Chapter 684
Chapter 684
Liu Mang left feeling very satisfied. Since Zhou Yu has surrendered, the stubborn old generals of Jiangdong would soon follow.
“Milord.” Bu Lu had been following behind Liu Mang silently but after a while, he could no longer endure any longer and had to speak.
“What’s wrong?” Liu Mang asked.
“Milord. I didn’t want to say this but if I don’t say it I would be ashamed to be your subordinate!” Bu Lu started awkwardly.
“You can say whatever you want. Don’t worry.” Liu Mang patted Bu Lu’s shoulder, encouraging Bu Lu to speak.
“Milord. The way you treat the Grand Governor and Marquis Wu. Are you really not afraid of them?” Bu Lu did not say everything but his doubts were evident. He was saying that Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were both not easy to deal with. Was Liu Mang not afraid that they would turn against him?
Normally, Bu Lu should not be the one to say this. This is because Bu Lu’s previous liege was Sun Ce. It would be like betraying his former liege. But at the same time, he would be disappointing his current liege if he did not say anything.
“Haha. You mean this problem. Zibu. You’ve never been to Yangzhou. You will understand once you go to Yangzhou. Also, High Official Zhuge have already told me about this many times. He told me to kill Sun Ce and Zhou Yu to prevent future troubles. But instead, of successfully persuading me, I persuaded him otherwise. As for why, you can go and ask him yourself!” Liu Mang said and handed over the problem to Zhuge Liang.
“Zibu. There is no need to persuade him anymore. Our Lord is too stubborn. Me, the Foreign Minister Yang, Internal Minister Xu and many others have tried to persuade him to no avail! We can only allow him to act as he wishes.” Zhuge Liang said unhappily. His impression of Bu Lu has changed along with the way he addressed Bu Lu. This is because Bu Lu was actually talented.
“Hm?” Bu Lu was more confused hearing Zhuge Liang’s words. He decided to wait until they reach Yangzhou before continuing this topic.
In truth, Bu Lu did not know of Yangzhou’s military system. Yangzhou’s military system is not a lifelong system but a service. Those of the right age must join the army. The strong ones become soldiers. The ones lacking a little become logistic officers or farming soldiers.
Liu Mang and Zhuge Liang also reached a compromise in the system. The soldiers must serve for at least five years. After that, the good ones can stay in the army while the others go back to being civilians. This gives them a continuous supply of troops.
One would need many years to win over the soldiers. Even if Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were disloyal, the troops would be discharged before Sun Ce and Zhou Yu could actually win them over. Even if they manage to rebel, it would just be rebelling with new recruits.
Naturally, Liu Mang would still use these retired soldiers as reserve troops during an emergency.
***
“What? The Grand Governor has surrendered?” The other generals in Jiangdong could not believe the news. All of them knew that Zhou Yu was the person who did not want to surrender the most in Jiangdong. This is because Zhou Yu had once promised to help Sun Ce achieve his ambitions. Sun Ce’s success was more important than even his own life. That was why Zhou Yu refused to allow Sun Ce to give up on Jiangdong even if he were to die.
Yet the news the generals received was that Zhou Yu has surrendered. How could this be true? The generals believe the news to be fake. They could not confirm it themselves so they went first went looking for Han Dang.
Han Dang was a valiant warrior, not a wise warrior. So he was unable to actually determine the authenticity of this news. He immediately declared the news to be fake and encouraged the other generals not to surrender. After that, they went to Huang Gai.
“General Huang! Come out!” The generals said as they gathered. If it wasn’t because they weren’t holding weapons and that Liu Mang was lenient, they could have been charged for planning a rebellion. 𝙍𝘢NО𝐁Еs
Huang Gai raised his hand, trying to calm the others down. “I believe everyone has already heard the news.” Huang Gai said.
“General Huang. Is the news fake? How could the Grand Governor have surrendered?” One person said.
Before Huang Gai could reply, Han Dang stepped forward. “Of course it is fake! Even if he surrenders, he would not surrender to that whelp Liu Mang! If it was not because of him, Jiangdong would not have ended up this way! If it was not because of him, I would not have lost an arm! As for that Zhuge Liang, hmph!” Han Dang had lost one arm because of Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang had exploited Han Dang’s impulsiveness to trap him. The others who wanted to save Han Dang would naturally lose their self control. This was then exploited by Zhuge Liang to expand the results of the battle.
“Yes! We won’t surrender! Even if we do, it would not be to that whelp Liu Mang!” A few other generals declared together and started to become rowdier.
“We swear to never surrender! Even if they kill me, Han Dang, it would only be one life!” Han Dang shouted so spiritedly as though he was a loyal official and Liu Mang was the rebel.
“Shut up!” Huang Gai suddenly shouted while the others were still nodding like faithful officials. His face was red with anger.
“Han Dang! If you want to die, I will not stop you. But I cannot allow you to implicate the Lord and the Grand Governor!” Huang Gai shouted angrily.
“Gongfu. You…?” Han Dang was shocked. He was close to Huang Gai so Huang Gai had also never shouted at him like this before. Even when Han Dang made a mistake and secretly attacked Sanjiangkou, Huang Gai risked himself getting executed by Sun Ce just to save Han Dang. Yet this time, Huang Gai shouted at Han Dang without giving any face.
“Everyone. From today onwards, there is no Jiangdong Army. There is only the Yangzhou Army. Jiangdong’s Huang Gai is now Yangzhou’s Huang Gai. If you all refuse to surrender, it would be none of my business. However, if you continue to speak badly of His Highness the King of Shu, then consider me your enemy!” Huang Gai said coldly to the other generals.
“This…” Han Dang was at a loss. He did not understand what his friend was saying.