Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 102 Huh? Xun Gongda? (Please read 4k more)

noon.

A convoy of four or five hundred people slowly entered the territory of Lüqi County.

Early on, Zhang Xian and a few men waited on the city wall.

Upon seeing the young general in white robes and riding a white horse at the head of the group, Zhang Xian smiled and said to Zhang Liao beside him.

"Look, that's my brother. What do you think? Does he have a bit of my spirit?"

Zhang Liao leaned on the railing of the city gate tower and looked down. He saw that the young general in white robes was exceptionally brave and handsome. Although he looked young, he already had the air of a general.

With his tall and handsome figure, holding a long spear diagonally in one hand, and his cloak swaying with his steps, he truly resembled the lord when he entered Luqi!
"Our lord's younger brother is indeed extraordinary, but Liao is also confident that one day Liao will be no less than our lord's younger brother!"

"Haha, you're not exactly modest, kid. Come on, come with me to greet them."

"promise!"

Zhang Liao chuckled and bowed respectfully.

Zhang Xian rushed down the city wall in three strides, his bearskin cloak rustling on the stone steps: "Brother Yun!"

On horseback, Zhao Yun was startled by the shout, but when he saw Zhang Xian approaching in a hurry, a smile appeared on his lips.

He dismounted and galloped forward.

"Brother!"

The two stood facing each other, their eyes filled with the joy of reunion.

Zhang Xian stepped forward and patted Zhao Yun on the shoulder with concern, saying, "You've gotten thinner! You must have suffered a lot on this journey."

Zhao Yun smiled shyly: "Brother's strength has increased even more. Although the journey here was not easy, it was not too tiring either. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

He turned his gaze to Zhang Liao, who had been staring at him with curiosity, and asked in confusion, "Who is this?"

Zhang Liao clasped his hands in greeting: "Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan of Yanmen and Mayi, now serve as my lord's personal guard!"

Zhao Yun returned the greeting: "Zhao Yun of Changshan Zhending, currently serving as the commander of the Taoyuan cavalry!"

"Brother Yun's surname is Zhao?" Zhang Liao scratched his head in confusion.

Zhang Xian laughed and put his arm around Zhao Yun's shoulder: "Hahaha, don't worry about what Brother Yun's surname is, just tell me if we look alike!"

He grabbed Zhao Yun's hand and squeezed it tightly: "After entering the city, you've had a long and tiring journey. I've already had hot food and drinks prepared for you. You should rest well for a few days."

As he spoke, he called out to those behind him, "Gentlemen, you must be tired from your journey! Come with me into the city and get some rest!"

After saying this, the group of four or five hundred people entered the city gate of Luqi.

Walking on the slightly muddy street.

The group of four to five hundred people was orderly.

As they passed a crossroads, a large crowd of people gathered there aroused the curiosity of the villagers and soldiers from Taoyuan.

Zhao Yun also frequently looked in that direction, and vaguely saw a flash of blood.

Zhang Xian's expression returned to normal somewhat, and he calmly explained, "These corrupt officials who have been causing trouble in the region are being beheaded and their heads displayed to the public today."

The days of the He and Xu families are numbered.

The combined number of direct and collateral descendants of the two families was no less than four hundred, and not a single one of them escaped punishment.

Zhang Xian was usually kind and generous, but he was quite ruthless when it came to punishing people.

He always adhered to the idea that those who are protected are guilty of the same sin.

If you've enjoyed the benefits of family power, then you should go down with your family when they are punished.

If you feel wronged, you can only say that you were born into the wrong family.

"Stop looking at these things, come on, let's go rest first. I have something important to entrust to you in a few days!"

Zhang Xian tugged at Zhao Yun, who then looked away and smiled, saying, "I am willing to share my brother's burdens."

The group was quickly settled by the county soldiers who arrived at the scene.

Huang Zhong and Han Ji, who were in charge of the execution and sentencing at Caishikou, had not returned yet, but Zhang Xian accompanied everyone else.

The team that came all the way from Taoyuan was his largest group, including craftsmen and soldiers, all of whom were his most trusted people.

With enough manpower, he was also able to begin training his own group of officials.

He could use the officials in Lüqi County, but he no longer trusted them. Only the people of Taoyuan who had helped him rise from humble beginnings could give him peace of mind.

As for literacy and writing, those are minor things that can be accomplished with a few days of intensive literacy training.

History has proven that anyone can learn to read and write; it's just a matter of time!
-
Jinyang.

Taiyuan Prefecture seat.

At the Prince's residence, Wang Ze, then serving as the magistrate of Jinyang and the prefect of Taiyuan, paced back and forth in thought.

Inside the room, a weathered-looking minor official lowered his head and sobbed.

Wang Ze stamped his foot, utterly perplexed: "Just who is Zhang Xian? How could he act so cruelly?"

The clerk choked back tears as he replied, "I don't know. I only know that on the very first day Zhang Xianlai arrived, he confiscated the He and Xu families on the grounds of colluding with foreign tribes and raising bandits, and then subdued the other five families."

"Within six or seven days, the county magistrate Huang Zhong was dispatched to wipe out all the manpower that the head of the family had arranged in Yantieguan Town, Lüchi County."

"Tsk, they really don't give any mercy at all."

"This shows a complete disregard for the Wang family of Taiyuan!"

A hint of anger flickered in Wang Ze's eyes.

He has indeed paid little attention to worry these days.

Because recently, the family has been pushing hard for my elder brother to take up an official post in Luoyang.

After more than a decade, Wang finally managed to gain access to the center of power by establishing connections with the Ten Attendants, making this matter naturally more important than anything else.

My elder brother Wang Rou has served as the governor of Bingzhou for so many years and this is the only opportunity he has. We absolutely cannot afford to make any mistakes now.

After much deliberation, Wang Ze decided not to confront Zhang Xian head-on for the time being. After all, Zhang Xian was just a minor county magistrate. He could deal with him later when his elder brother had secured his position in the court.

"Yes, I have already made a plan for this matter. You should go and rest now, and try not to move around too much these days."

"I am grateful for the prince's understanding."

The minor official bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Wang Ze raised his hand and waved it lightly, then left the room.

"However, doing nothing would be somewhat looked down upon. Since the family's power cannot be shaken, let others make the move."

"Ding Jianyang, the newly appointed governor, has climbed the Yuan family's coattails and is also connected with the Ten Attendants. He comes from a humble background and is a military officer, so he's quite a useful tool."

Wang Ze stroked his beard for a moment, then picked up a brush and wrote a letter on silk. Once the ink was dry, he called out to the outside, "Someone, take this to the governor's mansion and deliver it to Governor Ding!"
-
For several days in a row, Huang Zhong secretly investigated the surrounding area but found no trace of any outside forces.

Zhang Xian and Han Ji realized something was wrong. Since there was no mobilization of external troops, it was highly likely that the attack was targeting the civil officials.

They also checked all the officials and powerful figures in Lüqi, but were surprised to find no signs of them being placed there.

Hey, that's strange.

The three were puzzled, but they could only temporarily halt their various checks.

We can't afford to lose our composure before anyone else has even made a move.

"It's both a good thing and a bad thing. We haven't seen any movement from them in the short term. Either they've backed down, or they're brewing something bigger."

"However, given the actions of the powerful clans in Bingzhou, it is highly unlikely that they will back down. So it is more likely that they are still brewing something."

"Gongzhi, where do you think they will start?"

After arranging for the artisans from Taoyuan to start production in Lüchi in the past few days, Zhang Xian focused more on literacy classes and government affairs.

The implementation of the new policy has basically covered the entire Lüqi County. The salt and iron towns have been taken back, and manpower has been arranged for Heishuidu.

It can be said that the entire Lüqi County is now under his control.

Five hundred private soldiers from the local magnates were also sent over; they were all respectable men from various parts of Luqi County and were in good physical condition.

Once they have undergone two months of discipline and obedience training, they can be used as trusted confidants.

Taking some time, Zhang Xian also moved his farm and livestock farm to a newly built courtyard a few hundred meters outside Luqi County.

It occupies 2,000 square meters, and the well is sufficient for the time being.

The reason for the haste to change the homestead to agriculture and animal husbandry was mainly to win over the soldiers.

With an ample supply of meat, as long as these soldiers aren't stupid, they can all hold out under his command until they become his own people.

Han Ji remained silent, instead mentally verifying various possibilities.

After a long pause, he sighed: "Decisive planning is not my forte. If I were to make a decision based on the current situation, I could still manage to handle it, but this kind of decision-making, which involves judging the hearts and minds of people hundreds of miles away, is not my strength."

"I'm sorry to disappoint my lord, but I can't guess much."

This matter is of great importance, and Han Ji dares not make any wild guesses. He must know that the opponent he is about to face head-on is likely to be the governor of a prefecture. If his guess is wrong, the result of making a single mistake could very well put his lord in danger.

No, we have too few, if any, strategists on our side. This is not a long-term solution.

His eyes flickered, but he finally made up his mind, stood up, and bowed.

Seeing Han Ji hesitate and waver several times, Zhang Xian didn't feel like criticizing him.

You can't expect someone to be a perfect person.

Han Ji was skilled in craftsmanship, adept at planning based on existing circumstances, insightful in understanding people's hearts, and possessed genuine talent and learning. Since entering Peach Blossom Spring, he had helped himself countless times.

But few people in this world can make decisions without any information, or even know who the opponent is or what their character is.

Zhang Xian comforted him, saying, "How can you say that, sir? I was just asking you. Since we can't figure it out, we'll just deal with it as it comes. If all else fails, I'll turn Taiyuan upside down first, and I don't believe that person can stay calm!"

Han Ji shook his head with a wry smile: "Our lord's courage is unparalleled in the world, but if our lord has to do everything himself, then what is the meaning of our existence?"

"Now, our lord's army is strong and well-equipped. He can help with civil affairs, and Hansheng, Ayun, and Wenyuan are all talented in military matters. But the more this is the case, the more obvious the problems under our lord's command become."

"We have yet to find a truly capable strategist. Given our lord's great ambitions, we will undoubtedly be engaged in numerous conquests in the future. Such a person may be few, but we absolutely cannot do without him!"

"My lord."

Han Ji hesitated for a moment.

Zhang Xian was taken aback. He rarely saw Han Ji like this. So he got up, walked over to him, patted his shoulder, and pressed him down to sit.

"Why are you being so formal with me today? Between us, we can just speak frankly."

"My lord!" Han Ji was slightly moved. A scholar would die for one who understands him. Putting aside other aspects of his lord, just in terms of trust, he had always been the most generous to him and his men.

"There is something I want to do, but I cannot guarantee that it carries some danger."

Patting Han Ji on the shoulder, Zhang Xian stood behind Han Ji and asked, "What is it? And what risks are involved?"

"When I was young, my family had a good background and I often interacted with various prominent families. I have a friend who is said to be just as talented as I am, so I want to make some contact with him."

"But Ji also knows that the lord dislikes many scions of aristocratic families, and this man is intelligent. If Ji were to contact him, he would surely be able to connect the death of Chen Mao, the governor of Nanyang, some time ago with Ji."

“If this person does not cherish the past friendship and reports the matter to Ji, then the lord will be in some danger, which is why Ji hesitated whether or not to contact him.”

Sensing the subtle nuances in Han Ji's words, Zhang Xian gave him a firm squeeze on the shoulder and said with a relaxed smile, "You're very kind, but who is this person you have that you praise so highly?"

Han Ji sighed, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes: "The Xun family of Yingchuan, Xun You, Xun Gongda."

Zhang Xian suddenly tightened his grip on Han Ji's shoulder, the force of which caused Han Ji to gasp in pain.

Who?
Which one are you referring to?

Xun You, Xun Gongda?!
That's Xun You, Cao Cao's chief strategist and military advisor.

Is it Xun You, the top strategist who devised the plan for the Battle of Guandu and, after the crushing defeat at Chibi, managed to stabilize the situation with flawless strategies?
You, Han Gongzhi, why didn't you say so sooner if you had such connections?!

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Xian shouted, "Contact them! Contact them now! I'll be watching you make that contact!"

He was happy.

If Xun You were truly invited over, not only would he be promoted to the position of prefect within two years, but he would also have a certain degree of confidence in directly waging war against all sides after two years.

With Xun You's grasp of the overall battlefield situation, coupled with his own unparalleled combat power and the likes of Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, and Zhang Liao, who are all famous generals in history, it is possible that the chaotic situation of the late Han Dynasty could be shortened to ten years or even a few years!

If Xun You really came, then Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan would have no place in the political arena.

Han Ji looked at Zhang Xian with some surprise and asked in confusion, "My lord has also heard of Gongda's name? That's not right. He's only twenty-five or twenty-six years old this year. If I hadn't gotten along with him when I was young, I probably wouldn't know him."

Zhang Xian calmed down a bit and patted Han Ji on the shoulder: "The Xun family of Yingchuan, how could I not know the reputation of such a prestigious family? Moreover, those who can catch your eye are not just empty names."

"Alright, Gongzhi, feel free to make the contact. Even if this person doesn't care about old friendships, I'm not afraid. Chen Mao is just a dead man who's been dead for more than half a year. Even if someone really stands up for him, we're currently living in Bingzhou. Let him come if he has the guts!"

With Zhang Xian's assurance, Han Ji's thoughts became even stronger.

Immediately, he took out a piece of silk and Zhang Xian personally ground the ink.

[To my esteemed younger brother Xun Gongda of Yingchuan:]

Six years have passed since we last met. I often recall the days when my esteemed brother and I discussed the "Six Secret Teachings of Taigong" on the banks of the Ying River. Now, I am a traveler in Bingzhou, fortunate to have met an enlightened ruler. Unable to sleep at night, I write this letter to inform you of my situation.

My lord, whose given name is Xian, was a native of Zhen Ding, Changshan. Last year, a smallpox epidemic ravaged Changshan, and corpses filled the roads. He spent his entire fortune to purchase medicine and personally went to the epidemic area, saving over ten thousand lives. He also devised a method for treating smallpox, ensuring the survival of infants and the well-being of the elderly and children. This was truly a benevolent act!
Now, in governing Luqi, the powerful and wealthy are punished to ensure the well-being of the common people; harsh taxes and levies are abolished and corvée labor reduced. All profits from salt and iron are used for military purposes, and all hidden households are given land. This is no different from how Zichan governed Zheng in the past.

My dear brother has always cherished the ambition to save the world.
Written personally by your humble brother, Han Ji.

　The next chapter will be later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)