Tiger Guards

Chapter 665 Profound Blessings
When Zhang Wei crossed the Wei River and entered Xinyang City, he began his life as a hostage.

Zhang Lu is a model of proactively relying on and actively turning against his own side, not someone forced to submit when the enemy is at the gates.

Therefore, Zhao Ji recruited Zhang Wei to serve as a subordinate in the Grand Tutor's office, which roughly placed him in the third tier within the Grand Tutor's office.

Zhang Wei received his new official uniform and took a hot bath that night. Although his body began to relax, his mind remained tense.

Therefore, Zhang Wei didn't fall asleep until almost midnight, so it was inevitable that he would wake up a little late.

While he was washing up, Wen Hui, the only official in the Grand Tutor's mansion, came to see him.

When Wen Hui served as a government official, he was the only one there, and his specific position was not confirmed, nor is it confirmed now.

Therefore, Wen Hui's status was extraordinary and special. At this moment, he took the initiative to see Zhang Wei, which made Zhang Wei feel flattered: "Mr. Wen Man."

"No need to be polite."

Wen Hui smiled as he examined Zhang Wei's official uniform. It was a normal black official uniform, unlike the mainstream modified version with red trim. This one had purple trim sewn onto the cuffs and collar.

Not only were the collar, cuffs, and hem edged in purple, but the official's robe had two layers, with the inner layer being purple.

The official's uniform was a set; the inner garment was crimson, while the slightly loose trousers were purple.

Wen Hui noticed Zhang Wei's unusual attire, but still said, "There are many shortcomings in military uniforms. Although there are spare official uniforms in the Grand Tutor's mansion, the style and size are somewhat unsatisfactory. When you return to Jinyang, you can find a good tailor to trim the clothes so that they fit properly."

Zhang Wei's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he smiled broadly, looking very eager: "Mr. Xie Wenman reminded me, but does the Grand Tutor prefer smart and capable attire?"

He then cupped his hands in greeting to Wen Hui and immediately added, "Sir, you may call me Gongyou."

Wen Hui returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his movements casual and natural: "Just as Gongyou guessed, the Grand Tutor values ​​speed and dislikes vulgar and complicated matters. Not only his clothing, but also his shoes, socks, carriages and horses must be swift and concise."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei solemnly cupped his hands in thanks. Wen Hui then explained his purpose: "From today onwards, Gongyou and I will be colleagues in the Grand Tutor's mansion, accompanying the Grand Tutor on a daily basis. Specific matters are yet to be determined."

"Yes, I understand."

Zhang Wei composed himself and replied that recruiting him into the Grand Tutor's mansion was merely a formality, giving him the identity of a former official of the Zhao family and a member of the public government. It was impossible for him to stay by Zhao Ji's side for a long time to advise on secrets.

Unless he performs exceptionally well in this short period, it is unlikely that Zhao Ji will keep him by his side.

Otherwise, if the war in Liangzhou were to cease and Zhao Ji were to lead his army back east, Zhang Wei would naturally be promoted to a high-ranking but leisurely position in the court, serving as a transit point.

As for Zhang Wei's future career, that depends on Zhang Lu's performance.

If Zhang Lu were to suddenly be defeated and die, Zhang Wei could still achieve great success by virtue of his background in the government and his status as a former official of the Zhao family.

Zhang Lu's performance will directly determine Zhang Wei's future.

Wen Hui then led Zhang Wei to report to Zhao Ji on some of the official documents that had accumulated in the army overnight, as well as the documents that Zhao Ji needed to sign and make effective immediately.

The two men each brought a stack of official documents to see Zhao Ji, who was eating wheat porridge at the time.

The wheat used in Maifan is not milled; it is simply ordinary wheat that has been hulled and then boiled into porridge.

If you chew slowly and carefully, some coarse bran will definitely remain in your mouth.

However, when Zhao Ji ate this well-cooked wheat porridge, he would scoop it up with a spoon and swallow it whole without chewing.

Even so, there was still an uncomfortable feeling of bran scratching the throat. When Zhao Ji picked up the second bowl, Wen Hui couldn't help but ask, "Grand Tutor, why is your diet so coarse today?"

With the military's reserves, there's no need for them to suffer like this.

Zhao Ji stirred the slightly congealed wheat porridge with a spoon and casually replied, "Occasionally, coarse food is good for the stomach and intestines, and it also reminds me of the life I lived by hunting in Jishan."

Others might consider the poverty and hardship of the past a disgrace, something to be ashamed to mention.

For Zhao Ji, not telling everyone how hard his life was back then was already a great act of restraint.

Nowadays, not only Zhao Ji, but all the brave men of Hedong regard their impoverished childhood as an honor.

Zhao Ji had no intention of delving into this topic, so he asked Wen Hui, "Has Wen Bai replied?"

"It's right here, Grand Tutor, please take a look."

Wen Hui pulled out Han Shu's reply to the military document from the folder, held the folder in his left hand, handed it out with his right arm, and leaned forward slightly.

Zhang Wei stood beside Wen Hui, imitating Wen Hui's movements and posture when presenting documents. He would rather bend down and extend his arm to hand them over than stand too close to Grand Tutor Zhao.

Zhao Ji glanced at the official document and saw that Han Shu's response consisted of only two words, "Received the order," and was signed "This humble general writes." It was stamped with Han Shu's general's seal and personal seal.

"I thought he would describe the troop deployment in detail in his reply... It's so concise, I'm relieved."

Zhao Ji looked at Zhang Wei as he spoke: "Gongyou went to find Bo Yu and asked him to draft a troop mobilization order, ordering Chang Mao to lead 800 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and 300 chariot soldiers to escort the Golden Eagle, the Deer, and the White Tiger banners to the north of Ji City, in order to boost morale."

"Here."

Zhang Wei handed the folder in his hand to Wen Hui, who reached out to take it. After bowing respectfully, he took a few steps back, turned around, and walked away quickly.

Wen Hui tilted his head and glanced sideways as Zhang Wei's figure disappeared: "Grand Tutor, is it possible that Zhang Lu has taken over Hanzhong?"

"That depends on what Liu Zhang does."

Zhao Ji really had no appetite to continue eating the porridge, but he still forced down the bowl without changing his expression. After wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, he continued, "If Liu Zhang does not kill the hostages and their families in Zhang Lu's army, Zhang Lu will not be in dire straits and will still harbor illusions. Sooner or later, he will be taken down by Liu Zhang and the people of Yizhou. But if Liu Zhang kills the hostages, Zhang Lu will be trapped in a desperate situation and will definitely fight Liu Zhang to the death."

Zhao Ji reached for the third bowl of wheat porridge, scooped out most of a spoonful of meat sauce with a wooden spoon, and stirred it into the bowl to enhance the texture.

He then turned to Wen Hui and asked, "Wen Man, if you were Liu Zhang, what would you do?"

Wen Hui's expression was solemn. After a moment's thought, he said, "If I were Liu Zhang, my prestige is not secure now. I would surely kill Zhang Lu's officers, their families, and hostages. If I hesitate and give in to his indecisiveness, given the strength of the Grand Tutor's army, there will be countless people in Ba and Shu who will respond. This is something that neither Liu Zhang nor the officials of Yizhou can control."

“That’s what I thought too. That’s why I refused to take Zhang Lu’s hostages before, so that he would understand that I am different from Liu Zhang and his son. If he is willing to surrender to me, I will naturally welcome him. If he surrenders and then rebels again, I will exterminate his entire family.”

As Zhao Ji spoke, he picked up the bowl, paused, and looked at the porridge stained red with meat sauce, saying, "Their clan has such deep blessings that I can't find a reason to destroy them."

Immediately, Zhao Ji tilted his head back and gulped down the bowl of wheat porridge.

Wen Hui stood to one side, his lips twitching involuntarily.

Given Wen Hui's background and experiences, the hardest time he ever endured was during the mourning period when he was on cold food. Although he couldn't eat meat, his diet was relatively rich at that time, and he didn't have to eat coarse wheat porridge.

(End of this chapter)