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

Chapter 324 Mi Qian, you have a good father!

Mi Wei's frankness and straightforwardness were somewhat unexpected by Lu Yu.

If he had not experienced setbacks in his youth, he would inevitably have developed a sense of contempt.

Then they privately mocked the other party for being the son of a merchant, whose words were all about profit and who had no sense of loyalty, righteousness, or shame.

But after experiencing setbacks in middle age and becoming accustomed to the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

Lu Yu now prefers the other person's straightforwardness.

Why did he abandon the fame and fortune he had accumulated in the State of Wei over half his life and bring his whole family to join him?
Was it really just for a meaningless reputation as a loyal subject?
He came to realize his ambitions!

So he straightened his clothes and faced the other person calmly, saying:
"May I ask, what official position does Your Excellency intend to recommend me for?"

Upon hearing this, Mi Wei pointed to the blue sash at Shi Tao's waist and said:
"Would Lord Lu be willing to serve as the prefect of this commandery?"

Seeing this, Shi Tao also stepped forward and said:

"If Lord Lu is willing, Tao is willing to relinquish his position as Prefect of Hongnong and become his assistant prefect!"

Lu Yu was certainly not so oblivious. He thanked Shi Tao, then turned and nodded, saying:
"Yu estimates his abilities to be around two thousand shi (a unit of grain).

"Lord Lu is too modest," Mi Wei shook his head slightly.

"To be honest, I told my wife and children yesterday that Lord Lu is destined to become one of the Three Dukes. We should seize the opportunity while he is still in obscurity to arrange a marriage between our families, otherwise we will not be able to reach his level in the future."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu couldn't help but chuckle.

As a newcomer, how could I possibly be ranked among the high officials?
Moreover, even if he were to become one of the Three Dukes, given the other party's family background and status in the Shu Han state, it's hard to say who would be climbing the social ladder.

However, this also confirms that Miwei truly values ​​him.

Whether it was just polite talk or not, I was still a little flattered.

He then reciprocated by saying:
"It's a pity that you are still in mourning, otherwise I would definitely recommend myself as the Chief Clerk of the General of the Guards to repay your kindness."

Upon hearing this, Mi Wei laughed heartily and clapped his hands, saying:
"What Lord Lu thinks coincides with my own!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu, Shi Tao, and even Qiao Zhou, who was still speaking eloquently on the podium, all changed their expressions.

The latter paused for several breaths before being able to continue.
Lu Yu: "Is General Wei going to be reinstated despite being in mourning?"

The term "夺情" (duó qíng) refers to the practice of prematurely ending an official's mourning period and granting them an official position.

However, unlike later generations, it did not have a relatively complete system.

During this era, Han Chinese valued filial piety, and it was extremely rare for officials to disobey mourning orders.

Because if handled improperly, it can ruin one's reputation for life, which in turn can affect one's career.

They would only return to public service ahead of schedule when faced with particularly urgent military or national affairs.

So, is the Chang'an court about to make a big move?

Considering that this Marquis of Qu is a renowned general recognized throughout the land, and given Qiao Zhou's novelistic allegory just now... could it be that war is about to break out again?
Lu Yu's heart instantly filled with both trepidation and anticipation.

Unfortunately, the next moment, Mi Wei shook his head slightly and said:

"Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important. How can we easily dispel the mourning period unless it is an extraordinary matter?"

"I regret not having met you sooner, Master Lu, which is why I wish to be invited to serve you as my disciple and learn from you every day!"

"However, Lord Lu need not be disappointed. I have indeed prepared a letter of recommendation, which will soon be sent to Chang'an."

As he spoke, Mi Wei turned his gaze northward and said:
"I wonder if Lord Lu is familiar with the geography of You and Bing prefectures?"

Lu Yu narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.

He wouldn't dare say he was familiar with all of Bingzhou, but he was certainly familiar with Youzhou.

After all, he grew up in Zhuojun, Youzhou.

Moreover, he had witnessed the struggle for supremacy between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan when he was young, and was very familiar with some of the local passes.

sidewalk:

"Is the imperial court about to focus its efforts on You and Bing?"

Mi Weidao:
"It's not just about to happen, it's already in full swing."

"To be honest, since last winter, after General Zhao Zilong opened up Guanjuejin (Queshugu), the court saw that the gateway to Taiyuan had been opened and intended to advance towards Bingzhou."

"Once we can take Bingzhou and connect with Hedong and Shangdang, taking Jizhou will be as easy as taking candy from a baby."

"General Zhao will make a big move after this year's autumn harvest."

"Although Zhao Zhengbei is the bravest in the army, he comes from a military background and is not considered noble by scholars. It may be difficult for him to win over the prominent families of Bingzhou."

"I wonder if Lord Lu is interested in taking up the post of Governor of Bingzhou to assist Zhao in his northern expedition and pacification of the region?"

Lu Yu suddenly realized.

This is to take advantage of the reputation of the Lu family of Zhuojun among the scholars of Hebei. It's not surprising.

if not?
Do they really expect that as soon as they surrender, the other side will grant them actual command of troops or a real local position?
Being granted the position of governor of a prefecture remotely is already considered a great honor.

Moreover, this nominal position of Governor of Bingzhou is not entirely a sinecure.

Because once Zhao Yun marched into Taiyuan, he would be needed to help with the cleanup after every city he conquered.

He really needs to get things done.

And isn't regulating public sentiment and appeasing the people exactly what he excels at?

If you do a lot of practical things like this and do them well, then a nominal position will naturally become a real position.

Once the Han army recaptures the entire territory of Bingzhou.

He was, in fact, the Governor of Bingzhou of the Han Dynasty.

It should be noted that the governors of the prefectures in this era were no longer the same supervisory officials who only had a salary of 600 shi (a unit of grain measure).

They are high-ranking state officials who can truly intervene in local government affairs.

Although the Shu Han regime did not have the distinction between military governors and single-chariot governors as Cao Wei did.

Even though the governor of a single chariot was not in charge of military affairs, he still had the authority to govern the people and was of the same rank as the prefect of a prefecture.

Thinking of this, Lu Yu, who had always been frustrated and unsuccessful, couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

Indeed, birds still choose their trees carefully!
Afterwards, Mi Wei invited Lu Yu and Mi Wei to ascend the platform together to give lectures and exchange knowledge with the students.

This effectively made Lu Yu's return to Han officially public.

Of course, Mi Wei also took the opportunity to slip Lu Yu some personal gifts—tuition fees.

He didn't become an apprentice himself, but on behalf of his son.

Regardless of whether they will become in-laws in the future, the identity of this scholar's disciple must be confirmed first.

In short, after arranging things for Lu Yu and the others, Mi Wei returned to his thatched cottage.

His wife, Guan Linghui, and his concubine, Xu, were busy preparing dinner.

The eldest son, Mi Qian, was playing in the mud and sand by the salt pond with his younger brother, Mi Gong, getting themselves all dirty.

Meanwhile, her daughter, Boge, was diligently learning needlework from an older, pretty girl.

It gives you peace of mind at first glance.

Mi Wei stepped forward and pinched his daughter's soft, delicate cheek, then said to the little girl beside him:
"Huiyu, do you want to go home?"

The little girl, Yang Huiyu, Yang Dao's daughter, nodded subconsciously upon hearing this.

Then he shook his head repeatedly and said:

The Book of Rites says: “When young, one should obey one’s father and elder brothers; after marriage, one should obey one’s husband; after the husband’s death, one should obey one’s son.”

"Now that I have entered my husband's family, I should settle down here with peace of mind."

"Besides, if I don't serve my parents-in-law here, you won't be able to rest easy in Huguan."

Looking at this child bride who was so mature it was heartbreaking.

Miwei couldn't help but shake his head inwardly at his eldest son, who was still playing in the mud.

That brat really has a good father!

His wife was the future Empress Jingxian, who was both beautiful and intelligent.

The master was one of the ancestors of the future Lu family of Fanyang, one of the so-called five surnames and seven prominent families.

What does it mean to win at the starting line?

This is.

what?
Empress Jingxian of Jin no longer exists?
It's not certain that the Lu family of Fanyang will appear.

It doesn't matter.

Anyway, Yang Huiyu is still the same Yang Huiyu.

Lu Yu is still the same Lu Yu.

Mi Qian still has a good father!
In short, after giving Mi Qian a severe beating that night for leading his younger brother astray, he was then severely reprimanded by his wife.

Marquis Mi Wei of the Great Han Dynasty arrived at his father's grave late at night.

The brilliant starry sky reflected in the lake.

He began to ponder the general trend of the world.

(End of this chapter)