Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 96 The Evil Dragon Crosses the River (Please Read 4k Words)

"You are quite clever. Many families have failed to see through it, but you have seen through it quite a bit."

The main hall of the mansion.

Huang Zhong sat imposingly to one side, while Han Ji poured himself a cup of warm yellow wine and chuckled softly to his advisor opposite him.

Once 'invited' into the main room, the staff member could no longer hold back the cold sweat that kept sliding down his forehead.

No more than thirty breaths had passed since they entered, and the person in the seat of honor had managed to extract all of his information in just a few words.

Even though he was just saying some trivial things, this person seemed to have a supernatural ability to see through people's hearts, always able to point out the clues in his words and then deduce the whole meaning.

“The onlooker sees more of the game than the player. Being caught up in your scheme, the powerful and wealthy would not be able to see it, but I, your humble servant, only wanted to make some money, so I noticed a little bit.”

Since they had already been tricked into revealing information, the staff shifted most of the blame onto the county magistrate, placing themselves in the position of the executor.

Isn't that how it's supposed to be?
Han Ji chuckled lightly, warming his throat with the wine. So what if he was seen through? It's no big deal. He had only stirred up a few conflicts. The He and Xu families were the real reason for establishing the lord's authority.

As for the others, they were just idle tricks to prevent them from colluding. Even if the person in front of him didn't see through them, it wouldn't be long before each family would give up due to their losses.

"Tell me your purpose."

Han Ji raised an eyebrow.

The aide wiped his sweat and bowed, saying, "To tell you the truth, sir, my family's son saw how generous you are and wanted to get some more money from you."

"Oh, just some money?"

"From nature"

"Haha." Han Ji suddenly burst into laughter.

He stretched out his left hand towards Huang Zhong: "Hansheng, bring me a money box."

"Oh."

Huang Zhong trusted his old friend, and although he didn't know why he needed to take money, he still went to the inner treasury and took an entire money box.

Back in the main room, he looked at his friend.

Han Ji merely raised an eyebrow at the advisor, who then understood and opened the money box, placing it in front of the advisor.

The thirty gleaming gold ingots shimmered in the firelight, and the advisor couldn't help but swallow hard as he looked at the gold ingots, which were several times more valuable than his own family's wealth.

He asked in a slightly trembling voice, "What do you mean, sir?"

"You desire wealth, so I will provide you with a path to wealth. Is this amount to your liking?"

Han Ji poured wine into his cup again, but this time he poured two cups.

"I originally intended to go find you all, but I never expected that you would come looking for me instead."

"You possess a document that I require; inform me, and all this money will be yours."

He kindly pushed his glass forward and gestured for his staff to drink.

"how about?"

The aide glanced at the money box in front of him, then at the warm wine on the table. The thought that he would struggle with the wine did not arise at all. He immediately raised his wine cup, bowed, and then tilted his head back to drink it all.

"It is my wish, but I dare not ask!"

The idea only came to me last night, and here comes this new patron today! He's so generous, much better than that miser. Following someone like him will make it much easier to become an official in the future!
They've already shown interest in recruiting us, so it would be impolite to hesitate now!
The staff immediately kowtowed: "Qi Sui and Qi Sheng respectfully greet the Lord."

'A pleasant surprise!'

Han Ji narrowed his eyes to slits. He had only intended to recruit a spy, but he hadn't expected this person to leave so many times.

Qi Sui looked up: "I wonder what the host desires?"

He quietly moved the money box closer to himself.

Han Ji's smile deepened as he saw this, and he nodded: "Who is this magistrate of Lüchi County? What did the letter sent from Luoyang half a month ago say? And why did the courier who arrived in Lüchi not return to Luoyang but went towards Wuyuan instead?"

Qi Sui gasped and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Excellency is so insightful; you know all the secrets of this county government."

He pondered for a few moments, then spoke:

"This magistrate of Lüchi County is surnamed Cui. He is from Qinghe, but he comes from a collateral branch of the family and only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun. His family has let him become the magistrate of Lüchi County. In the past few years, he has been tyrannical and extorted a lot of money from the people in Lüchi County. He has also given most of his power to the He and Xu families, causing them to grow up and commit heinous crimes!"

"As for the letter from Luoyang, it was a transfer document, instructing him to go to another county in Taiyuan to assume his post."

"This third matter, however, was not the work of the Cui family, but rather the Yuan family!"

"The Yuan family, the Yuan family that produced four generations of high-ranking officials?" Han Ji suddenly asked.

Qi Sui nodded: "It is indeed the Yuan family. The Cui and Yuan families are related by marriage, so in recent years the Yuan family has occasionally sent letters to Bingzhou. This time, the Yuan family promised someone the position of governor of Bingzhou, and the seal is the governor's seal."

Han Ji straightened up slightly, feeling a pleasant surprise – truly a pleasant surprise!

"Who is it that you know?"

"Ding Yuan, Ding Jianyang, Commandant of Yanmen Commandery!"

Han Ji glanced at Huang Zhong.

"Were those thirty-odd riders the Yanmen Cavalry that day?"

Huang Zhong pondered for a moment and nodded: "It is indeed the Yanmen Cavalry. I have been talking with the wandering knights these days and have learned some information. Ding Jianyang is quite capable. He uses the Southern Xiongnu to counterbalance the Xianbei, and his Yanmen Cavalry has made great achievements. That brave cavalryman that day caught my eye!"

"With such valiant cavalry as his aid, Ding Jianyang must have quite a few soldiers under his command, which explains his appointment as governor."

Han Ji waved his hand, saying, "It's alright," stopping Huang Zhong from saying what he was about to say.

He turned to look at Qi Sui again: "Is there any other inside story?"

Qi thought for a moment and then shook his head: "County Chief Cui was never given important positions and had little connection with the Cui and Yuan families."

"Yes, I understand."

Han Ji nodded slightly: "Keep the money safe. You can decide for yourself how to persuade Cui County to leave. If I need your help in the future, I will write to you."

"Rest assured, my lord, I know what to do."

Having said that, Qi picked up the money box and left the mansion with light steps.

After he left, Huang Zhong asked, "Do you really trust him?"

He couldn't trust anyone anyway; if he could abandon his former master for money today, he could abandon Han Ji tomorrow as well.

Han Ji chuckled: "Whether you believe it or not is not important, it depends on how you use it. Besides, what he revealed today is enough for those dozens of gold ingots."

Huang Zhong curled his lip: "It's only because my lord knows how to make money. I've never seen you so generous before."

"Hahaha, you good-for-nothing Hansheng, teasing me like this, then I'll have to give you a good talking to."

"Hey, no, no, no, don't talk nonsense, look at my mouth."

Huang Zhong quickly patted his mouth and begged for mercy.

Han Ji chuckled, poured two glasses of wine, and pushed one towards Huang Zhong.

"My lord's ability to amass wealth is unparalleled in the world. If I don't spend some of my lord's money, what's the point of him earning it?" He downed his drink in one gulp and sighed.

"Sigh, sometimes money can solve the problem more effectively than force or wit."

“The Yuan family, Ding Jianyang, it seems that the Yuan family, which has been in power for four generations, is not honest either, and has even extended its reach to military power.”

"How is it? Will it interfere with the lord's great cause?" Huang Zhong raised his wine cup, took a sip, and asked the question that Han Ji had prevented him from asking earlier.

"It's not a big deal. These days you'll have to work hard and find out more about Ding Jianyang's life. Didn't you fight with those elite cavalrymen? You can start from there!"

"Mm." Huang Zhong finished his drink and nodded in agreement.

"Then what do you do?"

"Someone?" Han Ji got up and walked to the window.

"Our lord is almost here; it's time to close the net."

"How to do?"

"When a new official takes office, it is only natural to hold a banquet for his officials!" Han Ji pushed open the window, and a gust of cold wind blew into the hall.
-
Snowflakes mixed with ice pellets stung people's faces when they hit them.

The midday sun was not high, and the surroundings were still dim.

After passing Jinyang Post Station, Yangqu Post Station, and Chitang Pass Post Station,

Luqi is sixty li ahead.

On a slope, Zhang Xian ordered his hundred riders to rein in their horses at the top. Through the wind and snow, he seemed to vaguely see the city walls in the far distance.

Looking back, the 100 riders now appear more composed, with piercing eyes and upright postures. The journey of more than 200 li is comparable to 400 li in winter, yet not a single soldier from Taoyuan has fallen behind.

"We've already passed Chitang Pass, only sixty li left! Can the generals still manage to go?"

"Yes!" The shouts echoed, shaking the treetops and causing the icicles to rustle.

Zhang Xian laughed loudly: "Alright! Let's continue! When we get to Luqi, hot food, drinks, and a warm bed are all waiting for me!"

"promise!"
-
"The messenger arrived yesterday; the lord should be able to arrive today. Shall we begin the banquet?"

After Cui Xian was persuaded to leave the county government office by Qi Sui, Han Ji and others purchased a residence next to the county government office.

At this time, everyone was having lunch. Perhaps influenced by Taoyuan, they didn't really eat at separate tables.

The fifty-sword soldier and Zhang Liao of the Zhang family were all in one room.

After taking a sip of the piping hot mutton soup, Han Ji nodded in response to Huang Zhong's question.

"At the beginning, after lunch, Hansheng led a group to deliver invitations, instructing all the families of Lüqi to wait at the city gate to welcome their lord."

“Madam Zhang.” He then looked at Madam Zhang.

"Please trouble you to have some men prepare wine, meat, and hot food. Our lord has traveled day and night, and it must be arduous for him."

"I understand." After this period of recuperation, Zhang's illness has also been cured.

She had no difficulty with the things Han Ji asked her to do; she had done them before when her family was well-off.

Zhang Liao ate naan with mutton soup, his eyes filled with curiosity about the lord that Uncle Huang and Uncle Han had mentioned.

The thought of finally meeting him today made him even more excited. He couldn't wait to see the lord that Uncle Huang had described as being even stronger than him!
The meal was eaten very quickly.

Before noon, Huang Zhong and his men set out.

More than twenty soldiers took turns delivering notices to the home of the powerful Luqi magistrate. In just one or two hours, the magistrate suddenly realized that the new county magistrate's men had already arrived in Luqi.

He was shocked and then hurriedly began preparations.

The county magistrate is the head of the county. If the new county magistrate is weak, it is a blessing for them. If the new county magistrate is tough, they must first make a good impression.

Each family hurriedly prepared gifts,

Zhang also found some women who were free at home. The mansion had plenty of food and drinks, and all they had to do was cook them and keep them warm.

The slaughter of sheep and chickens made the mansion and kitchen quite lively.

It was mid-afternoon, around 3 PM.

This should have been the time for feeding, but the homes of the powerful and wealthy were rarely filled with the smoke of cooking fires.

Outside the South Gate of Lüchi, a group of powerful figures and their families had been waiting for an hour or so.

The sky was noticeably dark, and snowflakes were mixed with grains of rice.

Han Ji, Huang Zhong, and thirty swordsmen were also present. According to the time the messenger arrived, their lord should be arriving soon.

"Look!"

Just as the wealthy families were waiting idly and cursing inwardly, a sudden exclamation startled them awake.

Following the direction of the sound, I looked up and saw a plume of white smoke rapidly approaching from afar.

On horseback, Zhang Xian's face was somewhat numb; the severe cold of the past few days had given him several frostbite lesions.

The same was true for the hundred iron cavalrymen, but the thought that they would arrive soon and that hot food and drinks would be waiting for them greatly inspired them.

Before long, the welcoming procession at the city gate all stood at attention.

As they got closer, they got a better look and saw how imposing this new county magistrate was!

The charge of a hundred riders was surprisingly impressive, and the soldiers on horseback were all tall, strong, and imposing.

The man at the head of the group had his cloak fluttering in the wind, and the long halberd slung diagonally behind him made him look like a military officer!
'He seems to be a tough character.'

All the powerful figures sighed in admiration.

"end!"

Zhang Xian raised his hand.

The hundred riders obeyed orders and came to a steady stop in front of the welcoming procession at the city gate of Lüsi.

He reined in his horse and stopped it horizontally, but did not dismount. Han Ji saw this and quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"We, the people of Luqi, pay our respects to the County Lord!"

At his command, all the powerful and influential people who came to welcome him stepped forward, bowed, and said in unison, "We, the people of Luqi, pay our respects to the County Lord!"

Zhang Xian glanced at everyone, a slight smile appearing on his face as his eyes swept over Huang Zhong and Han Ji.

He did not dismount, but remained seated on horseback, nodding his head.

"I understand your intentions! Now, make way!"

"I will obey the magistrate's order!"

The powerful figures in front of the city gate quickly moved aside, and Zhang Xian waved his hand, allowing the hundred riders to enter the city directly and gallop into the city.

The powerful figures were left behind, each looking at the other with disdain.

"Hiss, this county magistrate doesn't seem like a kind person. How should we deal with this?"

"Let's see how it goes. It's only a hundred riders. If it really doesn't work out..."

"Watch your words, this is not the clan's territory!"

Han Ji smiled and, just as the powerful figures thought they had welcomed him and that the gifts would be delivered to the county government by servants, he walked among them and bowed.

"I, Han Ji, the magistrate of Lüchi County, have come to greet you all. Now that the magistrate has arrived, I am hosting a banquet for you all today. I hope you will do me the honor of joining me."

"Gentlemen, deliver the invitations!"

"promise!"

More than thirty Peach Blossom Swordsmen, who had been hiding in the crowd, suddenly emerged and delivered the prepared invitations to the heads of the various families.

"This"

The powerful figures exchanged glances, somewhat caught off guard.

After bowing, Han Ji went into the city on his own.

Huang Zhong smiled, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and looked around.

"Huang Zhong and Huang Hansheng, the county magistrates of Lüchi, greet all the heads of the families. From now on, we must get along well!"

"All of you! Follow me into the city!"

"promise!"

At Huang Zhong's command, more than thirty swordsmen quickly lined up and then rushed into the city.

The powerful figures were now completely stunned.

What?! What are all these things?!

The power of an entire county was in the hands of one person!
This is probably an omen of a vicious dragon crossing the river!

　Chapter Two will be posted later; I'm spending time with my wife today.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)