Treatise on Military Preparedness, Volume 28

Strategy Research

Three Kingdoms Part IV (Conclusion)

The four commanderies of Yizhou, Yongchang, Zangke, and Yuexi These administrative divisions covered parts of modern-day Yunnan, Guizhou, and southern Sichuan. were all pacified. Zhuge Liang immediately identified the local chieftains original: "qushuai" (渠率)Refers to the leaders of the non-Han tribal groups in the south. and appointed them to official positions.

Someone Likely an advisor or subordinate concerned about the risks of local autonomy. counseled Liang against this policy. Liang replied:

"If we leave outsiders Referring to Han Chinese officials from the central government of Shu Han. to govern, we would be forced to station soldiers there. If soldiers are stationed, we would lack the food to sustain them—this is the first difficulty. The tribal people have only recently suffered wounds and defeat; many have seen their fathers and brothers killed or lost. If we leave outsiders in charge without a military garrison, disaster will surely follow—this is the second difficulty. Furthermore, these tribal leaders have committed many crimes of deposition and murder; they harbor deep-seated guilt original: "leizhong" (纍重) and suspicion. If we leave outsiders to rule them, they will never truly trust one another—this is the third difficulty. My current intention is to leave no soldiers and transport no grain. I aim to see the social order roughly established and ensure that the tribal and Han peoples remain at peace with one another. That is all."

Thereupon, Liang recruited all the most talented men of the region, such as Meng Huo, to serve as his own staff and officials. The region in turn provided gold, silver, cinnabar, lacquer, oxen, and warhorses to support the expenses of the military and the state. Until the end of Liang's life, the southern tribes did not rebel again.

Sun Quan, the King of Wu, having heard of the state of mourning in Wei referring to the death of Cao Pi, Emperor Wen of Wei, in 226 CE., personally led a military force to attack Jiangxia. Wen Ping, the Grand Administrator a high-ranking provincial official with both civil and military authority. of Jiangxia, held the defense firmly. The Wei court...