Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 161: The King Does Not Choose His Ministers, Ministers Also Choose Their Kings

AD 190, the first year of Chuping, the first month.

Huguan, the residence of General Du Liao.

"According to our scouts, the Baibo bandits were repelled by the strongholds of the various clans in Hedong, and now they intend to move eastward, plunder Shangdang, and join forces with the Black Mountain bandits."

Xu Shu summarized the reports from the scouts, stood in front of the Shangdang map, pointed out the situation with a thin pole, and said: "Now the Baibo bandits gather in the areas of Yangxian, Yong'an, and Xiangling counties to seek food. If my prediction is correct, the bandits should cross the Huoshan Mountains, pass through Xishi County (now Anze, Shanxi), wade through the Qin River, and enter Shangdang to plunder."

Between Shangdang and Hedong County, there are two mountains and a river. The river is Qinshui, which flows through Taiyue Mountain and forms a river valley area, and the Xie family is located in the river valley.

Historically, the Battle of Changping between Qin and Zhao was fought when Qin sent troops from Hedong County, crossing mountains and rivers to send its forces to Shangdang.

Of course, the route taken by Qin to the east was different from the route taken by the Baibo bandits to invade Shangdang. Because there were many river valleys, there were two routes to pass through Shangdang and Hedong County. Qin took the southern route, that is, advancing eastward from Ji County, while the Baibo bandits took the northern route, plundering eastward from Yang County.

"Xiaoshi County?"

Zhang Yang pointed at the map and said, "Xushi County is located in the valley, and the Bishui River runs through the city. Now Baibo wants to enter Shangdang from Xushi. Our army can rely on the Qinshui River and the mountain terrain to hold off the Baibo bandits."

"There are many passages in the Qinshui River Valley, and we are afraid that the Baibo bandits will take another route to enter Shangdang." Zhang Liao said.

"What is your opinion?" Zhang Yu looked at Guo Tu and asked.

Guo Tu stroked his beard and hummed, saying: "The reason why the Baibo bandits moved eastward is because they suffered setbacks in plundering Taiyuan and Hedong, and the refugees they gathered were many, and their food and grass were becoming increasingly scarce. I heard that your reputation is well known among the Xiongnu, and now you are appointed as the General of Du Liao, why not send someone to visit Yu Fuluo and ask him why he gathered people to rebel."

"As for occupying the troops of the Baibo bandits and plotting their advance, it would be better to select a general to lead the troops to Yangshi and use them as a vanguard to scout the enemy."

"Can!"

Zhang Yu agreed and said, "Although the Baibo bandits have a large number of soldiers, they are not united. If we can divide them up and transform them, we may be able to defeat the bandits and capture the old and weak."

Yu Fuluo was a man Zhang Yu had dealt with when he was the deputy commander of the Xiongnu Army. He was deeply influenced by the Han culture because his father was the Chanyu and he was the Left Wise King. Therefore, Yu Fuluo belonged to the pro-Han faction in the Xiongnu.

A few years ago, the imperial court dispatched 3,000 Xiongnu cavalrymen to fight against the Wuhuan Rebellion, and it was Fuluo who led the troops to fight. However, halfway through the journey, the Xiongnu rebelled, and his father, Qiangqu Chanyu, died, and Xubu Chanyu succeeded him.

As Xubu Chanyu was beheaded by Zhang Yu, conflicts arose within the Xiongnu over the Chanyu issue, and they had to use the Six Ministries to discuss matters and temporarily replace the Chanyu's authority. Yufuluo, who was leading his troops outside, received an imperial edict and led his cavalry back to the country to try to seize the Chanyu.

However, due to the refusal of Luan Timoche and Qubei, Yufuluo's attempt to seize the position of Chanyu failed. Under the imperial edict, 3,000 Xiongnu cavalrymen stationed in Pingyang, Hedong County.

Soon, with the death of Liu Hong and a series of struggles in Luoyang, Yu Fuluo was ignored by the court, his troops were seriously short of food and fodder, and coupled with the rebellion of the Baibo bandits in Hedong, Yu Fuluo simply joined forces with the Baibo bandits to rebel.

If the Baibo bandits invade the border, given the complicated relationship between Zhang Yu and the Xiongnu, Yu Furuo might be able to help Zhang Yu.

"Then who will go to Yangshi to garrison?" Zhang Yang asked.

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Let Bo Dao lead 500 infantry and cavalry to station troops in Lushi. If the Baibo bandits arrive, Bo Dao can defend the city. When I get the news, I will lead the army to support them overnight. We will be able to reach Lushi in less than five or six days."

"Zhao obeys the order!" Hao Zhao stood up from the seat and bowed in response.

Hao Zhao was a general who joined his army early and played an outstanding role in history. In order to train Hao Zhao, Zhang Yu also planned to let Hao Zhao lead the army alone.

Guo Tu thought for a moment and asked, "My Lord, I have a concern. The White Wave bandits are advancing eastward, and I am afraid that the Black Mountain bandits will raise their troops to the west to respond. If the two bandits attack from the east and west, my army will be unable to resist!"

Zhang Yu looked at the map of Shangdang and thought, "There are millions of Black Mountain bandits, living in the north and south of Taihang Mountain, mostly in the river valleys on the east side of the mountain, such as Linlu in Henei, Shexian in Weijun, and other places in Hebei. As for Shangdang, although there are Black Mountain bandits, their number is not large, and they are mostly in Zhanxian and Maocheng areas."

"The bandits are scattered and live in different places. Even if Zhang Yan is the leader, he still cannot control the Black Mountain bandits. Now will the bandits gather their troops and march west to support the White Wave bandits?"

The Black Mountain Bandits and the White Wave Bandits have different origins. The Black Mountain Bandits are formed by the scattered Yellow Turbans, and Zhang Yan has very weak control over the Black Mountain Bandits. The White Wave Bandits are led by Guo Tai and have a clear leader.

Before, Zhang Yu was still suspicious of the two bandits' alliance, but after he figured out the differences in the two bandits' organizational structures, he felt a little more at ease about the Black Mountain bandits.

When Xu Shu wanted to continue reporting, he saw the attendant quickly walk in and said, "My Lord, the two lords of Luoyang have arrived outside the city."

"But what about Mr. Zhong Yuanchang and Mr. Sun Yanlong?" Zhang Yu asked happily.

"Exactly!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yu was overjoyed. He suddenly stood up from the couch and said to his attendants with a smile, "Let's stop the military discussion for now. The two wise men are here. Let me go out to meet them."

"promise!"

After saying this, Zhang Yu held his sword and walked forward. The generals in the hall looked at each other and stood up to follow him.

After a while, Zhang Yu went out in a carriage, and the other generals followed on horseback to meet Zhong Yao and Sun Zi.

"Yuan Chang and Yan Long have come from afar, why didn't you inform us in advance? I am sorry for not welcoming you!" Zhang Yu got off the carriage and bowed to the two men who were exhausted. Zhong Yao smiled and said, "Now the heroes in Guandong have raised troops to fight against Dong and blocked the crossing of the river. Yan Long and I left the capital under the pretext of pacifying Ji An, so it was difficult to cross the river from Luoyang. We had to disguise ourselves and cross the river via Hongnong, then from Hedong County to Henei County, and finally arrived at Shangdang."

"Thank you for your hard work!"

Zhang Yu saw that many of Zhong Yao's companions were elderly and weak, so he said, "Your family members and companions can first go to the house to rest. There are servants to serve soup and meals."

"Thank you, Ji'an!"

"It's a matter of course!"

Zhang Yu took Zhong Yao and Sun Zi's hands and said, "Let's go to the county government first. Let me introduce you two wise men under my command."

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Yuan Chang often comes to the army to play, so he should be familiar with my officers. But Yan Long is often in Luoyang, so although he has some contacts with me, he doesn't know my officers."

Because of the huge gap in status between the two and the less frequent exchanges, Sun Zi was much more cautious and said, "Please recommend a wise man to me."

"Easy to say!"

Zhang Yu personally stroked Sun Zi's back and said, "I vaguely remember that Yanlong and Yu were classmates at Dalu. Although time has passed, our friendship remains unchanged. When you two came to Shangdang, you and Yu jointly established the foundation, helped the country, and cared for the people."

"Your Excellency is righteous, and I am willing to follow him!" Sun Zi said solemnly.

"If Ji'an doesn't give up, Yao is willing to help him!" Zhong Yao said with a smile.

"good!"

Zhang Yu shook their hands and said with a smile, "Although Shangdang is poor, I have the power to recruit people. I wonder what positions you two would like to take?"

Sun Zi glanced at Zhong Yao and said, "I have lived in Luoyang and studied the classics for many years. Fortunately, I was appointed as a palace official. Now I dare not say that I have great talent, let alone command troops. I am willing to govern the county for you, my lord."

"it is good!"

Zhang Yu was very impressed and said, "Many of you live in the county, but few are willing to be county magistrates. Yanlong is willing to be the county magistrate, and Yu is overjoyed!"

Zhang Yu appreciated Sun Zi's lack of ambition. Shangdang County had a small number of households, but many counties, with a total of thirteen county towns, which was about the same number as the large county of Jizhou.

Therefore, although there are many counties today, the registered population is sparse. On average, each county has only a pitiful one or two thousand households. Therefore, the salaries of county governors in Shangdang area are not high.

Now that Sun Zi was willing to serve as a county magistrate, Zhang Yu was not only pleased that he was down-to-earth, but officials representing Zhang Yu also went down to the county level.

After all, although Zhang Yu controlled Shangdang, strictly speaking, he only controlled the Huguan administrative center and some dangerous areas. Although the heads of the remaining twelve counties submitted to Zhang Yu, they did not establish close ties with Zhang Yu.

If Zhang Yu wanted to gain deeper control over Shangdang, he would have to purge all the county officials and replace them with his subordinates.

Then, Zhang Yu looked at Zhong Yao and asked, "What about Yuan Chang?"

Hearing Zhang Yu's words, Zhong Yao stroked his beard and smiled, with a look that contained deep meaning.

Seeing this, Zhang Yu instantly understood Zhong Yao's intention and couldn't help but curse himself for being stupid.

As the Chief Justice, Zhong Yao was at least a 600-stone official in the capital, but the only official position he could recruit was a minor official of a few hundred stones, or to recommend others as county magistrates. Even Guo Tu was unwilling to be a county official, but served as his military officer, let alone Zhong Yao who traveled thousands of miles to find him.

It is obvious that Zhong Yao did not come for his official position, but hoped to work with him to achieve great things. If one wants to retain such a talent, ordinary means cannot be used. One must explain the grand plans to him in depth and give him extraordinary treatment.

In the current situation where chaos is about to come, the relationship between the ruler and his subjects cannot last long. It is not the ruler who chooses his subjects, but the subjects who choose their ruler!

Zhang Yu held Zhong Yao's hand tightly and said with a smile: "Yuan Chang and I haven't seen each other for a long time. After today's banquet, I will express my deep affection to you."

"I am willing to accept Ji'an's invitation!" Zhong Yao said with a bow.

Seeing that Zhang Yu understood his meaning instantly without his reminder, Zhong Yao couldn't help but admire him. Zhong Yao had to admit that Zhang Yu was able to rise to the rank of General Du Liao from a commoner, not only because of his outstanding military strategy, but also because he was smart and able to judge the situation.

When they arrived at the government office, Zhang Yu held a banquet as usual, introduced his officers and clerks to the two men, and recommended Zhong and Sun to them.

Guo Tu was delighted to see that Zhang Yu had recruited Zhong Yao. He had thought that he was the only one who had joined Zhang Yu, but now that even Zhong Yao, who held a higher position than him, had joined Zhang Yu, his self-esteem faded a little and he put aside his hesitation.

Zhang Yu looked at Guo, Zhong and Sun who were invited into the hall, and couldn't help but think of the fourth letter he wrote to Du Ji, the prefect of Hanzhong. Now he didn't know the news of the messenger, let alone whether Du Ji had received the letter, and he felt very uneasy.

Since Shangdang was more than 4,000 miles away from Hanzhong, and there were many disturbances along the way, the messenger took more than two months to deliver the letter. During this time, he took the wrong road and was delayed. Finally, he found the way in Guanzhong and chose the Ziwu Road to enter Hanzhong, and then he arrived in Nanzheng.

After entering Hanzhong, the messenger delivered the letter to Du Ji. But after receiving Zhang Yu's letter, Du Ji couldn't make a decision!
(End of this chapter)