I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 7 The Prime Minister can finally get a good night's sleep.

After practicing for about half an hour, Liu Shan started riding a horse again.

Riding a horse is not difficult, but riding and shooting is not.

Liu Shan's first attempt at mounted archery was not very successful; in fact, he even missed the target later on.

"Your Highness must be busy with studies and government affairs lately, and your riding and archery skills may have become a bit rusty. Why don't you take a short rest?" Wang Ping said tactfully.

Liu Shan's trip was meant to be a warm-up, and he was already sweating profusely, which was even more effective than lifting weights at the gym. So he put away his bow and rode back to Chengdu.

Upon returning to the Crown Prince's palace, the palace maids had already prepared food and wine.

In ancient times, people usually ate two meals a day, and only nobles could have extra meals.

As the crown prince, Liu Shan had to have lunch.

Lunch consisted of rice with pickled fish and chive soup, along with seasonal peaches.

Liu Shan, having finished his horseback riding and archery, was hungry and soon ate everything up.

"Someone, prepare the horses, and follow me out of the palace."

Zhao Tong stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, you've just returned to the palace, where are you headed?"

In the past, when Liu Shan had free time, he would close the palace gates and have Huang Hao find some entertainment for him.

Could it be that they've grown tired of the things in the palace and want to find some new and interesting things among the common people?

"Although Huang Yuan was defeated, the people in the city are still unsettled. General Zhao, come with me to patrol the city to reassure the people."

What?

Patrol?

Public sentiment?

Did these words come from the mouth of that playful prince?

After Huang Hao was executed, Liu Shan's behavior changed drastically, which piqued Zhao Tong's curiosity.

"What, aren't you going to lead the way?" Liu Shan urged.

"Yes, Your subordinate obeys."

After the Battle of Yiling, Liu Bei's Jingzhou faction suffered the most severe losses, while the Yizhou and Dongzhou factions began to make their own calculations.

However, Liu Bei only lost soldiers on the front lines; the political foundation of Yizhou remained stable.

With military power still firmly in Liu Bei's hands, the Yizhou faction had neither the strength nor the courage to rebel.

At most, they hoped that Cao Wei or Sun Quan would send troops to their aid, allowing Yizhou to enjoy peace.

However, many ethnic minorities in Yizhou did not submit to the king's rule and were only temporarily subdued by force, with the possibility of rebellion at any time.

Huang Yuan is one such example.

Liu Shan used the guise of patrolling to actually win over people's hearts.

This approach applies to businesses as well.

Liu Shan's current status is like that of a parachuted-in second-in-command of a group, temporarily assuming the power of the top leader.

His task was not to implement any beneficial policies, but to quickly build relationships with the heads of various departments and even his employees, and increase their positive impressions so that he could implement his own policies after he had complete control.

Inspecting the city's defenses was not only a way to meet with the generals stationed in Chengdu, but also a way to let the people of Yizhou know that Liu Shan was a good crown prince who cared about the safety of the country.

Baidi City.

The news of Liu Bei's death was kept secret, so everything in the city was normal.

Zhuge Liang leaned over his desk, carefully studying the defense map by the dim light.

Zhao Yun had been on his way for some time, but his heart remained uneasy, worried that Zhao Yun might not be able to reach the An'nan Gorge in time to intercept the rebel army.

At the same time, he had a persistent doubt in his mind.

Given Yang Hong's abilities and knowledge, Huang Yuan's rebellion was not a cause for concern at all, but he chose the most dangerous method, which was completely different from his usual steady nature.

Ma Su, who was holding a lamp for Zhuge Liang, noticed that he was staring intently at the defense map and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Prime Minister, you haven't been sleeping much lately. Are you still worried about the safety of Chengdu?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head.

"I'm not worried about the safety of Chengdu, but rather..."

Before he could finish speaking, he let out a long sigh.

"Youchang, what is your opinion on Yang Hong's decision to send troops?"

Ma Su was Ma Liang's younger brother. He was very talented and, along with his brothers, was known in the village as the "Five Constants of the Ma Family".

Ma Su was fond of discussing military strategies, so besides Ma Liang, he was the one most favored by Zhuge Liang.

"The students believed that, given Yang Hong's personality, he must have been absolutely certain of success before he dared to send troops to quell the rebellion."

But what's strange now is where Yang Hong's confidence comes from.

Before Liu Bei launched his campaign against Sun Quan, he ordered Wei Yan to guard Hanzhong to defend against Cao Wei in the north.

To the east, Zhao Yun was appointed governor of Jiangzhou, who would also be responsible for supporting the main army.

The southern border was guarded by Deng Fang, who served to deter the southern barbarians.

Therefore, even though Chengdu's defenses are weak, as long as there are three routes guarding the gateway, they can still rest easy.

Even if a small-scale rebellion breaks out internally, Chengdu's defenses can hold out until reinforcements arrive, so there is no need to send troops.

"Will Yang Hong mobilize all the city's troops...?"

Ma Su offered his opinion, but Zhuge Liang shook his head.

"Absolutely not, Yang Hong knows that Chengdu is of great importance."

"Or perhaps reinforcements from elsewhere are arriving?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head again.

After a long silence, the messenger quickly approached the two men.

"Prime Minister, urgent military situation in Chengdu."

Upon hearing that the news came from Chengdu, Ma Su immediately presented the intelligence to Zhuge Liang.

"Our army decisively defeated the rebels outside Chengdu, and Huang Yuan fled amidst the chaos..."

Upon reading this, Zhuge Liang's expression suddenly changed, his eyes revealing anger and disappointment.

Upon hearing that the rebels had been defeated, Ma Su was initially delighted, but seeing Zhuge Liang's pale face, he asked in a low voice, "Prime Minister, our army has won a great victory, why do you look troubled?"

Zhuge Liang coldly replied, "Although our army has won, the victory was too swift."

Isn't a quick victory good? Why are people complaining that the victory was too fast?

"Huang Yuan fled in defeat. In order to survive, he would definitely go down the river and seek refuge with Eastern Wu. Considering the time, Zhao Yun's troops failed to reach the An'nan Gorge in time, which is why I said our army won too quickly."

"Youchang, we must hurry up and make preparations to guard against Lu Xun of Eastern Wu."

After the Battle of Yiling, Lu Xun originally intended to continue westward and gradually annex Yizhou. However, fearing a surprise attack by Cao Pi's army, he temporarily withdrew his troops, and the three parties continued to be locked in a stalemate.

Huang Yuan was familiar with the terrain of Yizhou and had connections with many tribes. If he surrendered to Eastern Wu and became an internal ally, Yizhou would be attacked from both sides.

Cao Wei, which originally intended to launch a surprise attack on Eastern Wu, will also turn around and attack Hanzhong.

It should be noted that the Battle of Hanzhong was the last time Cao Cao personally led a large army into battle before his death. Cao Pi would definitely seize the opportunity to take Hanzhong and avenge his father.

Huang Yuan, who was originally insignificant, became the key figure who could affect the whole situation.

Just as Zhuge Liang was preparing to hold a meeting in his tent, a messenger from Chengdu arrived again.

"Report! Urgent military intelligence has arrived from Chengdu."

"Bring it here quickly."

After Zhuge Liang had it brought, he hurriedly opened it.

"Prime Minister, Huang Yuan's rebellion is not a major concern, but we fear it may incite other prefects to rebel, hence the dispatch of troops to suppress it."

"Generals Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo have been dispatched to lead the Crown Prince's guards and defeat the rebel army outside Linqiong County."

"Although our army has won, Huang Yuan has taken advantage of the chaos to escape. In order to prevent him from defecting to Eastern Wu and threatening Yong'an and Your Majesty's safety, I have ordered Generals Chen Hu and Zheng Zhuo to ambush Huang Yuan at the An'nan Gorge and capture him alive to relieve Your Majesty's predicament."

Oh, I see. That explains everything.

No wonder Yang Hong dared to send troops; it turns out he was dispatching the Imperial Guards who were protecting the Crown Prince.

This unit, commanded by Zhao Yun, was no less powerful than any elite force in the country.

Moreover, Yang Hong also predicted that Huang Yuan would go down the river to join Eastern Wu, so he set up an ambush in advance.

"Ji Xiu is indeed a strategist."

Zhuge Liang's mood immediately brightened, and he said to Ma Su, "Youchang, go and make preparations; we are about to return to Chengdu."

After learning the whole story, Ma Su felt much more relieved.

"The Prime Minister can finally get a good night's sleep."