Chapter 264 – Ascension of Sagely King Liu Mang (3)
If Sun Quan’s strategy is successful, then Sun Quan’s reputation will skyrocket. Zhou Yu has been trying so hard to suppress Sun Quan’s appearance, for fear he will outshine Sun Ce’s merit. Zhou Yu also discussed with Lady Wu and Lady Wu do as Zhou Yu’s request and under pretext of Sun Quan’s young age, told Sun Ce not to give Sun Quan too high positions. Finally Sun Ce put his brother in charge of his rear. But gold is always gold and will shine no matter what and sooner or later, he will took his rightful destiny as a ruler. Therefore when Sun Quan is only 15 years old, he is already a county magistrate. Under his rule, bandits disappeared, food are plenty and commoners has been grateful to the death. Oh, Lord Quan, you better not have harmful intentions, otherwise, Yu will kill you with barehand. Thought Zhou Yu
Sun Ce then asked in hesitant tone “Gongjin, from where should we choose those 200,000 imigrants?!” Candidates for “emigration” according to Sun Ce must consists of young man who are skill-less, those people who only farm their whole life and those people must come from a region with the least contribution. Those who contributed a lot, Sun Ce will not let them go. Also regarding the region, the opposite region is very easy for people to escape from, but Jiangdong region still got another natural barrier which is forest, which made commoners think twice to move from Jiangdong. In this time, malaria mosquito is abundant in Jiangdong’s forest and although Jiangdong have many talented people, malaria is the natural selection for them. Zhou Yu then said “From Danyang region, of course.” Sun Ce stunned “Eh, Danyang region?!” Danyang is the place where many soldiers are produced. Commoners over there, are seeds for Danyang Soldiers. When Liu Mang asked a lot of commoners from Danyang into his Urban Army, it is also increasing his combat potential. And Zhou Yu said to provide commoners from Danyang, is not that like providing arms for Liu Mang?
Zhou Yu then said his idea “Yes, commoners from Danyang. However those commoners doesn’t necessarily citizen of Han!!!” The reason why Danyang people are very strong is because of they are of mixed with local mountain tribes. Those mountain tribes called Shanyue Tribes, they have existed since Qin Dynasty until now. Part of them are Han people who emigrated to escape heavy labor tax. To elaborate further, those Shanyue tribesmen were those of Pre-Qin Dynasty natives of Jiangdong mixed with Han blood. They lived in mountains and was native of Huainan. However due to constant wars, they emigrated and lived in the mountains but only 1-2 years. While in the mountains, they had lesser food than when on downhill, therefore, they descended the mountain. However when they return to their previous land, their previous land was occupied and it incited them to go to war and they are using pre-Qin titles to signify their commanding and they become very formidable in Jiangdong territory as they are good in martial arts and are hailed from steep mountain. The Pre-Qin titles such as “Commander-in-chief”, “General” and “Ancestral commander-in-chief”.
They had given Jiangdong disaster since chaos engulfed this land. With the first uprising dated on AD 198. At that time, Yuan Shu had sent his official of Zhong Dynasty to govern over Danyang. This enraged Sun Ce big time, as at that time he is still fighting against Liu Yao. He quickly divided his forces and subdued Shanyue’s Uprising. However, his casualties is also not small and it delayed his unification of Jiangdong a lot of time.
However, those of Shanyue kept harassing Danyang region for they are hungry and cold. heir attacks is so severe, it made the local government helpless. Therefore, the local government just give food whatever they wishes. When their food is depleting, those Shanyue tribesmen will descend again and start their harassment. With local government didn’t give any fixed solution, therefore those of Danyang started their own self-defense, therefore they are very strong.
Sun Ce then smiled and said “Gongjin, then your meaning is to…” Zhou Yu smiled again and said “Of course, move Shanyue tribesmen and posed them as commoners. Tell them to go to Shouchun, become Liu Mang’s subordinate. Tell that, under his rule, nobody shall starve and tell that Shouchun’s land is vast and wide and he needs many people to cultivate the land for him. Also, if they are willing to move, we provide them with grains and provisions!!!” This move is a big move. This is a stratagem of “Urging The Tiger To Swallow Wolf”. Those Shanyue tribesmen were unruly and had not been in harmony with Han citizen. If those people persist in Sun Ce’s domain, then he will have harassment to no end, and he will resort to reducing their population. But now, there is a nonsense man who asked for commoners, might as well send them all. Those of Shanyue tribesmen are very diligent farmers as they are don’t want to starve anymore. Now with Sun Ce’s recommendation to emigrate, they will surely emigrate. If in Danyang region, they cannot eat full, then might as well go to Shouchun and bet again.
Now, with this scheme, Sun Ce killed two birds with one stone. First, that disgusting Liu Mang will be dead. Dogpiled by 200,000 Shanyue tribesmen. When they have food, they are more docile than Han citizens, but when food is no more, Liu Mang will cry profusely. In the past, they have rebelled and their numbers is around 100,000 people, leading Sun Ce to lead his 50,000 troops to quell them. Even then, his men dead around 10,000 people. Now 200,000 Shanyue restless tribesmen is there, certainly will make Liu Mang cry. Also Shanyue tribesmen consists of many elderly citizens. If all of them were to be supported by Jiangdong, then Jiangdong will have nothing to eat and he will need to wait for their annual rebellion. Now with they all gone to Liu Mang, Sun Ce predicted that this Jiangdong will be at peace for at least 20 years.
Sun Ce then said “The matter of Shanyue emigration is to be assigned to Master Zhang Zhao!!!” Sun Ce confided in Zhang Zhao as he is excellent in statistics. Sun Ce also said “Copy this letter as much as you can. Send this letter to all warlords!!!” Sun Ce who just received an idea to destroy his enemies slowly has become a lot more joyful.