Late Han Zhao Tang

Although the country was not yet unified, Zhang Yu had already devoted himself to the governance of the nation. A series of edicts on governance, such as the completion of the Grand Canal, the movement to free slaves, the tax experiment, and the government-run Shu brocade production, were issued by Zhang Yu, handed over to the Accounting Department and the Imperial Secretariat for implementation, and then distributed to the prefectures and counties.

While the Han territories were being governed with great enthusiasm, Zhang Yu also paid close attention to the Hu territories.

Previously, Wei Ji hoped to relocate the surrendered Hu people from the northern frontier into the Greater and Lesser Yu Valleys to protect them from the unrest caused by the Qiang people. However, through Yan Rou's arrangements, she contacted the leaders of the Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes and, under the pretext of promising pastures, relocated four thousand people to the Greater and Lesser Yu Valleys.

Normally, no one wants to leave their homeland, but the reason why the Hu people were willing to migrate was mainly because their inheritance method was quite special. Their tradition was to have the youngest son guard the hearth, leaving the youngest son to guard the house while the eldest son would leave the family and venture out on his own.

Therefore, Yan Rou persuaded many Hu tribes who had eldest sons by promising them pastures. After all, for the Hu people, although the youngest son was responsible for guarding the hearth, it did not mean they would not leave family property to their eldest son.

Therefore, under Yan Rou's arrangement, more than 4,000 Wuhuan and Xianbei people from the northern frontier were relocated to the Daxiaoyu Valley and received investiture from the Northern Court, awaiting the military leadership of the Western Sea Commandant.

After much deliberation, Zhang Yu finally chose Buluhu Tuli, who had followed him in his early years, as the candidate for the Western Sea Commandant. Considering Buluhu Tuli's seniority and official rank, he also promoted the Western Sea Commandant to the position of Western Sea General, and merged the Protector of the Qiang into the Western Sea General, placing him in charge of the Qiang people in Longxi.

"With over four thousand villages and more than thirty thousand people, it is feasible to divide them into thirteen cities!"

Zhang Yu joined the memorial and said, "The Western Sea General's office is located in Huqiang City, forming a triangular formation with Linqiang and Suirong City to guard the Qiang people in the northwest. Now, there are many Qiang and Di people in Longyou who are familiar with Han laws. After you take office in Huqiang City, you should recruit and pacify the familiar Qiang people, gather them in the city, and provide them with land to cultivate, so that they can be educated and civilized in the future."

"The salt from the Western Sea is now exclusively entrusted to your administration, and the profits from the salt production will be managed by the General's Office. As the saying goes, 'The student surpasses the teacher,' and Zhao Chongguo and Deng Xun achieved remarkable success in governing the Qiang people. I hope you will strive to do the same!"

There are too many Qiang people around the West Sea, so it is not practical for the Bureau of Statistics to send people to the West Sea to produce salt. Therefore, in order to give the General of the West Sea more authority, it would be better to allow him to use it himself so as to better control the Qiang people on the plateau.

As for building cities, the intention was to enable the relocated Hu people to live in the cities for a long time and develop a habit of settling down. In addition, the cities would serve to deter the Qiang people and facilitate the governance and garrisoning of troops by the General of the Western Sea.

Buluhu Tuli knelt down and bowed, saying, "The Qiang people are lowly and are not trusted by the Han and Hu peoples. Therefore, when I take office, I will be friendly to the Qiang and Di peoples and wipe out the rebellious Qiang and Di peoples. Although I dare not say that I will expand the territory for Your Majesty, I dare to say that I will bring peace to the Greater and Lesser Yugu Valleys for Your Majesty!"

"good!"

There is a hierarchy of contempt among the Han Chinese, and there is also a hierarchy among the non-Han Chinese. The non-Han people of the northern frontier habitually refer to the Qiang people as "Little Qiang" or "Cunning Qiang." During the Five Barbarian Invasions, the Qiang people were not among the Five Barbarians and suffered discrimination from them. Now, Bu Luhu Tuli understands this issue and knows that if he wants peace and harmony among the northwestern non-Han peoples, friendly relations with the Qiang are essential.

Out of concern for the Qiang people in the northwest, Zhang Yu gave Buluhu Tuli many instructions, and only allowed Buluhu Tuli to leave after his attendants reported that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were outside requesting an audience.

Shortly after, at Zhang Yu's summons, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei entered the hall to offer their advice.

Upon seeing an acquaintance, Zhang Yu did not put on airs, but instead greeted him warmly, saying, "In the past, when we attacked Guanzhong, we relied heavily on the assistance of Xuande and the two generals. I still remember their heroic deeds of breaking through enemy lines and slaying generals!"

Guan Yu bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty has upheld justice for the world and helped those in distress, which my brothers and I have long admired. Now that we are at our wits' end, we thank Your Majesty for your shelter."

"You're too kind, Yun Chang!"

Zhang Yu invited the two men to sit down and said with a smile, "You and Yide are both exceptionally skilled in martial arts, possessing the courage to defeat ten thousand men. I have long admired you. Now that you have come to serve me in this time of crisis, I am not a foolish person, how could I refuse your service!"

"Ashamed!"

Guan Yu apologized, saying, "In the past, when my brother and I attacked Jiangling, we incurred the enmity of the Central Plains. When my family was in ruins, I originally wanted to serve Your Majesty, but I was afraid that Your Majesty would hold a grudge, so I dared not go. Now I know Your Majesty is magnanimous, please forgive my narrow-mindedness!"

Zhang Yu waved his hand and said magnanimously, "Now that Xuande's fate is unknown, the two of you have come to me for refuge. I wonder what your plans are?"

Guan Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "Since I joined Your Majesty, I have inquired with merchants in the southeast, and some say they are dead, others say they are imprisoned. Regardless of the truth, I and Yide are willing to serve Your Majesty as vanguards in the conquest of the southeast. If, upon conquering the southeast, you die, I beg to slay Cao Cao's head; if you live, I beg to pardon your crimes." "Why not!"

Zhang Yu laughed a few times and said, "The Yangtze River is a natural barrier in the southeast, and I have long worried about the navy. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei have lived in Jingchu for a long time and know the water conditions there. Now that you two have come to join me, I have no worries about conquering the southeast!"

The claim that "conquering the southeast will bring peace of mind" is purely an exaggeration by Zhang Yu. While Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were capable, it's unlikely that Zhang Yu could unify the southeast simply because of them. Praising Guan Yu and Zhang Fei now merely demonstrates Zhang Yu's high regard for these two generals, ensuring they serve him wholeheartedly and maximize their effectiveness.

As expected, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were quite pleased with Zhang Yu's words. As those who had surrendered, their biggest worry was that Zhang Yu would not value them.

Guan Yu cupped his hands and said, "I have many old subordinates in Jingchu. I am willing to lead troops to Jiangling to recruit surrendered people from Jingchu for Your Majesty and to draw up maps for Your Majesty so that the army can march south."

"Yun Chang's words are exactly what I wanted to say!"

Zhang Yu said, "Yun Chang is well-versed in the military situation in Jingchu. I hereby appoint Yun Chang as General Guiyi and Yide as General Fenyi, and the two of them will jointly lead their troops to garrison at Zhijiang. When Jing and Yi capture Yiling, the two of you will be transferred to Yiling to protect the Yangtze River as it flows eastward out of the gorge!"

"We are willing to serve Your Majesty!" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei replied.

After glancing at the memorial on the table, Zhang Yu suddenly said, "I sent someone to persuade Wu Ju to surrender. Now Wu Ju has abandoned Wu and surrendered to me, and has specially presented a letter of surrender to me. I wonder what Yun Chang thinks of this?"

With Liu Bei imprisoned in Jiangdong and Guan Yu defeated and surrendering to the Tang Dynasty, Wu Ju wanted to preserve himself but feared being purged, so he wavered between the two sides. When Taishi Ci led his troops to the capital, he chose to join Cao Cao; when Huan Jie arrived and Yu Fu persuaded him to surrender, Wu Ju then joined Zhang Yu.

This two-faced approach left Zhang Yu unsure whether to seize the opportunity to take over Xiping County, where Wu Ju was located.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and pondered deeply, then said, “Wu Ju surrendered to Cao Cao out of necessity; now he is surrendering to Your Majesty out of the prevailing circumstances. Therefore, in my opinion, if Your Majesty wishes to conquer the southeast, you should first seize Xiping Commandery, which is under Wu Ju’s control, and open up the waterways between Yi and Jing provinces.”

With that, Guan Yu cupped his hands to Zhang Yu and said, "I have a past relationship with Wu Ju. I am willing to lead my troops to visit Yufu under the pretext of reminiscing about the past, and to help Your Majesty capture Yufu and persuade the cities of Zigui, Yiling, and Wuxian to surrender."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu was overjoyed. He had previously planned to use the troops of Yi and Jing provinces to clear out the cities and strategic locations west of Henshan. Now, if Guan Yu could capture Xiping County under Wu Ju's control, he could save at least half the effort.

"How many soldiers do you need?" Zhang Yu asked with interest.

"Your Majesty only needs a hundred axemen and two ships to capture Xiping County!" Guan Yu said confidently.

"color!"

Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "Since Yun Chang has made such a bold statement, how could I refuse? If Guan Yu returns to Jiangling and has any requests, he can fulfill them through Wen Ping. As for capturing Xiping County, I will appoint Yun Chang as the Prefect of Yiling, under the command of Wu Ju's former troops and territories!"

Looking at Guan Yu's beautiful beard that reached his abdomen, Zhang Yu laughed and said, "Yun Chang's beard is very beautiful. Wouldn't it be a pity if it wasn't properly cared for?"

As he spoke, Zhang Yu said to those around him, "Have someone make a beard cover for the Magnificent Beard, and it must be made of Shu brocade!"

"promise!"

"Your Majesty's grace will surely be repaid by capturing the fish!"

Seeing how highly Zhang Yu regarded him, Guan Yu bowed gratefully. (End of Chapter)