Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 167 Zhang Xian and Zhang Zixu

Jinyang Residence.

The roaring fire illuminated Zhang Xian's focused face.

The hammer in his hand struck a red-hot iron blank with precision, sparks flying everywhere.

Taiyuan County is operating at high speed according to his plan.

The army included Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, and a host of capable junior officers.

With the literary talents of Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Han Ji, and Xi Zhong, the campaign to eradicate illiteracy was in full swing.

With them in charge, everything in Taiyuan County was fine, so he finally had some time for himself.

"Master!" The maid Xiao Huan's voice rang out from outside the door, tinged with urgency.

Zhang Xian put down the hammer and wiped his sweat with a cloth: "What is it?"

"Chief Secretary Han has returned from the Taihang Mountains and is waiting for Magistrate Xun in the main hall. He said there is urgent military news!"

Zhang Xian frowned slightly. Urgent military news? Unusual movements by the Hu people in northern Bingzhou? Or was there a problem with the Southern Xiongnu? He quickly put on his outer robe and strode towards the main hall.

Inside the main hall, the charcoal fire dispelled the lingering chill of spring, yet the atmosphere remained heavy and oppressive.

Han Ji frowned, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. Xun Yu held a rough scroll of silk, his face somber. Zhang stood by, not daring to breathe.

"Gongzhi, Wenruo, what is the matter that is so urgent?" Zhang Xian asked in a deep voice after sitting down in the main seat.

Xun Yu presented the silk scroll: "My lord, a secret report we just received comes from Taiping Dao in Ji Province... They've rebelled!"

Zhang Xian was slightly surprised.

He took the silk scroll and quickly scanned it.

The handwriting above is messy, clearly written in a hurried and shocked state.

"...In the second month of the Jiazi year, a large number of people wearing yellow turbans suddenly appeared in Julu County, attacking and killing officials, burning government granaries, and opening granaries to distribute grain... Their slogan was 'The Blue Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise; the year is Jiazi, great fortune will come to the world'... Their momentum was like a raging fire, and within ten days, Julu, Anping, Qinghe and other counties all fell... Rebellions also broke out in Yuzhou, Jingzhou, Qingxu and other places..."

Early February, earlier than the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which in history was forced to rise due to traitors.

The fire in the stove dispelled the chill of early spring in the north, but it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere inside the hall.

Zhang Xian's gaze slowly swept across the rough silk book, each word like a red-hot branding iron, searing into his heart.

Although he had expected it, the description that "within ten days, Julu, Anping, Qinghe and other counties all fell...and rebellions also broke out in Yuzhou, Jingzhou, Qingxu..." still made him feel heavy.

The wheels of history have ultimately crushed the peace of countless people ahead of time.

“It’s ahead of schedule…” He put down the silk scroll and murmured to himself, but it wasn’t just surprise; it was a complex emotion mixed with the feeling that “what was bound to happen has finally happened.”

“My lord,” Xun Yu’s voice carried an unusual worry.

"The Yellow Turban Rebellion was powerful, and it swept through several prefectures in a matter of days, taking with it hundreds of thousands of refugees. Its momentum was at its peak."

The imperial court is shaken and will surely issue an edict to mobilize troops from all directions to encircle and suppress them. Bingzhou borders Jizhou and is also adjacent to the Southern Xiongnu; it is unlikely we can remain uninvolved. The imperial decree will likely arrive soon.

Han Ji also chimed in, "News has also come from the Taihang Mountains that there are signs of refugees moving towards Bingzhou. There are quite a few of them, and they are in a panic. Several dangerous areas are still under construction, and the mountain roads are treacherous. If not handled properly, it could cause chaos."

Zhang Xian did not answer immediately.

He stood up and walked to the hanging map of Bingzhou.

My fingers traced along the winding Taihang Mountains, a natural barrier for the border region and a passageway for migrants to flow in.

His gaze swept over the place names marked with counties such as "Taiyuan", "Yanmen", "Wuyuan" and "Yunzhong", and finally landed on the point representing Jinyang.

The firelight illuminated his sharply defined profile; his eyes were deep and thoughtful, showing no panic, only a calm contemplation.

“Wenruo, Your Excellency has arrived.” Zhang Xian turned around, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight.

The root cause of the Yellow Turban Rebellion was that "oppressive government is more ferocious than a tiger" and that "the people were living in misery." Eight or nine out of ten of those who wore yellow turbans were ordinary people who could not survive.

They picked up hoes and sickles not because they were inherently rebellious, but because the government's knife was already at their throats.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Xun Yu and Han Ji.

Xun Yu frowned slightly, clearly understanding Zhang Xian's meaning, but also well aware of the political risks involved.

Han Ji, however, had a keen eye; he was more focused on practical matters.

"Using the bones of these people driven to desperation to pave the so-called 'path of merit'?"

Zhang Xian's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying a clear-headed understanding of the cruelty of history: "I, Zhang Xian, would never stoop to such a thing!"

This statement was made with great conviction.

Han Ji was shocked. He had followed Zhang Xian for a long time and knew that this young lord often acted unexpectedly, but always hit the nail on the head. He had a compassionate heart and a grand ambition.

However, such a blatant refusal to participate in the court's suppression of the rebellion, and even the expression of some sympathy for the Yellow Turban "rebels," carries immense risks that are difficult to estimate.

"My lord is benevolent and righteous!" Han Ji bowed first, his eyes shining with admiration.

"Bingzhou is able to achieve its current situation entirely because our lord cares about the common people, has built water conservancy projects, expanded farmland, established workshops, and promoted education."

If my Bingzhou army marches south to Jizhou and fights with those people who have been forced into rebellion, wouldn't that be destroying our own foundation?

Xun Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.

“My lord’s considerations are profound, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, if the imperial decree were to be issued, forcing Bingzhou to send troops, what excuse would I use to refuse?”

Although Bingzhou is located on the frontier, it is still Han territory. Disobeying the imperial edict could give others grounds for accusations of "sitting idly by and watching the outcome" and "harboring ulterior motives." At that time, the eunuchs in the court, and even the newly appointed Grand General He Jin, might seize the opportunity to launch an attack, perhaps even framing him on charges of "colluding with the rebels!"

This was the crux of the matter. Zhang Xian's gaze returned to the map, landing on the vast and sparsely marked area in the northwest of Bingzhou, including Xihe County, Shang County, and Shuofang County.

"An excuse?" Zhang Xian's lips curled into a cold smile. "What need is there for an excuse? The truth is the best reason!"

He pointed heavily to the northwest of Bingzhou: "Bingzhou is also unstable. Of the eight prefectures, only Taiyuan, Shangdang, Yanmen and Dingxiang are still stable. Yunzhong Prefecture has only recovered a third of its territory so far."

Although the people of the northwestern grasslands have nominally submitted, their tribes are numerous and fickle. Last winter was harsh, with a white famine that killed countless livestock! This spring, the grasslands are starving, like hungry wolves, as the crops fail to grow.

Their covetousness for the abundant grain, ironware, and cloth of Bingzhou must be guarded against! If we were to send our entire army to the Central Plains to quell the rebellion now, the northern frontier would be left vulnerable, providing the perfect opportunity for the barbarians to raid southward!

His voice became impassioned and persuasive: "How much effort have we put into Taiyuan County, and even the entire Bingzhou? Newly built canals irrigate thousands of acres of fertile land, workshops produce ironware and farm tools day and night, schools are filled with the sound of reading to cultivate talents, and resettlement sites for refugees are taking shape... All of this is like a newly built dam, which cannot withstand any major impact!"

If all the elite troops of Bingzhou were to march south, who would defend this thousand-mile border? Who would protect this hard-won peace? Once the barbarian hooves sweep south, countless lives will be lost, and Bingzhou's years of hard work will be destroyed in an instant! Isn't this a greater calamity than the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Jizhou?

Xun Yu's eyes lit up, and Han Ji nodded repeatedly: "My lord is wise! If any tribes cannot restrain themselves and venture south to probe, only to find Bingzhou undefended, the consequences will be unimaginable! This is not an exaggeration, but a matter of life and death!"

Zhang Xian returned to the main seat, sat down, and lightly tapped his fingers on the table, as if finalizing a grand strategy.

"Therefore, our only reply is that the Bingzhou army must not be moved! Not only should they not be moved, but their defenses in the northwest must also be strengthened!"

There are three reasons.

Firstly, defending against the southward and eastward advances of the nomadic tribes and protecting the borders and people is the foundation of a border state!
Secondly, with Bingzhou newly pacified and everything in need of rebuilding, the military strength was stretched thin, making it difficult to dispatch elite troops on distant expeditions.

Thirdly, Bingzhou also needs to maintain local stability and guard against the Yellow Turban rebels from escaping into the country, or unscrupulous people taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble.

These are all the facts. If the imperial court insists on sending troops from Bingzhou, it is disregarding the safety of the million soldiers and civilians of Bingzhou! I, Zhang Xian, as the General of the Vanguard to the Xiongnu, have a duty to defend this territory and cannot obey!"

He emphasized the words "responsibility to defend the territory." "As for the possible reprimands from the court..." A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Xian's eyes.

"Wenruo, your memorial must be written in a reasonable, well-founded, and measured manner! It should not only state the real threats facing Bingzhou, the movements of the nomadic tribes on the grasslands, the weakness of the border defenses, and the pressure on the state to maintain order, but also emphasize the importance of Bingzhou's stability to the rear of the court."

At the same time, we expressed that Bingzhou was not standing idly by; we are willing to share the nation's burdens to the best of our ability.

Xun Yu immediately understood: "Does my lord mean... to accept refugees?"

"Exactly!" Zhang Xian said decisively.

"With the Yellow Turban Rebellion raging and war raging, many people from Jizhou, Yuzhou, and even Qingxu will inevitably flee north. Other prefectures and counties are too far away for us to attend to, but Jizhou is adjacent to us, and the people of Jizhou must be properly settled!"
Remember this! These people are not bandits, but ordinary people who can't survive! Why should we repair the well tracks? Don't forget this!

Han Ji and Xun Yu stood solemnly at attention, cupped their hands, and bowed respectfully: "Yes, sir!"

The order spread like wildfire throughout Jinyang City and to every corner of Taiyuan Prefecture.

This newly settled border region chose a completely different path as the prelude to widespread chaos began.

They do not fight, they only build cities; they do not kill, they only save people; they do not participate in the division, they only accumulate silently.

Several days later, in Luoyang, at the Chongde Hall.

The newly appointed General He Jin frowned deeply as he looked at the memorial from Bingzhou in his hand.

The memorial was written by Xun Yu, and its elegant writing, rigorous logic, and exquisite wording depicted Bingzhou as a precarious egg teetering on the brink of collapse under the dual attack of the barbarian's sharp blade and internal instability.

"...Your subject Zhang Xian, bowing a hundred times, weeping blood as I report this."

"Bingzhou has just been pacified, and the wounds have not yet healed."
If we force an expedition to deplete our resources, internal troubles will inevitably arise, and external threats will surely take advantage. I fear that before even reaching Ji Province, Bing Province will already be no longer under the control of the imperial court!

"However, I have received the Emperor's favor for generations, how could I sit idly by? Although I cannot lead troops south to personally slay the wicked bandits, I will defend the land and protect the people, safeguarding this territory. I will never allow the barbarians to set foot on Han land, nor will I allow the Yellow Turbans to spread their poison in Bingzhou!"
This is my duty, and the survival of the million soldiers and civilians of Bingzhou is also at stake! I have already strictly ordered the border troops to be on guard day and night, to repair the city defenses, to widely deploy beacon towers, to train the county soldiers within the prefecture, to investigate the population, and to guard against any threat.

If the court takes pity on the suffering of border officials and allows me to focus solely on the defense of the north, then I, Zhang Xian, will exert all my strength and sacrifice my life to ensure that Bingzhou is not breached by the barbarian cavalry or thrown into chaos by the Yellow Turbans!
Once the Central Plains are somewhat pacified and the northern borders are secure, I will personally lead my elite troops, awaiting the General's command, to serve as the vanguard for the nation, even unto death! Tears stream down my face as I write this, and I am at a loss for words.

Following the memorial was a detailed report compiled by Xi Zhong and Guo Jia on the unusual activities of the grassland tribes and the current state of defense in Bingzhou, with detailed and alarming data.

He Jin slammed the memorial down on the table, his face grim: "What a Zhang Xian! What a 'defending the land and securing the people'! Every word is an excuse! He talks about the threat of the barbarians, but I think he's just holding onto his military power and waiting to see what happens!"

Yuan Wei, sitting below, took the memorial and read it carefully. His brows furrowed slightly, but his tone remained relatively calm: "General, please calm down. What Zhang Zhonglang said... is not entirely without reason. Bingzhou in the northwest connects to the Xiongnu and Xianbei, and is indeed a crucial border defense area."

When the grasslands suffer disasters, the nomadic tribes will raid southwards to invade the borders. This has happened frequently in previous years. His report on the weak defenses and insufficient troops is consistent with the facts.

If the loss of the northern border is truly caused by the withdrawal of their troops, and the barbarian cavalry were to advance unimpeded and shake the Three Auxiliary Regions, then the consequences would be…

"Hmph!" He Jin snorted coldly.

"This is alarmist talk! The barbarian raids are nothing more than a minor ailment! The real threat is the Yellow Turbans! Those rebellious people who want to overthrow the court! Zhang Xian holds a powerful army but only cares about his own small territory and refuses to share the burden of the country. His heart is despicable!"

Yuan Wei immediately retorted: "General, you are mistaken! At this time of great turmoil, border generals should be appeased rather than provoked! Although Zhang Zhonglang did not send troops, he defended Bingzhou and protected the northern frontier, so that the court had no worries about the rear, which is also a great achievement!"

If we force him to rebel, or cause chaos in Bingzhou, allowing the barbarians to take advantage of the situation and invade, that would be a truly catastrophic disaster!
The most urgent task now is to concentrate our efforts on suppressing the Yellow Turbans. As for the matter in Bingzhou, we might as well... grant their request for the time being, allowing them to focus on defending the northern frontier and ensuring the safety of their rear.

He Jin paced back and forth irritably.

Yuan Wei's words make sense. At present, Lu Zhi has already gone to Ji Province to confront Zhang Jiao's main force, while Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun are also blocked by Bo Cai in Yingchuan, and the battle is at a stalemate.

Nanyang and Wancheng are still in the hands of the Yellow Turbans... Everywhere urgently needs reinforcements, causing great distress.

Bingzhou is far to the north, and forcibly mobilizing troops would be too far away to be effective. If it were to actually force Zhang Xian to rebel, or cause the collapse of Bingzhou's defenses and the invasion of the Hu people to the south, then he, the newly appointed general, would immediately become the target of everyone's criticism.

Weighing the pros and cons, He Jin finally waved his hand resentfully: "Fine! Let's do as Minister Yuan says! Draft an edict: order him to perform his duties diligently, strictly prevent the barbarians from invading south, and ensure the peace of Bingzhou! There must be no mistakes! As for the refugees within his territory... order him to be properly resettled and prevent them from causing trouble! Tell him that the court is watching!"

A decree, carrying both a sense of compromise and a warning, was sent swiftly to Jinyang.

Zhang Xian withstood the first wave of pressure.

Foothills of the Taihang Mountains.

The cold wind was still biting, but the atmosphere here was completely different from the hellish scene in Jizhou.

With Weize Pass as a logistical base, the area for pacifying and absorbing refugees could extend as far as Jingjingkou in Jizhou.

The huge soup kitchen was steaming, with a dozen large pots bubbling with thick millet porridge mixed with chopped dried vegetable leaves, emitting an aroma that could drive the hungry crazy.

Officials from Bingzhou, dressed in uniform uniforms, and temporarily recruited women were maintaining order in an orderly manner.

"Line up! Don't push! There's enough for everyone!"

"Get your bowl first! There's hot water over there, scald it yourself!"

"Elderly people and children, go to the shed on the left; there's hot soup and soft bread there!"

The refugees were ragged, emaciated, and their eyes were filled with fear, numbness, and an extreme desire for food.

They formed a long queue, and although it was crowded, it was relatively orderly under the watchful eyes of the county soldiers who held long sticks to separate the crowd.

When the steaming bowl of porridge was placed in their hands, many people trembled and even shed cloudy tears.

"Mom... there's porridge... hot..." A little girl, held tightly in her mother's arms, weakly licked the rim of the bowl.

"Eat up, my dear, slowly, it's hot..." The mother's voice choked with emotion, but she couldn't bear to eat a bite herself.

At the registration desk, Gu Yu and Xiahou Lan personally oversaw the process, while the clerks quickly recorded everything.

"Name? Place of origin? Anping County, Jizhou? Do you have any skills?"

"Carpenter? Great! Register! Someone will take you to the workshop area later!"

"All you know is farming? Fine! There's a wasteland registration office over there. Just leave your fingerprints and signatures, and we'll distribute the seeds when spring comes!"

"Literate? That's great! Go register at that school! Room and board are provided, you'll teach the kids to read, and you'll get work points!"

An elderly craftsman with gray hair and beard, holding a worn-out woodworking box, looked at his name and the words "Carpenter, Level 3" on the register.

He looked again at the wooden plaque with a number engraved on it and a small bag of millet as a "settlement fee" handed over by the clerk, his cloudy old eyes filled with disbelief.

"Sir...this...this is it? You're really giving us land? You're really giving us work? You're not...you're not going to conscript us into the army?"

The young clerk in charge of registration smiled and pointed to a wooden board next to him, painted with white paint and bearing large characters.

"Old man, look over there. That's the rule set by General Zhang of Bingzhou. All refugees who come to Bingzhou are not asked about their past, but only their skills are recorded. Those who are willing to cultivate wasteland will be given land, and those who are willing to work will be assigned to workshops. The old, weak, women and children will all be taken care of. If you work diligently, you will be a good citizen of Bingzhou! Don't worry! In Bingzhou, we don't practice the practice of conscripting men and beating our own people! Work hard, and you won't go hungry or cold!"

"Oh, by the way, you people of Jizhou should have heard of our Lord Zhang's reputation. He is none other than Zhang Xian, the former master of Peach Blossom Manor and the Divine Physician of Changshan!"

The clerk proudly introduced it.

The old craftsman's lips trembled as he tightly clutched the bag of life-saving grain and the identification tag. He knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly towards Jinyang, crying out, "So it's Mr. Zixu! So it's Mr. Zixu! Mr. Zixu is so kind, and the magistrate is so benevolent! This is another life-saving grace!"

As Zhang Xian's name spread throughout the area, the reputation of the former owner of Taoyuan Manor was also remembered by the people of Jizhou.

The legendary physician of Changshan single-handedly eradicated the scourge of smallpox in Changshan County and taught methods to eliminate the plague. Countless physicians came to learn his medicine, and these people later spread the smallpox treatment method throughout Jizhou, forever relieving countless poor people of the suffering caused by smallpox.

It turned out to be him!
In the vast receiving point, the despairing and numb eyes were gradually illuminated by a faint glimmer of hope.

In Bingzhou, Taiyuan County, Zhang Xian's name began to circulate among the refugees, like a glimmer of light in the darkness.

(End of this chapter)