Chapter 70: Yu Province Governor

  Xu Huan's axe-wielding cavalry, Wang Xu looked at them and although they were still rough around the edges due to being newly trained, their axe techniques were also quite clumsy. However, the future of this cavalry was beyond doubt, as long as they continued to hone their skills, even with only a hundred men, they could increase the combat effectiveness of Wang Xu's two thousand soldiers by at least one level.

  Unfortunately, Wang Xu also inexplicably owed a debt because of this. The processing fee for those 100 battle axes was not low, especially Xu Huan's!

  Xu Huan's long-handled axe took as much time to forge as a hundred others, and weighed more than twice as much!

  But where did Wang Xu get so much money to pay for them? Although Wang Xu could have refused to pay the bill by virtue of his power, he really couldn't do that kind of strong and deceitful thing to these ordinary people. In desperation, he had no choice but to find the local officials of Changsha as guarantors and wrote countless IOUs.

  But what Wang Xu did not expect was that when he gathered these people to issue IOUs, they actually took the initiative to ask for no fees, and instead praised his contributions in the Battle of Changsha, treating him like a hero, which really moved him!

  But Wang Xu eventually wrote down all the IOUs, and in both public and private matters, he was unwilling to let these people suffer losses.

  After dealing with various matters for two days, Wang Xu led his 2,000 troops to continue their journey, following the Wan River to attack Chen State. He had originally wanted to travel with Sun Jian, but unfortunately, after inquiring, he found out that Sun Jian's injuries were not severe and had left with his troops ten days ago...

  Riding his horse before the soldiers, Wang Xu was still quite young, but he also had a bit of a general's calm and composed demeanor, compared to when he first led the army, he had gained even more stability and presence!

  His mood at this moment was also very good, although the official position was only a humble lieutenant colonel, and the troops he led were less than two thousand, mostly infantry. But this was a real army, and it felt completely different from bringing his own private soldiers!

  Moreover, with Gao Shun leading the way and Xu Huang bringing up the rear. Although these two future great generals were also young blooded youths who had not been on the battlefield for long at this moment, Wang Xu's heart was also extremely fulfilling!

  The march was extremely dull, and even someone as lively as Zhou Zhi lost his excitement after running around the troops a few times, now walking dejectedly beside Wang Xu.

  Unable to bear the silence, he saw that everyone was quietly not speaking, and immediately, without being ordered, he rode his horse closer to Wang Xu, and their horses were almost side by side.

  Jian Wang Xiu glared at him with a slanted eye, then smiled and said: "Boss, just chat with me for a bit, I really can't take it anymore!"

  "Can't stand it but have to, with you being like this, still hoping that one day you'll become a general?"

  Facing Wang Xu's disdainful gaze, Zhou Zhi didn't get angry either, but instead smiled and said: "What's the big deal? Just walk a bit more and you'll get used to it slowly! However, you did say that as long as I can prove myself, you'd give me the opportunity to show off! A gentleman's word is his bond, don't try to find an excuse to brush me aside!"

  "Cut! Do you think I'm you? Although I'm not a gentleman, I still keep my word. But look at your behavior, it's not me who says so, always giggling and chuckling, with brain circuits often short-circuiting, what kind of general are you?"

  Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhi smiled carelessly and retorted: "What's the big deal? A true great general is one who can make the enemy's ships and troops disappear in a puff of smoke amidst laughter and conversation!"

  Looking at Zhou Zhi's self-satisfied appearance, Xu Shu, who had been quietly following Wang Xu on the left, couldn't help but burst out laughing and interjected sarcastically: "Still talking about elegance, that refers to being calm and composed. But your smile is simply a silly grin with a blank mind, can they be compared? I really can't stand you, not having a serious moment all day long."

  "Haha! Elder sister, you wouldn't know this, but geniuses and madmen are usually only a thin line apart!"

  Upon hearing this, Wang Xu immediately sneered and retorted: "However, you've always been at the bottom of the line, never seen you go up before!"

  "…Forget it, I won't talk to you guys anymore, this is jealousy!"

  As soon as this was said, Wang Xu and Xu Shu immediately gave him a cold look, too lazy to continue this kind of idiotic conversation, which was completely an insult to their own IQ.

  The two men ignored each other, while Zhou Zhi's eyes shifted slyly to the side. He glanced at Wang Fei, who was checking the formation in the distance, and then asked in a low voice, "Boss, I have something serious to ask you!"

  Hearing it was a serious matter, Wang Xu also forced himself to muster up some spirit and replied with a sideways glance: "Ask away! What is it?"

  "The day before yesterday when we were having a meeting, Wang Fei said that the military governor of Yu Province, Wang Yun, had some good results. I wanted to ask at the time, but unfortunately never got the chance. Do you think this Wang Yun is the same one who presented the plan to offer Mei as a sacrifice?"

  "Hmm! That's right." Seeing Zhou Zhi finally ask something meaningful, Wang Xu didn't plan to hide anything either. After all, understanding more would be beneficial for everyone in the future.

  As soon as this was said, Zhou's interest became even more intense, and he immediately asked: "But isn't he the Minister of Works, one of the Three Dukes? How did he become the Governor of Yu Province?"

  "What's so strange about that? Were you born this big? Not only was Wang Yun still the governor of Yuzhou, but also Xun Yu, one of the Eight Dragons of the Xun family, and Kong Rong, who would later become the governor of Beihai, were under his command as attendants!"

  After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Zhou Zhi to respond and directly laughed as he said: "This Wang Yun was originally from the royal family of Taiyuan, so he can also be considered a product of a prestigious family. From a young age, he had a firm patriotic heart, so his studies and martial arts training were exceptionally diligent. Furthermore, with his innate exceptional talent, in his youth he was already an all-around expert in both literature and martial arts. Don't look at how weak he appears on TV, that's because when he appeared in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms he was over 50 years old and held the high position of Minister over the Masses."

  Talking about this, thinking of Wang Yun's tragic ending, Wang Xu couldn't help but sigh. "Alas... actually Wang Yun was a rather pitiful person, wholeheartedly devoted to the country yet unable to preserve his integrity in old age and being looked down upon by later generations! Almost no one tries to understand his heroic bearing when he was young!"

  "Why? Is it because of the beauty trap?" Zhou Zhi immediately asked with suspicion upon hearing Wang Xu's sigh.

  He shook his head slowly, and Wang Xu was silent for a long time before continuing with regret: "No, killing Dong Zhuo was a great achievement, how could it be that his reputation is not preserved? It's because he became complacent after his success, making decisions on his own. For example, he killed Cai Yong and other famous scholars over a small matter! Even the Western Liang army's later siege of Chang'an was due to his refusal to listen to advice from his subordinates and mishandling the situation."

  Before Wang Yun's death, even the officials who had conspired with him to murder Dong Zhuo were full of complaints. His heart was for the country, but he did not pay attention to his own way and conduct, ultimately leading to a bad ending! Of course, this also has something to do with his character!

  "Hmm? Then what kind of personality does he have?"

  Zhou Zhi's question really made Wang Xu somewhat difficult to answer, after thinking for a long time, he said in a low voice: "From my personal point of view, I think it's best to describe it with eight words!"

  "What are the eight characters?" This time even Xu Shu became curious and couldn't help but ask.

  After glancing at Xu Shu with a curious expression, Wang Xu smiled slightly and uttered eight words: "Loyal, upright, and straightforward, relying on talent to be arrogant!"

  He said that he was loyal, upright and straightforward because when he first became an official at the age of 19, he dared to kill a small eunuch who had a powerful eunuch as his backer. Although it was a punishment for a crime, there were not many people in the late Han Dynasty who had such courage! Moreover, he had also publicly exposed his superior's bribery. If it weren't for the protection of high-ranking officials and loyal ministers, he would have died countless times. Isn't it right to describe such a person as loyal, upright and straightforward?

  Xu Shu and Zhou Zhi both nodded in agreement, and then Wang Xu continued: "During the process of pacifying the Yellow Turbans, he obtained a letter from Zhang Rang's family minister, which contained information about the connection with the Yellow Turbans. He immediately presented it to Emperor Ling of Han without any hesitation! Given his straightforward and upright character, this was not surprising, but what was bad was that he was extremely arrogant."

  "After Zhang Rang narrowly escaped, he repeatedly framed him. Many officials continuously petitioned on his behalf and advised him to temporarily endure humiliation. However, Wang Yun looked down on such behavior and not only refused others' good intentions but also spoke insultingly to people. Is this behavior not arrogant? In short, from start to finish, Wang Yun had talent, so he lived in the praise and protection of many people since childhood, gradually cultivating his arrogant and self-satisfied personality. As a result, he was imprisoned several times, changed his name, and became homeless until Emperor Ling died and He Jin took power, allowing him to re-enter the imperial court. Eventually, during Dong Zhuo's chaotic reign, he gradually rose to become the Minister of Works!"

  After hearing Wang Xu's words, Zhou Zhi, who was usually smiling and joking around, also showed a rare look of emotion.

  "Ah! This kind of person is truly admirable, yet pitiful..."