Taiheiki

Chapter 26 Chance Encounter
It probably went through Luoyang, Wancheng, Jiangling, Hanshou, Yiyang, Linxiang, Quanling (Yongzhou), Lingqu, Shi'an (Guilin), and Guangxin (Wuzhou). In other words, it went from Henan Province to Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, and then to Guangdong.

The reason this route took a sharp detour westward was because the Wuling Mountains separated the Yangtze and Pearl River systems, and large-scale military mobilization in ancient times was difficult without the support of water transportation. Therefore, after annexing the six kingdoms, Qin Shihuang built the Lingqu Canal (in present-day Xing'an County, Guangxi Province), connecting the Xiangjiang and Lijiang River systems.

In this way, the Qin army's ships could sail all the way from the Yangtze River into the Li River, then go down the river to attack Guangdong, conquer the Lingnan region, and establish the three counties of Nanhai, Guilin, and Xiangjun, which were the two states of Jiao and Guang in the Han Dynasty.

Hanshou County was located at the fork in the transportation route from Wancheng to Jiaozhou and Guangzhou. During the Han Dynasty and throughout the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Han Chinese presence in the vast south was limited to a few scattered points, surrounded by a vast sea of local barbarians. These points could only be sustained in the long term by ensuring that the central government's army could readily enter the south through this route to quell rebellions.

Seeing Lu Ju's utterly mortal form, Liu Du decided to offer some solace. After all, he was still on someone else's territory. If things really went wrong, and Lu Ju refused to cooperate, he wouldn't have a good outcome. So he coughed and said with a smile, "Lord Lu, you know the court has appointed Minister of Rites Feng Gun as General of Chariots and Cavalry, to lead the expedition against the Wuling Barbarians. It'll be early next spring at the latest. As long as we can hold on until then, it'll be fine. That shouldn't be that difficult, right?"

Lu Ju's expression changed slightly, and Liu Du saw it, knowing that it had worked, and hurriedly struck while the iron was hot, using his eloquence to boost morale before sending Lu Ju away. As soon as Lu Ju left, Liu Du's face darkened. He knew that the matter was not as simple as he said.

It is true that the Wuling barbarians should not have the strength to capture the Hanshou County under his feet, but if he just stays in the city and watches the barbarians and rebels cut off the transportation lines and attack everywhere, I am afraid that the first thing Feng Gun will do after arriving is to chop off his head as a sacrifice. After all, the prefects can still say that the rebels are powerful and they have the responsibility to defend the land. As a governor, he has no land to defend. If he sits and watches the bandits wreak havoc, the only possibility is that he will be cowardly and stand still.

"Come here, check the troops! I want to go out of the city to fight the bandits!"

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Xiangyang, Cai’s house.

The oldest among them was already an adult, around seventeen or eighteen, and one was over twenty, but most were very young, under sixteen.

Cao Cao watched from the terrace as they wielded wooden swords and spears without tips, panting, grunting, and cursing. The crackling of wood against wood echoed throughout the training grounds, punctuated by the cries of beatings. Two tall men in black robes paced among the boys, occasionally stopping to grab one and mutter something, presumably to teach him a lesson.

"It seems they are very anxious!" Cao Cao picked up a split pomegranate from the tray next to him.

"Yeah!" Cai Mao nodded nonchalantly: "I heard that all the trained personnel have been taken away, and there are not enough guards to guard the mansion, so-"

"Has it come to this?" Cao Cao pondered. "I thought it hadn't come to this!"

"Whether they arrive or not is none of our business!" Cai Mao said with a smile, "When Feng's cavalry arrives next year, won't everything fall apart? I think you should think about how to deal with the Yuan brothers! They're sure to come up with something new this winter!"

"The Yuan brothers?" Cao Cao laughed. "To be honest, I almost forgot about them!"

"They will never forget you!" Cai Mao snorted coldly. At this time, a servant in a hurry walked up to him and whispered a few words in his ear. Cai Mao's expression suddenly changed.

"What happened?" asked Cao Cao.

"Jingzhou Governor Liu Du led his troops out of the city to defeat the bandits, but was defeated. His soldiers were scattered, and his life or death is unknown!" Cai Mao's voice trembled slightly: "How could this happen? How could this happen!"

"I know how to deal with the Yuan brothers!" Cao Cao stood up, his eyes shining. "Let's recruit warriors now and go to Hanshou County in Wuling!"

"Wuling Hanshou County?" Cai Mao was stunned. "Why are we going there? There's a war going on there!"

"Yes, that's why we're going!" Cao Cao laughed. "Haven't you always said you'd lead troops against the Qiang people and become the General of the Western Expedition? Now's the perfect opportunity to train! The Governor's missing, the situation is dire. We can descend from the sky, defeat the Wuling bandits, and behead their leader. If the Yuan brothers knew, they'd be envious!"

Cai Mao was frightened by Cao Cao's words. He said anxiously, "Ah Man, you are not kidding, are you? Do you know how many generals, provincial governors, and captains have died at the hands of those barbarians? We are so young! If they can't do it, how can we possibly win?"

"Age?" Cao Cao smiled. "How old was Huo Piaoyao when he first led his troops into the desert to fight the Xiongnu? Achieving great feats requires ambition, strategy, and courage. What does age have to do with it? Besides, the Wuling barbarians are neither good at sieges nor sailing. We can take a boat from Jiangling and sail directly to Hanshou County. What's the danger?"

Cai Mao hesitated for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "I still think it's too dangerous. If you really want to join the army, why not wait two or three months for Feng Cheqi to arrive? After all, he and your grandfather are old acquaintances. Wouldn't it be much safer to go with him?"

"Amao, why don't you understand? We're going now to face danger, isn't it the same as waiting until Feng's cavalry arrives?" Cao Cao laughed, "Don't you understand the current situation? Why do the Yuan brothers travel with knights and befriend them? Do you think they really like such vulgar people? Isn't it to enhance their reputation? With reputation, you can be recommended as a filial and honest official, and then become a provincial governor, a prefect, one of the nine ministers, and one of the three highest officials. And as long as we go this time—no matter what the consequences are, we will be known as a man who is fearless in the face of danger and has extraordinary courage and perseverance!"

This time Cai Mao was finally persuaded, or rather tempted. He gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, Ah Man, I'll listen to you this time. But you have to listen to me when to set off. We have to wait until everything is ready!"

"Of course. You Cai family are the local bosses in Jingzhou. If I don't listen to you, who should I listen to? I'm going there to gain prestige, not to die!" Cao Cao laughed and said, "As long as we don't delay until Feng's chariot arrives, it'll be fine!"

"Of course. I will go and report to my father now. You can do as you please here!" After saying that, Cai Mao left quickly.

Cao Cao waved to his friend and ate a pomegranate while lazily watching the young man below clumsily swinging his club. A few familiar faces suddenly flashed through his mind: Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Zhang Miao, Xu You; surely they were all hiding in their hometowns at this time? He really missed life in Luoyang. Compared to Luoyang, this place was really boring!

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The wooden sign outside the inn swayed in the wind, making a rattling sound. "I recognize this inn! The mulberry wine here is the most refreshing!" Wang Shou said to Wei Cong on horseback, who was clumsily learning to control his mount with the reins. "We can stop for a drink to quench our thirst!"

"Where can we get mulberry wine in this season?" Diwu Deng sneered. "If you want to drink it, just say so. Why bother involving others?"

"Can't there be some leftover spring tea? It would be even more flavorful." Wang Shou retorted, "And I don't believe you don't want to have a few sips."

Faced with Wang Shou's rebuttal, Diwudeng was speechless. Wei Cong smiled indifferently at his men's bickering. Zhao Yannian, who was standing next to him, asked, "How far is it from here to Xiangyang? If we rest here for a while, will it delay our journey?"

"If we only rest for half an hour, we can reach Xiangyang before dark!" Zhao Yannian said.

"Okay, let's rest there for a while. Everyone can have a drink, but no more than one!" Wei Cong said loudly. The followers on both sides heard this and cheered.

"My dear, you can't do this!" Zhao Yannian whispered, "There's no military without prestige. You're being too kind to them. Over time, they'll become lax. You need to be stricter with them on a daily basis so you can motivate them when it matters most!"

"Alright!" Wei Cong said with a smile, "I'm not a general or a lieutenant, and you're not soldiers either. There's no need to be so nervous!"

"But..." Zhao Yannian wanted to say something, but Wei Cong's face showed a trace of pain: "Yannian, come over and help me, my thigh seems to be rubbed!"

Zhao Yannian had no choice but to help Wei Cong dismount: "My dear, riding a horse is not something you have only learned in a day or two. In fact, you have learned very quickly. In just a few days, you can already ride on horseback. If it were anyone else, how could they have such ability!"

"That's because the stirrups and saddle are good!" Wei Cong said. He dismounted with Zhao Yannian's help. "Then follow the rules. Half of us will stand guard by the carriage, and the other half will eat. We'll take turns!"

"That's right!" Zhao Yannian revealed a satisfied expression. He liked this about Wei Cong: his kindness, open-mindedness, and generosity. He was also very willing to listen to others' advice. He had been through a lot of hardships and setbacks for half his life, and seeing that the road was getting narrower and narrower, he was even considering joining the Shanyue tribe, but unexpectedly, his luck suddenly changed and he met such a man. Although he was old, the Emperor Gao was several years older than he is now when he drew his three-foot sword, killed the white snake and started the rebellion! Who said that Zhao Yannian was destined to be poor and humble?"

Zhao Yannian pushed open the door and Wei Cong walked in. He frowned. There were no merchants or local rich people in the room. There were only more than ten men wearing red scarves and crimson robes. They were sitting around the stove with swords beside them. One of the young men was hugging a woman and letting her sit on his lap.

"Isn't this Zhao Yannian?" The young man who had been hugging the woman stood up. Wei Cong saw him pull his right hand out of the woman's bra. "Want some wine?"

"I'm just passing by, want a drink!" Zhao Yannian untied the leather bag from his waist, shook it twice, and raised his voice: "Shopkeeper, bring up anything you want to drink, we have cash!"

The shopkeeper walked in from the side room and carefully glanced at the leading man in crimson, as if asking for his consent. The young man who had just spoken laughed and said, "I have cash. I didn't expect that Brother Zhao has become so rich after not seeing him for a few days. This time he has followed the right master and has become a good dog!"

"Zhang Boshi, your brother and I used to have nothing to do with each other, but now we're going our separate ways. It's not because I'm afraid of you!" Zhao Yannian said coldly to the crimson-robed man in the lead, "Don't try to embarrass yourself! Shopkeeper, bring us some drinks! We're thirteen people, one of us is a woman. Just give her some hot soup!"

The young man was about to make another sarcastic remark when the leading man in crimson clothes stood up, placed his right hand on the young man's shoulder as a warning and shook his head briefly. Even Wei Cong understood the meaning of this.

But the young man didn't notice, or he didn't care at all: "Hey, didn't you say that you didn't want to be driven by others, so you rejected my general's recruitment, but now you go to be a nobleman's dog. Hehe, I guess the meat and bones given by this nobleman are bigger and more delicious, right?" He grinned foolishly.

Zhao Yannian looked at the young man without saying a word. The leading man in crimson clothes grabbed the young man's arm. He was not tall, but he had strong muscles. His beard on his chin and cheeks was thick and black, and his head was half bald. "This kid is drunk, don't mind!"

"If you can't control your mouth, you shouldn't drink!" Zhao Yannian said coldly.

"Hey--" The young man was about to say something, but it turned into a scream. It turned out that the leading man used force with his hands to twist the young man's arms behind his back.

At this time, the store owner brought up the drinks, and Wei Cong and his group sat at the long table and began to eat and drink. Wei Cong took a sip and asked, "Who are these people?"

"The subordinates of General Jiangyi Zhang Bolu, the one leading them is Zhang Bolu's cousin, Zhang Boshi!"

"Zhang Bolu?" Wei Cong thought the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember it for a moment. "Where's that guy who's always picking on you?"

"Who knows?" Zhao Yannian sneered, "Who would bother to remember the name of a guy who won't live long?"

Wang Shou laughed. "My dear, have you forgotten? On the way to Cai Buyi's villa, we encountered a few thieves. They were pretending to be the subordinates of General Zhang Bolu!"

"Oh!" Wei Cong remembered and looked up at the people by the stove: "Indeed, these people are obviously much more respectable than those guys back then!"

"Of course!" Zhao Yannian said, "Zhang Bolu has been rampant in Jiangbei for some years now. The officials of the prefectures and counties are unable to do anything to him. Not only can they not capture him, but they also have to send people to befriend him to avoid being robbed. He must have some skills. But -"

(End of this chapter)