The peaceful times will likely disappear from now on. As the unrest across the Great Han became more frequent, the Xiongnu stationed in the Hetao region naturally refused to be outdone and began to become restless, stirring up trouble in the surrounding areas, seemingly wanting a share of the benefits.
Especially in recent months, the leaders of various Xiongnu tribes have gathered together from time to time to discuss matters and send troops to provoke the prestige of the Great Han. This is already a premonition of unrest, and it won't be long before a major war breaks out.
He immediately began to inspect the city walls, rigorously training the two thousand soldiers under his command, preparing for a major battle at any time.
Three days later!
Jiuyuan City, Prefect's Mansion!
In the study, a middle-aged man, dressed in a brocade robe, was lounging in a chair with his legs crossed.
Beside him were two maids, massaging his shoulders and occasionally feeding him precious fruits. He looked very comfortable.
That's right, this luxurious and self-indulgent person was Zheng Qian. After the battle of Zhuo Commandery, he received a reward from the imperial court and became a Prefect with a salary of two thousand shi.
Due to his insufficient background, he could only come to this remote Wuyuan Commandery to serve as Prefect. All in all, he had climbed one rank, which Zheng Qian could barely accept.
So he came to take office, and it had been one or two years. Although he was somewhat greedy for money and lustful, he would also consider the common people in his daily life, occasionally inspecting the area, eliminating bandits, and consolidating the stability within the commandery.
It wasn't that he was so upright. His original plan was to make a lot of money and bribe court officials, hoping to be transferred to a prosperous commandery.
However, Han Dang, who was stationed there, held an order from Liu Jin, forcing him to do so. If he dared to harm the local people, it would be going against him.
Zheng Qian naturally knew Liu Jin's character and his prestige, so he dared not defy him and chose to obey.
As good policies were implemented, the praises from the common people grew, and he gradually grew fond of this feeling. Later, he began to genuinely care for the common people.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the study. The door was pushed open, and a guard in armor, cupping his fists, loudly announced!
"Reporting to Prefect, General Han has sent intelligence."
Zheng Qian, sitting in his chair, heard this and his leisurely demeanor instantly vanished, replaced by a grim expression.
He didn't even need to think; it was another disturbance from the Xiongnu.
Because there had been constant friction during this period, harassing the common people within the commandery from time to time, which filled his heart as Prefect with anger and worry.
He was angry that as the dignified lord of a commandery, he couldn't even protect his own people, and he was worried that the enemy might attack and directly kill him, the Prefect.
Zheng Qian sighed softly, took the letter from the guard's hand, opened it, and read it carefully.
His face remained extremely grim, and it was indeed as he had suspected.
The Xiongnu's provocations were growing stronger, indicating an intention to act.
It seems he still had to report to the imperial court and ask His Majesty to send a large army for support. If he just sat idly by, it was very likely that Wuyuan Commandery would become the next Shuo Fang Commandery.
One must know that the current Shuo Fang Commandery, through subtle absorption, had already been occupied by these Xiongnu, becoming their habitat.
Seeing this situation, the imperial court had no choice but to turn a blind eye and hand over Shuo Fang Commandery to the Xiongnu.
Now, the Xiongnu's next target was Wuyuan Commandery, and they were beginning to gradually encroach upon it using their previous tactics, eventually annexing the entire Wuyuan Commandery.
After understanding this, Zheng Qian wasted no words and immediately wrote a secret letter, detailing all the difficulties faced by Wuyuan Commandery.
If no troops were sent to suppress them, within one or two years, Wuyuan Commandery would become Xiongnu territory. If the imperial court truly had the heart to cede it, then he, as Prefect, could do nothing.
After dealing with the matter, Zheng Qian was not in a good mood and dismissed the two maids beside him.
He sat alone at the head of the table, deep in thought. After all, these Xiongnu were like hungry wolves, baring their fangs at him. If he didn't stay alert, he could very well become a pile of dung.
As he pondered, Zheng Qian suddenly thought of General Zhenbei Liu Jin. Last year's battle, which pacified the Xianbei, had made his reputation shake the entire north.
He knew that his relationship with the other party was very good.
He had been promoted so quickly back then largely thanks to his support, although he had given himself a lot of money.
But in the end, he had given away five hundred horses, not only returning the money he had received but also paying a large portion out of his own pocket. It could be said that he had provided help in a time of need.
If the other party were to help, Wuyuan Commandery would surely be as stable as Mount Tai.
Moreover, Cloud Middle Commandery is only separated from Wuyuan Commandery by a short distance, and the two are very close, reachable within five days.
However, without an imperial order, Liu Jin was not authorized to freely travel between commanderies, otherwise, he would be branded a rebel.
It seems he can only wait for the imperial court to make a decision. After all, Liu Jin is a legitimate Defender General of the Xiongnu, and it is highly likely that he will be the one to act.
Yanmen Commandery, Prefect's Mansion!
Liu Jin sat in his study, looking at the government affairs in his hand, which were some feedback reported by the county magistrates of the three commanderies.
Due to the implementation of the Waterwheel and Turning Wheel, the usable land had expanded significantly, and all of it had been planted with seeds, no longer suffering from severe water shortages as before.
Also, the previously distributed Qu Yuan plows and other farming tools had been recognized by the common people. They could speed up their plowing, increase productivity, and reduce labor, all of which were beneficial to the people.
Liu Jin looked at the approval of the common people before him, a bright smile on his face.
As long as the common people lived well, they would recognize his rule in Bing Province, and his foundation would become more stable, impossible for anyone to easily destroy.
As the saying goes, water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Without the support of the common people, no one can achieve power, and even a dynasty can completely collapse. This is the power of the common people.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Zhao Teng walked in quickly, smiling as he said!
"Reporting to Lord, the Divine Archer Camp in the army has been assembled. Everyone is equipped with composite bows, and under Xing Wu's command, they have begun rigorous training."
Liu Jin heard this and nodded with a smile. The Divine Archer Camp was finally assembled, which could be considered one of his trump cards.
With the Divine Archer Camp before him, they could defeat even cavalry charges.
With a range of three to four hundred paces, it was a dimensionality reduction strike against any cavalry.
The cavalry would be shot down before they could even charge over, causing the cavalry in the rear to trip and fall, leaving them no power to retaliate.
Coupled with Gao Shun's Trap Camp, it could also be called an elite trump card.
Although there were only a thousand men, they were already equipped with armor and consisted of veteran soldiers from the army, making their combat power extremely formidable.