The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 318 Is Your Wife Pregnant?
"Is Qiao Yunnan still refusing to go out?"

Mi Wei held the two letters on the table and looked up at Yang Xi.

Yang Xi: "It's already the third day."

He said he had failed the general and was ashamed to face anyone.

As he spoke, he exhaled slightly and said:

“That Lord Yang is no ordinary man; Qiao Yunnan’s defeat was not unjust.”

Upon hearing this, Miwei looked at the letter placed on top.

This is Yang Dao's reply to him.

A few days earlier, Qiao Zhou confidently wrote a letter to Yang Dao, quoting classical texts throughout, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, and urging the other party to surrender as soon as possible.

I thought Yang Dao would refute me with strong words.

Then Qiao Zhou could continue to argue his case based on reason.

Little did they know that Yang Dao was completely different from Qiao Zhou in his debates on the classics.

He only said that he was grateful to Mi Wei for exonerating his former maternal uncle Kong Rong, and that if he had no concerns about his relatives, he would immediately surrender the city and return it to its rightful place.

However, his elder brother and younger brother both served as officials in Luoyang, especially his younger brother, who married the daughter of Xin Pi, a court official.

These kinship ties remain unbroken.

If you surrender, it will have far-reaching consequences.

Therefore, he earnestly requested that Mi Wei allow him to "secretly surrender".

In other words, they agreed to return to Han in principle, but on the surface they still had to defend the territory for Cao Wei.

Therefore, he agreed to Mi Wei's request to arrange a marriage between his children and asked the matchmaker to send over his daughter's courtesy name as a sign of sincerity.

Qiao Zhou's punch landed on cotton; he had no way to use his strength.

Mi Wei looked at the two characters "Huiyu" on the paper and hesitated for a moment.

Seeing this, Yang Xi said:

"Is the general worried that Yang Dao's apparent defection is actually a delaying tactic?"

“He’s just stalling and waiting to see,” Mi Wei said decisively.

“But since he is going to wait and see, he must not have any intention of dying for the Cao family, which is a good thing for us.”

"My concern is that once I leave Shangdang, if the situation changes in the future, will this relative by marriage turn against me?"

"And who should be appointed to replace me in staying here and continue to nibble away at Shangdang."

Yang Xi did not notice anything unusual at first.

Hearing the rest, I realized something was wrong:
"The general is leaving Shangdang?"

"Yes." Mi Wei closed his eyes.

Turn the letter that was at the bottom onto the table.

It was a letter from home.

Mi Zhu, the former Minister of Works of the Han Dynasty and Marquis of Qu, has been unable to eat or drink for several days.

The doctor said the mourning period would be within ten days.

In other words, Mi Weiding was about to be in distress.

Once Mi Zhu passes away, according to the mourning system, Mi Wei must immediately resign his post and rush to the funeral. During the three-year mourning period, he cannot hold any official position.

Even if it's necessary to intervene due to circumstances, it will still require considerable effort and cannot be resolved in the short term.

Moreover, from the perspective of human relationships and social customs.

If a father is dying, shouldn't the son go back to see him off?

Does losing a father mean you won't feel sad or upset?
In short, Mi Wei's departure from Shangdang is an indisputable fact.

No wonder they've started looking for a successor to the party's affairs.

Yang Xi was at a loss for words to offer comfort.

Instead, Mi Wei recovered first and said:
"In military affairs, I intend to rely on Deng Shizai as the main figure."

“Last year I recommended him to guard Fengyi County, but he ultimately missed the opportunity because his qualifications and reputation were not as good as She Wenxiong, who came from the Three Auxiliary Regions.”

"He has already achieved enough military merits this time, and he is now in command of troops in Shangdang. With my recommendation, he should be able to get the two thousand shi (a unit of grain) without a doubt."

"But Shi Zai is quick to act but slow to speak, so it is best to have a eloquent prefectural assistant by his side."

“My original intention was to let Qiao Yunnan stay, and then Wenran, you would come back with me. I would then recommend you to the Imperial Academy as a Gentleman of the Palace, so as not to let down your years of following me.”

"But now that Yun Nan has lost his ambition, I can't find a better candidate for the time being, so I can only ask you to make do."

When Yang Xi heard that Mi Wei wanted to recommend him for the position of Minister of Personnel, he was immediately flattered and bowed, saying:

"Whether one serves as a court official in the central government or as a local official, it is all for the country's benefit. How can one feel wronged?"

"General, please go back and fulfill your filial duties. I will work together with Deng Shizai to manage Shangdang well for you!"

Mi Wei praised Yang Xi highly.

Over the next few days, he carefully discussed some follow-up details with his subordinates, thus completing the initial handover of work.

As for a more detailed handover, that can only be discussed through letters later. Given Mi Wei's current position, even during his period of mourning, it's impossible for him to truly be indifferent to national and military affairs.

As long as you maintain a proper facade and don't be too ostentatious, you can get away with it.

In Mi Wei's own words, this is called resigning from office but not resigning from his post.

Working from home, you know.

It's not like he hasn't experienced it before.

In short, after everything was settled, Mi Wei bid farewell to everyone and returned to Hedong with only Jiang Wei and Liu Xie's party.

However, just as the group stepped out of the city gate, a disheveled scholar caught up with them.

It was Qiao Zhou, who had been missing for several days.

"I have failed in my duty and have no face to see the general again."

"But as a subject and servant, though I have not been of great help, I cannot leave without saying goodbye. Please allow me to continue serving you as your servant."

Mi Wei said calmly:
"If anything happens to me on my return journey, I must build a hut by my grave for the next three years, specifically on the shore of the salt lake in Hedong."

"Although it's not completely barren there, it's still the countryside. If you come with me, it will inevitably waste a few years of your life. Are you really willing to do that?"

"If you intend to seek better opportunities elsewhere, I will write you a letter of recommendation later."

"I believe I have some influence in the court, enough to secure you a job to support your family."

Qiao Zhou shook his head firmly upon hearing this:

"In Zhou's heart, there are two wise men: the Prime Minister and the General. Only these two can truly win his heart and mind."

"Now that you have pledged your allegiance to the general, why be wavering?"

"As for the austerity of the countryside, could it be any worse than Zhou's old mountain home in Xichong, Brazil?"

"If Zhou's prediction is correct, General, you must have other plans besides fulfilling your filial duty by building a hut by the salt lake, right?"

Miwei nodded calmly.

Therefore, Qiao Zhou bowed and said:

"Although I do not know what the general's long-term plans are, I am willing to do my part."

Since the other party had put it that way, Miwei had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, once he went to observe mourning, all his former officials would have to resign.

And I felt embarrassed to jeopardize other people's future.

Having a learned scholar like Qiao Zhou by your side to help with writing and drawing is quite nice.

So another person was added to the team.

However, before they had gone far, another person caught up with them.

This was a new face who claimed to be from Hanoi.

Miwei noticed that this man was handsome and couldn't help but take a few more glances at him.

The man respectfully handed over a letter without any heading or seal.

But Mi Wei recognized the writer as soon as he saw the handwriting.

His expression immediately turned solemn.

He then read it carefully, his expression changing several times.

Curious glances were cast at them from the left and right.

However, Mi Wei turned around and personally took a flint and burned the letter, without mentioning any details inside.

He only asked the handsome young man:
"I heard you've become that official's son-in-law?"

The young man said:
"Thank you for not rejecting me and for being valued."

Mi Wei nodded slightly and said again:
How is your maternal uncle's health now?

The young man said, "It's alright. It's just that I sometimes miss the past, lament the passing of old friends, and feel a sense of regret."

Mi Wei remained silent for a few breaths, then gave the instructions:

"Please tell your maternal uncle that important matters will eventually come to an end. Until then, eat well, take care of your health, and prepare for the future."

The young man respectfully accepted and prepared to take his leave.

Mi Wei suddenly asked, "Is your wife pregnant?"

The young man was taken aback, not understanding what he meant.

Mi Wei smiled slightly and said:
"I have a good impression of you. My wife and concubines have recently given me a son and a daughter, and I would like to arrange a marriage between us in advance."

The young man immediately looked bewildered.

I was previously unknown, so how come this famous General Wei wants to arrange a marriage between our families on our first meeting?
How virtuous and capable are you?
Wait a minute, could it be that my maternal uncle secretly recommended me to General Wei... I never expected that my maternal uncle would truly treat me as a nephew and nurture me, rather than just a pawn to be used temporarily.

Upon thinking of this, the young man, who was also the Yangtze River War God Wang Jun that someone had been longing for for so long, came to mind.

He immediately felt a great deal of gratitude towards Xu Shu.

At the same time, I have more confidence in my future prospects.

(End of this chapter)