Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

Inside the back hall of a two-entrance, two-exit mansion in the west of Yangdi City.

Zao Zhi was having dinner with her family.

Zao Zhi sat in the main seat, while his modest wife and two children sat in the lower seat.

The dishes weren't particularly lavish, but they weren't meager either.

Although Zao Zhi was just a minor granary official in a county.

But this is Yingchuan after all.

Talented individuals, scholars, and powerful families are as numerous as cattle and sheep on the grasslands.

To be able to serve as an official in the county, one must certainly possess outstanding talent and learning.

After returning home today, Zao Zhi told his wife about Duan Yu's invitation.

Go to Liangzhou.

Zao Zhi was still somewhat hesitant.

Although Duan Yu promised him that he could choose any official position below 2,000 shi (a unit of grain measure), Liangzhou was notoriously cold and dangerous.

If he were alone, it wouldn't matter.

But he still has a wife and children.

If you take your wife and children with you to Liangzhou.

I'm worried about the environment there.

Sitting in the main seat, holding a rice bowl, Zao Zhi seemed somewhat absent-minded.

After his wife, Ms. Chu, finished serving the two children their food, she turned her head and looked at Zao Zhi.

Seeing the worried look on Zao Zhi's face, Madam Chu put down her chopsticks and said softly, "Husband... what are you thinking about?"

Upon hearing this, Zao Zhi raised his head and nodded, saying, "I'm thinking... how should I decline the former general's invitation?"

"Why?" Madam Chu looked at Zao Zhi and asked, "Why did you refuse, my husband?"

"Hasn't my husband always had lofty ambitions?"

"Isn't this a perfect opportunity?"

"The former general invited my husband to Liang, showing him such great trust."

Zao remained silent.

Duan Yu gave him a sufficient promise.

But at the same time, Zao Zhi was also worried that Duan Yu's actions were just a whim.

Implementing land reclamation was not a simple or easy task.

Although it only involves the two words "farming," it's said as if it's a very easy thing to do.

However, the issues involved are extremely complex.

First, let's talk about the land.

These fertile and rich lands were all in the hands of gentry, powerful families, and landlords.

How much meager land do ordinary people own?

If you want to establish a military settlement, the first thing you need to solve is the land issue.

This would inevitably lead to conflict with the gentry and powerful clans.

Duan Yu has no base in Liangzhou. If he were to provoke the base of the gentry and powerful clans, wouldn't that be tantamount to cutting off his own escape route?

Would those powerful clans and gentry of Liangzhou easily agree to this?

The next day, if there was an excess of grain, the grain held by merchants and powerful families who hoarded it would become worthless.

Will they just watch as the grain becomes more plentiful, while the grain they have becomes worthless?

Then there's the population.

Those who owned land had their own fields to cultivate, while those who did not own land became tenants of powerful and wealthy families.

Where would we find so many people to farm?

Each of these issues touches upon the very foundation of a certain interest group.

If Duan Yu didn't understand these things, he would have chosen to back down when faced with these difficulties.

Then his talk of land reclamation is a joke.

He might end up slinking away from Liangzhou.

When it comes to military leadership, Zao Zhi admires Duan Yu, but when it comes to governance, Zao Zhi does not think highly of Duan Yu.

Of course, Zao Zhi would never say these things to his wife.

So we had to find another excuse.

“Chu’er and Shu’er are too young. Liangzhou is bitterly cold. I’m worried that you won’t be able to adapt.”

Zao Zhi shook his head and said, "Let's wait and see. Let's wait a couple of years until Chu'er and Uncle are a little older."

"Let's eat, let's eat, let's eat first." Zao Zhi picked up her bowl and chopsticks, putting her thoughts to the back of her mind.

Just as Zao Zhi was about to finish eating and stop thinking about it, a simply dressed maid walked into the hall.

"Master, Madam, there are guests outside," the maid said, bowing.

Zao Zhi raised her head and glanced at the maid and the sky outside.

Who could be coming to the door so late?

"Did the guest leave his name?" Zao Zhi asked.

The maid nodded and said, "The guest left his name, Duan Yu, and came to pay his respects, but he did not have a name card, so he asked me to announce his arrival."

Duan Yu!

Zao Zhi's expression immediately changed, and then he suddenly stood up.

Zao Zhi's wife, Lady Chu, also heard the name Duan Yu.

"Husband, why did the former general suddenly come to visit..." Madam Chu was somewhat flustered.

Duan Yu is the governor of Liang Province, and now he has been appointed as the General of the Vanguard.

When someone of such high rank comes to visit, the host should naturally go out early to greet them.

"Quickly, light the lamp."

After getting up, Zao Zhi walked outside.

Zao Zhi's wife also hurriedly got up with her two children who had not yet finished eating, and then called the maid to quickly tidy up the hall and prepare hot tea and pastries.

Outside the gate of Zao Zhi's mansion.

Two lanterns hung in front of the mansion gate.

The dim firelight flickered as Duan Yu, dressed in black casual clothes, stood at the foot of the steps in front of the mansion, carrying two marquises on his back.

Inside, the door opened, and a maid carried a lantern, while Zao Zhi, dressed in a gray robe, followed behind.

When the gates opened, Zao Zhi quickly took two steps, lifted his long robe, and stepped over the threshold.

"This humble official was unaware of the General's visit and has failed to provide adequate hospitality. I hope the General will forgive me."

Zao Zhi walked down the steps and came to Duan Yu, bowing with his hands clasped.

Duan Yu immediately smiled and stepped forward to help Zao Zhi, who was bowing.

"Dao Yanyan is too kind," Duan Yu said with a smile. "There is no former general here, nor is there any governor of Liangzhou."

"I came in casual clothes, so I only represent myself."

"There are no superiors or subordinates. If Daoyan doesn't mind, we can just call each other friends."

Zao Zhi quickly cupped his hands again and said, "Zao Zhi dares not."

Duan Yu gently patted Zao Zhi's hand and said, "Actually, I didn't want to bother Dao Yan."

"But I am about to set off tomorrow, and I don't know when I will be able to return."

"I will never forget what Daoyan said about land reclamation at the county government today."

Zao Zhi looked at Duan Yu with slight surprise.

"General, please come into the residence for a chat." Zao Zhi gestured for him to enter.

Duan Yu shook his head and said, "No need."

"I apologize for disturbing you, but I will not enter the house to bother Daoyan's family. I have already been impolite enough, so how can I possibly come to visit?"

"I'm here just to say a few words."

Seeing that Duan Yu insisted, Zao Zhi didn't say anything more and nodded to listen to Duan Yu's words.

Duan Yu took a deep breath and said, "Although Dao Yan has heard of Liangzhou, he has never seen Liangzhou in person."

Zao Zhi nodded; indeed, he had never been to Liangzhou.

“Liangzhou is bitterly cold, and the people are miserable. When I first arrived in Liangzhou, I saw that the people were starving and naked. When the harsh winter snow came, countless people in the villages froze to death in their homes due to hunger and cold. I felt very sorry for them.”

"Therefore, I am determined that as long as I, Duan Yu, am still in Liangzhou, I will ensure that the people of Liangzhou are well-fed, warmly clothed, and no longer suffer from hunger and cold."

"However, my individual talents are ultimately limited. If I were to lead troops into battle, I would gladly accept the task."

"But if you ask me to govern a region, I know my talents are far inferior to those of a great talent like Michihiko."

Zao Zhi's expression was somewhat moved.

These words, coming from Duan Yu, were truly unexpected for Zao Zhi.

Although this was the first time Zao Zhi had met Duan Yu.

But the news of what happened in Yangdi today has already spread.

Duan Yu's domineering and ruthless nature was already well known to the Yangdi gentry.

However, the words Duan Yu just said were completely different from what Zao Zhi knew about Duan Yu.

Is this what it means to have both ruthless martial arts and a gentle, compassionate heart?

Duan Yu took a deep breath.

He looked at Zao Zhi with sincere eyes.

These were his true feelings.

When he first arrived in Liangzhou, he thought that force could solve everything.

But the more he settled into this era, the more he realized that things were not as simple as he had imagined.

Overpowered force can suppress everything.

But what supports a powerful military force is talent, territory, weapons, armor, and resources.

To lead an army, you need generals; to govern a region, you need talented people.

Weapons and armor require money and food to make, while recruiting soldiers requires manpower.

Duan Yu simply couldn't keep up with all of these matters.

Just managing these things requires far too much energy.

Not to mention that while managing these things, one also has to face enemies.

Recruiting talent is no easy task for him either.

Don't be fooled by his current high position, being both the Governor of Liangzhou and a former general.

But the enemy he now faces is the vast aristocratic community of the Central Plains.

They were students and former officials of the Yuan family of Runan and the Yang family of Hongnong, both elite clans.

These people, who possess knowledge, monopolize it, and occupy the land, are now his enemies.

Of course, it wasn't that he wanted to be enemies with these people.

It was only because he was at odds with these people that Liu Hong could support him and give him what he wanted.

So, although he seems to be living a glamorous life now, he is actually not in control of his own destiny.

The main gate of the Guo family of Yingchuan was located east of Yangdi City.

But he never went to visit them.

Zao Zhi is a great talent, and one of the few talents he can currently win over.

"The land reclamation method that Daoyan told me about at the county government today is the only way to solve the problem of food and clothing for the people of Liangzhou."

"That's why I'm so eager to invite Daoyan to Liangzhou."

Duan Yu looked at Zao Zhi with a solemn expression and said, "I know that Dao Yan may have some concerns, but I, Duan Yu, guarantee with my integrity that no matter what problems Dao Yan encounters, I will always stand by Dao Yan's side."

"I will also fully support Michio Yan."

At this point, Duan Yu took a step back.

Then, with his hands clasped together, he straightened his body, bent over, and bowed to Zao Zhi.

"Daoyan, I sincerely invite you to Liangzhou."

Seeing that Duan Yu actually bowed, Zao Zhi quickly stepped forward and forcefully grabbed Duan Yu's arm.

But how could Zao Zhi possibly have Duan Yu's strength?

Looking at Duan Yu, who was bowing deeply and refusing to get up.

Zao Zhi was moved.

Given Duan Yu's current status and position, it's quite remarkable that he was invited with such a grand gesture.

What reason does he have to refuse?

If Duan Yu was just acting on a whim, why did he come in person?

At worst, a simple decree to conscript officials would suffice.

Why come at night and not even enter the mansion?

Zao Zhi didn't consider himself a genius; he was just a poor man from a humble background.

Duan Yu's willingness to go to such lengths to invite him must have stemmed from genuine sincerity.

Duan Yu's bow was enough to dispel all his worries.

"My lord, please rise..."

Zao Zhi held Duan Yu's hands in his own and said, "Your Excellency has treated me with the respect due to a national hero, and I will repay you with the same respect!"