Tiger Guards

Chapter 298 Confrontation
At dusk, the original camp was located outside the northern part of the Forbidden City.

Zhao Ji had no intention of diverting troops to defend this camp, in order to demonstrate his trust in the allies.

Lu Bu did not occupy it, so this camp became the location for the bonfire banquet held by both sides tonight.

Both sides' guards, dressed in military uniforms, were busy in the camp preparing the evening banquet, while only their personal guards wore heavy armor.

In order to invite Zhao Ji, Zhang Yang dressed in formal attire and rode alongside Zhao Ji to discuss the selection of the governor of Yanzhou.

The generals and guards under Zhao Ji who attended the banquet all wore heavy armor with a red brocade embroidered sleeve over it. Except for Zhao Ji himself, who wore a moon-white sleeve with a dark floral pattern, the generals wore red brocade, while the guards wore scarlet and purple.

The banquet was truly grand. From a distance, Zhao Ji could see hundreds of women waiting at the edge of the camp, probably to perform a dance.

During folk sacrifices and festival celebrations, men and women also sing and dance.

Therefore, the women that Lü Bu collected were also skilled at group dances.

Zhao Ji observed that, anyway, during the bonfire banquet, men and women were all close together, and every movement they made was considered dancing.

Zhang Yang then explained Lü Bu's predicament: Lü Bu truly could not find a suitable person to serve as the governor of Yan Province.

First of all, Lü Bu himself lacked strong men under his command. Xu Si and Wang Kai, who were previously under his command, had defected from Cao Cao's command. These two men were from outside Yanzhou and were not subject to the Three Mutual Laws, so they could serve as governors of Yanzhou.

But these two people followed Chen Gong, and many famous scholars from Yanzhou also followed Chen Gong.

These scholars from Yanzhou could serve as governors of other counties within Yanzhou, but they could not serve as governors of their own county or governors of their own prefecture.

The most famous scholar from Yanzhou who is still under Lü Bu's command is Bi Chen. Bi Chen is from Dongping and was recruited by Cao Cao to serve as the Prefect of Yanzhou.

When Zhang Miao and others welcomed Lü Bu into Yanzhou, Bi Chen's family was kidnapped by Lü Bu's side, who then used them to blackmail Bi Chen.

Cao Cao generously allowed Bi Chen to go to Lü Bu's side to protect his family; Bi Chen refused in public... and then took the opportunity to escape, and has been staying by Lü Bu's side ever since.

Previously, there was Xue Lan, one of the Eight Worthies, a native of Xiang County, Pei State. He was recruited as a subordinate official by Lü Bu when he entered Yan Province, and later died in battle.

If Xue Lan were still alive, given his status and reputation, he would be qualified to serve as the governor of Yanzhou.

Therefore, Lü Bu was so desperate that he couldn't even find a puppet figure to concurrently serve as the governor of a province.

In this respect, Zhao Ji is somewhat better.

The old man had been in office for thirty-five years, and he could always find a few elderly former officials in the nooks and crannies to help him become a prefect or governor. He had experience and prestige in this area.

Now, through Zhang Yang, they are hoping that Zhao Ji can grant them more time.

Lü Bu wanted to communicate with Chen Gong and hoped to promote Xu Si or Wang Kai to the position of Governor of Yan Province; with the great victory at Bian River, Lü Bu was confident that he could reunite with Chen Gong.

If Chen Gong, Xu Si, and Wang Kai all refuse, Lü Bu wants to take the position of Governor of Yan Province himself and appoint Bi Chen as the Governor of Yu Province.

To devour Yan and Yu in one fell swoop—that was Lü Bu's goal.

Beside Zhao Ji, Zhang Hong, dressed in a tunic and armor with a civil and military sleeve over it, listened quietly to Zhang Yang's account.

In terms of the support of scholars, Sun Ce, like Lü Bu, lacked scholars with sufficient prestige under his command.

Although there was Zhang Zhao, given Zhang Hong's understanding of Zhang Zhao, the imperial court could easily poach him with a single imperial edict.

In this chaotic world, interpersonal relationships are constantly changing.

What kind of fixed personal affiliation is there?

The Prince of Chen could legitimately recruit subjects... but that's the problem. The mainstream scholars in the Central Plains didn't want to see another powerful Emperor Guangwu.

After Zhang Yang finished explaining Lü Bu's predicament, Zhao Ji looked at Zhang Yang with suspicion: "I think, with General Zhang's merits, why not accept the offer of Yan Province?"

Zhang Yang was taken aback, and Zhao Ji continued, "It's not just General Zhang; Zhang Wenyuan of Yanmen has also rendered outstanding service to the court. How come he can't take charge of Yanzhou?"

Zhang Yang remained silent. Did he not even want to become the governor of Yanzhou?
Every year, the filial and incorruptible individuals recommended from various counties in Yanzhou would become his nominal protégés and former officials, obligated to support his Zhang family in the future.

Recruiting and recommending officials requires mutual consent to be achieved.

If the other party accepts, it is equivalent to agreeing.

Seeing Zhang Yang remain silent, Zhao Ji continued, "I don't know Bi Chen, but I know General Zhang. If General Zhang were to take charge of Yanzhou, the people of Xizhou would be at ease. The precedent of General Zhang, who has rendered meritorious service by being appointed to lead a prefecture, would also inspire Xizhou."

It is better to trust one's own people than to believe in the integrity of a religious person.

Seeing that Zhang Yang was not in a good mood, Zhao Ji said, "I will talk to Marquis Meng about this matter. Apart from General Zhang, I really don't trust anyone else."

Zhang Yang, his face tense, bowed to Zhao Ji, but said something else: "Lord Meng wishes to send me to court to serve as a general of the guards or a captain of the city gates."

"This is Meng Hou's arrangement, and I have my own arrangements. If I listen to everything he says, what am I doing here?"

After saying that, Zhao Ji raised his hand and patted Zhang Yang on the shoulder, without saying anything more.

Zhang Yang remained silent and rode alongside Zhao Ji.

The busy officers and soldiers of Zhao's army stopped what they were doing and came to wait on both sides of the gate. Zhao Ji rode ahead, waved to them, and smiled.

When he encountered a familiar military officer, he would point at him and give him a thumbs up.

Lu Bu's officers and soldiers also came forward to watch. Under the torchlight, Zhao Ji's appearance was extraordinary, and his armor made him look heroic and dignified, like a celestial being.

At the parade ground, Lü Bu stood on a wooden platform, watching Zhao Ji being cheered by the officers and soldiers of both sides. He then turned to his wife and asked, "What do you think of this son-in-law?"

Madam Yan nodded slightly: "Not as good as my husband from back then."

The woman who got married was Lu Bu's daughter from his previous marriage, not his biological daughter.

Lu Bu's ex-wife was his cousin, and this daughter had the support of Wei Yue and Wei Xu, so Lady Yan got along well with her, as if she were her own daughter. Lu Bu bringing his wife to see Zhao Ji was also an act of expressing closeness.

Zhang Hong, following behind Zhao Ji, frowned and was displeased to see several women accompanying Lü Bu.

Seeing Zhao Ji dismount in front of the wooden platform, Lü Bu led Lady Yan forward and asked, "Attendant Zhao, is the alliance you made with Zhang Zhishu still valid?"

"It is naturally effective. What does Lord Meng mean by this?"

"Since it's effective, why don't you pay your respects to the father-in-law?"

Lu Bu deliberately put on a stern face, with more than a dozen of his generals and captains standing behind him, looking down at Zhao Ji.

After Zhao Ji and the others dismounted, he said, "We have come here today to discuss the ownership of Yanzhou, not for personal matters concerning children. Please respect yourself, my lord."

Lu Bu frowned: "In my opinion, public and private matters are nothing more than a matter between our two families. Why make excuses to shirk responsibility?"

"If Lord Meng has no intention of discussing important matters, then I, Zhao, shall take my leave."

As Zhao Ji clasped his hands in greeting, Zhang Yang immediately grabbed his arm, saying, "Your Excellency, there's no need for that. I was merely teasing you, Lord Meng."

"Hahaha!"

Lu Bu pointed at Zhao Ji and asked Zhang Liao and Gao Shun behind him, "Yuan Chang, Wen Yuan, is this boy like me?"

Zhang Liao stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "Congratulations, my lord, on finding such a fine son-in-law!"

Gao Shun also stepped forward, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and remained silent.

Lü Bu took a half step back and extended his arm in invitation: "Attendant, please."

Zhao Ji took a step to go up the steps, then stopped and extended his arms to Zhang Yang: "General Zhang, please."

Zhang Yang helped Zhao Ji up the left arm, saying "please" as they climbed the steps together.

Zhang Hong, Xu Huang, and others followed in turn.

Lu Bu locked onto Xu Chu and Zhao Yun, who were standing on the door panel, almost instantly. He ignored Xu Chu's injury on his left shoulder and focused his gaze on Zhao Yun's face.

Zhao Yun raised his head and looked straight ahead, meeting Lü Bu's gaze.

Lu Bu, intrigued, led the way and took his seat in the main position behind the wooden platform curtain. He asked with a smile, "Who is the hero behind Attendant-in-Ordinary Zhao?"

Zhao Ji turned his head to look at Xu Chu and Zhao Yun standing behind him. Seeing Lü Bu pointing at Zhao Yun with his arm outstretched, he turned around and said with a smile, "This is my kinsman, the Lieutenant of Changshan State, Zhao Yun of Zhending, Zhao Zilong."

"A true hero indeed."

As Lü Bu sighed, Wei Yue stepped forward and whispered in his ear, revealing Zhao Yun's achievements in the decisive battle.

His gaze toward Zhao Yun was even more fervent. He had no shortage of cavalry generals under his command, but he lacked a top-tier cavalry general whose bravery was no less than his own.

At this point, everyone was seated, and a group of women dressed in tight-fitting blouses came in with light steps to place dishes on the table.

Du then stepped forward to pour wine for everyone, while two guards carried a vat of warmed wine.

Zhao Ji kept his eyes straight ahead, while Xu Huang and Zhang Hong, sitting to his left, both looked down at the table. Below them, Wei Xing glanced at Du Shi a few more times, but upon seeing her slightly protruding belly, he lost interest.

After the wine was served, Lü Bu picked up his wine bowl and said, "This first cup of wine is to celebrate the Emperor's release from prison. Gentlemen, drink it to your hearts' content."

Zhao Ji picked up the lacquered wooden wine bowl and saw the three gilded characters "May you live long, my lord" on the bottom. He gestured to Lü Bu opposite him, held up the wine bowl with both hands to signal to the people below, and then they all drank it to the brim.

At this moment, some pretty young women came up and moved among the tables, filling everyone's cups with wine.

Du also used a golden wine jug to take wine from the large barrel, and went to the head of the table to pour wine for Lü Bu and Zhao Ji respectively.

Lu Bu picked up his wine bowl, glanced at Du Shi, and then looked at Zhao Ji: "Attendant, this second bowl is to celebrate our allied forces' defeat of Cao Cao. Drink it to the brim."

Zhao Ji picked up his wine bowl, then put it down again: "I am not a good drinker, so please drink to your hearts' content. Let's discuss official business now."

Seeing him put down his wine bowl, Xu Huang, who was sitting at the head of the table, immediately put down his own wine bowl and pushed away the woman who had come to serve him wine.

Seeing this, the other officers followed suit, and the atmosphere at the banquet immediately became disharmonious.

Lu Bu lowered his eyes to look at the wine bowl, then looked at Zhao Ji: "Minister, I have heard that there is much unpleasantness between father-in-law and son-in-law, and that is generally the case."

"Tonight, only Marquis Hanmeng and Governor of Yuzhou, Mr. Lü, and Attendant-in-Ordinary, Marquis of Pingyang, Mr. Zhao, are present at the banquet. There is no father-in-law or son-in-law present."

Zhao Ji knelt upright, while Xu Chu and Zhao Yun behind him each moved a step away, their expressions wary.

Lu Bu was extremely disappointed and slammed his wine bowl heavily on the table: "You have ruined my mood time and time again, what is the reason for this!"

Zhang Yang, who sat to the left of him, immediately stood up, looked around at everyone, and said with a smile, "Lord Lü, do not be angry. This is the natural thing when two tigers meet, each of them will feel disgusted. Think back to those days, how does Lord Lü compare to Lord Zhao today?"

Wei Yue, standing behind Lü Bu, also spoke up: "Brother, I think it's because you can't bear to be separated from your daughter that you keep looking down on Lord Zhao."

Lu Bu pursed his lips and looked at Zhao Ji, agreeing with Wei Yue's reasoning. He said, "Go and arrange the carriages and send them to the Chamberlain's camp immediately, so I won't have to worry about it."

"Here!"

Wei Yue left his seat, and Zhao Ji turned to look at Xu Huang: "Gongming, arrange for the officials and soldiers to welcome him; do not neglect him."

Xu Huang also stood up and bowed to Zhao Jichang: "Yes!"

The two deputy generals exchanged a glance, then left together, each returning to their respective camps.

(End of this chapter)