Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 94 Sheng Xian's Brother
A moment later, Si Qing brought the old man into the military tent, followed by two young men in linen clothes and straw sandals.

Yan Yi personally went forward to greet him. Seeing the old man leaning on a polished bamboo stick, with a slightly hunched back and a somewhat unsteady gait, he stepped forward and ordered, "Come here, bring a Hu bed."

It was already late at night, and the air in the tent was damp and cold. The mat on the ground could not block the damp air from the ground at all. A young man would feel sore and damp in the knees after kneeling for a long time, not to mention an old man who had difficulty walking.

The old man smiled and declined. With the help of a young man, he knelt down tremblingly on the couch. His muddy voice was filled with a scholarly charm: "Although I am old, my knees have not been bent by time. Although my body is weak, my etiquette has not been abandoned. Young Master, please do not abandon etiquette because of my frail body."

Yan Yi couldn't help but take a serious look at him. He saw that although the old man was dressed simply, he was dressed in a neat and tidy manner, and his demeanor was quite dignified. The two young men behind him also had a scholarly air. He quickly straightened his clothes and bowed, saying, "May I ask your name, elder?"

"My last name is Sheng Shen. Upon hearing that you were coming, the villagers were all eagerly awaiting your arrival. I, entrusted by the villagers, have brought you some local wine as a token of our gratitude. May the general drink this wine, receive the blessings of heaven and earth, and have a successful and triumphant journey."

The old man stroked the long beard under his chin, smiled slightly, took a pottery bowl and a wine cup from a young man, turned over the cup, filled the bowl with sake, picked up the pottery bowl, and handed it to Yan Yi.

Yin Li coughed lightly.

Si Qing introduced him, "Young Master, Lord Sheng is the brother of the Sheng County Magistrate."

Yan Yi was slightly surprised. The old man in front of him who looked like a dead tree was actually Sheng Xian's brother. No wonder he was so extraordinary.

On the way to Rencheng, he observed the situation in the villages along the way. In the entire Rencheng area, most of the townships were in dilapidated condition. Only in Yunchao Township, men farmed and women wove, and they had no worries about food and clothing. The number of rice seedlings in the fields far exceeded that of other townships.

At first he was puzzled and didn't know the reason, but when he knew Sheng Shen's identity, he suddenly realized it.

With Sheng Xian's reputation throughout Jiangdong and his brother being one of the three elders in the village, he was enough to ensure the safety of the people in the village.

Yan Yi bowed slightly, taking the earthenware bowl from Sheng Shen's hands. He said solemnly, "I am deeply humbled by the kindness shown by your Excellency and the villagers. Alcohol is forbidden in the army, and as the commander-in-chief, I dare not take the lead in disobeying orders. I offer this wine to heaven, praying that the gods will protect the villagers here, bringing good weather and a good harvest."

After saying that, he stood up, bowed to Sheng Shen, and then slowly poured the wine in the pottery bowl onto the ground.

Sheng Shen sighed, "I've always heard that the young master is a benevolent and virtuous ruler. Seeing him today, I find that he truly lives up to his name. I admire him greatly."

Yan Yi sat back at the table and chatted with Sheng Shen for a while, gradually figuring out his purpose.

It turned out that this person was worried that his soldiers would harm the villagers, so he came to visit on his own initiative.

It was the first time that Yan Yi had met such a competent village elder, and he couldn't help but feel a bit of respect for him.

No wonder the people of Yunchao Township can still live and work in peace despite being surrounded by bandits.

It is a blessing for the people of Yunchao to have such a pragmatic person who is both prestigious and worldly-wise as one of the village elders.

As he was speaking, there was a sudden sound of hurried horse hooves outside the tent, and then the tent curtain was lifted, and a guard on duty outside the tent presented a military report.

Yan Yi removed the seal, unfolded the bamboo slips and took a closer look, his brows immediately furrowed.

The bamboo slips mentioned that Zhu Zhi seized all the military power in Qiantang and expanded the army on a large scale.

Sheng Shen observed his words and expressions and wanted to say goodbye and leave.

He had already obtained Yan Yi's promise not to disturb the people, and the purpose of this trip was accomplished.

Yan Yi was about to send him away when he suddenly had an idea, looked worried, and sighed heavily.

Sheng Shen subconsciously asked, "Why is the young master sighing?"

Yan Yi said worriedly, "I just received news that Zhu Zhi of Qiantang will personally lead a large army to attack Rencheng. When the chaos occurs, the situation will no longer be under my control, and the people here may suffer a great disaster." The worry on his face was not entirely fake. Zhu Zhi's attitude was really beyond his expectations.

In judging whether Zhu Zhi should send troops and how many troops to send, Yan Yi referred to Zhu Zhi's historical trajectory to some extent.

In history, Zhu Zhi remained very quiet before Sun Ce crossed the river, and only started to use military force after Sun Ce pacified Liu Yao.

Therefore, Yan Yi believed that Zhu Zhi would not pay too high a price for Rencheng, and as long as he showed a desperate attitude, he could scare him away.

But now, judging from the intelligence collected, Zhu Zhi might be determined to fight him to the death.

In just a few days, the number of his subordinates expanded to seven or eight thousand!
Yan Yi realized that he could no longer infer Zhu Zhi's behavior based on history. Things had gone beyond his expectations and control, and the scale and scope of this war might expand rapidly.

He began to sense a hint of danger.

"What should we do?" A trace of anxiety appeared on Sheng Shen's face. He knew very well that once the war got out of control, the warring parties would not care about the lives of the people.

Yan Yi sighed, "Lord Sheng, I can only ensure that my troops do their best not to disturb the people."

Sheng Shen's heart skipped a beat, thinking that your guarantee is of no use. He is already sixty years old and looks at problems more maturely and realistically than young people. Otherwise, he would not have come here overnight to ask for a promise when Yan Yi's reputation for treating the people well had spread throughout the surrounding counties.

He patiently asked, "Young Master, do you have any way to protect the people here?"

Yan Yi was silent for a while, then said thoughtfully, "I do have a solution, but I don't know if Lord Sheng is willing to do it."

The wrinkles on Sheng Shen's face were squeezed together, and he said in a deep voice: "Young Master, please speak."

Yan Yi said slowly, "The only solution now is for Lord Sheng to take the people to seek refuge elsewhere and return after the war here is over."

When Sheng Shen heard this, he immediately understood that Yan Yi wanted him to take the people to Wucheng or Yuncheng to avoid disaster.

Both of them understood each other tacitly and knew each other's plans and concerns.

Yan Yi's attack on Rencheng was nothing more than for the land, population and wealth of Rencheng.

When the war situation could change at any time and victory was not guaranteed, he had to start considering a retreat.

If a large number of people from Rencheng could be relocated to Wucheng and Yuncheng, a portion of the war proceeds could be secured.

And Sheng Shen is also someone he values, although he is old and it is unknown how many years he can live.

For Sheng Shen, if he agreed to Yan Yi, thousands of families would be forced to leave their homes, which was no small matter.

Sheng Shen thought for a long time, and said in a hoarse voice: "This matter is of great importance. Please allow me two days to think about it."

Yan Yi said sincerely, "If Lord Sheng agrees, I will send my troops to escort the people along the way and ensure their safety and property. If their land and houses in Rencheng are damaged, I will also provide them with compensation in the future. Please trust my sincerity, Lord Sheng."

Sheng Shen nodded, stood up with a somewhat tired look, said goodbye and left.

Yan Yi ordered Si Qing, "Take twenty riders and escort Lord Sheng back."

Si Qing took the order and followed Sheng Shen closely.

(End of this chapter)