Soyoung's Apocalypse Tycoon -4: Choices and Focus Were Needed
Even though we're shoving Jingzhou's abundant resources into Soyang, those resources aren't infinite.
I figured we couldn't launch any businesses beyond the saltworks in our current state.
Isn't it just common sense that you need rock-solid basic production to even attempt secondary industries?
"Urgent report! Lord Liu Biao of Jingzhou has passed away!"
Such thoughts didn't last long.
Liu Biao had succumbed to his illness.
When Uncle Zhao Yun told me, I was skeptical at first.
It was the report I heard right after returning to Yangyang.
Along with a will bequeathing everything to his eldest son Liu Qi, Liu Biao breathed his last.
A funeral was held.
I didn't know Liu Biao well, but since everyone else was crying, I discreetly joined in.
The eldest son, Liu Qi, declared a three-year mourning period and temporarily handed all military authority and Jingzhou's administrative powers to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei gladly accepted.
Liu Qi stared at the will, unable to hide his tears as grief welled up.
"He wasn't the best father, but what son doesn't weep for his father's death?"
People praised Liu Qi's filial piety and wept alongside him.
After the national mourning settled, I met with Liu Bei.
It wasn't a one-on-one.
Uncle Kongming and that Xu Shu guy seemed locked in sharp opposition, each with their own agenda.
Sensing the tension, I stayed calm.
"My lord summoned me?"
"Welcome, Advisor Bi. I wanted to hear your thoughts as well, so I asked you to come."
Liu Bei looked pleased, though I couldn't fathom why—especially right after the funeral.
"So, what brings my lord to summon me?"
"To discuss future plans."
No sooner had Liu Bei finished than Uncle Kongming raised his hand, signaling he wished to speak.
"My lord, may I speak?"
"Proceed."
Uncle Kongming clasped his hands politely, rested them on the table, and fixed his gaze on me.
"Listen well. We're debating whether to retake Xinyang. What are your thoughts?"
Now I understood why the two were on edge.
This was a war council.
"May I share my view?"
"No need to hesitate. We're just asking your opinion."
"We shouldn't take Xinyang."
Uncle Kongming's lip curled up. Xu Shu's drooped.
"Explain your reasoning clearly."
This proposal must have come from Xu Shu.
I couldn't be certain, but I laid out my thoughts without holding back.
"I assume the situation allows us to seize Xinyang easily right now. Am I right?"
Xu Shu replied.
"Indeed. Even if Xinyang has suffered war, securing it expands our territory. We can't miss this chance to decisively punish an enemy showing aggression."
I agreed with Xu Shu's sound logic.
"I concur that we could take the land with ease. We could always fall back if enemies press us later. But the real issue lies elsewhere."
Elsewhere.
If we seize Xinyang, will Cao Cao turn on Sun Quan?
I wanted to use Wu to whittle down Wei's massive forces, even a little.
Our startup Shu, which began with 5,000 troops, had dramatically succeeded in the Jingzhou M&A, swelling our army to nearly 80,000–90,000, including Liu Qi's 30,000.
This was a huge win—we'd absorbed troops that should have gone to Cao Cao, weakening the enemy while strengthening ourselves.
"Then what is your stance? If we don't move, Jingzhou will fall someday."
Uncle Kongming seemed to share my thinking. Time to voice it.
"This is the perfect moment to strike Yizhou and claim Bashu."
Uncle Kongming brightened.
"What makes you think of attacking Bashu?"
To his question, I stated the obvious.
"If we declare a full army mobilization to attack Bashu, the enemy will surrender without hesitation. We can frame the justification around Liu Zhang abandoning the Han dynasty for a life of luxury."
Liu Bei seemed reluctant but gestured for me to continue.
"I'd like to hear more of your thoughts, young lady."
"Yes, my lord. First, Liu Zhang and the Hanzhong elder lack political stability. Second, if Cao Cao learns we're moving troops to attack Bashu, he'll surely redirect his forces toward Wu."
No one had expected the second point; all three were stunned.
Xu Shu, the most dumbfounded, stared at me like an idiot.
"You think that makes sense?"
"Of course it does."
"The moment we move troops, they'll flood into Jingzhou. How can you treat a matter tied to the nation's fate so lightly?"
"It's perfectly reasonable."
I wasn't trying to rile him up.
Xu Shu was getting heated, veins bulging, so I spoke before his rage gauge filled.
"Cao Cao's greatest threat is Wu. In this situation, Liu Zhang or the elder won't prepare for our Bashu strike, and Cao Cao will definitely test us."
"You're saying that blade will point toward Wu?"
"Precisely. Whether we provoke Wu or Cao Cao decides to attack, we'll reap the benefits as fishermen and secure Bashu—bringing us closer to the Three Kingdoms Division strategy."
"Why?"
"Because Cao Cao holds Xinyang. If he sees Wu as a threat, he'll want to advance westward, but Jingzhou blocks the path. The mere rumor of us moving to Bashu will make him tighten defenses in Chang'an without mobilizing."
It's a dilemma for Cao Cao—he won't know if we'll head to Chang'an or Hanzhong.
"Chang'an..."
If he sees troops bypassing nearby Luoyang for Chang'an, Cao Cao will assume connections to Han Sui in the west.
Reading my mind, Xu Shu glanced at Uncle Kongming, then eyed me steadily. "It's not impossible."
Uncle Kongming, who had been listening silently, now offered his view.
"You're making the suspicious man even more suspicious."
"Exactly. Cao Cao will think Han Sui and we are plotting something. But instead of striking Chang'an with our assembled forces, we head to Bashu. His best move then would be to start a war with Sun Quan."
Liu Bei, grasping my intent, gave an unexpected reply.
"I'll consider it. I understand your thinking, but this is a gamble. It puts Shu and the people's fate on the line... How can you be so certain?"
"If Cao Cao strikes Jingzhou, we pivot to Chang'an. If he hits Wu, we proceed to Bashu as planned."
Most of the Wei troops sacrificed at Chibi were Jingzhou recruits absorbed by us.
I doubt Cao Cao, who failed to take Jingzhou, would rashly launch another Red Cliffs campaign.
But securing Bashu must happen even if we lose Jingzhou.
As the saying goes, Yizhou's vast lands offer unmatched productivity—and silk trade profits to boot.
Not doing it would be foolish.
"We'll deliberate. You may all rise."
Liu Bei stood from the head seat and left the chamber, his deep sigh betraying his turmoil.
As he exited, he turned back.
"If it truly comes to pass, someone must go as envoy to Wu. We're on good terms, so no great worry, but there's no guarantee Wu won't strike Jingzhou."
I don't know when we made peace with Wu... but maybe that's what Uncle Kongming meant when he told Liu Qi to yield to Han Sui.
"My lord seems to lack a suitable envoy."
I pointed out Shu's talent shortage, but Liu Bei brushed it off casually.
"My eye for people isn't the best. Then, when the chance arises, would Advisor Bi make the trip?"
Feeling the nation was running smoothly, I gave the right answer.
"Why not send Zhuge Liang?"
Hearing that, Uncle Kongming pondered deeply, as if wondering what to do with me. "What am I to do with you..."
*
After Liu Biao's funeral, I returned to Soyang.
The population kept swelling past 10,000 households, buildings rose on what was barren wasteland, and farming had finally begun.
To prevent potential landslides and floods, I gathered herbalists and hunters familiar with the mountains to plant trees.
It was outside my expertise, so I put Choi Jupyeong in charge.
Chatting with him, I learned he was well-versed in Daoist philosophy—nature comes to mind with Daoism, so I figured he'd know enough.
His expertise? Who knows.
"Urgent! Urgent report! Where is the magistrate?!"
"Urgent" set off alarm bells.
Calming my shock, I asked the soldier.
"Speak quickly. Has someone raised an army again? Cao Cao doesn't have the spare forces for back-to-back campaigns..."
"No, it's not that!"
"Then why rush here like this?"
"A man from Cao Cao's army has arrived—as an envoy, requesting to meet the market chief here!"
A Late Han rule: Kill the envoy, and you're seen as refusing talks—aggro skyrockets to number one.
The envoy risked his life to come, so we had to hear him out.
"Bring him in. I'll talk to him."
"Yes! I'll inform him!"
The messenger left briefly and returned.
"He's already at the door. Shall I let him in?"
"Yes, bring him."
Why come here instead of to Liu Bei? What could he want...
Might be nothing big...
Creak—
The door opened, and a man strode in.
"Guo Fengxiao—Guo Jia. Quite the welcome. Is this how Shu treats envoys? Or are you testing me?"
With that, Guo Jia spat on the floor.
'Guo Jia?'