I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 97 Entering the Tiger's Den

Early the next day of the Yuanhui Festival, before dawn.

At the docks south of Chengdu, two tribute ships from the south were busy loading cargo.

The boatmen carried brocade and grain into the cargo hold, their breath dissipating in the cold wind.

Two men who looked like merchants, dressed in coarse cloth shorts, walked briskly toward the dock with their heads down.

At this time, there were not many merchant ships coming and going at the dock. Only these two tribute ships were busy loading cargo, making it easy for suspicious people to be discovered.

But now that it is the Spring Festival, the guards are still immersed in the joyful and festive atmosphere of last night, and the inspection is very casual.

The two successfully boarded the first ship, crawled into the cargo hold, and hid behind piles of cargo crates.

The boatmen untied the mooring lines and raised their long poles. The two boats, one after the other, slowly sailed away from the dock and headed south along the Jinjiang River.

The ships sailed south, heading straight for the Bodao.

The two men then emerged from the cargo hold. Chengdu City grew smaller and smaller in their eyes, and the corners of their mouths turned up in a smile.

The sky was bright.

When Liu Shan woke up, Lady Zhang was sitting in front of her dressing table, doing her hair and makeup in front of the mirror.

"My husband is awake?"

Liu Shan rubbed his eyes and sat up.

"What time is it?"

It's Chenshi (7-9 AM).

Zhang came over and draped an outer robe over him.

"Now that it is the Spring Festival, my husband is not required to attend court. Is there anywhere you would like to go?"

Liu Shan pinched her nose and laughed, "You're the one who wants to go out and have fun, aren't you? Fine, since I don't have to attend court, I'll keep you company..."

"How was the baby delivery?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang's cheeks flushed red, and she said in a reproachful tone, "Husband, we just...and you want more today..."

"Yun'er wants a son, doesn't she? If I don't work harder, how can I fulfill your wish?"

After saying this, Liu Shan opened his arms and pounced on Zhang Shi.

Zhang smiled and avoided Liu Shan, taking a few steps back to keep her distance.

She really couldn't take it anymore.

Previously, Liu Shan had always treated her with respect, never with such intense longing.

It seems that once people eat meat, they really do crave meat at every meal.

"Yun'er, where do you think you're going!"

Just as Liu Shan opened his arms, preparing to "catch the chicks with an eagle," Wang Gui's voice broke the atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister sent a letter this morning."

Prime Minister?

letter?

Liu Shan immediately came to his senses and said, "Bring it in."

Zhang also curiously came over, somewhat worried.

"The Prime Minister's entry into the palace at this time must be for some important matter."

Liu Shan did not speak, but took the letter, unfolded it, and glanced at it.

The letter contained only one line: Meng Huo of Nanzhong intends to join forces with Gao and Zhu to rebel.

Liu Shan immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

Historically, in order to pacify the southern regions, Zhuge Liang adopted Ma Su's strategy of "winning hearts and minds," using both kindness and force to completely subdue Meng Huo.

To highlight Zhuge Liang's strategic brilliance, later generations wrote the classic story of "Zhuge Liang capturing Meng Huo seven times," which has been passed down through generations.

Liu Shan originally thought that he had already subdued the southern regions after pacifying them, but he didn't expect that he would have to go through this scenario again.

"Husband, what's the matter that's causing you so much tension?" Zhang asked curiously.

Liu Shan folded the letter and held it tightly in his hand.

"Wang Gui, go and invite the Prime Minister to the palace. I have something to discuss with him."

Wang Gui said, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zhuge and General Chen Dao have been waiting outside for quite some time."

"Waiting for so long? Why didn't you wake me up sooner for such an urgent matter?" Liu Shan's face stiffened instantly upon hearing this, and he rebuked, "In the dead of winter, how can you let your father-in-law get sick from the cold?"

Wang Gui quickly lowered his head and admitted his mistake, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was my oversight. Your Majesty drank a bit too much last night and was also a little tired, so I didn't dare to disturb Your Majesty's rest."

"The Prime Minister also said that the matter is under control, and it's not too late to inform His Majesty after he wakes up."

"I cannot say anything more. Prepare charcoal and hot soup for the Prime Minister..."

Liu Shan was initially angry, but seeing how thoughtful Wang Gui was, his expression softened.

"Alright, let's invite the Prime Minister here to discuss important matters first."

"Yun'er, help me change my clothes."

Before long, Zhuge Liang, Chen Dao, and Zhang Yi arrived at the side hall.

"His Majesty……"

Liu Shan waved his hand and said, "My three ministers, there's no need for such formalities. Let's get down to business."

"Someone, bring tea!"

Zhang Yi recounted the whole story, which greatly angered Liu Shan.

If it weren't for the need to appease Nanzhong, he would have preferred to behead Gao and Zhu to eliminate any future troubles.

They are currently under house arrest in Chengdu, being fed and cared for, and being picked up and dropped off by carriages. Yet they are still not satisfied and want to start a rebellion?

"So what's the situation now?" Liu Shan asked.

Zhuge Liang said, "Your Majesty, Gao Ding and Zhu Bao are not to be feared, but Meng Huo is the real threat. If he does not submit, there will never be peace in the south."

"Last night's events were sudden, so without Your Majesty's permission, I took it upon myself to allow the two tribute ships to leave Chengdu. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Generally speaking, it is considered a great act of treason for a subject to act without seeking permission.

"Your Excellency is too kind. I have long ago granted Your Excellency and General Chen Dao the authority to 'act first and report later,' precisely for the sake of convenience."

Liu Shan did not blame Zhuge Liang; instead, he nodded in approval.

Even if it weren't for Zhuge Liang, anyone else could act first and then report when faced with an emergency.

What's most worrying is that you only report when you're about to take action; this is a classic case of wanting to gain merit but not wanting to take responsibility.

"Prime Minister, how did you plan this out?"

Zhuge Liang said, "I previously discussed the situation in Nanzhong with Ma Su. You Chang believed that Nanzhong, relying on its strategic location and long distance, was constantly rebelling. To completely subdue Nanzhong, we must win their hearts and minds. Therefore, I think we should follow this strategy to subdue Meng Huo."

Oh?

Liu Shan raised an eyebrow, picked up the bowl, and gently blew on the tea leaves floating on top.

Ma Su?

I wonder how this guy fared after entering the training program.

The fact that the Prime Minister mentioned him at this time suggests that he wanted to make him look good in front of me.

"How do we subdue him?" Liu Shan asked, ignoring Ma Su.

"Naturally, we will use both kindness and force. I have already sent men to capture the two traitors, Gao Ding and Zhu Bao, and ordered men to disguise themselves as these two and go to meet Meng Huo. When we arrive in Nanzhong, we will find a way to capture them. We can quell this matter without losing a single soldier."

"Although Meng Huo harbors rebellious intentions, his crime does not warrant death. As long as we reason with him and threaten him, we will surely win his heart and mind."

Liu Shan nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

When it comes to winning hearts and minds, who can rival Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty?

"But Your Excellency, I have heard that Meng Huo is incredibly strong and powerful, and extremely brave in battle. Can the men I have sent in disguise capture him alive?"

The saying goes, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Besides courage, you also need strength.

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and confidently waved his feather fan.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, these two are resourceful and exceptionally brave; capturing Meng Huo alive is a piece of cake for them."

Liu Shan laughed loudly, "In that case, I will await news of your victory, Father Chancellor."

Three days later, at the Bo Road.

Two tribute ships from the South China Sea slowly approached the shore.

On the dock, several people who looked like vendors gathered around.

The leader was a burly man dressed in a short brown robe and wearing a straw hat, looking no different from an ordinary merchant.

The boatmen began unloading the cargo, and the gifts bestowed by the imperial court were unloaded one by one and piled up on the dock.

"There's more in the cargo hold."

The boatman shouted something to the boat.

The cargo hold hatch was lifted. Two men who looked like businessmen climbed out and jumped onto the dock.

The leading merchant stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Is that General Gao or General Zhu?"

The two nodded.

"Come with me."

The vendor turned and left, his steps hurried.

The two followed behind, crossed the dock, and turned into a small alley.

At the end of the alley, three fast horses were parked.

"Mount up," the merchant said. "Lord Meng is waiting for you in the mountains."

Gao Ding and Zhu Bao exchanged a glance, then mounted their horses.

The merchants also mounted their horses and led the way.

The three horses left the city of Bodao and galloped southeast along the mountain road.

Half an hour later, they entered a secluded valley.

In the valley, dozens of tents were pitched, and hundreds of Yi people were practicing.

Gao Ding and Zhu Bao were led into the largest tent in the middle.

Inside the tent, a burly man with tattoos on his face was sitting on a tiger-skin chair.

Meng Huo.

He saw Gao Ding and Zhu Bao enter, stood up, and burst into laughter.

"Generals, you must be tired from your journey!"

Gao Ding stepped forward and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Lord Meng, we..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly moved, reaching out to probe Meng Huo's throat.

Startled, Meng Huo raised his hand to block.

"you......"

Before he could react, his wrist was grabbed and he was subdued by the other party.

"Gao Ding, what are you doing...?"

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp dagger was pressed against his throat.

Beneath his bamboo hat, Zhu Bao chuckled.

"What for? To capture you, of course."

At the same time, shouts of battle erupted outside the tent.

The soldiers who were training in the valley suddenly found themselves surrounded.

Countless arrows rained down from the cliff, and dozens of soldiers in Shu army armor poured in from the valley entrance, surrounding the tent.

Meng Huo was furious and said, "Gao Ding and Zhu Bao, you have betrayed your promise and defected to the court. You are truly despicable."

"Lord Meng, take a good look. Are we brothers Gao Ding and Zhu Bao?"

Meng Huo stared wide-eyed at the two men.

After removing the straw hat, a pair of young, sharp eyes, belonging to a hunter, were revealed.

"You...you are not Gao Ding and Zhu Bao!"

The two of them laughed.

"Lord Meng, we were never like that."