Chapter 91

“What, what kind of absurd talk is this, Chief Minister!! To let Cao Biao ascend the throne! How could such a reckless…!!”

Huang Quan, who had been venting his anger and confusion, soon realized that he was the only one opposing Fa Zheng’s words and lowered his voice.

Huang Quan’s eyes, filled with betrayal and shock, darted around aimlessly.

“How, how can everyone remain so silent?”

“Huang Quan, calm down.”

“How can I calm down, Military Advisor Pang! This is disloyalty! Injustice! Immorality!”

Fa Zheng responded to Huang Quan, who was shouting with veins bulging in his neck, with unflinching sincerity.

“That’s right. It is disloyalty. *Cough*! But, doesn’t everyone already know?”

If Cao Biao were to receive the abdication from Emperor Xian and ascend the throne, it would be a boon for us.

Even if the abdication is carried out with formalities, it is clear that it would be under coercion. This would not only strengthen our justification but also provoke the indignation of the remaining restorationists scattered across the land.

And most importantly, it would elevate Liu Bei’s entry into Luoyang as the greatest crisis for Wei.

“Even if Cao Biao claims abdication, the world will see it as usurpation. Thus, we can use him as justification to launch the Northern Expedition. The morale of our army, acting as the righteous force to judge the usurper, will be sky-high, and the enemy forces will be thrown into disarray.”

Fa Zheng paused, coughing heavily, as if out of breath. Huang Quan, who had been about to unleash a tirade, bit his lip and watched him.

After sipping tea and catching his breath, Fa Zheng continued.

“And they will have no choice but to become even more obsessed with stopping our lord. The moment our lord captures Luoyang, what will loom over Wei is not just the shadow of Emperor Gaozu, but also that of Emperor Guangwu.”

Emperor Gaozu, who unified the land and established the Han Dynasty based in Hanzhong.

Emperor Guangwu, who overthrew the usurper Wang Mang’s Xin Dynasty and ascended the throne in Luoyang, establishing the Later Han.

Two Hans. Two Lius.

And the last Liu standing against Cao Wei, which toppled the Later Han.

If he were to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors, based in Hanzhong, and ascend the throne as emperor in Luoyang.

The tide of the world would become unstoppable.

Even if they knew we were aiming for Chang’an, they would have to throw everything they had to stop Liu Bei.

Huang Quan, understanding Fa Zheng’s words, muttered blankly.

“A checkmate…”

It was an irresistible move.

Perhaps Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong also knew this move. When Fa Zheng brought it up, the two of them were not surprised at all.

They knew it was the best course of action. They just couldn’t bring themselves to say it. That’s why Fa Zheng took the lead and spoke. Huang Quan knew this too.

“…If we follow this, our country will be restored, but everyone here will be remembered as cowards, not loyal subjects.”

At these words, Fa Zheng gently placed his hand on Huang Quan’s shoulder. He then began to explain why he, not Zhuge Liang or Pang Tong, had made this proposal.

“Brother, I know I am a petty man. I am not fit to be a gentleman. But even a petty man has a destiny.”

Fa Zheng called Huang Quan by his familiar name, not his official title. He shifted his gaze from Huang Quan to Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong.

“The two military advisors are great men who will lead the country, and you, brother, are a talent who can fill the void I leave behind without fail. Though Yi Yan and Ban Jun have talent, in my eyes, they still fall short of you.”

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and then me.

“And the Rear General will need to continue to play a crucial role in stabilizing the country for a long time. If not me, who is soon to die, who else would bring this up? This is my duty and responsibility.”

Finally, Fa Zheng’s gaze returned to Huang Quan.

“Just as people cannot live forever, and power is not eternal, nations too rise and fall. But just as the Western Han fell and the Eastern Han was established, we too can inherit the ancestral temples of the past and open a new era.”

“Chief Minister…”

“It is enough for me alone to be remembered as a coward. You, brother, must look to the future. I hope you will fill the void I leave behind.”

Huang Quan no longer protested.

Perhaps what happened here will be recorded in history. And the one who advocated not just passively allowing Emperor Xian’s abdication but actively supporting it will be Fa Zheng. That is what he wanted.

Facing death, Fa Zheng’s dedication, willing to bear the stigma for the sake of what comes after, left Huang Quan silently nodding.

The discussion on how to hasten Cao Biao’s abdication flowed smoothly.

“We should fortify the border with strongholds and, under the pretext of eliminating internal threats, subdue the Nanman and Xirong to show we have no intention of a Northern Expedition. If we show any weakness, Cao Biao will hasten to receive the abdication.”

“We can leak through Yu Hye that we are prioritizing internal consolidation.”

As Huang Quan, now fully on board, poured out methods to push Cao Biao, Pang Tong added the catalyst by bringing up Yu Hye.

Zhuge Liang went a step further, volunteering to personally lead the subjugation of the southern tribes.

“I will personally lead the Southern Campaign.”

“Military Advisor Zhuge himself?”

“The Nanman are not yet fully subjugated, but their resources are abundant. I had been thinking of leading a campaign there myself someday. Now seems the right time.”

“Then take De Xin and Bai Qi with you. They will surely be of great help.”

Ma Chong and Zhang E, though skilled in military affairs, were unparalleled in governing the southern tribes.

When they died, there was not a single person among those they ruled who did not mourn, and the people of their regions even erected monuments and temples in their honor.

“De Xin and Bai Qi… their reputation and positions will add weight. But is it alright? Bai Qi is in charge of military affairs in the Rear General’s Office, isn’t he?”

“We’ve recently acquired new talent, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Oh, the prodigy you mentioned, Mingjing.”

“Military Advisor Pang, calling the Rear General Mingjing. We are currently engaged in official business.”

“Strict as always. Alright, Rear General, let’s arrange a meeting later.”

In this manner, we occasionally mixed in casual talk as we laid the groundwork for our grand plan.

“The broad framework seems mostly complete.”

As the discussion on how to reduce their suspicions and induce Cao Biao’s carelessness wrapped up, Pang Tong wiped the sweat from his brow.

The meeting had indeed gone on for a long time. It had continued into the night, with lamps lit.

Perhaps it was because so many brilliant minds were gathered. We had to prepare for every possible scenario, making it endless.

But it wasn’t over yet. With the strategy set, it was now time to plan the tactics.

To borrow Alexander Svechin’s words, strategy is the path to take, and tactics are the steps. Operational tactics are the leaps made by those steps.

In other words, it was about deploying troops and planning large-scale operations to achieve the goals set by the strategy.

“First, we should summon the Right General from Hanzhong and the Left General from Tianshui.”

Having the strongest offensive forces of the Liu Bei army deployed forward would surely make Cao Biao nervous.

“Hmm, come to think of it, doesn’t the Left General have a daughter?”

“I heard she’s only six years old.”

“Age is not an issue. Hmm, spreading rumors that the Right General and the Left General are vying for the position of Crown Princess might also work.”

Pang Tong was serious about deception.

In the Romance, he tricked Cao Cao into turning Chibi red, and now in reality, he was trying to deceive Cao Biao to seize Guanzhong.

“The Left General’s vacancy can be filled by General Pang, and what about Hanzhong? Preferably someone capable but not too famous.”

“How about appointing Deputy Commander Wei Yan?”

“Deputy Commander Wei… that works.”

The Wei Yan I recommended had historically risen to the position of Hanzhong Commander, so his abilities were proven. Considering his achievements in the defense of Jing Province, this promotion was justified.

The reshuffling of personnel to deceive Cao Biao. And the composition of the generals to be deployed on each front after Cao Biao’s abdication and the execution of the Northern Expedition. By the time we finished, it was deep into the night.

As our concentration began to wane, the thought that this was the end kept us going. Despite his declining health due to illness, Fa Zheng refused to leave early and stayed until the end.

Though he himself would not be there to see it, he seemed to take this Northern Expedition as his final mission.

With the plan to capture Chang’an still pending, I spoke up.

“How about this?”

“Do you have a plan?”

“Didn’t Huang Quan propose something?”

“Using the Xingyi Bingzhen as bait to attack Yong Province, right?”

At Huang Quan’s confirmation, I nodded and continued.

“What if we reverse it?”