answer to the question. Qiao Zhou's question is: now that rebellions are rampant in the south, if implementing new policies causes chaos in the court, what are the Prime Minister's plans to deal with it?"

Zhuge Liang chuckled and continued, "The chaos in the court that Qiao Dafu refers to is the turmoil in the national institutions under the new policies, not internal strife. The late emperor once formulated the 'Shu Code' to correct the situation of lax laws and regulations, lack of virtuous governance, and lack of strict enforcement of laws and punishments."

"The law is strict and impartial, the imperial laws are well-established, everyone abides by the law, and it has nothing to do with the overall situation of the court. Moreover, changes in officials do not affect the soldiers' fighting capacity, so how can there be a danger of national subjugation?"

"The Prime Minister is still avoiding the main issue. My question is, if the Southern Regions and Eastern Wu were to coordinate an attack from within and without, how should the court respond?"

These words stumped Zhuge Liang.

The rebellion in the south was indeed not a cause for concern; what worried him was Yongchang County and Eastern Wu.

Yongchang Commandery was located on the western border of Yizhou. The rebellion in the three commanderies of Nanzhong separated it from the imperial court, making it impossible for them to take care of each other.

If Yongchang is in trouble, the imperial court will be unable to send reinforcements.

If Yongchang falls, the rebels will control the central and western regions of Yizhou and will be able to rival the imperial court.

If Eastern Wu were to send troops to join forces with the rebels to encircle the northern border of Yizhou and gradually erode its territory, then Yizhou would be close to its demise.

Zhuge Liang was always cautious. Even when Liu Shan openly expressed his confidence in pacifying the southern regions, he secretly made preparations.

He has dispatched secret agents from the Prime Minister's office to infiltrate Yongchang County and make contact with Prefect Lü Kai. If Yong Kai and others raise troops to besiege Yongchang, he orders them to close the border and resist the rebels while awaiting the court's reinforcements.

As long as Yongchang County remains in the hands of the imperial court, Yong Kai and his associates will be attacked from both sides.

At the same time, Zhuge Liang had already sent someone to Eastern Wu to convey his willingness to renew the alliance and prevent Eastern Wu from taking advantage of the situation to launch an attack.

However, these were all contingency plans he had left behind, concerning important military matters, and could not be made public in the court.

Seeing Zhuge Liang hesitate and not answer, the ministers who originally supported the new policies became increasingly uncertain, since the court had not announced any countermeasures since Yong Kai's rebellion.

Moreover, Yong Kai himself was extremely arrogant. He not only rejected Li Yan's offer to surrender, but also threatened to capture the newly appointed governor Zhang Yi alive.

We don't even know if Zhang Yi is alive or dead.

They turned to agree with Qiao Zhou, and the atmosphere in the court immediately became heavy.

"Report!!"

A loud and clear voice broke the silence.

A soldier holding a golden token burst in.

This golden token was personally issued by the emperor and could only be held by messengers responsible for transmitting the highest level of intelligence. They had free access to the palace and could reach the emperor directly.

Because the highest-level intelligence they transmitted could only be reviewed by the emperor himself, and even the prime minister's office had no right to inquire about it, the hearts of the officials suddenly became tense.

What kind of urgent military intelligence could possibly reach the Heavenly Court so quickly?

"Your Majesty, good news from the south."

A flicker of unease crossed Liu Shan's eyes, and his right hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the armrest of the dragon throne.

"read!"

"Generals Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo annihilated Yong Kai's rebel army outside the city of Yizhou, beheaded Yong Kai, and assisted Prefect Zhang Yi in taking over all military and political affairs of Yizhou and quelling the rebellion."

When the messenger announced "the execution of Yong Kai's head," the courtiers erupted in uproar, their faces showing excitement and disbelief.

"General Zhao Tong led the troops of Yongchang to Zangke County. When the rebel leader Zhu Bao saw the sudden arrival of the army and learned that Yong Kai had died, he laid down his weapons and surrendered."

"Generals Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo, carrying Yong Kai's head and Li Duhu's letter of surrender, rushed across the border through the night to Yuexi County. When the Yi chieftain Gao Ding saw Yong Kai's head and the letter of surrender, his army's morale was already in turmoil. After learning that Zangke County had already surrendered, he also led his troops to disarm and surrender."

"The south has been pacified, and Generals Chen Hu, Zheng Chuo, and Zhao Tong will soon return to the capital to report their victory."

The rebellion in the south was quelled without a sound. At this moment, the ministers could not find any words to describe what they had heard except "divine troops descending from the heavens."

Zhuge Liang's anxious heart finally settled down, and he bowed deeply to Liu Shan.

"Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and your plans are flawless. You are truly a blessing to the Han Dynasty."

The ministers, too preoccupied with their own thoughts, readily agreed.

"Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and your plans are flawless. You are truly a blessing to the Han Dynasty."

Liu Shan smiled and nodded.

More than quelling the rebellion, he was gratified that Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo had understood his true intentions after he said "at all costs," which showed that the two were promising talents.

"My esteemed ministers," I ask one more time, "do you have any further matters to report?"