Tiger Guards

Chapter 332 It’s a matter of course
The Grand Marshal's mansion, built entirely of logs, greatly impressed Wang Can and others.

Even within the city of Jinyang, Zhao Ji maintained the military administration's organizational structure as a mobile force.

Officials from various departments of the shogunate who came and went also wore leather armor and headscarves.

The servants in blue robes would also wear sleeveless half-body leather armor.

In the east courtyard where guests were received, Zhao Ji sat at the head of the table, with Chief Secretary Zhang Chang, Western Secretary Zhuge Xuan, and Eastern Secretary Zhao Rui all seated to his left.

The three envoys from Jingzhou, Wang Can, Fu Xun, and Pei Qian, entered amidst announcements, bowing deeply and saying, "Your humble servants have come to pay homage to the Grand Marshal on the orders of the General Who Guards the South."

"How is Liu Zhennan doing these days?"

"He was worried about being reprimanded by the General and was restless day and night."

"And what about the people of Jingzhou?"

"Reporting to the Grand Marshal, the armies of Jingzhou are doing their utmost to transport grain to supply the imperial court, yet the General is still not satisfied, causing anxiety and fear among the people of the state."

Wang Can bowed deeply, unable to rise: "The only one who can lend a helping hand to save the three million men and women of Jingzhou is the Grand Marshal."

"I am aware of this. Please take your seats."

"Yes, thank you for the seat, Grand Marshal."

The three bowed again, expressed their gratitude, and then turned around. Instead of square cushions that resembled computer cases or other small kneeling devices, they were given three round stools, also known as Hu beds.

Zhang Chang, Zhuge Xuan, and Zhao Rui were also sitting on backless round stools.

Only Zhao Ji sat on a large chair with armrests and a backrest, six feet wide.

After the three were seated, Pei Xiu led a group of servants inside, bringing in wine and dishes. Pei Xiu then stood at the door.

After all the servants had left, Zhao Ji said, "The grain transported from Jingzhou to the north and south is no less than two thousand li. I heard that when ten shi of Xiang rice are transported to Ruying, less than one-tenth survives. Is that true?"

Wang Can slightly turned to the side and cupped his hands: "Grand Marshal, you are wise. When transportation is smooth, one in thirteen can be preserved, and often one in fifteen."

“If the people of Jingzhou, from Liu Zhennan downwards, do their utmost to serve the court and relieve the court’s predicament, then I will certainly not sit idly by and watch Liu Zhennan suffer.”

Zhao Ji picked up his teacup and gestured, "However, I have a father-in-law and son-in-law relationship with the General, and I will not go to war with him over the matter of Jingzhou. Do you all agree?"

Wang Can held up the wine bowl with both hands: "The Grand Marshal was able to persuade the General and redress the grievances of the officials and people of Jingzhou. My trip has not been in vain! The officials and people of Jingzhou will never forget the kindness of the Grand Marshal."

Zhao Ji did not drink the tea, but looked at Wang Can and said: "Everyone in the world knows that I will be attacking the two traitors Li and Guo next year. If Guanzhong is pacified, I hope that Liu Zhennan can help the refugees from the Three Auxiliary Regions who have been stranded in Nanyang when they return home, out of consideration for our past relationship."

Wang Can still held the wine bowl with both hands: "Assisting the officials and people of the Three Auxiliary Regions who have suffered disasters to return to their hometowns is a benevolent and righteous policy. General Zhennan will do his best to transport grain up the Dan River and store it in the southern countryside for the officials and people returning home to use. He will also send officials and soldiers to clear out the bandits and thieves in the Wuguan Pass to protect the road."

"not enough."

Zhao Ji looked at Wang Can's malnourished face and said, "I have heard that many powerful families and local warlords in Nanyang have annexed land and forced the disaster victims of the Three Auxiliary Regions into slavery. I hope that Liu Zhennan can release these innocent disaster victims so that they can return to their hometowns and reunite with their families. In this way, I can also show kindness to the Three Auxiliary Regions and make governance easier."

You can't say Wang Can looks like a rat, but that's the general feeling.

Wang Can immediately agreed, his face beaming with joy: "I am willing to personally go to Nanyang to persuade each family to release the innocent disaster victims, so that the people of the Three Auxiliary Regions can return to their home prefecture."

"it is good."

Zhao Ji slightly raised his teacup and took a small sip, while Wang Can immediately tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Liu Biao's side wished they could dismantle the major families in Nanyang, and under the pretext of Zhao Ji, they would naturally urge the counties and major families in Nanyang to release the disaster victims.

Zhao Ji originally intended to recruit two of the likes, Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, and Wen Pin, but given the current situation, if he were to remove Huang Zhong and Wen Pin, Liu Biao's defenses would likely collapse.

Especially after Lü Bu led his troops into Nanyang, the Jingzhou army, lacking the support of powerful generals, might collapse.

With Lü Bu causing trouble, it was difficult for Zhao Ji to issue an order through the imperial court, and therefore he could not order the powerful families of Nanyang to release the disaster victims from the Three Auxiliary Regions.

However, if Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou and general in charge of the south, can issue such an order, and if the powerful families of Nanyang refuse to obey... that would be truly wonderful.

It's not just Liu Biao; Lü Bu and Li Tong would probably also take action against the powerful clans.

If Liu Biao's forces block Lü Bu north of the Han River and then cut off his food supply, Lü Bu, driven mad by hunger, will surely make his move.

In fact, Lu Bu's current unprecedented strength is also due to the continuous support he receives from Liu Biao.

Without Liu Biao's financial support, Lü Bu wouldn't have been able to reorganize his army so quickly.

Similarly, no matter how strong Lü Bu is, he doesn't have enough grain reserves. If he can't defeat Liu Biao in one wave, then what awaits Lü Bu is only a larger-scale internal chaos.

So this matter can indeed be resolved through negotiation.

For example, Lü Bu could lead more men to Wancheng, avoiding road transport. In this way, rice transported from the Xiang River in Jingnan could be directly transported to Wancheng via the Han and Yu Rivers, reducing losses by more than half. In fact, without increasing the transport volume, the rice transported to Wancheng would essentially enter Lü Bu's central army and fall into his own hands.

Now that the grain has arrived in Wancheng, it will be transported overland to Ruying. The transport capacity along the way will also consume rice, so it can't be considered a waste. After the grain arrives in Ruying, it will also be used to provide relief to some disaster victims, so the amount of grain that actually ends up in Lü Bu's hands is not much.

The grain was consumed by those who lacked it, so it cannot be considered a waste; the real waste was that it did not fall directly into Lü Bu's hands!
This is also the root cause of Lü Bu's anxiety. If you ship three million shi of grain and Lü Bu ends up with two hundred thousand shi left over, then Lü Bu will definitely be anxious and uneasy.

But if you transport two million shi of grain to Wancheng, and Lü Bu keeps one million shi for himself... Lü Bu really doesn't care about the lives of the disaster victims in Ruying.

As long as his central army has ample food reserves, Lü Bu will naturally make a rational choice regarding those people who are dispensable to him and depend on him.

The most important thing is the army. Lü Bu, who has already completed the reorganization of the army, sees no essential difference between Liu Biao, people from Nanyang, and people from Ruying.

If it's difficult to attack Liu Biao, a stable source of grain, then surely they have the strength to deal with the people of Nanyang and Ruying, who are so close by?

How to persuade Lü Bu to change the direction of his attack was Zhao Ji's own business; there was no need to discuss such an arrangement on the spot.

After drinking a bowl of wine, Wang Can suddenly felt that the tall, imposing, and extremely handsome Grand Marshal was also exceptionally approachable and pleasing to the eye.

He was prepared for a heated debate, and also mentally prepared for Zhao Ji to become enraged and turn on him, killing him in the process.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji made a decision so readily, based solely on information from previous private contacts and exchanges between the two parties.

What's even more valuable is that even though they clearly held the initiative, they didn't deliberately harass him in public, which in itself is a friendly and respectful attitude.

Wang Can poured himself a cup of wine, then raised his bowl, stood up, and said with a hearty expression, "The Grand Marshal saved the officials and people of Jingzhou from dire straits. This kindness is beyond words. I will drink three cups myself!"

Zhao Ji raised his teacup, his face devoid of joy: "When we volunteered to join the elite troops, we were dressed in rags, yet we were all determined to serve the country and save the people from suffering. The bodies of our comrades who sacrificed themselves for us are still warm; how could I possibly forget my oath?"

"Grand Marshal Rende!"

Wang Can praised loudly, picked up the wine bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

He kept his word and poured himself another drink.

Wang Can drank three bowls of wine in a row, and Pei Xiu immediately arranged for a servant to bring a pot of new wine and take away the pot with only a little wine left.

After Wang Can took his seat, Pei Qian also stood up and raised his wine bowl to Zhao Ji, saying, "I will never forget the kindness of the Grand Marshal's assistance."

"Second brother, there's no need for that. General Zhennan has asked you to come see me, and even if it's difficult for me, I will do my best to help."

Zhao Ji also picked up his teacup, and after exchanging glances, he took a small sip of tea.

Then Fu Xun rose to offer a toast, and Zhao Ji said, "The Guanzhong region has been in turmoil due to the successive rebellions of Dong Zhuo and Li Jue. I am determined to quell the rebellion and bring peace to the region, but I lack the necessary assistance. I wonder if you, sir, might be able to come here and help me?"

Fu Xun was in a dilemma, so he said, "The Three Auxiliary Regions are in great chaos. I have been stranded in Jingzhou and have received the kindness of General Zhennan. It is really difficult for me to betray him."

"In that case, I will ask Liu Zhennan in my letter. A gentleman should help others achieve their goals, and Liu Zhennan is an elder in the region. He will surely grant your wish to return to your hometown to govern and serve the people."

Zhao Ji, holding a teacup in one hand, smiled and said, "I will wait here for your good news, sir."

"Don't dare."

Fu Xun looked grateful, tilted his head back to drink the wine, and returned to his seat.

At this moment, Zhuge Xuan also stood up and toasted Zhao Ji: "General Zhennan also saved my life. I am deeply grateful to the Grand Marshal for his assistance to General Zhennan. I will remember it forever."

“Sir, there’s no need for that. I’m just following my conscience.”

Zhao Ji picked up his teacup and gestured to Zhuge Xuan. Zhuge Xuan tilted his head back and drank the tea, which made him feel much better.

Favors owed must be repaid.

Zhuge Xuan had also been privately visited by Wang Can, and after facilitating this matter, he naturally owed Liu Biao nothing more.

After the main matters were settled, Zhao Ji immediately began to consult with Wang Can and the other two, asking them about various figures and events in Jingzhou.

Wang Can and the other two responded positively, stating that given Zhao Ji's current position, he wouldn't do something like changing orders frequently.

Since even the strategist Zhao Qi was convinced, Wang Can naturally concluded that there was no possibility of any reversal in this matter.

Ultimately, Zhao Ji was simply following reason and making a conventional decision.

But for Jingzhou and Liu Biao's side, this decision could directly avoid a war.

As for how to mediate between Lü Bu and Zhao Ji, Zhao Ji will handle the negotiations himself.

In order to gain Liu Biao's cooperation and to stabilize Liu Biao's officials and surrounding subordinate forces, Zhao Ji also needed to send an envoy of appropriate status to Jingzhou to demonstrate his stance.

(End of this chapter)