Han officials

Chapter 273 The Feudal Lords Pay Homage to Ye [4K]

The fourth year of the Chuping era, the sixth month, the Xinchou day.

The celestial dog travels northwest, bringing a strong wind to Fufeng and causing Mount Hua to collapse.

Yang Biao, the Minister of Works, was dismissed, and Zhao Wen, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, was appointed Minister of

For the next two weeks, nothing happened... except for frequent deaths.

However, the Hebei region has finally ushered in a long-awaited period of peace.

After all, Ji Province had never been peaceful since Yuan Shao usurped the position of Governor of Ji Province in the first year of the Chuping era.

First came the campaign against Dong Zhuo in the counties of Guandong, followed by the mutiny in Yecheng and the rebellion of Gongsun Zan.

After finally eliminating Gongsun Zan, Youzhou and Jizhou began a protracted war that lasted for nearly three years.

Over time, the people of Jizhou had long been suffering terribly.

In contrast, the Liaodong region, which was pacified by Wei Zhe early on, could be considered a haven from the chaos of the late Han Dynasty.

If we break it down further, then the Lelang County region has even enjoyed nearly ten years of peace.

What was once a harsh and desolate border region is now gradually being known as a paradise on the east coast.

Many ordinary people and scholars spontaneously came here to live and multiply in order to escape the war.

Even the Sinicization process in Dongming County accelerated significantly, and the once barbarian lands had already converted to Han etiquette.

In particular, the Dongji Stele erected by Wei Zhe in Busan has become a must-visit place for literati in Liaodong.

The scholars and Confucianists who came from all over the country to escape the war were full of curiosity about everything in Haidong.

Even the towering Buxian Mountain (Changbai Mountain) did not escape their "ravages".

The Tianchi Lake at Buxian Mountain has become a frequent subject of poetry and prose among scholars in Haidong.

From this perspective, although Wei Zhe came from humble origins, his profound knowledge and experience were unmatched by Yuan Shao.

For example, after Wei Zhe took control of Ji Province, he controlled the situation in just half a month.

Unlike Yuan Shao, Wei Zhe had his own base of support, including an elite army and a large number of officials.

Under such circumstances, even if individual counties in Ji Province were unwilling to submit to Wei Zhe, he could still crush them all the way through.

Therefore, when Xun Yu led the Yanzhou delegation to Ye City, all the counties and towns in Jizhou had already been captured by the Wei army.

Looking across the four prefectures of Hebei, apart from Shangdang Prefecture where the sounds of fighting could still be heard, there was almost no more warfare in other places.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this that the people of Jizhou adapted very quickly.

……

The people yearn for stability!
Walking through the bustling streets of Ye City, Xun Yu couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

The furs of Youzhou, the fine horses of Liaodong, and the ginseng of Lelang all converge here at this moment.

The caravans traveling to and from the north and south, along with the local peddlers and laborers, almost instantly swept away the lingering smell of war.

The hawkers' cries along the street made Xun Yu feel as if he were in Luoyang.

Upon hearing this, Si Mu, a subordinate official standing nearby, couldn't help but nod, saying with a hint of envy:
"Jizhou is indeed the richest province in the world!"

Even though Yanzhou is located in the Central Plains, with a long history and profound cultural heritage, it is currently far from being comparable to Jizhou.

Especially after Cao Cao "lost and regained" Yanzhou, the province was devastated by the war and all industries were in decline.

Let alone ordinary merchants, even people are now eating irregularly, sometimes hungry and sometimes full.

Otherwise, Cheng Yu wouldn't have needed to target his fellow villager.

However, Xun Yu smiled slightly upon hearing this and said nothing more.

It's true that Jizhou is wealthy, but that also depends on who governs it.

If Wei Zhe is included, Xun Yu has actually witnessed the reigns of three rulers of Ji Province.

In his early years, when Xun Yu served as the Palace Guard in Luoyang, he requested to take up a local post as the magistrate of Kangfu County after Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao of Luoyang and installed Emperor Xie of Luoyang. After finding an excuse to leave Luoyang, Xun Yu decisively resigned and returned to his hometown.

Because Xun Yu keenly sensed that the world was about to descend into chaos, he and Han Rong, from the same prefecture, led more than a thousand families of their relatives to seek refuge in the western mountains of Mi County in an attempt to escape disaster.

At that time, Han Fu had just taken office as the governor of Ji Province and sent people to Yingchuan County to invite fellow scholars from his hometown to serve in Ji Province.

Xun Yu thought it made sense; hiding in the mountains was not safe either, so he moved his clan to Jizhou for refuge.

He did try to persuade other fellow villagers from Yingchuan, but most of them were reluctant to leave their homeland. As a result, they were either killed by the soldiers or starved and cold under the ravages of war and gradually disappeared.

Not long after Xun Yu arrived in Ji Province, Yuan Shao launched a coup and seized the position of Governor of Ji Province.

It was after seeing how Yuan Shao handled the aftermath of the mutiny that Xun Yu realized Yuan Shao was ultimately incapable of achieving great things.

Therefore, even though Yuan Shao treated him with the utmost respect, Xun Yu still resolutely abandoned Yuan and joined Cao Cao.

Looking back at the previous two governors of Ji Province, Xun Yu clearly sensed that the atmosphere in Ji Province was different now.

Well, Ye City under Yuan Shao's rule was actually quite prosperous, but it wasn't as bustling as it is now.

At that time, it was common to see wealthy and powerful families drinking and feasting until dawn in the pavilions and villas.

Although the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the streets and alleys, they had no connection whatsoever with the ordinary people outside.

The carriages that passed by on the main street were mostly luxurious ones belonging to high-ranking officials and nobles; ordinary merchants were not considered worthy of such treatment.

Unlike the present-day Ye City, there is still a "ban on travel".

Thinking about this, Xun Yu suddenly understood something.

Perhaps it was because Wei Zhe slightly restrained the aristocratic nobles that Ye City is in such a state.

"Let's go back to the manor!"

A moment later, Xun Yu's expression suddenly became complicated, and he led his men back to his own residence.

Although he was currently serving under Cao Cao, Xun Yu's family and clan remained in Ye City.

Compared to Yuzhou, Yanzhou was also a battleground on all sides.

Since Xun Yu had led his clansmen out of Yuzhou, he naturally wouldn't lead them into another hellhole.

Fortunately, he didn't act impulsively back then; otherwise, who knows how many more of his clansmen would have died during the chaos in Yanzhou last year.

However, the next day, as soon as Xun Yu arrived at the governor's mansion to pay his respects, he was cut in line by someone else before Wei Zhe could receive him.

Xun Yu felt helpless, but he had nothing to say, because it was an envoy from the Chang'an court who had cut in line.

……

In the main hall of the governor's mansion, an elderly gentleman with a white beard and head stood solemnly facing north.

This white-haired old gentleman is Zhao Qi, the Grand Master of the Palace, a renowned centenarian of the dynasty.

Why do I say that? Because this old man was born during the reign of Emperor He.

Not counting the emperors posthumously honored by later emperors, he had eleven emperors who officially ascended the throne.

Having served eleven emperors, this resume is unique in the imperial court.

Those veterans of four dynasties in later generations were like children in front of Zhao Qi.

Most importantly, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this old gentleman should live for another five or six years, and could live to be around 100 years old.

Not to mention in the Han Dynasty, even in later generations, he would be a truly long-lived old man.

The fact that the Chang'an court sent him as an envoy this time shows that they had put a lot of thought into it.

At least we must treat this centenarian Wei Zhe with great care, lest he die in Jizhou.

Zhao Qi, however, didn't seem to care about his own life or death at all. Upon seeing Wei Zhe, the old gentleman's expression turned serious as he said:
"General Zuo is also a Han official. Why are you detaining the emperor's envoy? What is Your Majesty's intention?"

Wei Zhe was not offended at all upon hearing this, and simply chuckled:

"Lord Zhao has misunderstood. The Grand Tutor suddenly fell seriously ill and was unable to walk, so I kept him here for treatment."

"If you do not believe me, I will invite the Grand Tutor here, and Lord Zhao will know the truth once he asks him."

After saying this, Wei Zhe waved his hand and ordered someone to invite Ma Ridi over.

Shortly after, when Ma Ridi entered, Zhao Qi saw that he still had his insignia and his expression was normal, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason Zhao Qi was sent to Ye City this time was because Ma Ridi had not returned for a long time.

It wasn't that Li Jue and the others were particularly worried about Ma Ridi, but rather that they were worried about angering Wei Zhe.

Heaven knows how uneasy Li Jue and others were when the results of the Battle of Guangzong reached Chang'an.

After all, putting aside the four prefectures of Hebei, Wei Zhe had also left them with painful memories on the battlefield.

This is why the Chang'an court sent envoys to mediate during the war between Yuan Shao and Wei Zhou.

Compared to Wei Zhe, Li Jue and others preferred to be neighbors with Yuan Shao.

Unfortunately, they overestimated themselves.

Not only did the mediation fail, but they also had to worry about retaliation from Wei Zhe.

Therefore, seeing that Ma Ridi had not returned, the Chang'an court hurriedly sent Zhao Qi to Yecheng to appease Wei Zhe.

But despite Li Jue and his ilk's shamelessness, the old gentleman still wanted to uphold the dignity of the Han Dynasty.

If he announces the decree first and then asks questions, the scene would resemble a transaction too much.

If one inquires about the safety of the imperial envoy before announcing the imperial edict, the impression it gives is completely different.

This order of events may seem like a word game, but it can, to some extent, represent the attitude of the imperial court.

Unfortunately, Zhao Qi could only do these insignificant things.

After confirming that Ma Ridi had not been coerced into staying, Zhao Qi finally began to read the imperial edict.

In the spacious council hall, the old gentleman's weathered voice rang out:
-

General Zhe of the Left:

I have heard that the workings of Heaven and the order of things require ministers as capable as hawks and falcons; and that the stability of the border regions depends on generals as strong as pillars of the state.

General Wei Zhe of the Left, soaring like an eagle across the northern plains, roaring like a tiger on the frontier, wielding sharp weapons and armor, he carried on the illustrious deeds of his predecessors; he distributed his command and discipline, greatly demonstrating the might of a supreme general. He annihilated the Wuhuan cavalry in the north, crushed the Xianbei's advance in the east; wherever his iron cavalry went, dust billowed in the daytime; wherever his carved spears pointed, spring returned to the borderlands. Even Dou Xian's inscription on Yanran Mountain and Ban Chao's pacification of the Western Regions cannot surpass his achievements!

He is now granted the title of Marquis of Ye, with a fief of two thousand households, and is further granted the authority to command troops. He is appointed General of the Cavalry, overseeing the military affairs of the four provinces of You, Ji, Bing, and Qing. He is bestowed with a suit of golden armor, black and crimson robes, a pair of jade discs, and ten red bows and arrows.

I hereby appoint you to guard the northern frontier, to serve as a bulwark for the royal family, and to secure the mountains and rivers. You shall diligently perform your duties, never faltering in loyalty and diligence, training your soldiers with unwavering resolve, and caring for the common people like the warm spring sun. If the barbarian hordes do not dare to invade the borderlands, and the Han banners forever shine at Lulong, then I will bestow upon you your portrait in the Hall of Heroes and the oath of the land, and I will not hesitate to bestow upon you extraordinary favor.

The announcement was made at home and abroad, and the envoys heard about it.

June 6th, Dingmao day of the fourth year of Chuping
-

As Zhao Qi finished speaking, everyone in the council hall was slightly startled.

Those surrendered officials who still harbored some nostalgia for Yuan Shao have now completely given up hope.

After all, Yuan Shao's title of Governor of Ji Province was self-proclaimed from beginning to end, lacking both righteousness and official authority.

Now that the imperial decree has been issued, Wei Zhe's previous attack on Ji Province has become all the more legitimate.

He was ordered to quell the rebellion; what crime had he committed?
In this way, the Yuan family of Runan, despite having produced four generations of high-ranking officials, would be of little use in Jizhou.

However, Wei Zhe's group of veteran officials couldn't help but light up upon hearing this.

After all, with the court's endorsement, the legitimacy of the shogunate's governance of Ji Province was restored.

Thinking of this, many people couldn't help but smile.

In contrast, Wei Zhe's focus was different from everyone else's.

"General of the Cavalry?"

Wei Zhe, who hadn't paid much attention before, couldn't help but be tempted at this moment.

Interestingly, this title, like "Marquis of Champion," was specially created by Emperor Wu of Han for Huo Qubing.

Since the title of "Champion Marquis" was tarnished by the dead eunuch Wang Fu, the title of General of the Cavalry is the only pure land left.

Throughout the Han Dynasty, there were three "Marquis of Champion" titles, but only one "General of the Cavalry".

After Huo Qubing's death, no one in the Han Dynasty was ever granted the title of General of the Cavalry.

It wasn't until the first year of Zhangwu (221 AD), when Liu Bei declared himself emperor and established the Shu Han dynasty, that Ma Chao was appointed as General of the Cavalry.

From this perspective, the Chang'an court's appointment of him as "General of the Cavalry" was a well-intentioned move.

Interestingly, the Chang'an court did not reward him for suppressing the rebellion in Ji Province, but rather for his meritorious service in sweeping across the grasslands.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhe felt much more at ease.

After all, in terms of salary, the General of the Cavalry was equivalent to the Grand General; in terms of rank, the General of the Cavalry held a gold seal and purple ribbon, and was equivalent to the Three Dukes, second only to the Grand General who was related to the Empress Dowager.

With the position of Grand General vacant, General of the Cavalry was already the most prestigious general title.

Last September, the imperial court promoted Li Jue to General of Chariots and Cavalry, granted him the authority to establish his own government, and appointed him as the Commandant of the Capital Region.

Since Huo Qubing is the only isolated case of the General of the Flying Cavalry, it is difficult to determine whether he or the General of the Chariots and Cavalry is superior.

However, Li Jue's act of presenting this title to Wei Zhe was clearly intended to convey some kind of message.

Upon realizing this, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Is Li Jue's move an attempt to be "equal" with Wei Zhe, or an expression of mutual respect and non-interference?

Almost everyone in the hall realized this in an instant.

So when Zhao Qi went down to rest and Xun Yu took the stage, many people became distracted.

There's nothing we can do; Yanzhou is currently in ruins and looks impoverished.

Not to mention the veteran officials who had served under Yuan Shao, even the officials who had originally followed him looked down on him.

It's important to know that during the Yuan-Wei War, Yanzhou provided almost no assistance whatsoever.

Cao Cao was busy suppressing rebellions in Yanzhou and completely ignored the order to transfer troops to Ye City.

Xun Yu didn't mind and greeted Wei Zhe with the same composure, without the slightest impoliteness.

However, after he explained his purpose, Wei Zhe suddenly brought up something unrelated.

"I wonder what position Wenruo holds now?"

Meeting Wei Zhe's curious gaze, Xun Yu answered frankly:
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Wei. I will temporarily serve as Sima to assist in military affairs."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe immediately shook his head and sighed repeatedly:

"Alas, what a waste of talent! Why does Cao Cao treat such a capable person so harshly?"

"Since Cao Cao lacks the ability to judge people, why don't you stay in Ji Province?"

Xun Yu was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Wei Zhe to be so blatant in poaching talent. Did he really not care about Yanzhou at all?
Although he found these words quite agreeable, Xun Yu still politely declined Wei Zhe's invitation.

And after weighing everything he had seen and heard along the way, as well as today's unexpected turn of events, he actually revealed his trump card.

Even though Wei Zhe had some guesses, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

"Use Cao Ang as a hostage?"

(End of this chapter)