Chương 178: Going to the Border

Liu Ce summoned Lu Bing and instructed him: "Wenfu, keep that letter in its original envelope, and have someone make an exact copy and send it to Qiu Liju."

Lu Bing was taken aback: "My lord, this... send over an identical one?"

"Yes," Liu Ce nodded, "but we need to keep a record. Just in case we need it later. For example, if the imperial court asks, we'll need evidence, right?"

Lu Bing suddenly realized and said, "I understand! I'll get on it right away!"

Liu Ce added, "In addition, keep a close watch on Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju, and report any unusual movements they make immediately."

"Yes!" Lu Bing accepted the order and left, wondering to himself: What is the lord up to?

No sooner had Lu Bing left than Liu Ce mentally gave himself a thumbs up.

"I was so clever."

He thought smugly, "Sending the letter unopened? That's so boring. Sending a copy will both lure Qiu Liju into the trap and preserve the original evidence. If the court asks later, having the original will be irrefutable proof!"

He strolled to the window, gazing at the spring sunshine outside, his mind already starting to plan what would happen next.

Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju, those two traitors, started causing trouble in the fourth year of the Zhongping era. The timeline is slightly earlier now, but it's largely the same. Qiuliju of the Wuhuan is an old acquaintance—there have been constant border conflicts, and the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun have often "taken care" of him.

"Perfect."

Liu Ce stroked his chin.

"Take this opportunity to clean up Zhongshan County and give the Wuhuan a good talking-to."

...

One day later, at the governor's mansion.

Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu and others gathered together, watching Liu Ce with eager eyes.

"My lord, what has your decision been?"

Guo Jia asked with a grin, "Which strategy will you choose? My three-pronged approach—bluffing, sowing discord, and ambush—will surely satisfy you!"

Xi Zhicai retorted, not to be outdone: "Using the enemy to defeat the enemy, holding key positions, and leaving room for maneuver—these three strategies complement each other and are the safest approach!"

Jia Xu said slowly, "Cut off their wings, utilize the refugees, feign surrender to lure and kill them, proceed step by step, and ensure that nothing goes wrong."

The other strategists also looked on with anticipation—this was the first time their lord had formally sought their advice on suppressing the rebellion, and if their own plans were adopted, they would gain a great deal of prestige.

Liu Ce looked at this group of strategists, whose intelligence was off the charts but whose thinking was clearly overly complicated, and couldn't help but feel amused.

He cleared his throat and said calmly, "Your plans are all quite good."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

"But—" Liu Ce changed the subject, "I also have a plan."

"Huh?" Everyone was taken aback.

Guo Jia was the first to react: "My lord also has a plan? What brilliant plan is it?"

Liu Ce smiled mysteriously and said, "No rush, it's a secret for now. Just wait and see."

The strategists looked at each other in bewilderment.

My lord, are you... keeping us in suspense?

Xun Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Since our lord has already made a plan, then we shall wait and see."

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance and laughed, "Good, we'll wait and see our lord's brilliant plan."

Guo Jia laughed and said, "My lord, you've done a truly excellent job keeping this a secret! You didn't even tell us?"

Liu Ce patted him on the shoulder: "Fengxiao, sometimes knowing too much keeps you awake at night. Just wait and see what happens."

...

A week later, Lu Bing came to report.

"My lord, Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju have indeed begun secretly recruiting private soldiers and stockpiling grain. Recently, young men have been frequently seen entering and leaving their estates in Zhongshan County, and they have also begun to forge a batch of weapons."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "Continue to monitor, but don't alert them."

"Furthermore," Lu Bing continued, "the Wuhuan Qiuliju have replied. They expressed their willingness to cooperate, but requested a 'deposit' first—five thousand shi of grain and one thousand bolts of cloth."

Liu Ce laughed, "Oh, you're quite the businessman. Zhang Chun agreed?"

"They've agreed. They're currently procuring supplies."

"Alright, let them do what they want," Liu Ce laughed.

"We'll 'visit' them when they've gathered all the supplies and are ready to transport them."

He emphasized the word "visit," which made Lu Bing secretly delighted: His lord was coming to collect debts.

...

Another week passed, and Lu Bing came to report again.

"My lord, Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju's supplies have been gathered, filling dozens of carts. They will be transported to the Wuhuan tribe in Liaoxi in three days by Zhang Chun's trusted retainers."

Liu Ce's eyes lit up: "The time has come!"

He immediately summoned Dian Wei.

Dian Wei was training the Longxiang Battalion in the training ground when he heard that his lord had summoned him. He came with his double halberds in hand. This guy now walks with a swagger. Since becoming the commander of the Longxiang Battalion, he has stood up very straight.

"Brother, what do you need me for?" Dian Wei asked in a loud voice.

Liu Ce laughed and said, "E'lai, call Zhongkang and have the Longxiang Camp prepare. We're going to the border between Zhongshan Commandery and Zhuo Commandery."

Dian Wei's eyes widened as he asked, "Brother, are we going to fight?"

"It's not about fighting a war," Liu Ce shook his head, "it's about inspecting the area."

Dian Wei looked completely bewildered: "Inspect? What's there to inspect? Aren't Qin Erge and Yuchi Laohei watching over the border?"

Liu Ce patted him on the shoulder: "Just go when I tell you to. Don't make so many mistakes. Remember, travel light, but make sure you bring all your equipment. Especially those iron halberds of yours, polish them."

Although Dian Wei didn't understand, he executed orders without hesitation: "Understood!"

...

Liu Ce arrived at the governor's mansion and found Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xun Yu.

These three are now the "iron triangle" of government affairs in Youzhou, and they handle most matters, big and small.

"Xuanling, Keming, Wenruo," Liu Ce said bluntly, "I plan to lead the Longxiang Battalion to inspect the area around Zhuojun. The governor's office will be in your hands for the next few days."

Upon hearing this, the three looked at each other in bewilderment.

Fang Xuanling spoke first: "My lord is going on an inspection tour? There has been no fighting on the border recently..."

Du Ruhui added, "Furthermore, inspections are usually handled by the prefectural commandant or the colonel. For our lord to go personally... is that...?"

Xun Yu asked directly, "My lord, is there something important?"

Liu Ce waved his hand: "It's just a routine inspection, checking on the spring plowing progress, and also... to relax. I get so bored staying in the mansion all day."

The three exchanged glances, each seeing in the other's eyes, "I don't believe you for a second."

But since their lord had already said so, they couldn't ask any more questions.

"Yes, my lord, rest assured, with us in charge of the governor's mansion, there will be no mishaps," the three replied in unison.

Liu Ce nodded, turned and left.

After he walked away, the three of them began to discuss it in hushed tones.

Fang Xuanling asked, "My lord, what... are you up to now?"

Du Ruhui said, "Inspect? Take the Dragon Cavalry on an inspection? Eight hundred elite cavalry to inspect the spring plowing?"

Xun Yu stroked his beard and pondered, "Our lord's actions are always deeply meaningful. We only need to do our duty and observe the situation."

The three hadn't overlooked Liu Ce's safety. But considering their lord's martial prowess, coupled with the formidable generals Dian Wei and Xu Chu, and the eight hundred well-equipped Dragon Cavalry... well, this lineup...

"It should be fine," Fang Xuanling concluded.

"It's good enough that our lord doesn't bully others."

...