I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 227 Prosperous Jingyang

Chapter 227 Prosperous Jingyang
Yuan Tan set off from Jinling and traveled along the Yangtze River to Jingzhou.

When Yuan Yao saw Yuan Tan off, he truly treated him as if he were saying goodbye to his own brother, crying so hard that he could barely stand and needed to be supported by others.

Clearly, Yuan Yao also knew that this parting might be the last time he would ever have the chance to see Yuan Tan again in his life.

Yuan Tan stood at the bow of the boat, waving at Yuan Yao, watching him grow smaller and smaller until he disappeared completely.

"I guess he's the only one who's truly saddened by my departure?"

Yuan Tan sighed, but still resolutely turned his head away, no longer lingering.

Upon reaching Nanchang, the capital of Yuzhang Commandery, Yuan Tan and his entourage disembarked to rest. They were astonished to find the area teeming with boats. The wide Yangtze River further emphasized its prosperity, making it seem even more bustling than the north!

I asked around and found out that since Liu Miao conquered Jingzhou, the entire middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River have become one. This has attracted merchants from Jingzhou and Yangzhou to trade and travel back and forth, and even merchants from Shu (Sichuan) want to get a share of the pie, bringing Shu brocade, salt, copper and iron to Jingzhou and Jiangdong. That's why it's so prosperous!

Yuan Tan was even more envious: "Now that we rely on the Yangtze River, the two provinces of Jing and Yang will probably soon become richer than any other place in the world, right?"

The biggest weakness of the South is its population.

However, both Jiangdong under Liu Miao's rule and Jingzhou under Liu Biao's rule previously accepted a large number of people who fled from the north due to war.

Roughly estimated, Jiangdong, plus Huainan and Guangling, has a population of about five million.

In Jingzhou, the figure is roughly the same, perhaps even slightly higher, reaching a staggering six million.

Although the people under Liu Miao's rule were still far inferior to those under Yuan Shao, they were undoubtedly much stronger than other warlords such as Cao Cao, Lü Bu, and Liu Zhang.

Moreover, Yuan Tan had heard Liu Miao's three-point agreement on his way here.

"The tiller should have land, the laborer should reap the rewards, and the elderly should be cared for."

"If this continues, countless commoners and scholars will likely come to join General Liu."

Yuan Tan's reflections reached Guo Tu's ears.

"Young Master, do not underestimate yourself."

“In the long run, Liu Miao might indeed win... but he can never last long.”

"Gongsun Zan in Yijing is currently at his last gasp. Given the chance, Lord Yuan will deliver a swift and decisive blow, completely pacifying Hebei!"

"When Lord Yuan follows Emperor Guangwu's example and marches south, no one will be able to withstand a single blow from him! This applies to Cao Cao, Lü Bu, and Liu Miao even more so!"

Guo Tu pointed to the Yangtze River in front of him and to the land beneath his feet: "At that time, all of this will belong to Lord Yuan! And also to you, young master!"

"..."

Yuan Tan actually felt somewhat disgusted by what Guo Tu said.

However, he also agreed with what Guo Tu said.

Who in this world can stop Yuan Shao?
Even if Liu Miao manages Yangzhou and Jingzhou very well, he will probably not be able to escape disaster in the future.

Composing himself, Yuan Tan then boarded a boat and headed to Xiakou.

Compared to Nanchang, Xiakou, a port located at the junction of northern and southern Jingzhou, Sichuan, and Jiangdong, was even more extreme. Even Yuan Tan's ships had to wait a full two hours to find a place to dock.

Upon reaching the shore, Yuan Tan's eyes widened in disbelief: "That's... an elephant?"

"Oh, young master, who are you referring to?"

The attendant at the ferry pointed to a group of dark-skinned envoys in the distance who were trying to drive elephants onto the boat, and said, "Those are envoys from Shi Xie, the governor of Jiaozhi. I heard they are also going to Xiangyang to see Liu Biaoqi!"

Yuan Tan glanced at it and found that this elephant was much larger than the one he had seen in Jinling, which amazed him.

However, Yuan Tan's attention was soon drawn to another group of people: "What kind of monster is that?"

It's too small to be called a bear.

It's not quite a cat, but it also seems a bit fierce.

Moreover, it's only black and white, and it looks quite cute when you're sitting on the boat.

“Young master, that is a tapir. The “tapir” in “its beasts are moraine” in Sima Xiangru’s “Shanglin Fu” is this beast.

"In addition, some people call it the 'Iron-Eating Beast,' and it is said that Chi You, the ancestor of war, rode this beast to fight against the Yellow Emperor."

Yuan Tan looked curiously at the round, chubby black and white beast: "You can ride this thing???"

"It's just a legend. Those people seem to be envoys of Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, which is why they brought that strange beast from Shu to present to Liu Biaoji."

Shi Xie and Liu Zhang both sent envoys to pay homage to Liu Miao.

Undoubtedly, it was clear that Liu Miao's capture of Jingzhou had greatly intimidated these warlords, who wanted to send people to test Liu Miao's attitude.

Yuan Tan once again expressed his envy: "General Liu is now truly like a sage ruler in the world, with all nations coming to pay tribute."

"Young Master, you mustn't say such things."

Guo Tu didn't know why Yuan Tan, who had been in Jinling for a while, suddenly praised Liu Miao like this.

"If the eldest son returns to Hebei and continues to praise Liu Miao to others in this way, he might bring trouble upon himself!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tan immediately lost interest: "I understand. As for what I should and shouldn't say, Gongze, you don't need to worry."

"..."

After resting for another day in Xiakou, Yuan Tan finally set off north again.

This journey took them to Xiangyang. Then, they had to travel overland back to Hebei.

Passing by the high platform at the foot of Mount Xian, beside the Han River, outside Xiangyang City, Yuan Tan asked the people around him, "Was it here that Liu Biaoqi made the Three Laws Agreement with the elders of Jingzhou?"

"Of course!"

Looking at the high platform, Yuan Tan suddenly felt a sense of trepidation, like someone returning home with trepidation.

"Gongze, do you think my father will punish me for the previous defeat when I go back?"

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Even a famous general like Li Guang has experienced defeat. How could Lord Yuan punish you for a single battle?"

"Moreover, the details of this battle have been clarified, and the fault does not lie with you, young master!"

"Then who is at fault?"

Guo Tu shook his head and said, "If Xu You hadn't interfered and made Yuan Gong agree to give Lü Bu supplies, then Zang Ba and Lü Bu wouldn't have had any conflict. Lü Bu wouldn't have suddenly broken his promise and attacked our rear."

"And the kind of warships that Jiangdong can sail on the sea as if it were flat land are unheard of. I heard that Huang Zu also met his defeat and death because of such warships. Obviously, it is not the fault of Prince Zhan that such an unexpected artifact exists."

"No matter what we say, this battle cannot be blamed on you, young master!"

A cold glint also flashed in Guo Tu's eyes.

"Xu You not only ruined my plan this time, but also caused the young master to be humiliated. His crime is truly heinous!"

"I don't care what kind of famous scholar he is, or what kind of friend he is of Lord Yuan! When I get back this time, I will definitely make him give me, my son, and Lord Yuan an explanation!"

Hearing this not-so-comfortable consolation, Yuan Tan felt somewhat better.

"I hope so."

Yuan Tan finally arrived in Xiangyang and met Liu Miao.

Upon seeing Yuan Tan, Liu Miao warmly went up and grabbed his hand, saying, "Today I'm so glad to see my brother-in-law! Did you see your wife and Yuan Yao in Jiangdong?"

"Of course I have seen them, and they are all safe and sound. It's just that my wife wants me to urge General Liu to return home as soon as possible to see his children."

"Of course!"

Seeing that Liu Miao never mentioned the truth about his defeat and capture, and instead continued to save face by claiming to be "visiting relatives," Yuan Tan felt even more respect and affection for Liu Miao.

Pang Ji, standing to the side, said in a sarcastic tone, "The young master has been away from Jiangdong for so long without returning, it's really worrying."

Liu Miao was kind to Yuan Tan, but he showed no courtesy whatsoever to Pang Ji!
The thought of the ransom paid to redeem Yuan Tan caused Pang Ji a dull ache in his chest. Furthermore, Pang Ji already disliked Yuan Tan and favored Yuan Shang, so he couldn't help but mock Yuan Tan upon seeing him.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tan's expression changed, and he was about to erupt in anger when Liu Miao preemptively defended him, saying, "What are you saying, Yuan Tu? Is it wrong for Xian Si to go to Jiangdong to visit his relatives? Have you not heard that the Han Dynasty governs the country with loyalty and filial piety? If we follow Yuan Tu's words, shouldn't all those who go to visit relatives be executed?"

After saying that, Liu Miao patted Yuan Tan's hand again: "Xiansi! Don't worry! From now on, Jiangdong and Jingzhou will be your own home! Come back whenever you want, stay as long as you want, understand?"

When Yuan Tan saw his father's friend and his own minister being sarcastic towards him, and yet his own brother-in-law, whom he had never met, being so kind to him, his nose suddenly tingled with emotion: "Thank you, General Liu!"

"We're family, why bother with a thank you?"

"..."

Pang Ji was nearly driven mad by what he saw!

It was he who went through all the trouble! He endured Liu Miao's torture and worked hard to negotiate, which is how Yuan Tan was rescued from Liu Miao's imprisonment!
Why did Yuan Tan not come to thank me, but instead went to thank Liu Miao?
Moreover, Liu Miao's idea of "frequently visiting home" was utter nonsense in Pang Ji's eyes!

Does that mean they consider Yuan Tan a family member?

That clearly treats Yuan Tan as a golden goose!

This time, they swindled 60,000 gold and 10,000 warhorses from Yuan Shao. Who knows how much more Liu Miao will swindle from Yuan Shao if Yuan Tan falls into Liu Miao's hands again?!
Previously, Pang Ji did not believe that there were people in this world who would "sell someone out and then help them count the money."

But now, Pang Ji has indeed witnessed Yuan Tan expressing his deepest gratitude to Liu Miao...

"Indeed, we shouldn't have supported the eldest son; the third son seems much smarter and more capable."

……

By handing Yuan Tan over to Pang Ji, Liu Miao had essentially completed his mission.

"Yuan Tu! Remember! Send it over as soon as possible!"

"Don't worry, General Liu. Since it's a promise, Lord Yuan won't go back on his word."

"I just love a straightforward person like Lord Yuan!"

"Remember! Gold! Warhorses! Government decrees! And the Sima!"

"..."

Gold and warhorses are not difficult for Yuan Shao, who now controls Hebei.

As for government orders, it's just a matter of a single sentence.

But the one "Sima" always left Pang Ji completely baffled.