Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 148 Wang Zuo’s talent!

The next day.

Xun Yu, accompanied only by one attendant and a few guards, rode in a simple oxcart with a green canopy, along the Jinyang Road, which had just been cleansed of iron and fire, and arrived at a quiet and simple thatched cottage nestled against the mountains and by the water outside the city.

Smoke curled from the thatched cottage, and several clear bird and animal footprints marked the ground in front of the door, giving it an air of seclusion.

Xun Yu alighted from the carriage, straightened his clothes, and looked solemn and respectful.

He did not knock on the door directly, but walked to a short distance in front of the hut and bowed deeply to the tightly closed wooden door: "Xun Yu of Yingchuan, I have come to pay my respects to Your Highness."

A moment later, the wooden door creaked open, and an elderly man with white hair and beard, yet full of vigor, appeared at the door. It was Wang Lie.

His gaze was calm, yet held a hint of scrutiny and detachment: "Xun Wenruo? The prodigy of the Xun family of Yingchuan, renowned throughout the capital, why have you come to visit this old man from the mountains?"

Xun Yu bowed again: "I have heard that the Prince is a distinguished student of Mr. Guo Linzong, a man of profound learning and noble character who has secluded himself here and brought blessings to his hometown."

Although Yu was in Yingchuan, he longed for it. Now, following the governor to Taiyuan, he witnessed the devastation after the chaos and the need for reconstruction. He felt an even greater thirst for education and guidance.

Considering that Prince Wang is a respected figure among the scholars of Bingzhou, I have taken the liberty of coming to seek your guidance.

He adopted an extremely humble posture, starting by asking for guidance rather than seeking appointment.

"Ah, my humble abode is simple, please come in."

Wang Lie sighed and let Xun Yu go inside.

The thatched cottage was furnished very simply, with only shelves full of books.

Xun Yu sat down and, without exchanging pleasantries, directly took a scroll of bamboo slips from his attendant.

"Please take a look, Your Highness. This is a recent statistic from the prefecture. After the downfall of the Wang family, nine out of ten county schools and village academies in Jinyang and even Taiyuan Prefecture have ceased operations. Scholars are in a state of panic, and classic texts have been lost."

Even worse, some ignorant villagers, either due to poverty or because they had long been misled by the Wang family, went so far as to destroy the wooden tablets of their ancestors and burn scriptures for warmth!

Xun Yu spoke with a heavy heart, his gaze fixed intently on Wang Lie.

“Whenever Yu thinks of this, he is heartbroken! Education is the foundation of a nation and the basis of people’s hearts. In Bingzhou, where the Han and Hu people live together on the border, if education does not flourish and rites and music collapse, people’s hearts will be scattered. How can we consolidate our foundation? How can we defend against the barbarians? If this continues, I fear it will not only be a disaster for one prefecture, but a great calamity for the northern frontier!”

Wang Lie took the bamboo slips and silently read them. His usually calm face finally revealed deep worry and sorrow.

He dedicated his life to education, and what he could not bear to see most was the loss of cultural traditions and the decline of civility.

Seeing that he was moved, Xun Yu continued, "Lord Zhang Xian, although he came from a military background, knows the importance of education. His execution of the Wang family was not for personal gain, but because the Wang family had colluded with the enemy, betrayed the country, caused chaos in the region, and blocked the path of the virtuous. They had reached a point where they were aroused by both gods and men and the border was in danger!"

The governor often said: "To pacify Bingzhou, one must first win the hearts of the people; to win the hearts of the people, one must first promote education and moral guidance."

Therefore, upon taking control of Jinyang, he resolved to rebuild the cultural and educational system, but lacked a virtuous leader to oversee it, and deeply feared that improper measures would cause immeasurable harm.

"Your Excellency has long admired the noble name of the Prince, and knows that you are the successor of Mr. Lin Zong, whose virtue and talent are enough to win the hearts of the people."

Therefore, Yu was ordered to take his personal letter and a recommendation to the court, earnestly requesting that the prince come out of seclusion to take charge of education in Taiyuan Prefecture, and serve as a model for all in charge of culture and education.

Xun Yu solemnly presented Zhang Xian's handwritten letter and a copy of his earnest recommendation letter requesting the honorary title of "Grand Master of the Palace" for him.

The magistrate said: "The position of Prefectural Assistant is vacant and awaits your approval. If the prince agrees to any policy of education, the prefectural government will give its full support without any hindrance."

"May Your Highness cherish the memory of the millions of people and countless students in Bingzhou, and rekindle the flame of culture in Jinyang!"

Xun Yu, with great emotion and eloquence, bowed his head and presented the letter of recommendation.

After reading the letter and the recommendation, Wang Lie sighed and said, "I already know Wenruo's intentions, and I have also heard about Magistrate Zhang's efforts to eliminate evil, maintain order, and reform the bureaucracy."

However, I am old and have long since withdrawn from the world, and I fear I am no longer fit for official duties. Moreover, the court is turbulent and not a place of tranquility.

Xun Yu immediately said, “Your Excellency is wise. The Prefect knows that your ambition lies in education and that you have no intention of drifting in the officialdom. Therefore, in your recommendation, you specially requested the honorary title of ‘Grand Master of the Palace’. This title is prestigious and respectful, but it has no specific duties. It is only a sign of the court’s respect.”

The appointment of Prince as Prefectural Assistant, responsible for education and civility, is a matter concerning the entire Bingzhou region, far removed from the conflicts of Luoyang. The Prefect has promised that within the prefecture, any matter concerning education and culture can be decided with a single word from Prince, and the Prefect and all officials of the prefecture will do their utmost to cooperate and will never interfere.

The prince only needs to remain in Jinyang to oversee the overall situation, formulate regulations, and supervise their implementation; the specific administrative tasks will be handled by his subordinates.

Xun Yu bowed deeply at the end.

"Yu also knows that it is difficult to ask someone to do something difficult, but the culture and education in Bingzhou has reached a critical point of survival. Only the great virtue and talent of the princes can save this turbulent situation!"

I earnestly hope that Your Highness will consider Mr. Guo Linzong's teaching of "taking the world as one's own responsibility," the fervent yearning of the students of Bingzhou for a wise teacher, and the plight of the people of this land, suffering from fire and water, who urgently need education and nourishment… Please reconsider!

Wang Lie stared blankly at the clear sky outside the window, then looked at the heavy letter of recommendation and Zhang Xian's handwritten letter in his hand, and recalled Xun Yu's description of the chaos and blueprint. He remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of vicissitude, yet unwavering: "Wenruo, please return. Tell Magistrate Zhang that I... am willing to dedicate my remaining years to the education and culture of Bingzhou."

"The king's righteousness is truly admirable!"

After bidding farewell to Wang Lie, Xun Yu returned to Jinyang without stopping.

The county school building in the city was somewhat dilapidated. It was not class time, so the building was rather deserted. After being announced by a servant, Xun Yu was led into a study filled with bamboo slips and simply furnished.

Chen Ji (courtesy name Yuanfang) was hunched over his desk organizing tattered books. He looked to be in his thirties, with the uprightness of a scholar and a hint of melancholy suppressed by reality between his brows.

Upon seeing Xun Yu, a hint of surprise and complexity flashed in his eyes.

Xun Yu cupped his hands, his smile gentle: "Brother Yuanfang, it's been a long time since we parted in Yingchuan. I apologize for the intrusion of Wenruo."

Chen Ji returned the greeting, his tone indifferent yet distant: "Brother Wenruo, now that you are Zhang Shijun's right-hand man, you are busy with countless affairs every day. How could you have time to come to this humble abode?"

The words implied a lack of understanding and even a hint of disdain for Xun Yu's decision to "serve a military man".

Xun Yu didn't take it to heart. He looked around at the scattered books and dilapidated walls and sighed.

“Brother Yuanfang is the adopted son of Duke Chen Taiqiu. He has a family tradition of learning and profound talent. Yet he is relegated to the position of Doctor of the County School, spending his days with these broken books and leaky houses. Seeing this, I feel indignant for you and even more sorry for the students of Jinyang!”

Xun Yu's expression turned serious: "Brother Yuanfang, do you know how much funding this county school, and even the entire Taiyuan prefectural school, used to receive? It was all embezzled by the Wang family and their cronies! Seven or eight out of ten of the students' tuition fees, repair costs, and tuition fees went into their own pockets!"

Even worse, the Wang family's children and their cronies, who are utterly ignorant and incompetent, are able to occupy school places, squeezing out the path for students from poor families to advance! This is not just your personal predicament, but a chronic disease of education in Bingzhou, a disgrace to the scholarly community!

"After Zhang executed the Wang family, he confiscated their property and ordered that a portion of it be allocated to the county schools, specifically for repairing buildings, purchasing books, and supporting impoverished students!"

Chen Ji's eyes flickered slightly, but he remained composed: "Prefect Zhang's decisive actions are admirable. However, reforming the administration and improving education are not tasks that can be accomplished overnight, and I'm afraid it's beyond the comprehension of a mere military man."

Xun Yu was waiting for this very sentence! He immediately said seriously, "Brother Yuanfang, you are mistaken! Although Prefect Zhang comes from a military background, he knows very well that a clean and efficient government and a flourishing culture and education are the foundation for long-term stability and security in a region!"

Therefore, immediately after pacifying Jinyang, the "Judicial Office" was established to uphold the law and discipline, and there was a greater desire to seek out talented individuals to rectify academic affairs, eliminate long-standing malpractices, and promote truly capable people!

Xun Yu looked directly at Chen Ji with sharp eyes: "Brother Yuanfang has a profound family learning, keen insight, and has also gained experience in local areas, so he is well aware of the deep-seated problems."

Xun Yu produced Zhang Xian's handwritten letter and a copy of the memorial recommending him as "Clerk of Taiyuan Commandery." "The magistrate is well aware of Brother Yuanfang's talent and even more respects Chen Taiqiu's 'gentlemanly conduct'! Therefore, he specially ordered me to bring this letter and the recommendation to you."

The magistrate said, 'The position of Gongcao (功曹) is responsible for the selection and evaluation of officials in the prefecture, and is the very foundation of the prefectural government! Only someone as upright, honest, and discerning as Chen Yuanfang can be entrusted with this post!'

The magistrate intends to entrust you with the weighty responsibility of the Chief Clerk, to rectify official corruption, clean up the long-standing abuses in the school system, and rebuild the system for selecting officials! This will ensure that those from humble backgrounds have a path to success, and that corruption has nowhere to hide!

Xun Yu spoke with great enthusiasm: "Brother Yuanfang! In the past, when Lord Taiqiu was in his hometown, he was able to guide people to do good, and made the 'gentlemen on the roof beam' feel ashamed and retreat."

"Now, Bingzhou is corrupt and its officials are incompetent, and its education is neglected. It is precisely in your brother's presence that we need to carry on our father's legacy, uphold the law, and cleanse the people of Bingzhou of its filth, creating a peaceful and prosperous world! You are from a distinguished family and bear the hopes of the nation; how can you sit idly by and watch it decline, keeping yourself in this humble abode?"

Xun Yu lowered his voice, his tone earnest: "I am unworthy, but I know that empty talk harms the country. Prefect Zhang has the ambition to bring peace to Bingzhou, the courage to eliminate violence and bring order, and, more importantly, the heart to rectify officialdom and revitalize education! Such an enlightened ruler, such a golden opportunity, how can you, Brother Yuanfang, let it slip away? The youths of Yingchuan should be the first in the world to seize it!"

Chen Ji gripped the letter of recommendation tightly, his knuckles turning white. Xun Yu's words struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

The father's good reputation, his own ambitions, the dilapidated school before him, the huge power vacuum and opportunity for reform after the downfall of the Wang family... all sorts of thoughts collided fiercely.

He suddenly raised his head, the suppressed resentment in his eyes replaced by a sharp and resolute look. He spoke to Xun Yu, and also to the void, with unwavering conviction: "Good! Xun Wenruo, you win! The clerk of the rank of Gongcao has been appointed!"

After receiving Chen Ji's accurate reply, Xun Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Brother Yuanfang, you are truly righteous!"

Inside the study of the Prefect of Jinyang's residence, Zhang Xian, dressed in a white robe, leaned over a large rosewood desk, his brows furrowed deeply. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows in the depths of his tired yet sharp eyes, illuminating the mountain of documents piled on the desk.

His finger traced an open bamboo scroll, on which was an urgent report sent by Lü Si Han Ji: the ironworks of the Jia Si Camp were operating at full capacity, and five hundred sets of new armor, a thousand newly made ring-pommel swords, and more than a thousand spearheads had been put into storage. However, there was a shortage of manpower for mining iron ore, and the pig iron reserves were now running low and needed to be allocated immediately.

He picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote in the blank space next to the bamboo slip: "Quickly transfer 1,000 shi of pig iron confiscated by the Wang family, and instruct Han Ji to personally inspect and receive it."

The handwriting is vigorous and powerful, penetrating the simple back.

He had just put down his pen when he picked up another scroll.

This is a secret report sent back by Gu Yu's spies, concerning the movements of the powerful clans in Taiyuan.

“Zhang Yu of Yangqu has closed his doors to guests, but his trusted steward frequently visits the taverns in the west of the city and holds secret meetings with several grain merchants from Qixian and Yuxian. It is suspected that he is colluding to resist taxes or hoarding grain for speculation.” Zhang Xian tapped the words “hoarding grain for speculation” heavily with his fingertip, making a soft tapping sound, and his eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Lord."

Xun Yu's voice rang out at the door, carrying a hint of weariness from his journey, yet also a sense of relief.

Zhang Xian looked up and saw Xun Yu lift the curtain and enter. Although his face showed signs of fatigue from his journey, his gentle and refined eyes shone with the light of success.

"Wenruo is back? You must be tired." Zhang Xian put down the bamboo scroll in his hand, leaned forward slightly, and asked inquiringly, "How is she?"

Xun Yu walked to the table, bowed deeply, and a sincere smile appeared on his face: "I have not failed you! Both the Prince and Brother Yuanfang have agreed to come out of seclusion!"

"Oh?" A look of satisfaction flashed in Zhang Xian's eyes. He stood up and took Xun Yu's arm to encourage him.

"Excellent! Wenruo deserves the greatest credit!"

This is indeed good news.

Wang Lie was highly respected and could reassure the scholars of Bingzhou. Chen Ji, a descendant of a prominent family, was exceptionally talented and would be a powerful ally in reforming officialdom.

The emergence of these two individuals was like a shot in the arm, injecting a powerful dose of energy into this chaotic and complex situation.

A look of joy clearly appeared on Zhang Xian's face. He released his grip on the arm and couldn't help but pace back and forth in front of the desk.

Seeing his lord's rare display of emotion, Xun Yu was quite pleased.

However, this joy did not last long. Zhang Xian's steps slowly came to a stop, and the light in his eyes gradually settled, replaced by a deeper contemplation.

He walked back to his desk, his fingers lightly brushing over the mountain of documents, his gaze falling on the scenery outside the window.

"Wenruo," Zhang Xian's voice returned to its usual calm, even carrying a hint of a sigh.

"Although the princes and Chen Yuanfang have come out of seclusion to relieve my urgent crisis and reassure the scholars, this is a great blessing, but then..."

He paused, then tapped his finger on the bamboo slip containing the secret report on the table.

"These famous scholars and sages ultimately borrowed from others. They had lofty aspirations and broad talents, but their foundation lay in their reputation, their family background, and their esteem among scholars."

They can stabilize the situation and rectify official corruption for me, but ultimately…

His gaze sharpened, as if piercing through the candlelight and glimpsing a distant future.

"The predicament of Bingzhou is rooted in a century of accumulated problems. To truly change it, it cannot be accomplished overnight, nor can it be completely reversed by relying on one or two famous scholars. What I need is to enlighten the people and cultivate truly trustworthy and capable people from the grassroots level!"

He knew that inviting Wang Lie and Chen Ji was merely a temporary measure to silence the gossip that was brewing because of Wang's downfall.

His roots were not in the scholars of the Eastern Han Dynasty, but in the common people in the vast wilderness.

The prestige of Wang and Chen has temporarily balanced the scholars in Luoyang, giving them a chance to breathe. Although it is unknown how long this will last, it is already enough.

Because there are still August and September, an even bigger upheaval will be able to completely offset the turmoil that led to the downfall of the so-called century-old powerful clan.

Let's keep these two in check for now, and gradually take back power once the situation becomes chaotic!

He looked at Xun Yu, his eyes filled with reliance and admiration for this talented advisor: "Today we are fortunate to have the talent of Wang Yuanfang, all thanks to Wenruo's silver tongue and keen insight into people's hearts! I would like to appoint you as the magistrate of Jinyang, I wonder if that is acceptable?"

Xun Yu quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I have only done my best and guided the situation accordingly. Prince Wang and Brother Yuanfang have always had the ambition to save the world and bring peace to the people, but they were constrained by the current situation. Now that Your Majesty is determined to eliminate tyranny and bring peace to the people, this is the reason why they are willing to come out of seclusion."

"This Jinyang magistrate..." To be honest, Xun Yu was a little tempted.

Zhang Xian waved his hand, indicating to Xun Yu that there was no need to be so modest: "Then it's settled."

In the original history, Xun Yu was able to manage all affairs of Cao Wei with ease, so Zhang Xian, who lived in a small town called Taiyuan, believed that Xun Yu would certainly be able to govern smoothly.

He sat back down behind his desk, tapping his fingers on the confidential report, his eyes regaining their composure.

"Stockpile grain and fodder."

"You want to profit from chaos, huh?"

"Let the first sword hanging over Bingzhou's head, the Judicial Officer's hand, begin with you!"

"Summon Zhao Shi!"

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)