Chapter 28: Discussing the Great Affairs of the World

Jinyang, Prefectural Office.

Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, Cao Xing, and Hao Meng entered the hall and bowed, reporting, "Prefect, the army under Zhang Yang has been completely annihilated. The remaining soldiers have been captured, and Zhang Yang himself has fallen under a rain of arrows!"

Ju Shou nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very well. You have worked hard. Go and rest for now."

The four men offered their thanks and withdrew.

Ju Shou then ordered, "Bring in the surrendered soldiers."

A servant complied, and soon, the remnants of Zhang Yang’s forces were brought before them.

Cheng Yu spoke up, saying, "Do not fear, all of you. We have no intention of harming you."

Hearing these words, the soldiers instantly relaxed.

Cheng Yu continued, "If you wish to return home, we will let you go and provide you with travel expenses. If you wish to stay, we will not stop you."

The soldiers were astonished, unable to believe that such a generous offer was being made.

Cheng Yu added, "You now have a choice: to leave or to stay."

The soldiers replied in unison, "We are willing to stay!"

Ju Shou inquired, "Do any of you have parents, siblings, or wives and children?"

One soldier replied, "I have parents at home." Five others echoed the same. Another said, "I have a wife and children," followed by ten others. Another added, "I have siblings," and the rest confirmed they did as well.

Ju Shou nodded and said, "In that case, write letters to your families. I will send men to deliver them to your parents, siblings, wives, and children, and prepare carriages to bring them here."

Deeply moved, the soldiers bowed, "Thank you, my Lord!"

Ju Shou told them to go and write their letters, and they departed.

Cheng Yu looked at Ju Shou and asked, "Brother Ju Shou, what is the meaning of this?"

Ju Shou replied confidently, "Once the families of these surrendered soldiers are brought here, they will serve our Lord with total devotion."

Cheng Yu nodded in realization. "I did not expect you to have such foresight. It seems our mentor truly holds high expectations for you, Shi Yuan, and Kong Ming."

Ju Shou replied humbly, "You flatter me, Brother Zhongde. Now, I must write to our Lord to inform him that the crisis in Jinyang has been resolved."

On the road to Jinyang, Luo Ang was leading his army forward. Suddenly, a scout on horseback galloped toward him. Luo Ang ordered the army to halt.

The soldier arrived, breathless, and handed a letter from Ju Shou to Luo Ang. "My Lord, a message from Master Ju Shou!"

Luo Ang read the contents and said happily, "Excellent! Zhang Yang has been killed, and the crisis in Jinyang is over!" The others rejoiced upon hearing the news.

Luo Ang declared, "Everyone, we shall arrive in Jinyang tomorrow. We will hold a banquet to celebrate the lifting of the siege; drink your fill!" The men thanked him, and Luo Ang told the scout, "Return and tell Ju Shou that we will arrive tomorrow; there is no need for him to lead the entire city out to greet us."

The next day, the army arrived at Jinyang. Luo Ang entered the prefectural office and addressed his subordinates, "You have all worked hard to help me defend against Wang Kuang and Zhang Yang."

"It is our duty to protect our Lord’s cities and territories," they replied.

Ju Shou introduced the newcomers: "My Lord, there were three who helped me repel the enemy: Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, and my old friend, Cheng Yu, also known as Zhongde."

Luo Ang’s eyes lit up. He knew of Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao from legend, and Cheng Yu was a renowned advisor who had laid the foundations for the state of Wei under Cao Cao.

"Greetings, Marquis of Yan!" the three bowed.

Ju Shou added, "My Lord, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao wish to enter your service."

Luo Ang replied joyfully, "In that case, I appoint Zhou Cang as Colonel of the Tunjun Cavalry and Pei Yuanshao as Colonel of the Infantry."

Luo Ang then turned to Cheng Yu and bowed deeply, "I thank you, Master, for assisting Ju Shou in destroying the armies of Wang Kuang and Zhang Yang and saving the people of Jinyang."

Cheng Yu was moved by the Marquis's humility.

That afternoon, a servant informed Luo Ang that Cheng Yu had come to visit. Luo Ang welcomed him warmly.

"I have a question, Marquis," Cheng Yu began. "The lands of Bingzhou and Youzhou have become remarkably prosperous, surpassing other regions of the Central Plains. May I ask why?"

Luo Ang smiled. "Zhongde, you may not know this, but Youzhou and Bingzhou border the grasslands and nomadic tribes. I provide free education to the children of the poor to reduce the financial burden on their families. If we do not educate them, our economy would be crushed by the nomads, our people slaughtered, and our women violated. If China were occupied by foreign tribes, we Han people would be treated like beasts of burden. I will not allow that."

Cheng Yu fell into deep thought, realizing the weight of Luo Ang's vision.

Luo Ang continued, "I know you are a man of long-term vision who does not wish to see our people become slaves to barbarian tribes."

"Indeed," Cheng Yu agreed.

Luo Ang added, "I also secured the cooperation of the local clans by warning them that if I failed to hold off the nomads, they would lose everything to slaughter. They saw the logic and agreed."

Cheng Yu bowed, "I admire your resolve, Marquis."

They then discussed the state of the world. Cheng Yu analyzed the major warlords: he dismissed Yuan Shao as indecisive and arrogant, and Yuan Shu as incompetent and greedy. He praised Cao Cao’s ability but noted his precarious position. He spoke harshly of Liu Bei, calling him a schemer who used the name of the Han imperial family to advance his own ambitions.

Luo Ang asked, "As the son-in-law of Dong Zhuo, why do you not help him?"

Luo Ang sighed, "I am in a dilemma. If I save my father-in-law, I am disloyal to the Han; if I do not, I am unfilial. Thus, I guard the borders against the Xiongnu and Wuhuan, hoping to serve the people and the empire, even if the world views me only through the lens of my connection to Dong Zhuo."

Cheng Yu nodded. "I understand your difficulty. You are biding your time, strengthening Bingzhou and Youzhou to protect the people from the chaos of the outside world."

"Exactly," said Luo Ang.

Cheng Yu knelt, "If you do not find me unworthy, I wish to serve under your banner!"

Luo Ang was elated. "To gain you, Zhongde, is my great fortune!"

"And to serve an enlightened Lord is mine," Cheng Yu replied.

Luo Ang appointed Cheng Yu as an advisor and deputy to help manage intelligence and recruit talent, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the strengthening of the North.