I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 625: Mixed Residence of Han and Hu
A prisoner who has been convicted of corruption dares to continue committing crimes. This shows the folk customs in Beidi County.

Just as Zhang Ren was sighing, he heard Xu Shu say, "Don't tell the Lord about this man. The Lord hates people like this. If he finds out, he will punish him more severely."

Zhang Ren accepted the order, but he couldn't help feeling a little hesitant. Was there any conflict between the Chief Secretary and the Lord of the Mansion?

At this time, Zhang Fei, who Xu Shu described as "one cannot tolerate any sand in one's eyes", was sitting restlessly in the prefectural mansion in Fuping County, the county seat of Beidi County.

"According to the date, Yuanzhi should have returned a long time ago... Maybe something urgent delayed him on the way - no, the court may not think Yuanzhi is capable and keep him here!" Zhang Fei became more and more anxious when he said this.

Seeing Zhang Fei pacing back and forth in front of him, Pang Tong, who was the official in charge of the household department and the decision department of Beidi County, could not sit still. He said, "Whether Yuanzhi has returned or not, and where he is now, is not something you can decide now. The county government has a lot of affairs to deal with right now. Instead of waiting here, you should handle a few more government affairs... When the roads are clear after the snow, there will be more work to do!"

Zhang Fei was not dissatisfied at all when he heard the official's complaints. Instead, he was afraid that he would offend the most capable person in the prefecture. He immediately poured a cup of hot tea for Pang Tong and said, "It's not that the capable should do more work. Besides, if Yuan Zhi comes back soon, he can relieve Shi Yuan's worries sooner, right?"

After finishing all this, Zhang Fei quietly returned to the desk and stared blankly at the document in front of him.

Pang Tong has become accustomed to this situation.

Our lord is a top-notch general when it comes to fighting a war, but when it comes to governing the local area - I can only say that he is a bit biased.

In the handling of specific government affairs, given the situation in Beidi County where Han people and various Hu people live together, it would be better for Zhang Fei not to use simple and rough methods to cause trouble.

An invincible prefect who makes the undisciplined Xianbei people become as obedient as sheep. This was Zhang Fei’s previous position in Beidi County.

But now, the Xianbei, Xiongnu, Qiang and other miscellaneous Hu people in the territory have been subdued by Zhang Fei, and Pang Tong couldn't help but want to put forward higher requirements to his own governor - "Governor, in the past, Beidi County was just arrived in the old place, and everything was in ruins. The previous official assessment for the inland counties and kingdoms was not suitable for Beidi County, but next year, it will be different."

"Whether it is household registration, land, or tax collection, as well as the county examinations to select minor officials, they all need to be taken seriously. In other words, Beidi County is a border county, so there is no need to consider the issue of people moving out, otherwise there would be one more assessment criterion..."

Hearing Pang Tong's words, Zhang Fei suddenly felt overwhelmed.

He originally thought that after arriving in Beidi County, Guan Yu would be able to come to help him often, but it was winter now, and the roads were difficult to travel after the heavy snow. In addition, there were more trivial matters in Shuofang County, and Zhang Fei could not bear to disturb him most of the time - but these trivial government affairs were indeed not his forte.

"Yuanzhi, please come back soon!" Zhang Fei was looking forward to it.

Without Xu Shu's help, Zhang Fei found it too difficult to be a good governor who could meet all the requirements of the examination!
But soon, Zhang Fei perked up. A minor official came to report that Xu Shu had sent someone to deliver a letter saying that they were almost in Fuping County, but the road was blocked by heavy snow and the officials accompanying them were carrying luggage, making it difficult to pass.

Zhang Fei immediately perked up when he heard this, and said to Pang Tong, "Shi Yuan, Yuan Zhi has brought here county officials who can help Shi Yuan. As the governor, I should go and greet them myself."

Did you think of yourself as a prefect at this time?
Pang Tong was somewhat helpless and could only say: "Your Excellency is the lord of a county, you can leave or stay as you please, why do you ask the opinion of a mere official like me?"

Zhang Fei laughed: "I'm just worried that Shi Yuan has something he needs me to do!"

After hearing this, Pang Tong couldn't help but wonder - who is the prefect?
But he could only let Zhang Fei do what he wanted. However, he still emphasized: "My Lord, after this heavy snow, it is unknown whether the Han or the Hu people in the counties have been affected by the disaster. You must not go far. If there is a need in the future, whether it is disaster relief or rebellion suppression, you will be needed to be here."

After hearing this, Zhang Fei agreed immediately.

Within half an hour, Zhang Fei and a group of people left the prefectural government of Fuping County.

Although it is called the prefectural mansion, it is actually very simple. Even the courtyard wall is built with earth on the site of the former Fuping County. The Fuping County town also looks very dilapidated.

Especially under heavy snow, if the roads in the city had not been cleared by the residents, it would look no different from ruins.

But it is such a county town, located on the bank of the Yellow River and standing on the most fertile land in the entire Beidi County, but no one dares to underestimate it - because in the past year, anyone who dared to covet this city has now become fertilized in the land.

Zhang Fei rode out on horseback, and the sound of horse hooves attracted the attention of some people in the city. When they saw Zhang Fei, they all bowed to him, regardless of whether Zhang Fei noticed it or not.

However, Zhang Fei's happiness only lasted until he was not far from the city gate.

The roads in the city were cleaned by residents, but not outside the city, especially in Beidi County, which was vast and sparsely populated. In order to avoid stumbling, Zhang Fei had to dismount and walk in the direction where Xu Shu came from.

Before they had walked far, Zhang Fei saw a group of small black dots appearing on the road where there were only a few traces of people and horses.

Could it be that Xu Shu arrived so soon? Zhang Fei thought it was unlikely, but he still held out a glimmer of hope.

When the two sides got closer, Zhang Fei finally saw clearly that the man was dressed as a Xianbei. Soon, the two sides met, and the Xianbei recognized Zhang Fei and prostrated himself before him despite the heavy snow.

Through the accompanying translator, Zhang Fei learned that a dozen sheep raised by the Xianbei people opposite had died because of the heavy snow, and they were bringing the sheep to the city to sell them and buy more grain to take back.

Faced with the respect of the Xianbei people, Zhang Fei urgently racked his brains and finally said, "Although there is heavy snow today, the price of grain in the city has not changed. It is still 132 coins per stone. If you can't sell this sheep at the price before the snow, send it to the prefectural governor's mansion and say I want to buy it at the price before the snow! If the price of grain increases, you can also go to the prefectural governor's mansion to inquire... However, if it only increases by two or three coins, there is no need to do so."

At this moment, Zhang Fei was extremely grateful that although he had entrusted all the county affairs to Xu Shu and Pang Tong, he was still asked by Xu Shu and Pang Tong to understand the situation in these counties. In this way, he would be able to have meaningful words to say when facing the Xianbei people who were suffering from the snow disaster and needed help.

The Xianbei people left with many thanks.

After meeting the Xianbei people, Zhang Fei met five Han people who were grouped together and seemed to be heading towards Fuping County less than a mile away.

Some of the five Han people also recognized Zhang Fei, and like the Xianbei people, they respected the person who protected their safety.

Zhang Fei asked about their purpose.

Unlike the Xianbei people, these five Han people were neighbors. They did not suffer any disasters because of the heavy snow, but - "Your Majesty, we have never been here before and did not know it is so cold here... So the chief asked us to buy more coal briquettes, but we did not buy much to save money... Now after this heavy snow, we know that we still have to burn coal briquettes!"

Zhang Fei didn't say much after hearing this. For people who come to Beidi County for the first time, it is always difficult to adapt to the cold winter here.

learn from mistakes.

In the past, he might have sneered at the people in front of him for not listening to good advice, but now Zhang Fei understood that the reason these people did not accept the advice was not because they were not afraid of the cold, but even though coal briquettes were cheaper than charcoal, it was still a considerable expense for ordinary people.

So he just advised: "When using coal briquettes, be sure not to seal the room to avoid carbon poisoning."

"Don't worry, my lord. Li Kui has already said these many times before, and we all know them!" Zhang Fei nodded and did not delay their travel time too much.

Afterwards, Zhang Fei walked for a while and saw that the snow in front of a house on the side of the road had not been cleared at all.

Generally speaking, in order to facilitate travel, people would clear the snow at their doorsteps in a timely manner. However, in Zhang Fei's impression, there was another possibility for this situation - that is, this family was frozen to death.

Thinking of this, Zhang Fei immediately sent someone to ask.

Soon he got his answer.

——"Don't worry, sir. Nothing happened to that family... They were originally Xiongnu people, but they used to farm the land, so they were arranged to live next to the Han people... In the past, when they faced heavy snow, they would prepare their expenses in advance and stay indoors. When I went there, I saw a path trampled by people."

Hearing that this family was just too lazy to sweep the snow, Zhang Fei felt relieved and continued on his way.

Near Fuping County, there were relatively more Han people, and there were relatively more houses and fields covered with snow. As Zhang Fei walked farther and farther, the houses on the roadside were gradually replaced by tents.

There was a Xianbei village. After someone discovered Zhang Fei's arrival, the whole village soon became lively. Soon, the Xianbei commander who led the village appeared in front of Zhang Fei and saluted him respectfully and enthusiastically - "Greetings, my lord!"

"I remember you. Half a year ago, you followed me into battle and cut off three heads in one battle!"

As soon as Zhang Fei finished speaking, the Xianbei general on the opposite side became excited and hurriedly bowed to Zhang Fei again, saying, "I didn't expect that the Lord of the Mansion still remembered me."

"How could I forget a warrior like you?" Zhang Fei stepped forward and patted Xiaoshuai's arm, asking, "How is your village doing after this heavy snow?"

Xiaoshuai immediately replied, "Thanks to the generous reward from the Lord, we are much better off than other villages, and our sheepfolds are very solid. Not a single horse or sheep froze to death during this heavy snow."

"Those rewards are what you deserve for fighting in the army and defending your country!" Zhang Fei said.

"Your Majesty is right! It's cold now, why don't you stay and have a cup of hot wine before leaving? After following you to fight, the men in the village are all looking forward to continuing to fight under you one day." Xiaoshuai said.

Following Zhang Fei, they can easily win battles and make meritorious contributions, and there will be generous rewards after making meritorious contributions. The little general really wants Zhang Fei to lead them in another battle.

Zhang Fei was not afraid of fighting, but drinking...

Thinking that he had been out for nearly two hours, Zhang Fei turned around and asked the knights around him: "Are you thirsty?"

Several knights looked at each other, and one of them said boldly: "Master, before we set out, Master Pang specifically told you not to drink outside..."

Zhang Fei did want to drink a few sips, but when he heard this, he immediately thought of Pang Tong's request. He could only sigh and prepare to refuse, but he didn't expect Xiao Shuai to react faster - "Mare's milk is not wine."

"Your Excellency has never tasted the mare's milk from our village! It tastes very good and is famous throughout the entire southern Yinshan Mountains!"

Zhang Fei became even more greedy after hearing this. He looked at the knights who had accepted Pang Tong's commission and asked, "Don't you want to try it?"

Seeing Zhang Fei's intention, the general immediately signaled the people in the village around him to come over and pull him over - "Come on!"

"It's snowing!"

"We fought side by side back then, and now I'm just drinking a glass of mare's milk..."

"Hey, why does this mare's milk smell like alcohol?"

"Where does the smell of alcohol come from? You must be drunk on mare's milk... Others are drunk but you are drunk on the milk, right?"

"It's getting dark now, why don't you stay here for one night?"

"It's all here."

……

When Zhang Fei woke up, it was already daybreak.

It was no wonder that he relaxed his vigilance when facing the Xianbei people. It was because this group of Xianbei people had fought side by side with him. His opponents were none other than the Xianbei people and a group of miscellaneous Hu people wandering around the border. Although they were Xianbei people, they were also his own people who had proved their position with practical actions. That was why they were able to graze and farm under the jurisdiction of Fuping County.

That’s right, nearly half of the income of this Xianbei people came from farmland.

"Have you seen the Chief Secretary leading his men passing by?" Zhang Fei asked first after opening his eyes.

"No, I have sent people to wait by the roadside... Lord, did you like the mare's milk yesterday? Do you like some more today?"

This time, Zhang Fei's reason finally overcame his desire for food. He hurriedly ate breakfast, said goodbye to the Xianbei general who refused to take any money, and continued to set out to meet Xu Shu and his party.

Along the way, Zhang Fei met more people.

There was a mixed crowd of all kinds of people, but they were almost unanimous in their attitude towards Zhang Fei.

At noon, Zhang Fei finally met Xu Shu and his group who were moving slowly.

Among these accompanying officials, there were many who, like Zhang Ren, had never experienced the coldness of the north, which slowed down Xu Shu's pace, and some even began to retreat in their hearts.

However, all this disappeared with the personal arrival of Zhang Fei, the governor of Beidi.

The two thousand stones braved the cold wind and difficult road after the snow to come and greet him in person. This shows how important it is.

As a result, Zhang Ren put aside his previous groundless suspicion. When Fu Gan saw Zhang Fei, who was rumored to have led an army in more than ten battles for Beidi County, he was excited.

The two sides joined forces in victory. With the addition of Zhang Fei and the help of elite soldiers, the officials moved forward with high hopes for a bright future!
(End of this chapter)