I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 241 Saving Cai Wenji

After making his final arrangements in Jingzhou, Liu Miao also planned to return to Jiangdong.

Zhang Xiu was left to garrison Xinye to defend against the north.

Zhou Yu was then appointed as the Prefect of Nan Commandery, in charge of all military affairs in Jingzhou.

Taishi Ci was appointed as the governor of Jiangxia, controlling key routes and stationed in the central government.

Then, four veteran generals, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Zhu Zhi, were stationed in the four counties of Jingnan to deter some local scoundrels.

As for the administration of Jingzhou, Liu Miao originally intended to hand it over to Yi Ji.

However, after listening to Liu Miao's words, Yi Ji insisted on going south to find the immortal herb, leaving Liu Miao with no choice but to look for another capable person.

In fact, there are many talented people in Jingzhou today.

Such as Li Yan, Pan Jun, Lai Gong...

During Liu Miao's time in Jingzhou, these people all demonstrated sufficient talent and were fully capable of being entrusted with Jingzhou.

However, these people were not as innocent as Yi Ji, so Liu Miao still hesitated.

However, after receiving a letter from Jiangdong, Liu Miao was immediately relieved.

"Therefore, Jingzhou is entirely entrusted to Yuan Tan!"

It was Gu Yong's self-recommendation from Jiangdong that made Liu Miao change his mind.

In terms of understanding government policies, Gu Yong was the true mastermind who gradually formalized the makeshift organization in Jiangdong.

As for ability, Gu Yong and Liu Miao went through the process of building something from scratch in Jiangdong together, and his already outstanding abilities were honed to the point that they became even more shrewd!
Liu Miao then waited in Xiangyang for a few more days, waiting for Gu Yong to arrive.

When Gu Yong arrived, he was accompanied by his left and right clerks.

Bu Zhi and Yan Jun.

Both men were from Xuzhou and ended up in Jiangdong. They were later discovered, recommended, and recruited by Gu Yong, and they are the talented individuals that Gu Yong is going to recommend to Liu Miao this time.

Liu Miao asked the two men some questions, and when he heard that they answered fluently, he said to Gu Yong with satisfaction, "With people like these around, I shouldn't have to worry about Jingzhou anymore, right?"

Gu Yong nodded and asked Liu Miao what else he should pay attention to in Jingzhou.

"Everything remains the same as in Jiangdong."

"It was nothing more than setting up three chiefs, implementing equal land distribution, and establishing a military government."

“Some people have already submitted their credentials to me and paid me a visit. If any of them are capable, I have already granted them official positions. If Yuan Tan is still not at ease, he can test them again.”

Gu Yong shook his head: "I have never seen anyone with a better eye for talent than our lord. Since our lord values ​​these people, then I have no reason to question them."

"That won't work!"

Liu Miao was dissatisfied.

"Many people are two-faced. They may appear virtuous and capable in front of me, but they might not appear the same in front of Yuan Tan. If Yuan Tan assumes that this person was recommended by me and therefore doesn't conduct an assessment, then many problems may arise!"

After hearing Liu Miao's words, Gu Yong sighed, "Our lord trusts me more than he trusts himself! In that case, I have nothing more to say!"

Liu Miao nodded and then led Gu Yong to the Wenchangmen Academy and the market where books were sold.

"Xiangyang is different from other places. It is located at the very center of Guanzhong, Shu, Jiangdong and the Central Plains, so it is a place where all sorts of people mingle."

Liu Miao then told Gu Yong about Chen Yu's previous dealings with those great Confucian scholars from Jingzhou.

"Therefore, Yuan Tan should be more lenient here, and be more tolerant even when he hears things that seem unorthodox."

Gu Yong understood what Liu Miao meant.

"Does our lord intend to turn Xiangyang into the Linzi of the Warring States period?"

Linzi was the capital of the State of Qi.

King Wei and King Xuan of Qi established the Jixia Academy here, fostering an atmosphere of "discussion without governance," attracting scholars from various schools of thought to lecture and discuss politics, thus forming an academic center for the contention of a hundred schools of thought. The Jixia Academy at that time not only attracted great talents such as Mencius, Chunyu Kun, Zou Yan, Tian Pian, Shen Dao, Shen Buhai, and Xun Kuang, but also facilitated the emergence of works such as the *Huangdi Sijing*, *Guanzi*, *Yanzi Chunqiu*, and *Sima Fa*, making it arguably the most brilliant and dazzling pearl of the Hundred Schools of Thought period!
Therefore, Gu Yong immediately guessed Liu Miao's intention, and Liu Miao nodded directly without denying it.

"Xiangyang's location is exceptionally advantageous, making it easy for scholars and Confucian masters from other places to come here."

"And when they're not under my watchful eye, they'll say whatever they want, instead of becoming timid and hesitant out of fear of me."

After settling things in Jingzhou, Liu Miao turned to Gu Yong and said, "I've said everything. Now it's time for Yuan Tan to tell me as well."

"What does my lord wish to hear?"

"You've always been steady and quiet by nature, how could you suddenly write a letter saying you want to take charge of Jingzhou?"

Liu Miao laughed and said, "What? Could it be that Lord Zhang has bullied you? You can't stay in Jiangdong anymore, so you want to come to Jingzhou to avoid the storm?"

"What are you saying, my lord?"

Although Gu Yong and Zhang Zhao jointly presided over the administration of Jiangdong, their contrasting personalities—one gentle and the other firm—made them seem to complement each other rather than being as incompatible as one might imagine.

"I came here simply because..."

Gu Yong hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

"Does my lord know who my teacher is?"

"Cai Yong! I know him!"

Gu Yong nodded.

"When I heard that the lord had actually found Wang Chong's 'Lunheng', I thought of something my teacher did."

"When my teacher saw the book *Lunheng*, he treasured it greatly and secretly took it home. His friend in the north noticed that his learning had suddenly improved greatly after returning from Jiangdong and guessed that he might have obtained a rare book, so he went to look for him. Sure enough, he found the book *Lunheng* in a hidden place in his tent, and took a few volumes and left. My teacher, Yu, hurriedly instructed him: 'This book can only be read by you and me, and you must never circulate it to others.' His friend, after reading it, also exclaimed, 'It is truly a rare book!'"

"The book 'Lunheng' was highly regarded by my teacher. Unfortunately, he was unjustly killed by Wang Yun before he had time to annotate and organize it... The reason I volunteered to come to Jingzhou was to fulfill my teacher's unfinished wish."

Gu Yong always had this cold face, no matter who he was facing.

Even the lawless Zhou Tai would feel intimidated when he saw Gu Yong and dare not be too unruly at the banquet.

But today, when Gu Yong mentioned Cai Yong, a shy smile appeared on his lips, just like a studious and eager student, extremely well-behaved.

This was the first time Liu Miao had ever seen Gu Yong with such an expression.

"I see. Cai Yong was clearly loyal to the country, but in the end he was killed by Wang Yun, who was also loyal to the country. That's why Yuan Tan couldn't find peace in his heart, right?"

Gu Yong's face also showed sadness: "Unfortunately, this is all I can do for my master..."

Liu Miao pondered for a moment, then finally asked Gu Yong, "I heard that Cai Yong's eldest daughter, Cai Yan, was previously captured and taken to the Xiongnu?"

Gu Yong's body trembled, and the next moment, tears of sorrow streamed down his face.

"Senior sister, she really is..."

"Leave it to me!"

Gu Yong looked up in surprise.

Liu Miao said, "Now that I have trade relations with Hebei, and Yuan Shao has always had a good relationship with the Xiongnu, I might be able to find a way to ransom her."

"At worst, we can bribe Xu You more... Damn! That old bastard is really ruthless! Doesn't he fear Yuan Shao finding out about that thing?"

With reddened eyes, Gu Yong bowed to Liu Miao: "If my lord can truly bring my teacher's daughter back to Han territory, then I, then I..."

Gu Yong, who is usually quick-witted, was speechless at this moment.

Liu Miao laughed heartily and patted Gu Yong's back heavily without a care in the world: "Who told me to be so fond of beautiful women? Hahaha!"

"Don't worry, Yuan Tan, I will definitely get this done for you!"

(End of this chapter)