After Dongfang Jian and the other two left Taishi Ci's house, they galloped toward Youzhou. []
A few days later, the three of them arrived at Zhuo County of Youzhou Province. Dongfang Jian met Zhang Fei here, the first city he arrived at after arriving at the Three Kingdoms.
Dongfang Jian looked at the towering city walls of Zhuo County and said to Zhang Fei,""Yi De, we're back."
"Yes, we're back," Zhang Fei said loudly.”
Dongfang Jian looked at Zhang Fei. The two of them looked at each other and suddenly burst into laughter. Jia Xu looked at the two of them in confusion. Of course, he did not understand what the two of them were thinking. Dongfang Jian's idea was to return to the starting point after coming to the Three Kingdoms, and this time, he came back as a governor of the border, which was different from the past. As for Zhang Fei, it was even simpler. After all, he had returned to his own home. How could he not be happy?
The three of them rode into Zhuo County City. From the city gate, they saw that the streets of Zhuo County were filled with commoners. To be precise, they were refugees. Looking at the people in front of them, who were all sallow and emaciated, their clothes barely covering their bodies, and their wailing appearances, Dongfang Jian felt a wave of pain in his heart for no reason.
Dongfang Jian's horse was slowly walking among the crowd. He looked at the refugees, who were either sitting on the ground or leaning against the wall in their tattered clothes. They were as expressionless as a group of zombies.
" How could this be?" Dongfang Jian asked." Didn't Yuan Hao and the others help the refugees?" They knew that these refugees could die at any time if they continued like this.”
Jia Xu could hear the anger in Dongfang Jian's tone, but one of the important duties of a counselor was to persuade His Lord without fear of danger when His Lord lost his mind. Jia Xu was undoubtedly an outstanding strategist. He said,""My lord has just arrived in the territory. Perhaps there is something you don't know. It won't be too late to ask when you see Yuan Hao and the others.”
Dongfang Jian exhaled deeply and looked at Jia Xu."Wenhe's right. I was too impatient.”
Jia Xu did not look Dongfang Jian in the eye. He just lowered his head and said nothing.
Dongfang Jian knew that he had lost his mind the moment he saw these refugees. Fortunately, Jia Xu's reminder was timely. Dongfang Jian was not the kind of person who would not listen to honest advice. On this point, he was much stronger than Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Liu Bei. He knew that the Lord should not send an army out of anger. Did you not see the consequences of sending an army out of anger?
Just as the three of them were about to ask Tian Feng and the others about the situation, Zhang Fei pointed and said,"Big brother, look!"
Dongfang Jian followed Zhang Fei's finger and saw three people walking over from the opposite side. The leader was Zhang Liao and Zhang Wenyuan, while the other two were Yan Liang and Wen Chou.
The three of them might have already seen Dongfang Jian and the other two, so they hurriedly ran over. "My lord, you're finally back."”
Yan Liang and Wen Chou said in unison,"Big Brother, Third Brother, we missed you to death."”
Dongfang Jian smiled at the two of them and said,""Big Brother misses you guys too?" Dongfang Jian chatted with the two of them about what had happened after they parted ways. He let Zhang Fei talk to the two of them. " Wenyuan, what's wrong with these refugees?" Dongfang Jian asked Zhang Liao." Why aren't we helping them? Why are they living on the streets instead?"”
Zhang Liao said,"My lord, I don't know why all these refugees have been coming here since a few days ago. In the beginning, there were more than a dozen or a hundred refugees. I've never seen so many people come at the same time. Because we didn't expect so many refugees to come here, we didn't prepare enough food and clothes. Mr. Tian once suggested to Luo Ming, the prefect of Zhuo County, that we should use official food or ask the big families in the city to provide food. However, the prefect of Zhuo Prefecture refused to agree no matter what, saying that no one was allowed to open the granary without the imperial court's decree. Later, Mr. Tian said that he was the advisor of the new Youzhou provincial governor and asked him to release the grain, but the prefect refused no matter what. He also said that even the provincial governor could not disobey the imperial court's orders. Later, Mr. Tian had no choice but to ask the Zhen family for help, but it was still a few days 'journey from Jizhou to here. In order not to let these people starve, Mr. Tian pawned everything we had in exchange for a little food, but it was finished in less than a day. Mr. Tian is thinking of a way? They asked us to come out and patrol to ensure that these refugees don't cause trouble.”
After listening to Zhang Liao's narration, Dongfang Jian patted Zhang Liao's shoulder heavily and said solemnly,""It's been hard on you guys these past few days."
Zhang Liao said gratefully,"My lord, you flatter me. This is my duty." It's just that because of the refugees, I didn't manage to complete the task that my lord had given me. I hope my lord can forgive me.”
Dongfang Jian said," This is the fault of the sword. It happened because the sword did not expect it. If you want to blame someone, blame the sword for having nothing to do with anyone else."”
" My lord…" Zhang Liao didn't know what to say.
The refugees at the side saw Zhang Liao, who had been distributing food to them and taking care of them, and respectfully replied to someone. Although they couldn't hear their conversation clearly, they could tell from Zhang Liao's attitude toward Dongfang Jian that Dongfang Jian was a big shot who could probably solve their food and accommodation problems. Therefore, these refugees walked toward Dongfang Jian under the lead of a few people.
While Dongfang Jian was talking to Zhang Liao, he saw the refugees swarming toward him. Before anyone could react, they surrounded Dongfang Jian and the others. Zhang Fei and the others were afraid that the refugees would cause harm to Dongfang Jian, so they immediately surrounded Dongfang Jian and Jia Xu in the middle. Zhang Fei and the other three wanted to separate the refugees so that they could protect Dongfang Jian and leave, but there were too many refugees. "Get out of the way, grandpa!" Zhang Fei shouted.”Zhang Fei's loud voice suppressed the noise at the scene. Zhang Fei took advantage of the moment when everyone was stunned to bring Dongfang Jian out. When the refugees saw Zhang Fei's actions, they immediately started to talk loudly.
Dongfang Jian looked at the increasing number of people and then at the anxious faces of Zhang Fei and the others. Zhang Fei was so angry that he kept shouting and was about to fight. Dongfang Jian knew that Zhang Fei was about to show his might when he saw Zhang Fei's expression. Dongfang Jian immediately pulled him back, afraid that Zhang Fei would get angry and hurt people, causing unnecessary casualties. Dongfang Jian pulled Zhang Fei back, turned around, and shouted,""Fellow villagers, please listen to me.”However, the noisy crowd did not hear Dongfang Jian's voice at all. At this moment, Zhang Fei's loud voice said,"Stop. My big brother has something to say."”
At this moment, Dongfang Jian was really grateful for Zhang Fei's loud voice. When the escapees heard Zhang Fei's words, it was like a thunderclap ringing in their ears. The escapees quieted down. Dongfang Jian took this opportunity to find a high place-a large rock. Dongfang Jian stood on it. The refugees looked at the person standing on the high ground and knew that he had something to say. They immediately quieted down.
Dongfang Jian looked at the refugees present. There were at least ten thousand of them. Dongfang Jian took a deep breath and said,"My fellow villagers, I'm Dongfang Jian. I've just received the Emperor's favor and am now the Provincial Governor of Youzhou and the General of the Northern Expedition. In other words, from today onwards, I'm in charge of Youzhou. I know that everyone is very hungry and I'm very anxious, but you have to give me time to get food. If you give me two days, I'll definitely get food.”(You have to know that there were not many people who had read books at that time. If you spoke to them in words, they might not understand. It was better to speak in plain language.）
At this moment, a middle-aged man in his forties who was standing in front of Dongfang Jian said,""Your Excellency, we've all been struck by a disaster and have come from far away. We heard that Youzhou not only provides food but also land, right?”
Dongfang Jianxin said,"Why did I say that there are so many refugees?" It turned out that they were recruited by this rumor. It seemed that they had done a good job. " It's true," Dongfang Jian said at this thought." I swear on my identity as the provincial governor of Youzhou that you're all at home in Youzhou. Not only will you have land in the future, but you'll also have a lot of things. But now that I have just taken office, there are many things that I haven't had the time to ask. If the villagers believe me, give me two days to gather food. If I don't take out the food by then, the villagers can hang me on the city wall of Zhuo County.”
After hearing Dongfang Jian's words, the refugees began to mutter. At this moment, the middle-aged man said," Sir, we have come from thousands of miles away. We have no other choice. We will listen to you today. I hope that you will keep your word and not break your promise to us."”It seemed that this person was a well-educated person.
Dongfang Jian said," Thank you, fellow villagers. If I don't keep my promise within two days, I, Dongfang Jian, will die without a burial place."”
Everyone was shocked by Dongfang Jian's words. After all, people at that time valued oaths very much. Hearing Dongfang Jian's words, the refugees had nothing else to say. They all left under the persuasion of that person.
Looking at the departing figure, Dongfang Jian could not help but feel upset. The common people of the Celestial Empire had always been the best. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, they would not take the path of rebellion. The reason why the people rebelled was nothing more than a natural disaster. They did not have enough to eat. Instead of starving to death, it was better to give it a try. Perhaps there was still hope for survival.
The few of them looked at Dongfang Jian's ashen face and knew that he was very upset or angry, but no one knew how to persuade him. Dongfang Jian came back to his senses and said to the five of them,""Fourth brother, fifth brother, you two go and tell Mister Tian to come to the prefect's manor to find me. Wenyuan, you, Yi De, and Wenhe accompany me to the prefect's manor.”
Everyone agreed.
Dongfang Jian led the four of them to the prefect's manor. Dongfang Jian went up to knock on the door, but he was stopped by the people standing guard outside the door, saying that the prefect was not receiving guests. Did Dongfang Jian know that he only wanted money? If it was any other time, Dongfang Jian would have given it to him. But now, Dongfang Jian was very angry, and the consequences would be very serious. "Yi De, teach them that they should be on duty," Dongfang Jian said to Zhang Fei.”
"Big brother, don't worry." Zhang Fei shouted.”After saying that, he rushed forward and grabbed the man's clothes in front of his chest and slapped him twice. The other guard beside him shouted,""Where did this rat come from to be so impudent in the prefect's manor?”After saying that, he rushed up. Before he rushed up, he did not forget to call for help. The two of them were no match for Zhang Fei. They were beaten down in a few moves.
Zhang Fei looked at the two people who were wailing on the ground and said,"Get up and continue fighting. I, Old Zhang, haven't had my fill yet?”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a few more bailiffs rush out of the prefect's mansion. When they saw their companions lying on the ground, they didn't say anything. They raised the weapons in their hands and pounced on Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei laughed and said,"Good timing." After saying that, he kicked the bailiff who was running towards him. The man flew backward and knocked down the people behind him.
Dongfang Jian coldly looked at the bailiffs who were knocked to the ground by Zhang Fei and said,""Can I go in now?"
How could the bailiffs dare to say no? Dongfang Jian strode toward the prefect's manor without turning his head.
Perhaps the prefect's manor knew that someone was causing trouble outside the door. When Dongfang Jian walked in, he saw a man of about 45 or 46 years old hurriedly wearing an official robe and cursing. There were some unwiped lip marks on his face. With one look, he knew that he must have been playing with a woman just now. He led a large group of servants and walked out the door while shouting. When he saw Dongfang Jian and the others, he was stunned and did not know what to do.
The leader looked at everyone and said aggressively,"Who are you? How dare you barge into the prefect's manor in broad daylight? Are you trying to rebel?”
Dongfang Jian said," Who are we? You're not qualified to ask me. There are so many refugees in Zhuo County. Instead of helping them, you're drinking and playing here. Are you still a father and mother?"”
Perhaps this man had drunk too much, for he could smell the alcohol on his body from afar. Hearing Dongfang Jian's words, he said,""It's not up to you to ask whether I'm an official or not. Who are you to interfere in my business?”
His words had offended Zhang Fei and Zhang Liao. As a subordinate, being humiliated was even more unbearable than being humiliated himself. Therefore, when they heard this, Zhang Fei and Zhang Liao immediately went forward to grab this person and slapped him twice. Everyone present was stunned. He thought to himself, who is this? How dare he hit the prefect?
The man was stunned when he was hit, perhaps because he had not been hit for a long time. By the time he reacted, the two people who had hit him had already returned to Dongfang Jian's side.
The man shouted at the servants in the courtyard,""What the f * ck are you looking at? Hurry up and arrest these people.”
Just as those people were about to move, they heard Jia Xu say loudly,""How dare you! This is the Youzhou Provincial Governor and the General of the Northern Expedition, Dongfang Jian. Are you trying to rebel?”
Jia Xu's words stunned everyone. No one had imagined that the provincial governor of Youzhou Province could appear in front of them in such a way.
The drunk master who was about to capture him immediately collapsed on the ground and said in fear,"I am Zhuo County Governor Luo Ming.”
Before Dongfang Jian could say anything, he heard footsteps coming from outside the manor. From the sound of the footsteps, he could tell that it was a group of well-trained soldiers. Before Dongfang Jian could ask, Zhang Liao said,"My lord, these are the 3,000 elites that You Wenzhong trained under my lord's orders.”
Dongfang Jian nodded and did not say anything. He knew Gao Shun's ability to lead troops because he had instructed Tian Feng to do so. Dongfang Jian was thinking about it? Tian Feng's voice was heard saying,"My lord, where is my lord?"”
When Yan Liang and Wen Chou went back to report to Tian Feng that Dongfang Jian had gone to the prefect's office, they were immediately frightened. He knew that Luo Ming, the prefect of Zhuo County, was Liu Yan's trusted aide. Liu Yan was very unhappy that he had been transferred back to the capital and abandoned Youzhou, which he had managed for several years. However, he could not openly disobey the imperial edict, so he ordered the officials he had personally promoted to make things difficult for Dongfang Jian so that he could not stay in Youzhou and let Dongfang Jian resign from the imperial court. At that time, the imperial court would still let him return to Youzhou to govern. However, he had underestimated Dongfang Jian and Tian Feng too much. Tian Feng had known about their conspiracy long ago through the Zhen family's intelligence. Now, upon hearing that Dongfang Jian had gone directly to the prefect's manor, he was worried that Dongfang Jian might do something wrong. He immediately had someone call Gao Shun, who was training outside the city, back and rush to the prefect's manor.
Dongfang Jian was very touched when he saw Tian Feng's anxious look. He said,""Yuan Hao, the sword is here. It's fine. Yuan Hao is worried. It's the sword's fault!”
Tian Feng bowed respectfully.”
Dongfang Jian helped Tian Feng up and said," Yuanhao, there's no need to be so polite. We'll talk in detail after we're done dealing with this prefect."”Then, he said to Gao Shun,"Gao Shun."
"I'm here," Gao Shun replied.
"Arrest this corrupt and perverted Governor Luo and seal up the Governor's Estate.”Dongfang Jian ordered.
"Yes," Gao Shun replied.
The Mayor of Zhuo County would never have thought that Dongfang Jian would have an army under his nose.
Gao Shun led his subordinates to capture everyone in the prefect's manor, and there were wails.
——
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