At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 197 Careers
This expedition to Jingzhou lasted more than eight months, and Zhou Qicai returned to Shouchun with his troops.

Now is the first year of Xingping, which is 194 AD.

The son born to Lu Yu is over three years old, and the daughter born to Zhang is also over two years old. The eldest son Zhou Ji is nine years old, smart and studious, and the second son Zhou Tong is seven years old and more naughty.

This battle captured the entire territory of Changsha, exposed almost the entire Jingzhou to Zhou Qi's troops, and also captured Yicheng, the eastern barrier of Xiangyang. The morale of everyone in Yangzhou was high.

Zhou Qi appointed Lu Su as the governor of Changsha and ordered Xu Huang to recruit [-] troops to garrison in Yiyang.

Although Lu Su was 22 years old, he was still questioned by many people when he became the governor of Changsha.

After all, Lu Su was not from a noble family, otherwise he would be more than enough to serve as a county guard at this age.

Zhou Qi, however, insisted on promoting Lu Su to take up the post despite all opinions.

There is no doubt about Lu Su's ability, and he was not from a local family in Yangzhou. He was also loyal to Zhou Qi, which was of great help in balancing the local scholars in Yangzhou.

And after two or three years of experience, Lu Su has matured a lot.

The most important thing is that Changsha County has Xu Huang, a famous general who is powerful in Jingzhou, leading the troops, so there is no need to worry about any trouble.

Zhou Qi asked Lu Su to serve as the governor of Changsha, probably because he was preparing to send him out to get some experience so that he could be entrusted with important responsibilities in the future.

As for Yicheng, Jiang Qin still led the troops to garrison it. Zhou Qi also left a thousand sailors and two thousand soldiers and horses there to serve as a bridgehead for the future attack on Xiangyang.

But he said that after Xu Huang left Kuaiji County, Shanyue there had not yet been completely pacified, so Lu Jun was asked to recommend talents to take over Xu Huang's original job.

At this time, the situation in Kuaiji County has gradually stabilized. Even without Xu Huang guarding it, as long as some people who are proficient in military affairs can be found and implemented according to the established strategy, the troubles in Shanyue will be quelled sooner or later.

It was for this reason that Zhou Qi boldly transferred Xu Huang to Yiyang.

After waiting for a while, Lu Jun recommended two people to Zhou Qi, namely Yu Fan and He Qi.

Yu Fan's family has a long history of learning, and he is diligent and studious. His father once served as the governor of Ninan County, and he can be regarded as a family of officials. He is now in his thirties.

Yu Fan was erudite and talented. He not only inherited the classics passed down from his family, but was also proficient in the "Book of Changes" and also had medical skills.

The most important thing is that Yu Fan is a native of Kuaiji County. He knows the habits of mountain crossing very well and is good at crossing mountains. He is said to be able to walk three hundred miles a day. He has practiced martial arts since he was a child and is good at using spears, which no ordinary person can do. Close.

Yu Fan claimed to be able to travel three hundred miles in a day. Although it was a bit exaggerated, he was indeed as light as a swallow, and no one on foot could match him.

According to what Lu Jun said, this man was capable of both literary and military skills and was from a famous family. If he could be entrusted with an important role, he would be able to pacify Shanyue in Kuaiji County.

As for He Qi, he is also a native of Kuaiji County.

He Qi was originally a county official in the county. In his early years, he served as Taimo Chief, punishing evil and supporting good. In just one month, he quelled the Shanyue Rebellion involving more than a thousand people. He also liked military affairs, so he was the best candidate.

However, He Qi's background was not as good as that of Yu Fan. If he was rashly entrusted with important tasks, he might not be able to convince the public.

Zhou Qi couldn't help but be overjoyed when he saw Lu Jun's letter.

Both Yu Fan and He Qi were famous ministers of Soochow in history, especially He Qi. In the process of pacifying the Shanyue Rebellion, he had gone through hundreds of battles and made great military exploits. In the end, he was honored as a post-general and a false official. Also serves as Xuzhou pastoralist.

Looking at the generals of Soochow, He Qi is definitely the most famous general.

As for Yu Fan, he was a very interesting person with a very forthright and free personality, so he often angered Sun Quan and eventually ended up being exiled to Jiaozhou.

But no matter what, these two talents cannot be missed.

Zhou Qi pondered for a long time, and finally wrote a reply to Lu Jun. The letter said that since He Qi was talented, he should naturally be entrusted with important tasks, but he had to consider other people's ideas. He could be promoted as Xiaolian first and asked He Qi to assist him. Conquer Shanyue and wait until he has achieved military exploits before promoting him.

As for Yu Fan, since he came from a well-known family and was quite famous, Lu Jun could directly carry out conquests in the name of the county governor's office and ask him to take charge of Shanyue on his behalf. If he performed outstandingly, he would be corrected.

Through the different treatment of the two people, we can see the importance of family background in this era.

In fact, He Qi is more suitable for the position of coach of Yamakoshi. Because the opponent's background is not high enough, he cannot be promoted out of the ordinary. Instead, he must take the path of filial piety and integrity, and then slowly accumulate military merit and be promoted.

Yu Fan was because his father had served as the governor of Rinan County. Even if he was just the governor of a remote place in Jiaozhou, he was still from an official family.

With this kind of background, Yu Fan could be promoted exceptionally.

Not long after finishing the matter of Yu Fan and He Qi, Zhou Yu suddenly came to see him with a group of people.

Zhou Qi looked at Zhou Yu, who was already twenty years old, and said, "Gong Jin, aren't you going to learn how to train soldiers in the army today?"

Although Zhou Yu was not really over twenty, Zhou Qi also gave him a cousin name in advance, which was the same as in history. It is better to call him this normal.

Needless to say, the public character is the first character of many people’s names, and the most important one is the last character.

Jin: It means beautiful jade, and it also means virtue. It just echoes Zhou Qi’s Qi, and also expresses Zhou Qi’s expectations for Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu saluted Zhou Qi and said, "My nephew is here to report something."

Zhou Qi became interested and asked, "What's the matter?"

Zhou Yu pondered for a moment, and then said: "There are many light knights in Lujiang County, and the knight-errant style is very strong. If these people are not restrained, they will cause serious damage to local security."

"If used properly, it can also be of great use. When they rebelled against Lu Bu's soldiers, assassinated his generals, and recaptured Lujiang County, these people were of great use."

"My nephew plans to recruit all these people and form them into an army. After rigorous training, they may be of great use in small-scale raids in the future."

When Zhou Qi heard this, his expression moved slightly.

There are indeed many rangers in Lujiang County. Cousin Zhou Yu had always followed 2000 people when he went on a trip, and many of them were rangers attached to the Zhou family in Lujiang.

Although these people may not be of much use on the frontal battlefield, they may be of great use when deployed behind enemy lines.

In fact, it's not just Rangers.

The people in Lujiang County are impetuous and resolute, harboring disasters. They regard death as a return, and are willing to fight and be deceitful. This is the old custom.

Even the young and strong in the countryside, most of them are brave and fierce. Sometimes they don't care about life and death for the sake of loyalty and personal hatred, and regard death as home.

If these people use it well, they will definitely be a trump card.

Zhou Qi pondered for a long time and said: "Since Gong Jin has an idea, go ahead and do it."

Zhou Yu was overjoyed when he heard this, and then pulled the sturdy young man beside him and said: "This man is called Chen Wu. He is also a warrior in Lujiang County. He is quite famous among the knights. My nephew specially recommends him to his uncle today."

"Chen Wu?"

Zhou Qi's expression moved slightly.

The generals of Dongwu, Dong Xi and Chen Wu, sacrificed their lives to defend their lord. They were all loyal and courageous men.

Dong Xi hasn't appeared yet, and Zhou Qi doesn't remember where the other party is from, but he didn't expect that Chen Wu would show up on his own initiative.

Zhou Qi's impression of Chen Wu was that when Zhang Liao defeated Soochow in Xiaoyaojin, Chen Wu fought tooth and nail to protect Sun Quan, and finally died heroically in battle.

Sun Quan attended Chen Wu's funeral, cried for him personally, and even asked Chen Wu's concubine to be buried with him.

Zhou Qi could no longer recall Chen Wu's other deeds, but this alone showed that Chen Wu could be reused.

"The common people pay homage to the cavalry general!"

Chen Wu is seven feet five inches tall and has a dignified appearance. Even when facing Zhou Qi, he is neither humble nor overbearing.

Zhou Qi personally stepped forward to help Chen Wu up and said: "I was once the magistrate of Anfeng County, and was appointed as the Marquis of Anfeng County by the late emperor. I can be regarded as half a member of Lujiang County. The people there are indeed fierce and fierce, and they often decide life and death. Your Excellency To be recommended to me personally by Gong Jin and to be highly praised by the rangers of Lujiang County is absolutely extraordinary."

"Gong Jin is intelligent by nature and is about to reach his prime, but there is no one around him who can be used."

"I plan to ask Gong Jin to recruit three thousand Lujiang soldiers, and you will help with training. Are you willing?"

When Chen Wu heard this, he prostrated himself on the ground and said, "Thanks to my lord's love, I am willing to die for you!"

Zhou Qi was overjoyed, helped Chen Wu up, and then said to Zhou Yu: "The eagle will eventually spread its wings and fly. I will make you the captain of the guard army and Chen Wu the commander of the other department. You two will build the Lujiang Shangjia directly. I am the commander in chief.”

When Zhou Yu heard this, he couldn't help being flattered and said hesitantly: "Yu has no merit but is so favored by the lord. I'm afraid the other meritorious officers are unhappy." The captain of the guard army, with a rank of two thousand stones, is an important senior general and the future The predecessor of the Central Guard Army had a very special status.

It was precisely for this reason that Zhou Yu hesitated.

Zhou Qi smiled and said: "Let's not mention that Gong Jin is my nephew. The contribution you made in Lujiang that day is enough to be used in such a important way. The other generals will never make irresponsible remarks."

"I also believe that Gong Jin's talent will surely shock everyone before long."

"Gong Jin, just let go and do what you want, I will help you block the rest!"

When Zhou Yu heard this, he couldn't help but be moved and said: "My nephew will live up to my uncle's love!"

Zhou Qi didn't waste too much time and signed the appointment document directly, leaving Zhou Yu to do the work on his own.

As he said before: The young eagle will eventually spread its wings and fly.

If Zhou Yu is always kept by his side and becomes the canary in the cage, he may harm the opponent and fail to reach the heights he has achieved in history.

The preparation of the Lujiang Shangjia was also a training for Zhou Yu.

When Zhou Yu can really build a strong army and shine on the battlefield, that's when Zhou Yu really rises.

After settling the matter of Zhou Yu and Chen Wu, Zhou Qi thought to himself: "Dong Xi and Chen Wu are both Jiang's enemies. Now that Chen Wu has appeared, Dong Xi is still missing. It's time to pay attention."

Thinking of this, he called Chen Wen and asked him to inquire about Dong Xi.

Although Zhou Qi didn't remember the other party's place of origin, anyone who could leave a name in the history books must be outstanding and should at least be famous in one place.

With the information network Chen Wen currently has, it shouldn't be difficult to find.

"You should also pay attention to Xu Sheng, Pan Zhang, and Ding Feng, but I don't know how old they are now and whether they are adults."

Chen Wu has just reached the crown now. Among Jiang Biao's twelve tiger ministers, many are generals in the middle and late stages of the Three Kingdoms, and they should not be too old.

If that were the case, it would be hard to find.

Although Zhou Qi knew the history of the late Han Dynasty very well, he could not remember the dates of birth and death of each person, so he could only make rough guesses.

"My lord, two celebrities from Xuzhou were found in the recruitment hall!"

Zhou Qi had just asked Chen Wen to pay attention to those famous and talented people when he saw Chen Wen running over excitedly, his face full of excitement.

Zhou Qi raised his eyebrows and asked, "Whose surname is it?"

At this time, Zhou Qi was not like before, whenever he saw a historical celebrity, he wanted to be a dog licker and surrounded him to recruit him.

He is now a Cavalry General and Yangzhou Shepherd, occupying one state and two counties. He is a powerful prince, and his subordinates are also full of talents. In many cases, there is no need to visit the house in person. As long as a piece of conquest document is needed, there will be many talents. Take the initiative to come and serve.

Just like Li Yan, if it were Zhou Qi who had just started his career, it would be very difficult to recruit him.

But now, there is no need to be too courteous to the corporal. You only need to lower your posture a little to solicit, and the other party will immediately bow to you.

This is true for Li Yan, and so is Zhang Liao.

This is the change brought about by status and fame.

Chen Wen saw that Zhou Qi seemed to be not very interested, so he immediately said mysteriously: "These two people have very different identities. One of them is a very famous celebrity in Xuzhou, and the other is a Confucian master."

"Both of them are of noble character. One of them was promoted to be Xiaolian when he had just reached the crown, but he refused. Tao Qian, the shepherd of Xuzhou, promoted him to be a talented person, but also declined. This angered Tao Qian and sent him to prison."

"The other person successively refused the conquests of General He Jin and Sikong Xunshuang, and always stayed in the countryside to study."

"Although they came to Yangzhou to escape the war, they may not be willing to be conquered by the lord."

When Zhou Qi heard this, he became interested and laughed and scolded: "You guy, how dare you show off in front of me, why don't you tell me quickly!"

Chen Wen said with a smile: "The former is from Pengcheng, Xuzhou. His surname is Zhang Mingzhao, and his surname is Zibu."

"The latter is from Guangling, Xuzhou. His surname is Zhang Minghong, and his surname is Zigang."

Zhou Qi couldn't help but be filled with surprise when he heard this.

These two people are really famous. Not only are they the masterminds of Sun Ce and Sun Quan, but the most exaggerated thing is their outstanding political abilities.

Three Kingdoms period.

If the political No. 1 of the Wei State is Xun Yu, and the political No. 1 of the Shu State is Zhuge Liang, then the political No. 1 of the Wu State undoubtedly belongs to Zhang Zhao.

According to people's general understanding, Zhang Zhao's political ability was definitely among the top three during the Three Kingdoms period.

When Sun Ce was in power, it was precisely because he could not handle the relationship with the powerful families in Jiangdong that he ended up being assassinated.

Although Sun Ce built the Jiangdong family business, the foundation was not solid.

It was before Sun Ce's death that he appointed Zhang Zhao as an independent and important minister, allowing Sun Quan to question Zhang Zhao when he was unsure about his internal affairs. After Zhang Zhao's painstaking management, the relationship between the Sun family and the powerful Jiangdong family was gradually balanced, and finally Sun Quan was allowed to question Zhang Zhao. Soochow gradually became prosperous and stable.

It is no exaggeration to say that without Zhang Zhao, Sun Quan may not be able to defend Jiangdong's foundation.

However, Zhang Zhao is not perfect.

First of all, during Cao Cao's southern expedition, Zhang Zhao was a representative of the surrender faction. This behavior once made Sun Quan very disappointed.

And because Zhang Zhao was originally from a noble family, he also adopted a strategy of win-over and alliance when dealing with the Jiangdong aristocratic families. Although it was able to quickly stabilize the situation for Soochow, it also made the Sun family constrained everywhere and was imprisoned in Jiangdong.

Perhaps it was precisely because of the above two reasons that Sun Quan did not canonize Zhang Zhao, an important minister in the two dynasties, as prime minister after he ascended the throne as emperor.

But it’s not entirely Zhang Zhao’s fault.

It was just because Sun Quan was too young when he succeeded to the throne, and there were internal and external troubles in Soochow at that time. Thieves were everywhere in the territory, and powerful families were eyeing him.

Even Sun Quan, who inherited Jiangdong's foundation, was worried and worried that he would not be able to keep Jiangdong's foundation. For this reason, he went to ask General Dong Xi anxiously.

Although Zhang Zhao's strategy seemed weak, it was able to quickly stabilize the situation in Jiangdong and prevent the young Sun Quan from losing the foundation built by his father and brother.

By the time Sun Quan was able to take power, Soochow was inseparable from the Jiangdong family.

As for Zhang Hong, his political ability should be among the top five in the entire Three Kingdoms period.

Compared with Zhang Zhao, who was only proficient in government affairs, Zhang Hong was also quite strategic and visionary.

Just like when Sun Ce was fighting, he relied on his own bravery and always liked to go to the front line and take the lead in the charge. Zhang Hong once warned him hard: "My husband, the general, is the one who prepares for the plan. The fate of the three armies is also tied to it, and it should not be taken lightly." Since I am an enemy of Xiaokou, I hope that my subordinates will uphold the posture given by heaven and look forward to the world, so that no one in the country will be in danger."

It must be said that Zhang Hong was indeed far-sighted and saw Sun Ce's weaknesses early on.

However, Sun Ce did not listen to the advice and did not care much about his own safety, and eventually died at the hands of a villain.

When Sun Ce had just left Yuan Shu, he had only a few soldiers and few generals. He went to visit Zhang Hong several times, humbly asking for advice and asking if he could capture Wuhui in the east and avenge his father in the west.

Zhang Hong was originally unwilling to reply, but seeing Sun Ce's lack of sincerity, his inner strength, and his generous rhetoric, he was impressed by his ambition, so he replied: "In the past, when Daoling was late in the Zhou Dynasty, Qi and Jin were both prosperous; the royal family was at peace, and the princes were Tributary position. Now you have the track of the ancestors, and have the reputation of bravery. If you surrender to Danyang and withdraw the troops from Wuhui, then Jing and Yang can be united, and the enemy can take revenge. According to the Yangtze River, be vigorous and powerful, kill the filthy people, help the Han Dynasty, and have great achievements. How can Yu Huan and Wen be just foreign vassals? In this world, there are many chaos and difficulties. If you succeed, you should share the same interests with others."

Sun Ce accepted his words and really laid the foundation of Jiangdong.

It is no exaggeration to say that if Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Dui" laid the foundation for the Shu Han's three-part world, then Zhang Hong's remarks laid the foundation for the Sun family to occupy Jiangdong.

When Sun Quan inherited Jiangdong's foundation, Zhang Hong also repeatedly advised him.

In fact, as early as the 13th year of Jian'an, when Sun Quan was conquering Hefei, he planned to imitate his brother and lead his light cavalry to attack the enemy, but he was persuaded by Zhang Hong.

The next year, Sun Quan also wanted to conquer Hefei, but Zhang Hong dissuaded him.

Until Zhang Hong's death, no one could persuade Sun Quan anymore. Then Zhang Liao became famous in Xiaoyaojin and Sun Quan was nicknamed Sun Shiwan.

Zhou Qi was well aware of the talents of the two men, so he immediately prepared a heavy gift and prepared to visit them in person.

(End of this chapter)