My younger brother Zhuge Liang

Chapter 436 Times have changed
One day in early May of the ninth year of Jian'an, in Xuwu County, Youzhou (now Zunhua).

This place is technically under the jurisdiction of Youbeiping County, but in the past five or six years, the government has basically had no control over this place.

Xuwu, together with the neighboring Junmi County and Wuzhong County, that is, the three northern counties of the entire Youbeiping County located in the Yanshan Mountain area, are in fact under a state of autonomy.

The wild man Tian Chou gathered four to five thousand households in Xuwu County, and more than two thousand households each in Junmi and Wuzhong, totaling nine thousand households in the three counties. They built their own fortresses and lived in the gap between the Han government in the south and the Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes in the north.

Whether it was the Youbeiping prefect appointed by Gongsun Zan at that time or the Youbeiping prefect appointed by Yuan Shao and Yuan Tan later, they could only govern the southern coastal area centered on Tuyin County (now Tangshan), the county seat. It was extremely difficult to extend their rule northward into Yanshan.

Now, it is midsummer again and the wheat harvest is approaching.

Compared to other areas in Youzhou that were dragged down by the war between Yuan and Cao, Xuwu and other places were like a paradise, enjoying the peaceful time of light taxes and levies in the past few years.

The weather in Hebei has not been bad in the past two years. The main factors leading to the decline in agricultural production are still war and corvee labor.

Xuwu and other places did not suffer from the pain of military service in other places, and the people worked hard. The winter wheat planted last winter is now in the grain filling stage, and the summer breeze blows, swaying waves of wheat that are slightly yellow with green.

Although this is not as pleasing to the eye as the golden waves of fully mature wheat, it can also inspire the joy of harvest in people's hearts.

A scholar in his thirties with a goatee, with a sword on his waist, rode his horse slowly beside the wheat fields in the endless valley. Behind him followed several followers, all of whom were wearing swords but no armor.

When the farmers in the fields beside the road saw a group of people passing by, they would bow to greet them, and then turn around and go back to their own work.

This scholar is none other than Tian Chou, the actual controller of this place. After inspecting the filling of winter wheat in the county for half a day this morning, he felt a little more at ease and said to his attendants with satisfaction:

"This year's surplus food should be enough to gather the people for half a month of training. If the people can learn military discipline, the Xianbei will not dare to look down on us."

Tian Chou was chatting with his friends when suddenly several riders came galloping along the road from the opposite direction of the county town. Tian Chou narrowed his eyes and had a bad premonition.

Whenever he saw the messenger running so anxiously, it was either reporting that the Xianbei were invading or that the Wuhuan were coming to "borrow food". In short, there would be no good news in this world.

"Don't be anxious, tell me slowly, is it the Xianbei or the Wuhuan who are coming this time?" When the horse-riding messenger came in front of him, Tian Chou took the opportunity to ask slowly while the other party was still catching his breath.

The messenger looked at him in confusion, and before he could catch his breath, he hastily corrected him: "No...neither of them, sir. It was Yuan Tan who handed over the military power of Youzhou to Zhao Yun under Liu Bei. It was Zhao Yun who led the troops here."

"Zhao Yun? How many troops are here?" Tian Chou finally became nervous.

For a general like Zhao Yun, even though he had lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years and was content to be a wild man, his reputation was well known.

What's more, Zhao Yun was a subordinate of Gongsun Zan back then. When Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan fell out, Tian Chou knew that Zhao Yun was a powerful general under Gongsun Zan.

Tian Chou sighed: "Although Liu Bei has a reputation for benevolence and righteousness, he is, after all, from the same clan as Gongsun Zan, that beast. Now that the Yuan family can no longer hold on, they have handed Youzhou over to Liu Bei. I wonder what attitude they will take towards those who rebelled against Gongsun Zan back then...

Alas, I was originally planning to wait and see, but Zhao Yun has brought his troops to my doorstep. It seems I can’t avoid it—how many soldiers did Zhao Yun bring?”

Messenger: "There are about dozens of riders, or maybe more than a hundred. The captain didn't see them clearly, so he sent me to report the news in a hurry."

Tian Chou's serious expression relaxed a little after hearing this: "It turns out that there are less than a hundred cavalrymen... There is no need to worry too much. There are nine thousand households in the three counties of Xuwu, and thirty to forty thousand males. A mere hundred cavalrymen cannot be used to force us to surrender. Let's go back to the city and see what Zhao Yun has to say."

Tian Chou hurried back to the city. When he arrived at the Xuwu County Government Office, he wanted to send someone to invite Zhao Yun immediately. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yun was already sitting in the main hall of the government office waiting for him.

When Tian Chou was about to enter the palace, he was informed of the situation by his attendants. He was shocked and said, "How dare you let Zhao Yun enter the city without my order?"

The clerks in the county government were also helpless. After all, they were not a formal government agency, and many of their systems were rather arbitrary.

In addition, Tian Chou had told them before that no matter which government sent the people, as long as the other party did not have hostility, they should not offend them first, so as to avoid giving others a chance to criticize them.

The clerk explained with a bitter face: "We can't do anything. General Zhao seems to have no ill intentions. He said he was just here to inspect and negotiate with the Lord. We dare not offend him, and he said he could not bring troops into the city.

I took the initiative to have his cavalry stationed outside the city. We had people prepare several jars of muddy wine, kill and cook a pig and a sheep, and send them outside the city to entertain the troops. Only Zhao Yun was allowed to enter the city."

"This Zhao Yun is really brave. He dares to enter the city alone. I will go and meet him." Tian Chou nodded involuntarily.

……

After a cup of tea, in the main hall of the county government.

"General Zhao, how are you? I remember meeting you once in Jicheng eleven years ago. You were just a quchang at that time. Am I right?"

Zhao Yun sat on the soft seat and did not stand up. He just bowed to Tian Chou and said, "Mr. Tian has a good memory. I came here on orders. I heard that Mr. Tian has kept the area peaceful in the troubled times.

But now Youzhou has been handed over to my lord, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the people are preparing food and drink to welcome the royal army. Sir, you should give up your desire to serve. After all, Xuwusan County is not a place beyond the law. "

Zhao Yun was usually very polite, but on an occasion like today, he could not lower his status. He came here on behalf of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, so how could he be polite to a military leader who was self-governing with only three counties?

Dignity must not be lost.

Tian Chou was also slightly stunned by what he said. Over the years, he had met the recruiting envoys of Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao, and they were all polite and wanted to win over a middle-of-the-road force like him.

Zhao Yun was different from all the previous people. On the one hand, Zhao Yun was in a high position and had great power. On the other hand, he was probably also considering that "Youzhou has become peaceful and there is no room for the fence-sitters to survive."

Regardless of the truth, at least Zhao Yun certainly wanted to show this.

Tian Chou couldn't openly resist the government, so he could only say some polite words:

"General, your words are too serious. How dare I regard Xuwu as a place beyond the law? I am a wanderer in the mountains, and I am respected by the local elders. I maintain order in places that are difficult for the government to govern, and prevent Xianbei and Wuhuan from plundering.

I have no desire for wealth and fame, nor do I want to cling to power. As long as the general can convince the local elders to return to the government, I don't care - but the local people hate Gongsun Zan for killing innocent people and committing treason, so they are unwilling to associate with him.

Just like Tian Heng and his five hundred soldiers, they were not willing to humiliate Qi. Although they were unwilling to fight against Han, they were willing to live in seclusion on an island and not associate with the Han. If General Zhao wants the people to return to his rule, he should not use force. "

Zhao Yun couldn't help laughing after listening to his long speech.

It was not a smile of contempt, nor was there any provocation; it was just a very pure smile of pity for the frog in the well.

It's similar to the kind of laughter that one would experience when walking on the road and seeing a small animal nearby jump into a ditch but fail to do so and then fall into a manhole cover.

"Gongsun... Bogui is Gongsun Bogui, and the General of Chariots and Cavalry is the General of Chariots and Cavalry. Why bring up those old things?" After Zhao Yun had laughed enough, he said something calmly, which set the tone for the matter.

Gongsun Zan was his former master after all. Although he committed a serious crime and was deserted by his friends and relatives, Zhao Yun did not want to address him by his official title, but he also did not want to call him by his name. As a compromise, he just called him by his courtesy name. His mission this time was also explained by Zhuge Jin before they parted. Zhuge Jin had repeatedly taught him many coping attitudes and wording strategies, and Zhou Yu also rehearsed a confrontation with him along the way.

So even though Zhao Yun is not very good at politics, he knows roughly how to deal with it today.

Moreover, his wife also came north with him to Youzhou, and they would rehearse their speeches at home every day. Perhaps this is the reason why marrying a woman from the Zhuge family would enhance one's talents in all aspects.

Seeing Zhao Yun clearing himself of the matter, Tian Chou quickly defended himself, "General Zhao is understating the matter. Although the General of Chariots and Cavalry is known for his benevolence, he was also a classmate of Gongsun Zan. Even you were under his command. We, the people of Youzhou, are grateful for the kindness of Lord Bo'an (Liu Yu) and would rather die than live under the rule of a thief who murdered his lord. We would rather retire and live in seclusion. Is that wrong?"

Zhao Yun immediately used the lines that Zhuge Jin and Zhou Yu had rehearsed and retorted, "If you really appreciate the kindness of Gongsun Bo'an, then why did you continue to live in seclusion when Yuan Shao took control of Jizhou after Gongsun Bogui died?
When Yuan Shao was at his peak, he was able to gain the support of Liu He, the legitimate son of Lord Bo'an, and won the hearts of his old friends. He also raised the banner of revenge for Lord Bo'an, but you continue to live in seclusion and are not subject to the jurisdiction of the government. Isn't it a bit unreasonable?"

Tian Chou smiled and said, "It's just like that." He replied calmly, "As expected, General Zhao, a subordinate of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, has spoken up for Yuan Shao and has gone to such extremes to protect the vast territory and the people.

This question is not difficult to answer. Although Yuan Shao raised the banner of revenge for Duke Bo'an, he had bad intentions. He was just taking advantage of the people who were loyal to Duke Bo'an, and he did not truly live in peace and contentment with the people.

At that time, Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun rebelled, one calling himself the emperor and the other the general. When the court was in danger, Bo Angong was appointed to govern Youzhou. After Bo Angong arrived in Ji, he sent a letter to Qiu Liju, who immediately accepted the surrender and beheaded Zhang Chun to present him to his army. For the next six years, the Xianbei and Wuhuan did not dare to rebel, but only fought for the court and asked for some rewards.

When Yuan Shao was in charge of Youzhou, could he have such a good policy? Humph, in order to win over the Wuhuan and help him fight Cao Cao, he only indulged the Xianbei and Wuhuan to plunder the people, and used the wealth of the people in the border areas in exchange for the Hu people's kindness to him. How can we use such a villain?
Although I am not talented, I have governed Xuwu for many years, and at least I can protect the people of the three counties of Xuwu from being robbed by the Xianbei and Wuhuan. The Hu people know that we are self-disciplined and strict, so they dare not confront us - can Yuan Shao do it?"

"Of course Yuan Shao can't do it." Zhao Yun responded positively and confidently, but the corners of his mouth could not help but rise slightly. As expected, Ziyu guessed it. As long as he questioned Yuan Shao, Tian Chou would definitely criticize him in this way.

Zhao Yun did not wait for Tian Chou to react and immediately pointed out the essence of the matter:
"Duke Bo'an was able to stabilize the Hu people with rewards, but Yuan Shao could only let the Hu people plunder on their own. Is the difference here just because Duke Bo'an was kind and Yuan Shao ignored the people? If that's how you see the problem, then I can only say that you are just undeserving of your reputation. I am so disappointed.

When Duke Bo'an governed You, the imperial court had not yet completely collapsed. Seeing the border troubles breaking out, the imperial court was willing to raise money and food to support them. Since the reigns of Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Mingzhang, the imperial court had stabilized the Wuhuan and gradually assimilated them by hiring Hu soldiers from Jizhou and Qingzhou every year to serve as soldiers for Youzhou.

Yuan Shao ruled Youzhou for only one year before the Battle of Guandu broke out. After that, Yuan Shao was defeated in Jizhou and had no money or food to send back to Youzhou. So in the end, it was just a question of rich and poor.

Now, Youzhou is under the rule of my lord, the General of Chariots and Cavalry. The General of Chariots and Cavalry has always loved his people and been kind, and he has also entrusted the princes with full authority to coordinate the affairs of the four northern states.

The princes had the ability to turn iron into gold. When they were in the south, they eliminated the threat from the Shanyue people that had plagued Yuzhang and Danyang counties for decades.

The key is to allow the Shanyue people to trade with the Han people and work for the Han people, so that both they and the Han people can benefit. As long as these barbarians have enough food to eat and do not have to steal food from the Han people, that is the way to long-term peace!

If we just use force, can we solve the problem of the Hu people? On this grassland, after the Xiongnu, there are the Wuhuan, after the Wuhuan, there are the Xianbei, after the Xianbei, there may be new nomads in the future, which is not a fundamental solution!
Forcing the Hu people to trade with the Han people and to integrate into the division of labor with the Han people in order to survive is the way to long-term peace! Now there is a sage ruler and wise ministers planning a hundred-year plan for the people of Youzhou, but you are still complacent. In the future, the people of Xuwu will be poorer than those in Tuyin and other places, and will be more troubled by the Hu people. It is all your fault! "

Tian Chou didn't expect that Zhao Yun, a fierce general, was also so eloquent. Although his long speech was a bit halting and the connection was not smooth, it was probably rehearsed.

But it is obvious that Zhao Yun has already understood the advantages of this theory, and it is not that he does not understand it and just memorizes it by rote.

Tian Chou felt that the other party was bragging, but he still defended himself:

"How can I believe you for such a thing? You want to force the Hu people to be unable to be self-sufficient and have to cooperate with the Han people to survive by allowing them to trade with the Han people? This is too fantastic.

This idea is not new. In the time of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, in order to control the Xiongnu, they wanted to use silk, gold and jade to make the Hu people lose their wildness. But Zhonghang Shuo asked Junchen Chanyu to break away from Han customs, tear silk and wear smelly furs, so that the Xiongnu would not have to rely on Han.

The food necessities of the Hu people all come from grazing on the grass and water. What do we Han people have that they must buy or die if they don't buy it? As long as we can't produce such things, there will always be a few ambitious leaders among the Hu people in the future who will break away from Han customs and cut off their dependence on Han trade! "

Tian Chou's rebuttals were progressive, and it was obvious that he had thought about these issues a long time ago. So he had already regarded Zhao Yun as a lobbyist who relied on talking nonsense and reciting some great principles.

However, Zhao Yun remained calm in the face of his rebuttal. There were some truths that Zhao Yun could not explain, but he came here today to test the waters and bring a message first.

Zhao Yun stood up, brushed the hem of his robe, and said calmly: "You can't imagine it, it's because you don't have the ability. The princes are well-versed in heaven and man, and they are good at planning and strategizing. How can you predict the strategies he came up with?
Even Chao Cuo, Ji An, and Sang Hongyang, who planned for Emperor Wen, Jing, and Emperor Xiaowu, could not be even a fraction of him. I came here today just to tell you one thing: since you have been respected by the surrounding Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes in recent years, you should take advantage of these two months to inform them.

Two months later, the princes will personally go to Youzhou to discuss the trade method with the envoys of various tribes, how to ensure that the Hu and Han can exchange what they have and what they need, so that everyone can have enough food and clothing. So that Youzhou no longer relies on Qing and Ji to import money and food every year, and can also support itself.

In the next two months, I will ask you to inform all the tribes of the Hu people to prepare more cattle and sheep. The princes will also order the new governor to prepare more salt, tea, ironware and other scarce goods, as well as some good goods that are not convenient to be announced at present and can only be traded with friendly and cooperative tribes.

If you fail to make good use of this opportunity to resolve the grievances between the Hu and Han people, you will be a sinner who resists the king's rule and undermines the naturalization of the Hu people. Considering that you still have some loyalty to Lord Bo'an, I have taken the time to come to Xuwu today to say these words. There is only one chance, and the pen of history is as hard as iron, so don't make mistakes. "

Tian Chou saw that Zhao Yun was so confident in what he said, and his expression was uncertain. He always felt that such big talk was unreliable, but when the other party said that the people of the Zhuge family had their own magic methods, he couldn't help but believe it a little.

The Zhuge family was known for their wisdom, and even a savage like him, who lived semi-isolated from the world in Yanshan, knew a little about it.

It can be said that from the Three Kingdoms of Korea to the Western Regions, everyone knows about it.

Tian Chou gritted his teeth, still feeling that it was still a little unreliable, so he asked: "Can you tell me more details? What secret methods do the princes have?"

Zhao Yun: "No, in two months, when the princes come in person, the outcome will be clear. I am just a military commander, I don't understand so many profound principles. Anyway, there is only one chance, if you don't do it, someone else will. That's all I have to say, goodbye!"

Zhao Yun shook his robe, put his hand on his waist with a long sword, and strode out of the county government office.

Tian Chou saw him out with a little awe. When they reached the corridor, he noticed that there were guards peeping from the far corner. He quickly glared at them fiercely, making them shrink back.

After carefully sending Zhao Yun away, Tian Chou returned to the corridor and scolded his subordinates: "Who asked you to be here! Didn't you even forget to step aside when discussing important matters?!"

The trusted guards also felt aggrieved: "My Lord, we heard you arguing with Zhao Yun from afar, and we were afraid that he would harm you, so we came to protect you. If you smash the cup as a signal, we can also protect you..."

Tian Chou was so angry that he laughed: "Zhao Yun dared to enter the city alone, he must have someone to rely on. He is Lord Xuande's favorite general. If anything happens to him, our entire city of Xuwu will be in trouble. Besides, Zhao Yun is so brave, how can you know? If he really has bad intentions, how can you stop him?"

When Tian Chou saw the robe Zhao Yun was wearing just now, he felt that it was too stiff and stiff, giving people a very heroic feeling.

Tian Chou thought that this illusion was caused by Zhao Yun's description of his handsomeness.

How could he know that Zhao Yun was wearing iron-ringed chain mail underneath his robe.

There are only a dozen or so of this fine soft armor in the world. When Dong Cheng and Lu Bu were plotting to kill Cao Cao, they only got two from Liu Bei's secret envoy, which shows how precious it is.

Zhao Yun looked defenseless in his brocade robe, but in fact he was completely fearless. With his iron ring soft armor and this precious sword, the few hundred rural soldiers in Xuwu County didn't need to take him seriously.

-

PS: It’s a long chapter of 5,000 words, so I won’t split it up today… Mainly because the Chinese New Year is coming soon, so I’ll start accumulating manuscripts for the long chapter.

I will try to update continuously during the Chinese New Year, but I will reduce the number of words every day from now on, saving a little for the few days of the Chinese New Year. Starting from the second day of the Chinese New Year, I will leave Hangzhou and go to visit relatives in northern Jiangsu. I will be away for several days...

(End of this chapter)