The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 110 Brazil Has Many Heroes

After entering Hanzhong, the terrain suddenly opened up.

The banks of the Han River valley are covered with large areas of flat land.

Based on the agricultural productivity of that era, it was sufficient to support 20,000 to 30,000 regular soldiers.

The prerequisite is that there is a sufficient population engaged in agriculture.

But that's clearly not the case now.

Along the way, large areas of farmland were abandoned and overgrown with weeds.

It wasn't until near the county seat of Nanzheng that we finally saw a large population.

However, most of them were newly established military settlements.

Upon entering the city, Mi Wei immediately went to the prefectural government to pay his respects to Prefect Wei Yan.

Unexpectedly, they came up empty-handed.

It turns out that Wei Yan had been leading his troops north to Baozhong to repair the plank road after winter began.

Fortunately, what was lost on one front was gained on another.

The next day, as he was heading west out of the city, he encountered a young general at the city gate who called himself Wang Ping. He was exceptionally strong and muscular.

Mi Wei took a liking to her at first sight and immediately went up to her to get closer.

He learned that the other party's ancestral home was Dangqu, Brazil, and that he knew the same Wang Ping.

So they presented each other with horses and swords on the spot, and after getting to know each other well, the trip was not in vain.

After leaving Hanzhong to the west, there is more than one road to Chengdu.

But the most convenient and accessible route is Jinniu Road.

In this era, it was called the Stone Ox Road.

"Master Shan has lived in Shu for a long time. Do you know why this path is named?"

This was Guan Xingping's first time in Sichuan, and everything he saw seemed new and exciting.

Miwei casually replied:

There is a legend, though.

"In the past, King Huiwen of Qin wanted to conquer the Shu region in the west to strengthen himself, but he was troubled by not knowing the way. So he ordered people to make five stone oxen that could excrete gold, in order to trick the King of Shu into building the road for him."

"The King of Shu believed it to be true, so he sent a thousand soldiers to cultivate the Tao, and ordered five strong men to drag an ox to complete the Tao, which is today's Stone Ox Tao!"

Guan Xing took it as just a funny anecdote from the mountains and smiled, not taking it seriously.

Guan Jiji's eyes lit up when she heard this: "There really are oxen that can excrete gold?"

Miwei: "Of course it's fake!"

"what……"

Guan Jiji looked disappointed.

Mi Wei laughed:

"Although the legend is false, the principle is true."

“Construction has always required conscription, either by forcibly conscripting laborers or by funding the recruitment of people.”

"Whether it's coercion or bribery, there will always be a lot of consumption involved."

"Unless there is a real need, who would be willing to go through all that trouble?"

"According to legend, it was the King of Shu who coveted gold artifacts."

"In the annals of history, it was the King of Qin who expanded the territory."

"They all have something to ask for first, and then they start cultivating the Tao."

Guan Jiji responded with "uh-huh," but it was unclear whether she understood.

But the next moment, she suddenly leaned close to Mi Wei and whispered:

"Isn't this the same principle as you betrothing Zhou Maocai to the Shen family?"

Hey, isn't that pretty clever?

……

Since the Battle of Hanzhong, a large number of pavilions and inns have been built along the route from Chengdu to Baishuiguan.

From its initial military use.

Of course, the goal is to ensure that troops can be dispatched to support Hanzhong in a timely manner in the future.

However, once roads and houses are built, they will not simply disappear just because there is no more fighting.

Today, these facilities greatly facilitate travelers on the Stone Ox Road.

It's almost the end of the year.

Accountants from all over the country flocked to Chengdu.

As the gateway to northeastern Chengdu, Luocheng was overcrowded with people.

Two weary officials in black robes arrived at the post station, only to be told by the station chief that it was full, leaving them both disheartened.

However, there are some differences between the two.

The older and higher-ranking person.

His clothes and hat were new and clean, he wore jade pendants and carried a bag, and he was leading a donkey behind him, which clearly indicated that he came from a wealthy family.

The thought of having to spend the night in the wilderness only added to his frustration.

His younger companions, who were of lower rank, not only had no mounts, but even their straw sandals were only half intact.

They didn't seem to care much about sleeping in the wild.

It's just a pity we won't be able to have a hot meal at the inn tonight.

sidewalk:

"Dexu, the river fish are plump and delicious in the cold winter. Why don't we go fishing by the water before it gets dark?"

The older clerk said irritably:

“Boqi, you are now a state official, how can you imitate that vagrant in the mountains?” “If the scholars in the capital see us like this, losing our official positions is a small matter, but I fear that you and I will be ridiculed by the whole world!”

The young clerk, known as Boqi, chuckled and said self-deprecatingly:
"I am nothing but a wild and unruly man from the mountains, unrestrained and lacking in manners. We have known each other for many years, do you only see my true colors today?"

The older clerk could only sigh and rub his forehead.

Just then, the rumbling sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached.

A group of fully armored knights arrived one after another, and then scattered in the open space in front of the post station to guard the group of people behind them.

This posture and this entourage clearly indicate that a distinguished person is traveling.

Pedestrians stopped to watch.

Soon after, a handsome and elegant young man stepped out from the crowd.

The blue, white, and red tricolor sash around his waist was particularly eye-catching.

He was at least a high-ranking official with a salary of over two thousand shi (a unit of grain).

The post station manager immediately stepped out to greet them.

He was completely different from his previous cold and aloof demeanor.

The two bailiffs were envious, but had nothing to say.

Who can blame them when they clearly hold a high position and great power?

To have the title of "Blue Ribbon" at such a young age, one must have a more powerful elder in the family.

However, just as the two were lost in their thoughts...

The young man, who was only two thousand koku, immediately noticed two figures in black robes in the crowd.

He turned and whispered a few words to the gatekeeper before heading straight over.

A strange look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Before the two officials could react, the man had already arrived and spoke first:
"Are you two looking for lodging here?"

The two officials exchanged a glance, and the older one bowed and responded:

"That's exactly what I was thinking, but the pavilion chief just informed me that the place is full."

“With the system just established, the reception capacity of local post stations may not be able to keep up for a while…” the young man muttered.

Then her smile grew even brighter:

"If you two don't mind, why don't you share a bed with me tonight and form a bond of mutual affection?"

The two officials were taken aback upon hearing this, then overjoyed.

Who would choose to sleep in the wilderness when they can sleep in a big house and eat hot meals?

Not to mention the other party's attitude, which clearly indicates their intention to make friends.

Judging from their entourage, they're clearly not an ordinary family.

The older clerk, having some experience in dealing with people, cautiously asked:

"Have I not yet inquired about the name of the superior official?"

The other party immediately took out two exquisite business cards.

The two took it and looked at it.

I only saw the book:

[Xuzhou Donghai Miwei respectfully inquires about your well-being. Your courtesy name is Shishan.]

Upon recognizing the words "Xuzhou," "Donghai," and "Mi," the older clerk exclaimed in surprise:

"Is this the noble son of Mi'an Han? That's disrespectful!"

Then, while handing over his business card, he introduced himself:
"My name is Gong Lu, courtesy name Dexu. I am from Anhan, Bazhou, and currently serve as an official in Bazhou County!"

The young official of two thousand shi (a unit of grain), also known as Mi Wei, praised him highly upon hearing this:

"Brazil has produced so many outstanding talents!"

"I just ran into Prince Jun from Brazil in Nanzheng, and now I'm lucky enough to meet Gong Dexu from Brazil!"

Then he turned expectantly to the young man next to him.

The latter showed little reaction when he saw the business card.

It wasn't until my friend introduced it that I realized what was happening and instinctively reached into my sleeve.

Then, embarrassingly, they discovered that they had already used up all the business cards they had prepared at home.

I can only give a dry self-introduction:

“Zhang Yi, courtesy name Boqi, from Nanchong, Brazil, was just recruited this month as a state official, but he has no real position.”

As she spoke, she nervously watched Mi Wei, hoping he wouldn't mind the formalities too much.

However, Mi Wei was not only indifferent to formalities.

The moment they heard the other person's name, a pair of hands grabbed them and held them tightly.

"So it's Zhang Boqi, the hero of Nanchong! I've long admired your name?"

"Does the official know me?" Zhang Yi was taken aback by the other party's enthusiasm and was momentarily stunned.

But Mi Wei said as if reciting a familiar story:
“In the past, when mountain bandits plundered the county, the county magistrate abandoned his wife and fled. Only Zhang Boqi, the meritorious clerk of the county, braved the blades and risked his life to save her. As a result, his reputation spread far and wide and he was praised by everyone.”

"How could Mi Wei not recognize such a loyal and courageous hero?"

"To be honest, I had planned to make some time to befriend you on my return to Shu. I never expected to meet you here today. It is truly an honor!"

Then he went on to ramble on about how he wished he had known him a few years earlier, like the time they swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden.

And yet, if Boqi of the South were still alive, the barbarian thieves would not be allowed to cross the Lu River.

Zhang Yi, who was traveling away from his prefecture for the first time, had never seen such a warm and hospitable person.
He's never even been fishing in Lushui!

For a moment, I was completely bewildered by what I heard.

Then, in a daze, he was dragged into the inn by the other party.

(End of this chapter)