Tiger Owl

Chapter 227 Birds Choose Good Trees
Jiaozhou was often forgotten by the Central Plains because of its remote location. The population was sparse, and although the Han people were few in number, they were dominant. Politics, economy and farmland were all under the control of the Han people.

The Southern Yi people living in Jiaozhou were also divided into two categories. Based on their living environment, they were divided into Mountain Yi and Water Yi. However, according to the Han people's standards, they were divided into Raw Yi and Cooked Yi. Raw Yi were uncivilized tribes living in the high mountains and forests. They were not under the jurisdiction of the government and would not invade the Han people. They lived in peace with each other.

The Shu Yi were actually the Shui Yi, who migrated down from the mountains and lived by the water. They lived with the Han people for a long time and many of their habits were Sinicized. They made a living by fishing and farming, and their living conditions were naturally much better than those of the Shan Yi.

However, there are always gains and losses. Although the Yi people had better living conditions, they still had to pay taxes and perform labor like the Han people, and even serve as soldiers.

Even so, the Shuyi people would not return to the mountains. They gradually accepted their identity as subjects of the Han people, no longer sons of the mountains.

Although Jiaozhou has a small population, the power struggles there are no less intense than those in the Central Plains. The three major powers in Jiaozhou are engaged in open and covert struggles, and their various interests are intertwined, keeping them in a state of constant conflict without a complete breakdown.

However, this state of fighting without breaking was about to be broken when Zhang Jin, the governor of Jiaozhou, fell critically ill.

At this moment, Xu Jing arrived in Guangxin County, Cangwu Prefecture, as Gan Ning's plenipotentiary representative.

Xu Jing and Zhang Jin had a good relationship. Xu Jing had served as Zhang Jin's chief clerk and was deeply trusted by Zhang Jin. That's why Gan Ning sent Xu Jing as an envoy to Jiaozhou. On the one hand, it was to persuade Zhang Jin to surrender, and on the other hand, it was because of their personal friendship. Xu Jing also wanted to visit Zhang Jin, who was on his deathbed.

However, Xu Jing was unable to meet Zhang Jin. Zhang Jin was under the control of his two sons and refused to see anyone under the pretext of being seriously ill. Not only Xu Jing, but also the special envoys sent by Wu Ju and Shi Xie were not allowed to see him.

Zhang Jin had three sons. His youngest son had already passed away. His eldest son, Zhang Huan, and second son, Zhang Mao, had also fallen out over the right to inherit the throne. However, Zhang Jin's two sons were both mediocre and incapable of achieving great things. Seeing that Zhang Jin was nearing the end of his life, his high-ranking officials began to consider their own futures.

Xu Jing was staying in the VIP courtyard in Guangxin County. As night fell, his attendant reported at the door, "Reporting to the master, Li Jin, the Prefect of Jiaozhou, requests an audience!"

Li Jin was from Luoyang and served as an official in Nanhai Commandery for a long time. He rose step by step to become the governor of Nanhai Commandery. Later, he was appreciated by Zhang Jin and promoted to chief secretary. Zhang Jin did not have a military advisor, so the chief secretary was the second most important person in Jiaozhou. After Zhang Jin fell seriously ill, his two sons fought fiercely for military power and did not care about political power at all. Thus, the political power of Jiaozhou was basically in Li Jin's hands.

"Brother Li, it's been a long time!" Xu Jing greeted him with a fist and palm salute.

When Xu Jing first fled to Jiaozhou, he was in dire straits. His whole family was crammed into a thatched hut, and they often didn't know where their next meal would come from. It was thanks to Li Jin's care that they were provided with housing and food, and their family was able to have enough to eat and find a place to stay. Li Jin also recommended Xu Jing to Zhang Jin, and Xu Jing was always very grateful to Li Jin.

Xu Jing invited Li Jin into the room, and the two sat down as guests. In fact, Xu Jing had a vague feeling that Li Jin had come to see him with a purpose. He might want to pledge allegiance to the Marquis of Chu, but that was not necessarily the case. Perhaps Li Jin had come to spy on him.

The two sipped their tea leisurely, and Xu Jing asked, "What is the governor's condition now? Is it really impossible to let outsiders visit him?"

Li Jin sighed, "Well, the governor is indeed nearing his end. He doesn't even recognize me anymore, let alone you, so there's no point in you visiting him. But that's not the reason I won't let you visit him."

"Oh? What's the real reason?" Xu Jing asked calmly.

“It was Zhang Jin’s two sons who strictly forbade outsiders from visiting their father, not even me. I only learned about the governor’s situation through the doctor.”

"Weren't they said that the brothers were fighting fiercely?"

Li Jin sneered and said, "They are fighting fiercely, even sending assassins to kill each other. However, they are unusually united against a common enemy, Father. But I'm worried that once Zhang Jin dies, they will turn on each other and turn Guangxin City into a bloodbath. We've already sent our families outside the city." "Ah! I can't stay in the city any longer either."

"That's right, that's why I've come to inform you, my brother, to leave as soon as possible. Also, please tell your brother to quickly notify the Yuzhang Army to come to Guangxin County. Maybe they can stop this infighting and massacre."

Xu Jing immediately understood, and he looked at Li Jin with great interest.

Li Jin could only smile wryly and said, "We have intelligence spies in Shian County, and I am in charge of them. I knew that your tens of thousands of troops had entered Shian County. I just received a message by carrier pigeon that your army set off south yesterday. I just hope that your army can speed up and get to Guangxin County as soon as possible."

Xu Jing nodded, "If you are willing to serve the Marquis of Chu, I would be happy to recommend you!"

Li Jin sighed, “Birds choose good trees to perch on. I have long heard that the Marquis of Chu treats his people well. It is my great fortune to serve such a wise ruler. But on the other hand, I am the Chief Secretary. I absolutely do not want to see Guangxin County suffer from war, the people be slaughtered, and the women be violated. So I really hope that the Yuzhang Army can stop this tragedy that is about to happen.”

While Li Jin's reasons were valid, they were not the real reason he wanted to serve Gan Ning. Both Wu Ju and Shi Xie were local officials with plenty of trusted subordinates familiar with Jiaozhou. If he served them, he would not be given important positions, and Cao Cao would not even consider him.

After weighing the options, Li Jin realized that he could only gain the most by serving Gan Ning, since Gan Ning had no one else to rely on in Jiaozhou and would surely make good use of him.

Xu Jing thought for a moment and then asked, "How many troops are there in the city now?"

"The Jiaozhou army has 20,000 men. The two brothers each control 10,000 troops, and there are also 2,000 Cangwu militia troops."

"And what is the Cangwu Militia Army?"

"It's a local army, generally used to maintain public order and suppress troublesome barbarians. It's controlled by the government, and the military seal is currently in my hands."

Xu Jing was overjoyed. "Brother, could you let the militia take control of the north gate?"

Li Jin thought for a moment and said, "The four city gates are all in the hands of the Jiaozhou army, so it will be difficult for me to take them over. However, I can control the water gates."

"Then we'll make an agreement!"

Xu Jing immediately dispatched his men to rush north and notify Bu Zhi's army to quickly march south and seize the city.

..........
On the official road on the east bank of the Li River, 30,000 Western Chu soldiers were rapidly heading south. Although it was an official road, it was an uneven, muddy road. Each soldier led a donkey, and their weapons, armor, rations, and water gourds were all carried by the donkeys. The soldiers moved forward with ease.

This was the first time they had marched so easily; the donkeys were all strong and large, becoming a great help to the soldiers.

At this time, Bu Zhi had already received news from Xu Jing that internal strife was about to break out in Guangxin County. He ordered his troops to speed up and marched 30,000 men toward Guangxin County, which was 120 miles away.

(End of this chapter)