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

Chapter 42 Meeting Guan Yu
Pan Jun concluded:
"At such a young age, you are wielding the power of a two-thousand-stone official; you will surely become famous throughout the prefectures and counties, and even the whole country."

"But you are ultimately not a true governor."

“When a new prefect arrives in Nanjun, you will not be reduced to a commoner, but you will still need to rely on someone.”

"But if that's the case, isn't General Guan a better choice than a mere prefect of a county?"

Mi Wei suddenly realized something: "Sir, do you think I should choose the second option?"

Poon Chun remained noncommittal: “The former values ​​fame, the latter values ​​pragmatism; the choice is entirely up to you.”

Mi Wei bowed deeply in gratitude.

Then Pan Jun had the boy beside him step forward to pay his respects to Mi Wei.

This is his second son, Pan Mi, who just turned 18 this year and is at the age to start his studies.

The two can exchange academic ideas more often.

Mi Wei thought to himself that this was the first time he had met Pan Jun's family.

They didn't see him earlier or later, but it just so happened to be right after Guan Yu's return.

It seems that Lao Deng has finally made up his mind to stay with Liu Bei.

He himself was the link between him and Guan Yu.

Mi Wei understood, but he saw through it all without saying a word.

Thus, the master and disciple enjoyed themselves immensely.

……

Jiangnan, Gong'an County.

Snapped!
Li Yi threw his sword to the ground, his face filled with shame and indignation.

"I thought Guan Yu was my greatest enemy, but I never expected to be bullied by a mere brat!"

"It's all my fault for being unskilled and failing to detect the hidden dangers in the dike of the Yangshui River in advance."

"General Lu, this humble general is willing to personally lead three hundred brave soldiers to attack the city. If we fail, I am willing to die at the city gate!"

Li Yi became more and more excited as he spoke.

But when I looked up...

But Lu Xun was seen staring blankly in the direction of the county temple.

That place was originally the headquarters of Lü Meng's central army.

Now, the banner has been replaced with that of "General of Chariots and Cavalry".

This was the general title that Liu Bei had requested for Sun Quan in his early years.

Although this general title, which was equivalent to the Three Dukes, was never officially recognized by the Han court.

However, this did not prevent the people of Jiangdong from respecting Sun Quan in this way.

In Li Yi's eyes.

The four characters “General of Chariots and Cavalry” are so majestic and eye-catching.

So much so that he subconsciously lowered his voice:

"If my lord blames me, I am willing to take full responsibility for the defeat!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xun slowly turned around and said:
"You are my subordinate, and your mistakes are my mistakes."

"After a defeat, how can I, Lu, be expected to shift the blame onto my subordinates?"

Li Yi was moved upon hearing this: "General..."

"Alright, I've already sent out the letter of apology, so you don't need to blame yourself. What you should be thinking about is reorganizing the troops as soon as possible."

"After all, we still have a long way to go to fight Guan Yu, and Lü Huwei's body can't hold out for much longer..."

Having said that, Lu Xun turned and returned to his camp, not glancing at the banner bearing the inscription "General of Chariots and Cavalry" once more.

Li Yi felt somewhat relieved and was about to turn back.

Suddenly, he turned back to look at those four awe-inspiring words.

A question couldn't help but arise in my mind.

Now that our lord has arrived, why doesn't he come out to comfort the troops?

……

Guan Xing was still recovering from his injuries, Mi Fang was under house arrest in his residence, and Pan Jun, as always, feigned illness and refused to come out.

Therefore, the task of representing the entire city of Jiangling to receive Guan Yu's greetings to the troops fell to Mi Wei.

Of course, Mi Wei had already coordinated with Liao Hua over the past few days regarding the details of the actual troop training.

Therefore, the main recipient of our consolation today is Mi Wei himself.

Before long, Mi Wei arrived at the central command tent outside the west wall.

Before they even entered the tent, a tall, slender figure appeared beside them.

Guan Jiji.

To be honest, since the war started in Jiangling, I've been busy defending the city every day and haven't seen the other side for quite some time.

Just as he was about to greet her, Guan Jiji pulled him to an open space nearby and asked in a low voice:

"I heard that you, sir, wish to marry into my family?"

Uh... huh?

Mi Wei didn't react for a moment. Guan Jiji frowned slightly:
"Is it fake?"

Mi Wei then remembered that he had indeed used this excuse to fob off Mi Fang.

He also lied to prominent local gentry members, claiming he was having a secret rendezvous with Guan Jiji.

But aren't those just lines used to fool the old Dengs?
For a moment, I didn't know whether to say yes or no.

I'd rather not.

The person in front of us is very likely the prototype of the legendary figure "Guan Yinping".

She was Huang Yueying's disciple, followed Zhuge Liang on his southern expedition, and married Li Hui's son, Li Yi.

These are, of course, just beautiful legends that embody the simple emotions of the masses and should not be taken seriously.

However, this did not prevent Miwei from being a little curious and having a few thoughts.

But you're really going to marry me.

Didn't Guan Xing already hint that his family wanted to form a marriage alliance with Liu Bei?

Old Liu was quite kind to his father and son.

Isn't it a bit inappropriate to just snatch someone else's daughter-in-law away like that?
My surname isn't Cao!
I could only respond with a smile.

Seeing this, Guan Jiji stopped asking questions and showed neither joy nor anger. Instead, she said:

“My brother asked me to tell my lord that the master (Guan Yu) does not look down on scholars. He simply dislikes those mediocre people who cause trouble for no reason.”

“For example, my master respects strategist Zhuge Liang and registrar Liao.”

"If you want to achieve something, why not follow the example of the two gentlemen and do things in accordance with my master's temper?"

"If you can do this, you will surely reap the rewards in the future!"

It turned out that Guan Xing had asked his sister to remind him!
This guy always overestimates my abilities, but he's a really loyal friend!
Mi Wei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the brother and sister profusely.

Then he turned and went into the tent.

Little did he know that the girl was watching his retreating figure, hesitant to speak.

……

"Mi Wei, son of General Anhan, pays his respects to Your Excellency! May I inquire about Your Excellency's well-being?"

Inside the central command tent, Mi Wei finally saw Guan Yu, whom he had longed to see day and night.

To be honest, this was a bit different from what he had imagined Guan Yu to be.

Because Guan Yu was indeed tall, as rumored.

However, compared to the Guan Xing and Guan Ping brothers whom I met earlier, he inevitably appeared somewhat old and withered.

If we consider him as an "unparalleled warrior".

Clearly, the young and strong Guan Ping fits the stereotype better.

It's probably due to his age, coupled with the hardships of years of military service?
However, he is no longer the naive person he once was.

Lu Meng's appearance was even more withered, as if he had one foot in the coffin.

Even so, it still managed to terrify Mi Fang, who was hiding behind the city wall.
Could it force that old man Pan Jun to jump left and right?

Therefore, Guan Yu's prowess as a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men did not lie in his physical strength alone.

At this moment, Guan Yu spoke:
“Back in the day, when you were in Jingzhou, you were just a little boy whom I could lift up with one arm.”

"I never imagined he would be so handsome and strong, and that he would even defend the city for me."

Mi Wei smiled and replied, "I understand that the other person is teasing me in the tone of an elder."

"Although the boy is now handsome and capable of defending the city, he can still be easily lifted up by General Guan with one arm!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu stroked his half-white beard and laughed heartily.

He then pointed to a folding stool (a type of stool) next to him and asked Miwei to sit down and talk.

The two then discussed some details of their previous defense of the city.

Mi Wei did not hide anything and told the whole story.

Interspersed throughout are some of Pan Jun's opinions, which are then presented to Guan Yu for his evaluation.

Although Guan Yu disdained Pan Jun, he was very pleased with Mi Wei's humble attitude in seeking help.

Although he did not personally participate in the discussion, he specifically asked the officers and clerks around him to answer the questions.

For a time, the atmosphere in the tent was very harmonious, and Mi Wei benefited greatly from it.

Until Guan Yu's tone suddenly changed:
"I previously gave Liao Yuanjian two choices for you. Have you considered them?"

Everyone in the tent immediately fell silent.

Miwei knew that the real show was about to begin.

But he stood up slowly and deliberately, clasped his hands in greeting:

"I have just received your guidance, so I can consider myself to have received half the favor of your teachings."

"To repay this kindness, I am willing to serve under your command!"

It was not to seek a reward, but to repay a debt of gratitude.

Although they were just verbal tricks, they revealed completely different attitudes towards doing things.

Guan Yu, being an experienced and shrewd man, naturally discerned Mi Wei's hidden thoughts and calmly replied:
"The rank of Attendant Gentleman of the Palace is only six hundred shi, serving as an assistant in my office. He is far less powerful than someone with a rank of two thousand shi in a prefecture. Don't you think it's a pity?"

(End of this chapter)