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

Chapter 41 Guan Yu Returns
The following day, Lu Xun's camp was in complete chaos.

The Lü Meng tribe in the south, however, had a rare day of peace.

They were probably busy receiving Lu Xun's fleeing troops, or perhaps preventing the fleeing troops from disrupting his camp as well.

The following day, Lü Meng remained inactive.

Meanwhile, Miwei also remained steadfast and did not venture out.

Do not give the other party any opportunity to take advantage.

It wasn't until noon on the third day that Lü Meng's troops finally made a move.

However, he led his troops to move their camp to an open area around Lingxi Garrison.

Clear the river embankment on the east side and the Jiangjin camp.

At that moment, a large fleet of ships appeared again on the river to the southeast.

Soon, scouts entered the city to report that the fleet was flying the banner of General Sun Quan.

Upon hearing the news, Jiangling City inevitably experienced some minor disturbances.

The reason it is "slightly" is because it is almost at the same time.

A flag bearing the character "关" (Guan) appeared in the northern suburbs of Jiangling City, where the floodwaters had been drained.

It was not General Guan Ping.

But:

Guan Yu, also known as Guan Yunchang, was appointed as the Acting General of the Vanguard, Governor of Xiangyang, and Marquis of Hanshou.
Guan Yu's main force has finally returned!

This day marked the third day since the breach of the dike in Yangnan and Lu Xun's retreat.

This day marked half a month since Miwei regained consciousness.

"Finally, I can lie down and relax..."

Mi Wei squatted on the Hu bed, feeling a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

……

Lying down immediately is of course impossible.

Necessary handover is unavoidable.

Receiving the main army, coordinating supplies, reporting on various city defense details... Mi Wei was even busier today than the previous three days.

But I actually felt much more relaxed.

After all, now that Guan Yu has returned, it's only right that Lord Guan should hold up the sky if it falls!

As a lowly inspector, I was forced into this role.

Miwei only needs to cling to the powerful and do some minor work to help build the foundation.

At least that's what he thinks.

By evening of the following day.

As Guan Yu's army set up camp along the western city wall, they formed a north-south standoff with Lü Meng's forces.

Liao Hua officially entered the city and took over the city's defenses.

Miwei was finally relieved of his burden.

But, just as he was preparing to open the stall...

"Registration Officer Liao, you came to see me so late at night. Has something serious happened in the army?"

Mi Wei looked at Liao Hua, whose eyes were bloodshot, and couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Fortunately, Liao Hua simply rubbed his temples and then said directly:
"The Lord asked me to pass on a few words to you, so that your elders at home will not feel uneasy."

Upon hearing this, Mi Wei immediately relaxed and sat up even more upright.

Liao Huadao:
"Firstly, given the current battle between the two armies, it is necessary to avoid unrest in the city as much as possible, so Mi Zifang retains the seal of the prefect."

"But only the seal will be retained," Liao Hua emphasized.

“From now on, until the new royal decree arrives, he shall not interfere in the affairs of Nanjun, nor shall he leave the mansion at will.”

This means that Mi Fang was temporarily placed under house arrest, awaiting Liu Bei's decision.

However, since even Guan Yu didn't kill anyone, Liu Bei probably won't either.

The lives of the whole family have been saved.

Miwei nodded emphatically, indicating that he would go back and relay the message.

Liao Hua's tone softened, and he smiled gently:
"The second one is related to you."

"Previously, the Lord promised in public that if Jiangling could be saved, you would be credited with the greatest merit."

"Although the war has not yet ended, since you have handed over Jiangling City to me intact, you must be rewarded."

“You come from a powerful family in the East Sea. Ordinary treasures are too insignificant to you, so the focus should be on your future.”

"What you mean, my lord, is that I'm giving you two choices."

Liao Hua paused for a moment, then continued:
"Firstly, you will act as the Prefect of Nan Commandery in the capacity of the 'Five Officials' until the new Prefect appointed by the King arrives."

"Secondly, you joined the former general's office with the position of 'Attendant Gentleman'."

Five Senses Clerk?
Serve as a middle-ranking official?

Upon suddenly hearing two unfamiliar job titles, Mi Wei was completely bewildered.

Regardless of his past or present life, he lacked a systematic understanding of the official system of the Han Dynasty, such as positions like general, prefect, merit officer, inspector, and clerk.

Or perhaps you saw it in a movie or novel in a past life.

Or perhaps you've actually come into contact with them in this lifetime.

I know a little about it.

These two are really unfamiliar.

It's probably because... the former temporarily replaced Mi Fang in charge of county affairs, while the latter directly joined Guan Yu's forces?
At first glance, it seems that the former has more authority.

Although he was only temporarily acting as governor, he still wielded the power of a 2,000-stone official, a power that many people could never attain in their entire lives.

But the second one clearly aligns better with his original intention of currying favor with Guan Yu...

Miwei was finding it difficult to make a decision.

Liao Hua did not urge him, but told him to go back and discuss it with his superiors before making a decision.

……

The next day, Miwei slept until the sun was high in the sky.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Mi Fang already sitting comfortably in his room, warming wine and eating pickled plums.

How delightful!

Miwei was immediately startled.

When did this uncle come in?

It used to make a thumping sound when I sat down, but today it's completely silent.

Seeing that he was awake, Mi Fang raised the wine cup to Mi Wei and said:
"Ah Wei, it is all thanks to your wisdom and hard work that your father was able to save his family this time!"

"This cup is a toast to you, Uncle!"

After saying this, he drank it all in one gulp and exhaled a breath of stale air as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

When Mi Wei returned last night, he had already relayed Guan Yu's arrangements to him, which moved Mi Fang greatly.

I just didn't expect that the other person would be so emotional that they couldn't sleep all night.

How afraid were you of Guan Yu before?

Mi Wei got up, tidied himself up a bit, and sat down in front of Mi Fang.

Only then did he realize that his usually large-statured uncle had lost a whole size of weight in just one night!
Weird!

When Mi Fang saw his gaze fall on her, she casually pulled out what looked like a leather armor from under the table.

The reason for saying "suspected" is that, judging from the material, it is indeed leather specially tanned by the military.

However, judging from its shape, this "armor" is tied too tightly.

If you wear it and then put on a thick robe, it will be difficult to detect from the outside, except that it will make it quite inconvenient for you to get up and lie down.

Wait, hidden inside the robe?

Is it inconvenient for you to get up and lie down normally?

Could it be...

Then Mi Fang pointed at the "leather armor" and said with a self-deprecating smile:
"From now on, with you in charge of the Mi family, I will no longer need to use this inconvenient item!"

After saying that, he popped a pickled plum into his mouth, looking just like an ordinary wealthy old man.

Mi Wei recalled Jiao Zhong's evaluation of him.

Then it dawned on me completely, and I felt relieved.

……

"Sir, what do you think of the two positions General Guan has offered?"

In the afternoon, Mi Wei went to the governor's mansion to see Pan Jun.

The latter did not become less busy after Liao Hua's arrival; on the contrary, he became even busier.

But upon hearing that Mi Wei was requesting an audience, he immediately went out to greet him.

He was accompanied by a boy who looked a few years younger than Mi Wei.

The two found a quiet place to sit down. Pan Jun didn't rush to introduce the young man beside him, but instead began to explain and analyze for Mi Wei:
"According to the old practice of our dynasty, the position of Wuguan Yuan is comparable to that of Gongcao Yuan, but it is more prestigious and noble, yet it is not a permanent position."

"If there is a deficiency in the clerk, the prefect may appoint the five officials to oversee the affairs of all the clerks."

"Therefore, sometimes, the Five Officials Clerk is also another name for the Merit Clerk."

Miwei understood.

Just as he guessed yesterday.

Guan Yu's first option was to have him replace Mi Fang in continuing to manage the affairs of the prefecture and cooperate with him in guarding against Sun Quan.

This will minimize the impact of the wartime personnel turmoil in Jiangling.

Pan Jun continued:
"As for the 'Attendant Gentleman', he has been a royal attendant since the pre-Qin period. There have been slight differences in each dynasty, so I will not go into details."

"You only need to remember two things."

"Firstly, the Attendant Gentleman of the General's Office, although not one of the Three Department Gentlemen of the Imperial Palace, has a rank of 600 shi, which is far above the 100-shi clerk of the prefecture."

"Secondly, although they nominally had the duties of attendants and guards, they were more often used as military advisors, mainly to offer suggestions and advice."

(End of this chapter)