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

Chapter 12 The thigh is in trouble again.
Mi Wei and Guan Xing arrived at the governor's mansion in the afternoon.

I thought I would at least see Poon Chun before dinner.

However, the two waited from afternoon until dusk, and even as the sun was about to disappear behind the western mountains, they still did not receive an audience.

The answer is that Pan Zhizhong is still in bed and has not yet woken up.

The reason for asking again is that they are sick.

Guan Xing couldn't resist rushing in several times, but the gatekeeper persuaded him to stay each time.

Mi Wei inexplicably recalled the scene in the new version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms where Zhang Fei burned down Zhuge Liang's backyard.

I wondered if I should also give Pan Jun a festive gift.

Fortunately, the other person woke up in time after it got completely dark.

We entered the hall.

Although Miwei's attempt to cosplay the new version of Zhang Fei failed.

But Pan Jun inside the house was cosplaying as Zhuge Liang from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

The phrase refers to someone reclining on a table in the hall, with their back to the guests.

Fortunately, Guan Xing was not the pedantic Liu Bei from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He did not intend to wait foolishly for another hour and stepped forward to loudly announce his name.

In an instant, the hall resounded like thunder, and Guan Xing's heavy breathing even caused the candles half a zhang away to flicker.

He truly lives up to his reputation as the son who plays the stern role, sticking straight to the point.

"What does it taste like...?"

Pan Jun probably couldn't keep up the act any longer, muttered something, and turned over.

Only then, by the candlelight, did the two of them see his listless face.

He's actually sick?
Guan Xing hesitated for a moment.

"Ah, it's tuition!"

Pan Jun glanced at the dried meat that Guan Xing had brought and suddenly realized what was going on.

"Do you want to become my disciple?"

"Hehe, your father holds a high position and wields great power; no one dares to disobey him."

"But he has always looked down on famous people. If I were to give in to him, wouldn't I be ruining my own reputation?"

"I dare not accept you as my disciple."

"Please come back!"

Mi Wei clearly saw Guan Xing's shoulders trembling, so angry he couldn't speak.

That's understandable.

It is very impolite for a son to scold his father.

Last night, Fei Shi's advice was well-intentioned and concerned life and death, so Guan Xing could easily let it go.

But right now, Poon Chun clearly has ill intentions, so he must be feeling uncomfortable.

He wouldn't be worthy of being a son if he didn't feel pain.

Seeing that his thigh was in trouble again, Miwei had no choice but to step in and help him out:

“Master Pan has misunderstood. Lord Guan has come with sincerity. Although he has something to ask of you, he will not force you to do anything against your will.”

Pan Jun then noticed Mi Wei beside him: "Who are you?"

"Young Mi Wei, not yet twenty years old, is the son of General Anhan!"

"Oh, you are Mi Zizhong's eldest son! I remember you; I even held you in my arms at the king's banquet when you were a child!"

Pan Jun immediately changed his attitude and became quite friendly.

Miwei had no recollection of this, but was certain that the power of money was real.

Before he could respond, Poon Chun continued speaking to himself:
"So, you've come today to become my disciple?"

"Hmm... The Donghai Mi clan is good at managing industry, but not so good at poetry and literature."

"But Mi Zizhong is a rare and refined person, so taking you as my disciple would not be a disgrace to my reputation..."

Seeing the other party rambling on and on, Mi Wei secretly sensed something was wrong.

Furthermore, when Guan Xing delivered his visiting card, he had already hinted at the purpose of his visit.

This is also considered an unspoken rule in the interactions among scholars.

Since Pan Jun agreed to the meeting, he couldn't possibly be unaware of Guan Xing's true demands.

Even without any hints, how could Pan Jun, who became the governor and was famous throughout the prefecture, be a simpleton who didn't understand human relationships?

I'm afraid they're just pretending to be deaf and dumb.

Thinking about it, he looked at the other person's face again and realized that the so-called "listless complexion" was just a layer of dust on his cheeks. He couldn't see it clearly from a distance, but now that he was closer, he could see that the dust had even stuck to his collar.

You old man, you're playing me here!

Even Mi Wei couldn't help but feel angry.

Okay, if you want to act, I'll act with you.

So he accepted the "tuition fee" from Guan Xing and bowed deeply, saying:

"I have long admired Master Pan's reputation and wished to become his disciple. Now that I am fortunate enough to study under him, I hope that you will not despise my dullness and will generously bestow your guidance!"

After speaking, he bowed twice more.

The so-called "three bows to the disciple" ceremony.

This whole thing silenced Pan Jun on the spot.

Guan Xing was taken aback at first, then smiled knowingly, as if he was waiting to see a good show.

However, the two underestimated the extent of Old Deng's shamelessness.

After a few moments of silence, Pan Jun accepted the tuition fee and formally recognized Mi Wei as his disciple.

They even said they would teach him the Miwei Classics on a chosen day after he recovered from his illness.

Guan Xing could no longer tolerate this:

"Master Pan, let me be frank!"

“Sun Quan intends to break the alliance, and Prefect Mi is indecisive. Although my father’s army is strong, it will take some time for him to return in triumph.”

"Let alone the fact that I, a mere youth who has not yet reached adulthood, am still thinking of serving my country. As you have been appointed by the King to remain in charge of the capital, you have the responsibility to defend this territory!"

"I am only asking you to persuade the families in the city to help defend the city. All the borrowed labor and provisions can be written down, and I will repay them in the future. Why do you keep making excuses?"

Upon hearing this, Pan Jun exclaimed "Ah!" and showed a look of surprise.
Why didn't you say so sooner?!

"I have been ill lately and was completely unaware of this matter!"

"Someone, bring me the warrant for mobilizing troops!"

Shortly after, a guard brought a bamboo tally, which Pan Jun immediately handed to Guan Xing, saying solemnly:

"I am ill and unable to lead the troops into battle, so I can only entrust the defense of the city to you!"

Both men were taken aback when Pan Jun suddenly became so agreeable.

However, Mi Wei had a vague feeling that things couldn't be that simple.

Then he asked:

"With this token, how many troops can be mobilized?"

Pan Jun waved his hand:
"All the guards in this prefecture may be transferred!"

Miwei was dumbfounded.

I knew this old man was shameless, but I never imagined he could be this shameless.

Don't be fooled by his seemingly generous statement that "anyone can be transferred."

But Mi Wei had been waiting all afternoon and had already inquired with the gatekeeper about the situation.

Those guarding the governor's mansion were all old and weak people who had been weeded out from Liu Bei's army.

After all, the able-bodied and elite troops had either already followed Liu Bei into Shu to fight, or they had all followed Guan Yu in the Northern Expedition to Xiangfan.

They were again dispatched to garrison the defensive outposts around Jiangling.

In other words, those who remained at the governor's mansion were basically a group of retired old men!
Including the gatekeeper who was in charge, there were only about a hundred people.

Even a single soldier couldn't be gathered!
Sending away a beggar is an example of this.

Guan Xing was so angry that his hands were trembling.

But still remembering Fei Shi's reminder from last night, he suppressed his anger and gritted his teeth, saying:

"As everyone knows, the local gentry and powerful families are secretly training their own private armies. Can't you help me borrow these soldiers?"

Upon hearing this, Pan Jun, who had just looked "sickly," immediately became furious:
"You idiot, how utterly unreasonable you are!"

"Precisely because I am the chief official appointed by the King to remain in charge, I cannot arbitrarily conscript soldiers from the people!"

"If excessive conscription incurs criticism from the local people, wouldn't that ruin the reputation that Your Majesty has worked so hard to build over the years!"

"all in all."

"These are all the soldiers I can give."

"It's late, you two should head back now!"

(End of this chapter)