Chapter 365: The First Phase of the Northwest Project Completed
The capital of Longxi County was Didao County.

A flagstone road and a carriageway foundation extended all the way from Chang'an to Didao County.

After nearly two years of hard work by four million people, this huge project was finally completed.

Compared with the Qin Dynasty's highway, the stone road is a bit bumpy and slow, but once the carriageway is built, it will be a completely different story.

At present, the production of iron cannot keep up. As long as there is enough iron, the lanes can be built. At that time, land transportation will become the most efficient and convenient mode of transportation besides water transportation.

The Longxi Li family has been passed down since the pre-Qin period. The origins of General Li Guang and the later Li Tang family are here.

The Li family is a prominent family in Longxi. They have been working here for generations, but they have been very rational in avoiding one disaster after another. Even the rebellions of Ma Teng and Han Sui did not implicate the Li family. This is a clear example.

However, this is also related to the Li family's low-key nature. The Li family in the Eastern Han Dynasty was as glorious as the Li Guang period in the Western Han Dynasty, but it declined quickly.

During the founding period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a general named Li Zhong among the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai. He was a member of the Longxi Li family and was granted the title of Marquis of Qinting.

Later, Li Chun, the grandson of Li Zhong, was abolished because his mother killed Li Chun's uncle. In the seventh year of Yongchu (113 AD), Empress Dowager Deng restored Li Chun's title of Marquis of Qinting.

Afterwards, the Li family gradually declined and has survived to this day by relying on the marquisate of their ancestors.

During Jin Mao's reign, Li was very cooperative and did whatever he was asked to do, which allowed Zhuge Liang's work to proceed very smoothly.

To express his gratitude, Zhuge Liang visited with gifts on the third day after the completion of the stone road from Chang'an to Longxi.

Today, the current head of the Li family is the sixth-generation grandson of Li Zhong, named Li Ming. He has been in charge for only six years. According to the longevity of the Li family's heads of all generations, Li Ming will not be replaced as the head of the family for the next thirty or forty years.

"Liang pays homage to Marquis Qinting."

Li Ming held Zhuge Liang in panic and said, "Director Zhuge, I am so embarrassed. If the King of Wu knew about this, I don't know how he would punish me."

Even though Li Ming is humble, his words carry a lot of weight in Longxi and even Xiliang.

Zhuge Liang was well aware of this, especially since the next project would still require Li's help.

Because if you go further west and north in Didao County, you will pass the Great Wall.

In other words, Didao County is the checkpoint. Once you pass through here, you are out of the checkpoint and the road ahead will be difficult to build.

After all, the distance from Longxi County to Wuwei County is not shorter than the distance from Chang'an to Longxi, and there are bandits, Qiang people, Xiongnu, and Xianbei mixed on this road, making it difficult to ensure the safety of every construction worker.

"Marquis Qinting is joking." Zhuge Liang said, "Who in Xiliang doesn't know the name of the Li family? Even if the King of Wu wants to touch you, he must think twice."

Li Ming was shocked when he heard this. He never expected that Zhuge Liang, a weak scholar, could be so insidious and use such a thing to threaten him.

Isn’t the Li family obedient enough?

The Gongsun family of Liaodong was seeking their own death and they can't blame anyone else, but the Li family has been well behaved and law-abiding over the years and hasn't done anything bad.

But Li Ming was not an ordinary man after all, and he soon realized that Zhuge Liang was not necessarily threatening him, but might be trying to scare him in order to gain some bargaining chips for what was to come.

However, Li Ming did not dare to gamble. The end of the Gongsun family was still in sight, and the Li family's foundation in Longxi that had been run for hundreds of years could not be destroyed in his hands.

"Director, please stop joking." Li Ming said straight to the point: "If you have anything to say, just tell me. The Li Group will definitely do its best to support you!"

Zhuge Liang nodded in satisfaction and said, "I do have something to ask of you."

"My lord has entrusted me with the responsibility of the Western Regions, but now the first phase is about to be completed, and I don't know how to start the second phase. Sigh, it's really worrying."

Li Ming was in favor of building the road, and when he heard what Zhuge Liang said, he immediately asked, "What's bothering you, Director Zhuge?"

Zhuge Liang sighed again and said, "Xiliang has been in war for years. Although Captain Han Sui has helped us restore production in recent years, the Qiang and Di people do not trust us. It will be difficult to build a road through their territory."

Li Ming suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. I have had many contacts with the leaders of the Di people and the Xianling Qiang people. I can be a lobbyist for the director."

Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up when he heard this. He slowly stood up, walked to Li Ming, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly: "If Qinting Hou can really help me solve this problem, it will be a great blessing for the people of Xiliang and for officials like us. Although the Qiang and Di people have different cultural customs from us, if we can treat each other with sincerity and share interests as a bond, I believe we can turn hostility into friendship and seek common development."

"Since you are on good terms with their leader, please set off immediately and go to lobby them. But remember, this trip requires strategy. We must demonstrate the sincerity and strength of the Han Dynasty, while respecting their traditions and beliefs and avoiding exacerbating conflicts. You can bring some of our dynasty's specialties and handicrafts as gifts to show our friendship." Zhuge Liang said as he took out a gift list that had been prepared long ago from the table and handed it to Li Ming.

"In addition, I need you to convey a message to the leaders of the tribes: this road is not only for the convenience of our Han people, but also to promote trade between the two sides, strengthen cultural exchanges, and make Xiliang more prosperous. I believe that as long as they can see the long-term benefits, they will support our plan."

Li Ming took the list and felt the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but he did not flinch and nodded firmly: "Director Zhuge, rest assured, I will do my best and live up to your trust. I just hope that we can reach a consensus as soon as possible and make this road of hope open as soon as possible."

After saying that, Li Ming hurriedly packed his luggage and embarked on this journey full of challenges and opportunities.

A month later.

Li Ming brought back good news and bad news.

The good news is that the Di people, the Xianling Qiang and other small Qiang tribes are very willing to do so and are even willing to send people to help build the road.

The bad news was that nomadic tribes such as the Xiongnu and Xianbei were causing great trouble and it was impossible to communicate.

Zhuge Liang frowned instinctively, and then thought of Pang Tong's great victory in the east, which drove away the large Xianbei tribes in the northeast and central regions. So is there a possibility that the lack of cooperation between the Xianbei and Xiongnu in the northwest was related to this incident?

Confused, Zhuge Liang asked, "Does Qinting Hou know who this group of Xianbei leaders are subordinate to?"

"It seems to be Budugen's subordinate." Li Ming said uncertainly: "I am not familiar with Budugen, and my memory is a little vague." To be honest, the Longxi Li family had more dealings with the Xiongnu than the Xianbei.

Zhuge Liang's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard this. He was not unfamiliar with the name Budugen. This person was quite prestigious among the Xianbei, and his tribe had been active in recent years and had invaded the border many times, which was a major hidden danger in the northern border. If, as Li Ming said, this group of uncooperative Xianbei tribes were under the command of Budugen, then their tough attitude this time might be inextricably linked to Pang Tong's victory in the northeast.

"Budugen has always been ambitious. Pang Shiyuan's victory may have touched his sensitive nerves, making him feel it necessary to strengthen his forces in the northwest to balance the situation. He may even try to test our reaction through provocation." Zhuge Liang analyzed slowly, with a hint of solemnity in his tone.

He paused, looking into the distance with deep eyes, as if he had penetrated through the layers of clouds and mist and saw the vast and complex borderland. "We must respond cautiously. We must ensure that the road construction project goes smoothly to strengthen internal connections, and guard against intrusion by external forces. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to contact Budugen through diplomatic means and try to find a peaceful solution."

Zhuge Liang had a preliminary strategic idea in mind. He knew that facing the complex border situation, simple military suppression was not a long-term solution. Only by combining wisdom and diplomacy could we achieve real long-term peace. So he turned to Li Ming and asked, "General Li, do you have any suggestions or information about the negotiations with Budugen?"

After hearing this, Li Ming thought for a moment and replied, "Although I have no close relationship with Budugen, the Longxi Li family also has some informants in the northwest, and perhaps we can get some useful information from them. As for negotiations, I think we can send an envoy who is good at speaking and familiar with border affairs to try to negotiate with Budugen and find out his true intentions."

Zhuge Liang nodded and agreed with Li Ming's proposal. "I'll leave this matter to you. Be sure to select the right person who can convey our sincerity and determination and has enough wisdom and adaptability to deal with various situations that may arise."

Another half month passed, and Li Ming brought back accurate news: "This incident is indeed related to Budugen!"

Li Ming asked, "Director Zhuge, can you ask the King of Wu to send an army to wipe out this group of people?"

It is possible, but if you do that, wouldn't it make Zhuge Liang appear incompetent?

Pang Tong's plan to build cities in Liaodong and the north was very complicated, and Zhuge Liang thought that there would be no better solution even if he went there.

But the Northwest is different.

The Construction Bureau has more than 4 million people and nearly 20,000 regular troops. If they can't deal with a stray dog ​​like Budugen under such circumstances, Zhuge Liang thinks it's better to go home as soon as possible.

"Marquis Qinting, I need your help with something."

Zhuge Liang looked at Li Ming and told him his plan.

Half a month later, a team of tens of thousands of people carrying food and supplies set out from Didao to Wuwei County.

It was the middle of winter, and the nomadic tribes were ready to move. Everyone knew that this was a piece of fat meat with thorns, and one would choke to death if not careful, but everyone wanted this windfall.

As long as they have this batch of supplies, a large tribe of tens of thousands of people will not have to worry about surviving the winter.

The Qiang and Di peoples were inherently weak, so they all kept their troops in place. The Xianbei and Xiongnu were salivating over their power, so they started a fight to see who would get the upper hand.

Finally, Budugen stepped in to calm the farce. Afterwards, Budugen took the lead and the Xianbei and Xiongnu cooperated to organize 30,000 cavalry to fight this battle.

Zhuge Liang had already made plans, and all these food and supplies were prepared for Budugen.

Influenced by Jin Mao, Zhuge Liang's thinking changed subtly. He believed that all the ethnic groups that could not surrender were enemies and should all be captured and made slaves, never to be able to rise again.

Therefore, this time Zhuge Liang deliberately marched through a narrow area in order to capture them all in one fell swoop.

Among the baggage troops there were 10,000 regular troops arranged by Zhuge Liang, and another 10,000 regular troops were lying in ambush in the mountains and forests on both sides, waiting for Budugen to fall into the trap before advancing.

In addition, just in case, Zhuge Liang applied to the Northwest Military Region for another 10,000 light cavalry to prevent Budugen from escaping.

Xun You, the head of the Northwest Military Region, was well aware of this and gave Zhuge Liang a strategy that would ensure that Budugen would never return.

It was also the first time that Zhuge Liang realized the power of the older generation of advisers.

The twelfth year of Jian'an (207), the first day of the first lunar month.

It should have been the Spring Festival, but in order to capture Budugen, Zhuge Liang followed the soldiers and ambushed in the snow.

Soon, the sound of horse hooves was heard in the distance.

As expected, Budugen rushed into the narrow territory of Longxi, with more than 30,000 cavalrymen charging in a long snake formation, as if he was sure that the Han army was unprepared.

Unexpectedly, there was a famous general from Hebei named Zhang He mixed in with the baggage train, making it difficult to capture him for a while.

Since Yuan Shao's defeat, Zhang He and Gao Lan surrendered to Jin Mao and started from the bottom. In nearly ten years, Zhang He also climbed to the position of the main captain of the Northwest Military Region.

When it comes to attack, Zhang He may not be as brave as Zhang Liao and other generals, but when it comes to defense, Zhang He is not inferior to others.

As the sound of horse hooves got closer, the vibrations on the snow became more obvious. Budugen's troops were like a black torrent, approaching unstoppably. Zhuge Liang stood behind the snow hill, observing everything calmly with a sharp gaze. He secretly calculated that Zhang He's joining would undoubtedly add some variables to this ambush, but it was also this variable that gave him a chance to turn things around.

Suddenly, he waved his feather fan and whispered a few words to the messenger beside him. The messenger quickly took the order and disappeared into the snow. Soon, there was movement in the snow around. The Han army's ambush troops adjusted their positions silently according to Zhuge Liang's deployment, forming a tighter encirclement.

Budugen saw that the road ahead was unobstructed, and he couldn't help but feel a little proud. He raised his long sword and shouted loudly, urging the cavalry to speed up and try to break through the Han army's defense line in one fell swoop. However, just as he was about to step into the ambush circle, the sky suddenly changed, and a gust of wind mixed with snowflakes whistled, and his vision instantly became blurred.

This was exactly the "snow and wind maze" that Zhuge Liang had carefully planned. Taking advantage of the unique climate conditions in the northwest, he arranged the mechanism in advance. Once the time was right, he activated the mechanism to change the wind direction and create chaos. Budugen's cavalry lost their direction in the sudden snow and wind, their formation was in chaos, and their speed also slowed down.

Zhang He saw this and immediately realized that this was a perfect opportunity to counterattack. He shouted loudly and led his soldiers to use this time to quickly organize a defensive formation. At the same time, he sent out an elite team to launch a surprise attack on Budugen's flank during the snowstorm and chaos.

Zhuge Liang was commanding from a high position. He knew that it was not appropriate to linger in the battle, but to make use of the advantage to make a quick decision. With his order, the Han army's ambush troops emerged from all directions and engaged in a fierce battle with Budugen's cavalry. In the wind and snow, the flashing of swords and the shouting of killing shook the earth.

After a fierce battle, Budugen's cavalry finally couldn't withstand the Han army's offensive and began to retreat. Zhang He led his troops in pursuit, striving to annihilate the enemy.

In the end, under Zhuge Liang's ingenious planning and Zhang He's heroic command, this ambush ended with a great victory for the Han army. Budugen was captured alive, and less than 10,000 of the more than 30,000 cavalry escaped, and the rest were all captured.

(End of this chapter)