Chapter 227: Birds Choose Fine Trees
Jiaozhou is often forgotten by the Central Plains due to its remote location. The population here is sparse, and although there are not many Han People, they hold dominance. Regardless of politics, economy, or farmland, all are under the control of the Han People.
The southern Yi living in Jiaozhou are also divided into two major categories. Distinguished by living environment, they are Mountain Yi and Water Yi, but according to Han People standards, they are divided into Uncivilized Yi and Civilized Yi. Uncivilized Yi are the uncivilized tribes living in high mountain jungles. They are not under government office jurisdiction and do not invade Han People either; they live in peace with each other.
Civilized Yi are actually Water Yi who migrated down from the mountains and live by the water. They have lived together with Han People for a long time, and many of their living habits have been Han-ized. They make a living by fishing and farming, and their living conditions are of course much better than those of Mountain Yi.
However, every gain comes with a loss. Although Civilized Yi have good living conditions, they must also pay taxes and perform labor services like the Han People, and even serve as soldiers.
Even so, Civilized Yi will not return to the mountains. They have gradually accepted their identity: they are Great Han subjects, no longer sons of the mountains.
Although Jiaozhou has a sparse population, the power struggles in Jiaozhou are no less intense than in the Central Plains. The three major forces in Jiaozhou engage in open and covert struggles, with various interests entangled together, maintaining a state of contention without breaking.
However, this state of contention without breaking is about to be shattered, as the Governor of Jiaozhou, Zhang Jin, is on the verge of death.
At this time, Xu Jing arrived in Guangxin County of Cangwu Commandery as the full representative of Gan Ning.
Xu Jing has a very good relationship with Zhang Jin. He once served as Chief Clerk under Zhang Jin’s account and was deeply trusted by him. That is why Gan Ning sent Xu Jing as envoy to Jiaozhou: on one hand, to persuade Zhang Jin to surrender on behalf of Gan Ning; on the other, out of personal friendship, Xu Jing also wanted to visit Zhang Jin on the verge of death.
But Xu Jing was unable to see Zhang Jin. Zhang Jin was controlled by his two sons, who, using his serious illness as an excuse, refused to see anyone—not only Xu Jing, but also the special envoys sent by Wu Ju and Shi Xie were turned away.
Zhang Jin has three sons; the youngest son has already died of illness. The eldest son Zhang Huan and the second son Zhang Mao have also fallen out over contending for the right of inheritance. However, both of Zhang Jin’s sons are very mediocre and cannot achieve great things. Seeing that Zhang Jin is almost gone, the high officials under Zhang Jin have also begun to consider their own futures.
Xu Jing was staying in the VIP Courtyard in Guangxin County. At night, the attendant reported at the door, “Master, Chief Clerk of Jiaozhou Li Jin requests an audience!”
Li Jin is from Luoyang and has long served as an official in Nanhai Commandery, gradually rising to Governor of Nanhai Commandery. Later, he was appreciated by Zhang Jin and promoted to Chief Clerk. Zhang Jin has no strategist; the Chief Clerk is the second-in-command in Jiaozhou. After Zhang Jin fell seriously ill, the two sons fiercely struggled over military power and did not care about government affairs power at all. The great power over Jiaozhou’s government affairs is basically in Li Jin’s hands.
“Brother Li, long time no see!” Xu Jing came out to greet him with cupped fists.
When Xu Jing first fled to Jiaozhou, he was in dire straits, with his whole family crowded into a thatched hut, having meals irregularly. It was thanks to Li Jin’s care that they were provided with housing, grain, and a place to settle down. Li Jin also recommended Xu Jing to Zhang Jin, and Xu Jing has always been very grateful to him.
Xu Jing invited Li Jin into the room, and the two sat down as host and guest. In fact, Xu Jing already vaguely sensed that Li Jin had come to see him for a purpose—he was likely wanting to pledge loyalty to the Marquis of Chu, but it was not certain; perhaps Li Jin was here to scout intelligence.
The two slowly drank tea, and Xu Jing asked, “What is the Governor’s condition now? Is it really impossible for outsiders to visit?”
Li Jin sighed, “How to put it? The Governor is indeed on the verge of death. He doesn’t even recognize me, let alone you, so there is no point in you visiting him, but that is not the reason you are not allowed to visit.”
“Oh? What is the real reason?” Xu Jing asked without showing emotion.
“It is Zhang Jin’s two sons who strictly prohibit outsiders from visiting their father. Even I am not allowed. I learned about the Governor’s situation through the physician.”
“Weren’t they fighting fiercely among brothers?”
Li Jin sneered, “They are fighting fiercely, even sending assassins to kill each other. However, regarding their father, the two of them are unusually united against outsiders. But I worry that once Zhang Jin dies, they will fight openly, turning Guangxin County into a sea of corpses and blood. We have all sent our families outside the city.”
“Ah! I cannot stay long in the city either.”
“Exactly, so I came to notify Younger Brother to leave as soon as possible. Additionally, please have Younger Brother quickly notify the Yuzhang Army to come to Guangxin County; perhaps they can still stop this internal strife and slaughter.”
Xu Jing immediately understood and looked at Li Jin with great interest.
Li Jin could only smile bitterly, “We have intelligence scouts in Shi’an County under my charge. When your tens of thousands of army entered Shi’an County, I knew about it. I just received a carrier pigeon message that your army set off southward yesterday. I hope your army can speed up and arrive in Guangxin County as soon as possible.”
Xu Jing nodded, “If Elder Brother is willing to pledge loyalty to the Marquis of Chu, I would be very happy to recommend Elder Brother!”
Li Jin sighed, “Birds choose good trees to nest in. I have long heard that the Marquis of Chu treats citizens well. To serve such a wise lord is my fortune in three lifetimes. But on the other hand, as Chief Clerk, I absolutely do not want to see Guangxin County suffer the disaster of war, with citizens slaughtered and women violated. So I very much hope the Yuzhang Army can stop this impending tragedy.”
Although the reasons Li Jin gave were factors, they were not the true reason Li Jin wanted to pledge loyalty to Gan Ning. Regardless of Wu Ju or Shi Xie, both are local officials who do not lack trusted subordinates familiar with Jiaozhou. If he pledged loyalty to them, he would not be heavily employed, and Cao Cao would not value him at all.
After weighing the options, Li Jin realized that only pledging loyalty to Gan Ning would yield the greatest gain. Gan Ning has no one usable in Jiaozhou and would surely heavily employ him.
Xu Jing thought for a moment and asked again, “How many troops are there in the city now?”
“Jiaozhou army of twenty thousand; the two brothers each control ten thousand troops. Additionally, there are two thousand Cangwu militia.”
“What is the Cangwu militia?”
“They are local troops, generally used to maintain public order and subdue troublesome Uncivilized Yi. Controlled by the government office, and currently the military tally is in my hands.”
Xu Jing was overjoyed, “Can Elder Brother have the militia control the North City Gate?”
Li Jin thought for a moment and said, “All four city gates are in the hands of the Jiaozhou army, so it is hard for me to take over. However, I can control the Water Gate.”
“Then it is settled!”
Xu Jing immediately sent a subordinate to rush northward to notify Bu Zhi’s army to hurry southward and seize the city.
……..
On the official road east of the Li River, thirty thousand Western Chu Army were rapidly heading south. Although it was an official road, it was uneven muddy soil. Every soldier was leading a donkey, carrying their weapons, armor, dry rations, and water gourds on the donkeys. The soldiers advanced easily.
This was still their first time marching so easily; the donkeys were all robust and not small in build, becoming a great boost for the soldiers.
At this time, Bu Zhi had already received Xu Jing’s message that internal strife was about to occur in Guangxin County. He ordered to speed up, and the thirty thousand army marched majestically toward Guangxin County, one hundred twenty li away.
