The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Xun Zhen arrived at Guangling Prefecture three days earlier than Liu Bei. When Liu Bei arrived, Xun Zhen just sent Zhang Chao away the day before.

Zhang Chao is in his 40s, and he looks a lot like Zhang Miao, so they are brothers of the same birth.

Three days ago, after Xun Zhen arrived in Guangling County, Zhang Chao took the magistrate of Guangling and a large group of county and county officials to greet him outside the county.

There are several categories of right-surnamed Guan clan among scholars in the world today.

One is the top wealthy family with strong political influence and strong political resources, such as Runan Yuan and Hongnong Yang; , Qingliu famous people who are famous for their morality; another category is Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao’s family. Although they may not have too strong influence in economics, morality and politics, their families are rich and wealthy, and they can serve as chivalrous people and help them. Rescue "similars", so it also has a high status in Shilin.

Zhang Miao was therefore listed as one of the "eight chefs" of the party members. Although Zhang Chao's reputation was not as good as his brother's, he was quite famous.

Although Zhang Miao helped the crippled and the difficult, his deeds were like a ranger, and he had the air of a chivalrous man, but his usual words and deeds were not at all lighthearted, but like a respectful elder. Miao was very similar in appearance, but also in demeanor, and his demeanor was similar to that of his brother of the same birth.

On the outskirts of the county, he and Xun Zhen met each other and bowed to each other.

After the ceremony was over, Zhang Chao invited Xun Zhen to enter Guangling County.

In order to show respect for Zhang Chao, Xun Zhen did not bring too many people into the city. Not only did he leave Yi Cong Buqu a few miles away from the city, but he also brought only Xi Zhicai and Xun You with him. Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Yuan Zhongqing, Zuo Bohou and several other guards.

Entering the city and outside the gate of the county house, the group left the carriage and horses at the horse station outside the house, and walked into the house.

Among the officials of the county are those with status, such as Gong Cao Zanghong, the chief bookkeeper Yuan Sui, as well as the five officials, the superior officials, Cao of the various Cao, and senior officers in the county army, etc. Of course, there is also the Guangling county magistrate. He and several important county officials from Guangling County accompanied Zhang Chao and Xun Zhen to the main hall,

The remaining middle and low-level county and county officials were divided into two columns, standing opposite each other, waiting in the courtyard outside the hall.

Xun Zhen is easy-going and has no pretense. If he follows his temper, it is very likely that these county and county officials who remain in the courtyard will disperse on their own. However, Zhang Chao has not "left office" yet. There is no handover, and the seal of Guangling County Governor is still in Zhang Chao's hands. Therefore, although the imperial edict has been issued, Xun Zhen is actually still a "guest", at most a "guest" who is about to become a "host". Therefore, Zhang Chao didn't speak, and he didn't want to tell these officials to disperse, lest Zhang Chao be unhappy.

Arrived in the hall.

The guests and the host take their seats.

Those who accompanied the county officials and Guangling county magistrates also took their seats according to their status and age.

Xun Zhen was the first to speak, smiled and said to Zhang Chao, "I have heard of the high name of the Duke for a long time, but when I saw it today, it is better to know that it is better to meet him! The gentleman's demeanor is a hundred times better than the rumors."

Zhang Chao was not a arrogant person, and Xun Zhen was in the same party as Yuan Shao and Zhang Miao, so Zhang Chao was even more respectful and polite to Xun Zhen. Looking at it, Fushou smiled and said: "I'm almost an old man! I have high spirits, how can I be a prince? I have heard the name of a prince for a long time. Now I see him, handsome and promising, much stronger than this old man like me. !"

The so-called people who are in their seventies are rare. In this era, let alone seventy, sixty is not bad, and "sixty" refers to people who have no worries about food and clothing. Although Zhang Chao is only in his forties this year, he has not yet. At fifty, although he calls himself an old man, it is understandable.

Xun Zhen came from Luoyang, so Zhang Chao would inevitably ask about Luoyang.

When Xun Zhen came to Guangling from Luoyang, Zhang Miao had not yet been worshipped as the prefect of Chen Liu, so he wrote a letter to Zhang Chao, Xun Zhen brought it with him, and then took it out and asked Xun You to give it to Zhang Chao.

When Cai was on his way to the middle of the county, Xun Zhen had already introduced Xun You, Xi Zhicai, Dian Wei, and Zhao Yun to Zhang Chao.

At this time, seeing that Xun You was stepping up to hold the letter and present it, Zhang Chao did not take it, and instead of calling Yuan Sui, the clerk, to pick it up, he took the initiative to reach out to catch it.

After holding the letter, he looked at Xun You up and down again, and said to Xun Zhen with a smile, "The Jun family is full of talents! Why is it not my Zhang family's junior? It's a pity!"

Xun You humbly said a few words, and returned to Xun Zhen's seat to sit back.

Zhang Chao took off the seal, opened the letter, and examined it on the spot.

Zhang Miao didn't write anything special in the letter, he just introduced the current situation in Luoyang, then he talked about his current situation, and asked Zhang Chao if there was anything wrong, and finally asked Zhang Chao to take care of Xun Zhen , don't wait.

After reading the letter, Zhang Chao sighed and said, "A few months ago, I heard that Yuan Benchu ​​had executed all the eunuchs. I thought that the court would be clean and the world would be safe, but I didn't want Dong Zhuo to lead his troops into the capital! Ding Yuan was actually killed by Dong Zhuo, and Dong Zhuo forced the court to remove Sikong Liu Hong because of the continuous rain in Luoyang, and he is Sikong himself, which is really hateful and outrageous!"

From March to the present, the area around Luoyang has been raining non-stop for several months.

According to the principle of the induction of heaven and man, when there is a disaster in the sky, the imperial court will often remove the corresponding three princes. The rains and droughts are related to Sikong's authority, so the rain does not stop, so Dong Zhuo uses this as an excuse to remove them. He appointed Sikong Liu Hong and appointed himself as Sikong.

There were many people in the hall, and it was the first time I met Zhang Chao. Although Zhang Chao was Zhang Miao’s co-brother, Xun Zhen was not willing to talk more about the government and state affairs. He followed Zhang Chao’s words perfunctorily, and immediately changed his mind. He said with a smile: "I heard on the Tao that my brother-in-law was worshipped as the prefect of Chenliu by the imperial court. Today, the prince and his brother-in-law are two thousand stones together, which is enough for a moment of beauty."

Xun Zhen's words are purely polite words. In today's world, it is not easy for one person from a poor family to become two thousand stones. Little, needless to say about such a wealthy family as the Yuan clan, and even a second-class clan such as the Xun clan. It happened that the five brothers were all two thousand stone prefects, so the mother of the five brothers was called "Wan Shijun".

Zhang Chao probably also saw that Xun Zhen was unwilling to talk about this matter, so he stopped talking and stopped talking. Instead, he diligently asked Xun Zhen about the situation on the road.

The two sides chatted for a while.

Zhang Chao asked someone to fetch the seal of the governor of Guangling County, and said with a smile: "I have been waiting for you for a long time, and you are here now. I can finally give this seal to you." He also asked Hu Cao and other Cao Cao's to get it. Each of their Cao's papers, account books and other items should be presented to Xun Zhen for inspection.

There's nothing to see about things like slips and account books.

In fact, even if you see the problem, what can you do?

Zhang Chao is Zhang Miao's co-brother and a member of the same party as Xun Zhen, so how could he have a conflict with Zhang Chao because of this?

Therefore, Xun Zhen was very generous and stopped Hu Cao Ye and others to show that Zhang Chao was very relieved.

After Xun Zhen accepted the seal, he sincerely said to Zhang Chao: "I first arrived in this county, and the customs and human feelings were all born. The public was in Guangling for several years. Mei Ci, I am about to take over the office of the public today, and I am deeply apprehensive, especially afraid of being resented by the people.

Zhang Chao did not hide his secrets, and seeing that Xunzhen asked such a question, he bluntly said: "Xuzhou used to be the old land of Chu, and the people of Huaisi have always been fierce and aggressive. Almost 100,000 people swept across the prefectures in the state, and Guangling was also deeply affected. Although the turbulent yellow turban was later broken by Fang Bo and escaped from the state, there are still many thieves left in the state until now. There are also many people in Guangling. I am a humble person, and I have no military strategy. I can't put down the robbers in the county, so I left this county to be a problem for the lord. I am deeply ashamed. It should be the first priority. If the thief is not in peace, everything will be difficult."

That's right. The thieves are not peaceful, and agriculture, commerce, etc. are difficult to develop.

Zhang Chao paused, seeing Xun Zhen listening attentively, very satisfied with Xun Zhen's attitude, and smiled again: "The lord is no better than me, I am a weak and incompetent person, but the lord is known for his reputation, both civil and military. The matter of pacifying the thief is difficult for me, but it is not difficult for the prince." Looking at Dian Wei and Zhao Yun who were standing behind Xun Zhen, he laughed again, "With such strong men under the prince, it should be easy to pacify the thief. ear."

Yuan Zhongqing, Zuo Bohou and others did not follow Xun Zhen in, but guarded outside the hall. Dian Wei and Zhao Yun had different identities. Xun Zhen could not treat him as a minister or a guest, so they brought him into the hall. .

After Zhang Chao finished talking about the first thing, he paused, and then said the second thing. He said, "I heard that Junhou killed a state official who was urging grain on his way to Guangling?"

At that time, there were many county officials who greeted Xun Zhen. After Xun Zhen killed the state official, the Xiangqiang husband of the township pavilion would definitely report it to the county as soon as possible, and of course the county would immediately inform the county government. , So no matter from which way, Zhang Chao can quickly learn about this matter. He has been in Guangling for so many years, and such a big thing has happened in the county. It would be strange if he didn't know.

Xun Zhen nodded and said, "He's a state official, so it's okay to ask for food, but he innocently killed the county pavilion chief, which is unforgivable. That's why I ordered someone to execute him."

Zhang Chao sighed and said, "The prefecture is pressing for food, and the people are suffering. As a chief official, how could I sit back and remain indifferent? It was only last year's Yellow Turban Rebellion that was pacified by Uncle Fang. Fang Bo, I am afraid that the state and county are still in chaos. The state and county rely on Fang Bo to be safe, and Fang Bo is self-confident and strong, so I don’t want to or can’t force him. This is for the people of the state. , but also for the people of Guangling County. Junhou, please imagine, if the state and the county are not in harmony, and there is an infighting due to the state government's urging of food, who will be the winner? It can only be the land of Qing and Yan. Yellow Turban thieves, but in the end it is the people of the prefecture and county who suffer. In my humble opinion, Junhou, it is best not to have too many conflicts and disputes with Uncle Fang... This is the second thing I want to say. "

Although Zhang Chao's words were weak, they were also helpless.

No matter what she thought, Xun Zhen certainly couldn't have a dispute with Zhang Chao because of this, so she nodded her head.

Zhang Chao was very relieved, stroked his beard, and smiled: "All I can think of are these two things. I heard that Junhou used to be in Wei County, and Wei County has been greatly transformed in one year, and his political performance is the second in Jizhou. In this matter of governing the county, the prince is stronger than me, and I have nothing else to say."

"In one year, Wei County will become great", this is also a polite saying, but it's just nice to hear.

Although Xun Zhen managed Wei County well, she did not achieve the level of "greatization" of Wei County in one year.

Xun Zhen insisted: "I also ask your father to teach me a little more."

Zhang Chao said, "I really don't have anything to say... However, there is a private matter that I want to ask the prince."

When Xun Zhen heard that he suddenly said "private matters", it was inevitable that Zhang Chao had to leave, so what other private matters were there? He replied in his mouth, "Please tell me."

Zhang Chao pointed to Zang Hong, Yuan Sui and others who were sitting at the foot of the hall, and said, "Gong Cao and the chief clerk greeted the prince this time, and I specially asked them to go there. After receiving the prince, they served the prince. Hou Zuo Zuo, who traveled all the way back to the county, Jun Hou must have some understanding of them. Zang and Yuan are both leaders in Guangling, and Jun Hou Ru thinks they can still be used. I hope that after I leave, Jun Hou can stay. Let the two of them go down, so that the two of them can continue to exert their talents, assist Junhou, or can help Junhou in a small matter."

Zang Hong is the meritorious officer, Yuan Sui is the chief clerk, but these two positions are both current and appointed by Zhang Chao. Once Zhang Chao leaves, will Xun Zhen transfer them or replace them with others? It is beyond Zhang Chao's control that people come to do the work and master. You must know that the meritorious officer and the chief clerk are extremely important positions, and those who can hold this position are usually the henchmen of the county governor and the people trusted by the governor.

Once the emperor and the courtier, whether Xun Zhen would replace Zang Hong and Yuan Sui, it is hard to say.

Therefore, Zhang Chao has this request.

Xun Zhen heard that his "private affairs" were actually entrusted to Zang Hong and Yuan Sui, so he had to give a compliment. Zhang Chao was indeed Zhang Miao's younger brother, and he was indeed a kind elder. Paying the talents of his subordinates to Xun Zhen.

Xun Zhen replied solemnly: "The former Han Xiao ruled Cao's accompany, although I have no Cao talent, but the public does not let Xiao Xiang in front, Zang and Yuan Zhujun are also honest, the beauty of the real state is also, with the knowledge of the public. The talents of people, the talents of Yi Zang and Yuan Zhujun are hard to come by, the meritorious officers of the prefectures, and the office of the chief administrator, please rest assured, even if the public does not speak, in my opinion, it is indeed the two lords of Feizang and Yuan. "

It is true that Xun Zhen did not intend to change the meritorious cadres and the chief clerk. One was because of the reasons he said, Yuan Sui and Zang Hong were indeed talents, and the other was because he had just arrived and was about to get Dong Qibing, so he didn't want to either. Replacing important officials in the county at this critical moment, so as not to cause "turmoil" in the county government.

Xun Zhen compared Xiao He to Zhang Chao, Zhang Chao was very happy, said a few words of modesty, smiled and said to Zang Hong and Yuan Sui: "Xun Jun is very famous~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Today, if he comes to Guangling as the prefect, he will definitely win. I am ten times as lucky, Qing and others are lucky, and Guangling is also lucky! I hope Qing and others must do their best to assist Xun Jun, and don’t be lazy.”

With Xun Zhen's words here, Zang Hong, Yuan Sui and others were relieved for the time being. When the chief officers were handed over, it was the time when the hearts of the subordinate officers were fluctuating. When Xun Zhen said these words, it could be said that the hearts of the people in the county government were settled at once.

Zang Hong, Yuan Sui and others left the seat and bowed down, and said loudly, "We will do our best to do our best."

Having greeted Xun Zhen and handed over the seal, it was time for Zhang Chao to leave the county.

In the evening, the night banquet in the county hall was not only to welcome Xun Zhen, but also to see Zhang Chao off.

After a dinner party, the next day, Xun Zhen and Zhang Chao lost their identities. Xun Zhen became the host and Zhang Chao became the guest.

Zhang Chao didn't stay much longer, but after just one more day, he bid farewell to Xun Zhen and went to another county to take office.

Zhang Chao accompanied him with dozens of carriages, some of which were his personal belongings, some were parting gifts from the county officials, among them Xun Zhen’s share, and some 200 soldiers and knights. Guardians, these two hundred or so soldiers and knights are his righteous followers. If he is leaving, the righteous followers will definitely be taken away. There are many thieves on the road. To protect his safety, at the same time, after taking office in the locality, he also needs this armed force to help him gain a firm foothold. After all, many states and counties are in chaos now, and it is difficult to gain a foothold without a reliable private armed force. It is difficult to cast fists.

Just as Zhang Chaoxian welcomed him, Xun Zhen also personally took the magistrate of Guangling, Zang Hong, Yuan Sui and others to send him out of the county in person.