The Rise of History’s Most Powerful Empire

Chapter 59: Fangling County

"System, I want a competent scholar and competent general."

Two new people appeared in the hall looking left and right, then falling to their knees at the sight of the seat of honor.

"Zhao Xin and Zhang Lie at your service, Your Grace."

"I was expecting you. The county magistrate and officer I need for my county."

The two were filled with joy being given such high positions right off the bat.

"We will be thorough in our duty, in defending lord's lands and repaying your kindness."

The two blurted before he could change his mind.

"Good, you may go now. I will have someone introduce you to these lands and get you instated as soon as possible."

Zhong Yu called for five novice scholars and ten novice generals to take the two away.

Zhang Lie dealt with everything in the next three days, while Zhao Xin and Zhong Yu took up post as the other positions were filled as well.

The extras were plain officers and officials for now to gain experience for when the right posts opened up.

Zhong Yu took his 100 cavalry to the square and said to the system, he was ready to leave.

The people looked puzzled, Didn't he say he'll be calling 2,000 soldiers?'

After some quick questions, Zhong Yu found he could just call them in the new world.

Since this world and the Three Kingdoms' one were similar and there was no difference in their power level.

The only difference was paying 10% of their value to move from one site to another.

In such a case, Zhong Yu opted to go to the new world first where he'd set his sight on the perfect target and summon them right in the middle for a much better effect.

"System, cross me over to Hanzhong Prefecture's Fangling County."

"Starting"

Zhong Yu and his cavalry were gone in a flash of white.

Eastern Han dynasty, July 183. Fangling County of Hanzhong Prefecture. A blinding light shone from among the lush vegetation. 

Zhong Yu and his cavalry's sudden arrival scared the wildlife.

History of the Former Han Dynasty states Emperor Shun (year 140) had 267,402 people and 13 counties. 

The 13 county seats on average had 20,000 people.

Fangling County was the most eastern county of Hanzhong Prefecture, with a 30,000 population yet as vast as almost four counties. 

Zhong Yu was in Fangling County's east, separated from Jingzhou Prefecture by the Han River. To the north was Jingzhou Prefecture's Nanxiang County. To the east was Zan County and to the south mountains. Over the mountains was Ba Prefecture and to the west was Shangyong County. 

With the east and north having Han River as natural defense, he'd need just control the ferry points against any threats. While the mountains in the south eliminated any kind of military attack. 

All he needed was to focus on the west side to expand his territory.

My target is Fangling County. To do this quietly I need to block the roads going out.'

The administration of a Han Dynasty's county was simple, five townships for each great county, or three for a small one. Each township named after their positions to the central county base.

He was now in the Eastern Township. It had the largest area and second largest population, of 8,000 people.

What mattered now was how to prevent the news of his attacks from getting out of Eastern Township. So he sent some riders to ask around.

He found that they made contact with the people without trouble, not since these riders came from the Han Dynasty as well.

Though they wore strange attires, these rural folks had no way of getting suspicious.

All he had to do was block Han River crossing, stop the merchants and blockade the roads.

He'd have nothing to worry about Jingzhou for three months, time in which he'd have Fangling County his. 

As for the west, all he needed was speed to catch them off guard.

The riders just returned and told him that 8 km east was Eastern Townships head borough. 

With Eastern Township being next to Han River with plenty of merchants and fertile soil from the river's irrigation, the taxation was high. The court had set up a branch here, with around 100 guards.

And these men were stationed in a town surrounded by five-meter tall walls. It housed around 1,000 people. And because it was the only town around, it flourished.

Grasping the situation, he had to consider his approach to the town so the guards wouldn't be alarmed.

But with his cavalry wearing Hanzhong military attire, he'd have no problem.

He could waltz right in without one to stop him.

Then he'd take the guards by surprise, finishing them off and seizing control of Eastern Township.

With a plan in place what followed were tactics. Zhong Yu led his riders to the town, with the people he met giving his detail a wide berth. 

Everyone was left speechless and curious whose army this was. They all wore fancy armor too.

In the Han Dynasty only an officer leading a hundred men could equip his men with such armor.