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

Chapter 246 Zhou Qi’s eastward tour and the massacre of his family

"Sir, if you have any good ideas, please come to me quickly!"

Liu Bei and his subordinates and generals have gained great trust in Xi Zhicai after all the previous events.

They all looked at Xi Zhicai, who was taking it easy, with expectant expressions on their faces.

Xi Zhicai did not answer, but focused on Zhou Yu, with a look on his face.

The reason why he did this was not only to train Zhou Yu, who was highly valued by his lord, but also because he vaguely felt that something was wrong with his body.

Although he had seen doctors privately, nothing was wrong with him.

Xi Zhicai didn't pay much attention at first, but as time passed, he could clearly feel that his body was deteriorating.

He didn't tell anyone about it, but kept it deep in his heart.

Since then, Xi Zhicai has begun to deliberately train his successor. Zhou Yu is a very good candidate, but it is a pity that he is too young.

Xu Shu was very good, but after all his foundation was too shallow, and he was not like Xi Zhicai, who had taken refuge in Zhou Qi a long time ago.

As for Lu Su, his talents in all aspects are relatively balanced, but he is good at general trends but lacks decisiveness in battle, so he cannot be a mastermind.

Tian Feng is too upright and easy to make mistakes.

If Zhou Qi had just started his career, Tian Feng would have been a good counselor. However, as his strength continued to expand, Zhou Qi had become a powerful prince with all the power.

The subordinates are too stubborn, and no matter how talented they are, their strategies may not be adopted.

Compared to Tian Feng, who is upright and easy to get into trouble, Jia Xu is the complete opposite. He often chooses to be wise first to protect himself.

After much deliberation, Xi Zhicai finally decided to focus on training Xu Shu and Zhou Yu.

With Xu Shu's talents and Zhou Yu's background, if the two can complement each other, and with Jia Xu and Tian Feng on the side to check for deficiencies, they might not be able to help the general achieve great things.

The most important thing is that the two of them are young enough. As long as they are well trained, they can even assist the general for a lifetime.

It was precisely for this reason that Xi Zhicai strongly recommended Xu Shu and put him in Bajun for training.

Because Xi Zhi knew that the general's future strategic focus must be in Yizhou, placing Xu Shu there to familiarize himself with Bajun would be of great benefit to his future achievements.

Xu Shu was talented, but what he lacked was his qualifications and background. Only by making enough contributions could he be able to convince the public.

As for Zhou Yu, he has no worries in this regard. He is just too young and needs experience.

Therefore, taking Zhou Yu with him on this expedition, Xi Zhicai would take exams for him every time he found an opportunity.

Zhou Yu's performance also greatly exceeded Xi Zhicai's expectations. Unexpectedly, this young man who had just won the championship had such talent and understanding.

And compared to Xi Zhicai, who was only good at strategy, Zhou Yu had a broader approach and was also quite good at military affairs.

Given time, Zhou Yu will definitely become the pillar of the general's command.

Faced with Xi Zhicai's sudden inquiry, Zhou Yu was also a little surprised.

Before, Xi Zhicai had almost always tested himself in private. He had never done this in front of Liu Bei and his subordinates.

Zhou Yu couldn't understand why the military advisor changed his mind and put himself in the forefront on such an important occasion.

However, Zhou Yu was very smart and knew that this was a very good opportunity.

Even though he was quite famous in Lujiang before, when word spread, others thought it was due to his status as the Zhou family of Lujiang. Many people still doubted whether he was really talented and learned.

If he could show his face in front of everyone today, he could also rectify his name.

Compared with Zhou Yu's complicated and excited mood, Zhou Qi frowned slightly and looked at Xi Zhicai with some confusion.

He also vaguely felt that something was not quite right with his military advisor recently.

Seeing that everyone was focusing on Zhou Yu.

Zhou Lang, who came from an aristocratic family and had seen the big world since he was a child, naturally did not have stage fright. He gave a slight salute to Xi Zhicai, and then said seriously: "If my guess is correct, the military advisor's statement about diverting disaster to the east should be referring to Yuan Yuan of Runan. Let’s take the highway.”

Zhou Yu's words made everyone look thoughtful, and Xi Zhicai had a slight smile on his face.

"go on."

Seeing Xi Zhicai's expression, Zhou Yu felt reassured and said: "Cao Meng used a small number of troops to bluff and divided his troops to plunder Nanyang and Yingchuan, which restrained the general and Yuan Gongluo."

"However, this is just a little trick. It won't work in the end, and it won't be of much use once it's discovered."

"Logically speaking, Yuan Jiujiu should have freed up his hands long ago and sent troops to support Xuzhou in accordance with the alliance contract to fight Yuan Benchu ​​together."

"However, until now, there is no trace of Yuan Jiujiu. Do you know why?"

Xi Zhicai smiled and asked, "Why?"

The rest of the people also looked at Zhou Yu with doubts on their faces.

Zhou Yu pondered for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Maybe it's fear."

When Zhou Yu said the word "fear", everyone fell silent.

Not to mention Runan Yuan Shu, but also Liu Bei and his subordinates, how could they not be afraid when they learned that Yuan Shao personally led an army of 30 people to the south?

Chen Qun even privately persuaded Liu Bei to surrender to Yuan Shao.

Having a clear view of everyone's expressions, Zhou Yu continued: "However, we have been at war with Yuan Benchu ​​in Tan County for more than half a year. Before that, we even planned to defeat Yuan's army and capture Yuan Tan alive."

"With this great victory, Yuan Benchu's prestige was frustrated."

"Moreover, Yuan's army ran out of food and had to withdraw."

"We can send an envoy to Ruyang and request Yuan Gongguo to send troops to help as an alliance."

"Since Yuan Jiujiu knows that Yuan Benchu's food supply has been exhausted, he must be afraid of his sudden death."

"There is a deep gap between the Yuan brothers and they are already enemies. Yuan Shu will not miss this opportunity and lead his troops north to expand his power."

"If Yuan Jiujiu takes Yanzhou, Yuan Benchu ​​will definitely be unable to fight on two fronts. How can he continue to occupy Langya Kingdom?"

"Clap clap clap!"

After Zhou Yu said this, Xi Zhicai immediately started to applaud, his face full of appreciation.

Although there are still some flaws in Zhou Yu's thoughts, generally speaking, he has found the right path. Now, while Yuan Shao is running out of food, letting Yuan Shu go to Huo Huo's opponent is obviously the best way.

Xi Zhicai looked at Liu Bei and said, "What Gong Jin said is exactly what I think."

Liu Bei also looked happy, then looked at Zhou Qi and asked, "What do you think, General?"

Zhou Qi stroked his beard, thought for a while and said, "This is a great good!"

On the same day, the messenger rushed to Ruyang at full speed, Xiaozhi moved him with his feelings for the benefit, and as expected, Yuan Shu was so excited that he directly led his troops north to attack Yanzhou.

After Cao Cao's great migration, the remaining population in Yanzhou was very small. Most of them were aristocratic families or powerful people who owned a lot of land and were reluctant to part with their inheritance.

Cao Cao did not dare to be too tough on these people, so he left them in Yanzhou.There were also some people who were unable to leave their homeland. They fled to the mountains and forests early after hearing the news, and did not go down again until the migration was completed.

Overall, Yanzhou’s remaining population is less than a quarter of its previous size.

Since Yuan Shao had just taken over Yanzhou, and the place was so empty, there were no troops stationed in many places.

Therefore, Yuan Shu led his troops to invade Yanzhou with almost overwhelming force. He did not encounter much resistance at all and captured many county towns.

After Yuan Shao heard the news, he was immediately shocked and angry, and cursed: "Gu Wei never led an army to attack you, but you took the initiative to seek death!"

Yuan Shao was very angry and wanted to send troops to attack Yuan Shu. However, the army was short of food, so he had to ask Xun You for advice.

Xun You pondered for a moment and said: "Zhou Ziyi and Liu Xuande are also exhausted from the long battle. If we lead the army to withdraw from Xuzhou and abandon Langya Kingdom, they will not send troops to rescue Yuan Jiujiu."

"Although Yuan Gongluo is attacking the city and plundering territory in Yanzhou, the population here is sparse and the fields are barren. Your Majesty does not need to pay too much attention. As long as he sends troops to guard strategically important places such as Baima and Puyang on the south bank of the Yellow River, he can cross the natural dangers of the Yellow River and go south at any time."

In this way, Yuan Shao withdrew his troops and returned Langya Kingdom.

Zhou Qi did not break his promise and released all the captured soldiers of Yuan's army. This war that lasted for more than nine months since Yuan Shao went south has officially come to an end.

Zhou Qi bid farewell to Liu Bei, supplied some grain and grass in Xuzhou, and also led his troops back.

Before leaving, Zhou Qi met with his son Zhou Ji and Zhuge Liang, and also kept Chen Wu behind and ordered him to lead a hundred elite people to protect Zhou Ji's safety.

Liu Bei had no objection to Zhou Qi's move.

After Zhou Qi returned to Xiangyang, he felt that his soldiers were tired, and winter was approaching, so he did not plan to continue using his troops, but to rest and recuperate.

A few months passed in a blink of an eye, and the war between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao had come to an end.

Yuan Shao adopted Xun You's strategy and sent troops to garrison in the important military areas on the south bank of the Yellow River. However, the rest of Yanzhou was ignored and all were captured by Yuan Shu.

Unfortunately, most of Yuan Shu's gains were empty cities, and he did not want to waste money and food by stationing troops here, so he could only retreat with his troops.

In this way, most of Yanzhou was almost unmanaged, and more and more bandits gradually gathered here.

In the end, even Zhang Yan, the leader of the Black Mountain Army, led troops to Yanzhou.

Seeing that the New Year was approaching, Zhou Qi suddenly had a whim and was going to inspect various places to see the current official administration and people's livelihood in Jing and Yang prefectures.

He left the internal affairs to Bian Rang, Jia Xu, Zhang Zhao, Kuai Yue and others, but he took Xi Zhicai, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Zhou Yu and two thousand soldiers to patrol eastward from Xiangyang.

Zhou Qi first arrived at Yundu County, Jiangxia County. The Yundu County magistrate hurriedly led the county officials out of the city to greet him.

"Meet the General!"

Zhou Qi looked at the magistrate Yundu County and couldn't help but feel that he looked familiar, and immediately asked: "Have we met him before?"

Magistrate Yundu said hurriedly: "General Qi, I come from the Zhou family of Pei State. I had the honor to see both sides of the general during the family ceremony."

After Zhou Qi heard this, he suddenly realized. He stepped forward to help Magistrate Yundu and said with a smile: "So many people participate in the family festival every year, which makes me feel familiar. Your status in the clan should not be low, right?"

Magistrate Yundu said humbly: "The general is overrated, and I am not really a direct descendant. Fortunately, I am respected by the De clan, so I am allowed to stand slightly in the front during the family ceremony."

Zhou Qi's eyes moved slightly, but he didn't say anything more.

It was not surprising to Zhou Qi that the magistrate of Yundu County was born in the Zhou family.

What surprised him was that Zhou Jing did not use nepotism, and all county officials were appointed to direct descendants of the Zhou family.

This also shows that Zhou Jing has not lost his head yet. He knows that these are troubled times and it is the best time for the Zhou family to rise, so he only appoints people based on their talents.

Just like the magistrate of Yundu County, although he was not directly from the direct line, because of his talent and learning, he not only stood at the front of the family ceremony, but was also recommended to become the local magistrate just after he was crowned.

You must know that when Zhou Qi served as the county magistrate of Anfeng, he only had this position after going through various calculations, risking his life and embracing Yuan Shao's thigh.

Zhou Qi had the army stationed outside the city, but he entered the city with Xi Zhicai, Dian Wei, and a dozen people dressed in casual clothes.

Zhou Qi inspected the city and found that the public security here was indeed good, people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and there were very few civil disputes. A smile appeared on his face.

Being able to have a piece of pure land in troubled times can be regarded as Zhou Qi's feedback to this era.

However, Zhou Qi also knew that maybe it was because the Magistrate of Yundu County knew that he was coming that he would rectify the public security in advance and make the people of Yundu County seem to live and work in peace and contentment.

It is unavoidable in any era to deceive superiors and deceive subordinates and do superficial work.

Even in later generations where the Internet is developed, this kind of thing is not uncommon.

Zhou Qi couldn't see any problem himself, so he had to ask Magistrate Yundu: "I see that the people in Gu County live and work in peace and contentment, and the public security is good. How do you handle government affairs on a daily basis, so that you have such a situation?"

Magistrate Yundu said modestly: "Guangxing enlightenment will make people understand and the conflicts between people will naturally be reduced."

When Zhou Qi heard this, he looked calm on the surface, but he didn't think so in his heart.

He has climbed up from the bottom step by step, including his previous life experiences. What kind of things have he not seen?

These words of Magistrate Yundu are obviously deceiving people.

If the other party is a learned scholar, Zhou Qi may still believe that he can educate the people.

But the other party is just a young boy who has just grown up. In this era of underdeveloped communication, it is obviously unrealistic to educate the people and make them understand.

Zhou Qi, however, saw through it without revealing it, and said, "Let's take Gu to the county government office. Gu wants to see the files in the county."

Magistrate Yundu naturally did not dare to neglect and led Zhou Qi and others to the county government office.

Zhou Qi looked through this year's files in the county government office and was surprised to find that there were relatively few pending cases and most of the cases had been dealt with.

However, what puzzled Zhou Qi was that there were too few files recorded in the county.

Compared with the population of Yundu County, such a small number of files is obviously unreasonable.

He stroked his beard and thought to himself: "Could it be that Magistrate Yundu has really promoted enlightenment and made the people under his rule sensible, so that even civil disputes have decreased?"

Zhou Qi had just thought of this when he suddenly saw a petty official hurried in and whispered a few words to Magistrate Yundu.

When Magistrate Yundu heard this, his face suddenly turned pale.

Zhou Qi felt something was wrong, so he immediately put down the file in his hand and asked, "What happened?"

Magistrate Yundu looked pale and hesitated to speak.

Zhou Qi frowned slightly and shouted: "If you have anything to say, just say it!"

Magistrate Yundu hurriedly knelt on the ground and said with a hint of panic: "I just got the news that a massacre occurred in the east of the city, and all five members of the family were killed and injured!"

When Zhou Qi heard this, his expression changed slightly.

Murder is a major crime in any dynasty, let alone a massacre.

What's more, just now he said that the politics here were clean, but in the blink of an eye there was a massacre, which had to make Zhou Qi suspicious.

(End of this chapter)