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

Chapter 51 This business is risk-free and highly profitable

Who is Zhang Yi?

If it's not just a coincidence that they share the same first and last name.

According to the original historical development, he would have become Zhuge Liang's Chief Secretary in the future.

The Chief Clerk of the Prefectural Office was a senior official who remained in the Prime Minister's residence in Chengdu.

If we say that during Liu Bei's rule over Yizhou, Zhuge Liang was Liu Bei's Xiao He (a legendary Chinese physician).

During the time when Zhuge Liang was in charge of Yizhou, Zhang Yi was Zhuge Liang's Xiao He.

He was an extremely important figure in the early and middle period of the Shu Han dynasty.

Not to mention, the other party was the Prefect of Yizhou Commandery, a position with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain), which was on the same level as Mi Fang!
Mi Wei even had to refer to himself as "lower official" in front of the other party.

only……

How could a dignified prefect of a prefecture have fallen into such a wretched state?
After a moment's thought, Mi Wei combined his experiences from both lifetimes.

The problem likely lies in the "Yizhou Prefecture".

Yizhou Commandery is not Yizhou, but a commandery in the southern part of Yizhou.

It is roughly located in the area of ​​Yunnan Province in the late Middle Ages.

During the Han Dynasty, that area was inhabited by barbarians.

Local powerful clans colluded with barbarian chieftains to control the roads, and would frequently rise up in rebellion against government troops.
During the Three Kingdoms period, the most famous rebellion was Zhuge Liang's campaign to quell the rebellion in the south.

However, the rebellion in the south did not break out suddenly.

There had been signs of this for several years prior.

For example, the experience of Zhang Yi in front of us.

Then Zhang Yi wiped away his tears and said:
“I was ordered by the king to garrison Yizhou County. Unexpectedly, I was robbed by Yong Kai, a local powerful clan, on the way.”

“Yong Kai, this scoundrel, has always disobeyed the king’s orders. He has been in close contact with Bu Zhi, Shi Xie and others in Jiaozhou, and intends to submit to the Sun family of Jiangdong.”

"I was kidnapped by him and taken to Jiaozhou!"

"Fortunately, I later saw an opportunity to escape, and after a long and winding journey north, we are able to meet today!"

Such a legendary experience left everyone in awe.

When Mi Wei heard the name Yong Kai, he knew he was almost certain he had guessed correctly.

This person was one of the later leaders of the rebel army in southern China.

Another more well-known leader, Meng Huo, initially rebelled at the instigation of Yong Kai.

It's no exaggeration to call him the culprit.

But then again.

Mi Wei vaguely remembered that after Zhang Yi was kidnapped to Jiaozhou in history, he had to wait until Zhuge Liang sent Deng Zhi as an envoy to Eastern Wu to renew the old alliance before he was brought back to Chengdu.

It's still far from that time, so why did Zhang Yi come back on his own?
He couldn't quite put his finger on whether there was some kind of butterfly effect involved.

But since the Zhang Yi in front of him was indeed the Zhang Yi he knew, he certainly dared not treat him lightly.

Arrange for the other party to bathe, change clothes, and eat and drink their fill immediately.

However, Zhang Yi stopped him, saying:

"Nothing else is urgent. My purpose in risking my life to escape this time is not only to return to the King, but also to deliver vital military intelligence!"

Mi Wei's expression turned serious. He dismissed Zhan Sifu and others, leaving only Pan Mi by his side, before speaking:
"Please speak, Lord Zhang!"

Zhang Yi: "On the way, I saw Sun Quan gathering a large army at the mouth of the Xiang River, intending to march south to Wuling County!"

Mi Wei and Pan Mi exchanged a glance.

His expression remained unchanged.

Seeing that he remained unmoved, Zhang Yi became anxious:

"The military situation is extremely urgent, concerning the fate of Jingzhou. You must trust me!"

Mi Wei coughed lightly and explained:
"My lord, please do not be anxious."

"We have already investigated this matter and reported it to you, my lord. You have already dispatched troops south to provide assistance."

"To be honest, we are stationed in Huarong precisely to keep the army's southward route open."

Zhang Yi was stunned.

After a moment of stunned silence, he exclaimed:
"Then I've come all this way for nothing?"

Miwei knew the other party's feelings.

He simply wanted to report the crime and gain merit, in order to wash away the stain of being a dignified prefect who was easily kidnapped by bandits.

He then comforted her, saying:

"How can someone who risks their life to deliver a message not be credited?"

"Please, Your Excellency, enter the city and rest first. I will send troops to escort you to Jiangling to deliver the message tomorrow!"

Zhang Yi's complexion improved slightly.

...The following day, Mi Wei personally escorted Zhang Yi out of the city.

He saw them off for ten miles to the west, then stopped and continued to watch them go.

This showed great respect to the high-ranking official with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain).

However, just as they were about to turn around, the sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached.

Zhang Yi actually left and then returned.

Mi Wei asked, puzzled, "Did the Prefect leave any further instructions?"

Zhang Yi sat on horseback, two or three zhang away, gazing at him quietly.

It could also be that he was looking at the outline of Huarong City, which was only the size of a bean, behind him.

After a long silence, he finally spoke:
"Zhang is a man who always repays kindness, avenges wrongs, and avenges his shame."

"If the truth is not reported and the facts are not cleared up in a day, my heart will not be at peace."

At this point, Zhang Yi slowly rode forward, his gaze finally settling squarely on Mi Wei.

"Being kidnapped by bandits on my way to take up my post as prefect, and then being trafficked to Jiaozhou like pigs and dogs, is the greatest disgrace of my life!"

Even if the King of Shu does not punish me upon my departure, I will be ashamed to see my old friends again!

Miwei seemed to understand something:
"So, Lord Prefect intends to stay in Jingzhou in order to gain merit on the battlefield?"

Zhang Yi cupped his hands and said:
"From this day forward, Sima need not address you as Lord Prefect!"

"If you don't mind that I am old and useless, please let me serve under your command!"

"Whether you become a clerk, a military officer, or even a lowly foot soldier, it is all up to you!"

Miwei was speechless for a moment.

Is Zhang Yi going to be my clerk?
I, a mere commander of a separate department with a salary of less than a thousand bushels of grain, am actually going to take a dignified official with a salary of two thousand bushels of grain as my clerk.
It should be noted that there is a difference of three ranks between them.

Seniority, experience, and reputation go without saying.

The Eastern Han Dynasty probably wouldn't have allowed such a powerful separate commander, right?
Miwei hesitated: "Why me?"

Zhang Yi: "To be honest, I don't have any interest in Sima himself."

"Instead, it means that although Huarong is a small town, it is located in a strategic location at present, making it a good place for patriots to make contributions."

“Someone like me, who is skilled in managing the people, directing and coordinating between superiors and subordinates, can make full use of his talents and secure a stable military record if he stays here.”

"I chose to join Sima's forces simply because Sima happens to be the lord of this city."

Very blunt, very arrogant words.

But that sounds much more reasonable.

Mi Wei suddenly understood, and then accepted the other party's request without hesitation.

How could you say no?
This is the future Chief Secretary of Zhuge Liang's household!
Even without considering the long term, let's just look at the present.

The reputation, talent, and experience of a high-ranking official with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain), would be enough to make Mi Wei's life in Huarong much easier!
Not to mention, Zhang Yi had a close relationship with Zhuge Liang when he was in Yizhou.

By attaching himself to Zhang Yi, isn't that practically the same as attaching himself to Zhuge Liang in advance?

All he gave up was a private position that was both beneficial and cost-free.

This business is incredibly profitable with no investment!

……

Between the Xiang and Jiang rivers, on the right bank of Dongting Lake, lies a mountain called Baqiu.

More than two hundred years later, in the sixteenth year of the Yuanjia era of the Liu Song dynasty, this place was officially named "Baling County".

Then this place name will continue to be used for thousands of years.

In another Song Dynasty, it was written into "The Yueyang Tower" by a down-on-his-luck official named Fan Zhongyan.

Thus, he became famous throughout history.

Although at that time the real name of this place was Yuezhou.

However, this did not prevent the literati of the Song Dynasty from liking to be quaint and elegant, borrowing from the past and present.

However, whether the Yuanjia era was hasty or the Zhao Song dynasty was literary and artistic, it doesn't matter.

In the winter of the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, this scenic spot was "recited and copied from memory by later generations".

It was actually just an ordinary hill.

It was just an even more unremarkable mansion and grain city.

This was precisely the important reason why Sun Quan chose this place to station his troops before heading south to Wuling.

The three armies have not moved, and the food and grass go first.

However, upon arriving at this place, I saw that the Xiang River was clear, while the Yangtze River was muddy.

Having never witnessed the distinct north-south divide, Sun Zhongmou, a native of Jiangnan, couldn't help but stop and observe, which inspired him to write a poem.

(End of this chapter)