Chapter 432 Give it a try
As Liu Fan listened to Zhang Song's proposal, his initial astonishment was gradually replaced by deep thought.
He slowly stood up and walked to the map, his eyes fixed on the vast mountains and forests in the southern part of Nanman, as if he wanted to see through the map and see the possible future.
"Zi Qiao, can you tell me in detail how we should implement the expansion of territory to the south?" Liu Fan's voice was filled with a hint of urgency and caution.
Zhang Song took a step forward, tapped the map with his finger, and said methodically: "Your Majesty, you see, the area south of Nanman has a complex terrain, mostly mountains and forests, and few people have set foot there."
"As far as we know, the tribes there are scattered and each acts independently, and have not formed a strong unified force."
"If we can unite some of the Nanman tribes, relying on their familiarity with the mountainous terrain and their fierce fighting power, we can march southward and seize land. This will not only divert the Nanman's threat to Yizhou, but also expand our territory and increase our resources. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone."
Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials on both sides began to whisper to each other.
Some looked skeptical, thinking that the plan was too risky; others nodded slightly, as if thinking about its feasibility.
At this time, Yan Yan stood up and clasped his fists, saying, "Your Majesty, what Lord Zhang said makes sense, but the southern barbarians have always been wild and difficult to tame. How can we guarantee that they will obey our orders and go south with us?"
"Besides, we know very little about the terrain and tribal situation in the south. If we advance rashly and encounter strong resistance, won't we suffer heavy casualties?"
Zhang Song smiled and responded calmly: "General Yan Yan is right. But we are not unprepared."
"Although the Nanman tribes are independent, they are connected to each other, and many of them have good relations with local tyrants."
"Nowadays, all the powerful people in the world want to expand their territory. As long as we take the lead, I believe there will be countless people willing to cooperate."
"We can also send envoys to the southern barbarians to communicate with those tribes that are more friendly to our Yizhou, and promise them various benefits after the successful march south, such as land, property, status, etc."
"As for the terrain in the south and the distribution of local forces..."
Zhang Song smiled confidently: "I have already made preparations. The corresponding maps have been drawn almost enough for the army to use."
His talent was originally for drawing topographic maps.
As a local powerful man in Yizhou, he had already made preparations for the terrain around Yizhou.
He drew corresponding maps not only for the southern part of Yizhou, but also for Xiliang and Jingzhou.
And after Tian Ze showed signs of rising, he chose to continue to be prepared and repel the Houhe tribe's merchant caravans from moving south, deep into the southwest of Yizhou to explore, and had already drawn a corresponding map.
The distribution and relationship map of local forces was also carefully sorted out.
It just comes in handy now.
Liu Fan listened to Zhang Song's explanation and looked at him deeply. The doubts in his heart gradually dissipated. He turned to look at the other civil and military officials and asked, "My dear ministers, what do you think about this?"
Huang Quan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although this plan has risks, it is still a way to break the deadlock."
"Now our Yizhou is facing the threat of Tianze, and the local tyrants have other ideas."
Having said that, Huang Quan looked at Zhang Song calmly and then continued.
"If we can expand our territory southward, solve the problem of the southern barbarians, and increase the strength of Yizhou at the same time, we may be able to gain a more advantageous position in the confrontation with Tian Ze."
"However, this plan will require a great deal of manpower, material resources, and financial resources. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider it."
Liu Fan nodded slightly. He knew the pros and cons of this plan very well. But the current situation did not allow him to hesitate too much.
If the situation continues to be delayed, the internal conflicts in Yizhou will intensify further, and the threat from Tian Ze is gradually approaching. Instead of waiting for death, it is better to give it a try.
"I have made up my mind. This matter will be done as Ziqiao said. Ziqiao, you will be responsible for the overall arrangement of this matter. Make sure to make all preparations." Liu Fan said firmly. "I obey your order." Zhang Song knelt down to accept the order, feeling both excited and stressed. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If it succeeds, it will not only open up a new world for Yizhou, but also make him famous in history.
But at the same time, he was also aware of the huge risks involved. If he was not careful, Yizhou might fall into an irretrievable situation.
After the meeting, Liu Fan kept Huang Quan.
"Gong Heng, I, the emperor, am truly a failure!" Facing this loyal confidant, Liu Fan completely dropped his disguise and said with a long sigh.
Huang Quan's eyes flashed with reluctance, and then he said: "Your Majesty, when God wants to give a man a great responsibility, he must first make him suffer."
"In the past, Emperor Gaozu was able to give up Guanzhong and retreat to Guanzhong, and then he gained the world. As long as Your Majesty can get through this, you will be able to ascend to heaven."
Liu Fan smiled bitterly.
He just listened to this.
The situation faced by Emperor Gaozu was incomparable to what he faces now.
In this situation, even if Emperor Gaozu were alive, he would not be able to break the impasse, because the opponent he faced was not the short-sighted Xiang Yu.
"You have understood Ziqiao's suggestion. Now the people of Yizhou no longer support me." Liu Fan said in a deep voice.
Liu Fan was confident that Zhang Song and others were still loyal to him.
However, as representatives of the local powerful in Yizhou, Zhang Song and others were different from Huang Quan who was wholeheartedly loyal to them. They also had their own ideas and made multiple preparations.
After all, position determines stance. When seeing that Liu Fan did not have much hope, the Yizhou family made almost the inevitable choice of placing multiple bets and starting anew.
Leading the southern barbarians to conquer the south is beneficial to him, but it is also the collective voice of the Yizhou family and an important retreat route.
In the future, whether Tian Ze seized Yizhou or Liu Fan gave Yizhou to Liu Bei, they would not lose out.
It has become a consensus in the world that the general trend lies with Tianze, and they have to prepare in advance.
Gongsun Zan's decision to march westward to the Western Regions set a good example for the aristocratic families and powerful people throughout the world.
Liu Fan looked at Huang Quan, his eyes full of fatigue and helplessness. He slowly walked to the window, looking at the gradually darkening sky outside, feeling mixed emotions.
"Gong Heng, I am on pins and needles in this situation. But right now, I have no better solution. I can only follow their wishes."
Huang Quan frowned slightly, took a step forward, and said softly: "Your Majesty, although Ziqiao and others have their own plans, if the plan to expand the territory to the south can succeed, it will also be a good thing for our Yizhou."
"We can only change the situation by following the trend. As long as we can seize the initiative, we may be able to turn the situation around."
Liu Fan turned his head and looked at Huang Quan, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes: "Gong Heng, if you have any ideas, you might as well speak up."
Huang Quan thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, for this operation, we can send a trusted general to follow the army southward."
"This general must be able to command the army and deal with the southern barbarian tribes and local tyrants. During the march, pay close attention to the movements of various forces to ensure that they will not do anything detrimental to our Yizhou."
"At the same time, we must also provide adequate logistical support and lobbying work in the rear. As long as the benefits are sufficient, it may be possible to gain the full support of the powerful and the southern barbarians."
Liu Fan nodded slightly, thinking that what Huang Quan said made sense. "Then who do you think is the right person to send?"
Huang Quan pondered and said, "I think General Wu Yi is a steady man with certain military talents. He is a good candidate. He has a high prestige in the army and is familiar with the situation in Yizhou. I believe he can be competent for this task."
(End of this chapter)
