Bu Zhi could not understand it no matter how he thought about it.
How had Zhang Fei appeared here?
After news came from Lingling that Lai Gong had stormed off in anger, Marquis Sun had almost immediately settled on a strategy: control Cangwu, strike at Nanhai, and intimidate Shi Xie.
Bu Zhi had cultivated his reputation for many years before finally being recruited and recommended as a "maocai" by Marquis Sun. He understood clearly that this was the moment to display his worth.
Appointed Inspector, granted troops, setting up Wu Ju as the target, everything had proceeded smoothly.
Everything except for the sudden appearance of Zhang Fei.
Among the great clans of Jiangdong, Liu Bei was often discussed, yet even more frequently mentioned were the fierce generals under him: Guan Yu who slew Yan Liang and rode alone through enemy lines, Zhang Fei who roared at Changban Bridge, and Zhao Yun of equal renown.
Bitter fate!
Bu Zhi sighed inwardly and did not dare move rashly. He could only watch as Zhang Fei strode past him at ease, lifted that pitch-black long spear, and rested it upon his shoulder.
"Stunned, are you?"
Zhang Fei waved a hand before his face.
"So you're the one plotting against the Administrator of Cangwu?"
"Not so! I am Bu Zhi, appointed Inspector of Jiaozhou by Marquis Sun, thus I came—"
Before he could finish, Zhang Fei's thunderous voice exploded again.
"What a slick-tongued dog!"
"You? The Inspector of Jiaozhou?"
Bu Zhi nodded frantically, his head still ringing.
"Impudent dog!"
Zhang Fei barked.
"My lord's old ally, Lai Gong, was personally appointed Inspector of Jiaozhou by His Majesty. A man loyal and upright. And Marquis Sun is also a loyal subject of the Han. why would he overstep his bounds to appoint a dog like you? Do you ignore the Emperor's will?!"
"And today you raise troops to murder Administrator Wu, ruining the bond between my lord and Marquis Sun!"
"I ought to take your head to Dantu and demand an explanation from Marquis Sun!"
"General Zhang, have mercy!"
Bu Zhi cried out, his soul nearly leaving his body.
"I came today to assist Administrator Wu against the southern barbarian threat!"
"Oh?"
Zhang Fei smiled faintly, resting the spear across Bu Zhi's shoulder.
"So I've wronged you, have I? In that case… come with me and face the enemy."
---
The Jiangdong troops had originally been ordered to ambush Wu Ju.
Yet the moment the fighting began, they were smashed apart by a sudden force of barely a thousand men, fierce as wolves and tigers. Their commander had even been seized inside the hall.
Just as they were about to surrender, they suddenly saw that same terrifying commander walk out shoulder to shoulder with Inspector Bu, speaking amicably, declaring that both sides would now unite to fight the southern barbarians.
Thus, utterly bewildered, the Jiangdong soldiers found themselves marching to a new battlefield.
One soldier tried to ask a question, only to have his mouth covered by a sharper companion.
Do you know that's Zhang Fei of Dangyang Bridge?"
"So what if I don't?"
Not long after, he found out.
Zhang Fei left five hundred men to hold formation and personally led another five hundred straight into a force of two to three thousand barbarian troops.
The long spear meant for horseback combat spun in his hands like a needle. Wherever its blade touched, heads flew and limbs were severed. Those struck by the shaft were smashed to the ground, twitching, more dead than alive.
The barbarians had only come to plunder. Who could have expected such a monster?
There was no talk of morale. The clash turned into a one-sided slaughter.
The sharp soldier watched the one-sided slaughter and whispered: "From now on, I think we should call ourselves the Han Army."
---
Zhang Fei drove his spear through a barbarian chieftain and pinned him to the ground. With his other hand, he seized another man, twisted his waist, and slammed him down violently.
He did not even bother to look at the mess of blood and brains.
Spitting to the side, he laughed loudly as the remaining barbarians fled.
"Refreshing!"
Bu Zhi had long since extinguished any stray thoughts of resistance. He stepped forward respectfully.
"General Zhang's might is heaven-shaking."
"Since the danger here is resolved, I shall return to Jiangdong to explain this misunderstanding—"
"We are practically family now, Brother Bu," Zhang Fei countered. "Why not visit Lady Sun in Gong'an first? Afterward, my brother will provide a boat to send you to Dantu personally. How about it?"
Of course he did not agree.
But Bu Zhi did not dare say otherwise. He could only nod obediently.
---
After settling matters, Zhang Fei sat with Wu Ju and exchanged private words.
Wu Ju said he would soon personally visit Lai Gong and sighed.
"My conflict with Lai Gong was but a personal grudge. Though I forced him, I never resorted to arms. His departure in anger is my fault."
"I never imagined Marquis Sun would scheme like this, nearly ruining Lord Liu's plans."
"Do not blame yourself, Ziqing, but be careful from now on," Zhang Fei warned.
"The Marquis Wu has eyed Jiaozhou for a long time. You must stand united with Inspector Lai Gong and watch for the Marquis Wu trying to squeeze you between himself and Shi Xie."
Wu Ju felt the weight of responsibility settle upon him.
After more discussion, he smiled.
"General Zhang remains as meticulous as in Jing Province."
"Hah!" Zhang Fei shook his head. "Get to work, Ziqing. I must return to Jiangling soon. Cao Cao's lot will be sniffing around again before long."
---
After Wu Ju departed, a shifty-eyed soldier soldier approached and began fanning Zhang Fei while helping him remove his armor.
"General, those Wu troops… should we strip their armor and seize their weapons? They might cause trouble."
Zhang Fei nodded.
"Indeed. You joined my ranks last year, didn't you… name's Fan Jiang, right? Go handle it."
Fan Jiang beamed with joy and ran off, calling out:
"Zhang Da! Zhang Da! Where are you? The General has orders, come help me!"
Zhang Fei smiled to himself.
If that waste of space Mi Fang's fake letters could sell for three hundred gold, a living, breathing Bu Zhi has to be worth at least five hundred, right?
---
On the walls of Jiangling, Guan Yu stood beside Huang Zhong, watching the stream of people crossing from Gong'an.
Joy was hard to conceal.
"The Military Advisor truly made the people come willingly."
Huang Zhong, more familiar with the hardships of the common folk, nodded.
"Jiangling was once a major stronghold. But after Cao Cao's ravages and Cao Ren's occupation, two or three parts of the people died, two or three were conscripted, and two or three fled. What remains is scarcely a tenth."
"There is much abandoned farmland and many empty houses. Those who come become people of Jiangling at once. How could the refugees not be tempted?"
"All they seek is food, clothing, and a roof to sleep under."
Guan Yu was moved. He bowed solemnly.
---
Back in the command office, Zhuge Liang (Kongming) spoke while reviewing documents from the four commanderies.
"We don't need to fear an attack during the reconstruction,"
"With the rotation of defenses, Cao Cao will suspect deception. Even if rumors reach him, he will not believe them."
"Come the autumn equinox in the eighth month, given Yue Jin's nature, he will surely attack."
"We should summon Yunchang, Zilong, Yide, and General Hansheng, and strike together."
"As it should be." Liu Bei smiled, unable to hide his delight.
His foundation was finally taking shape. Even his steps felt lighter.
Kongming glanced at him.
"Since my lord has leisure, you might as well go help with the harvest."
Liu Bei actually nodded, picked up a straw hat, and prepared to leave.
Before stepping out, he paused.
"Kongming… you went to the fields yesterday. How is the yield this year?"
"Three shi and one dou per mu. Once composting improves, yields should rise further."
"Three shi one?!"
Liu Bei's voice rose sharply.
This was rice, not millet. A yield of two shi eight was already considered good.
Kongming remained calm.
"The later generations shown in the Light Screen achieve no less than ten shi per mu. An increase of three dou is hardly worth mention."
"Kongming, to the people, this is a visible miracle!" Liu Bei laughed heartily.