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

Chapter 79 I really love wise men!

"One, two, three... ten, only ten followers?"

Upon seeing who it was, the county magistrates and chiefs exchanged ambiguous smiles.

The new prefect's entourage is simply too shabby.

It's one thing for a high-ranking official of two thousand shi (a unit of grain) to not have any accompanying soldiers or attendants.

There are only ten servants?

Anyone who didn't know better would think he was here to escape a disaster!

Only the captain Mi Wei at the front maintained a solemn and respectful expression.

People were wary of his official position and prestige, and therefore dared not laugh out loud.

But he already looked down on the newly arrived Prefect Deng.

Soon, even Mi Wei was somewhat moved.

Because the man with the official seal at his waist was clearly an official under Deng Zhi.

He was actually pushing a deer cart and carrying luggage with his servants!

The deer cart mentioned here is not a cart pulled by deer, but a kind of human-powered pushcart.

It got its name because it was so narrow that it could only carry one deer.

Miwei can at least ride a horse when he goes out on weekdays!

Thinking of this, he could no longer stand still, so he stepped forward to greet them and helped push the cart.

Deng Zhi did not stop her, but simply thanked her briefly before continuing on her way.

They continued walking until they reached the city gate.

Deng Zhi suddenly stopped.

Turning to Mi Wei, he bowed deeply and said:

"This bow is the traveler's way of thanking the host for helping him out."

"However, once I enter this gate, I will become the prefect of this place."

"The prefect's practice of treating the commandant like a private servant violates the laws of the state; let's stop here!"

Miwei had no choice but to let go.

He had originally planned to send horses and servants, and then use Mi Zhu's connections to get closer to the other party.

This makes it difficult to deliver.

He thought to himself that Deng Zhi was indeed as rumored, frugal in his lifestyle and meticulous in his work.

Those thighs look reliable!

I was even happier.

He then said, "The official residence has been prepared; please make your way, Your Excellency!"

Deng Zhi immediately bowed and thanked him.

But just as Miwei was about to take his leave...

A middle-aged scholar behind him suddenly stepped forward from the crowd, looking directly at Mi Wei and said:
"How many courtyards and rooms does that official residence have?"

Mi Wei did not understand its meaning.

But this man was wearing a scholar's cap and had an impressive bearing. Perhaps he was an assistant that Deng Zhi had invited.

Zhao Zhi replied directly:

"It only has two courtyards."

"But rest assured, everyone, the prefectural government office was originally converted from a post station, and it is even more spacious than the county seat, enough to accommodate everyone!"

"Is that really enough?" The scholar did not let it go easily.

"But I heard that Commandant Mi was previously stationed in Shicheng and also governed this prefecture."

For an assistant or attendant to speak to a captain with a salary of over two thousand piculs in such a manner is already offensive.

But Deng Zhi, who was standing next to her, only frowned and did not directly stop her.

Upon seeing this, Mi Wei thought to himself that this person must have some background.

He continued:

"It doesn't matter."

"Now that the Prefect has arrived, he will naturally be in charge of the affairs of the Prefectural Government from now on."

"As for me, I'll be leaving the city to build a fortress sooner or later anyway, so I can just make do with any empty room for the time being."

Faced with such humble words, Deng Zhi had no choice but to speak.

He turned to the scholar, his face full of impatience, and said:

“I have just arrived in Jiangxia and have not yet established any goodwill with the people. Yet you are already in a hurry to seize the houses of those who have rendered meritorious service. Lord Wei, you are trying to make me cut myself off from the people of the prefecture!”

Upon hearing this, the scholar known as "Duke Wei" burst into laughter:
"Because you and I both know that this Commandant Mi has made great contributions and is also General Guan's son-in-law, carrying the hopes of the entire prefecture, there are some things that need to be made clear in advance!"

"Besides, he has been pampered since childhood and can only sleep soundly with soft pillows and warm blankets."

"Given our relationship with Mi Anhan, would you really send his eldest son to a deserted house?"

Deng Zhi was speechless for a moment, then turned back to Mi Wei.

At this moment, Mi Wei was still desperately trying to remember who this "Lord Wei" was.

Upon seeing this, he shook his head repeatedly and said:

"No, not really."

"Gentlemen, you may not know this, but since I suffered a serious illness last year, I have developed a peculiar habit."

"To sleep soundly, one need not soft pillows and warm blankets, but one must have a great... uh, a wise and capable person by one's side!"

"The more wise men I have, the more peacefully I sleep!" "If the whole room is filled with wise men, then I can rest easy!"

Mi Wei paused, then cupped his hands to Deng Zhi and said:

"With a wise man like the Prefect firmly in charge of the city, there's no need to worry about simply moving to another place."

"Even if I sit on the street, I can still sleep soundly!"

The scholar was dumbfounded.

However, the four county magistrates who had come with him praised Mi Wei highly.

What does it mean to be eager to seek out talented people and to emulate those who are virtuous?

Just as the Duke of Zhou spat out his food to welcome guests in the past, so too does the Commandant of Deer sleep soundly with his head resting on the pillow of a virtuous man.

Deng Zhi, standing next to her, didn't say anything so mushy.

But hearing such words, which perfectly aligned with the values ​​of the Han literati, was quite eye-opening.

And Miwei kept his word.

I took my leave immediately, without lingering for even a moment.

As Deng Zhi watched the other person's departing figure, she felt a strange sense of shame, as if she had been judging a gentleman by her own petty standards.

He couldn't help but turn around and glare at the scholar.

To everyone's surprise, the latter was not ashamed at all, but instead had a mischievous look on his face:
"This child is indeed more eloquent than before, but I wonder if his words match his actions?"

"Since we'll be working with him anyway, why not take this opportunity to test him and see what kind of character he is?"

You must be crazy to be testing others like this!

The king personally selected those with a salary of over two thousand shi (a unit of grain), so why should it be your turn to examine them?

who do you think You Are?
Are they the Three Dukes or the Grand General?
Deng Zhi cursed inwardly.

But he knew that the person in front of him had always been clueless about his place and had been scolded countless times for it.

So he could only remind them in a deep voice:

"Lord Wei, be careful with your words and actions!"

"Don't forget how strategist Zhuge recommended you to the King!"

Upon hearing the name Zhuge Liang, the scholar's expression changed, and he finally composed himself and fell silent.

But at that moment, the sound of galloping hooves rang out.

The deer, however, returned after leaving.

"Could it be that the Commandant still can't forget the soft pillows and warm blankets?"

The scholar couldn't help but scoff again.

"No!"

Mi Wei hurriedly dismounted and walked over.

He said with a face full of surprise:
"I was rude just now, I didn't even remember who you are!"

The scholar raised an eyebrow: "Then tell me, who am I?"

Mi Weizhen said in a loud voice:
"You once served as the chief clerk of the governor of Jingzhou under Cao Cao, but later abandoned your allegiance to the Cao family and became the chief clerk of Guan Yu."

"Later, General Guan recommended you to the King, and you then transferred to the Left General's office."

"Last year, when His Majesty established the Secretariat, you and this Lord Deng were both promoted to the Secretariat and became ministers, enjoying great fame at the time!"

"Master Yang, I have long admired your talent and reputation!"

This person was none other than Yang Yi, the Chief Secretary of Zhuge Liang's office in history.

Unlike Zhang Yi, who stayed in Chengdu, the main focus was on ensuring sufficient food and troops in the rear.

Yang Yi followed Zhuge Liang on several Northern Expeditions, and was responsible for the planning and deployment of the army. He was a recognized expert in military affairs.

Mi Wei had been eagerly awaiting the news for several days that Liu Bei had appointed Deng Zhi as the governor of Jiangxia.

Who knew there would be another surprise today?

He was overjoyed immediately:

"Within a single day, Jingling welcomed two virtuous scholars."

Even if I were to live a life of hardship and seclusion in the mountains, I would have no regrets!

"Master Yang, I won't stay at that other residence anymore. You should move there instead!"

"I'll leave the city and set up camp tonight!"

He made a move to leave.

Such a carefree attitude made even the thick-skinned Yang Yi feel a little embarrassed.

She hurriedly took his hand and said:

"Since the Commandant knows who I am, how could he not know that I was banished here by the King because of my arrogant words?"

"Even so, does the Commandant still consider me a virtuous man?"

Mi Wei solemnly said:
"How to promote or punish officials is a matter for Your Majesty to consider."

"As for Wei Zuo, as the garrison commander of a region, he only needs to consider whether Yang Gong's talent is sufficient to preserve the territory and fulfill the king's orders, and that will suffice!"

After speaking, he bowed solemnly to Deng Zhi and Yang Yi respectively, and then left.

Yang Yi lost her voice completely.

After a long while, Deng Zhi stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

But mimicking his earlier mischievous expression, he said:

"Master Yang, are you satisfied with this 'test'?"

(End of this chapter)