The months of February and March were destined to be a season of relentless activity.
Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Guan Yu led repeated campaigns, sweeping through the territory to eliminate bandit strongholds both large and small. With the aid of sand table simulations, the hidden lairs of these mountain bandits across the four commanderies of Jingzhou had been laid bare with startling clarity.
Once the strongholds were broken, the three generals adopted a method long practiced in Jiangdong during the subjugation of the Shanyue tribes. The captured bandits were not executed outright, but instead subjected to labor and discipline, their lawless habits gradually worn down. Those who proved fit were reorganized and absorbed into the ranks as fresh soldiers.
Among the three, the one who exerted himself the most was unexpectedly Huang Zhong.
After witnessing, through the light screen, the future in which he would achieve great merit, the old general's heart had been completely stirred. Why wait several more years for Mount Dingjun? Why not seize the moment now?
He began gathering his own retainers with urgency, convinced that no later than the coming year, great war would erupt. To assist Liu Bei in pacifying Yi Province, and perhaps even the realm beyond, and ultimately to campaign against foreign tribes, these thoughts now burned fiercely within him. Looking back, Huang Zhong found himself filled with regret for the years he had idled away in Jingzhou.
Zhang Fei's earlier words continued to echo in his mind, fanning the flames of his ambition.
The Martial Temple.
The thought alone was enough to set his blood surging once more.
His sense of urgency, however, was not without foundation.
In the third month, across the river, within Jiangling, Zhou Yu sent an invitation, requesting that Liu Bei come for a meeting.
Liu Bei, however, was not so reckless.
Whether it was the revelations from the light screen or the prior warnings from Lu Su, all present understood one thing clearly. Zhou Yu was entirely capable of seizing Liu Bei on the spot if the opportunity arose.
Moreover, Zhou Yu had been entrusted with Sun Ce's final charge before his death. If he truly chose to act ruthlessly against Liu Bei, what could Sun Quan possibly say in objection?
To attend such a meeting alone would be folly.
In the end, both sides agreed upon a compromise. They would meet upon small boats in the middle of the river, each remaining within their own vessel.
"The Grand Commander proposes that we join forces to attack Yi Province."
This was the message Liu Bei brought back.
"If, according to the light screen, Sun Quan's later invitation carried the hidden intent of 'borrowing a path to conquer another state,'" Zhuge Liang said with a slight shake of his head, "then this invitation from Zhou Yu is far less concealed. His intentions are plainly dangerous."
The assembled generals reached the same conclusion without hesitation.
"If we agree to this proposal, we will surely lose our lives in Yi Province."
There was no need for further debate.
This invitation would not be accepted.
Yi Province would have to be taken by their own hand.
"I refused him on the spot," Liu Bei said, recalling the brief encounter with a furrowed brow. "Zhou Yu never showed himself. He remained within the cabin the entire time, speaking only through intermediaries. It is likely that his illness has already reached a critical stage."
A quiet sigh passed through the room.
A man of such brilliance, brought low not on the battlefield but upon a sickbed. There was something profoundly stifling about such an end.
"Even so, he still schemes for Sun Quan to seize Yi Province," Zhang Fei remarked. Though his tone carried a hint of mockery, there was also unmistakable admiration. "That Sun Shiwan-ge truly has ancestors watching over him."
The others nodded in agreement. The events at Hefei, still fresh from the light screen, had left a deep impression on them all.
Zhou Yu had labored with all his heart to build Jiangdong's hundred-thousand-strong army, only for it to result in the rise of Zhang Liao's fame.
One could not help but wonder, if Zhou Yu were to witness such a scene in the afterlife, what thoughts might pass through his mind.
After the generals dispersed, it was, as always, time for Zhuge Liang's private counsel with Liu Bei.
"If we are to take Yi Province, we must pass through Yufu. And to reach Yufu, we must first pass through Nan Commandery."
Zhuge Liang traced a clear route across the map, his explanation precise and methodical.
"But Zhou Yu currently holds Nan Commandery and shows no intention of withdrawing," Liu Bei murmured, before suddenly pausing as realization dawned. "Military advisor… you already have a plan?"
Zhuge Liang smiled and nodded, offering his thoughts without delay.
"Have my lord compose a letter to Sun Quan."
"First, express concern that the Grand Commander's illness prevents him from managing affairs, and that Nan Commandery may fall vulnerable to Cao forces."
"Second, state that Jiangling and Gong'an share a fate of mutual dependence. If one falls, the other cannot stand. Therefore, request to assume control of Jiangling's defenses as soon as possible."
"Third, assure him that the Grand Commander should focus on recovering. When Wu advances upon Hefei, seizing Shouchun and controlling the Huai River to threaten Xuchang, we will commit forces against Xiangfan to support them."
Liu Bei understood at once.
"I will write it immediately."
Yet a moment later, doubt surfaced.
"Will Sun Quan believe this?"
Zhuge Liang's smile deepened slightly.
"Sun Quan will not fully trust my lord."
"But neither does he fully trust his Grand Commander."
…
By the fourth month, Zhuge Liang had grown even busier.
Beyond allocating resources and calculating taxes, he now bore the additional responsibility of teaching farmers how to improve rice cultivation using the methods recorded in Tiangong Kaiwu.
"Husband, what do you think of these sheets?"
Huang Yueying approached, carrying a stack of newly produced paper, each sheet differing in texture and form.
Under the shade of trees beside the fields, Zhuge Liang had set up a simple shelter. From there, he worked alongside Jiang Wan while overseeing the rice seedlings.
Though he could have delegated the task, he ultimately chose not to. This matter, in his mind, could not be entrusted lightly.
Beside him, Jiang Wan wore an expression that suggested quiet resignation.
Not only had his comfortable working environment vanished, but the amount of work he had handled in these two months alone exceeded that of half a year in the past.
Still, upon seeing the newly produced paper, even he lifted his head with interest.
During this period, the papermaking workshop had produced numerous variations. Though many still carried flaws, they were already far more convenient than bamboo slips or wooden tablets.
Zhuge Liang took the stack with evident anticipation.
At first glance, the top sheet immediately caught his attention.
Its thickness was even, its texture fine, with a faint sheen upon its surface. When he ran his fingers across it, it felt smooth, yet carried just enough texture to retain the ink.
"My lady's skill in papermaking has reached the level of mastery," he praised sincerely.
Huang Yueying only smiled, gesturing for him to look further.
Zhuge Liang carefully set aside the top sheet, quietly slipping it beneath his desk as though claiming it for himself, before examining the next.
This second sheet was even whiter, softer, yet remarkably resilient.
Without hesitation, he made his judgment.
"This surpasses even Zuo Bo paper."
Having observed the papermaking process firsthand many times, he quickly grasped the significance.
"You have found a substitute for mulberry bark?"
The light screen had revealed that mulberry bark was essential to producing Zuo Bo paper, while the remaining components could be refined through experimentation. The true difficulty lay in cost.
Mulberry trees were used for raising silkworms, and their bark held medicinal value. To divert them to papermaking effectively doubled the expense.
Yet now, it seemed that problem had been solved.
"Husband, have you heard of the paper mulberry tree?" Huang Yueying asked.
"Paper mulberry…" Zhuge Liang paced thoughtfully before answering. "You mean the gu tree?"
"The fruit of the mulberry is dark purple, while that of the gu tree is reddish. Its leaves can also be used to raise silkworms, though the silk produced is inferior. In northern Jingzhou, it is grown mainly for its fruit."
"My husband's knowledge is as broad as ever," Huang Yueying said with a faint smile. "Paper made from its bark costs only thirty percent of Zuo Bo paper."
Thirty percent.
"And there is more."
She produced a freshly bound book from her sleeve. On its cover, written in seal script, were the characters Six Secret Teachings.
Zhuge Liang flipped through a few pages, nodding with satisfaction.
"Printing truly is convenient."
The method described by the light screen had required only a moment's thought before he grasped it fully. It was, in essence, no different from enlarging a seal many times over, engraving numerous characters upon it, then applying ink and pressing it onto paper.
With a single press, an entire page could be reproduced.
Moreover, its applications extended far beyond books. Government decrees, merchant ledgers, even agricultural guides could all benefit from it.
If that were the case, then Tiangong Kaiwu itself must have been produced using this very technique.
"My lady's work will benefit all under Heaven," Zhuge Liang said, his tone carrying rare weight.
With the refinement of papermaking and the introduction of printing, the age of bamboo slips and wooden tablets could, at last, be brought to an end.
Note:
Huang Yueying is the MVP of the industrial revolution. While the guys are playing at war, she's literally inventing the future of bureaucracy and education.
Reducing paper costs by 70% is the ancient equivalent of making the internet accessible to everyone.
Between Kongming's rice yields and Yueying's printing press, Liu Bei's faction is basically speed-running the tech tree. Move over, bamboo slips; the era of the paperback has arrived.