Ji Han Liu Zhang

The so-called art of a politician is to make more friends and fewer enemies. This is what a great man said, and it can also be said to be an irrefutable truth in politics.

As a result, when the Black Mountain Army, or more accurately the Black Mountain bandits, led by Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu, came to Liu Zhang to offer their services, Liu Zhang welcomed them and did not reject Zhang Yan because of his past as a bandit, nor did he have any grudge against him.

Therefore, Liu Zhang generously took in Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu, and even more magnanimously ordered Zhang Yan to continue to lead the Black Mountain Army, and Gongsun Xu to continue to lead the remnants left by Gongsun Zan.

In addition, Liu Zhang followed Xun You's advice regarding the elderly, children, women and children in the Black Mountain Army and planned to settle this group of elderly, children, women and children in the area near Weili County in Guanzhong.

Liu Zhang understood Xun You's intention in making this suggestion even without Xun You pointing it out. There are basically two meanings in it.

Firstly, there are few households in Guanzhong, and there are more people than land. Moving the old, weak, women and children of the Black Mountain Army to Weili can enrich the population of Guanzhong. Secondly, placing the old, weak, women and children of the Black Mountain Army in Weili can keep them under close watch. At the same time, they can be used as hostages to detain Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu, so there is no need to worry about them developing ulterior motives.

Of course, Xun You had far-sighted strategies. Liu Zhang thought that Xun You had another intention, which was to place the elderly, weak, women and children of the Black Mountain Army in Kuili, Guanzhong. This would make it clear to Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu that Liu Zhang trusted them very much, and thereby completely subdue Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu.

Furthermore, by taking in Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu, Liu Zhang could indirectly announce to the world that no matter what their background was, whether they were rebels or stray dogs, he, Liu Zhang, would accept them with leniency and without holding grudges.

Even though Liu Zhang had the grand ambition of conquering the world, it was inevitable that he would recruit surrenders and rebels. The best way to dispel the hesitation and worries in the hearts of the surrendered people was to seize a typical example for publicity.

Zhang Yan was born a bandit, and Gongsun Xu was a stray dog. They were forced into desperation by Yuan Shao and came to Liu Zhang in a desperate situation. Liu Zhang accepted them generously. The heroes of the world would be less hesitant and wavering about surrendering to Liu Zhang.

Chang'an, the Palace of the Prince of Qin, or the Palace of the Grand Marshal.

After being promoted to the King of Qin, Liu Zhang did not build a large mansion to match the title and style of the King of Qin. He simply replaced the plaque of "Grand Sima" at the door with a sign of "King of Qin".

The world is in turmoil and the four seas are in turmoil. This is not the time to engage in large-scale construction. It is both inappropriate and contrary to the wishes of the people. Liu Zhang will certainly not do anything that will damage his reputation.

It was also the old Grand Marshal's Mansion, with all kinds of houses for various purposes, including a front hall, backyard, and garden. Liu Zhang thought that there was no place to add new houses or courtyards.

At that moment, in the meeting hall of the Qin Palace, Liu Zhang asked Xun You, "Have Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu left from Hedong? How is the matter of arranging the elderly, weak, women and children of the Black Mountain Army going?"

Facing Liu Zhang's questions, Xun You answered them one by one: "According to the letter handed over by Hedong Governor Fa Zheng, Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu have separated from the majority of the Black Mountain Army and are heading to Chang'an first. They should be able to arrive in Chang'an within a few days."

"Yes." Liu Zhang nodded. Hedong is only separated from Guanzhong by a river. There are no difficult mountains to cross or rapids to cross. If Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu are fast, he will see Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu in two days.

"As for the preparations in Weili," Xun You replied according to the report from Weili County, "According to the document handed over by the magistrate of Weili County, most of the preparations have been completed. Although it is difficult to prepare houses at once, there are more than enough tents and other things. Your Majesty, don't worry." 'Your Majesty.' After being conferred the title of King of Qin, the ministers under Liu Zhang's command used to call him Ming Gong for a day or two. Later, under the leadership of Wang Shang and Xun You, they all changed their names and respectfully called Liu Zhang the King.

When Liu Zhang was the Grand Marshal, his relationship with his ministers, although there was a distinction between monarch and subject, was somewhat unclear. But now that Liu Zhang has been conferred the title of King of Qin, the distinction between monarch and subject between him and the civil and military officials in the shogunate is clearer than ever.

Now, the civil and military officials under Liu Zhang can be regarded as his subjects rather than subjects of the Han court. Their honor and disgrace are firmly tied to Liu Zhang and have nothing to do with the court in Xudu.

This is a characteristic of the times. The county system has been passed down from the Qin Shihuang period to the present day. Although it has gone through more than 400 years, the relationship between the monarch and his subjects under the feudal system still remains. Just like Lu Bu, as Ding Yuan's chief clerk, he was greedy for the high position and generous salary given by Dong Zhuo, and stabbed Ding Yuan in the back, and was regarded as a traitor.

My vassal's vassal is not my vassal, and the Han Dynasty today looks a bit like medieval Europe.

"It's good as long as it's done." Liu Zhang nodded. As a monarch, he couldn't do everything himself, so naturally he had to leave it to the people below. The affairs of Weili would be handled by the Weili County Magistrate, and he only had to control the two matters of rewards and punishments.

Just as Liu Zhang expected, within a few days, he received news that Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu, who had rushed to Chang'an from Hedong, arrived at Baqiao outside Chang'an City in the morning. It would only take one or two hours for them to enter Chang'an and meet him.

The times now are different. As the King of Qin, Liu Zhang is very majestic and it is not convenient for him to go out of the city to welcome Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu easily. So he sent Zhang Ji, the magistrate of Chang'an, to go out to welcome them.

At Baqiao, Zhang Ji was all smiles. He bowed to Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu and said, "General Zhang, General Gongsun." At the same time, Zhang Ji introduced himself, "I am Zhang Ji, the governor of Chang'an. I am here to meet you two generals on the orders of the King of Qin."

Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu did not dare to be arrogant. They quickly dismounted, stepped forward a few steps, and greeted Zhang Ji, saying, "It is an honor for us to trouble you, Mr. Zhang, to wait here."

After a few polite words, Zhang Ji extended his hand and said, "This is not a place for conversation. The King of Qin is waiting for you two generals in the palace. Please follow me into the city as soon as possible."

"Of course, we should not let the King of Qin wait for long, otherwise we will be guilty of a great crime." Zhang Yan nodded repeatedly, and then several people mounted their horses and headed towards Chang'an City.

In less than an hour, Liu Zhang met Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu in the banquet hall of the Prince of Qin's mansion. Zhang Yan, as his name suggests, was a tough man. One could tell at a glance that he was a brave general who was as light as a swallow and could move around swiftly. As for Gongsun Xu, he was tall and strong, with broad shoulders and a big waist, and a pair of bow legs that showed that he had good riding skills.

"You have not regarded me as a shallow person, but have come to me with sincerity and honest intentions. I am very pleased. Now I will appoint Zhang Qing as the General of Peace and Gongsun Qing as the General of White Horse. If you two do not let me down, I will not let you down either."

"Thank you, my Lord." Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu were delighted, both for the promotion of generals and for Liu Zhang's guarantee to them. (End of this chapter)