Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 7 I'm Not a Little Husband in This Life

The decline of the Hetao counties cannot be attributed solely to the annihilation of 30,000 elite cavalry six years ago, but must be traced back to the end of the Western Han Dynasty.

During the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han launched several campaigns against the Xiongnu and relocated nearly one million people to Hetao. He eventually succeeded in establishing a county in Hetao and later established Shuofang Prefecture.

At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu gradually became stronger, Wang Mang's northern expedition was defeated, and coupled with the war in the Central Plains, the Shuofang counties were plundered by the Hu people. In addition, due to years of reclamation, the natural environment of the Hetao counties deteriorated. For example, Shuofang County had long been uninhabitable, which led to a large number of people fleeing.

After Liu Xiu restored the Han Dynasty, he did not strengthen his rule in Shuofang, but instead moved the border residents of Shuofang to the interior, which also led to a continuous decline in the Han population in Shuofang.

At the same time, because the Northern Xiongnu often plundered the border counties, the Southern Xiongnu who moved inland sometimes obeyed and sometimes rebelled, forcing the Han people in the border counties to flee their hometowns in order to survive.

As the population became increasingly sparse, the Eastern Han Dynasty simply incorporated Hetao into Bingzhou instead of setting up Shuofangzhou to govern it separately.

Therefore, as the Hetao counties were the scene of fierce conflict, they had to face both the Southern Xiongnu inside the pass and the Northern Xiongnu outside, so their population naturally became increasingly sparse. The registered population of each county basically remained between 2 and 3 people.

Over the years, the Southern Xiongnu rebellion that broke out during the Yonghe period marked the beginning of the collapse of the Eastern Han Dynasty's rule in the Hetao region. The Shuofang County was simply abandoned, and the Shangjun Pass connecting the Hetao and Guanzhong gradually became blocked.

After Shuofang was abolished as a county, Wuyuan County became the westernmost of the Hetao counties and had to bear the pressure from various Hu peoples.

Six years ago, the 30,000-strong army was defeated when it went out to the border. This not only led to the collapse of the border defense system, but also aggravated the decline of Wuyuan County. Therefore, anything that happens now may lead to the withdrawal of Wuyuan County.

After listening to Zhang Yu's in-depth narration of the story of the decline of the border counties, Zhang Liao cupped his hands and sighed, saying: "I have always wondered why the two Han dynasties had different governance. Now I have heard Brother Ji'an's words, and it has suddenly become clear to me. It has opened my eyes!"

"One bottle for brother!"

"Same respect!"

Zhang Liao put down his wine jar and asked, "Brother, you are able to understand the current situation and are proficient in riding. You are a talent that not many people can have. I would like to ask who your teacher is or where did you learn this from?"

Zhang Yu shook his head and said, "My ancestral home is Taiyuan. When my ancestor was the governor of Xihe, he offended a villain, so the whole family was exiled to Yunzhong."

Hearing this, Zhang Liao sighed and said, "I am sorry for my words, as I have fallen from grace."

He paused, raised his voice slightly, and said: "Ran Liao Guan's military talent, I think if you can get a good opportunity, you will be able to revive our family in the future."

Zhang Yu, who had traveled through time, did not feel much about his family's decline. He was only worried about his future. As he had thought before, he did not know where the opportunity was!
"May both you and I become famous and return home in glory!" Zhang Yu said:
"Great!" Zhang Liao laughed excitedly.

That night, in order to get close to Zhang Liao, Zhang Yu slept on the same bed with him.

The two chatted about life and ideals late at night on the couch, outlining their own dreams for each other.

At daybreak, Zhang Liao got up early because he had official business to attend to. He ate a bowl of corn rice and declined the invitation of Zhang Yu and Li's mother.

At this time, twenty miles away from Chanhewu, a group of hundreds of Han soldiers and more than a thousand refugees were staggering along the road.

Zhang Ji, the leader of Chanhewu, looked humble as he followed closely beside the middle-aged man in a straight-hem crown, waiting for his orders.

"Bozhuo!"

"Master, here!"

"Now Envoy Zhang has sent a letter saying that the Xianbei Chanyu Kuitou wants to trade with our dynasty. From now on, the Hu people will not invade the border and the border will be temporarily peaceful." Dingxiang prefect Guo Wei said.

"Trade?"

Zhang Ji frowned slightly and said, "The Xianbei have been in conflict with the Han for many years. Why are they suddenly trading with each other this time? Is there a change within the Xianbei?"

Guo Yu pulled the reins and explained, "In recent years, Helian's youngest son Qianman has grown up, Kuitou has suppressed dissidents, and the Xianbei have gradually become unstable. Kuitou has no intention of marching south, but is interested in gaining the power of our dynasty to consolidate his position as Chanyu, so he wants to open up trade with our dynasty."

Zhang Ji pondered for a moment and said, "Opening up trade is a good thing. If we continue to fight with the Xianbei, given the situation in Wuyuan County, we can only follow the example of Shuofang and order the Han people to retreat to Yanmen!"

"Ok!"

Guo Yu nodded slightly and said, "Opening up trade is beneficial to our northern region. It will not only make the people rich, but also save our Han people from death in war!"

As he spoke, Guo Yu looked at Zhang Ji and said, "In recent years, Bo Zhuo has worked hard to guard the border for the Han Dynasty."

"Don't dare!"

Zhang Ji hesitated for a moment and said, "As the Lord said, the Han and the Hu will open up trade, and the border will gradually be peaceful. I have a request, I wonder if the Lord can agree to it?"

"What's the matter?"

Guo Yu asked: "But can we open a market in Chanhewu?"

“Don’t dare to ask for more!”

Zhang Ji bowed and said, "Your Excellency, I heard that Lord Wang Changwen is giving lectures in Taiyuan and many of his students are following him. My son Zhang Yu is seventeen years old. Although he is stubborn, he practices martial arts and values literature. I wonder if Your Excellency could write a letter to recommend him. I would be very grateful!"

Wang Changwen, the former governor of Hongnong, was born in Qi County, Taiyuan. His younger brother was Wang Yun, who was highly regarded by the Yang and Yuan families, who had three officials for four generations, and was now able to serve as the Imperial Censor in Luoyang.

Apparently Zhang Ji hoped to have his son become a disciple of the Wang family through the recommendation of the county magistrate Guo Wei.

As for Guo Yu’s identity and background?

Simply put, he was born into the Guo family of Taiyuan. His father, Guo Quan, was the Minister of Agriculture. Many of his ancestors served as officials with a rank of two thousand stones, and they were a prominent family in Bingzhou.

Guo Wei frowned and considered whether to use this favor to help Zhang Ji.

If he asked with his status, Wang Hong would most likely let Zhang Yu study with him for Guo's sake. But he would also owe Wang a favor, so Zhang must be worthy of his debt.

Seeing Guo Yu remained silent, Zhang Ji hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Sir, although there are not many people in Chanhewu, we can send out more than 200 infantry and cavalry. If you don't mind, the people of the fort are willing to do their best to protect the border for you." After a pause, he said, "My son has a stubborn personality. He does not ask for the appreciation of the prince, but only wants to be a student under the prince and listen to the lectures of wise men."

Guo Yu raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Bo Zhuo is anxious. I am thinking about how to write a letter to Wang Jun."

"Thank you, Lord."

Hearing this, Zhang Ji was overjoyed. He dismounted his horse, bowed, and said, "I am very grateful for your recommendation, Lord!"

"Bozhuo doesn't have to do this!"

Guo Yu helped Zhang Ji up and said with a smile: "You have been stationed in Chanhekou for a long time, protecting the county from the Hu bandits. Given the relationship between you and me, I should help you!"

"Master, the Canhewu is just ahead. Why don't you stop there to rest and set off after lunch?"

"it is good!"

When Zhang Ji led Guo Wei to Chanhewu to rest, Zhang Yu was in the wharf, inspecting the horses in the stable.

"This horse is thinner!"

Zhang Yu pinched the horse's neck and asked, "Who is responsible for feeding it?"

"I!"

A young man came out from the crowd with his head lowered, and said, "My Lord, I have made my horse thin!"

"what happened?"

The pockmarked boy hesitated for a moment and said, "I was delayed by studying a few days ago, so I couldn't feed the horses on time."

Zhang Yu looked at the dozen or so young men standing side by side and asked, "According to my rules, what punishment do you need to receive for making a horse thin?"

"Ten lashes!"

"it is good!"

"Who has memorized all the fifty words I taught you a few days ago and can write them well?"

The young men lowered their heads and could not answer. One of them murmured, "There are too many words. I can't memorize and write them down."

However, the pimple-faced boy raised his hand proudly and said, "I have memorized it and I am familiar with writing it!"

"it is good!"

"What about rewards and punishments?"

"Those who cannot read will be punished by standing for half an hour and memorizing the words within four days. Those who can memorize the words will be rewarded with a meal of meat."

"very good!"

Just when Zhang Yu was about to say something, he heard a sudden commotion in the dock.

"My uncle is back. Let my brother go outside today." Li Suyi walked quickly to the stable and greeted him.

"Aji will decide the rewards and punishments for me. I will be back soon."

Before leaving, Zhang Yu looked at the pockmarked boy and said, "Mao Shan, teach them how to read."

"Hey!"

After Zhang Yu left, the young men began to speak sporadically. It was really painful for them to be forced by Zhang Yu to learn to read.

At Li Suyi's reminder, Zhang Yu tidied up his clothes and came to see Guo Yu. However, when he arrived, he found that the county governor Guo Yu had left the fortress amidst the commotion, which caught Zhang Yu off guard.

After listening to the people around him, Zhang Yu realized that Guo Yu had left first, and he, who was ordered to come to pay a visit, was forgotten by everyone.

Zhang Yuwei sighed, feeling a little aggrieved. He had come here on orders, and in order to leave a good impression on the authority, he had carefully dressed up. However, in the eyes of the authority, he was insignificant, and could come and go at will.

However, Zhang Yu knew that if he wanted to gain the attention of the two thousand stone officials, he needed to have the power to allocate rights, just like he had the right to punish that young man.

Suddenly, it emerged in Zhang Yu's mind that a young man cannot live without money for a day, and a real man cannot live without power for a day.

In his previous life, as a businessman and just a little husband in words, he owned a lot of things.

What can a real man have?
In this life, he is not satisfied with being a little husband, he wants to go one step further and taste what it is like to be a real man.

At the entrance of the dock, Zhang Yu stopped and waited for a long time, only to see his father Zhang Ji smiling as he saw him off and then he went up to him and asked, "Father, what's going on?"

"The Lord has something to do and has left first!"

Zhang Ji patted Zhang Yu on the shoulder and said with satisfaction: "My son rode alone to chase the Hu people, shot and killed three people, and took back the horse. He is really a hero!"

After a pause, Zhang Ji was in a good mood and said, "Come to the hall later. Your father has something happy to tell you. Remember to call Song'er."

"promise!"

"Book of Tang·Biographies 10": At first, Huai's father, the former governor of Dingxiang, Guo Yu, met Taizu on the road when he was returning from hunting the Hu people. Yu said to him, "You are of the same generation as me. We should invite you to the court. Why do you want to live in the frontier?" Therefore, he recommended Taizu to learn from Wang Hong.

(End of this chapter)