Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 84 Ruined Marriage? (Please read on!)

Jingzhao, Yangling.

"Yuan Chang is leaving?"

Zhang Yu's face was full of disbelief, and he asked, "Why did you leave?"

After visiting Sun Jian, Zhang Yu went from Mei County to Yangling to visit his old friend Zhong Yao. However, Zhang Yu had just sat there for a while when he learned that Zhong Yao was planning to resign.

Zhong Yao sighed helplessly and said, "I have been in charge of Yangling for nearly a year, but it is difficult to implement the county's affairs. Now that I am living in Yangling, I am just wasting my time. It would be better for me to resign and return home."

"Yuan Chang is the county magistrate and has the power to recruit staff. Why does he say that things are difficult to implement?" Zhang Yu asked puzzledly.

Zhong Yao pondered for a while, then smiled bitterly and said, "The county magistrate is Feng Chang, a distant relative of the regular attendant Cheng Kuang, and a disciple of the eunuchs. He has lived in Yangling for many years, and all the officials and powerful people in the county are headed by him. Although I am the county magistrate, no one pays attention to me. Whenever I want to issue a decree, I have to seek his consent before I can implement it."

"When I first took office, Chang Yinshou said that the Yangling River canal was damaged and needed to be rebuilt in order to irrigate farmland. However, the canal was damaged because Feng Chang changed the direction of the canal to irrigate the fields of Cheng Kuang and Zhang Rang, making it difficult for crops to grow on the people's fields and causing the grass and trees to dry up and wither."

As he spoke, Zhong Yao stood up from the couch, spread his hands and complained, "Feng Chang threatened that if I improved the canals, he would have Luoyang dismiss me and put me in prison. I have no relationship with the king, so if I am put in prison, I will be exiled to a distant border at best, or die in Luoyang at worst."

The ancestor of Yingchuan Zhong family can be traced back to Zhongli Mei. Their ancestor who held high positions can be traced back to Zhong Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty. They are also well-known for their expertise in criminal law. However, since the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Zhong family has been gradually declining.

When it came to Zhong Hao, although he was revered as a famous scholar, he was involved in the Party and Factions Persecution and was brutally suppressed by the eunuchs. The Zhong family declined again and his connections in the court continued to disappear.

By the time of Zhong Yao, there were no high-ranking officials in the Zhong family, and many things needed to be done by Zhong Yao himself. Without a court background, Zhong Yao did not dare to offend the eunuchs for fear of being suppressed and retaliated.

"Why don't you report it to Chang Yinshou?" Li Song asked.

"If Chang Yinshou could solve the problem, he wouldn't have warned me like that before he left!" Zhong Yao sighed and said, "Chang Yinshou doesn't dare to offend the eunuchs, so how can I dare to offend them?"

Zhang Yu felt a little depressed. Given the situation in Yangling County, only the top second-generation officials such as Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, or a stubborn official like Hai Rui would dare to dismiss Feng Chang and rectify Yangling County. Otherwise, no one would dare to do it.

Zhong Yao was not a person of extreme character, but a person of modesty. He could not sacrifice his life for his ideals and rectify Yangling County. But Zhong Yao was not the kind of person who could turn a blind eye. Having been the magistrate of Yangling County for so long, Zhong Yao might have often been tormented by this.

"When does Yuan Chang plan to resign? What are his plans after resigning?" Zhang Yu asked.

Zhong Yao paced with his hands behind his back and said, "I have prepared the resignation letter. But what are your plans after resignation? I have no plan for now. Maybe I will return home with my wife and concubines."

Zhang Yu thought for a while, and came up with an idea. He smiled and said, "Since Yuan Chang wants to resign because he is in a bad mood, why not follow Yu to Bingzhou to have fun. Along the way, we can see the mountains and rivers of Bingzhou and the cattle, sheep, and plants on the border."

When Zhang Yu arrived at Yangling, he originally planned to visit Zhong Yao and then go north to Bingzhou to return home. But now that Zhong Yao resigned, it was an unexpected thing, so he decided to invite Zhong Yao to Yunzhong for a tour. First, it would enhance the relationship between the two and lay the foundation for recruiting Zhong Yao in the future; second, it would allow Zhong Yao to have fun and relax, and fulfill his duty as a host.

"Go north to Bingzhou for a trip?"

Zhong Yao was quite interested, and he paced a few steps, then said with a smile: "Since Ji'an has invited me, I will go to the border to visit the beautiful scenery of the Three Jins."

"to make!"

Zhang Yu laughed a few times and said, "Since I am the landlord, I should let Yuan Chang go home with all his heart."

Since Zhong Yao had no intention of holding the office, there was nothing worth remembering in Yangling.

Zhong Yao submitted a petition to the emperor, saying that he was ill and unable to govern, and requested to resign and return home to recuperate. Chang Qia did not hesitate and immediately approved the request, allowing the county magistrate Feng Chang to act as the county magistrate.

The group waited in Yangling for several days until Hao Zhao came out of Hanzhong and met Zhang Yu, and then they set off.

On his way back, Zhang Yu deliberately chose a road that was rarely traveled, for the sake of the situation in Xihe County, that is, to Hedong County and head north along the east bank of the Yellow River, instead of returning home through Taiyuan County.

Compared with the highway in Taiyuan County, the mountain roads on the west side of Luliang Mountain are rugged and difficult to travel. Zhang Yu and others rode their horses day by day along the road that had not been repaired for many years. It took Zhang Yu more than half a month to travel more than 2,000 miles home.

Along the way, in order to satisfy Zhong Yao's desire to have fun, Zhang Yu and he watched the Yellow River surge and climbed the mountains to see the steepness of the mountains. When Zhong Yao was in high spirits, he left behind many calligraphy works.

When we arrived at Yanmen County, it was already the end of March.

In order to return home quickly, Zhang Yu did not go through Mayi to reunite with Zhang Liao, but went through Wuzhou, to Zhongling, and then to Chanhewu.

In April, the ice and snow had long since melted away, and the area outside the Great Wall was full of spring scenery. Zhang Yu, Zhong Yao, Li Song and dozens of other riders rode their horses through the valleys and among the low hills.

Zhong Yao pointed at the wilderness with his whip and said with a sigh, "When I was young and read history, the Wolf's Lair was sealed and the Yanran was inscribed, and the Hu people were driven back thousands of miles away. The Han people in the north were prosperous, with cattle and sheep everywhere and grain and wheat stored in warehouses. It must have been a rich land outside the Great Wall. But now the Hu threat is rising like the wind, and there is no trace of people. The prosperity of the past is no longer seen!"

“What a pity!”

“What a pity!”

“What a pity!”

The more than 2,000-mile journey from the Central Plains to the frontier gave Zhong Yao a lot of insights into Bingzhou. He felt a little more pity and regret for the once prosperous region of the Western Han Dynasty, which has now become a place with desolate people and sparse population.

Zhang Yu looked around with melancholy, seeing the familiar scene of his hometown which he had not seen for two years. Compared with the prosperity of Luoyang when he went there, the border was really desolate. He hoped that he could change this scene one day!
Hao Zhao curled his lips and said, "The court is incompetent and the military is weak. They can't protect the people on the border, so this is the case. If the areas outside the Great Wall are occupied by the Hu people, they will march south and rob the inner counties."

Zhong Yao nodded slightly and agreed, saying, "I hope Your Majesty can work hard to govern the country and restore the Han Dynasty's prestige."

Li Song sneered and said, "It's just wishful thinking to expect a foolish person to wake up."

Perhaps entering Luoyang made the people on the border feel a contrast, and after returning to the border, people's words became more reactionary.

Of course, Zhang Yu was probably the one who fanned the flames and promoted things that were not in line with the values of the Han Dynasty.

Zhang Yu coughed, signaling everyone to be more restrained, and said, "Brother Yuan Chang, the people of the border are rough and upright. If I have offended you, please forgive me!"

"Don't dare!"

Zhong Yao smiled and said, "I am a straightforward person, I speak directly, unlike the people in the inner county who speak in a roundabout way. Recently, I have been talking with you gentlemen, I feel relaxed and happy, I no longer feel depressed living in Yangling."

Seeing that they were getting closer to Chanhewu, Zhang Yu pointed to the fort and said with a smile, "Let's go inside and talk."

"go!"

As Zhang Yu approached the fort, he discovered that his own Chanhe Fort, which was originally built on flat ground, had expanded towards Chanhesui and the mountains. Its area had increased by 1/4 compared to before, and even the fort walls had been raised. It had changed a lot compared to the previous fort. If it was expanded further outward, it could be called a city.

Seeing Chanhewu, Zhong Yao was slightly shocked and asked with a smile, "Jian's family actually owns a city?"

Zhong Yao could imagine that Zhang Yu’s fortress was not small, but he did not expect that it was as big as a small city. No wonder when Zhang Yu went south, he was followed by a hundred cavalrymen.

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "In recent years, the family has made a lot of money from the border trade, so we have the money to expand. Now that the Hu people are plundering the south, we may be in financial difficulties in the future!"

During the conversation, the people in the village discovered that Zhang Yu was returning with his cavalry.

"Young Master is back!"

The armless old man who was guarding the gate excitedly went down the watchtower and shouted to the people around him.

Soon, the news of Zhang Yu's return to the village spread quickly and reached the ears of Zhang Ji, Li Suyi and others through various channels.

At the same time, Zhang Yu dismounted and entered the dock, and ordered: "Bosong and Bodao, deliver the gifts brought from Neijun to everyone. The rest of the brothers should go home and have a good rest, and remember to bring the gifts with you."

"Thank you, young master!"

"it is good!"

"Here, Uncle Li!"

As before, Zhang Yu gave a piece of bacon to the gatekeeper Li Bo alone.

"Thank you, Young Master!"

"It's been a long time since I last saw you. You look even more handsome than before!"

"Congratulations, young master, on your appointment!"

The women who came to join in the fun were very enthusiastic because they received gifts. Zhang Yu greeted everyone while walking home along the road.

Seeing how popular Zhang Yu was, Zhong Yao couldn't help thinking, "Ji'an said that border people are rough and upright before, but looking at what Ji'an did, he is thoughtful and meticulous, and really doesn't seem like a border county boy."

"Jian!"

"Father!"

I saw my father waiting for me at the door with a cane.

Zhang Yu walked up quickly, cupped his hands and said, "I haven't been home for two years, I hope you can forgive me, father!"

Zhang Ji helped Zhang Yu up, looked him up and down, and said with a smile: "When a man ventures out into the world, it is important to establish a career. Now that you can return home with honor, your father is already satisfied!"

After finding a chance, Zhong Yao bowed and said, "I am Zhong Yao from Yingchuan, and I, Zhong Yuanchang, greet my uncle!"

"No gift!"

Seeing Zhong Yao's gentle manner, Zhang Ji did not dare to neglect him. He extended his hand to welcome him and said with a smile: "The road from the Central Plains to the border is long and difficult, Yuan Chang has worked hard. Yuan Chang is here now, so he can participate in Ji'an's wedding!"

"Jian's marriage?"

Zhong Yao looked at Zhang Yu and asked in confusion, "Didn't Ji'an get married? Why are you talking about attending the wedding now?"

Zhang Yu smiled bitterly and said, "It's a long story. Although Yu is Wang's son-in-law, he was in a hurry to go south to the Central Plains because of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, so he has not yet completed the marriage with her. The six ceremonies have only completed the Nacai ceremony."

"Today is different from the past. Wang is very anxious and wants to get married as soon as possible this year while Ji'an is working in Bingzhou." Zhang Ji said.

Zhang Ji revealed a hint of pride in his words. He still remembered that he had gone through so much trouble to visit Wang, and that Wang almost rejected Zhang Yu's marriage proposal.

Now Zhang Yu's status is different. Not only did he save Wang Yun, he is also a rising political star in the Han Dynasty. At the age of 20, he was appointed as the deputy lieutenant of the Xiongnu Guard and was appointed as a Thousand Stones official. The person who is anxious to get married now is Wang Hong, not Zhang Ji.

Zhang Ji was delighted for several days after receiving the letter from Wang Hong urging him to get married!
"It is Yao's responsibility to arrange Ji'an's marriage!" Zhong Yao said with a smile.

"Jiangzuo Yichi": "Emperor Shenwu was appointed as the deputy commander of the Xiongnu Guard. He was twenty years old at the time and full of vigor and vitality. The emperor was very proud of this and wanted to make Shenwu cancel the engagement, but because he was afraid of rumors, he gave up this idea..."

(End of this chapter)