Chapter 34: Listening to Song Xuan in Luojing (Part 2)
Contrary to Zhuge Yu's expectations, his normally fastidious younger brother was disheveled and barefoot, jumping out of bed in the snow to greet him.
Zhuge Yu had absolutely never sent a letter of surrender in advance, and Zhou Wenbo couldn't have prepared it in advance either. To be able to come up with such a reaction in such a short time was truly moving for Zhuge Yu.
Yes, he originally came with a somewhat self-important attitude of investigation, but at this moment, Zhou Wenbo didn't say a word, yet expressed his appreciation for himself through his actions.
Whether Zhou Wenbo was sincere or just showing off his acting skills, Zhuge Yu didn't need to investigate further. Even if it was an act, being able to do so was enough to show respect for oneself.
Zhou Wenbo's solemn bow in front of him made Zhuge Yu suddenly feel a sourness at the corner of his eyes.
"Now you are the respected lord of the country, I am just a humble commoner, why be so modest?" Zhuge Yu hastily stood up and pulled Zhou Wenbo back, not letting him continue to bow.
Now you are already a noble of Zhao State, with a high social status. I am just an ordinary citizen, why do you make such humble and polite gestures?
"Gong is my elder brother and good friend, how could I dare to discuss seniority with him based on title and rank?" Zhou Wenbo grasped Zhuge Yu's hand tightly, refusing to let go.
You are my senior fellow and good friend. Now that I've met you, how could I dare to measure our friendship with fame and titles?
"I have been worried and anxious since the death of the Emperor, and I am at a loss as to what to do. When I read your letter, I was covered in sweat. Now that you have arrived, my affairs are settled! Nowadays, the world is in chaos, wars are unceasing, the people are not at peace, swords and spears are crossing, and bandits are rising everywhere. I am not capable of measuring my strength, but I want to raise a mighty army, sweep across the empire, pacify the country, bring peace to the nation and stability to the people, and make the world peaceful. However, my wisdom is shallow and my power is weak, and I have no way to accomplish this. What plan do you propose?"
Since I became the Duke, I've been at a loss every day, seeing documents and things in a hurry, sweating profusely. Now that you're here, my great undertaking is settled! These days, the war is raging on, and the people are suffering greatly from the war. I want to lead a righteous army to pacify the war-torn world, restore peace and prosperity, but my brainpower is insufficient, and my power is not enough, it's fundamentally impossible to succeed... Do you have any strategy?
Zhuge Yu knew that this was Zhou Wenbo stating his ambition to him, and indeed he was a man of great ambition!
However, Zhou Wenbo has already shown his eagerness to recruit talented individuals, and now it's his turn to convince this future lord. Thus, Zhuge Yue shook his sleeves, took off his crane cloak, and with a voice full of passion and rhythm, he spoke out his judgment on the overall situation in the world.
"Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, when Huang Chao rose to power, many heroes have emerged, and those who control multiple states and counties are too numerous to count. Your Majesty has succeeded to the throne of the Jin king, and for over a decade, you have been fighting battles in the south and north, invading and swallowing up the Zhu Liang. Now, the Li Tang controls half of the empire's territory, with millions of elite troops, and their power is at its peak, sharp and unstoppable. The Khitan people to the north are skilled in hunting and archery, and are a powerful enemy. Only the countries of Wu, Wu Yue, and Chu in Jiangnan are weak and powerless, so you should strive to control the strategic points along the Yangtze River, conquer the southern states, and you will surely emerge victorious, occupying the land of Jiangnan."
Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, heroes have emerged in various places, occupying different regions. Now that you have been fighting for over a decade and have occupied northern China, it's not something you can provoke. The Khitan people in the north are skilled in archery and cavalry, and will be your powerful enemies in the future. Only the several states in Jiangnan are not very strong, what you need to do is go to the front line of Jianghuai, lead a large army to conquer these states, and then occupy Jiangnan as your own territory.
"Your Majesty, since ascending to the throne, has not been as divine and martial as before, and has been deceived by petty people. All the heroes in the world have the intention of establishing themselves as kings, but fortunately, due to the prestige of Your Majesty's authority, they have been suppressed. Now that Your Majesty has passed away, there will certainly be those who will create chaos. You should form alliances with the central government and occupy Jiangnan to await the changes in the Central Plains. When there is a change in the world, order one of your top generals to take the land of Bashu, and you yourself raise troops from Jingyang to march north and conquer China. If it is truly like this, then the hegemony can be established, and the world can be at peace."
Your Majesty, since ascending to the throne, is no longer as divine and powerful as before, being surrounded and blinded by petty people. Among the heroes of the world, how many have the ambition to rise up in rebellion and establish themselves as kings? Fortunately, your father's illustrious military reputation has intimidated them into submission. Now that your father has passed away, it is inevitable that there will be those who will rise up in rebellion. You only need to build good relationships with the court officials and high-ranking nobles of the Great Tang Dynasty, waiting for the opportunity to arise when someone rebels. Once the chance arises, you can raise the banner of "Supporting the King" and send a great general to enter Shu and take control of its territory. You will personally lead the army to pacify the Central Plains. As long as you do this, your hegemony is sure to succeed, and unifying the world is only a matter of time.
"Good!"
After hearing Zhuge Yu's strategy, Zhou Wenbo couldn't help but loudly agree.
Zhou Wenbo had been at a loss since he traveled through time, although he had established his ambition to command his own army and become the emperor who would pacify the world in the future, but as for how to set about it, he was completely clueless.
Luojing is not a place to stay for long, but where can he go to develop and take as his base? This era is different from history, with Zhou Wenbo's vision, he has been thinking hard for several days, but still hasn't come up with the best solution, and can only take it one step at a time.
However, Zhuge Yu's words suddenly enlightened him.
Many of Zhuge Yu's strategies can be verified from historical facts.
After Guo Chongtao's death, the Khitan invaded. The Later Tang, without a great general, could only send Li Siyuan to lead the army to quell the rebellion. Subsequently, under Shi Jingtang's leadership, the army rioted and proclaimed Li Siyuan as Emperor. They turned towards Luoyang, but Li Cunxu hastily led his troops to resist, only to be killed by mutineers in the chaos of battle.
Northern China indeed went through Later Tang, Later Jin, Zhou and Northern Song dynasties, with heroes, emperors, generals and ministers emerging in succession, and the wars never stopped.
Until Zhao Kuangyin established the Northern Song, once the north was stabilized, he immediately conquered the various southern kingdoms, and at that time, Chancellor Zhao Pu also proposed this.
Jiangnan is indeed a good place.
If he could leave the center of power, he would go to the Huai River front line first, and after taking control of the military, he would pacify the various countries in the south, and then have the capital for self-reliance.
Since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Jiangnan has developed extremely rapidly. Historically, it was during this period that the prosperity of the south gradually surpassed that of the Central Plains. At that time, Jiangnan was no longer a barbarous land, but had become a bright pearl on the vast land of China.
Moreover, Huguang is still a bit remote today, but by the Qing Dynasty, it has become the "Huguang is full, the world is enough" granary of the world. If you have these places, you really don't have to worry about population and food problems.
Wait until the North is in chaos, then implement the strategy of marching northward. At that time, the initiative will be completely in one's own hands, and it will indeed be the best approach for oneself.
"In the past, Zhuge Kongming met Liu Xuande and made the Longzhong Dui, today Yun Yang makes a plan for me, it can be called 'Luojing Dui'!" Zhou Wenbo sighed.
