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

Chapter 24 Scriptures cannot save the world!

Holding the envoy's insignia, Yu Fan entered the city in full view of everyone.

About half an hour later, they returned unharmed.

But his expression was more solemn than before he entered the city.

Lü Meng asked urgently:

"Is it really a scam?"

Yu Fan shook his head:

"There is no deception in the city. General Shi Ren has been placed under house arrest by his subordinates. The city has truly surrendered... but that is all there is to it."

Lu Meng's heart sank:
"What do you mean, sir?"

Yu Fan recounted everything he had learned upon entering the city.

Upon hearing this, Lü Meng was momentarily incredulous:
“How could Mi Zifang’s nephew, who is not yet twenty, possess such abilities?”

“This matter may not have been the work of that young brat,” Yu Fan said, frowning.

"The surrendered people in the city said that this boy and Guan Yu's second son had both secretly met with Fei Gongju."

“I had long heard that Fei Shi, also known as Fei Gongju, was a famous scholar in Yizhou, with great talent, and was valued by Liu Zhang and Liu Bei.

"In my opinion, he is the mastermind behind this whole thing, and those two kids were just following the plan!"

After thinking about it, Lü Meng felt that this explanation was indeed more plausible.

“General!” Yu Fan’s expression was stern.

"Although we have gained a city, we have lost the opportunity to seize Jiangling."

"If Guan Yu's army does indeed return, we fear our efforts will be in vain."

"General, please order the rear guard to catch up quickly and take over the defense. Then, lead the main force north and capture Jiangling as soon as possible!"

……

That day, Mi Wei had just finished breakfast when an urgent military report came from the front.

When Mi Wei found Guan Xing, the latter was dealing with military affairs with dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept all night.

Mi Wei couldn't help but worry that Guan Xing was getting sick from overwork.

After all, he still suffers from the aftereffects of the great plague of 22nd year of Jian'an.

I wonder if that Dr. Zhang in the city can save him in time.

"The scouts report that Lü Meng's army has captured Gong'an City."

Guan Xing saw that it was Mi Wei, and made no attempt to hide anything.
"It has been discovered that the enemy forces consist of two units led by Lü Meng and Lu Xun, totaling more than 20,000 men, who are Sun Quan's vanguard."

With 5,000 against 20,000, the advantage is definitely not mine anymore.

But if we only hold on for about ten days, we won't despair.

The premise is that Guan Yu's main force returns on time.

But Miwei couldn't control this kind of thing.

He has done everything he could.

All that's left is to watch the pros show off their skills.

Fortunately, by that afternoon, there was finally some good news.

Guan Ping and his eight hundred cavalrymen arrived as promised.

These eight hundred riders are genuine eight hundred knights, and the number of warhorses is even greater.

Considering the high quality of Han cavalry in this era, it is no exaggeration to say that their combat power doubled.

Liao Hua immediately led the grain and supplies out of the city to provide support, but did not allow the cavalry to enter the city.

Instead, Guan Ping was stationed in Jinan City, a small town northwest of Jiangling.

After settling the cavalry, Liao Hua also did not enter Jiangling City.

Instead, they transferred the hundreds of able-bodied men who had been taken out of the city to Yingcheng, the former capital of Chu, which was located to the northeast and slightly closer to Jiangling.

This serves as a fulcrum on both sides.

According to Guan Xing, this is because Guan Ping's eight hundred cavalrymen, as the only mobile force available at the moment, could play a greater role if left outside the city.

Moreover, by dividing their forces to guard the two strongholds in the north, they could ensure that the enemy could not form a pincer attack from the north and south.

Secondly, it would also leave a passage and foothold for Guan Yu's subsequent army.

It would not be easily blocked by the enemy.

Miwei didn't understand these things very well and could only trust the judgments of the big shots.

Yes, after Liao Hua and Guan Ping arrived, the number of thighs he considered himself to be automatically increased by two.

Even though he had never actually seen Guan Ping's face.

In short, after assisting Guan Xing and others with some logistical matters that day, Pan Jun suddenly sent someone to invite him to the governor's mansion.

The reason given was that some military matters needed to be handed over.

……

Upon arriving at the governor's mansion, Pan Jun was directing people to move wood and stones.

"Guan Xing lacks experience in defending cities. He only knows how to stockpile arrows, but he doesn't realize that flying stones and rolling logs are equally important. I've prepared them for him here. Remember to remind him when you get back."

It is said that ever since Mi Wei carried out a round of "optimization" in Jiangling City, Pan Jun's work attitude has indeed become much more proactive.

These past two days, he has fully played the role that a state governor should play.

The state and county governments cooperated seamlessly, allowing Miwei's logistical work to proceed smoothly.

After finishing their work, the two sat down to rest. Pan Jun said:

"Speaking of which, you have been my disciple for some time now, and it is time for me to formally impart my knowledge to you."

Upon hearing this, Mi Wei immediately realized that the enemy had seen that reinforcements had arrived and that Jiangling was no longer in danger.

Therefore, he repaired his relationship with Guan Yu through his disciple.

Just like Mi Fang.

how to say?

It's definitely a good thing.

Unlike Mi Fang, who was of average talent.

Pan Jun, that old man, is truly capable.

If they switch sides, it can absolutely shake up the entire situation.

So Mi Wei respectfully bowed and said, "Please enlighten me, sir!"

Pan Jun nodded in satisfaction and then said:

“I studied under the great Confucian scholar Song Zhongzi, taking the Five Classics as the framework and also studying the teachings of other philosophers.”

"Now that you have become my disciple, you must first study the scriptures."

"My teacher once compiled the 'Commentaries on the Five Classics,' so you should start learning from there!"

As he spoke, he had someone bring up a large stack of bamboo slips for Mi Wei.

Miwei opened one of the volumes and read a couple of sentences.

His face immediately contorted into a bitter expression.

This is too difficult.

It's even harder than advanced mathematics.

Old man on subway.JPG
Pan Jun seemed to have expected this, and said with a half-smile:

"What, you don't want to study the scriptures?"

Of course I don't want to!

Miwei thought to himself.

It should be understood that the study of classics had long since transcended the realm of pure academics and become a stepping stone for Han Dynasty scholars to advance their careers.

This has led to increasingly difficult and obscure commentaries on the classics.

After all, whoever controls the power to interpret scriptures controls the power to become an official.

That would necessitate desperately raising the entry barriers.

Miwei certainly wants to improve.

The problem is, haven't times changed?

This method of playing the game during peaceful times has become less effective with the arrival of chaotic times.

Although this thing will eventually make a comeback in a different form in sixty or seventy years.

But before that, the solidified social hierarchy was temporarily broken by the chaos of the times.

Military merit became the best path to advancement.

Otherwise, how could Guan Yu have dared to recite the Zuo Zhuan (a commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals) while trampling on the scholar-officials?
Because in this era where military merit is paramount, someone like him, who can defeat ten thousand men, is the true chosen one!

"You really don't want to study the scriptures."

Seeing Mi Wei remain silent, Pan Jun revealed an expression that said, "I knew it all along."

Mi Wei stopped pretending: "This disciple is indeed not cut out for studying scriptures."

"He's not cut out for studying the classics, but he's cut out for becoming a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men?"

Upon hearing Pan Jun's words, Mi Wei subconsciously thought that Guan Xing, that big mouth, was bragging to everyone again.

He clearly only said that to Guan Xing!

I could only bite the bullet and say:
In my opinion, in these chaotic times, classical studies cannot save the people!

Pan Jun was taken aback, and turned his head to say:
"Who would have thought that the son of a merchant would have such ambitions to save the world?"

Strictly speaking, the Donghai Mi clan were not "merchants," but rather the highest-ranking "scholars."

Although Mi Zhu was indeed very good at managing businesses and became extremely wealthy.

It can only be said that Poon Chun has fallen back into his old habit of talking badly about people behind their backs.

However, Mi Wei was not like Guan Xing and couldn't be bothered to argue, so he continued:
"This is not contradictory."

"Trading merchants and established businesses need unobstructed roads, the gathering of wealth, and every household having surplus grain... In short, they need peace throughout the land."

"After all, in chaotic times, human life is cheap, and few families have stable property. Who can they do business with? Where can they find business?"

Pan Jun was taken aback again, then finally looked at Mi Wei with a serious expression:

"I misspoke just now."

"General Mi Anhan is dignified and refined. You have the demeanor of your father and are by no means a common merchant."

"Very well, since you don't want to study the scriptures, then so be it, I will teach you how to be a match for ten thousand men."

(End of this chapter)