stonecrandall Chapter 1089 Central Plains, Liaodong, Xiongnu!
Chapter 1089 Central Plains, Liaodong, Xiongnu!
Gao Yao nodded and smiled. This business model was designed by him, incorporating modern economic warfare concepts. In ancient times, rulers often emphasized agriculture and suppressed commerce, downplaying economic means. He, however, did the opposite, using commerce as a hidden weapon.
"Explain the control measures in detail," Gao Yao demanded.
Zhuge Liang listed them off with great familiarity: "First, we monopolize necessities. Strategic materials such as salt, iron, and medicinal herbs are controlled at their source through technological advantages. For example, with salt, we promoted the sun-drying method, which is low-cost and of high quality, and Wei Bao's boiling method simply cannot compete."
"The second is financial penetration. We have opened money shops in Wei Bao's territory, providing low-interest loans to attract merchants to deposit and borrow. Now, 70% of the merchants in Daliang City have money shop dealings with us. If necessary, we can trigger a financial panic through a run on the bank."
"Thirdly, there is logistics control. We have established a transportation network covering Wei Bao's territory, with more than 30 carriage and horse shops and more than 200 ships. The transportation of important materials basically depends on our network."
"Fourth is the information advantage. The movement of caravans is also an exchange of intelligence. We know the deployment of Wei Bao's troops in various prefectures, the location of his granaries, and the movements of his officials like the back of our hand."
Zhang Liang continued, "Besides economic measures, we have also implemented a talent attraction strategy. Craftsmen, physicians, and scholars from Wei Bao's territory who wish to come to our country are offered high salaries, houses, and land. In the past three years, more than two thousand talents of various kinds have come south, including three famous swordsmiths, five renowned physicians, and more than a dozen distinguished scholars."
"Wei Bao didn't stop it?"
"He wanted to stop it, but he couldn't," Huo Guang sneered. "The conditions we offered were too generous: the craftsmen's monthly salary was three times that of Wei Bao, and we also promised to teach them new technologies; scholars could directly enter the Imperial Academy to participate in compiling history and books; and doctors could enter the medical school to study the medical books provided by His Majesty. People strive for higher positions, and water flows downhill; that's human nature."
Gao Yao pondered for a moment: "What if we impose a complete economic blockade on Wei Bao now?"
Xiao He had already made preparations: "Within three months, grain prices in Wei Bao's territory will skyrocket fivefold, salt and iron supplies will be cut off, banks will be run on, and the market will collapse. The army will be owed wages, and civil uprisings will break out everywhere. If our army attacks at this time, the resistance will be reduced by 70%."
“But we cannot break our alliance,” Zhang Liang cautioned. “His Majesty has already declared himself king and must consider the public’s opinion. We must let Wei Bao make the first move, or find a legitimate reason.”
“There will be a reason,” Gao Yao said meaningfully. “Wei Bao is suspicious and stubborn, and he has our people around him… At the right time, we will give him a reason to ‘have no choice but to rebel.’”
The meeting lasted for two hours and formulated a complete strategy for dealing with Wei Bao: continue economic infiltration, exert military pressure, isolate him diplomatically, and sow discord internally... a multi-pronged approach, waiting for the right opportunity.
The chaos in Liaodong presented another major opportunity for the Yue Kingdom to expand eastward.
A few days later, Gao Yao summoned Zhang Liang and Zhuge Liang to his study to hear intelligence from Liaodong.
Chen Ping unfolded a map of Liaodong, densely marked with symbols representing various powers: "After the death of the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan, a power vacuum has fallen in the three prefectures of Liaodong and Julu Prefecture. Currently, there are six main powers:"
"Firstly, Chen Wu, a former general under the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan, controlled most of Liaoxi Commandery with a force of about 25,000. He was brave but lacked wisdom and was plagued by internal conflicts."
"Secondly, the Gongsun clan of Liaodong, a powerful family for centuries, controls the northern part of Liaodong Prefecture with an army of about 20,000. The clan leader, Gongsun Du, is shrewd and calculating, but he is getting old, and his sons and nephews are vying for power."
"Thirdly, the Donghu tribal alliance, a nomadic people, took advantage of the chaos to occupy a large area of grassland west of the Liao River. They had about 30,000 cavalrymen who came and went like the wind, but their organization was loose."
"Fourth, the Goguryeo forces are stirring up trouble on the border. They have already occupied several cities, and their troop strength is unknown, but is estimated to be around 15,000."
"Fifth, the local powerful families of Julu County have united and formed the Julu Alliance, which has more than 10,000 soldiers, but more than 20 families within the alliance have their own ulterior motives."
"Sixth, there are dozens of armed groups of refugees in various places, ranging from several thousand to several hundred, who occupy the mountains as kings and make a living by plundering."
Zhang Liang added: "These forces are fighting each other, and the people are suffering terribly. Since last year, more than 300,000 refugees have poured out of Liaodong, of which 80,000 have flowed into the three northern prefectures of our country, while the rest have either died or fled. The local population has decreased by more than 30%."
"The Xiongnu did not intervene?" Gao Yao asked.
"The Xiongnu once attempted to move south, but were blocked by the Donghu," Zhuge Liang explained. "The Donghu and the Xiongnu are sworn enemies, and the two sides have fought many battles on the Liaoxi grasslands, with each side winning and losing. This is also our opportunity—we can secretly support the Donghu and contain the Xiongnu."
Gao Yao tapped his fingers lightly on the table. The chaos in Liaodong was beyond expectations, but it also meant greater opportunities. A disorganized enemy was much easier to deal with than a united one.
"How are Yue Fei's eastern expeditionary forces preparing?"
"The main force of the Third Army Group, numbering 140,000, has been assembled, with an additional 30,000 cavalry and 20,000 engineers, for a total strength of 190,000," Zhang Liang replied. "The provisions and supplies have been transported to the border, enough for half a year's use. Generals Lü Bu and Ran Min are training day and night, and morale is high."
"But Liaodong is far away and remote, and the logistical pressure is enormous." Zhuge Liang warned, "The shortest route from our border to the heart of Liaodong is 800 li, and it is mostly mountainous and has many rivers. When a large army goes on a long expedition, the supply lines are long and vulnerable to harassment."
Gao Yao pondered for a moment: "Therefore, we cannot rely solely on military conquest. The Liaodong issue requires a combination of military, political, and economic means."
He stood up and walked to the map: "My plan is in three steps: First, send a small group of elite cavalry ahead under the guise of 'suppressing bandits and protecting the people,' to occupy several strategic locations and establish forward bases. Second, use caravans as cover to transport large quantities of supplies, sell grain and cloth at low prices, and win over the hearts of the people. Third, bring in a large army, but without indiscriminate killing; focus on striking those who resist and treat those who surrender leniently."
“We need a legitimate reason,” Zhang Liang said.
"The reason is readily available," Gao Yao sneered. "Liaodong is in chaos, the people are suffering, and foreign tribes are rampant. As the emperor, I have a responsibility to 'save the people from their misery and restore the Han Chinese attire.' Everyone in the world will agree with this reason."
"promise."
"Zhang Liang, you are in charge of public opinion preparation. Draft a proclamation, listing the chaos in Liaodong and explaining that our army's eastern expedition is 'to relieve the people and punish the guilty.' At the same time, win over scholars to spread the idea that 'I am benevolent and virtuous and will unify the world' in various countries."
"promise."
The Liaodong strategy was thus decided. Gao knew that this would be the first battle in the war of unification, and it had to be fought brilliantly to establish a reputation and intimidate the Central Plains.
The Xiongnu in the north were always a sword hanging over their heads.
Ten days after the coronation ceremony, Gao Yao went north to inspect the border, and his first stop was the Yunzhong Fortress.