I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 47 Separation of Powers

The Youzhou Cavalry were known as the "elite troops of the world," with those from Shanggu and Yuyang counties being the most outstanding.

Zhang Fei was from Zhuojun in Youzhou. Although he was not as famous as those from Shanggu or Yuyang, people from this region were skilled in archery and horsemanship and were also top-notch warriors.

During the bloody battle of Xuzhou, Zhang Fei fought his way out from the encirclement of eight Cao generals and escaped unscathed. In addition to his superb martial arts skills, his horsemanship was also an important means of supporting his breakout.

In Hanzhong, Zhang Lu and Zhang Fei were locked in a standoff. Zhang Fei fought a high-speed battle against the Xiliang cavalry, from daytime to nighttime battles fought by torchlight. Without skillful horsemanship, one could not have endured such a prolonged and protracted struggle.

The most well-known story is that he shouted at Cao Cao's million-strong army at Changban Bridge.

At that time, Zhang Fei only led about twenty riders to cover the rear. He ordered them to tie tree branches to the tails of their horses and split into two groups to run back and forth wildly, raising dust to create a diversion.

He himself stood alone at the bridgehead, single-handedly holding off a million Cao soldiers.

This is not only a manifestation of strategy and courage, but also an absolute confidence in one's own horsemanship.

As Zhang Fei's son, Zhang Bao's martial arts and archery skills were unparalleled, but his horsemanship was far inferior.

It is important to understand that on the battlefield, horsemanship is essential for breaking through enemy lines and killing enemies, as well as for retreating and securing one's life; it is the foundation for survival.

No wonder Zhang was so angry.

"Xingguo, this won't do."

Although Liu Shan did not know the reason for Zhang Bao's untimely death in history, in film and television works, it was because he fell from his horse and suffered a severe head injury that led to his death.

Although unofficial histories are often considered unreliable, they cannot be denied to have some reference value.

"As a general, your riding skills are ranked outside the top twenty in your class. This is unacceptable. If you fail to rank in the top five in the next assessment, you can forget about ever becoming a general again."

what! ! !

Zhang Bao screamed and struggled desperately to break free from his sister's grasp.

"Brother-in-law, you can't do this. I'd rather die than become a general."

As young generals from the privileged class of officials, the untimely deaths of Zhang Bao and Guan Xing had a significant impact on the future military strength of Shu Han.

After transmigrating, Liu Shan did not want them to repeat the same mistakes, so he paid special attention to this matter.

"I never said I wouldn't let you be a general. It's your own fault for not being capable enough. Alright, this is not negotiable. You may leave."

Zhang Bao wanted to try again, since the assessment was approaching and it would be very difficult to jump from 20th place to the top five in a short period of time.

But seeing that Liu Shan was somewhat angry, and with his sister giving him a meaningful look, Zhang Bao had no choice but to clasp his hands in a fist salute and leave the palace with a heavy heart.

"Alright, everything has settled, and I should be leaving now," said Empress Dowager Wu, who had been silent all along, as she put down her teacup.

She came here to support Zhang and to resolve the issue peacefully.

"Your Majesty is burdened with many affairs of state, which we, the Empress and I, are well aware of. But no matter how busy we are, we must remember the affairs of our ancestors."

This is not persuasion, but a warning.

Liu Shan nodded and said, "I understand. Empress Dowager, please take care."

Empress Dowager Wu reached out her hand, and Zhang immediately came over to help her. The two women, like sisters, supported each other as they left.

Liu Shan breathed a sigh of relief; the crisis was finally over for the time being.

Wang Gui crawled in and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, spare my life!"

This was actually just a small misunderstanding, but Wang Gui turned it into a serious situation that almost "deposed the empress," so he kept kowtowing.

Although Liu Shan was unhappy, the biggest reason for this was Zhang's resolute character.

If it were an ordinary woman, she would most likely run up to him, crying and begging for forgiveness.

But Zhang was completely different; she admitted her mistake by deposing herself as empress.

This woman is interesting; you've successfully caught my attention.

"Alright, stop banging your head. If you damage your brain, how will you serve me in the future?"

Wang Gui understood that Liu Shan was willing to forgive him, and overjoyed, he wept, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. From now on, I will serve you faithfully..."

"Fine, fine, I don't want to hear it. I just want to see what you do." Liu Shan waved his hand impatiently and said, "Go and treat your injuries."

Just as Liu Shan sat down, the attendant Huo Yi came to report.

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Zhuge, Protector-General Li Yan, and Governor of Jiaozhou Li Hui have come to the palace to request an audience."

Liu Shan replied without hesitation, "Please."

After Yizhou began to engage in agriculture, promote the Imperial Academy, reform the bureaucracy, and strengthen military training, the Prime Minister's office was constantly busy.

Liu Shan allowed the Secretariat, headed by Li Yan, and the local faction, headed by Qiao Zhou, to participate in the project. This not only relieved Zhuge Liang's pressure but also created a system of mutual supervision and checks and balances among the three.

Overall, the Jingzhou faction, led by Zhuge Liang, still held the most power.

However, in any case, all three parties must ultimately have Liu Shan's approval before their decisions can be effective.

Previously, "the palace and the government were one entity."

Now it is a system of "separation of powers, with the emperor holding absolute power".

"Your Majesty, Deng Zhi and Zong Yu have arrived in Chengdu, and the Eastern Wu envoy Zhuge Ke is also resting at the guesthouse."

The two countries renewed their alliance, and Zhuge Liang hoped to sign the alliance agreement as soon as possible.

"Tomorrow at court, I will summon Zhuge Ke as a sign of respect. The rest is up to you, Prime Minister."

Li Hui, who was standing nearby, said, "The four prefectures in the south have been reorganized into seven prefectures. This is the newly proposed list of prefects. Gao Ding and Zhu Bao have requested to return to their homelands. We hope Your Majesty will make a wise decision."

Although the division of the seven prefectures in the south was spearheaded by the Prime Minister's Office, the actual implementation was carried out by Li Hui of the Yizhou faction.

Liu Shan frowned slightly and said, "These two people harbor ulterior motives and are fickle. Even after the reorganization of the South, there is still discontent among the people. We cannot let them go back to avoid causing chaos again."

The change from four to seven in Nanzhong was intended to weaken local power and thus strengthen central authority.

However, this was a turbulent period of reorganization. If the two were sent back, unrest would inevitably break out again, especially since Meng Huo was still in Nanzhong.

Li Yan has returned to Chengdu from Yong'an and submitted a report.

"Your Majesty, the garrisons in Yong'an and Jiangzhou have been reorganized. I have come to report this."

After reconciliation with Eastern Wu, Yong'an and Jiangzhou in the east withdrew some troops and redeployed their defenses, reducing the court's military expenditures.

After reading the report, Liu Shan smiled and said, "Good, Protector Li has done a thorough job, I am very relieved."

Zhuge Liang continued, "With the southern regions now pacified, the court has access to salt, iron, and manpower. Your Majesty and Protector-General Li and I propose to form an elite force from the local Qiang and other tribes to strengthen the military power of our Han Dynasty."

Here they come, this is the Wudang Flying Army.

Zhuge Liang's formation of the Wudang Flying Army was a brilliant move to further weaken the power of the powerful clans in the south.

They allowed local powerful families to recruit and subjugate barbarians as their own retainers, and had them pay their military expenses.

The powerful families who recruited a large number of Yi people could obtain official positions that could be inherited for generations.

As a result, local powerful families would do their utmost to recruit barbarians in order to secure hereditary official positions and prestige for the imperial court, and these barbarians would eventually be transformed into the regular army of the imperial court.

The brilliance of this policy lies in its ability to achieve multiple benefits.

On the one hand, incorporating the barbarians into the retinues of powerful clans eliminated their threat to public order as a free-roaming armed force, and on the other hand, increased the source of soldiers for the Han Dynasty's future conscription.

On the other hand, by granting hereditary official positions to powerful local figures, the local forces that might have opposed the central government were transformed into beneficiaries within the system, thus making the southern region more stable.

"However, I am still evaluating the person who will lead this army."

Liu Shan asked, "Does Your Excellency remember the general who debated with Ma Su in the palace?"

Zhuge Liang suddenly realized, "Your Majesty is referring to Wang Ping. He is a strict military leader with considerable strategic acumen, and is well-suited for this position."

Liu Shan smiled and said, "I was just mentioning it casually. Whether Wang Ping can shoulder the responsibility of being the commander-in-chief depends on his performance in the training course."

The three men knew that Liu Shan intended to be fair and just, and they solemnly and respectfully said, "Your Majesty is wise."