Chapter 154: First meeting Liu, Guan and Zhang, first take Liu Bei out

November 11th.

Jin Mao led the navy across the Yangtze River and arrived in Danyang County.

Hearing that General He Jin had sent people to Danyang County to recruit soldiers, Jin Mao happened to come to Danyang County.

Not only can I learn about the progress of conscription, but I can also say hello to Wuqiu Yi.

He had been coveting Danyang's elite soldiers for a long time. This group of people was not as ignorant as the Shanyue people in Kuaiji and Yuzhang, but they were also brave and brave, and they were indeed elite soldiers.

Jin Mao plans to carry out the 40,000-troop recruitment plan in the four counties of Danyang, Wu, Kuaiji and Yuzhang.

There is not much hope for Yuzhang County because the quality of its soldiers is at the bottom. The same is true for Wu County. Kuaiji and Danyang are the focus.

It is planned to recruit 35,000 volunteers in these two places.

Instead, civilians had to be recruited in Yuzhang and Wu.

This is also the reason why He Qi brought the second battalion of elite troops to station in Danyang County.

Danyang County Government Office.

Jin Mao, Xun You, Xi Zhicai, Bai Shi, and Gong Lei sat on the left, while Zhou Xin, Wu Qiuyi and others sat on the right.

After a brief greeting between the two sides.

Wuqiu Yi was dissatisfied and said, "Governor Jin, why don't you go to Xuzhou to quell the rebellion, but want to compete with me for troops in Danyang? What's the reason?"

Jin Mao did not answer, but looked at Xi Zhicai.

The latter stood up and retorted: "I heard that you came to Danyang via Xuzhou, so you should know the scale of the Yellow Turbans in Xuzhou best."

"How can my lord, with only 10,000 men under his command, wipe out hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turbans?"

Wu Qiuyi had no way to refute, so he pointed at Xi Zhicai and asked, "Who are you?"

Without waiting for Xi Zhicai to speak, Jin Mao, who was protecting his son, said decisively: "He is my disciple and is temporarily serving as my military advisor. What he says is what I mean!"

Wuqiu Yi stood up and questioned, "I came to Danyang County to recruit soldiers on the orders of the general. Does the Jin governor want to go against the general?"

Jin Mao sneered, "If I really wanted to go against the general, do you think you could cross the Yangtze River?"

"You!" Wu Qiuyi's face turned pale and blue, and then he left with a wave of his sleeves: "You brat!"

Zhou Xin, who was standing by, looked at Jin Mao helplessly and said, "Envoy Jin, now that you are no longer in charge of Yangzhou, why bother to offend the general?"

"Zhou County Magistrate." Jin Mao stood up impatiently and said, "As a fellow countryman, I warn you that during the time I am away from Yangzhou, you must not follow certain ambitious people and do evil things."

"Otherwise, when I return, it will be your end!"

"Don't say you didn't predict what you said!"

This time, Zhou Xin's face was covered with blue and white spots, just like Wu Qiuyi's, which looked very ugly.

"Envoy Jin, don't forget this." Zhou Xin gritted his teeth and said, "If it weren't for General Yuan, you wouldn't have been able to sit on the post of governor!"

Jin Mao took a step forward, looked Zhou Xin in the eye and said, "Why do I only remember that Yuan Shao took my 40,000 hu of oil? Is this how Yuan Shao recommends people?"

"If I asked the eunuchs for help, I wouldn't have to pay this price!"

"Impossible!" Zhou Xin said hysterically: "You took the initiative to show your respect to Yuan Zhongjun, how can you confuse it with others!"

"Bah!" Jin Mao spat on the ground and said, "Bullshit, you are offering your respect to me!"

"If it is presented to His Majesty, then I am willing to do it. Yuan Shao? Who is he?"

"Humph!" Zhou Xin also stood up and said, "I also have something to say to Envoy Jin."

"Once you leave Yangzhou, don't even think about coming back!"

"see a visitor out!"

Before he came out, Jinmao's face was full of disdain.

After leaving the county government office, Jin Mao pulled Xun You aside and said, "Gongda, I said these villains were waiting for this opportunity. Look, it has come true."

"I shouldn't have taken the middle path and should have delayed time."

Xun You didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "You have already done all the preliminary preparations, you can't regret it."

Jin Mao was very unwilling: "Gongda, you and Zhicai help me think of a solution that will satisfy both parties."

Xun You and Xi Zhicai looked at each other, and the latter shrugged.

Just then, Jin Mao, who had just walked out the door, was attracted by the quarrel again.

It was Wuqiu Yi who was being harassed by a man in brocade clothes with big ears, but what attracted more attention was the nine-foot tall man behind the big-eared man.

His face was as red as a date, his beard reached his chest, and especially the big sword, it was very eye-catching.

"No way." Jin Mao shouted in his heart: "Is this the Second Master? This is the Second Master! It must be the Second Master! I want to get him! I want to get him!!"

Seeing Wu Qiuyi shake off the long-eared man, Erye became angry and wanted to chop him, but was stopped by the long-eared man.

Jin Mao walked towards the two people involuntarily and vaguely heard their conversation.

"Brother, why are you stopping me?"

"This fellow doesn't appreciate our service as a guard, and can't even introduce us to him. It's better to kill him!"

Liu Bei was made of water, tears were about to flow down, he said: "Second brother, please help me, don't cause trouble again, third brother is still in jail."

At this time, Guan Yu discovered Jin Mao and others behind Liu Bei. Seeing that they were wearing scholars' clothes, Guan Yu snorted unhappily and turned his back.

Seeing this, Liu Bei hurriedly wiped away his tears, turned around, bowed and said, "Liu Bei Liu Xuande greets you all."

Jin Mao said in surprise: "You are Liu Xuande!"

Liu Bei was very surprised and asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Jin Mao, and I am currently the governor of Xuzhou."

Liu Bei was both excited and at a loss, and asked, "Envoy Jin also knows me, Liu Xuande?"

Then he realized that something was wrong, and quickly bowed and said, "I am too excited, please forgive me, Your Excellency."

When Guan Yu, who was standing behind Liu Bei, heard that the person coming was Jin Mao, he wanted to turn around but couldn't save face, and his knuckles turned white from pinching.

Jin Mao waved his hand at Liu Bei and said nonchalantly: "I just met you."

He pointed behind Liu Bei, suppressed his excitement, and pretended to be ignorant and asked: "Who is the warrior behind you?"

"He is my sworn brother, Guan Yu from Hedong, styled Yunchang."

While Liu Bei was introducing them, he tried to pry Guan Yu's arm. Guan Yu was just being pretentious, so after struggling for a few times, he turned around, clasped his fists and said, "Greetings, Envoy Jin."

Jin Mao went straight to the point, excitedly holding Guan Yu's hands and saying, "Guan Yunchang! What a good name."

"I'm in need of a brave general like you. Come and serve me!"

Jin Mao was too excited and said directly: "I will give you a petition to be the Sima of another army and lead an army on your own!"

"My lord, you can't do this!" Xun You and Xi Zhicai tried to stop him together.

Liu Bei also declined repeatedly, saying, "Your Excellency, I cannot do this."

Even Guan Yu was stunned by the sudden happiness. He thought that the three brothers had been running around for more than four years before they could barely get the position of county magistrate.

As a result, because he did not bribe the Inspector, he was accused of being a witch. In a fit of rage, he beat the Inspector 200 times with a lash and ended up fleeing.

Now, with just one word from Jin Mao, Guan Yu can be given the title of Sima of a certain department, an official position with a rank of 1,000 stones, comparable to a county magistrate!
It would be a lie to say that he wasn't moved. Guan Yu really wanted to know why Jin Mao valued him so much. This was the first time they met, right?

Jin Mao also realized that he had lost his composure, but he still invited him: "Yun Chang, why don't you first gain experience in my personal guards? I promise that I will promote you to be a Sima of another department in the future!"

"Thank you for your kindness, envoy." Guan Yu still asked the question in his mind: "I have never met you, envoy, why are you so sure?"

Jin Mao waved his hand and said, "It's nothing." "Let me introduce him to you." Jin Mao pointed at Xi Zhicai and said, "This is my chief military advisor. When we first met, I decided on him."

Xi Zhicai bowed. Although Guan Yu didn't know what outstanding achievements Xi Zhicai had made, he thought they would not be bad.

Jin Mao pulled Xun You aside and said, "It will be even harder for you to believe this person."

"He is Xun You, a direct disciple of the Xun family in Yingchuan, and the second-ranked military advisor!"

"At first, I fell in love with him at first sight."

Xun You also bowed, not wanting to expose the truth.

Jin Mao approached Guan Yu, and his height was only up to Guan Yu's shoulder.

"Yun Chang, don't doubt me. I have a very good eye for people. If I say you can do it, then you can do it!"

Guan Yu was deeply touched and clasped his fists, not knowing how to express his gratitude.

Guan Yu has always been a commoner. He is arrogant because he is forced by this damn world. Who doesn't want to be appreciated, especially when he is insignificant?

At this moment, Jin Mao's position in Guan Yu's heart is third only to his sworn brothers!
Seeing that the situation was not good, Liu Bei quickly stepped between Guan Yu and Jin Mao and asked, "I wonder what the envoy thinks of me?"

Jin Mao looked at Liu Bei with a smile, thinking back, what was his biggest impression?
Liu Paopao? Liu Huangshu? Or Emperor Zhaolie?
At this moment, Jinmao thought a lot, but never considered whether to join.

What a joke! He is now a person that Liu Bei looks up to. How could Guan Yu be so moved without even hearing a single word?

If Jin Mao said on the spot that he would join Liu Bei, everyone present would definitely think that Jin Mao was crazy.

"Xuan De," Jin Mao felt like he had to say something against his will: "You have great talent."

Jin Mao sighed and said, "The world is in chaos now. I want to stop it but I am powerless."

“So I can only do what I can as much as possible.”

"Xuan De, are you willing to help me?"

Liu Bei was overjoyed and bowed deeply: "Liu Xuande is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse!"

Jin Mao said happily: "Very good!"

"Then I will submit a petition to recommend Xuande as the magistrate of Wu County. I hope you will not disappoint me."

Jinmao is preparing to fully shrink its defense line. Except for the three counties of Yan and Tie, Wushang County of Kuaiji and Nanchang County of Yuzhang must be kept.

Therefore, all the clan members who had been sent abroad previously gave up their original official positions and returned to these five counties to take up important positions.

No matter what Sheng Xian, Wang Lang and others do in the future, these five counties must not be lost, and they must be turned into perfect areas where no water can leak out and no needle can penetrate.

As for whether Liu Bei could govern Wu County well, it was not within Jinmao's consideration.

Hearing Jin Mao's words, Liu Bei bowed excitedly and said, "Envoy Jin, your recommendation is a great favor, and I will never forget it."

Jin Mao waved his hand, and then stated his ultimate goal: "I also want to rely on the power of Xuande's sworn brother."

"To be honest, I don't have the confidence to conquer the Yellow Turbans in Xuzhou with only the 40,000 newly recruited troops."

"With Yun Chang's help, our confidence will increase."

"This..." Liu Bei hesitated and said, "Actually, I have another sworn brother, but he..."

Jin Mao slapped his forehead, right! How could he forget Zhang Fei? He couldn't help but ask curiously: "Xuan De, just tell me, what happened to your brother?"

Liu Bei said ashamedly: "My third brother Zhang Yide has offended He Qi, the second battalion commander of your main force. He is now imprisoned and awaiting your decision."

"Ah?" Jin Mao was very surprised. How could Zhang Fei fall into He Qi's hands?

In my impression, He Qi is a very rule-abiding person. No matter whether it is training soldiers or farming, he has never made any mistakes except that one time earlier.

In order to avoid misunderstanding, Jinmao called people to understand the situation.

After hearing it, I realized that Zhang Fei really had a bad temper, and He Qi did the right thing.

At this time, Guan Yu could not help but tell him about Liu Bei's bribery of He Qi.

Jin Mao sighed and said, "Yun Chang, you don't know. I also want to manage it properly, but I am short of talents and I really have no way to manage the administration properly."

"That's why I so desperately want you to serve me."

Liu Bei asked, "What about Yide..."

Jin Mao sighed again and said, "I'm afraid that Zhang Yide's matter won't be so easy to get over."

"However, I am willing to give Zhang Yide a chance. As long as he is willing to make meritorious contributions on the battlefield of Xuzhou, I can pardon his death penalty!"

Guan Yu wanted to argue, but Liu Bei bowed and said, "Thank you, sir!"

Jin Mao couldn't help asking again, "How is Yunchang? Zhang Yide has such a bad temper. If he commits a crime again, I can't guarantee that I won't kill him."

What can I say?

Even for Zhang Fei, Guan Yu had to agree. What's more, Guan Yu also wanted to gain some experience in Jinmao's army so that the three brothers could have a bright future.

Although Liu Bei was very reluctant, he did not want to hinder the future of his sworn brother, so he agreed.

The next thing is simple.

Just release Zhang Fei!

...

He Qi received the order and knew that the bear imprisoned in the military camp would soon become his colleague.

Lunch.

He Qi came to bring food to Zhang Fei as usual.

Five pounds of white rice, a large bucket of salty oil soup, and two pounds of Hu cakes.

This is the standard for three meals a day!

Zhang Fei was such a big eater that he ate as much as five elite soldiers.

In a tent in the corner of the second camp, Zhang Fei held a pancake in one hand and a ladle in the other. He ate half a pancake in one mouthful and swallowed it with the soup.

The two soldiers from the main battalion who were watching nearby were drooling at the sight of this eating show, it was so delicious.

However, Zhang Fei, this bastard, couldn't keep his mouth shut even when eating: "No meat! No wine! Just plain tea and rice every day!"

"Mr. He, did my brother spend the gold that he gave you on prostitution?"

He Qi was speechless. Didn't he have any idea how much he could eat?

In just three days, a soldier's wartime rations for a month were consumed, not counting the labor costs.

If it weren't for his lord's sake, He Qi wouldn't bother to come over to see this guy.

"Zhang Yide, let's get ready after this meal."

Without waiting for He Qi to finish his next sentence, Zhang Fei glared at him and said, "He! Are you going to send me to hell?"

"Come on, come on, I'm not someone you can mess with. Even with my bare hands, I can still hold three or five of you as my scapegoats!"

"Oh my, is it really that powerful?" A voice came from outside the tent.

He Qi hurried out to greet him.

Zhang Fei's eyes turned and he set his sights on the two gatekeepers.

Just as he was about to take action, Zhang Fei was shocked to find that the person who came in was none other than his second brother, Guan Yu!
"Second brother! You finally came to break the prison!" Zhang Fei said ecstatically, "Wait until I get the Zhangba Snake Spear, and then we'll kill him!"

Guan Yu's face was red and black, he wished he could chop this fool into pieces. He didn't even consider the situation. If he was going to charge in, would he be unarmed and still be dressed so cleanly?

(End of this chapter)