Chapter 28: The Deliberation on Relocating the Residence

Historically, one of the coincidences behind Liu Bei losing Xuzhou was that he had entrusted Chen Deng with a critical mission, sending him to serve in Donghai Commandery to keep the Administrator, Chang Xi, in check.

Had Chen Deng remained in Xiapi instead of taking up his post in Tancheng, his strategic brilliance—coupled with Zhang Fei’s profound respect for him—would have made it nearly impossible for Lu Bu to successfully launch a surprise attack on Xuzhou. It is even unlikely that Cao Bao would have clashed with Zhang Fei to the point of an armed confrontation.

But history offers no "what ifs." Liu Bei had only a handful of trusted confidants, and those with genuine talent were even fewer. Had he not sent Chen Deng to constrain Chang Xi, the entire Donghai Commandery would have been lost. By that point, Liu Bei would have truly become nothing more than the Chancellor of Xiapi, a Governor of Xuzhou in name only.

When Liu Bei extended the invitation, Chen Deng accepted without hesitation. Upon his arrival, with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Tian Yu, and Zhao Yun in attendance, the group feasted and made merry. Throughout the banquet, Chen Deng displayed none of the affected airs typical of scholars; instead, he acted with casual ease, draining his cup with every toast and showing no pretense of superiority, which deeply impressed the gathered generals.

After several rounds of drinks and courses, when everyone was feeling slightly tipsy, Liu Bei turned to Chen Deng and said, "Yuanlong, I invited you here today to show you a treasure."

Liu Bei had already consulted with Liu Feng; a device like the curved-shaft plow could not be kept secret, nor was there any need to. Rather than hiding it and letting the local gentry eventually pirate the design, it was better to share it openly and use the resulting increase in agricultural output as leverage to ensure their cooperation in paying taxes and fulfilling labor duties.

Liu Bei had always favored Chen Deng, and he was naturally willing to share such a boon with him. However, out of respect for Liu Feng’s opinion—since the boy had invented it—he was wary of acting too high-handedly. Had he forced the issue against his son's wishes, it would have broken his heart. Fortunately, Liu Feng had agreed immediately, sparing him from being caught in an impossible position. Liu Feng had only cautioned Liu Bei to use the plow to secure more benefits and not to simply give it away after a few smooth words from Chen Yuanlong. Even if Chen were to benefit, it should at least compel the other local clans and powerful families to pay their share of taxes. Liu Feng had finally reminded Liu Bei pointedly that the provincial treasury in Tancheng was so empty that mice could run through it.

Xuzhou was currently destitute, and Liu Bei felt the weight of those difficult times. If there was a chance to change that, he was more than eager to seize it.

Before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Xuzhou’s annual output was approximately two hundred million shi of grain. Under the Han dynasty’s tax system of one-thirtieth, the government could collect about seven million shi. But after the rebellion, every region had suffered to varying degrees. Cao Cao’s incursion into Xuzhou had left the Pengcheng State almost entirely reduced to scorched earth.

Of the five commanderies and states in Xuzhou, Langye Commandery was in the hands of Zang Ba. Ever since the era of Tao Qian, Zang Ba had not only ceased sending tax revenue to the provincial government, but had even demanded that the province subsidize his military expenses. Guangling Commandery was held by Zhang Chao, a native of Dongping, though he was not currently in the commandery; he had taken his private troops to Yanzhou to assist his brother, Zhang Miao, in rebelling against Cao Cao. Yuan Sui, whom Zhang Chao had appointed as acting administrator, maintained a neutral stance, neither acknowledging Liu Bei nor making any overtures of support.

As for the Pengcheng State, it had been left in ruins by the pillaging of Cao Cao’s Yanzhou army. This left only Donghai Commandery and the Xiapi State. The western part of Donghai had also been devastated, yielding no grain, while the northern counties were occupied by Chang Xi—a local warlord and ally of Zang Ba whom Tao Qian had appointed as Administrator of Donghai. The eastern counties, meanwhile, were the private domain of the Mi family. The only tax revenue that could realistically be collected came from a few southern counties, provided the Mi family was willing to show some face and contribute a portion of their wealth.

The only major source of tax revenue was the Xiapi State. It had experienced relatively little warfare and remained well-preserved. It was the most populous commandery in Xuzhou, governing sixteen counties—twice as many as the Pengcheng State—with a population of over six hundred thousand. It had originally been second only to Donghai Commandery, which had been spared the worst of the fighting. Now, however, it was undoubtedly the largest and most prosperous commandery in Xuzhou, holding immense potential for tax revenue.

Chen Deng was a native of Huaipu in Xiapi. The Chen family was the preeminent clan of Xiapi—they were no longer mere "local snakes," but a "local dragon." As long as he was willing to coordinate, the taxes of Xiapi would be secure. This was the fundamental reason why Liu Bei, upon receiving Xuzhou from Tao Qian, had wanted to move the provincial seat from Tancheng to Xiapi. Thus, it was Liu Bei’s sincere hope that Chen Deng would step forward and persuade the local gentry to pay more in taxes; otherwise, if the grain collected by the province this year couldn't even feed his own troops, the consequences would be dire.

Regarding Liu Bei’s request, Chen Deng did not hesitate for a moment, agreeing immediately without proposing a single condition. What moved Liu Bei even more was that Chen Deng not only promised to expedite the collection of taxes in Xiapi but also offered him a reassuring guarantee.

"My Lord, have no worries. Both the scholars and the common people of Xiapi are loyal and patriotic; they will not delay the tax payments. I dare to stake my reputation on this: this year’s autumn harvest in Xiapi will yield at least three hundred thousand shi of grain for the provincial treasury. Please rest assured, My Lord—should any error occur, you may hold me, Yuanlong, solely responsible."

Liu Bei was overjoyed. Moved to the point of losing his composure, he stepped forward and gripped Chen Deng’s hands. "Yuanlong, how can I ever thank you enough?"

In peaceful times, the government could collect seven million shi of grain annually, but after deducting the salaries of officials at all levels and administrative expenses, the surplus sent to the central government was rarely more than 1.5 million. Given the current state of Xuzhou, if the Xiapi State could provide two hundred thousand shi, it would already be a sign of absolute loyalty. He had not expected Chen Yuanlong to guarantee three hundred thousand shi, which far exceeded his wildest hopes. With these three hundred thousand shi, Liu Bei would have the means to sustain his army, which meant his position as Governor of Xuzhou was finally secure. How could he not be moved to tears of gratitude?

"My Lord, why speak of thanks? This is my duty as your humble servant; I am not worthy of such praise." Chen Deng spoke with fervor, "The scholars and people of Xiapi look upon you, My Lord, as their own parents. It is only because of this that they are willing to exhaust their efforts to serve the provincial government—a testament to the high hopes they hold for you."

"A few days ago, I suggested that you move the provincial seat to Xiapi. It would save the expense of transporting grain and allow you to command the unwavering loyalty of the people of Xiapi. It is a plan that serves two purposes at once. I wonder if you have given it any thought, My Lord?"

Chen Deng was a renowned scholar of Xuzhou, but he was, above all, a man of Xiapi. Naturally, he hoped Liu Bei would move the seat of government there. After all, Xiapi had always been the "eternal runner-up" in Xuzhou; Donghai Commandery had long been the seat of power, and the great clans of Donghai were the true elite of the province. The only reason the Chen family could contend with the clans of Donghai was that they had produced a Grand Commandant, Chen Qiu, who was not only profoundly learned but had also sacrificed himself on the front lines in the effort to purge the corrupt eunuchs. In the Eastern Han, this was the ultimate political credential, and it had brought the Chen family immense prestige.