Chapter 189

Chang’an City, being an administrative city where palaces and government offices occupied most of the area, had government offices lined up right next to the palace. It was a city layout reminiscent of Joseon’s Yukjo Street.

After leaving Miyang Palace, we arrived at the Department of the Grand Tutor after a short walk. The Department of the Grand Tutor, adjacent to the office of the Sarye Gyowi, was smaller in scale and had fewer personnel compared to the Department of the Prime Minister.

Although it was one of the top three highest-ranking officials in the country, the Department of the Grand Tutor, specializing in military affairs, was naturally smaller in scale compared to the Department of the Prime Minister, which oversaw both internal and external affairs.

“Grand Tutor, you’ve arrived.”

“Yes, I was on my way to see His Majesty. Ah, Mingjing, this is Lei Geng, who serves as the Chief Officer of the Grand Tutor.”

The Chief Officer is the highest-ranking subordinate official, so this person could be considered Pang Tong’s chief assistant. When Pang Tong introduced him, Lei Geng greeted me.

“Commander Wei, you’ve arrived as well. I am Lei Geng, the Chief Officer of the Department of the Grand Tutor.”

“I’ve heard of your name. It’s said that the offspring of the former Grand Chancellor is a remarkable talent.”

The former Grand Chancellor, Lei Gong, was one of those who submitted a petition to Liu Bei urging him to ascend to the throne. His successor, Wang Mo, who also became Grand Chancellor, was another who submitted such a petition, and both were recognized for their insight.

“You flatter me.”

“Since it was Prime Minister Zhuge who said it, there’s no need to be modest.”

Lei Geng, who began his official career as a Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, had served under Zhuge Liang in the past and was promoted to Chief Officer of the Grand Tutor due to his recognized abilities.

When I praised him, even mentioning Zhuge Liang, Lei Geng no longer held back.

After a brief encounter with Lei Geng, as we headed to Pang Tong’s office, Pang Tong spoke.

“He’s a good talent, isn’t he?”

“Yes. He seemed quite capable.”

“His military talent is also quite good. He handles supplies without a hitch. However, he wasn’t utilized much in the Department of the Prime Minister.”

“Not in the Department of the Prime Minister?”

Though it might be a bit harsh to say to Pang Tong, the Department of the Prime Minister was on a different level compared to the Department of the Grand Tutor. The difference started from the number of subordinate offices.

Moreover, in the Han Dynasty, where generals held significant prestige and had considerable independence, the status of the Grand Tutor was relatively weaker.

“But from now on, the importance of the Department of the Grand Tutor will increase.”

“Because His Majesty is in Chang’an.”

“Exactly. In that sense, if you know any good talents, recommend them. I heard from Zhuge Liang that if you just coax him a bit, he recommends good talents.”

What… Does Zhuge Liang really think I’m some kind of talent vending machine? I’ve long since run out of connections. I don’t know any more talents.

‘Come to think of it, Na Hun is now fifteen, right?’

Na Hun, along with Kang Yu and Guo Yi, is one of the last famous generals of Shu Han. He proved his abilities by holding out against Lu Kang, the last famous general of Eastern Wu, for six months during a siege.

Even after Shu Han fell and he surrendered to the Jin Dynasty, Na Hun’s abilities were recognized, and he rose to prominence. His abilities are beyond question.

Back when I recruited Guo Yi and Bi Yi in Chengdu, I considered bringing Na Hun along, but he was too young at the time, so I couldn’t bring myself to mention it.

But considering his age, it’s not entirely out of the question. Sun Quan also started his official career at a young age.

Seeing me silent and pondering about Na Hun, Pang Tong pressed me with a look that said, “I knew it.”

“You have someone in mind, don’t you? Speak up.”

“He’s still young…”

“Ha ha, you shouldn’t say that. If he’s young, give him a position suitable for his age and watch over him. Speak up.”

I’m afraid that if I say this, I’ll really be branded as a talent vending machine.

But given my long-standing friendship with Pang Tong, I opened my mouth with the feeling that this would be the last time.

“There’s a son named Na Hun under the care of the Governor of Guanghan, Na Meng.”

“Na Meng. I know him.”

“He should be of age for education this year. I heard he’s receiving teachings from Chao Zhu, the Academic Officer. His talent is exceptional, so I’ve been keeping an eye on him, but I thought it was too early due to his age.”

“Ha ha ha, your discernment is well-known, but your desire for talent is truly remarkable. Even while constantly moving around due to wars, you’re still keeping an eye on Shu. Thank you for letting me know. I should invite Na Hun for a meeting.”

“Now it’s the Grand Tutor’s turn.”

“Right. You should have told me.”

How did Pang Tong capture Hongnong County, which was defended by Zhao Jin?

Pang Tong spread out a map and began to explain.

“The plan to provoke the general was a decoy, right?”

“Yes.”

“As you know, Zhao Jin is a decent general. Though not as good as Cao Cao’s relatives, he’s capable enough to hold his own anywhere.”

A fierce general who once captured a tiger with a net, yet also possessing sound judgment. That was Zhao Jin.

Of course, he wasn’t perfect. In the original history, he ambitiously attempted to conquer Shu but was caught in a heavy rain and counterattacked by Zhuge Liang.

“Zhao Jin didn’t fall for the provocation plan. He saw through the scheme to lure him out of the city.”

“Didn’t you say it was a decoy?”

“It was a decoy, but I also prepared ambushes in case he did come out. If Zhao Jin had fallen for the provocation and opened the city gates, he might have come out.”

Considering all possibilities and preparing countermeasures. It was similar to Zhuge Liang’s approach, having studied together.

“But since Zhao Jin didn’t fall for it, I let him know he was right.”

“You leaked the fact that you had prepared an ambush.”

“Exactly.”

Pang Tong paused for a moment and then suddenly asked.

“Do you know what makes people complacent?”

“Making them believe they are right.”

“Correct. Success breeds confidence. People surprisingly gain motivation for change more from failure than from success. Success makes people complacent. I attacked Hongnong County to make Zhao Jin strongly believe in himself.”

When Pang Tong suddenly launched a siege, Zhao Jin likely thought that since the provocation plan didn’t work, Pang Tong was desperate.

Given Pang Tong’s reputation, Zhao Jin, even if he tried to remain calm, might have developed a sense of arrogance.

“I showed a gap, but Zhao Jin didn’t come out to counterattack. Believing he was defending Hongnong County, I called for General Wu and had him secretly advance to Shen County by boat that night.”

The Wei army officers, sensing something was amiss, reported it to Zhao Jin, but he didn’t move. He thought it was another scheme by Pang Tong to lure him out.

However, contrary to Zhao Jin’s expectations, this time it was real.

“After that, it was simple. General Wu successfully captured Shen County, and Zhao Jin was trapped between our forces. The fall of Hadong Province was the final blow. Zhao Jin was completely isolated.”

Attacking the enemy’s rear by boat and cutting them off. It was like a small-scale version of the Incheon Landing Operation.

Although they had stockpiled supplies for the siege, once the supply lines were cut, they couldn’t hold out indefinitely. If they could reopen the supply lines before running out of supplies, that would be fine, but it wasn’t easy.

The Goyang Valley between Luoyang and Hongnong was difficult to advance through, but it also meant the enemy couldn’t easily cross it either. A small force could easily defend against enemy attacks.

“Zhao Jin was quick to react. As soon as he heard Shen County had fallen, he rushed out.”

Leaving a small force in Hongnong to defend against Pang Tong’s siege, Zhao Jin led the main force to retake Shen County. If the retake failed, retreating through the Goyang Valley was also an option.

While the Wei army hesitated, if they had properly fortified the Goyang Valley and formed a defensive line, even with reinforcements, escaping would have been difficult. Zhao Jin’s response was timely and agile.

“Of course, I had prepared for that as well, but Sima Yi’s movements were faster than I expected. If he hadn’t intervened, I would have captured Zhao Jin and taken all of Hongnong County. It’s a pity.”

“But holding onto Shen County is no small feat. If Zhao Jin had reinforcements from Sima Yi, holding Shen County would have been much harder.”

This incident will likely greatly boost the reputation of General Wu, the Governor of Guanzhong.

Though Pang Tong considered it a pity, from my perspective, it was a significant achievement that could be considered the best possible outcome. The merits Pang Tong and General Wu established this time will serve as an invaluable foundation for future plans to target Luoyang.

“And as you know, Grand Tutor, securing Hongnong County and Shen County is of great significance.”

Originally, there were two main routes for us to advance to Luoyang.

The northern route from Xiang Province and the eastern route from Guanzhong.

But with the capture of Hadong Province and Shen County, a third route has opened up.

“From Guanzhong to Luoyang. A combined land and water advance is now possible.”

It was the route along the Luo River.