Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 105 Imperial Edict from the Governor (An extra 4k chapter was added because the reader value exceeded 10,000! Thank you!)

Two farmers clasped their hands in greeting to Xiahou Lan: "Manager, this gentleman has come seeking medical treatment."

Xiahou Lan sized up the scholar in the blue robe before him—his face was pale but his eyes were bright, his figure thin but his back straight, and he seemed to have a hidden ailment but no signs of weakness. He nodded slightly: "My name is Xiahou Lan, and I am the steward of this manor. Your timing is unfortunate. If it is a minor ailment, you may stay outside the manor for now, and we will inform you when the great physician comes to examine you. But if it is a serious ailment... there is no use for you staying in Peach Blossom Spring."

Xi Zhong was not annoyed by what he heard; instead, he smiled.

Ordinary villages are either heavily guarded against outsiders or oppress and exploit them, but the villagers here speak frankly and the manager is not arrogant, which shows the clarity and order under Zhang Zixu's rule.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, steward. I've been on the run all day. May I have a bowl of hot food?"

Xiahou Lan nodded and whispered to the two villagers, "Take him to the canteen. According to the old custom of the manor lord, he gets two cakes per meal. Don't give him any more than that."

"promise."

The two farmers bowed and then gestured to Xi Zhong, saying, "This way, please, sir."

With that, the two of them led Xi Zhong to the canteen next to the main hall.

Xi Zhong followed the villagers through the earthen houses and thatched huts, his gaze sweeping over the idyllic scene—

Although the houses were all made of earth and had thatched roofs, the roads were exceptionally wide and sturdy, as if they had been driven over many times.

'Trade has commenced, and on a considerable scale.'

Passing by a row of thatched huts, when someone came out of each house, they greeted me with a smile, unlike the indifferent attitude of other villagers.

'The village is well-off, or perhaps Zhang Zixu's rent is low; otherwise, the residents here wouldn't have such rosy complexions.'

"To know what you know, and to know what you don't know, that is true knowledge."

As you turn the corner, in front of a thatched cottage, four or five children are reciting from a book made of different materials but held up a wooden tablet.

'Paper? Even ordinary children can be taught to read?' Xi Zhong was secretly surprised and tentatively asked, 'Are all the children in the manor literate?'

The two farmers' expressions changed slightly upon seeing this, and they shouted to the children, "What are you doing out in the dead of winter? Go back inside!"

"It's dark inside!"

"go back!"

"Oh."

Several children entered the house looking aggrieved.

The two then led the way, saying, "This way, sir."

Xi Zhong smiled and said, "Since you two are so nervous, that item must be very precious here, right?"

The two farmers remained unfazed: "If you're going to treat someone, then treat them; if you're going to eat, then eat. But some things you say carelessly will bring divine retribution."

'It's also quite ferocious; it's rather contradictory.'

Xi Zhong stepped forward and continued to ask, "Just now I saw those children reciting the classics; do they all know how to read?"

He could tell from their attire that the children came from ordinary families, but it was extremely rare for children from ordinary families to speak the words of sages.

The two farmers ignored him and instead led him to the entrance of the canteen, calling out to him.

"Sister-in-law, get some food. A traveler has arrived."

"Alright, come in and have a seat."

A response came from inside.

Xi Zhong looked around curiously and followed the two villagers inside.

The square table and long benches are completely different from the kneeling couches or straw mats found elsewhere.

Once seated, aside from a slightly chilly feeling between the groin and the floor, this thing was actually quite comfortable to sit on.

When the man was brought there, the two farmers exchanged a glance, and one of them chose to stay and watch over him.

Treating travelers and those seeking medical help with kindness was a habit passed down from the time of the manor lord, and of course, being vigilant in guarding them was also a tradition.

Before long, Xi Zhong saw a woman carrying a bowl of hot porridge and several naan breads over.

"Young man, eat it while it's hot. Ask me for more if you're not full."

"Oh, thank you, sister-in-law."

Xi Zhong responded and, following local custom, addressed her as "sister-in-law."

The woman didn't answer, she just smiled and went out again.

The canteen is small, with seven or eight square tables, and only Xi Zhong is there at the moment.

He was a little hungry, so he picked up the bowl of porridge and took a sip. Mmm, it tasted sweet and thick, so thick it made his mouth water.

He quickly finished a bowl of porridge and put the few naan breads beside him into his pocket.

He couldn't eat anymore. He didn't have a big appetite to begin with, and this bowl of thick porridge almost made him feel bloated.

"Have you finished eating?"

The farmer leaning against the door saw Xi Zhong put down his bowl and chopsticks and came forward to ask.

The latter nodded and smiled: "Thank you for the hospitality."

Farmer: "That's just what the master instructed. Now that you've finished eating, please leave Peach Blossom Spring for the time being. We'll keep an eye on the matter of the great physician for you. If you rent a place nearby, just leave your address."

Xi Zhong smiled, stood up and waved his hand: "No need. I came here just to see this paradise. Now that I have seen it, Mr. Zixu's reputation is indeed well-deserved."

He cupped his hands in greeting: "My name is Xi Zhong, also known as Xi Zhicai. I have been recommended to go to Lüshi to serve Mr. Zixu."

The farmer was taken aback, then asked, "Do you have any proof?"

Xi Zhong took out the silk letter and Xun Yu's letter of recommendation and handed them over.

The latter took it, left a "wait a moment" and hurriedly left.

About fifteen minutes later, Xiahou Lan arrived again in a hurry.

"Why didn't you speak up sooner? Were you perhaps toying with me?"

Xi Zhong stood up, cupped his hands in apology, and said, "I only wanted to see Mr. Zixu's deeds first, but now that I have seen him, he is indeed a benevolent ruler."

Xiahou Lan nodded: "Don't do that again. We almost mistook you for a spy. If you had done something wrong, we would have killed you on the spot."

Xi Zhong was stunned. "Really? Do you guys act this cruelly here?"
"Think it's a joke?" Xiahou Lan looked at him with amusement, but didn't explain. She simply said, "You'll find out when you go to my lord's place."

With that, he returned the silk letter and the letter of recommendation.

Xi Zhong took the document and asked with a smile, "If I were truly a spy, would you really kill me?"

Xiahou Lan, with his hand on his knife, sneered: "Peach Blossom Spring's rule—anyone suspicious, kill!"

The murderous smile made Xi Zhong's face turn pale.

"Stay in Taoyuan tonight, and I will arrange for someone to escort you to Luchi tomorrow."

Knowing that he had not been joking, Xi Zhong also put away his smile and bowed, saying, "I will go by myself; I have already arranged a caravan."

Xiahou Lan shook his head: "It's not safe. The bandits in the Well Pass are dangerous, and the Black Mountain bandits have also been showing up recently. Crossing the Well Pass now is not as safe as it used to be."

Xi Zhong frowned: "Why at this time?"

Xiahou Lan replied, "Perhaps their source of income has been cut off."

Xi Zhong was intelligent and understood the meaning in just a few words. Combining this with what was said in the silk letter, he immediately realized: "The Black Mountain bandits are also one of the buyers of the powerful Lu Si?"

"I don't know about that. If Mr. Zhicai arrives in Lüqi, you must ask the lord for me."

As he spoke, he gestured, "I will take you to my lodgings, sir."

Xi Zhong cupped his hands in greeting: "Thank you for your trouble."

He was willing to listen to advice; since that's what people said, he might as well accept it.

As the two walked out of the cafeteria, Xi Zhong asked curiously, "Those two gentlemen were unwilling to reveal the answer before. I wonder if Brother Xiahou would be willing to clear things up for me?"

"You ask."

"Just now I saw several mischievous children holding something and reciting the teachings of the sages. May I ask if this thing is paper?"

Xiahou turned to look at Xi Zhong: "Ask the lord."

"How could it have fallen into the hands of a naughty child? It is such a treasure."

"Ask the lord."

"If a mischievous child can recite, does that mean he has begun his education?"

"Ask the lord."

"Mr. Zixu studies even ordinary children, doesn't he?"

"Ask the lord."

"Brother Xiahou is truly boring." "You ask the lord, you certainly have too much to say."

The two arrived at a thatched hut. Xiahou Lan pushed open the door and said, "Let's stay here tonight. Also, let me remind you, sir, you are only recommended at the moment. It is still undecided whether my lord will recruit you. This is a place of Peach Blossom Spring, so ask less questions. It will be beneficial for you, me, and my lord."

After saying that, he gestured with his hand, indicating that Xi Zhong could go in.

The latter's smile widened, and he stopped asking questions as before. He walked among them, but turned around at the door and said, "Please take good care of my old horse, Brother Xiahou. It is one of my few remaining possessions."

"rest assured."

Xiahou Lan nodded, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and turned around.

As soon as the door closed, Xi Zhong's smile widened.

"Ahem..." Xi Zhong coughed softly, covering his mouth, but his eyes burned with fervor. "Zhang Zixu, are you truly a benevolent and wise ruler, or..."
-
"My lord, it's windy here, please put on another robe."

Standing atop the city wall, Zhang Xian rested one hand on the parapet, gazing into the distance.

Behind him, Huang Zhong took a cloak and draped it over his shoulders.

Why did Ding Jianyang send this letter at this time?

Zhang Xian didn't turn around, but just kept asking himself the question.

As dusk fell, a letter from Yanmen County disrupted his mood for handling official business.

The letter was from Ding Yuan, and its purpose was to invite him to visit Yanmen County.

The reasoning is impeccable. Although one should pay homage to Zhang Xian by paying homage to the magistrate of Jinyang, Ding Yuan, as the governor of Bingzhou, certainly had the right to do so.

"Does this person have ill intentions?" Huang Zhong asked tentatively.

Zhang Xian glanced at him sideways, then looked towards Yanmen: "We are the ones who have come!"

"Why hasn't Gongzhi returned yet?"

Feeling a bit annoyed, Zhang Xian pounded on the snow piled up on the parapet.

"The water forging workshop and the steel frying furnace are important matters, and you must personally take charge of them."

"Shouldn't you go and call him back?"

"Never mind," Zhang Xian sighed.

Lately, he's been troubling Han Ji more and more, and he's starting to feel a little embarrassed.

"This matter is most likely the work of Jinyang, otherwise I can't understand why Ding Jianyang would summon me at this time!"

"But, the fact that Ding Jianyang took action means that the person's identity is no longer a mystery; he is most likely from the Wang family of Taiyuan."

"The Wang family of Taiyuan who took office as the governor of Bingzhou?" Huang Zhong asked.

Zhang Xian nodded: "Having made contact with the Ten Attendants, Wang Rou has entered Luoyang and is currently moving around trying to become a court official."

"I knew it had been ten days or half a month and those people hadn't made any moves. Turns out they have something more important to do right now!"

"Ding Jianyang summoned me over, most likely not with good intentions."

"Do we still want to go?" Huang Zhong asked again.

“Go! Why not go? He wants to show me his fists, and I want to show him mine too. If I can land a good punch, we'll have far fewer problems in the future.”

"At least it will be a public meeting!"

"Should we lead troops there?" Huang Zhong stroked his scabbard, his fighting spirit rising.

Zhang Xian nodded and patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be belligerent yet, you stay this time."

“My Lord!!”

Zhong Da Ji.

But Zhang Xian remained unmoved and instead explained, "Hansheng."

"My lord, please don't say that. Whenever you use that tone, nothing easy is sure to happen!"

Huang Zhong shuddered and quickly took two or three steps back.

"Is it so scary?"

Zhang Xian looked at his palm.

Huang Zhong nodded hastily: "Every time you used this tone with Gongzhi before, he couldn't sleep for days and nights."

Zhang Xian laughed, but he was angry.

"Slander! Utter slander! That was just me being fair and conscientious! How can you blame me!"

“However,” he said solemnly, looking at Huang Zhong, “this matter cannot be left to Hansheng alone.”

"Please give the order, my lord!"

It was just a few jokes; Huang Zhong was not a timid person.

Zhang Xian tightened his cloak and pointed to Yanmen: "Ding Jianyang called me a knife in the open."

Then he pointed to Jinyang: "Over there, that's where the real threat lies, but they have more important things to do right now and don't have time to deal with us."

"But he ignores us, yet we still want to go and cause him trouble."

"Haven't the Black Mountain bandits been appearing frequently in Jingxing Road lately?"

"Hansheng, I plan to have you use the name of the Black Mountain Bandits to cause trouble in Jinyang. Since they are too busy to care about anything else, let's make them even more too busy to care about anything else!"

A flash of understanding crossed Huang Zhong's eyes, and he clasped his hands in a salute: "Your subordinate obeys!"

He then lowered his hands and asked, "So, my lord, are you planning to take A-Yun with you on your trip to Yanmen this time?"

Zhang Xian nodded: "Speed ​​is of the essence in war. I will only take fifty cavalrymen with me, which will allow for more flexibility in advancing and retreating."

"Hansheng, your experience is invaluable, making you the most suitable person to stay and guard Luqi. In addition, your archery skills are exceptional, making it easier for you to raid Jinyang."

"Zhongzhi will make that old scoundrel Wang suffer a splitting headache!"

"Yes, but Hansheng, remember to prioritize your own safety. If things don't go well, then wait for me to return and personally confront that old bastard!"

After saying this, he went down the city wall and returned to the county government office.

"Shi Lin Na"

"County Lord".

Gu Yu, who was talking to a clerk, heard Zhang Xian's call and quickly got up.

The clerk bowed once and then took his leave.

"Shi Lin, I have a task for you to handle."

"The county magistrate gave the order."

"Tomorrow I will give you ten jars of Cold Pool Incense, and you can go and pay a visit to Prefect Wang on my behalf."

Gu Yu asked in confusion, "That county magistrate..."

Zhang Xian smiled and said, "Oh, look at this." He then took out Ding Yuan's silk letter and handed it over.

"Unfortunately, it just so happens that the governor is holding a meeting, so I have to go to Yanmen first."

"I see, what a coincidence." Gu Yu nodded secretly after reading the letter, then cupped his hands and handed it back.

"Then I will make the trip to Jinyang on behalf of the county magistrate."

Zhang Xian was pleased: "Shi Lin is very kind."

After saying that, he patted Gu Yu on the shoulder and went back to the inner courtyard.

The next day.

Zhang Xian summoned Zhao Yun and his fifty Peach Blossom Origin cavalry, who each donned armor and waited outside the city.

Early in the morning, Gu Yu also took the gifts he had prepared and summoned a group of Gu family servants to head to Jinyang.

At the city gate, Zhang Xian, holding a halberd on horseback, smiled at Huang Zhong and Han Ji, who were seeing him off as they left the city.

"Now that you have arrived, Hansheng, this Luqi County is now in your hands."

Both men bowed deeply and said, "We will certainly not fail our lord's trust."

"Yes, go back. It's freezing cold, don't hurt yourself."

He pulled on the reins, and the black horse shifted its weight in small, quick movements, turning itself around.

Then, spurring his horse, he shouted, "Commander! Keep up!"

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)