Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 89 Zhu Zhi
In the letter to Xu Zhao, Yan Yi also made a request, which was to ask Xu Zhao to deploy troops on the border to threaten Qiantang, so that the Qiantang troops would not dare to act rashly.

Yuhang controlled by Xu Zhao is the Yuhang District of Hangzhou in later generations, which is only forty miles away from Qiantang. Once Xu Zhao sends troops, Qiantang will immediately become a frightened bird.

Xu Zhao refused without hesitation. He was loyal, but he was not stupid.

Although Yan Yi promised him some benefits, these benefits were not enough to make him offend Zhu Zhi.

A man's reputation is like the shadow of a tree. Although Zhu Zhi had just arrived in Qiantang, the power of this dragon crossing the river had already made Xu Zhao feel wary of him.

After all, Zhu Zhi was the commander of Wujun, appointed by Ma Ritian with a special envoy, a high-ranking official of the rank of two thousand stones recognized by the Han court, and at the same level as the prefect of a county!

In terms of official positions, the two people with the highest status in Wu County were Xu Gong and Zhu Zhi.

Xu Zhao's position as the commander of the Yuhang Camp was only a salary of six hundred stones.

If Dong Zhuo had not caused chaos in the court, leading to the collapse of the central government and chaos in the world, Xu Zhao would have had to hand over Yuhang and go to Zhu Zhi to be whipped and thrown off his horse with just one word from Zhu Zhi.

Zhu Zhi’s ability to quickly rise to power in Qiantang was largely due to his status as the Commandant of Wujun.

After all, the Han Empire had only declined, not perished!

The title of Wujun Commandery appointed by the imperial court, coupled with Zhu Zhi's own fame, still had some deterrent power.

What's more, in the eyes of others, Zhu Zhi was still a subordinate of Yuan Shu and represented Yuan Shu's will.

Zhu Zhi has all five of these: status, fame, talent, backing, and the support of the people from Guzhang!
How could those trash in Qiantang possibly suppress him?

When Yan Yi's letter was delivered to Qiantang, Zhu Zhi was in the bedroom with his favorite concubine Zhao.

Zhu Zhi, courtesy name Junli, was a native of Guzhang County in Danyang Commandery. He was already thirty-eight years old this year. He had an upright figure, a resolute face, sword-like eyebrows slanting into his temples, and eyes as sharp as cold stars, exuding an aura of authority without even being angry.

In his early years, he served as a county official and then as a provincial official. Six years ago, he defected to Sun Jian and was promoted to acting commander for his meritorious service in suppressing bandits in Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang counties. Later, he followed Sun Jian in his campaign against Dong Zhuo and, after entering Luoyang, was promoted to acting commander-in-chief.

It can be said that Zhu Zhi's promotions were all due to his own talents and accumulated military merits, and not due to exceptional promotions.

This person is meticulous and always plans things carefully before taking action. He is a close-knit member of the Sun family and holds a high position within the family.

However, although Zhu Zhi held a high position, he had one regret in his heart, that is, he had no sons or daughters.

Therefore, he would marry several new wives every year in an effort to continue the family line.

Zhao was the daughter of a prominent family whom Zhu Zhi married after arriving in Qiantang. She was young, beautiful, and came from a prominent family. She was Zhu Zhi's ideal partner, and he doted on her.

At this time, Zhu Zhi was sitting on the couch reading a letter. Zhao leaned on his back and blew on his neck. Zhu Zhi did not agree at all and just gestured for her to sit aside first.

Zhao said coquettishly, "General, why do you only read the letter and not me?"

Zhu Zhi picked up another scroll on the table and said with a gentle smile, "Military matters are urgent here. I'll accompany you after I finish them."

Seeing a hint of seriousness between his brows, Zhao Shi dared not let her temper get the better of her. She sat down beside him obediently and looked at the bamboo slips curiously. The slips contained an urgent report from the Yuncheng spies. Zhu Zhi didn't seem to mind her looking at them and didn't make any move to stop her.

Zhao's red lips parted as she read the contents of the bamboo slips: "On June 2nd, at 3:15 a.m., Yan Yi's general Chen Gan led 600 heavily armored infantrymen out of the west gate. They were called the Tiger Guards. Every man wore helmet and armor, made of copper and iron plates, covering his entire body and impervious to air. At 9:00 p.m., Yan Yi's general Xu Sheng led 600 cavalrymen out of the west gate. At noon, Yan Yi personally led the central army, and thousands of common people lined the road to see him off."

As she read on, her voice grew softer and softer. She felt a murderous aura rushing towards her. Her heart trembled, and she could not read on any longer.

Zhu Zhi's expression remained normal, but he suddenly sighed, "This boy has only been conquering Yuncheng for ten months, but he has already won the hearts of the people in the city. He is a brave young man and should not be underestimated. He reminds me of someone."

Zhao subconsciously asked, "Who are you thinking of, General?"

"They are the sons of my former master, Sun Ce and Sun Bofu." Zhu Zhi smiled faintly, put down the bamboo slips, and took Zhao into his arms. His large hands roamed all over her delicate body, and he said softly, "I have agreed to recruit your brother as the captain of the Left Army. Send someone to inform your father and brother immediately and have them come to the palace. I have something important to discuss with you."

Zhao gasped twice, and a hint of deep joy flashed in her eyes. She had been running around for many days to seek the position of captain of the left army for her brother. She thought that this matter was hopeless, but she didn't expect Zhu Zhi to suddenly give in.

She smiled like a flower and spent a few moments with Zhu Zhiwen before she stood up, adjusted her hairpins and went out.

Zhu Zhi looked at her departing back and snorted in his heart. If he was not eager to use the power of the Zhao family to control Qiantang, he would never let some trash serve in his army.

He unfolded the bamboo slips again and read the contents over and over again. Suddenly, a fierce murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He murmured softly, "Bo Fu intends to seize Jiangdong. This boy may become his formidable enemy. We must eliminate him as soon as possible while he is still weak!"

Just as Yan Yi was closely watching his movements, he was also closely monitoring Yan Yi's every move. Both of them were at a critical moment of expanding their power and had a huge conflict of interest in annexing Zou Ta.

There is only one table of dishes, but there are two groups of people eating. Who eats the meat and who drinks the soup depends on their own ability.

Zhu Zhi did not look down on Yan Yi because of his own fame and qualifications. This alone made him much better than Qian Tong.

He thought for a moment, and first wrote a letter to Yan Yi in the name of Wujun Duwei, asking Yan Yi to immediately stop attacking Zou Ta.

Then he took out two pieces of silk and wrote two letters solemnly.

The recipients of the two letters were Wu Jing and Sun Ce!

"Yan Yi's troops are at the forefront, and with the Yan family's full support, I can't defeat them hastily. I must borrow their strength!"

After Zhu Zhi finished writing the letter, he thought for a moment, then picked up his pen and added a few sentences to the already written letter. After the ink dried, he carefully folded the silk.

"Come here!" He walked out of the bedroom and called a confidant. He handed over two letters sealed with cowhide and carefully instructed, "You personally lead the people and make sure the letters are delivered safely!"

The visitor hid the letter close to his body with a serious expression and strode away.

Zhu Zhi stood in the courtyard, hands behind his back, his composure restored. He summoned his personal guard commander, Zhu Quan, and said calmly, "Tomorrow I will host a banquet at my mansion for the Qiantang Magistrate and other dignitaries in the city. Arrange three hundred swordsmen and axemen in ambush in advance, and follow my orders."

Zhu Quan grinned and went to prepare.

Two days later, Yan Yi heard the news that the Qiantang magistrate resigned due to illness and Zhu Zhi had seized all the military power in Qiantang.

(End of this chapter)