Chapter 101: Zhao Yun Descends The Mountain
Zhao Yun had already returned to his seat, and the shopkeeper gave a thumbs up in praise: “Brave man with a chivalrous heart, this table of wine and dishes is on the house.”
At this moment, footsteps came from the stairwell, and the family from earlier came up.
They saw Zhao Yun and hurriedly said: “Benefactor is over there!”
The family rushed forward and knelt on the ground. The old man said tearfully: “Thank you, benefactor, for saving our lives!”
Zhao Yun quickly helped everyone up with a smile: “It was just a small effort. No need for such formalities!”
Nearby, Tian Yu smiled and said: “From the old man’s accent, it seems he’s also from Youzhou side!”
The old man nodded. “We came from Zhuo Commandery.”
Tian Yu chuckled: “Then we’re fellow countrymen. I’m also from Zhuo Commandery, and the brave man who saved you is from Changshan State.”
The old man said delightedly: “What a coincidence!”
Tian Yu invited them to sit and had the waiter bring a piece of cake each for the two children.
“Why did the old man come to the South?”
The old man sighed: “Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan fought a great battle, plundering citizens back and forth. Countless people fled south. Our family was fairly well-off, but we had no choice but to flee south too, all the way to Xuzhou.
Unexpectedly, war broke out in Xuzhou too, giving citizens no peace. Just then, Cao Cao decided to relocate Xuzhou’s refugee citizens to Lujiang Commandery. We thought the South might be better, so we followed and were settled in Shu County.”
So that’s how it was. Zhao Yun asked puzzledly: “Since you were settled in Shu County, why come to Wan County?”
The old man bowed and said: “Benefactor may not know, but General Gan has abolished the head tax, and the land tax is low too. Of course we had to come here at all costs.”
Zhao Yun was still very puzzled and smiled: “The head tax is twenty-five cash per year, right? Just fifty cash a year for two children. Is it worth running from Shu County to Wan County for that?”
The old man hurriedly explained: “To tell benefactor, we’re not here for those fifty cash, but for General Gan’s benevolence and righteousness. A mere fifty cash reveals a ruler’s benevolence and righteousness. Even birds know to perch in good trees—how much more so for people!”
The old man’s words woke Zhao Yun like a splash of cold water. Justice lies in the people’s hearts; only when citizens willingly follow is it the true kingly way.
Birds choose good trees to perch in—even ordinary citizens know that. Yet he himself still couldn’t make up his mind.
Gan Ning was rushing to Lujiang Commandery on a fast boat. He had received Xu Shu’s carrier pigeon message, which filled him with ecstatic joy. Zhao Yun was actually in Lujiang Commandery, along with Tian Yu.
Gan Ning didn’t know if Zhao Yun planned to join Liu Bei, but since he had appeared, he had to intercept him no matter what. He was determined to recruit this legendary fierce general of the Three Kingdoms.
Two days later, Gan Ning arrived at Wan County. Xu Shu and Taishi Ci came out to greet him. Xu Sheng had already returned to Pengze. Wan County had fifteen thousand troops, plus several thousand surrendered army soldiers.
Entering the tent in the barracks, Gan Ning eagerly asked: “Any news on Zhao Yun?”
Xu Shu bowed: “This subordinate went up the mountain earlier and talked with Tian Yu, but didn’t see Zhao Yun then. However, this subordinate feels that if we can persuade Tian Yu, we can persuade Zhao Yun too.”
“What is Tian Yu’s attitude?” Gan Ning asked.
“This subordinate feels Tian Yu absolutely doesn’t want to become a bandit. He repeatedly emphasized to this subordinate that they were forced into temporarily going up the mountain, and they value their three hundred subordinates highly. So if we can properly settle their subordinates, it would be the best persuasion for Zhao Yun.”
Gan Ning nodded. “I’ll go up the mountain with you again.”
Just as he spoke, a soldier reported from below the hall: “Report to the lord, a scholar named Tian Yu requests an audience with the lord.”
Gan Ning was stunned. He had just arrived in Wan County, and they had come. It seemed they were watching him.
Gan Ning hurriedly said to Xu Shu: “Have Strategist Xu bring him to see me!”
Soon, Tian Yu was led into the inner hall. He had been in Wan County these past few days, so he knew as soon as Gan Ning arrived.
“Mr. Tian, please sit!”
Gan Ning courteously invited Tian Yu to sit. Tian Yu said apologetically: “Yet I have to trouble General Gan to come all the way from Nanchang County.”
Gan Ning shook his head with a smile: “I’m not from the aristocracy. Generally, aristocrats are unwilling to join me, so I crave talent even more. I seek talent not to collect them, but to use them properly, to let each person fulfill their potential—that’s the greatest respect for talent.”
Tian Yu nodded with a smile: “If I serve the general loyally, how does the general plan to use me?”
Gan Ning thought for a moment: “I will appoint Mr. Tian as Prefect of Luling Commandery and have Mr. Tian go govern the Shanyue people.”
“Does General Gan think I can govern the Shanyue people?”
Gan Ning nodded. “Sir governed the Xiongnu in Youzhou so obediently, and he can do the same with the Shanyue people.”
In history, Tian Yu was very skilled at governing the northern barbarians, using both kindness and authority. Whether Xiongnu, Wuhuan, or Xianbei, all were managed obediently by him. Gan Ning believed he could govern the Shanyue people just as well.
Tian Yu fell silent. Gan Ning really understood him. After a moment’s thought, he asked again: “I have one more puzzle. Why does the general abolish the head tax?”
Gan Ning said calmly: “Sir came from Hebei and must have seen the citizens’ displacement and declining population firsthand. I’ve always believed population is the foundation of a strong political power. The Han Dynasty rulers encouraged early marriage on one hand, yet taxed children on the other—this is undoubtedly a contradiction.
To make citizens willing to have children, they must first have food and stable lives. Next, cancel taxes on children. Though the head tax is small, it’s a boulder weighing on citizens’ hearts. So I’ve firmly abolished the head tax since Chaisang, removing that boulder from citizens’ hearts, making them willing to have children. Then the population will gradually rise.”
Tian Yu hesitated no longer. The General Gan before him was the lord he had long sought.
He stood and bowed: “Tian Yu is untalented and wishes to serve General Gan with utmost effort!”
Gan Ning was overjoyed and quickly helped him up: “With Lord Tian, my Luling Commandery will truly have a Prefect.”
Tian Yu added: “Zhao Yun is also willing to submit to the general. He has gone back to the mountain to bring the citizens down and begs the general to treat the citizens well!”
Gan Ning nodded. “Please rest assured, Mr. Tian. The people are the foundation of the state. I will certainly treat every citizen who comes to me well.”
Gan Ning then personally went to welcome Zhao Yun. Halfway there, he indeed encountered a vast procession—old and young, elders and children, fully six or seven thousand people. Zhao Yun was at the front of the procession.
Behind was a prison cart carrying the captured Sun He, followed by over a hundred of his subordinates under soldier escort.
Tian Yu hurried forward and introduced Zhao Yun, Fan Fang, and Pei Yuanshao to Gan Ning.
Zhao Yun stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and clasped his fists: “Zhao Yun has drifted across the seas and finally met the general. Like rain after a long drought, I see the light of day again. Zhao Yun wishes to serve General Gan with utmost effort and begs the general to accept me!”
Gan Ning quickly helped Zhao Yun up and said sincerely: “With General Zhao, it’s like gaining another arm for rebirth. I, Gan Ning, will surely achieve the great cause and never betray the general’s loyalty!”
Gan Ning then appointed Zhao Yun as Colonel, Pei Yuanshao as Commandant, and gave Zhao Yun his own thousand men plus the ten thousand surrendered soldiers. Adding the three thousand garrison in Chaisang, they formed the Sixth Army of fourteen thousand total, with Zhao Yun’s twelve hundred soldiers as his retainer troops.
Additionally, Gan Ning appointed Fan Fang as Magistrate of Wan County.
Gan Ning truly treated Zhao Yun’s forces very generously. Not only was Zhao Yun made Colonel with his own army, Tian Yu was made Prefect of Luling Commandery, Fan Fang Magistrate of Wan County, and even Pei Yuanshao Commandant.
Gan Ning arranged ships to transport Zhao Yun’s army to Chaisang for training, effectively making Chaisang the garrison of the Sixth Army.
Zhao Yun was truly moved. Having fled Youzhou and drifted across the seas, he had even nearly become a bandit, but in the end found his destination in Yuzhang Commandery.
