Chapter 225 Eliminating Variables
Wuguan Road, Shangluo County.

Zhao Yun and Wen Pin's large migrating team marched in a line. After replenishing supplies here, they only carried five days of food and fodder supplies.

They can only get new supplies if they reach Nanxiang within five days.

It is difficult to reserve food in Guanzhong. The daily rations of their more than 8,000 troops are enough to feed 30,000 immigrants for a day.

If we are more urgent, we can give Zhao Yun and Wen Pin three days of supplies and reach Nanxiang.

For fear of extreme weather, Sima Zhi, who was in charge of supplies, played it safe and gave them two more days.

Watching the swift movement of the horse-drawn sleigh team, Sima Zhi couldn't help but think about the feasibility of improving the sleigh to transport grain in Jingzhou during the winter.

From now on, Guanzhong will not lack animal power.

It will take at least two years to have enough food.

So after the grain transportation period ends next year, if there is still pressure to transport grain, can we use sleds to transport grain?
With an idea in mind, Sima Zhi frowned and thought.

Pei Qian, who was standing nearby, saw this and asked, "What is Zihua thinking about?"

Pei Qian was wearing a cloak and beside him was a row of sleds made by Shangluo. Before he even arrived in Guanzhong, he was ordered to go to Jingzhou on official business.

"I'm thinking about restoring the Wuguan Road Pavilion Posthouse."

Sima Zhi spoke in a loud voice, attracting the attention of the officials and scholars around him, and then continued: "If the post stations on the Wuguan Road remain the same, when the troops are deployed, each team will move forward one by one, and they can easily travel a hundred miles a day."

There is no need to camp, there are pavilions along the way where you can stay and get food supplies.

Pei Qian laughed and said, "If that's the case, how can Liu Zhennan sleep peacefully?"

Sima Zhi also smiled. His poor life in Jingzhou made it difficult for him to like Liu Biao.

However, the construction and restoration of the post stations on the Wuguan Road must be carried out as soon as possible.

If we do this well, we can immediately form an effective deterrent.

From now on, Shangluo’s taxes and corvée labor will only require the maintenance of roads and post stations.

The constant flow of people on Wuguan Road would have brought in abundant commercial taxes and economic activity.

Pei Qian thought that Sima Zhi had said this deliberately in public in order to convey the message to Jingzhou through the migrating team.

After some chatting and laughing, Pei Qian led his men on the sleds. More than ten sleds set off one after another, forming a string and joining the migrating team.

Pei Qian went south and brought various gifts for Liu Qi.

As for Liu Bei and Liu Biao, Black Bear did not prepare any gifts.

The 5,000 cavalry captives given to Liu Bei were already greatly exceeded the standard; as for Liu Biao, they were not needed.

There was no intention to hurt Liu Biao's reputation. It was actually a warning and gesture to Liu Biao and the people of Jingzhou.

Sima Zhi watched Pei Qian leave and the smile on his face faded.

It was he who stopped Pei Qian from going north and prevented him from being trapped in the whirlpool of Hedong.

The families in Hedong who had rebelled were all within the migration range. If Pei Qian went to Guanzhong at this time, there would be too many people asking for mercy.

Whether he agreed or refused, not only would he offend others, but he would also get Pei Qian himself involved.

Fortunately, Pei Qian had a good personal relationship with Liu Qi, so he returned to Jingzhou just in time to participate in the struggle between Liu Biao and Liu Qi, father and son.

Because of this struggle, Pang Tong left the migrating group and rode fast.

At this moment, Pang Tong had arrived in Nanxiang County and met with Yi Ji.

The purchasing plan of 50,000 gold has greatly increased Liu Qi's influence in the four counties of southern Jing.

However, due to the assassination of Zhang Jin, the governor of Jiaozhou, serious conflicts arose between the people of Jingnan and Liu Qi.

Lai Gong was originally a clerk in the Zhennan Shogunate, but was transferred by Liu Biao to become the chief secretary of Liu Qi's Fu Bo General's Mansion.

According to common sense, Liu Qi should support Lai Gong to go out and serve as the governor of Jiaozhou.

However, Zhang Jin has commanded Jiaozhou soldiers to intervene in Jingzhou many times in recent years. The four counties in southern Jingzhou are the center of repeated tug-of-war. It is naturally impossible for Jiaozhou soldiers to enter the country repeatedly without any harm.

Therefore, there is an indelible hatred between the scholars in Jingnan and Jiaozhou, and the people in Jiaozhou would naturally feel worried and resistant to the people in Jingnan taking over Jiaozhou.

From Liu Qi's perspective, Yuan Tan could easily gain the support of the people of Jiaozhou and immediately transform the hostile Jiaozhou into a reliable ally.

And what about Lai Gong?

Without the support and backing of the people of Jiaozhou, he could only advance step by step. If he wanted to secure the position of the Governor of Jiaozhou, it would cost a lot and many people would die.

The more people die, the higher the cost of ruling in the future will be.

Sun Quan of Jiangdong could invade Jiangxia at any time, and Zhou Yu even stationed his troops in Baqiu to control Dongting Lake. Because of Sun Jian and because of Jingnan's resistance to Liu Biao, the people of Jingnan also had exchanges of views with Sun Quan.

Compared with Liu Biao, the court of Sun Quan in Jiangdong has higher content.

Therefore, sending Lai Gong to seize Jiaozhou would cost a lot; during this period, Sun Quan would certainly send troops to attack. In this case, how could he help Lai Gong seize Jiaozhou in one go?
Rather than wasting the opportunity and eroding the limited goodwill of the people of Jiaozhou, it would be better to push Yuan Tan up in one step.

With Yuan Tan in Jiaozhou, the safety of the flanks is guaranteed.

Liu Qi has his own ideas, but what about the people of Jingnan?

The people of Jingnan wanted to conquer Jiaozhou and obtain Jiaozhou's gems, ivory, pearls, etc. at a very low cost.

If we support the people of Jingnan in conquering Jiaozhou, they will naturally return their loyalty to the Zhennan Shogunate.

After listening to Yi Ji's story, Pang Tong quickly grasped the core of the contradiction.

Pang Tong was somewhat puzzled and asked, "My lord has always been generous, why do you insist on helping Yuan Xiansi now?"

"It should be because Yuan Xiansi sent an envoy to lobby."

Yi Ji was not sure what happened in Jiangling, so he said, "Yuan Xiansi wants to form an alliance. If the two families form an alliance, Jingzhou will be stable from now on."

"Marriage?"

Pang Tong frowned. This was too high a target for the Liu family.

Yi Ji nodded: "It is a marriage alliance. In order to consolidate the alliance, the two families marry each other."

Seeing Pang Tong's cautious look, Yi Ji continued, "The eldest son wants to preserve Jingzhou in troubled times, and this ambition coincides with Yuan Xiansi's. Therefore, we have formed an alliance through marriage to wait for the world to be stable."

Pang Tong's expression changed slightly, and he said in a serious tone: "Mr. Ji Bo, Jingzhou has a large population and prosperous people. This is the foundation of a king. Those who want to use Jingzhou's foundation to conquer the world, there were Sun Jian and Yuan Shu before, so how can there be a shortage now? My lord has a sincere heart and is determined to protect the territory and the people. If you can get the alliance of Guanlong and Jiaozhou, you can split the world."

"If this alliance is concluded, Jingzhou will be forced to tie its own fists and feet and become a subordinate of others."

Pang Tong was deeply anxious: "My lord is so generous, but they are just trying to trick me. My lord is in danger!"

After hearing this, Yi Ji expressed his opinion: "We still have 3,000 soldiers in Nanxiang. If Pang Gongcao can be of any use to us, the officials and people of this county are willing to raise troops to protect the eldest prince."

"No need for three thousand, give me more than a hundred armored soldiers." Pang Tong felt it was very difficult. If this matter was not handled well, it would attract the black bear. People could kill the three clans of Wang Zishi. Naturally, he would not mind killing the three clans of a group of people to avenge Liu Qi.

He also knew the nature of the people of Jingzhou and was worried that the black bear would interfere in Jingzhou in the future, so many people would try to block this possibility in advance.

Liu Qi wanted to help Yuan Tan gain a foothold in Jiaozhou. Once Yuan Tan really gained a foothold, with Yuan Tan's assistance, Liu Qi's personal wealth skyrocketed, making him even more difficult to deal with.

No matter how strong the black bear is, it is still a little far away.

But Yuan Tan was different. After establishing his foothold in Jiaozhou, he could provide Liu Qi with huge trade profits, and even attack Jingnan from both sides, forcing the people of Jingnan to serve obediently, leaving them with no room for resistance or maneuver.

By the time Liu Qi and Yuan Tan became enemies, the man from Jingzhou was completely tied up.

Although they praised and extol Liu Qi's benevolence and his policies of protecting the country and the people, the internal and external situations will change.

In a dozen years, when the next batch of people arrive in Jingzhou and the north is defeated, the people of Jingzhou will take advantage of the situation and rise up.

But looking at Liu Qi's attitude, how can the people of Jingzhou jump out and reap the final fruits of the troubled times in the future?

Pang Tong is not currently interested in reaping the last fruits of the troubled times.

If Lumenshan School can continue to develop well, it will be more important than anything else for the Pang family.

There is no need to take risks. As long as Jingzhou can safely get through this chaotic time and Lumen Mountain grows stronger in the future, the Pang family will be able to become one of the top families in the world.

Supporting Liu Qi and ensuring a smooth landing in Jingzhou is in line with the Pang family's long-term future development plan.

Pang Tong had been on the front lines and had seen how the Taiyuan and Hedong rebels were reorganized by Black Bear, as well as how the newly reorganized troops raided each other's properties.

The wealth of Jingzhou and the master-slave contradiction beneath the surface of wealth would really attract the black bear. The big families and powerful people in Jingzhou would have to die just as the Huns in the three royal courts died.

Whoever ruins Liu Qi's business now will ruin the business of his Pang family and Pang Tong.

Not to mention classmates like Lu Menshan, even relatives will have to pay a price!
Seeing Pang Tong's murderous intent, Yi Ji did not dare to be negligent and personally selected the elite soldiers of the county.

The next day, Pang Tong went south and passed by Wolonggang in Longzhong.

Zhuge Liang called himself Wulong, and the small hill where he lived also had this resounding name.

Pang Tong left a large group of soldiers waiting by the Han River, and only brought a few people with gifts to meet Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang seemed to be waiting for him and did not travel far away.

Inside the hut, Zhuge Liang brewed tea and listened to Pang Tong telling about his experiences in the north.

The trip was too rushed and Pang Tong had no time to go to Chang'an to study Cai Gong's posthumous letter. As soon as he arrived in Lantian, he received the transfer order from Black Bear.

After replenishing horses at Fenglingdu, the troops, which were mixed with prisoners and surrendered soldiers, crossed the river to join the battle.

Although he said he participated in the war, he never fought in any battle.

But they always played a role. It was these 5,000 people, including Wen Pin, Yan Xing and Lu Chang, who blocked the Fen River and forced the Hedong rebels to take the Han Xinling official road.

Later, when Black Bear reorganized various surrendered prisoners, these five thousand people acted like ballast.

As long as the garrison of 5,000 people does not become disorderly, the newly reorganized army will not easily mutiniate.

After the newly formed troops completed the first wave of house searches and relocation tasks, Wen Pin's troops began to repatriate.

If it were not for assisting Zhao Yun in detaining the prisoners, Wen Pin's troops would not have returned to Jingzhou so quickly.

He was originally hesitant, but after taking into account food pressure and Liu Qi's safety issues, Wen Pin's troops were repatriated ahead of schedule.

At this moment, in order to scare Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong described in detail the huge skeleton nest on the east side of Fenglingdu.

It was originally an open space surrounded by wooden stakes, with crossbeams connecting the stakes. From a distance it looked like a huge bird's nest.

All the heads captured by the Guanzhong soldiers would be collected and transported to Fenglingdu and thrown into this huge bird's nest.

"We have taken over 100,000 heads, but not even half of them."

Pang Tong narrowed his eyes and recounted: "It was originally built to deter Yuan Tan. At that time, Hei Zhenbei attacked the generals in Weibei and was worried that Yuan Tan would attack from Hongnong. So they took Huayin, set up a wooden nest, and put the heads they cut off in it. Since then, Yuan Tan has never had any intention of spying."

Zhuge Liang asked, "The weather was still warm at that time, so weren't there maggots all over the fields?"

"Maybe. One hundred thousand young and strong men perished just like that. Doesn't Kong Ming have any feelings?"

Pang Tong stared at Zhuge Liang and said, "I don't want the incident of Sishui to happen again in Jingxiang."

Zhuge Liang also responded calmly: "I don't know anything else. Ji Chang's family was not involved. And my father-in-law also said that the Huang and Cai families did not take any action."

"So it's him?"

Pang Tong asked back, but Zhuge Liang did not explain.

Seeing this, Pang Tong was somewhat relieved and advised: "Kong Ming has the talent to rule the world. In my opinion, why not go to Guanzhong?"

"My father-in-law also advised me in this way."

Zhuge Liang took a sip of tea and smiled, "However, I cannot stand being bullied. We are not related to each other, so how can he use me? I also know Sima Zhi's talent. Even if he can use me, it is limited to this."

"There are many talented people in Guanzhong, but I have never seen him select and appoint them to important positions."

Zhuge Liang described his difficulties: "Now that his hegemony is about to be established, if I go north to join him, won't I be laughed at by others?"

"What Kong Ming said is not true."

Pang Tong corrected him immediately: "From what I've seen, Hei Zhenbei is quite generous and unwilling to give his talents to others easily. He is worried that he will not be entrusted with the right person. Given the current situation in Jingzhou, it is useless for Kong Ming to stay. Why not go to Guanzhong? If there is any change in Jingzhou, Kong Ming can also help."

Seeing that Zhuge Liang did not reply, Pang Tong asked: "Is Kong Ming speaking up for the Prince's teacher?"

"How could it be?"

Zhuge Liang immediately explained: "This move will surely make Cao Cao sleepless! I also feel very happy after hearing this! I only regret that the retribution for this beastly traitor who stole power is too late."

"Since Kong Ming has no grudges or grievances, what is there to worry about?"

Pang Tong asked in return: "Since Hei Zhenbei came into the world, has he ever been known for indiscriminate killing?"

After hearing this, Zhuge Liang deliberately looked Pang Tong up and down. You actually said that a man who chopped off 100,000 heads through war in just two months did not kill indiscriminately?

Seeing Zhuge Liang's expression, Pang Tong said: "Jingzhou has been in turmoil since then. Kongming is from Xuzhou and should not be involved."

"Okay, I will go to Guanzhong as Shi Yuan requested."

After Zhuge Liang finished his tea, he put down the empty cup. Seeing this, Pang Tong took the initiative to resign.

There is no other way but to drive Zhuge Liang away, but at least we can protect his safety.

The conflict that is about to break out in Jingzhou makes it difficult to distinguish between friend and foe.

By driving away Zhuge Liang, a peer of his generation, Pang Tong would have one less thing to worry about.

(End of this chapter)