Early the next morning, Zhang Chen arrived at the County Government.
As soon as he entered, he saw that Ju Shou had already arrived early. Upon seeing Zhang Chen, Ju Shou quickly stood up, bowed, and smiled, saying, "Lord, did you sleep well yesterday?"
Zhang Chen smiled slightly and said, "With your guidance, the gloom in my heart has completely disappeared, and I slept soundly all night!"
Zhang Chen exchanged a few pleasantries and then said, "Gongyu, yesterday you said we should build up our strength and recruit talented individuals. I've thought of some people and written them down. Take a look and see if you can send someone to inquire about them. If you find out their whereabouts, prepare a generous gift to present, expressing my desire for friendship."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he immediately took out the piece of paper he had written the names on last night and handed it to Ju Shou.
Ju Shou quickly took it and scanned it, his eyes showing a look of surprise: "Most of the people Lord has written down are talented individuals from Ji Province. But Lord was previously a merchant and should have had no contact with them. How did you know about these people?"
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "I have always admired talented people throughout my life. These people are well-known, so how could I not know of them? It's just that I've only heard their names but never met them, nor do I know where they reside."
Ju Shou nodded thoughtfully.
Suddenly, his gaze focused, and he pointed to a name on the paper, saying, "Lord, this subordinate recognizes this person!"
"Oh? Which one?" Zhang Chen was startled and quickly leaned closer.
Zhang Chen followed his finger and saw that the name written was clearly "Tian Feng".
Tian Feng, Mr. Yuan Hao!
A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Chen's eyes. Tian Feng, this was also one of the top-ranked strategists under Yuan Shao!
His life story was not much different from Ju Shou's. He also offered many strategies, but they were often not adopted. In the end, he was even granted death by Yuan Shao while in prison.
No wonder Ju Shou knew him; they were indeed a pair of unfortunate brothers!
As Zhang Chen was sighing to himself, Ju Shou on the side said again, "Lord, Brother Yuan Hao is also a Mao Cai graduate. I have known him for many years and have always known him to be learned, talented, upright, and honest. It's just that his temper... is a bit stubborn and easily offends people. If Lord intends to recruit him, this subordinate is willing to go personally to persuade him. With this eloquent tongue, I will surely convince him to serve Lord!"
"If that can be done, it would be excellent," Zhang Chen said happily. "Then I shall trouble Gongyu."
"Lord, don't rush. There is another person on this list whom this subordinate also knows, although I have never met him. If Lord is interested in befriending him, you can send someone to visit."
"Oh? Who?" Zhang Chen was overjoyed to hear this, not expecting to gain two talented individuals at once.
Ju Shou pointed to a name on the list and said, "It's this person, Zhang He. This person is from Hejian. Last year during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he enlisted and joined the army to suppress the Yellow Turbans. Later, due to his merit, he was given the position of Army Sima and is currently serving under Lord Li Wen, the Prefect of Wei Commandery. However, this person is still young and has been in the army for a short time. Although he possesses some martial prowess, he is just an unknown General. Is Lord sure he has extraordinary abilities?"
Good heavens, it's actually Zhang He! Isn't this a stroke of luck?
Zhang Chen was instantly ecstatic.
He was one of the "Hebei Four Pillars", one of the "Five Elite Generals" of Cao Wei, and later one of the top Generals in the Wei Kingdom!
Zhang He was not only outstanding in martial arts, but his military tactics and strategies were also exceptional. Such a person is hard to find, even with a lantern!
"Gongyu, you don't know. Although this person is young, he possesses great talent. If we can secure his service, he will be a great help to us," Zhang Chen said. "I will immediately order someone to prepare a generous gift and go to visit him tomorrow. As for the matter of Mr. Yuan Hao, I shall trouble Gongyu."
"Lord, wait a moment," Ju Shou smiled. "Zhang He is young; Lord does not need to bestow a generous gift. In this subordinate's opinion, Lord does not need to go personally; you only need to send General Gao."
"Gao Shun?" Zhang Chen pondered, "But if I don't go personally, wouldn't it seem like a slight?"
"Hahaha! Lord, that's incorrect," Ju Shou smiled again. "Zhang He is a military General, different from us literati. What he admires are Generals who are more courageous and have greater military achievements than him. Lord's pacification of the four fort bandits has already spread throughout the Commandery, and Zhang He must know about it. If he knows that the one going to visit him is the commanding General of the 'Trapped Camp' who pacified the four fort bandits, how can he not be filled with awe and respect? How can he not be grateful for Lord's appreciation?"
"Gongyu's words are indeed brilliant!"
Immediately, Zhang Chen summoned Gao Shun and ordered him to prepare a gift and go to the Commandery tomorrow to visit Zhang He and express his desire for friendship.
Gao Shun had also heard of Zhang He's name. He heard that he had made many contributions during the suppression of the Yellow Turbans, and that he was highly skilled in martial arts, possessing the courage to face ten thousand men.
Gao Shun also admired heroes. Upon hearing that he was to visit this person, he readily agreed.
However, Zhang Chen did not expect Zhang He to immediately pledge allegiance. After all, he currently only controlled one county and did not have many troops. Why would someone who was a good Army Sima humble himself under a County Magistrate?
As long as the intention was conveyed and a good impression was left, it would be convenient for future familiarity.
He was bound to take over the entire Ji Province sooner or later. Establishing a connection in advance would make recruitment happen naturally when the time came.
Ju Shou and Gao Shun accepted the order and left. Zhang Chen began to plan in secret again.
Currently, the livelihood of the people had been resolved, and their means of living were gradually recovering. As long as there were no natural disasters, the people's lives would be much better after the autumn harvest this year.
The matter of recruiting talents had also been arranged. Zhang Chen trusted the abilities of Ju Shou and Gao Shun.
As for his own business, Steward Wu was managing it, and he didn't have to worry about it at all.
So, the next issue was military strength.
At present, his entire army consisted only of the seven hundred men of the "Trapped Camp". Although the Trapped Camp was strong, to achieve great things in the future, they couldn't just have seven hundred men.
He still needed to recruit soldiers and expand the army!
However, Guangping was just a small county a hundred li in size. According to regulations, it could not support too many troops. If they exceeded one thousand men, the Commandery would likely inquire.
However, there were exceptions, such as during wartime.
Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the imperial court felt powerless to suppress it and gradually relaxed control over the autonomy of provinces and prefectures. In case of war, officials at all levels could recruit soldiers themselves to resist.
And this, of course, was also the cause of the later division of power among warlords.
But the Yellow Turbans had just been pacified, and there was no war at the moment. What should be done?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but frown.
Ah, it would be great if there were some kind of rebellion or bandits right now!
As Zhang Chen was deep in thought, suddenly a messenger came in to report that the inspecting official sent from the capital was already ten li away. He had sent a messenger ahead to report that he would arrive in the afternoon and ordered Zhang Chen and everyone from the County Government to welcome him at the north gate.
He's coming so fast! Didn't he say he was going to Zhongshan Prefecture first?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel suspicious, but the arrival of a superior could not be neglected. So, he quickly ordered all the county officials and messengers from the County Government to prepare to go out of the city to welcome the superior.
