Capítulo 587: 564. The Prelude To a War Between Liu Zhang & The Nanman Tribes
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Zhang Ren shared his colleague's determination but cautioned, "We must tread carefully. The Nanman are resourceful and know their terrain better than we do. Our spies have reported improvements in their defenses, and their chieftains are likely preparing for our return. A hasty campaign could end in disaster, but a well-planned one could bring them to their knees."
The two generals reached an unspoken agreement to prioritize the campaign against the Nanman. They decided that the first step would be to convene a council with the other high-ranking officers of Liu Zhang's army to discuss strategy and logistics.
Once the generals reached a consensus, the proposal would be submitted to Liu Zhang for formal approval, a mere formality, as they knew the decision would ultimately rest with Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, and Meng Da, who hold true power over the court but unlike Zhang Wei and Wang Shang, more subtle and Liu Zhang trusted them.
Two days later, in a military encampment just outside Chengdu, Yan Yan and Zhang Ren assembled the province's senior generals for a council of war. The large tent, adorned with maps and banners, buzzed with the low murmur of discussion as the officers gathered.
Yan Yan began the meeting with a firm declaration. "Gentlemen, the time has come to address the matter of the Nanman. The ceasefire served its purpose, allowing us to focus on Zhang Lu and consolidate our resources. But the Nanman tribes remain a persistent threat to our southern borders. It is our duty to ensure the security of Yi Province."
Zhang Ren stepped forward, gesturing to a detailed map of the southern region. "Our spies have provided valuable intelligence on the terrain and the disposition of the Nanman forces. Their strongholds are well-defended, but they lack cohesion among their chieftains. If we can exploit this weakness, we can divide their forces and achieve a decisive victory."
The assembled generals listened intently as Yan Yan and Zhang Ren outlined their plan. The strategy involved a three-pronged approach:
1. Securing Supply Lines: Ensuring uninterrupted access to provisions and reinforcements by fortifying key points along the route to the Nanman territories, so that they wouldn't fall into a trap or Nanman ambush along the route.
2. Targeting Key Strongholds: Focusing on the most strategic Nanman strongholds to weaken their overall resistance and destroy their line of communication.
3. Diplomatic Maneuvers: Attempting to sway or neutralize certain Nanman chieftains through diplomacy or subterfuge to reduce the number of active enemies.
The generals led by Yan Yan and Zhang Ren, debated the finer points of the plan, offering suggestions and raising potential concerns. By the end of the meeting, the generals had refined the strategy into a cohesive plan of action.
With the plan finalized, Yan Yan and Zhang Ren returned to Chengdu to present it to Liu Zhang. As expected, Liu Zhang deferred the decision to Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, and Meng Da, who reviewed the proposal with great interest.
Zhang Song spoke first, his tone thoughtful. "Generals, your plan is thorough and well-considered. The Nanman is a threat that must be dealt with decisively, and your strategy addresses both the military and logistical challenges."
Fa Zheng added, "The focus on securing supply lines is particularly wise. The Nanman terrain is treacherous, and ensuring a steady flow of provisions will be crucial to maintaining momentum."
Meng Da, on the other hand, raised a question. "Have you accounted for the possibility of an alliance among the Nanman chieftains? If they unite against us, even a well-planned campaign could face significant difficulties."
Zhang Ren replied confidently. "Administrator Meng Da, we have taken that possibility into account. Our intelligence suggests that the Nanman chieftains are currently in an alliance but are deeply divided personally, as they have enmity with each other. With careful maneuvering, we can exacerbate these divisions and prevent them from presenting a united front."
Satisfied with the answers, Zhang Song turned to Liu Zhang, who nodded in agreement. "The campaign against the Nanman is approved. May the gods favor your efforts, generals. Eradavite the barbarians well, and everyone will receive rewards according to merit and contributions they made."
With the court's approval secured, preparations for the campaign began in earnest. Supplies were gathered, troops drilled, and detailed plans were disseminated to the officers. Yan Yan and Zhang Ren personally oversaw the readiness of the troops, ensuring that every man understood his role in the coming campaign.
True to their promise, Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, and Meng Da visited the military camps to boost morale and demonstrate their commitment to the army. Their presence reassured the soldiers, solidifying the bond between the military and the new administration.
Meanwhile, Lie Fan's Oriole agents worked behind the scenes to support the campaign, ensuring that Liu Zhang's government worked according to what their lord, Lie Fan, wanted.
As the army marched southward, the tension was palpable. Soldiers and generals alike knew the risks of the campaign but were buoyed by the promise of victory and the reforms that had strengthened their ranks. Yan Yan and Zhang Ren led from the front, their confidence inspiring the troops.
The southern lands of the Nanman tribes were a rugged, untamed expanse of dense jungles, towering mountains, and treacherous rivers. It was a land as wild as the people who called it home, and its leaders were as fierce and unyielding as the terrain they ruled.
Scouts darted through the jungle, delivering grim news to their respective chieftains, Liu Zhang's army was stirring, preparing for war. Fortifications were being strengthened along the borders, supplies were amassed, and soldiers were drilled. War was no longer a question of if but when.
Word of the impending invasion spread like wildfire, and the Nanman chieftains convened in the stronghold of their alliance leader, Meng Huo. The sprawling, timber-constructed hall was packed with the leaders of various tribes, their faces a mixture of anger, defiance, and concern.
Meng Huo sat at the head of the assembly, his massive frame radiating power and authority. By his side were his most trusted advisors, King Duosi, King Mulu, King Wutugu, and Ahui Nan, each commanding a powerful tribe that had numerous warriors under them.
Meng Huo slammed his fist onto the table, his voice booming over the murmurs of the assembled chieftains. "So, Liu Zhang dares to break the ceasefire after just one year? Does he think we are weak? Does he believe we will sit idly by while his armies march into our lands?"
King Duosi, the sharp-eyed leader of a wealthy and resourceful Nanman tribe, spoke first. "Leader Meng Huo, the situation is grave. Our scouts report that Liu Zhang's forces are better equipped and organized than ever before. This is not the same army we fought last time."
King Mulu, known for his mystical connection to the beasts of the jungle, added, "Duosi speaks the truth. The enemy's supplies are well-stocked, and they have taken great care to secure their routes. They intend to deny us the advantage of ambush. We must adapt our strategies."
Ahui Nan, who thinks more pragmatically, leaned forward. "Adapt, yes, but we must also strike at their morale. The jungle is our ally, and their enemy. If we can make their advance costly and slow, their soldiers will falter. They may be organized, but they are outsiders in our land."
King Wutugu, his towering form adorned with tribal armor, growled his agreement. "We must meet them with overwhelming force when they enter our territory. I will lead my warriors to hold the mountain passes. Let them come; their blood will stain the rivers red."
The room erupted into debate as the chieftains argued over the best course of action. Meng Huo raised a hand to silence them. "Enough! We will not bicker like children while the enemy prepares to march. Let us combine our strengths and devise a plan that will break Liu Zhang's army and send his generals scurrying back to their home like rats."
After hours of intense discussion, the chieftains agreed on a multi-faceted plan to counter Liu Zhang's invasion:
1. Fortification of Key Positions: Meng Huo ordered the strengthening of defenses at crucial mountain passes, river crossings, and jungle chokepoints. Wutugu's warriors, with their unparalleled strength and skill in defensive combat, would man these positions.
2. Guerilla Warfare: Smaller, mobile groups would harass the advancing army, targeting supply lines, scouting parties, and isolated units. King Mulu's tribes, masters of the jungle, would lead these operations, using their knowledge of the terrain to devastating effect.
3. Psychological Warfare: To undermine the morale of Liu Zhang's troops, the Nanman planned to use fear and superstition. King Mulu's shamans would spread rumors of curses and unleash terrifying displays of their control over the jungle's beasts.
4. Unification of the Tribes: Meng Huo knew that only a united Nanman alliance could stand against Liu Zhang's army. He dispatched envoys to smaller tribes, offering them protection and wealth in exchange for their loyalty.
Meng Huo addressed the assembly with finality. "We will make them pay for every step they take into our land. They think they can defeat us with their numbers and their shiny armor, but they forget, they are in our world now."
The Nanman tribes worked tirelessly to prepare for the coming conflict. Warriors sharpened their weapons, artisans crafted traps and fortifications, and shamans conducted rituals to bless the defenders and curse the invaders. In every village and stronghold, the fires of war burned brightly.
King Mulu's shamans called upon the beasts of the jungle, training elephants to serve as living battering rams and coordinating packs of jungle predators, tigers and wolves, to ambush enemy patrols.
King Wutugu's warriors created massive, spiked shields and heavy weapons, preparing to turn the narrow mountain passes into killing fields. Ahui Nan coordinated the production of poisons, which would be used to tip arrows and contaminate water sources.
Meng Huo himself toured the tribal territories, rallying his people with fiery speeches. "We are the sons and daughters of the jungle! No invader has ever conquered us, and no invader ever will! Stand with me, and together we will show Liu Zhang the price of his arrogance!"
In the north, Liu Zhang's army was on its way to the southern border of Liu Zhang's domain. Yan Yan and Zhang Ren led a force of disciplined soldiers, their ranks bolstered by the reforms and increased funding implemented by Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, and Meng Da. The soldiers marched with confidence, their spirits high after months of rigorous training and preparation.
The army moved cautiously, their scouts sweeping much further ahead to identify potential ambush sites around the outskirts of Liu Zhang's border with the Nanman tribes.
Supply lines were heavily guarded, and engineers worked to ensure equipment was in top and good condition as the army progressed. Yan Yan, as the seasoned general who had faced the Nanman tribes before, ensured that his troops maintained discipline and vigilance.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 32 (199 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
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