Tiger Owl

Chapter 100 Negotiations on the Mountain
Xu Shu temporarily took over as the magistrate of Wan County. After two busy days, Wan County gradually settled down. That morning, Xu Shu led a caravan to Qianshan. In addition to grain, the dozens of carts also carried other supplies, such as salt, cured meat, tents, and cloth. Of course, there were not three thousand shi of grain; Xu Shu only took five hundred shi.

Zhao Yun's asking price was too high, completely outrageous. Moreover, Xu Shu hoped that Zhao Yun could become a member of Yuzhang Commandery, which would reduce the need for so much grain.

Xu Shu also had a guide named Yan Ping, who visited Zhao Yun's camp many times.

Xu Shu had the cart wait below, and he took two attendants with him as he followed Yan Ping up the mountain. After walking about two miles, Xu Shu saw the gate of the stockade. The gate was very crude, just two large doors made of wood haphazardly tied together, and there were no flags.

Xu Shu understood that Zhao Yun had no real intention of becoming an outlaw; he was only staying temporarily, which was why he hadn't deliberately built up a stronghold.

The village is located in a valley halfway up the mountain. The valley is wide and contains houses built of wood, as well as single-story houses made of stone, and many tents.

At this moment, a scholar came forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "My name is Tian Yu. I have been disrespectful to Military Advisor Xu!"

When Tian Yu saw Xu Shu's visiting card, he was surprised to find that Xu Shu was Gan Ning's deputy military advisor. He dared not be negligent and invited Xu Shu to the main tent. The two sat down as host and guest, and Tian Yu said with a smile, "Coming from Youzhou, I am really not used to the southern climate. It's a bit too humid."

Xu Shu smiled slightly and said, "The South is a bit humid, but it's not as bad as Mr. Tian said. I think the main problem is that you live in the wrong place. This is a mountainous area with fog all year round. How could it not be humid?"

Tian Yu sighed and said, "When we first arrived, we stayed in the county town, but we were not allowed to stay here, so we were forced to go up the mountain."

"Why?" Xu Shu asked.

Tian Yu sighed and said, "There are more than 300 of us in total. We don't want to be separated and hope to be arranged in one county. The county magistrate agreed, but on the condition that each person pay two strings of cash, which is more than 600 strings of cash. We only had more than 30 strings of cash in our entire possessions, so we went up the mountain in a fit of anger."

Xu Shu nodded and said, "The magistrate you encountered was appointed by Sun Ben. I am now concurrently serving as the magistrate of Wan County. If you are willing to come down the mountain, I can arrange for all of you to stay in Wan County."

Tian Yu laughed and said, "Is Military Advisor Xu trying to recruit us to come down the mountain?"

Xu Shu shook his head. "I've actually come to invite Mr. Tian and General Zhao to join Yuzhang County and work together on this great cause."

Tian Yu chuckled, "If I join Yuzhang County, what position will General Gan give me?"

“If Mr. Tian is willing to join, I am willing to give up my position as deputy strategist to Mr. Tian.”

Tian Yu was taken aback. "Military Advisor Xu is joking!"

Xu Shu shook his head. “I am just a scholar with a pale face. I have read a few military books but have no practical experience. General Gan has appointed me as his deputy strategist. Mr. Tian is an important strategist under Gongsun Zan and is far superior to me. General Gan advocates that talent should be the only criterion for promotion, regardless of rank. If Mr. Tian is willing to join us, I will definitely recommend you to General Gan to replace me.”

After a long pause, Tian Yu said, "You know me?"

Xu Shu nodded, "I have long admired the name of Mr. Guorang!"

In fact, Xu Shu had done his homework beforehand. He knew that Zhao Yun had a subordinate named Tian Yu, and he also knew that Tian Yu was one of Gongsun Zan's most important advisors.

Although it was homework done beforehand, it still moved Tian Yu deeply.

"Military Advisor Xu overestimates me. I am not that capable. It was our incompetence that led to Gongsun Zan's downfall. We are ministers who brought about the destruction of a nation."

Xu Shu shook his head. “If a warlord is eliminated, his subordinates become ministers of a fallen state. There are too many ministers of fallen states in the world. Gongsun Zan’s defeat is not your responsibility. It is because Gongsun Zan’s strength is inferior to Yuan Shao’s. Even a clever cook cannot cook without rice. No matter how capable you are, you cannot magically double your troops. Sir, you do not need to blame yourself. My lord, General Gan, has heard about your situation and is rushing to Lujiang. He has come to earnestly request your participation.”

Tian Yu nodded, "Thank you for your sincerity, Strategist Xu. Let us consider it!"

Xu Shu smiled and said, "I didn't come here today for Sun He. We have no interest in him whatsoever. We brought some supplies, not much, but it's a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it." Xu Shu took his leave and left. At this moment, Zhao Yun came out from behind the tent. He had been listening to their conversation the whole time.

"What do you think, sir?" Zhao Yun asked with a smile.

Tian Yu sighed and said, "If Gan Ning's subordinates were all like Xu Shu's, then it wouldn't be a mistake. I wasn't persuaded by him, but moved by his sincerity. He said he was willing to give me the position of deputy military advisor. I felt that he wasn't just putting on a show, but was very sincere."

Zhao Yun nodded. "Taishi Ci is a very proud person, and also someone who doesn't change easily. He switched his allegiance from Sun Ce to Gan Ning. I think Gan Ning must have some extraordinary qualities that make him worthy of his loyalty."

"What does the general mean?"

Zhao Yun pondered for a moment and said, "Let's take another look and learn more. We followed the wrong Gongsun Zan, and we don't want to make the same mistake a second time."

In the west of Wan County, Zhao Yun and Tian Yu, disguised as two merchants, arrived in the county town. The town had returned to peace and everything was in good order. The two went into a restaurant and sat down by the window on the second floor.

Before long, the bartender brought them food and drinks. Zhao Yun poured Tian Yu a full glass of wine and asked with a smile, "What can we see in the county town?"

Tian Yu smiled slightly and said, "One leaf can tell the coming of autumn. We can understand Gan Ning's future prospects from many details. For example, we can tell how Gan Ning's army behaves after entering the city by looking at the expressions of the people in the city and the doors of the shops."

"I can understand the expressions of the common people, but what's the meaning of staring at the shop doors?" Zhao Yun asked, puzzled.

Tian Yu smiled slightly and said, "When Gan Ning's army attacked the city, I believe all the shops were closed. The only way for the army to plunder the shops was to break down the doors. So we can tell whether the army has looted the shops by observing the shop doors."

Zhao Yun seemed to understand something, and quickly observed a silk shop across the street. The door was quite old, but it was in good condition and there were no signs of it being smashed.

"I see. It seems Gan Ning's army didn't loot the shops!"

At this moment, the waiter served them hot dishes, and Zhao Yun pointed to the silk shop across the street and laughed, "When the Yuzhang army entered the city, how come that shop was unharmed?"

The bartender laughed and said, "General Gan would never rob ordinary people. If we had known that it was General Gan's army that was coming, we would have opened the city gates to welcome them long ago."

Zhao Yun nodded, "I see. General Gan is indeed a benevolent and righteous ruler!"

"Of course! One-thirtieth of the taxes, no poll tax—who in the world could do that?"

Just then, someone outside suddenly shouted, "The mule is startled! The mule is startled! Get out of the way!"

Everyone quickly got up and looked out the window. They saw a mule pulling a cart running wildly down the street. On the cart, an elderly couple was tightly holding two young children, both terrified. Behind them, a man and a woman were shouting and chasing after the mule cart.

The bartender's face changed drastically. "Oh no, someone's going to die!"

Suddenly, Zhao Yun leaped out of the window and landed precisely on the back of the mule. He grabbed the mule by the mane on the back of its neck, raised his fist the size of a bowl, and smashed it twice into the mule's head.

The mule let out a mournful bray and instantly became docile, stopping its rampage. The surrounding crowd applauded, exclaiming, "What a brave warrior!"

The mule driver and his wife ran up and took the reins. Still shaken, they looked for their savior, but he had already disappeared.

(End of this chapter)