Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Old Fox

Gan Ning, Shen Mi, and Lou Fa led their respective units, eight hundred robust men in total, tasked with intercepting and killing He Yi, He Man, Huang Shao, Liu Pi, and Gong Du.

The five leaders departed through the northern city gate, accompanied by over a hundred mounted bodyguards.

During the Han dynasty, every ten li had a relay station, and villages often clustered around these stations.

The Xiyang Gathering was located twenty li northeast of Wancheng, and another twenty li north lay Xi’e County.

The road from Wancheng to Xiyang Gathering followed a postal route that passed by two relay stations. When the group arrived at the first station, they saw from afar that people were already waiting for them by the roadside.

The waiting crowd wore brocade robes and adorned their heads with bird feathers. They were remarkably strong and muscular, numbering two to three hundred, blocking the entire road so tightly that passage was impossible.

Faced with this scene, He Yi and his companions immediately halted, quickly realizing these must be men sent by Zhang Xiu.

Previously, they dared to enter Wancheng for two reasons. First, they were forced by Cao Cao and had no choice but to seek a new path. Second, they believed Zhang Xiu lacked sufficient strength and would not risk offending them, which emboldened their entry into the city.

More crucially, they assumed that, since so many Yellow Turban leaders had come, any conflict inside the city would surely provoke resistance from the entire Nanyang Yellow Turbans and their followers. If tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans stormed out of Wancheng, Zhang Xiu would be doomed.

Yet they had failed to consider everything. Zhang Xiu could not kill them inside the city—not out of fear of a Yellow Turban backlash, but because he feared Liu Biao’s suspicion and that he would be accused of annexing the Yellow Turbans to strengthen himself.

Thus, the subsequent matters could not be handled by Zhang Xiu but must be entrusted to Liu Biao’s men. At this point, Zhang Xiu would only watch from within the city, with no possibility of pursuing them outside.

“What should we do?”

The men exchanged glances. It seemed Zhang Xiu was no pushover and had long planned to absorb them.

“Go,” He Yi said decisively, pointing northwest. “Head that way, scatter and flee. As long as one of us escapes to report back, the entire army can rise and break Wancheng.”

“Charge!”

The others did not hesitate either, immediately urging their horses to escape.

Despair soon set in.

At the end of the northwest road, a large cavalry force began to appear, and not only northwest—the southern route they had taken was also blocked.

To the east lay the Yu River, its waves surging. Jumping in meant certain drowning.

The surrounding fields were mostly farmland, where horse hooves would sink and make escape impossible. With nowhere left to go, they had no choice but to fight to the death.

But the battle ended swiftly.

When Gan Ning sliced off the heads of He Man and Huang Shao with his twin blades, He Yi, Liu Pi, and Gong Du surrendered.

When Gan Ning escorted He Yi, Liu Pi, Gong Du, and the others back to the main camp of Wen Pin’s army, realization dawned.

It had not been Zhang Xiu who summoned them, but Liu Biao!

By now, regret was too late.

Everything unfolded smoothly thereafter. With He Yi and Liu Pi’s orders and the heads of He Man and Huang Shao, over a hundred thousand Yellow Turbans from Yingchuan and Runan were compelled to surrender.

As for the other Nanyang Yellow Turbans, Zhang Xiu had mostly lured them out of the mountains, only for Liu Biao’s troops to disarm and capture them.

Thus, the Yellow Turbans of Nanyang, as well as the major forces of Yingchuan and Runan, were absorbed by Liu Biao.

Liu Biao gained their numbers, and according to the previous system of land allotments, he scattered them across counties, settled them on farmland, and managed them collectively, with Wen Pin and Zhang Yun’s armies overseeing the process.

Afterwards, statistics showed that about sixty to seventy thousand households were acquired, totaling over three hundred thousand people, including fifty to sixty thousand able-bodied men.

After culling the elderly and infirm, about ten thousand elite soldiers remained, all of whom were incorporated into Wen Pin and Zhang Yun’s forces.

The rest of the population was resettled by household.

Liu Biao did not shortchange Zhang Xiu; he took seventy percent—around two hundred thousand able-bodied people—for his own territories, distributing many even to southern commanderies.

The remaining ten thousand elderly, women, and children were settled in Xinye, Huyang, and Chaoyang counties.

These three counties formed the rear of Zhang Xiu’s domain. According to his agreement with Liu Biao, he would govern over ten cities around Wancheng, appoint his own county magistrates, and bear financial responsibility, no longer requiring provisions from Liu Biao.

Counties around Xiangyang were mostly used for land cultivation. Since last year, refugees from Guanzhong had been fed and sheltered, and Xiangyang harvested a million bushels of grain, earning tremendous profits.

For a time, grain prices across Jingzhou dropped significantly. Now, with twenty thousand more able-bodied Nanyang Yellow Turbans, along with their baggage, oxen, tools, and supplies, Liu Biao appointed Deng Hong to oversee the resettlement.

With these newcomers, plus refugees from Guanzhong and Henan since 194 AD, Jingzhou’s population had swelled by over a hundred thousand households—six to seven hundred thousand people—in just two years.

By April, Deng Hong was overwhelmed, but with help from relatives emerging from Shen Chen and the Yellow Gate Pavilion, he finally completed all tasks, redistributing land and resources among the surrendered Yellow Turbans, while also engaging in considerable favoritism and corruption.

For example, Wen Pin and Zhang Yun needed to replenish their troops, naturally targeting the able-bodied among the Yellow Turbans. Just as Cao Cao selected five to six thousand elite soldiers from the million Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou to form the Qingzhou Army, they too sought the best.

During selection, Deng Hong had to first register and compile household records, which created opportunities for manipulation. The finest men were all assigned to Gan Ning’s command.

As a result, not only did Gan Ning slay two bandit chiefs and earn great merit in this campaign, but his unit was reinforced, gaining two thousand soldiers.

When matters were settled, Deng Hong returned to Xiangyang to report to Liu Biao.

Upon learning of Deng Hong’s return, Liu Biao hosted a private banquet, inviting only Kuai Liang and Zhuge Xuan—not in the central hall, but in a smaller pavilion in the rear courtyard.

This was almost a family gathering.

The Kuai and Cai families were linked by marriage; Liu Biao had wed Lady Cai, Deng Hong’s wife was Lady Cai’s niece, and Zhuge Xuan had married off two nieces, one to the Pang family and one to the Kuai family, and was close friends with Deng Hong. Their relations were very intimate.

Seated in the pavilion, in the fourth lunar month—equivalent to May in the modern calendar—Jingzhou’s climate remained cool, lush greenery shaded the courtyards, and frogs croaked in the ponds.

After the servants poured wine, Liu Biao smiled and raised his cup: “Recently, officials large and small in Jingzhou have submitted memorials congratulating me. These are all due to You Shuo’s achievements.”

Deng Hong demurred: “It is only thanks to your wise leadership from behind the scenes, directing victory invisibly. I merely played a minor role, not worth boasting about.”

“You Shuo, don’t be so modest,” Liu Biao laughed. “This campaign cost not a single soldier, yet won the surrender of over two hundred thousand Yellow Turbans from Nanyang, along with vast supplies, and replenished our forces by over ten thousand. That is a great achievement.”

“Indeed,” Zhuge Xuan added with a smile, “The Yellow Turbans around Nanyang have always been troublesome, so numerous they were hard to pacify or absorb. Who would have thought that You Shuo could persuade Zhang Xiu to sever their roots, and so deftly resolve the issue?”

Deng Hong quickly replied, “If not for your approval, none of this would have been possible. Moreover, the strategy was inspired by your methods for dealing with Jingzhou’s clan rebels, all devised by you and Master Ziyou. I merely imitated your example.”

He truly lacked much political acumen, but Deng Hong remembered two things Shen Chen had told him: Marrying into the Cai family placed him in an invulnerable position; and once he achieved merit, he must attribute all credit to Liu Biao.

The former made the leader feel he belonged, the latter gave the leader prestige. Thus, whatever achievements he made, Liu Biao would regard him as family, and not become suspicious.

This was a tradition in the Liu family. Cai Mao and Kuai Yue wielded enormous power in Jingzhou, and even influenced Liu Biao’s succession, altering it at will, much like Zhao Gao and Li Si.

If it were Cao Cao, things would be different.

Later, when Cao Pi and Cao Zhi contended for succession, Jia Xu cautiously advised Cao Cao, citing Yuan Shao’s example and warning against replacing the elder with the younger. As a result, Cao Cao purged many of Cao Zhi’s supporters.

Compared to that, the Liu family was far more tolerant of trusted aides, even regarding succession, with little harshness.

Liu Biao was thus comfortable: Deng Hong attributed all success to him, making him the mastermind in public eyes, elevating his reputation and overshadowing Deng Hong’s role.

Moreover, Deng Hong was now kin.

Deng Hong had to call him uncle by marriage; as family, he was all the more pleasing.

With this in mind, Liu Biao said, “You Shuo, no matter what, your achievements are outstanding. This year, Jingzhou’s grain and population have grown, the treasury is full, and the army is strong—all thanks to you. If you desire anything, speak freely.”

Deng Hong replied at once: “My clan migrated from Xuzhou, suffering many losses along the way. The fate of the entire clan is uncertain, and only thanks to your shelter have we survived. This is all to repay your kindness, so how could I expect any reward?”

Liu Biao laughed: “If merit goes unrewarded, how can others be inspired? You Shuo, would you have me bear the blame for this?”

“Not at all, not at all,” Deng Hong answered quickly.

After pondering briefly, he continued: “I care little for personal rank, but I wish for Jingzhou’s safety. In these chaotic times, Jingzhou needs brave men to defend Han lands, so I wish to recommend someone to you.”

“Oh?” Liu Biao asked curiously, “Whom do you wish to recommend?”

“Your Excellency, last year I passed through Fancheng and befriended Sima Gan Ning, who then guarded the city gate. We became friends due to shared interests,” Deng Hong explained. “I found him not only of noble lineage from Ba Commandery, well-educated, but also exceptionally brave and skilled in warfare, unmatched among soldiers—a rare talent. His single-handed slaying of the Yellow Turban leaders, forcing the surrender of their companions, proved his valor and strategy. I cannot bear to see such talent wasted, so I boldly recommend him.”

“Gan Ning?” Liu Biao mused for a while before asking Kuai Liang, “Is this the same Gan Ning who defected from Liu Zhang a few years ago?”

Kuai Liang answered, “Yes.”

“I see.” Liu Biao pondered, then nodded, “He performed meritoriously in this campaign?”

“His achievement is unparalleled,” Deng Hong replied.

“He was previously at Fancheng, serving as a military Sima under Zhang Yun?”

“Yes.”

“Then let him be promoted to Colonel,” Liu Biao said. “Replace Deng Ji as the commander of Huyang, since Deng Ji suffered a disastrous defeat.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency,” Deng Hong exclaimed in delight.

Although the Yellow Gate Pavilion belonged to Xinye, it lay north of the Sha River.

South of the Sha River was Huyang and Jingyang Pavilion, so in fact it was closer to Huyang.

From the Yellow Gate Pavilion to Xinye’s county seat was over fifty li, but to Huyang’s county seat was only about forty.

Thus, Gan Ning stationed in Huyang was certainly advantageous for the Yellow Gate Pavilion.

More importantly, he fulfilled his promise to Gan Ning, helping him ascend ranks.

Liu Biao’s generals were divided into three tiers.

The first tier included Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, and Huang Zu, each a major general commanding thousands.

The second tier was Han Xi, Wen Pin, Lü Jie, Liu Pan, and others—senior, though less powerful than the top three.

The third tier comprised Zhang Hu, Chen Sheng, Su Fei, Deng Long, Zhang Shuo, Deng Ji, Huang Zhong, Liu Wei, Wang Jie, and others—mid-level commanders.

Previously, Gan Ning and Huo Du had only been lower-ranking officers.

Now, as a Colonel, Gan Ning was a mid-level commander, still under the senior generals but with more autonomy.

For example, Deng Ji had been Huyang’s commander, and Huang Zhong now commanded You County, able to independently guard a county.

Thus, Gan Ning was no longer stifled under Zhang Yun’s authority, but could now rule Huyang as a local tyrant.

After recommending Gan Ning, Deng Hong told Liu Biao he wished to visit Wancheng again to persuade Zhang Xiu not to replace Jingzhou-appointed officials in the towns around Wancheng.

Liu Biao was puzzled.

Deng Hong explained:

First, keeping these officials made it easier for Liu Biao to learn about Zhang Xiu indirectly. Second, for the sake of the people—Zhang Xiu, being from a military background, lacked competent administrators. If he arbitrarily replaced officials with his own inexperienced officers, the counties could suffer greatly.

Thus, though these towns were given to Zhang Xiu, it was best not to change their officials. This benefited both Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu.

Liu Biao, hearing Deng Hong’s reasoning, agreed it was a win-win, and consented.

The banquet ended in laughter and joy.

To reward Deng Hong, Liu Biao not only agreed to his requests but also bestowed gold, silver, and silk.

When the banquet concluded, Deng Hong and Zhuge Xuan took their leave, while Liu Biao kept Kuai Liang behind to discuss matters.

“Ziyou, what do you think of this?” Only after Deng Hong and the others had left, their figures vanishing down the corridor, did Liu Biao ask Kuai Liang.

Kuai Liang pondered for a long time, then spoke softly, “Deng You Shuo... is quite selfish.”

“You noticed as well?” Liu Biao said, smiling.

“Yes.”

Kuai Liang nodded. “I heard recently Zhang Xiu promoted Wang Yi, magistrate of Xinye, to Deputy of Nanyang Commandery, and replaced him with Deng Mao.”

“Selfish as he may be, the main benefit still accrues to Jingzhou. How much can the Yellow Gate Pavilion gain?” Liu Biao raised his cup, squinting. “As long as he works for me, let him have his private interests. Who doesn’t?”

Kuai Liang met his gaze, and both men laughed together.