Yuzhou Inspector Kong Zhou had once been close friends with the renowned scholar Fu Rong and was later recommended by him, serving as an Accountant Clerk under the Chenliu Administrator.
It was a civil position.
Unexpectedly, Dong Zhuo later seized power.
Because Dong Zhuo wanted to win over people’s hearts, he appointed many renowned scholars in large numbers, including Kong Zhou.
The reward given was also substantial, he was directly appointed as Inspector of Yuzhou.
Originally just a civil official with only an empty title, he was suddenly promoted to become a regional governor.
Kong Zhou was so happy he was about to explode.
But happiness vanished in an instant.
By some unfortunate coincidence, various feudal lords responded one after another to the forged edict and formed a coalition army to campaign against Dong Zhuo.
Kong Zhou had just become a regional governor and should have comfortably ruled his territory, showing off for a few years…
Who would have thought that before even a few months had passed, he would run into such a matter.
He originally wanted to stay out of it, but he received a personal letter from General of the Rear Yuan Shu inviting Kong Zhou to join the alliance.
It was called an invitation, but Yuan Shu’s letter contained both threats and coercion.
The tone implied he had Kong Zhou figured out.
Kong Zhou was timid by nature; after being threatened like this by Yuan Shu, he no longer cared about Dong Zhuo’s favor of promotion and immediately agreed to join the alliance.
But agreeing to join the alliance was one thing, Kong Zhou still had difficulties with the matter of dispatching troops.
He had only been in office for a few months, his butt hadn’t even warmed the seat yet, and he had not fully grasped the troops and government affairs under his command…
At this moment, asking him to send out troops was honestly a joke.
He hadn’t even memorized the names of all the generals and colonels under him yet.
It was at this critical juncture that Tao Shang’s troops arrived at Yangzhai in Yingchuan.
The spring breeze softly blew the green willow branches; new buds quietly peeked out after the rain.
In front of the city gates of Yangzhai, a formation of one thousand elite cavalry stood waiting in ranks.
Seeing the Xuzhou army arrive, the leading scholar slowly rode out.
He had a lean appearance, refined and scholarly, with a slightly sallow face that occasionally flashed a trace of worry.
Without doubt, this was Yuzhou Inspector Kong Zhou.
Given his official position and status, he should not have come out of the city personally to welcome them.
However, in these chaotic times, the size of official titles could only intimidate commoners in local prefectures and counties.
In the circle of feudal lords who lived by the fist, they carried no weight.
Kong Zhou’s strength among the feudal lords was such that if one said he was second to last, the last position would basically have to remain vacant.
Therefore, Kong Zhou conducted himself very humbly.
This time, he had brought out all the elite cavalry in Yangzhai City to welcome them…
Such a formation could be said to be giving the Xuzhou army a great deal of face.
“Eldest Young Master,” Mi Fang gently called to Tao Shang from the side, “we should go up and pay our respects to Inspector Kong.
His official position is comparable to that of Lord Tao.
We must not be negligent.” Tao Shang nodded and said, “Understood.” The Xuzhou officers rode forward together.
Mi Fang, Tao Shang, Xu Chu, and the others all dismounted.
Kong Zhou was also sensible and unpretentious, dismounting to greet them as well.
“Main General of the Xuzhou Western Expedition Army Mi Fang, Supervisor Tao Shang, greets Inspector Kong.” Mi Fang and Tao Shang paid their respects together.
Kong Zhou truly lived up to his reputation as a renowned scholar.
When he spoke, he was polite and full of scholarly air: “General Mi and Young Master Tao have come from afar to join forces.
This shows the sincere loyalty of Tao Gongzu in answering the call to serve the king.
It is truly as bright as the sun and moon!
I recall that I once had several encounters with Lord Tao in the past.
Gongzu is a benevolent gentleman whose bearing makes one bow in admiration.
The two of us understood each other’s hearts and can be considered intimate friends, like Bo Ya and Zi Qi.
By calculation, you should call me Uncle.” Tao Shang maintained a humble smile on his face, but inwardly he could not help but sigh.
These literati and renowned scholars really have thick faces, jumping straight in to take advantage of me…
Bullshit.
Kong Zhou did not notice.
Instead, he looked Tao Shang up and down carefully for a while, stroked his beard, and laughed heartily, “Today, seeing the son of an old friend, he truly carries his father’s style.
It brings great comfort to this old heart.
Worthy nephew, you have not disgraced your family’s reputation.
You are truly worthy of being a descendant of a prestigious family.
Your uncle is very gratified.” Tao Shang did not know whether Kong Zhou’s relationship with Tao Qian was truly that good…
These literati and renowned scholars all like to boast a bit.
Look at this Kong Zhou, every word and sentence showed off his status as a renowned scholar.
He was practically stamping “prestigious family” on his forehead to show off.
However, at this moment, since the other party had already claimed to know his father, if Tao Shang did not say something fitting, wouldn’t that clearly mean he was not giving Face to the renowned scholar Kong?
Tao Shang cupped his hands and bowed toward Kong Zhou, saying, “Uncle Kong, when I was in Pengcheng, I often heard my father speak of the past events between you two.
Coming to Yingchuan this time, my father also instructed me to learn much from Uncle and ordered me to convey his regards to you on his behalf.” “Good!
Good!
Truly the son of a gentleman.
Worthy nephew, a banquet has already been prepared inside Yangzhai.
Come, drink a few cups with your uncle.” Kong Zhou was very pleased, he had gained a big nephew for free!
He reached out, took Tao Shang’s hand, and headed into the city.
On the other side, Kong Zhou’s generals separately arranged for Mi Fang, Xu Chu, and the others to enter the city.
Mi Fang went in with them, but Xu Chu did not.
He stayed outside the city to personally arrange the camping matters.
The long main avenue ran through the entire Yangzhai.
Surrounding it were streets laid out in a grid pattern paved with rammed clay, connected in an orderly fashion with surrounding stalls and residences, like a large fishing net that almost covered the entire main city area.
During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Yingchuan had also been a main battlefield, but six years later it still presented such a scene of peace.
This showed that the foundation of this place was indeed profound and long-standing.
It truly deserved the reputation of the foremost capital of the Central Plains.
Kong Zhou’s Inspector’s Residence was located right in the center of Yangzhai’s main street.
Kong Zhou arranged a banquet to entertain Tao Shang and Mi Fang.
There was wine and meat at the banquet, which greatly suited Mi Fang’s taste.
This old fellow did not speak, simply lowering his head and gorging himself.
Tao Shang watched, sometimes raising an eyebrow, sometimes frowning…
How embarrassing!
Kong Zhou also ate with considerable refinement.
Seeing Mi Fang’s manner of eating, he appeared somewhat awkward…
Clearly, Mi Fang’s way of eating did not meet this renowned scholar Kong’s standards.
“Come, come, worthy nephew, let us drink another cup!” Kong Zhou once again raised his wine cup toward Tao Shang, gesturing from afar.
“Thank you, Uncle.” Tao Shang raised his wine cup and drank it in one gulp.
Kong Zhou’s face showed a strange expression upon seeing this.
He nodded and said, “Worthy nephew is young, yet not only does he carry his father Tao Gongzu’s style, but he also understands the etiquette of a gentleman and possesses such formidable capacity for wine!
Worthy nephew…
how many cups have you drunk so far?” Tao Shang thought for a moment and said, “Uncle, please forgive me.
I didn’t count carefully, but it should be at least seventeen or eighteen cups.” Kong Zhou’s eyes lit up with admiration.
“Nephew’s heroic drinking!
We of the older generation are far inferior.
When I was your age, I could only drink about ten cups in one sitting before collapsing.
Nephew not only has the style of a gentleman but is truly a heroic figure as well.” Tao Shang quickly rolled his eyes where no one could see.
He didn’t know how people of this era judged character…
Was being able to drink a lot what made one a hero?
It wasn’t that Tao Shang could drink particularly well, but rather that the winemaking techniques of this era were quite backward.
This low-alcohol content was like plain water compared to later generations, feeling even weaker than beer.
In his current state, Tao Shang felt he could drink Kong Zhou to the ground twice over and still have a couple more sips…
He really wanted to drink some really strong white liquor.
Seeing Tao Shang’s rather nostalgic expression, Kong Zhou seemed to misunderstand and laughed heartily, “Is the worthy nephew unaccustomed to drinking such fine-tasting brew?
Hehe, I won’t hide it from you, worthy nephew, among the thirteen provinces of the Great Han today, if we speak of winemaking skill, my Yingchuan ranks first!
It is only a pity that after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, farmland across the realm has lain fallow for years, with nearly half ruined.
Grain harvests decline daily, and the yield is barely enough for food, let alone surplus grain for brewing wine.
What a shame for Yingchuan’s great craft.” Tao Shang was astonished.
“Yingchuan’s winemaking is the best in the realm today?” Kong Zhou proudly raised his head.
“Naturally!” Tao Shang lowered his head and looked at the wine cup in his hand, thinking to himself that if Yingchuan’s number one brewer produced such weak wine, how unpalatable must the wine from other places be.
If he wanted good wine, it seemed he would have to rely on himself in the future.
At this moment, the guard at the door entered the hall, holding a wooden tablet.
He quickly walked to Kong Zhou’s side, handed him the tablet, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Kong Zhou’s expression instantly became dejected.
In fact, from the very beginning of their meeting, this boastful renowned scholar’s face had carried a few traces of melancholy.
At this moment, that sadness appeared even deeper.
In terms of reading people’s expressions, Tao Shang still possessed some talent.
Seeing Kong Zhou frowning with worry, he immediately asked with concern, “Uncle, have you encountered some difficult matter?” Kong Zhou was lost in thought and only reacted after quite a while, murmuring, “Worthy nephew, were you speaking to me just now?” It seemed this fellow was truly haunted by something.
Couldn’t he even hear such a loud voice?
Tao Shang asked with concern, “Uncle seems distracted.
Have you run into some difficulty?
If you need this nephew’s help, I…” Kong Zhou’s eyes brightened as he interjected, “Will not refuse out of duty?” Tao Shang rubbed his nose and said, “I will do what I can.” Kong Zhou was momentarily stunned, then sighed, “Worthy nephew speaks flawlessly.
Truly, the younger generation is to be feared…” With that, he waved his hand at the guard and ordered the servants attending in the hall to withdraw, leaving only Tao Shang and Mi Fang inside.
Then, with a solemn expression, he said to Tao Shang, “Worthy nephew, to tell you the truth, just now my spies from Runan brought back news from the south.
Changsha Administrator Sun Jian has responded to the call and raised troops to campaign against Dong Zhuo.
When he sought grain in Nanyang and was not granted permission, Sun Jian beheaded Nanyang Administrator Zhang Zi…” Mi Fang’s expression changed at once.
“This Sun Jian is truly audacious and reckless.
No matter what, Zhang Zi was a court-appointed Administrator of Nanyang, holding a position comparable to his own.
Sun Jian had no imperial edict, how could he act so presumptuously!?” Kong Zhou sighed deeply and said helplessly, “Killing Zhang Zi is only one part.
When he first raised troops, Sun Jian also forced Jingzhou Inspector Wang Rui to his death…” Mi Fang said in astonishment, “Jingzhou Inspector Wang was also killed by Sun Jian?” Kong Zhou nodded.
“When Sun Jian’s troops reached Jingzhou, he claimed to have an order from Grandee of the Palace Wen Yi and directly seized Jingzhou’s armory.
Wang Rui had no way out and swallowed gold to commit suicide.” Mi Fang turned to look at Tao Shang.
Seeing him deep in thought, he asked Kong Zhou again, “Why did Sun Jian do this?
According to position, Wang Rui as Jingzhou Inspector was his superior.
How dare he commit such insubordination?” Kong Zhou did not answer Mi Fang’s question directly.
He only said slowly, “Sun Jian is known as the Fierce Tiger of Jiangdong, one of the few heroic figures of our time.
It is said that he has a rather large temper.
I have heard that he is currently heading toward Yingchuan…
Worthy nephew, you and I are both gentlemen.
Facing such a person…
I truly feel uneasy in my heart.” Mi Fang said upon hearing this, “Inspector Kong, are you perhaps afraid that Sun Jian will use force and rely on his bravery?
You just said that Sun Jian killed Zhang Zi because Zhang Zi would not give him grain.
Your situation is different from his.
If Sun Jian asks you for grain, just give it to him.
After all, we are all members of the campaign against Dong and are serving the Han with loyalty.” Kong Zhou only shook his head at Mi Fang’s words.
There was a trace of mocking in his eyes, but he did not say anything.
Tao Shang pondered for a moment and tentatively asked Kong Zhou, “Uncle, do you feel that the fundamental reason Sun Jian killed Zhang Zi was not because of the grain…
Whether grain was given or not, Sun Jian would have found another reason to kill him…
And the situation with Jingzhou Inspector Wang Rui was the same?” Mi Fang widened his eyes in confusion.
“There was no deep grudge between Sun Jian and Zhang Zi.
Why would he deliberately make trouble for him?” Tao Shang smiled slightly but did not speak.
In his heart, however, he roughly understood.
Before coming to campaign against Dong, while still in Xuzhou, Tao Qian had roughly explained some of the relationships between the various feudal lords.
The current Sun Jian was Yuan Shu’s staunch ally.
Yuan Shu held the title of General of the Rear and had the highest official position among the feudal lords.
Before the campaign against Dong, Yuan Shu had fled from the capital to Nanyang, where he was merely a guest minister and had no legitimate reason to formally take over Nanyang Commandery…
But that did not mean he did not want to.
Now that Sun Jian had eliminated Zhang Zi, it was essentially preparation for Yuan Shu to take control of the Nanyang region.
As for forcing Jingzhou Inspector Wang Rui to his death, it was nothing more than Yuan Shu extending his influence deeper into Jingzhou…
It was just that Yuan Shu and Sun Jian did not know that the man known as one of the “Eight Steeds,” Liu Biao Liu Jingsheng, after taking over the post of Jingzhou Inspector on a single horse, would become an even more difficult opponent than Wang Rui.
According to the current situation, Yuan Shu’s strategic goal was to dominate with himself as the lead and Sun Jian as support, to claim hegemony over the entire southern heartland of the Han dynasty in the future.
The southern heartland regions mainly included Yangzhou, Jingzhou, and Yuzhou!
Now Yuan Shu had made arrangements in both Yangzhou and Jingzhou.
Yuzhou was also the ancestral homeland of the Yuan clan, and its importance and influence on Yuan Shu went without saying.
Who was the Inspector of Yuzhou?
It was the man before them.
Thinking of this, Tao Shang glanced at Kong Zhou without leaving a trace.
This Inspector Kong had very likely already been placed on the menu of Yuan Shu and Sun Jian, just like Jingzhou Inspector Wang Rui and Nanyang Administrator Zhang Zi.
——————————————————————————————————————- Birth Name: Tao Qian Courtier’s Name: Tao Gongzu