Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 103: From Humble Beginnings to Great Achievements! (Bonus Chapter Due to Double Four in Title! 4k)

After writing the letter, Zhang Xian helped Han Ji decorate it, and then the two of them personally delivered it to Luqi Post Station.

"Urgent message, please deliver immediately!"

Zhang Xian patted the courier on the shoulder and handed him a few strings of cash.

The courier clasped his hands in greeting. As a courier from Luqi Post Station, he had recently heard much about the county magistrate's reputation and naturally admired him. Moreover, his family was one of the beneficiaries of the equal distribution of land between the He and Xu families.

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will certainly speak with all my fellow courier brothers!"

Having said that, he spurred his horse and left Lüsi Post Station at full speed.

The post station system in the Eastern Han Dynasty was already well-established.

It was several times faster than traveling by oneself in delivering urgent letters.

The advantage of station-based mail delivery is that a courier only needs to run the section of the route he is familiar with, and can travel quickly without saving horsepower.

The journey from Lüchi to Yingchuan is a thousand miles. If you go by yourself, even on horseback, it will take at least ten days to half a month, and that's assuming you go fast.

However, if the goods are delivered by courier, the delivery time can be reduced by 30%, taking as little as five days or as long as seven days.

This is the advantage of post stations.

Of course, the downsides are also obvious: if someone with ulterior motives targets you, then it's only natural that the information will be leaked.

Furthermore, we must also consider incidents such as lost letters and accidents involving couriers.

Overall, the advantages of the post stations outweighed the disadvantages.

Watching the departing courier, Zhang Xianhan and the other man exchanged a smile and then summoned a few more couriers.

If one person isn't safe, then we should use a safer method.

Impulse.

After all the riders had left, the two returned to the county government office.

On the way, Zhang Xian sighed, "Now the business is bigger, but problems have followed one after another. As Gongzhi said, we have too few writers under our command. Not to mention those talented people, there are very few writers."

"Therefore, you have come."

"Just give the order, my lord." Han Ji was already used to hearing that familiar voice.

"We must continue our studies!"

"To educate those who are incapable of reading and can only humbly work in the fields!"

Zhang Xian's words were firm and resounding.

Han Ji, however, poured cold water on the idea: "But if everyone focuses on academics, who will do the farming and sericulture? Who will do the crafts?"

Zhang Xian waved his hand: "Sir, this is not a conflict. Our goal in scholarship is not to teach people to produce literature, but to educate them. They only need to know how to write a hundred or so commonly used characters and understand simple principles."

"In this way, we can break down the barriers that the aristocratic families have built up over the years, and we will gradually have more talented people under our command."

"Moreover, sir, do you think everyone in this world is born knowing how to read?"

Han Ji shook his head: "Of course not, it requires training."

"That makes sense. Now, Gongzhi, tell me again, are there more sons of noble families or commoners in this world?"

"I am a commoner."

"Then," Zhang Xian paused, turned to Han Ji, and asked earnestly, "if all the common people in the world had the teaching qualifications of scions of noble families, do you think there would be more talented people among the scions of noble families, or among the common people who make up the larger population?"

Han Ji also stopped to think, and after a while he shook his head: "I can't guess."

Zhang Xian patted him on the shoulder and continued walking forward.

"Then let me share my opinion. I believe the latter will produce a greater number of talented individuals!"

"What you say makes sense, my lord." Han Ji nodded silently. In fact, he thought so too, but his long-standing class consciousness prevented him from saying it.

"Therefore, I must pursue scholarship!"

"Let's start with this consideration!"

"And I will comply!"
-
The time spent in Lusi felt as if he had returned to the Peach Blossom Spring.

Every day, Zhang Xian would set aside an hour to do his best to manage the farm and livestock.

Then, official documents were processed, and judgments were made on conflict cases involving residents of Luchi County.

From the very first day he took office in Luqi County, another skill on his panel began to gain experience points.

【law enforcement,】

You will gain experience points by handling cases and resolving conflicts within your jurisdiction.

The experience gained from defeating the bandits and raiding the homes of the He and Xu families was invaluable.

The level of law enforcement was raised from Level 0 to Level 1.5 in one fell swoop.

Enforcement Skills: Level 1 (287/500)

Sub-skill: Honesty and Integrity: Slightly increases the likelihood of law-abiding citizens within the ruled area.

He considered this skill to be merely an added bonus, so he hadn't paid much attention to it these days.

However, now that a new way to gain skill experience has emerged, he naturally sets aside some time each day to work on it.

However, he felt that if all the subsequent sub-skills of this skill were like this, then he would soon have to cut off his access to experience for this skill.

Because no one is breaking the law anymore.

The situation in Luqi is not much different from that in Taoyuan. Every day, they go to work at 5 a.m., handle official business in the morning, and then take time to manage agriculture and animal husbandry after noon.

If I have free time in the afternoon, I will study my skills; if I have official business, I will take care of it first.

In the evening, the soldiers went to the Luqi training ground to drill.

The number of soldiers, 1,300, is not comparable to the 300 or 400 soldiers of Taoyuan back then.

Now, every time there's a drill, they have to use a tin megaphone to shout loudly in order to get the orders across to everyone.

Fortunately, just like in Peach Blossom Spring, with an ample supply of meat and the added benefit of the [Command] skill, he quickly recruited these nine hundred new recruits.

The afternoon drills usually lasted only half an hour. He would return to the drill ground in the evening to continue his literacy work in Taoyuan.

The same applies to Han Ji's side; they are responsible for providing literacy education to the relatives of the Taoyuan craftsmen.

As mentioned earlier, literacy education only requires teaching them some simple principles and how to write a hundred or two hundred commonly used characters.

Even without Zhang Xian's [knowledge] skills, Han Ji's teaching work progressed smoothly.

He doesn't force these people to master two hundred commonly used characters in a day. They only need to master thirty in ten days, and they can memorize ninety in a month.

If all goes well, the relatives of these Taoyuan craftsmen will be able to complete their studies within three months.

Naturally, literacy education in Zhang Xian's army progressed much faster.

Private armed forces can use items they don't want to use publicly for the time being here.

With the widespread use of paper, the speed at which people learn to read and write will naturally be faster than outside, not to mention the 25% boost effect that Zhang Xian's [Knowledge] skill provides.

As long as the person isn't a complete idiot with an IQ of 0, then they can be improved.

Obviously, a complete idiot wouldn't be able to get into the ranks of the county soldiers.

The literacy campaign continued to progress, and Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were also responsible for maintaining order in Lüqi County.

They patrol the county border daily, searching for places in the mountains where people can easily hide.

Seeing the county soldiers appearing every day, full of energy, filled the people of Luqi County with a sense of security. These were Zhang Gong's soldiers, not the bandits of the past.

The people of Lüqi County couldn't find a single fault with the new Zhang Gong.

Upon taking office, he immediately dismantled the mountain that had weighed on his and his ilk for decades.

On the day of the beheading at Caishikou, almost all the people of Luqi came to watch.

The people all praised Zhang Gong for his impartial law enforcement and strict discipline.

It can be said that nowadays, as long as Zhang Gong says he wants to build bridges and pave roads, even if they are busy in their own fields, they will put down their own work and roll up their sleeves to help.

Not for any other reason than to repay Zhang Gong's kindness!
Time passes day by day.

There really isn't much for ordinary people to do during the winter.

The busiest people were probably the woodcutters and charcoal workers.

However, this winter makes people look forward to the coming year even more than usual.

At that time, they could cultivate their own land. With fewer exorbitant taxes and levies, they dared not even imagine what a bountiful harvest the following year would bring.

In Yingchuan.

Those letters were finally delivered to the Xun residence.

Xun You's house was filled with a delicate fragrance, and several people sat on the floor inside, where it was warm and cozy.

"Whose invitation has Gongda received this time?"

Xun Yu, holding the bamboo slips, curiously examined the four or five pieces of cloth in Xun You's hand.

Opposite him, a scholar dressed in a somewhat unconventional manner was reclining, also reading bamboo slips.

However, compared to the upright and proper demeanor of the Xun brothers, this man appeared rather unrestrained.

However, the two Xun brothers were already used to it; when this man became serious, they were actually quite unaccustomed to it.

Yes, they were uncle and nephew. Xun Yu, who was fifteen or sixteen years old, was the uncle, and Xun You, who was sixteen, was the nephew.

Beside this man, there was a younger scholar who followed suit.

The Xun family uncle and nephew chatted and laughed a lot, and this man had completely led this handsome young man astray.

"I still envy Gongda. He was sought after by all sides even before he entered officialdom, unlike us poor folks who have to give gifts and kowtow to get a government job."

The scholar, who was half-reclining, made a joke. Although his words sounded harsh, both the Xun brothers knew that this was just how he spoke; he was simply being frank and had no malicious intent.

It just doesn't sound good. Otherwise, with his talent, he would have already made many close friends in the Xun clan school, where scholars from all walks of life studied.

Xun You smiled slightly as he looked at the letter.

"But this has disappointed Uncle Yu and Zhicai. This is not a recruitment notice, but a letter from a dear friend whom I have not seen for many years."

"Alas, how fickle life is! The grandson of the former governor of Nanyang, a descendant of a king of a different surname who founded the dynasty, has now fallen into such a state of exile."

“Oh—! Now I’m quite interested.” The scholar called Zhicai sat up abruptly and reached out to ask for a letter to read.

Xun Yu did the same, putting down the bamboo slips in his hand and extending his arm.

Finally, the youngest person in the field also stretched out his palm, not to be outdone.

"Hahaha!" Xun You laughed loudly, not bothering to hide it, and gave each person a share of the silk.

Several people read

Xun Yu glanced at it a few times and understood: "Han Gongzhi, it's been a long time since I've heard any news about him. The last time was probably six years ago when he came to the clan to visit Gongda."

"Now he has become the assistant magistrate of a county. His luck has truly turned around."

Xun Yu sighed as he read the sincere words between the lines: "If the Han family had not suffered such a calamity, perhaps this person would be among those studying by the fire today. Alas, the world is ever-changing."

Xun You nodded, "Yes, if my dear friend were here, Zhi Cai and Feng Xiao would probably have another good friend, and they wouldn't have to bother me all day long."

"You, Xun Gongda, even when you miss your old friend, you can't resist teasing me, can you!"

Xi Zhicai replied irritably, put down the cloth, and read the letter in a dozen breaths.

"However, if I remember correctly, isn't the enemy of the Han family none other than Chen Mao, the Prefect of Nanyang, who was assassinated half a year ago?"

"After Chen Mao's death, Han Ji, who hadn't been in contact with Gongda for many years, sent a letter."

A smile crept onto Xi Zhicai's lips.

"Of course, our great revenge has been achieved! How delightful!"

Guo Fengxiao laughed loudly and put down the cloth in his hand.

“Brother Gongda, this is a request from a close friend that is even harder to refuse than a government appointment. What are your plans?” he asked.

Xun You sighed: "A county."

"In the end, it is not what I pursue. I was planning to go to Luoyang, so I had to politely decline since you have come here. He knows my ambition and will not embarrass me."

“However…” His eyes turned to Xi Zhicai.

"Why don't you go and take a look, Zhicai?"

"You must have been searching for this name, Zixu, for a long time, right?"

Xi Zhicai's carefree expression lessened, and he began to seriously consider the matter.

His health wasn't very good. When he heard that a great doctor had appeared in Changshan, he planned to go there to see if there was any cure for his condition.

However, at that time, there was a period of chaos, and the two Grand Secretaries of the court were conducting a large-scale crackdown on county and prefectural officials to fill the prisons, so he did not leave the Xun residence.

When I tried to go back later, I heard that Zhang Zixu had already left Changshan.

Xun You saw that Xi Zhicai was tempted and also wanted to help Han Ji, so he advised, "In the past, you only sought medical treatment, but now, what kind of person do you think Zhang Zixu is?"

"On the day he first arrived in Luqi, he subdued the local strongmen and single-handedly fought against a hundred bandits, killing dozens in battle. I'm afraid this Chen Mao was killed by him! What a chivalrous man!"

Before Xi Zhicai could speak, Guo Jia clapped and cheered.

"A thousand-mile raid—even the greatest heroes of our time are no match for this!"

Xi Zhicai nodded in agreement, and then said, "The fact that he showed no mercy in killing the powerful and influential people of Luqi also shows that he has little respect for the powerful and influential."

But in Changshan, he generously helped the people without accepting a single coin, which is enough to show that he pitied the common people and hated the powerful!

"I do admire him quite a bit, but I wonder what he will do with me once I leave Luqi." Xi Zhicai was indeed somewhat tempted.

Putting everything else aside, Zhang Xian's temper is just what I like!
He was used to being unrestrained and dissolute, and he would not look up to ordinary monarchs. It was precisely these unconventional figures who suited his taste the most.

Xun You laughed from the side, "What's so difficult about that? I'll introduce you. Are you afraid my friend Gongzhi won't speak up for you?"

"The fact that Zhang Xian entrusted the position of county magistrate to my friend shows that he trusts my dear friend immensely. Once you demonstrate your true abilities, why worry that you won't be given an important position?"

Xi Zhicai chuckled, "Gongda always said, 'Why am I bothering you?' Look, hasn't this brought you good results? Fengxiao, you'd better learn from this. After I leave, you must stick close to me."

He looked at Xun Yu with a wicked smile, while the latter shrugged and said, "I'm already used to your shamelessness and have no fear."

"Hahaha"

The people inside the room burst into laughter, which drew the attention of some servants and maids outside.

As evening fell, Xi Zhong left the Xun residence with a letter of introduction in his hand.

On the street, he patted his chest and murmured.

"A county? Very well, starting from humble beginnings reveals true character!"

(End of this chapter)