Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 187 New Year Banquet, Discussion on Recovering Xihe

AD 191, the second year of Chuping, the first month.

Yuan Shao and Han Fu's intention to support Liu Yu's enthronement was severely refuted by Liu Yu. Yuan Shao's plan to welcome the emperor to the east and seize Hebei fell through because he did not get the support of Zhang Yu and Yuan Shu.

Seeing that his plan had failed, Yuan Shao adopted Feng Ji's previous strategy in order to seize Hebei. He decided to invite Zhang Yu and Gongsun Zan to attack Han Fu in order to force Han Fu to give Jizhou to him.

While Yuan Shao was secretly plotting to seize Jizhou, Zhang Yu was in Jinyang, celebrating the New Year with his entourage. Perhaps because they had taken over the four counties of Bingzhou, everything was changing for the better, and the whole prefecture was filled with jubilation.

At the mansion, Zhang Yu, holding his young son in his arms, and his two daughters, Wang Ji and Alahai, attended a banquet to entertain his subordinates and their families.

Before Wang Ji arrived in Jinyang, Zhang Yu did not bring Alahai to Jinyang out of respect for Wang Ji. But when Wang Ji arrived in Jinyang, he was very considerate of Zhang Yu and personally sent someone to invite Alahai to Jinyang.

The two women did not have a tense relationship when they met, but communicated in a friendly manner. In order to show respect for Alahai's status, Wang Ji built a house of similar size next to hers and asked Zhang Yu to favor Alahai more. With such an understanding wife, Zhang Yu's harem was naturally harmonious.

During the New Year this year, Zhang Yu met with his subordinates and their families. At Wang Ji's reminder, he often brought his two daughters with him to be impartial.

"The young master is young and intelligent, may I know his name?"

Zhong Yao and his wife Sun attended the event and saw the boy in Zhang Yu's arms and asked.

Zhang Yu glanced at the child in his arms and said with a smile, "The boy only has a nickname, Mu Mo. I haven't chosen a full name yet."

"Now that the New Year has passed, the young master is already two years old, it's time to give him a name!" Zhong Yao said with a smile.

Zhang Yu pondered for a long time and said, "When the boy was born, I was in Luoyang. When I met him, I was in Taiyuan. Now it is better to call him Luo, with the courtesy name Shangyuan."

"Zhang Luo?"

Zhong Yao muttered to himself, then said with a smile: "The Luo River is its source, and the city on it is Luoyang. It is a good name that complements each other."

"How is it?"

Zhang Yu looked at Wang Ji beside him and asked.

Wang Ji pursed his lips and said, "Our dynasty wants to rule the world with the virtue of fire, so Luoyang was changed to Luo. In order to avoid conflict with the capital, it is better to change it to Luo, which belongs to the virtue of water."

As he spoke, Wang Ji whispered, "My husband, this dynasty is of the Fire Virtue. If we want to pacify the world, we should use the Water Virtue to help us. The name Zhang Luo is a good name for the end of the tree."

"Can!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Madam, what you said makes sense. I will name myself Zhang Luo."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu pointed at Zhong Yao and Zhang Liao and said with a smile: "When the boy grows up, Lao Yuanchang will teach him about learning and Wen Yuan will teach him about martial arts. Don't let the boy become a mediocre person."

"Your Excellency is a man of both civil and military talents, and your Madam is resourceful and virtuous. My son will surely surpass both of you with your instruction." Guo Tu said with a smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Guo, for your words!"

Wang Ji was all smiles. As the son she had worked so hard to give birth to, she valued him very much. Guo Tu's words touched her heart.

At the banquet, everyone was toasting and chatting happily. With their families around, the previously unbridled generals became more restrained.

As the daughter of a prominent family, Wang Ji was naturally good at handling banquets. Sometimes she would invite the neglected civil and military officials to drink, and sometimes she would play with the female guests present.

Less than half an hour into the banquet, Wang Ji took the initiative to invite the women to play in the side hall in order to make room for the men. Once the women left, everyone in the hall relaxed a lot.

"Please give me a bottle of respect to your Majesty!"

On festive occasions, Gao Shun, who usually never drank alcohol, also drank.

"Zixun, whatever you want!"

After finishing the bottle, Zhang Yu stood up, shook Gao Shun's hand, and said, "I feel relieved that you are in charge of the Xianzhen Camp. This year, Zhongkang is leading the Right School troops, and you have worked hard for me."

The Xianzhen Camp led by Gao Shun made many achievements. After taking Taiyuan, Zhang Yu set about expanding the Xianzhen Camp and handed over the Xianzhen Right Camp led by Xu Chu to Gao Shun for supervision in order to form combat effectiveness.

Gao Shun bowed and said, "Captain Xu's soldiers are brave and have much experience in battle. After a little training, if they can be equipped with complete armor and weapons, Captain Xu's martial arts are extraordinary, and his troops are no less than the soldiers of the Left."

Zhang Yu was not going to follow Cao Cao's example and tie Xu Chu to his side. In Zhang Yu's eyes, Xu Chu was a talented general. With some experience, he could not be a commander-in-chief, but at least he could command thousands of soldiers and capture cities for him. If his strategy could be improved, Xu Chu's future would be unknown.

After all, Xu Chu was not a fool. Since he entered Zhang Yu's camp, Zhang Yu felt that Xu Chu could be cultivated. Not to mention his extraordinary bravery, just looking at his personality, we can know that Xu Chu was extraordinary. He was calm, cautious, and taciturn, which was similar to Gao Shun.

Therefore, the two schools of soldiers in the Xianzhen Camp are the most elite infantry of the Du Liao Army. If they are not handed over to Gao Shun and Xu Chu, two calm and loyal subordinates, to whom can Zhang Yu hand them over?
As for Meng Ning, although he was brave, he acted too roughly, and Zhang Yu was really worried.

Zhang Yu took Xu Chu's hand and said, "Zixun strictly forbids training soldiers, Zhongkang needs to learn it well. If there is a need for troops this year, you and the two schools under Zixun will be like the sharp swords in my hands, and you should break the enemy's formation and make contributions."

"promise!"

Xu Chu said solemnly: "Chu will not disappoint you!"

After a pause, Xu Chu thought of his family affairs and said, "I have some family matters to report to you, my Lord."

"What's the matter?"

Xu Chu was embarrassed and said, "Last year, your Excellency invited my father to lead the people to the north, but my father misjudged the situation. Now bandits are everywhere and the Central Plains is in constant war. My father is now willing to lead the people to the north. I wonder if your Excellency can send cavalry to the south to escort the Chu people to the north." "That's a good thing!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Your father and his family went north to join the army, hoping to reunite with Zhongkang. How could I not agree?"

There are thousands of Xu Chu's clans and villagers. Xu Chu's father was born a veteran soldier. With the training of clansmen and villagers, he can join the army. Zhang Yu is very jealous. Now that he has come to serve, how can Zhang Yu refuse?
Moreover, Xu Chu's father and brother came to serve him, so Xu Chu didn't have to worry about his family and could concentrate on conquering for him from now on.

"Let me write a letter to Yuan Benchu, asking him to talk to the princes along the way and ask them not to harass your people." Zhang Yu smiled and said, "And I will ask Yuan Chang to select good farmland for Zhongkang's people in Jinyang so that Zhongkang can return home rich and powerful."

Xu Chu said happily: "Thank you, my lord!"

Before Zhang Yu occupied Shangdang, Xu Chu's father rejected Zhang Yu's invitation for the sake of his family business. But now that Zhang Yu's reputation has spread throughout the Central Plains, Xu Chu's father finally couldn't help but decide to go thousands of miles north to serve him, which indirectly shows that Zhang Yu's influence is gradually growing.

After Xu Chu and Gao Shun left, the old boss Wang Rou appeared in front of Zhang Yu with a humble expression.

"Rou greets the Lord!"

Today, Wang Rou no longer looks jealous of Zhang Yu's achievements as he did in the past. Instead, he respects Zhang Yu as a subordinate.

How could Zhang Yu dare to ask Wang Rou to perform the salute? He supported Wang Rou who was bowing and said with a smile: "Lord Wang is Yu's former senior official. How can you bow to me? I should bow to you!"

"Don't dare!"

Wang Rou hurriedly supported Zhang Yu and said, "Your Excellency is too polite. I'm afraid my son will need your care in the future!"

"good!"

After meeting with a group of civil and military officials, Zhang Yu finally met Cui Jun.

"County Governor Cui, thank you for traveling all the way from Pingzhou to attend the banquet!"

"Thank you, Lord Zhang, for the invitation!"

Cui Jun was very straightforward and asked, "I wonder when you will discuss the matter of restoring Xihe County!"

Zhang Yu was friendly to Cui Zhouping, one of Zhuge's four friends, and said with a smile: "If Mr. Cui is convenient now, we can discuss it now."

"please!"

Cui Jun was the son of Cui Lie, and his elder brother was Cui Jun. After Dong Zhuo entered the capital, his elder brother Cui Jun helped Yuan Shao to mobilize troops, but unfortunately he died of illness. Cui Jun signed the anti-treason manifesto because of his elder brother.

However, considering that his father Cui Lie was in Chang'an and his brother Cui Jun died of illness halfway through the journey, Cui Jun did not dare to go too far and stayed in Xihe.

Previously, because Xihe County was close to the Xiongnu, and Li Jun, the governor of Taiyuan County, often interfered in Xihe County affairs, Cui Jun would have considered resigning if Zhang Yu had not intervened in the situation in Bingzhou. Now Zhang Yu intended to restore Xihe County and invited him to Jinyang for a banquet, so Cui Jun accepted the invitation.

Zhang Yu and Cui Jun strolled in the corridor and talked about the affairs of Xihe County.

Zhang Yu looked at the white snow in the courtyard and said, "I met Mr. Cui once when the Xiongnu rebelled. Now the court is in turmoil, wars are raging everywhere, the people of Xihe are displaced, and only Pingzhou County is left. What are your plans?"

Cui Jun looked bewildered and said, "My father is in Chang'an, but Dong Zhuo is unjust and wars are raging everywhere in the country. I have no long-term plans."

Cui Jun thought for a moment and added, "Now that I am the governor of Xihe County, I am worried about the people of Xihe. So when you mentioned the matter of reclaiming the county, I was happy to go north."

Zhang Yu glanced at Cui Jun and said meaningfully, "The Xiongnu rebelled and the people were displaced. If we want to recover the county, we must first subdue the Xiongnu and restore the old order. Then we can move the capital to Lishi, recruit the displaced people, build the city walls, and resume production. The time and effort required are beyond the reach of ordinary people."

Hearing this, Cui Jun frowned slightly and said, "Your Excellency thinks I am incapable of taking the position? Do you want to choose someone else? Or do you mean that Your Excellency has no intention of regaining the county."

Zhang Yu shook his head and said, "I have an agreement with the Chanyu to help him restore his country. Mr. Cui is very talented and it will not be difficult for him to govern Xihe. I am afraid that Mr. Cui will abandon his post halfway because it will take too long to restore the production of Xihe County."

Cui Jun was slightly annoyed and said, "If you can pacify the Xiongnu and prevent Xihe from being harmed by them, I will be able to restore the people's livelihood in Xihe and will never abandon the task halfway."

"good!"

Zhang Yu looked delighted and said, "Since Brother Zhouping has said so, I will dare to subdue the Xiongnu and restore the city walls of Xihe."

"Then I wonder what strategy you have?" Cui Jun asked.

Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment and said, "Taiyuan is now at peace, and we don't have many soldiers. We still need to discuss this matter with Guo Yanmen. And we can't rush into the war. I hope Zhou Ping will be patient for a while."

In order to appease Cui Jun, Zhang Yu said: "The Chanyu Yufuluo is now stationed with his troops in Pingyang, and there is no Han official to govern it. You can send people to the south to temporarily manage Pingyang and Yong'an counties. When the troops are available, I will lead the troops westward to recover the lost territory."

Cui Jun thought for a while and said, "In this case, I'd like to trouble you to write a letter to Chanyu Yufuluo."

"good!"

Seeing that Cui Jun obeyed his orders, Zhang Yuwei let out a breath.

He used provocation to not only intend to keep Cui Jun, but also, as he said, even if the Huns were defeated, it would take long-term governance for Xihe County to recover.

Zhang Yu had no one to be the governor, so it would be better to let Cui Jun take the position. Cui Jun was quite talented and had the talent of a prefecture. If he could let Cui Jun govern Xihe for him for a long time, it would save him a lot of effort.

Now that Xihe County has been solved by him, the next step is Yanmen County!
Zhang Yu thought so as he looked at the snowflakes flying in the sky.

(End of this chapter)