Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 227 Bu Lianshi's Fans
Zhou Yu felt increasingly watched, and with a stiff expression, he bowed and said, "I am indeed the one who is watching you, young lord."

Liu Ye, his expression somewhat excited, bowed with burning eyes and said, “Young Master has implemented benevolent policies for the people, reducing taxes and levies, and distributing land equally to ensure the well-being of the populace. He has promoted the prosperity of all industries, opened up maritime trade routes, and ensured that granaries are full and treasuries are abundant. Furthermore, he has shown compassion for the soldiers, enlightening them with righteousness and teaching them loyalty and courage. Although I live in a remote rural area, I have heard that everyone in the village praises Young Master’s virtue. Today, having witnessed his demeanor, I realize that Young Master not only possesses extraordinary wisdom but also has a strategy for saving the world and securing the country. I admire him immensely!”

Yuan Huan, listening from the side, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, couldn't help but glance at Liu Ye: 'Whose side are you on anyway?'

Yan Yi was taken aback upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected Liu Ye to be so friendly towards him, but he was overjoyed. He grabbed Zhou Yu's arm with his left hand and Liu Ye's wrist with his right, and walked towards the carriage: "It's cold and windy, please come with me to the carriage for a chat. There's warm wine inside, perfect for warming up and discussing matters!"

Zhou Yu moved forward somewhat reluctantly, while Liu Ye's eyes shone brightly.

After walking a few steps, Yan Yi remembered Yuan Huan and turned back to call out, "The carriage is spacious. If you don't mind, please get in and we can talk."

A bitter feeling of being neglected welled up in Yuan Huan's heart. He subconsciously wanted to politely decline, but he was afraid of offending the other party. He forced a faint smile and followed slowly.

If Cheng Pu still couldn't see that Yan Yi wanted to recruit Zhou and Liu, then he would be a fool. Thinking that Yan Yi had gone to such lengths to have Yuan Shu send them over, he was momentarily stunned.

The carriage was large, measuring ten feet long and half a foot wide, enough to accommodate seven or eight people at the same time. The carriage body was made of high-quality sandalwood, inlaid with gold and silver, with cloud patterns carved on the outside and soft cushions on the inside. The walls of the carriage were also covered with gold leaf and painted with colorful designs. In the center of the carriage were lacquer tables, incense burners and other items, and the rich fragrance filled the air, making people feel relaxed and happy.

Although Yan Yi valued Zhou Yu more, he changed his mind at the last minute and specially arranged for Liu Ye to sit next to him, while Zhou Yu and Yuan Huan sat opposite him.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Now that Liu Ye has shown him obvious goodwill, he naturally knows how to make his move.

crunch
The soft sound of wheels rolling could be heard.

Because the axles were equipped with shock-absorbing devices such as leather and springs, and the carriages were traveling on official roads, they only swayed slightly before returning to normal and smoothly moving forward, blending into the formation.

Yan Yi held Liu Ye's hand, earnestly inquiring about his family background and learning, his friendly conversation revealing his closeness. He would occasionally turn to Zhou Yu, his words also gentle and polite.

Yuan Huan sat upright on the couch, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He felt as if he were a superfluous person, or a brothel girl who was just there to fawn over him, and he felt very stifled.

Little did he know that this was Yan Yi's deliberate act, intended to use him, a renowned scholar, to demonstrate his high regard and closeness to Zhou and Liu.

The next morning at 9:00 AM, the army entered the Qiantang area, drawing cheers from the people lining the streets.

Upon hearing that Yan Yi had led his army back, more and more people flocked from the nearby villages and pavilions. Some carried incense burners, some carried brooms, and others carried food boxes, distributing the wine, meat, and vegetables inside to the soldiers on the march.

Yuan Huan and the other two watched this scene with varying degrees of surprise, emotion, and solemnity.

"The people welcomed the teacher with food and drink not out of fear of his power, but out of respect for his virtue."

"The soldiers do not loot, and the townspeople are not disturbed. Therefore, the elders eagerly offer firewood and grain, and even the children know to welcome them at the door. Now, observing this army, their discipline is strict, and they do not commit the slightest offense. The people even offer each other wine and meat. This shows that they are not afraid of weapons, but are sincerely pleased and submissive."

Yuan Huan murmured to himself, deeply moved.

Last autumn, Yuan's army returned from attacking Jiujiang, and he had seen a similar scene in Shouchun.

However, the people of Shouchun did not come out voluntarily, but were coerced by Yuan Shu to come out and comfort the troops.

Yuan Huan still remembered his advice to Yuan Shu that day: "The people are attached to their homeland and do not easily change their minds. They are easy to follow but difficult to resist. Now the people do not understand righteousness and reason, and if we force them to move, even if they gain small benefits, it will eventually cause harm."

Yuan Shu ignored him and instead scolded him for spoiling the mood.

Yuan Huan never expected that the scene of the people eating and drinking together that he had hoped for would not appear in Huainan, but instead appeared under the rule of his opponent.

A deep sense of worry arose in his heart.

Heroes are the backbone of a nation, and the common people are its foundation. If the backbone and the foundation are secured, then governance will be effective without resentment, and policies will be without omission.

Yan Yi recruited talented individuals and generals from outside the homeland, and brought peace and stability to the people. Yuan Shu, however, was still indulging in the dream of his family's long line of high-ranking officials, indulging in extravagance and debauchery, and implementing harsh policies that oppressed the people. If this continued, and if the two families were to clash again in the future, Yuan Shu would likely perish at the hands of Yan Yi.

Yuan Huan secretly resolved that once he returned to Shouchun, he would strongly advise Yuan Shu to prevent him from falling into an abyss without realizing it.

Zhou Yu and Liu Ye stood beside him, their eyes fixed on the grand spectacle of the people welcoming the army, their faces filled with shock.

Yuan Huan observed their expressions and couldn't help but wonder how he could bring them back to Shouchun.

At this moment, he had fully realized Yan Yi's purpose and intention in summoning Zhou and Liu to Qiantang.

Yuan Shu did not value Zhou Yu and Liu Ye, but he knew their talents were extraordinary, truly hidden dragons and phoenixes. If he allowed Yan Yi to recruit them, they would surely become a major threat in the future.

Subsequently, Yuan Huan summoned Zhou Yu and Liu Ye back to the delegation under the pretext of discussing matters.

Yan Yi did not stop them, but ordered more soldiers to be sent to "protect" the mission.

The next day, the sky cleared. The days of wind and snow quietly receded, and a winter sun hung in the blue sky, casting a thin but precious warmth.

The army's marching speed increased slightly, and they arrived at the West Gate of Qiantang at Shenshi (3-5 PM).

Si Qing and Quan Rou, along with officials, scholars, and powerful families from Qiantang, eagerly awaited their arrival at Tingsong Pavilion outside the western city.

Si Qing and Yan Yi had not seen each other for a long time and missed each other dearly. Quan Rou, on the other hand, was about to take up her post in Moling and was eager to arrange a marriage for Bu Lianshi, hoping to emulate the Lü family's strategy of keeping rare commodities for themselves.

Officials, scholars, and elders from various villages and towns stood behind the two men, silent but each with their own thoughts, all wanting to make an impression on Yan Yi on the first day of his return with his army.

Yan Yi's campaign this time resulted in the capture of more than ten cities, with his army advancing to the south bank of the Yangtze River. He successively defeated Han You, Wu Jing, Yuan Shu, Xu Gong, and others, making him famous throughout the Jianghuai region and showing signs of dominating Jiangdong. Everyone was trying their best to climb up to this powerful figure and seek his protection.

"coming!"

Someone shouted first, and the scene immediately became noisy, but quickly returned to calm. The crowd lined up outside the Listening Pine Pavilion according to their official rank and status, gazing westward.

As thunderous footsteps echoed, a dark mass of figures gradually appeared on the western horizon. A forest of spears and halberds, gleaming coldly, escorted a magnificent carriage as it slowly approached.

When the carriage stopped in front of Tingsong Pavilion, hundreds of well-trained soldiers were already armed with swords and halberds, standing guard around the pavilion.

Yan Yi stepped down from the carriage on a stool, his dignified gaze sweeping over the crowd that had come to greet him.

"Wu Jing greets Young Master!"

To everyone's surprise, the first person to step forward was not Si Qing or Quan Rou, but Wu Jing, who no longer held an official position.

The reason for this is obviously related to the little girl Wu Jing was holding hands with.

"Are you the bad guy who kidnapped my elder brother?" Sun Shangxiang raised her tender little face, her big, clear eyes looking at Yan Yi: "Where is my elder brother? Why didn't he come back with you? Release my elder brother at once."

When Wu Jing heard her say something completely different from what they had rehearsed, he was so frightened that his face changed drastically. He pulled her hand and gently scolded, "Xiang'er, don't be rude. Quickly pay your respects to the young master!" Then he knelt down and apologized, "Xiang'er is young and doesn't know any better. I was offended by my words. I hope the young master will forgive me."

Yan Yi helped him up, looking at the face of his former rival covered with fine lines, and said gently, "Xiang'er is lively and very much to my liking, so how could I blame her? Please get up, Master Wu."

He turned his gaze to Sun Shangxiang and smiled, "Your elder brother is working for me now, so no one dares to arrest him. In a few days, I'll have him come back to see you. Do you like the Glazed Tile Army Formation I gave you?"

Sun Shangxiang's bright eyes immediately curved into crescent shapes, her joy overflowing. But in the blink of an eye, she pouted and complained in a childish voice, "I like it! But my mother is strict and only allows me to play with it once every three days. Do you have any other fun things? Give me a few more so I can play with different things every day."

Yan Yi burst into laughter upon hearing this.

The tense expressions of the Sun family members around them immediately relaxed, and they also started to laugh.

Two hours later, Yan Yi returned to his residence, changed into a wide-sleeved robe, and went to his study.

Si Qing followed closely behind him.

Two maids carried a brazier filled with charcoal and quietly entered the study. After setting the brazier down, they quickly withdrew.

The charcoal in the basin was made by coating jujube wood charcoal shavings with honey, which produce very little soot, and carefully shaping it into a tiger shape. Agarwood shavings were also added so that it would release fragrance when burned.

Meanwhile, a layer of sandalwood was laid at the bottom of the brazier to ensure that the charcoal burned without dust or smoke.

Even in the partition wall of the study, there was a fireplace with charcoal burning inside.

The entire study was warm and cozy.

When Yan Yi first transmigrated, he thought he would no longer be able to enjoy the many conveniences of modern society. However, after arriving in this world, he realized that he had been thinking too much.

Although this era lacks technological innovations, absolute power allows people to enjoy an extremely luxurious lifestyle, in no way inferior to modern society, and in some aspects even surpassing it.

Especially the kind of spiritual enjoyment and pleasure, which is really hard to explain to outsiders.

"Ziyue, you've worked hard these past six months."

Yan Yi sat down on the mat, his eyes filled with a hint of apology as he looked at Si Qing opposite him.

Si Qing was the person he trusted most. When he set out from Qiantang, he left Si Qing behind to ensure the stability of the rear, causing Si Qing to miss many opportunities to accumulate military merits.

"Sitting comfortably in the city, how can I compare to the hardships of Young Master leading troops on campaigns? Young Master has won battle after battle, his might shaking Jiangdong. I am truly happy for Young Master," Si Qing said with a smile.

Yan Yi could only completely relax in front of Xu Ying and Si Qing, his legs spread apart without any regard for appearances, half-sitting and half-lying against the armchair: "I know you don't care about other rewards. Today, I will give you the reward you want most."

Si Qing had a vague idea of ​​what was going on, and her breathing became a little rapid: "I wonder what Young Master wishes to appreciate from me?"

Yan Yi's lips curled slightly: "I will bestow Zheng Jiang upon you. When spring arrives next year and the flowers bloom, we will choose an auspicious day to hold your wedding. Is that alright?"

Si Qing, both excited and embarrassed, knelt down and said in a trembling voice, "Thank you, Young Master!"

"There are no outsiders here, why bother with these formalities? Get up." Yan Yi picked up a silver spoon, scooped a spoonful of warm wine from the wine vessel, tilted his head back and drank it down, wiping the wine stains from the corner of his mouth: "How is Qiantang doing lately?"

"The young lord's military strength is at its peak, and no one dares to cause trouble at this time. All government orders are being implemented smoothly."

"As instructed by the young lord, the garrison of Qiantang has been continuously weeding out the weak and strengthening its combat capabilities. Soldiers who do not meet the requirements have been sent back to their fields by Qing to serve as local soldiers."

"In early winter, several bandit groups attacked in large numbers, but Qing led his troops to wipe them out. The remaining scattered soldiers were also dealt with by the local troops, preventing them from becoming a major threat. Now, the bandits in the surrounding areas have all fled far away and flocked to other counties. There has been no trace of bandits in Qiantang for more than a month."

"The Imperial Workshop has successfully built the first giant seagoing vessel, modeled after Pinghai's, and it has recently been tested at sea. More than 150 other warships of various sizes have also been built."

Si Qing sat upright and reported on the recent situation in Qiantang one by one.

Yan Yi listened intently, occasionally nodding slightly.

Of all the things that happened in Qiantang, the one that interested and concerned him the most was the navy, which was growing in size day by day.

Thanks to the talent and technology provided by Liu Biao and Wang Lang, the Qiantang Crafts Bureau mastered the construction methods of various seagoing vessels and warships in just half a year. Now, in the shipyard, craftsmen are working day and night, and new ships are being launched one after another.

The number of warships in the Qiantang Navy is increasing at a visible rate. At this rate, it will reach the size of the Kuaiji Navy in a few months.

At that time, the only force that could pose a threat to the Qiantang Navy would be the Jingzhou Navy.

Yan Yi was very satisfied with the result and frequently cast approving glances at Si Qing.

As the saying goes, a good warrior has no glorious achievements. The things Si Qing mentioned seem easy to accomplish, but only an expert knows the hardships involved.

After Si Qing finished reporting on everything, he brought up another matter: "Since the beginning of winter, many scholars from other places have come to Qiantang, including many from prominent families. I have roughly counted fifty or sixty of them."

Yan Yi's spirits lifted upon hearing this, and he sat up abruptly, thinking that his various measures to recruit talented people had finally yielded significant results: "What brings you all here, scholars?"

A strange look appeared on Si Qing's face: "A month ago, Quan Ziyuan's niece, Bu Lianshi, moved to Qiantang with her mother. This woman is not only stunningly beautiful, but also exceptionally talented. All those scholars came here for her."

After he finished speaking, he added, "This matter was brought up by Quan Ziyuan to Shaojun."

During the six months that Si Qing was stationed in Qiantang, he worked seamlessly with Quan Rou. They not only complemented each other in official duties but also developed a deep personal relationship. This time, Quan Rou asked him to report Bu Lianshi's matter to Yan Yi, which he could not refuse. Moreover, this matter involved several important figures, so it was necessary to report it to Yan Yi as well.

But he told the whole story without hiding anything.

Yan Yi was stunned. He had assumed these scholars had come all this way to seek official positions, but he hadn't expected them to be here to pick up girls.

He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Among these people, are there any with outstanding abilities?"

Si Qing thought for a moment and replied, "Whether they have talent or not, I dare not say. However, three of them have remarkable backgrounds: Zhang Cheng, son of Zhang Zhao of Pengcheng; Zhu Huan, a rising star of the younger generation of the Zhu family in Wu County; and Zu Yu, the second son of Zu Lang."

"Send someone to keep an eye on Zu Yu, and don't let him leave Qiantang yet." Yan Yi's smile disappeared: "I'm going to Yuhang in a few days, you'll come with me."

Si Qing nodded slightly, drank a few cups of wine with Yan Yi, and seeing many figures in the courtyard outside, she knew that there was something to report, so she got up to take her leave.

After Si Qing left, the door was gently pushed open by a slender figure.

Zhou Mi walked softly into the room, nestled beside Yan Yi, and whispered, "Young Master, I have already made arrangements for Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin to feign allegiance to Xu Gong."

(End of this chapter)