The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 102 Both are officials traveling abroad

July's heat fades, September brings the distribution of clothing.

After winter sets in, it is the traditional off-season for farmers.

Various folk operas, rural markets, and winter hunting should have all taken place at this time.

However, due to well-known reasons, nine out of ten houses in and around Dengcheng are empty, and there are large areas of barren land north of Xiangfan.

Therefore, in addition to the regular patrols and guard duties by the mitten guards,

This once "Number One County Under Heaven" city of Nanping now has a desolate appearance, as if "a thousand mountains have no birds flying and ten thousand paths have no human traces."

Over time, it's inevitable that people will feel bored and lethargic.

Mi Wei simply organized his soldiers to participate in entertainment activities that had been popular since the pre-Qin period, such as wrestling, cuju, and liubo.

This was done to exhaust the soldiers' pent-up energy and maintain morale.

However, with the first snowfall of winter, these activities had to be suspended.

On this day, Mi Wei was taking stock of military supplies.

Suddenly, Zhan Sifu came to report that the governor of Nanyang, appointed by the King of Hanzhong, was about to arrive.

Mi Wei immediately put aside his official duties and led his main officers and generals to the city gates to greet him.

Before long, a group of well-armored knights rode in.

The leading general was physically strong, only slightly inferior to Guan Ping.

Upon seeing Mi Wei and his group, he merely reined in his horse slightly, without bringing it to a complete stop, and immediately dismounted.

Then, using the momentum, they rushed over in two steps at a time.

It is truly rough, bold, and fierce.

Mi Wei's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to bow:

"Wei has been waiting here day and night, and finally the deputy general has arrived!"

The general who arrived was Liu Feng, Liu Bei's adopted son and deputy general.

Now, he has a new identity: acting prefect of Nanyang.

Liu Feng smiled and clasped his hands in greeting:
"Feng has long awaited the meeting of Commandant Mi!"

"Unfortunately, Shangyong is blocked by mountains and rivers, and the roads are not smooth. Many of the mountain people have not settled down here, so it was difficult to make the trip in a hurry. It has been delayed until today that I am finally able to meet you!"

Mi Wei was momentarily lost in thought when he recalled Liu Feng and Meng Da's explanation for failing to rescue Guan Yu in his previous life.

At this moment, Liu Feng intended to step forward and get closer to Mi Wei.

Suddenly, he noticed that the latter was dressed in mourning clothes, as were the officers and soldiers following behind him.

He couldn't help but compose himself in surprise:
"May I ask, Commandant, have any elders in your family passed away?"

Mi Wei then came to his senses, suppressed his laughter, and shook his head solemnly:

"This is not a family matter, but a national tragedy!"

Not long ago, Cao Pi officially changed the era name and proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the state of Wei.

When the news reached Sichuan, it shocked everyone.

Then, just as history originally would have it.

Liu Bei quickly announced that the emperor had been murdered by treacherous officials, and the whole country held a mourning ceremony, posthumously honoring Liu Xie as "Emperor Xiaomin".

Liu Feng was even more surprised upon hearing this:

"The national mourning period began last month, so why has Deng County not yet removed the mourning clothes?"

But he soon realized:
"When news from Shu reaches Nanyang, the messengers will most likely have to travel through Hanzhong and the three prefectures. The journey is long and arduous, so I'm afraid the Commandant only learned of the impending funeral for the Emperor at the beginning of the month."

Mi Wei thought to himself, "I prepared my mourning clothes before winter."

I even know that Liu Xie did not really die, but lived for another ten years or so before Cao Pi's son, Cao Rui, bestowed upon him the posthumous title of "Emperor Xiaoxian".

But these "truths" are not something that can be told to outsiders.

He simply gave a vague reply, then changed the subject:
"The general says the roads to the three prefectures are blocked and the mountain people have not yet submitted. But I wonder who will take over the position of garrison commander after the general leaves?"

Liu Feng, without suspicion, replied:
“I heard from Prefect Pan that now, in the east of the three prefectures, there is General Guan Yu, who oversees Jingzhou, and in the west, there is General Wei Wenchang, who oversees Hanzhong.”

"It is precisely a case of 'two long mountains and three mountains flanking a river,' like a fish in a pot, which can be dealt with slowly without the need to send another general."

Seeing Mi Wei nod knowingly, Liu Feng suddenly sighed and said:
"Feng has been in a state of suspicion for years, yet he has not been vigilant enough. Isn't he like a fish in a pot?"

"If it weren't for Master Pan's reminder, I would have almost made a mistake!"

Mi Wei's heart stirred:
"Could it be that Deputy Commander Liu's deployment to Dengcheng was actually recommended by Commander Pan?"

"It was precisely what Master Pan taught me!" Liu Feng nodded emphatically. "To be honest, Master Pan not only recommended me to the Northern Garrison in Deng, but also advised me to return to my old surname..."

Liu Feng then recounted how Pan Jun had advised him.

The explanation is nothing more than the old saying, "Shen Sheng died while inside the palace, while Chong Er lived peacefully while outside."

Throughout history, the affairs of emperors and their families have all followed these three basic principles.

However, the same words are particularly effective when spoken by some people.

Pan Jun, that old man, always cherished his reputation and was careful to maintain his image as the leader of the literati in Jingzhou.

When a KOL from Jingzhou speaks, it's naturally extraordinary.

Although Liu Feng was a fierce general, he was also loyal to Liu Bei, which is somewhat similar to Shen Sheng.

So they hit it off immediately.

Fortunately, Liu Bei was not as cold-hearted as Duke Xian of Jin.

Upon seeing Liu Feng, or rather Kou Feng, so adept at knowing when to advance and retreat, he was overjoyed and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Duting and appointed him as the Prefect of Nanyang.

Although Liu's Nanyang Commandery currently only has one city, Dengcheng.

However, considering that since the Later Han Dynasty, Nanyang Commandery has held an extraordinary position.

This appointment can be considered quite generous.

“In addition,” Liu Feng added, changing his tone.

"Lord Pan instructed me to consult with the Commandant on how to defend Dengcheng in the future."

Is Old Deng trying to get me to do him a favor?

Mi Wei understood.

Even without Pan Jun's reminder, he was already prepared to hand over the work properly.

sidewalk:

"After years of war, Jingzhou is in dire need of reconstruction and the people yearn for peace. I expect that at least until next autumn harvest, there will be no worries about war here."

"However, Nanyang is a strategic location fought over by all sides, and Xiangfan is a must-contest place for military strategists. Now, the Han and the traitors cannot coexist, so sooner or later, a large-scale military operation will be launched here."

"I hope the general will not slacken his efforts and will strengthen the troops and prepare for battle..."

Subsequently, Mi Wei detailed the enemy situation he had gathered in the past month, including which local forces could be won over and which needed to be guarded against.

It wasn't until the mention that Xiahou Shang, the General Who Conquers the South of Cao Wei, would replace Cao Ren in guarding Wancheng that Kou Feng asked curiously:

"Who is this Xiahou Zheng Nan?"

"A man of both literary and martial talents." Mi Wei replied without hesitation.

"Unlike his father, who acted rashly, he has the talent to govern a region and is deeply trusted by Cao Pi. He will surely become a great enemy in the future."

Seeing that Kou Feng's expression was unusually solemn.

Mi Wei's tone softened, and he continued:

"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, General, you may wish to consult with the gentlemen of Xiangyang."

"If the enemy becomes too powerful to defeat in the future, do not be ashamed to ask for help, nor be ashamed to protect yourself."

"Deng County is currently the northern shield of Xiangfan. Losing it would be a pity, but it's not worth sacrificing a great general for it!"

Upon hearing this, Kou Feng bowed deeply to Mi Wei in gratitude.

Then he looked up and said with a sigh:
"It's a pity that the Commandant isn't from Nanyang, otherwise I could consult you every day and have no fear of the generals sent by that false emperor!"

"If you ask me, once we have Xiangfan, Jiangxia will no longer be a crucial point for facing the northern invaders."

"Leaving a prudent Deng Bomiao is enough to defend the area."

"With such great talent as the Commandant, it is truly beneath him to be stationed in Jiangxia!"

Mi Wei thought to himself, "That's exactly what I want."

Surrounded by thighs from all sides, spending his days fishing and shooting ducks with his wife, what a wonderful life that was!

Unfortunately……

"General, you may not know this, but recently there has been much discussion in Xiangfan. Everyone believes that with Xiangfan as the northern shield, there is no need to build mountain fortresses north of Shicheng. Even the position of Western Commandant of Jiangxia can be eliminated."

"In the future, we will appoint a ship official such as a magistrate or a shipyard supervisor to be specifically responsible for maintaining the shipyard in Shicheng. That will be sufficient."

Kou Feng's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this:
"Commander Mi captured Xiangfan, and his merits are paramount. Since the position of Western Commander of Jiangxia is to be filled, may I ask where and what post you will be transferred to?"

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(End of this chapter)