Emperor Zhaolie of the late Han Dynasty: Rising to power in Liaoxi

Prefect Hou stopped looking at him and turned to Liu Bei, his expression softening slightly.

"Now that you have personally gone to the fortresses to investigate, do you know how many soldiers in Yangle County are actually fit for battle?"

This question is a test.

Although he wasn't asking Gongsun Zan, it still made his heart tighten. He hadn't even sorted out the documents, so how could he remember the exact number?

But Liu Bei calmly lowered his head, his voice steady and clear, without the slightest deviation.

"Reporting to the Prefect, the six forts under the jurisdiction of Yangle County have a total of 1,347 able-bodied men."

"Excluding the elderly, the weak, the disabled, only children supporting their parents, and officials, craftsmen, and laborers, there are 721 people who can be conscripted into the army."

"Among them, 143 are skilled in riding and archery, and can serve as scouts."

"Two hundred and sixteen men had served in the campaign, and they were considered elite troops."

"The rest can be organized into infantry, and with a little training, they can be used for garrison duty."

Magistrate Hou's eyes lit up slightly. He first nodded, then shook his head.

These figures, spoken offhand, show that the person truly put in the effort and worked hard.

However, this is too idealistic. If conscripts were to be conscripted in turn, the various fortresses would inevitably rebel.

"Where are the beacon towers?"

"From Yangle to the border, a total of twenty-seven beacon towers were set up, thirteen of which were intact and usable..."

"Three sections of the wall are dilapidated, and the fire-starting soldiers in three places are old and weak... They need to be repaired and replaced within half a month, otherwise, if there is an alarm, the communication will be slow."

Prefect Hou nodded slowly. Not bad. For someone new to border affairs, it's quite remarkable that they've achieved such a level of competence.

But that's not enough!

Did he not know the details of the beacon tower?

Now, less than half remains. Repairing it sounds simple, but it's easier said than done!

Liaoxi Commandery comprised nine counties: Yangle, Liucheng, Tuhe, Bintu, Husu, Linyu, Haiyang, Lingzhi, and Feiru.

But he only had five counties in his hands: Yangle, Linyu, Lingzhi, Haiyang, and Feiru.

The core area of ​​Liaoxi Commandery, the place with the most money, grain, population and taxes, was actually in Liucheng, in the hands of Wuheng.

Meanwhile, Tuhe and Bintu were in the hands of Xia Yu, the Protector of the Wuhuan.

These difficulties are beyond the comprehension of a young man, and beyond the ability of a lowly clerk to resolve.

Enough, why make things difficult for a young man? Hou Chong pulled himself out of his thoughts.

My impression of Liu Bei has improved even further; this man is worth cultivating and may one day become a trusted confidant.

Then, Hou Chong looked at Wang Congshi and said, "Wenxiu, promote Liu Bei to the position of Military Clerk of Liaoxi Commandery!"

"From this day forward, all matters concerning the military affairs, including the recording of important documents, the conscription of able-bodied men, and the maintenance of beacon towers, shall be entrusted to Liu Bei's management!"

He then looked at Liu Bei, his tone filled with expectation: "Do your job well and do not fail the trust I have placed in you."

Liu Bei's spirits lifted, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Bei, thank you for your guidance, Lord. I dare not fail you in your trust!"

Gongsun Zan clenched his fists silently, feeling both resentful and frustrated, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He was clearly exceptionally brave and had an even stronger aura, but he had nowhere to use his skills. In the eyes of the prefect, he was not as good as a young man who buried himself in copying documents.

Both were students of Lu Zhi, but he was slightly older, yet he was now being suppressed. How could he face anyone?

But no one paid attention to Gongsun Zan's psychological changes. This is the workplace, this is reality!

Prefect Hou gave Liu Bei a few more instructions before leaving.

The lower-ranking officials were even more envious upon seeing this!

But more often than not, it was about currying favor and flattery, which further marginalized Gongsun Zan, making him even more furious.

Liu Bei, on the other hand, remained humble and unassuming, treating people with kindness and gentleness, which made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze, and he gained even more favor from the minor officials.

After a long period of noise, the office finally returned to quiet.

Outside the government office, Wang, the official in charge, looked at Gongsun Zan and spoke in a gentle tone, but also with a hint of admonition.

"Bo Gui, I have a long-standing relationship with your Gongsun family. Let me add a word today: Confucius said, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me!'"

"Xuande is not just knowledgeable in literature; there are no trivial matters in the border regions. He keeps the true situation and the weaknesses of all sides in mind."

"You're too impatient. It won't hurt to learn from that!"

Gongsun Zan gave a reluctant reply, feeling depressed. He thought this person was also mocking and ridiculing him, but he was powerless to refute them because he was at a disadvantage.

Another month or so passed!

Liu Bei remained focused on border affairs and adhered to the officialdom principle of seeking advice on everything, which further strengthened his relationship with the governor!

That morning, Magistrate Hou sent someone to summon the two men to the hall to perform their duties.

Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan entered together and bowed in greeting.

Prefect Hou sat upright behind his desk, his gaze lingering briefly on the two men before he spoke.

"There are two urgent tasks in western Liaoning recently, neither of which can be neglected."

"After much deliberation, I have decided that you two will each take one."

Gongsun Zan's spirits lifted, and he stood tall.

Liu Bei stood quietly with his hands at his sides, his expression unchanged, awaiting instructions.

Prefect Hou first looked at Gongsun Zan: "Bo Gui, you come from Liaoxi, you are well-versed in martial arts, and you are skilled in archery and horsemanship."

"Now that foreign invasions are becoming more frequent, I intend to strengthen the defenses of the prefecture."

"I hereby order you to go to the drill ground in the east of the city, recruit two hundred local militiamen, train the new army, repair weapons and armor, and conduct battle drills."

"All rations and equipment for the soldiers will be provided by the prefecture government. You just need to train them rigorously and show our military might."

Gongsun Zan's spirits lifted. It was such a wonderful job to train and command troops! He was overjoyed and immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said loudly.

"Zan will not fail in his mission! Within a month, he will train a force of brave warriors. Please inspect them, Your Excellency!"

His voice resounded throughout the hall, and he was full of vigor and high spirits.

Prefect Hou nodded slightly. He believed in using people based on their strengths. In his position, personal preferences could often be put aside; what mattered most was what was beneficial.

Then he turned to Liu Bei, his tone becoming even more solemn.

"Xuande, the safety of the border regions is not only determined by battles on the battlefield."

"When the people are at peace, the army is well-equipped; when the government is efficient, the military is strong."

"I hereby order you to personally go to the forts surrounding Yangle to investigate the refugees, determine the land area, appease the border residents, and repair the beacon towers."

"You may handle any issues related to unclear household registration, unequal taxation, or dilapidated fortresses on the spot, and report them to the prefectural government afterwards."

At this point, he paused briefly and added a very important statement: "In all matters, one may act expediently without necessarily seeking prior approval."

"I believe you!"

Upon hearing this, even Wang, the official standing nearby, was slightly taken aback, but Gongsun Zan remained oblivious, still immersed in the joy of being able to command troops.

Training troops may seem impressive, but in reality it's just "using their courage."

He also granted Liu Bei exclusive control over civil administration, household registration, fortified villages, and beacon towers, and gave him the authority to "dispose of matters as he saw fit."

That is the power to be entrusted to one side, it is true "reuse".

Liu Bei bowed, his voice steady: "I, Bei, humbly accept your command!"

"We must appease the border residents, verify the facts, and live up to the trust placed in us by the Prefect."

"Go and prepare!"

"promise."

The two bowed and withdrew.

As soon as he stepped outside the hall, Gongsun Zan couldn't contain himself and looked at Liu Bei, his tone a mixture of smugness and confusion.

"Xuande, the Lord has ordered me to train soldiers and command troops. This will be the right path for me to defeat the enemy on the battlefield and establish meritorious achievements in the future."

"Yet you're going to the countryside and fortresses, running around in the dust and grievances, dealing with those trivial matters. Haven't you offended the Prefect?"

In his eyes, military training was a prestigious and powerful position, while civil affairs was nothing more than a chore.

Liu Bei smiled faintly and did not argue with him: "Bo Gui is brave and martial, just right for training troops and showing off his power."

"I have a gentle nature, so I can do things like appease the people and stabilize the rear, which is a good use of my strengths."

Gongsun Zan took it as a reluctant acceptance, but was secretly delighted. The Prefect had finally discovered his talent, and he was the one the Prefect truly valued.