Chapter 262 – Ascension of Sagely King Liu Mang (1)
We go to Jiangxia front line to Jiangdong Army’s main tent. Sun Ce is roaring really big “IMPOSSIBLE!!!! IMPOSSIBLE!!!! IT CAN’T BE!!!!” He is really angry because the intel he received said a lot of Jiangdong’s commoners are emigrating, all of them goes to Lu Bu army’s territories. Prince of Shu Liu Mang said that those people will receive 2-mu fertile farmland and will have only 30% grain tax.
Sun Ce is impossible to be not angry at this! He need people to cultivate the land in order to pay taxes. And that taxes will go to warfund, in order to fight for hegemony. If those people goes to Lujiang, then what to do with Sun Ce’s own land? In this world, Sun Ce’s first enemies are Huang Zu and Liu Biao of Jing Province and the second one is Lu Bu and Liu Mang of Lujiang. The former, took Sun Jian’s life, therefore the hatred is irreconcilable, but he was shamed that even though he swore vengeance but nothing he can do to even advance to Jing Province. The latter, made Sun Ce shamed again but bigger than the former. Lu Bu captured Lujiang after he made him Sun Ce’s borrowed knife. Liu Mang killed his new wife Da Qiao, and the final straw was his 100,000 soldiers were unable to destroy only 10,000 troops of Wancheng defenders and finally only 5,000 soldiers returned with shame. This is unacceptable to Sun Ce who is called Little Conqueror since he was separated from Yuan Shu. With only 3,000 troops, he pacified Jiangdong, he defeated Wang Lang, Liu Yao, and Yan Bai Hu and occupied half of Yang Province. Sun Ce changed the position of Yangtze River Overlord from Jing Province Naval Units to his Jiangdong Naval Units. He is a living legend of Jiangdong whose base is Jiangdong, Wu Kingdom and Yue Kingdom at the age of 20 years old.
However, the legend is shattered now because of his loss. The whole nation is trembling due to Sun Ce’s tendency to win. But in just a few months, his loss started to pile up when he met Liu Mang. This Prince of Shu is not only good in arguments but he managed to fight with less than 10,000 soldiers and score a victory. According to logic and common sense, a battle of 10,000 soldiers vs 100,000 soldiers, Sun Ce should win, but he lost. His generals, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Chen Wu and Dong Xi all died and although Sun Ce did not say it, but his heart is grieving a lot. Also Lujiang is a doorstep for Jiangdong to take Central Plains, so it can be said, after Sun Ce dealt with Liu Biao, the next target would be Lu Bu. Although Lu Bu army is mighty, but its foundation is very weak and under-populated. This is Lu Bu Army’s weakest chain link. Lujiang’s population only 100,000 people. Cannot be compared with Jiangdong’s millions population who can just dogpiled Lu Bu Army with sheer number.
But this damned Prince of Shu, unexpectedly send a recruitment command in Shouchun. A person will be granted 2-mu fertile farmland and tax only 30%, this Liu Mang is completely insane. It is either feigning madness or playing dumb, Sun Ce believed it is just a pretext in order to attract people to their regions. Sun Ce then said “TRANSMIT MY ORDER. ALL COUNTIES INSPECTORS MUST STRENGTHEN BORDER INSPECTIONS!!! I WILL NOT LET COMMONERS EVEN A SINGLE PERSON TO GO TO LU BU’S TERRITORY. THOSE WHO GOES TO THERE, KILL THEM WITHOUT MERCY!!!” Sun Ce is burning with anger and resolved, if those commoners still want to go there, better die. Zhou Yu’s brow wrinkled and shouted “BOFU, CONTROL YOURSELF!!!” Zhou Yu really cannot fathom, why since he faced with Liu Mang and Lu Bu, Sun Ce had always lost himself to the brink of insanity. This is unwanted by Zhou Yu, because if human lost his reasoning, then it is over and will not be useful to Zhou Yu who always strived for perfection.
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu had been friends since childhood. It can be said that they grew up wearing each other pants. After Sun Jian died, it should be said that Sun clan had lost its luster as many of their allies are withdrawing without a trace, only Zhou Yu who was bound by duty, stick with Sun Ce and help Sun Ce. Without Zhou Yu, perhaps Sun Ce would be Yuan Shu Army’s general right now and perhaps he will follow Yuan Shu to his grave. It is because of Zhou Yu that Sun Ce can stand up and fight and finally create a base in Jiangdong. They used to discuss official business beside military affairs, the other times, they comforted each other as brothers. Now Sun Ce had fallen again into that muddled-state like before, he needed to be revived by Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu then said gently “Bofu, we will not be able to stop people movements as of now!!!” Zhou Yu must return Sun Ce to normal, only in normal state they can think of countermeasure. Sun Ce then said in angry tone “I DON’T CARE AT ALL!!!! I WILL NOT LET MY SUBJECTS FARM FOR LIU MANG!!!” The word “my subjects” is a heretical word. By saying that, Sun Ce had dismissed Han Dynasty existence. Although Han Dynasty already decadent to the point the words of Emperor meant nothing, but it was still respected, those who disrespect Han Dynasty will suffer a lot like Yuan Shu before them. Zhou Yu then banged his fist and pointed toward Sun Ce and shouted “You dare to do that, Sun Bofu?!” This is not the first time Sun Ce has lost his reasoning. He withdrew half of his main forces from Jiangxia just to deal with Lu Bu army who had taken Wancheng. If only Sun Ce just persist a little, then Jiangxia is within their grasp. At that time, cornering Liu Biao from Chibi is very good and they will obtain Jing Province for their own. However, Zhou Yu plans fell apart because Sun Ce’s wife Da Qiao died. Zhou Yu knows Sun Ce’s temperament, if his heart ache was not solved, he will be continued to be depressed, also Sun Ce had said that a real man must be able to protect his wife and children. With his words attacked back at himself, even if this nation is in his hand, Sun Ce is no longer motivated.
Therefore, based on that fact alone, Zhou Yu did not prevent Sun Ce dividing his forces. 30,000 elite soldiers added with 70,000 ordinary soldiers. But those who returned to Jiangdong only a meager 5,000 soldiers. If an average general received this message, they will quickly withdraw but Zhou Yu persevere and with only 30,000 troops, he launched attack against 70,000 troops equipped with ballistae. Zhou Yu then shouted again “HOW ARE YOU GONNA KILL THEM, HUH, BOFU?! YOU TELL ME NOW!!!” Zhou Yu’s words just now are devoid of any respectful tone. Since ancient time, people are more afraid of death by starvation rather death by execution. Since Sun Jian’s death, Jiangdong can be said to do military activities excessively and made commoners unable to eat until full and now come Lu Bu army who defeated them and sell them a certain killing weapon, made nobles who support Jiangdong raised their taxes excessively as well, in order to support their own contribution as well. Thus, those commoners who lived in a region like that, longing for warm, fulfilling condition, therefore, since staying meant certain death, might as well gamble to Shouchun. But killing them is impossible to prevent them, the only thing that it might do, it might scatter them all more and made them more convinced of Shouchun’s chances.
Sun Ce then said on low tone “1 person emigrated, kill one people, 2 person emigrated, kill two people, 1 family person emigrated, I will kill their families!!! 1 family emigrated, I will annihilate their clans!!!” Sun Ce is taking a page from Li Kui’s Book of Law from Spring and Autumn Period, called enforceable laws.
Shang Yang, as a part of Qin Political Reformation, codified this enforceable laws. Enforceable laws states that it is a rule providing punishment equal to that of the perpetrator for those aware of a crime but failing to inform the government. The law is based on household registration system. People must always report crime wherever, whenever and whomever is the perpetrator. “Those who hide crimes, must received same punishment as the perpetrator” (Excerpt from Book of Lord Shang) Thus when a person commits a crime and if there is 4 people who knew but didn’t report it, those 4 people will be punished the same as the perpetrator.
Shang Yang’s political reform transforms Qin Country into a very formidable state. However, the law only enforced for criminals. Sun Ce, on the other hand, enforced this rule to those who emigrated. If this was implemented, then those who were doing crime by emigrating will increase and Jiangdong will turn upside-down in chaos. There will be a lot of family escaping together and heading toward the opposite bank of Yangtze River. Also, this situation will ended very badly for Jiangdong as Jiangdong is situated in Shanyue region. Those people are always dissatisfied with Sun Ce’s rule and they are also situated in Danyang region whose very famous for their rule-breaking incident. When they heard Jiangdong is in chaos, they would definitely rebel and nobody in Jiangdong would be able to quell the rebellion, thus it will resulted in Sun Ce’s end.
Sun Ce who just regained his sense of self shouted “THEN WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?!” Sun Ce was stimulated with Zhou Yu’s shouting just now. If there is no solution, then their commoners will all emigrated. Zhou Yu just said “I… We… Ai!!!” And slap his thigh. He is also helpless. What is the most effective method? Tax reduction? No, it cannot be reduced anymore. Anymore discount meant our Jiangdong Army will starve. Even if we are able to reduce tax, 30% is impossible to achieve. Thought Zhou Yu.
While they are stumped, suddenly there is a guard come in and said “Milord, there is a letter from Lord Quan in Jianye!!!” Then he bend over to present the letter. Oh, brother. Sun Ce is really tired. Isn’t brother Quan in Jianye to study under Zhang Zhao? Why did he send me a letter? Thought Sun Ce and pointed toward table and said “Just put it there!!!” Then he waved for his guard to withdraw, but the guard just stayed. Sun Ce showed an annoyed face and shouted “ANYTHING ELSE?!” The guard lowered his head again and said “Milord, the courier said that this letter is very important and had to be read immediately!!!”
Hrm? What important matter? Thought Sun Ce. His heart is very agitated right now. He asked his brother to handle all family matter in Jianye. If his brother send a correspondence, then it means his house got a problem. The more Sun Ce thought, the more bitter his heart. Since Sun Jian died, he had taken the role as a father for his brothers and sisters. Sun Ce quickly opened the envelope and read it. When reading it, Sun Ce’s expression changed from worried to pressing brows and finally goes to smiling. What things can make Bofu smiled like this?! Thought Zhou Yu doubtfully. Earlier Sun Ce is angry to high heavens, but now he is smiling happily. “HAHAHAHA!!!” Sun Ce is laughing out loud in happily. Zhou Yu had seen this laugh before when Taishi Ci joined Sun Ce. At that time, Liu Yao is very formidable because of Taishi Ci and Taishi Ci even fought toe-to-toe with Sun Ce and when Taishi Ci submit to Sun Ce, it is as if Liu Yao’s right hand was chopped and at that time, Sun Ce show this kind of smile.