Late Han Zhao Tang

News of Sun Ce's assassination has not yet reached Jingzhou due to deliberate attempts to suppress it.

Zhang Yu is now inspecting the Han River, from Wancheng to Xiangyang, and then by boat into Yunmeng Marsh, where he summons the powerful families of Jiangxia and Nanjun to reassure the people on the border.

Upon returning to Xiangyang after his inspection tour, Zhang Yu, seeing that the two provinces of Qing and Xu were gradually pacified and that Cao Cao was returning his troops to the Jianghuai region, decided to withdraw his troops.

Before departing, Zhang Yu considered the matter and adopted Zhong Yao's memorial, abolishing Shang Commandery and restoring the eight hundred li of Shangyu to the jurisdiction of the Jingzhao Yin. In order to split Nanyang Commandery, Zhangling Commandery was separated from Nanyang and Jiangxia Commanderies, governing nine counties including Zhangling, Caiyang, Suixian, Huyang, Pingshi, Xiangxiang, Fuyang, Pingchun, and Nanxin, and Yang Fu was appointed as its governor.

Inside the hall, Zhang Yu spoke in a friendly tone: "Since you served in Longyou, you have followed the army in campaigns, repeatedly offering wise advice. You possess both virtue and talent, and have the integrity of a high-ranking official. Now that the southern people have just submitted and the border regions are in turmoil, I hereby appoint you as the Prefect of Zhangling, to pacify the scattered people and suppress the bandits in the mountains and lakes."

Although Yang Fu's frequent remonstrations caused Zhang Yu headaches, Zhang Yu also admired him for them. The territory of the Central Plains was expanding rapidly, and many of Yang Fu's contemporaries from Longyou had already been appointed prefects. For example, Zhao Ang became the prefect of Wudu, Yin Feng the prefect of Zhongshan, Jiang Jiong the prefect of Boling, and Yan Wen the prefect of Yanmen. Therefore, preventing Yang Fu from taking up a post outside the capital would actually stifle his development.

"I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness in recognizing my talent!"

Yang Fu bowed and asked, "Now that I have just been appointed as the governor of Zhangling, I have a small request. I wonder if Your Majesty will grant it?"

"Please speak freely!"

Yang Fu said, “Since the chaos and turmoil, the people have lost their homes. Although there is some peace now, their obedience to the teachings is still shallow. The new laws and punishments are clearly defined and enforced, which are the foundation of the national policy. However, the nine counties under our jurisdiction have just been established, and people’s hearts are restless. If we enforce the law strictly, there may be those who do not obey the teachings. Those who do not obey the teachings will have to be executed, which is not in line with Your Majesty’s intention to educate and guide them.”

"In the past, the former kings governed the world by distinguishing the taxes of the nine regions to differentiate between near and far, and by establishing the three codes of punishment to quell rebellions. I believe that Zhangling Prefecture should follow the model of a newly established city in a distant region. In dealing with the minor matters of the people, the local officials should be able to adapt to the situation, ensuring that the superiors do not violate the law and that the inferiors follow the will of the people. After three years, the people will be settled in their livelihoods, and the south will be at peace. Then, they can be governed by the law, and Zhangling Prefecture will be secure!"

Yang Fu's words are not difficult to understand. Zhangling Prefecture was newly established and was close to the border prefectures. Due to military affairs, it was necessary to govern it according to the strict laws used in inland prefectures, and to emphasize the flexibility of the officials' methods. If those who disobeyed the imperial edict were punished according to the established system, it might cause dissatisfaction among the people and benefit the people of Jiangdong. Therefore, as long as the law was not violated, it was better to allow the officials to govern flexibly and adapt to changing circumstances.

When the Tang Dynasty conquered the south, the country was unified. The people of Zhangling County were accustomed to the governance of the Tang Dynasty, so they could be governed according to the Tang system thereafter.

"You have not yet governed a prefecture, yet you know the essentials of governing a prefecture. I have no worries about you!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "The affairs of Zhangling County will be handled according to your wishes. Later, the attendants will present you with the seal of office."

"Yes, sir!" Yang Fu accepted the order and withdrew.

After Yang Fu took his leave, Guo Tu spoke up and said, "Now that we are about to return to Chang'an, although there are prefects in the various counties of Jingzhou, there is no governor to manage the affairs of state. Your Majesty still needs to select a virtuous and capable person to take up the post."

"The Governor of Jingzhou?"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment, then looked at everyone and asked, "Do any of you have a suitable candidate?"

"Your Majesty, Commander Xu Huang is a meticulous man. Now that he is in charge of military affairs, why not also appoint him to handle political affairs, so that Jingzhou can focus on defending against the enemy?" Guo Jia recommended.

"I'm afraid that's not a good idea!"

Xun You frowned and said, "Jingzhou is adjacent to the three families of Sun, Cao, and Liu. Xu Huang has heavy responsibilities, and now he is also in charge of political affairs. How can he have any spare energy? In my opinion, Your Majesty should appoint another governor."

Zhang Yu said, "Jingzhou has six prefectures and hundreds of thousands of registered households. The government affairs are trivial and complicated. Even with the assistance of subordinate officials, Gongming is still overwhelmed. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a governor."

Compared to the three provinces of Yu, Xu, and Qing, Jingzhou has already been integrated by Zhang Yu. It would be inappropriate to grant Xu Huang both military and political power, especially since Nanyang was formerly the capital region of the Chen Kingdom.

As he spoke, Zhang Yu looked at Guo Tu and asked, "Gongze, how is Yang Zan doing now?"

"Your Majesty, since the capital has been moved to Chang'an, Bingzhou has come under the jurisdiction of Chang'an. However, affairs are numerous and complex, making it difficult to attend to matters in Bingzhou. Therefore, in accordance with the wishes of Prime Minister Zhong and Lord Du, we now propose that Yang Zan be appointed as the governor of Bingzhou." Guo Tu pulled out several memorials and presented them to Zhang Yu.

When Zhang Yu distinguished himself at Yanmen, Yang Zan served as the magistrate of Pingcheng County. After Zhang Yu unified Bingzhou, Yang Zan was promoted to the position of governor of Yanmen based on his loyalty. Given his seniority and achievements at Yanmen, Yang Zan could have easily been transferred to another prefecture as governor long ago. However, because Yang Zan won the hearts of both Han and non-Han peoples and established a framework between them, it was difficult to find a suitable successor. Therefore, Zhang Yu had no choice but to continue appointing Yang Zan as governor of Yanmen.

With the unification of China under the Tang Dynasty, Bingzhou could no longer remain under the direct jurisdiction of the central government, thus necessitating the search for a suitable prefect. Yang Zan, who had worked in Yanmen for over ten years without promotion, came to the attention of the central government and was highly likely to be appointed as the prefect of Bingzhou.

Zhang Yuchang read the memorial and said with a smile, "I originally wanted to appoint Yang Zan as the governor of Jingzhou, but you gentlemen said that Yang Zan is well-versed in the affairs of the Shuo dynasty and wanted to appoint him as the governor of Bingzhou. So I will follow your wishes. Now we can find another worthy minister to serve as the governor of Jingzhou."

Although Zhang Yu was the monarch, he respected the opinions of his officials as long as they did not violate fundamental principles. Moreover, as Zhong Yao and Du Ji had discussed, Yang Zan was more suitable to be the governor of Bingzhou than the governor of Jingzhou. Putting down the memorial, Zhang Yu recalled the outstanding prefects in his mind, and suddenly a name came to mind from long-forgotten memories.

"How is Cui Jun doing these days?" Zhang Yu asked.

Guo Tu pondered for a long time before saying, "Your Majesty, Prefect Cui Jun of Xihe has governed the prefecture for more than ten years. He first pacified one county and then successively restored four counties: Lishi, Zhongyang, Gaolang, and Linxian. From a few hundred households, the number of registered households has grown to over ten thousand. Although Xihe Prefecture no longer has the land of Meiji, it is no longer a prefecture in name only. Prefect Cui Jun has held firm for more than ten years and educated the Xiongnu... He has made great contributions to the country."

Cui Jun, also known as Cui Zhouping, was targeted by Dong Zhuo because his elder brother raised an army to fight against Dong Zhuo. If Zhang Yu had not unified Bingzhou and allowed Cui Jun to remain in Xihe, Cui Jun would probably have fled to Jingzhou for refuge, just like history has shown.

Since being retained by Zhang Yu in Xihe Commandery, and promised to restore the livelihood of the people in Xihe Commandery, Cui Jun's fate was changed. He stayed in Xihe Commandery for more than ten years and served as Zhang Yu's supervisor of the Southern Xiongnu.

When Zhang Yu first conquered Bingzhou, Xihe Commandery only had one county, Pingzhou. Later, when Zhang Yu conquered Guanzhong, he formulated a strategy to plunder the Qiang and Hu tribes in batches every year and to quell the rebellious Southern Xiongnu tribes. After a long period of fighting, Xihe Commandery gradually recovered the four counties east of the Yellow River and established fortified villages or relocated Hu tribes west of the Yellow River.

In terms of population, Xihe County registered the captured Qiang and Hu people as ordinary citizens, recruited displaced Han people, or mixed Hu people from the border regions, and accepted migrants from the Guandong region. After more than ten years, Cui Jun increased the number of registered households to over ten thousand.

Of course, the development of Xihe Commandery to this point is not without its problems. Due to the rapid influx of people, including a large number of non-Han people, the commandery has developed a fierce and warlike culture, with its people being less inclined to engage in production and more focused on animal husbandry.

However, with the peace and prosperity of Guanzhong and Hebei, people returned to agricultural production, which increased the demand for cattle and sheep. Under Cui Jun's leadership, a unique cattle industry was formed, and the reputation of Xihe cattle gradually rose.

Having learned more about the details of Xihe County, Zhang Yu was deeply moved and said, "Cui Zhouping has steadfastly guarded the border county, educated the people, relocated them to settle down, and worked diligently for more than ten years to build up Xihe County as it is today. To commend his achievements, Cui Zhouping is hereby enfeoffed as a Marquis of Ting, with a fief of one hundred households, and promoted to Governor of Jingzhou."

"promise!"

It is generally difficult for civil officials to be granted the title of marquis, but Zhang Yu, considering Cui Jun's merit in developing Xihe County, has made an exception and bestowed upon him the title of marquis, which can be regarded as an exception to encourage local officials of the Tang State.

"Your Majesty, the memorials from the Imperial Secretariat requesting the governors of the various prefectures are here!" Guo Tu presented the remaining official documents.

Zhang Yu glanced through the memorial and nodded in approval. The prefects listed in the memorial were all good officials, as well as those who had surrendered in time and made meritorious contributions, such as Chen Qun, the prefect of Shanyang; Xue Xia, the prefect of Yingchuan; Li Gang, the prefect of Runan; Liang Mao, the prefect of Taishan; and Fu Gan, the prefect of Pei.

"The request submitted by the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is approved!"

Zhang Yu picked up the last document and saw that it was Zhang Liao praising Li Tong of Runan and the generals of Yuzhou for their achievements, which made Zhang Yu perk up.

Li Tong was originally from Pingchun in Jiangxia. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he and his fellow villager Chen Gong raised an army and occupied Langling County in Runan. Li Tong later annexed Zhou Zhi, who had two thousand households, and then, taking advantage of Chen Gong's death at the hands of his subordinates, he absorbed Chen Gong's troops. After annexing various tribes, Li Tong's power greatly increased, and he defeated Wu Ba of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, becoming a local tyrant in Runan Commandery.

When Yuan Shu marched into Yu Province, Li Tong surrendered with his troops and was promoted to Lieutenant General, enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting, and appointed Prefect of Yang'an. When Zhang Liao conquered Yu Province, Li Tong surrendered again to Zhang Liao and served as Zhang Liao's vanguard, defeating various generals of Yu Province, such as Qu Gong, Jiang Gong, and Shen Cheng. He also assisted Zhang Liao in defeating Zhang Chi, who occupied Pei Province, and more than 5,000 of Zhang Chi's followers all submitted to him.

Of course, Zhang Yu also saw the familiar name Liu Pi in the memorial.

"Li Tong led over ten thousand households of his troops to surrender, and has repeatedly made meritorious contributions, thus earning military merit. Now, Li Tong is hereby appointed as General Anru, Marquis of Duxiang, with a fief of five hundred households, and five thousand soldiers will be selected to be stationed in Jingzhou. The Ministry of Personnel is to divide Runan and select good officials to take up their posts."

Li Tong, like the other generals of Mount Tai, was a warlord who rose to power during a period of chaos. Due to limitations in ability, or perhaps ambition, these warlords had no intention of expanding their territory. They only hoped to hold onto their small plots of land and use the foundation they had built during the chaos to rise through the ranks and obtain higher official titles.

For these minor warlords, Zhang Yu's principle remained unchanged: his troops were incorporated into the Tang army and allowed to lead their own troops, but all his retainers had to be registered as commoners, losing personal control over them, and their taxes had to be paid to the central government.

Zhang Yu considered for a moment and then smiled and said, "Liu Pi is an old acquaintance of mine. He has now been promoted to General of the Central Army and transferred to the command of Zhang Liao."

"As ordered!"

Guo Tu laughed and said, "Liu Pi is a remnant of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and has been repeatedly defeated by Your Majesty. It is quite unexpected that he would serve Your Majesty now!"

"Ha ha!"

To have survived the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the point of near unification of the empire, Liu Pi's luck was far better than historical records suggest; he even managed to exonerate himself and infiltrate the regular army. (End of Chapter)