"Lu Xun shook his head and said, 'The governance like this is indeed different from other states and territories.'"
"Huo Zhao smiled and asked, 'Have Lu Campion had any understanding of the cool state before?'"
"A little," Lu Xun replied, "After I arrived in Luoyang, I was recommended by Lord Wei, the Right Minister of Works, and I had an in-depth discussion with Yang Fu and Yang Yishan for two days."
"How is Lord Yang in Luoyang?" Huo Zhao said, "I have known Lord Yang for a long time in Jincheng."
"If we talk about the officials born in Meng, Chang and other places, after Feng Ling and Zang Gong (Zhang Yi, Su Ze), it's Yang Gong who takes the lead."
Although Yang Fu had served as the magistrate in Liangzhou, in Luoyang, he was no more than a city gate captain.
It seems that he did not achieve prominence.
After a moment of thinking, Lu Xun smiled and said, "Lord Yang is in good health. What could be the problem in Luoyang?"
"Lord Yang also asked me to bring a letter to General Hao. Please wait a moment; I'll go and fetch it right away."
After smiling at a few people, Lu Xun slowly stood up and walked to a neighboring room, where he found his Chief of Staff Zhou Tao.
"Jin Ning, give me the two letters brought from Luoyang." Lu Xun said to Zhou Tao.
Zhou Tao took out a wooden box from the package and handed out two letters: "Captain, this one is Lord Wei's letter for Xiahou Fang; this one is Yang Xie's letter for General Hao."
"I know." Lu Xun took the two letters and glanced at a smaller envelope below.
Ever since leaving Shouchun, Jiang Wei had stuffed this letter into his hands.
During the more than a month's journey, Lu Xun had several times wanted to open the letter. As the emperor was not by his side and there were no others to monitor, it would have been fine if he knew some things earlier.
However, Lu Xun still held back.
Holding onto this letter could retain a bit of nostalgia for the journey. Being away from home, one has already put state and family matters behind, and without some lingering thoughts, isn't life devoid of interest?
Zhou Tao was also aware of this matter.
Captain, although we haven't reached Lingju yet, this place is further west than Lingju. Should we see the imperial edict?" Zhou Tao was also curious in his heart.
Lu Xun shook his head, "Let's talk about it after the banquet is over."
Zhou Tao immediately understood and remained silent.
The three men saw Lu Xun enter with two letters, all somewhat surprised.
"Here are two letters I brought from Luoyang," Lu Xun said as he sat down, smiling, "One is from Lord Wei to Xiahou Fangbo, and the other is from Captain Yang to General Hao."
Xiahou Bao and Hao Zhao were not the kind of hesitant people. After receiving the letters, they immediately began reading them.
Xiahou Bao was reading the letter while scratching his chin by himself.
"It's a bit difficult, but it's not impossible," Xiahou Bao muttered to himself, "It will still take some time."
Lu Xun asked with some surprise, "What's difficult for you, Lord Xiahou?"
Xiahou Bao placed the letter aside and smiled, "Lord Wei asked me to deploy one thousand district soldiers to Captain Lu for his use at the military camp of Lingju."
Hao Zhao interjected and asked, "What's so difficult about dispatching a thousand soldiers from a single state?"
"Lord Baidao, it's easy to dispatch soldiers." Xiahou Bao looked at Hao Zhao, "However, Lord Wei mentioned in the letter that the district is required to provide its own expenses for the soldiers, which is somewhat difficult."
Lu Xun asked, "Is it because the distance is too far?"
Xiahou Bao nodded: "That's right. Captain Lu, do you know how many districts there are in Liangzhou?"
"About this matter, I am also aware. From west to east in the area of Western River, there are four districts: Dunhuang, Jiuxian, Zhangye and Wushi. "Lu Xun counted on his fingers, "There are also the districts of Xihai to the north of Zhangye. In addition to Jincheng and Xiping two districts, there are a total of seven districts."
"The distance between the seven districts of Liangzhou is not comparable to that of the inland states," Xiahou Bao said. "From Dunhuang to Wushi, and then through Lingju to the Western Capital, the distance is nearly two thousand five hundred miles."
Xiahou Bao spread his hands: "Even in this rebellion, I only brought one thousand soldiers from Wuwei County and three thousand Uygur mounted archers around Wuwei."
Xiahou Bao said, "Lord Wei may have mistakenly thought that the transportation of grain and goods from districts is easy, like that of inland states." However, it's not a problem. We can just not follow Lord Wei's advice and let the state bear the cost of the military expenses."
Lu Xun bowed and said, "I am new to Liangzhou, and it is indeed difficult to do anything without the support of the state. Thank you, Lord Xiahou."
"It's all right, it's all right," Xiahou Bao smiled.
In fact, before Lu Xun came, the three men had already known that the court had sent Lu Xun, also known as Lu Bo Yan, to Liangzhou. They were all somewhat surprised.
The name of Lu Xun is well-known to all, no one is unfamiliar with it.
Although Xiahou Bao and Hao Zhao did not know the details of the Battle of Anan, it is well-known that the great Wei has always been kind to defeated generals.
From Huangquan and Mengda of Shu Han several years ago, to Hanyong of Eastern Wu last year, these defeated generals have almost all been given high positions and actual responsibilities.
Lu Xun was originally a senior official in Eastern Wu, with more significant power and responsibility than Huangquan and Mengda. His appointment as the Protector of the Qiang immediately upon his surrender was enough to show the emperor's attitude.
Xiahou Bao smiled and said, "Lu Campion, you are older than most of us and have fought for the Wei. We should not be so formal in addressing your official title."
"Big Brother Bo Yan, we can just address each other by our characters."
Although Xiahou Bao's words were polite, the direct calling of "Brother Bo Yan" from his mouth still carried a hint of an unrefusable implication.
The guest should follow the host's convenience, and Lu Xun's state of mind has already been calm at this time.
"Thank you, Zhongquan," Lu Xun said with a smile and a bow.
"Brother Bo Yan," Hao Zhao said, "I've heard that there are also foreign tribes called Shan Yu in the Eastern Wu. How do the people of the Eastern Jiangdong treat the Shan Yu?"
Lu Xun stroked his mustache and said, "Lord Baidao, you may not know that the Shan Yu people are not all foreign tribes."
"Oh?" Hao Zhao was surprised and said, "There are Han people among the Shan Yu?"
"Yes, almost half of them are Han people," Lu Xun nodded and said. "Actually, the term 'Shan Yu' is also called 'Shan Bandit' or 'Shan People.'"
"Shan Yu people often plant crops and forge their own weapons in the mountains, and they do not pay taxes," Lu Xun explained. "The Eastern Jiangdong usually deals with Shan Yu by driving them out of the mountains. They usually choose the strong for soldiers and the weak for civilians."
Xiahou Bao said, "The Shan Yu sound a bit like the wealthy and influential families."
Lu Xun nodded, "It is indeed quite similar."
"However, since the two counties of Linqiang and Xidu have been recaptured this time, what arrangements will be made in the future?" Lu Xun asked: "When will the external troops and state troops return?"
"Brother Bo Yan is right, it's time to discuss this matter," Xiahou Bao replied. "Lord Baidao, what does General Zuo say?"
Hao Zhao remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "The soldiers from Jincheng are relatively easy to say. From Xidu to Jincheng is not very far. However, the one thousand soldiers from Ji County will probably have to return to Tianshui after the two counties have been recaptured."
Lu Ban followed up: "That's right. Since Captain Lu has already arrived in Xidu, I will lead my troops back to Tianshui tomorrow."
General Zuo said, "There are some unstable signs on the Shu Han side recently. Even if we start to return tomorrow, it will take us until April at the earliest to reach Tianshui."
Xiahou Bao nodded: "Since Lord Baidao has two thousand troops here, with the current situation settled and Quru Ying already fleeing far away, it is unlikely that there will be any trouble."
"Tomorrow... let's just wait until the day after tomorrow. I'll return to Wuwei in two days."
Lu Xun slightly questioned, "How could everyone be leaving so quickly?"
"Unlike Brother Zhongquan and I have some differences," Lu Ban also spoke a few more words: "I am leading troops in Ji County, Tianshui, which is an important place against Shu. This time I only brought one thousand soldiers from Ji County's three thousand."
"Since the situation in Xiping Commandery is already stable, I should also return quickly."
"However, Brother Zhongquan bringing troops here, the county troops in Wuwei are no problem. But the three thousand Qiang horses that were mobilized do not require military expenses, but it still costs money for food and forage, and there will be rewards after they return."
"Yes!" Xiahou Bao nodded and said, "Historically, the Wei Dynasty has always used its troops in Liangzhou quickly and efficiently."
"My father Xiahou Zhengxi, when he was alive, used to say that his troops were '300 li in three days, 500 li in six days' when he was leading the army. How can you not blame the long distance for this?"
"I've heard of the reputation of Xiahou Zhengxi, the General of the Western Frontier, even in Jiangdong," Lu Xun bowed and gestured, acknowledging that Xiahou Bao had mentioned his late father, which required a form of politeness.
Of course, Lu Xun also had some other thoughts in his mind. For example, Liu Bei killed your father, and I almost killed Liu Bei...
This, of course, could not be said out loud. Otherwise, it might be a matter of time before the Protector of the Qiang passed away 'unexpectedly'.
Lu Xun said, "So it seems that when fighting in Liangzhou, logistics and supplies of grain are the most crucial matters."
"Exactly, I didn't bring much food and forage with me from Wuwei this time," Xiahou Bao smiled and pointed to the mutton on the table in front of him. "However, eating mutton a few more times is no problem."
"Brother Bo Yan might not have tried this dish before. This is mutton from Ji County in Wuwei, which is tender and juicy without being greasy. Once finely cooked until it's soft, dipping it in some salt makes it incredibly delicious. Moreover, there is no such strong odor as other muttons elsewhere, which can be considered a masterpiece."
Just now, the four of them were so engrossed in talking that they barely had a bite of the food.
"Is Wuwei located to the north of Guzang?" Lu Xun picked up a piece of mutton and put it in his mouth, feeling a burst of excitement from his taste buds.
"Indeed, it's delicious!" Lu Xun expressed his genuine appreciation: "There is no such delicacy in Yangzhou. The most exquisite dish in a banquet is the Lu Fish of Songjiang, and almost no one eats lamb."
"Hahaha," Xiahou Bao laughed as he said, "Fish and mutton are both delicious. It seems that the delicacies at this banquet also need to be integrated from north to south."
"To white!" Xiahou Bao raised his chalice.
"To white!" The four of them drank in unison, bringing a burst of joy to both the guests and the hosts.
Half-drunk, Lu Xun concluded the banquet and, with slightly unsteady steps, walked towards his bedroom.
While the military secretary Zhou Tou was standing nearby, Lu Xun gestured towards him. Zhou Tou immediately understood and followed Lu Xun into the room, where he presented the letter from the emperor that had been entrusted to Lu Xun in Suzhou.
(The end of this chapter)
