Chapter 241 It's hard to tell
The next morning, Black Bear was in his usual mood while eating.

He did not feel frustrated or angry because of Wang Can's rejection. The two of them were not the same kind of people.

As for Wang Can's future whereabouts, Black Bear doesn't care much.

If this kind of person refuses to cooperate, there's really no need to kill him as long as he doesn't explicitly object.

It’s not that I’m so generous, but that the harm Wang Can caused was far less than he had expected.

Even if Wang Can ran away, given the development momentum of Guanzhong, how many people would be willing to follow Wang Can?

After finishing the meal and about to put on his leather armor, the guard who was responsible for monitoring Wang Can came to report: "Commander Qu, Wang Zhongxuan wants to set off to return to Chang'an."

"Keep it safe."

Black Bear gave an instruction, spread his arms, and had his armor belt tightened by other soldiers.

Then he put on a cloak, a leather helmet, and hung his sword, and Black Bear led a group of people out to ride horses.

Dozens of riders, with the clattering sound of their hooves, escorted the black bear along the road heading west.

Also under the cool morning light, Wang Can rode his donkey southward.

Around noon, Wang Can and his entourage settled down in a newly established centurion residence.

This hundred-household station is located in the northern suburbs of Changling, just five miles away from Changling.

Although there was no assistance from the Changling County Government, the troops transferred and settled here by Black Bear were self-reliant.

They camped based on the ruins and sites of the original village, first setting up tents, and have begun repairing the village ruins in the past few days.

The benchmark of a hundred households is not the village community, but the township community.

Therefore, this hundred households had more than three hundred men and women, and over four hundred children.

In the future, when the young men get married, this 100-household unit should have more than 200 households.

When Wang Can and his party arrived, they saw that the cattle, horses and other animals of this hundred households were grazing in a concentrated area, except for this large group of animals grazing in the southwest direction.

Wang Can looked at the herd of animals in the distance and couldn't help but frowned.

Not only did Weibei begin to set up centenary units, but the previously resettled people in Weinan also began to reorganize and transform into centenary units.

Changling is a relatively small mausoleum town among the many mausoleum towns in Guanzhong. It is located on the north bank of the Wei River, close to the river.

However, Black Bear still set up two hundred households in one go. One was in the north of the city, dividing Changling and Chiyang; the other was in Lanchi on the west side of Changling, blocking the passage between Changling and Anling upstream.

There was also a newly established centurion station to the east of Changling and in the lower reaches of the Wei River. This centurion station was built in the western suburbs of Yangling, further downstream, dividing Changling and Yangling.

All the mausoleums and counties in Guanzhong were surrounded and blockaded by the newly established 100-household units.

Wang Can looked into the distance. The temperature difference was large at noon. He took off his cloak and felt a headache and discomfort after feeling the wind for a while.

So he came to the Hundred Households' Office to rest with a heavy heart.

Not far away, Cui Zhouping and Zhuge Liang also rode north on horseback.

The snow in the fields has melted, and now one can see patches of yellow shrubs and grass where herds of animals are foraging.

The midday sun was warm. Zhuge Liang looked around and saw white mist rising from the low-lying areas.

Cui Zhouping was accustomed to the scenes in Guanzhong. He wore a scarf to cover his chin and lips.

When he was about to approach the Hundred Households Office, he couldn't help but look back at the outline of Changling City in the distance and grinned.

I secretly felt that the black bear was too cruel.

He took advantage of his power and kept on holding on to the officials in Guanzhong.

But what qualifications do the officials of the counties in Guanzhong have to speak loudly?

Although Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si were all finished, Black Bear showed no signs of being finished.

If the indigenous scholars in the Guanzhong counties were given ten times the courage, who would dare to act rashly?
When passing by the Hundred Households Office, Cui Zhouping reined in his horse and slowed down his speed: "Kong Ming, what is the purpose of the Hundred Households Office and Thousand Households Office in Heizhenbei?"

"It is intended to divide the military and civilians in Guanzhong."

Zhuge Liang enjoyed the warm sunshine and replied: "This reminds me of the clamping steel method for forging a sword."

Cui Zhouping nodded slowly and said, "The system of ten households, one hundred households, and one thousand households is the old system of the Xiongnu. When the Xiongnu was strong, the main and other divisions had 240,000 cavalry, all led by famous kings. Judging from Hei Zhenbei's methods, perhaps in a few years, he will help the Xiongnu to reorganize the household registration and military system."

Zhuge Liang fell into deep thought, and Cui Zhouping guided him to tell the story: "My uncle was once the governor of Wuyuan County, and I also governed Xihe, so I know a lot about the Xiongnu."

As the horses traveled north along the official road, Cui Zhouping continued, "Whether it is the Xiongnu or the Xianbei, both are poor in resources and their people live in poverty, so they are brave and fearless. The Xiongnu lasted longer than the Han Dynasty, and their nobles multiplied, but most of them were unproductive and could not endure hard battles, which is why Dou Xian's Yanran Legong and the rise of the Xianbei were possible."

"Especially when the Xianbei rose to power, within a few months, the tribes in the north and south of the desert changed their flags as if overnight, and all called themselves Xianbei. There are probably three reasons for this. One is that the Xianbei leader Tan Shihuai streamlined the royal court, so the Xianbei people did not need to support too many nobles."

Cui Zhouping stopped talking here, and Zhuge Liang also reacted and nodded slowly: "Yes, I understand."

Cui Zhouping glanced at the two guards on duty at the intersection and let the horse carry him forward.

After walking another thirty or forty steps, Cui Zhouping said, "How similar is it to how Tan Shihuai unified the Xianbei? The soldiers and civilians under Hei Zhenbei's command were lightly burdened, so they were happy with it."

Zhuge Liang just nodded, he had realized this before.

Cui Zhouping married Cai and made so many preparations because he wanted to become an official in order to revitalize the Cui family.

Zhuge Liang also had a strong determination to serve as an official.

No matter how smart Zhuge Liang was, his experience and knowledge in the officialdom could not compare to Cui Zhouping.

Cui Zhouping added: "The second reason why the Xianbei grew stronger was that the Xiongnu annexed the Donghu. For more than 400 years, there was no distinction between the Xiongnu and the Donghu. It was only because Tan Shihuai was too heroic that the Donghu descendants in the Xiongnu changed their flags. Just like the men and women rescued by Hei Zhenbei today, they were deeply influenced by the Hu customs. But because of Hei Zhenbei, the fierce Hu customs were restrained."

"As for the third reason for the Xianbei's growth, it was because the Qiang people moved eastward and oppressed the Xiongnu. It happened that Dou Xian sent troops to attack the Xiongnu, recruiting the Qiang people, the Xianbei people, the Wuhuan people, and the knights of the vassal states, and was able to inflict heavy damage on the Xiongnu."

That battle was crucial and greatly weakened the cohesion of the Huns.

The knights from vassal states that Dou Xian recruited at that time, namely the Xiutuge Xiongnu who surrendered to Huo Qubing and were resettled, are also the ancestors of the current Xihe and Shangjun Xiongnu.

Zhuge Liang listened and thought: "Mr. Cui means to offer Hei Zhenbei a strategy to balance the Xiongnu?"

"Exactly."

Cui Zhouping knew the history of the Xiongnu very well. He looked up at the sky and squinted his eyes. "If we leave the Xiongnu alone, there will be many people who are just sitting there doing nothing. If Hei Zhenbei takes action to reorganize the Xiongnu, eliminate the redundant ones, and select brave warriors and wise men, these people can be minions for a while, but they will eventually become a threat to the tigers and wolves."

After saying this, Cui Zhouping sighed and said that Zhuge Liang's biggest weakness was that he was not clear about the details between the various Hu people.

It’s not that Zhuge Liang didn’t want to learn, it’s just that Zhuge Liang’s previous academic studies were already very heavy.

The focus of Lumenshan's academic work is on discussing the world and the various forces within sight; rather than focusing on the distant Huns.

The knowledge points about the Xiongnu and other Hu people were not that important to the scholars in Jingzhou.

But if Zhuge Liang is given another seven or eight years, he will also master these common sense of Zhuhu. Time is running out, Cui Zhouping can only make up for it along the way to ensure Zhuge Liang's success in the interview.

Cui Zhouping had high expectations for this interview.

The reason is very simple. Zhuge Liang is not from Guanzhong, nor from Jingzhou, but from distant Xuzhou!

Combined with the fact that Black Bear caused trouble for Cao Cao as soon as he appeared, and dared to go to Hebei with a few hundred people to join forces with Yuan to fight against Cao Cao... this shows that in terms of personal grudges, Zhuge Liang and Black Bear have a high degree of overlap.

In fact, Zhuge Liang's position began to become unstable since the Xiangyang Rebellion.

Zhuge Liang's status came from the support of Liu Biao, Pang Degong, Huang Chengyan and the Cai family, not from Zhuge Liang's own superior talents or the high status of the Zhuge family of Langya.

Although Zhuge Liang was very outstanding, there were many outstanding northern scholars living in Jingzhou.

There were various needs from all sides. First, Liu Biao urgently needed to support northern scholars, then Pang Degong admired Zhuge Liang, and finally the Cai family and the Huang family also chose Zhuge Liang.

This allowed Zhuge Liang to travel around Jingzhou at ease and be qualified to show his face everywhere.

If Zhuge Liang were given more time, he would become a small leader among the northern scholars.

The origins of the northern scholars are too diverse, and becoming a small leader among them is already enough to represent the majority.

After the Xiangyang Rebellion, the Cai family was severely damaged, the Huang family declined, and Liu Biao's influence plummeted.

Zhuge Liang's rising momentum was interrupted; and Liu Qi recruited Pang Tong as Gongcao, and on his way to take office, Pang Tong ran to Jiangxia and killed a corrupt county magistrate, and Pang Tong's reputation soared.

After Black Bear defeats the Huns' coalition forces...even if there is no fight between Liu Biao and his son, Pang Tong, who has returned to Jingzhou, will take the initiative to start a war!
In order to avoid accidents and not to offend the Huang and Cai families, Pang Tong persuaded and forced Zhuge Liang to leave Jingzhou.

Cui Zhouping knew Pang Tong very well. Liu Bei was a hero, while Pang Tong was a semi-hero.

"Half hero" was the title Cui Zhouping gave to Pang Tong a few years ago.

As Zhuge Liang got married, the reputation of Pang Tong as the Phoenix Cub and Zhuge Liang as the Sleeping Dragon gradually spread after the comments of Sima Hui, the Water Mirror.

First, Zhuge Liang's nickname "Wolong" was spread, and then Pang Tong was called "Fengchu", and the name "Fengchu" was consciously used to replace "half-hero".

The Pang family has their own concerns. Anyway, Zhuge Liang is a disciple of Pang Degong, so it won’t hurt anything if the Dragon and the Phoenix are born together.

But how could the title of 'half-hero' be easily erased?

When famous scholars comment on outstanding young scholars of the younger generation, even if there are some exaggerated words, the deviation will not be too big.

So the question is, was Cui Zhouping's evaluation of Pang Tong as a "semi-hero" deliberately exaggerated to make Pang Tong famous? Or was it intentional to reduce the evaluation?
If we were to evaluate a "true hero", perhaps Pang Tong would have been forced to death by Liu Biao long ago.

Now, in Cui Zhouping's eyes, no one in Jingzhou can snatch control of Jingzhou from Pang Tong.

If Zhuge Liang also gained a foothold in Guanzhong, while Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were fighting each other, they could also expand the stage for each other and allow more partners to step onto the stage.

Therefore, Zhuge Liang must be pushed forward. If Zhuge Liang does not step up, in the next few years, Black Bear will definitely deal with Pang Tong when he has time, before Pang Tong can gain a firm foothold.

Only by allowing Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong to restrain each other can these two people get space to display their talents and have a place to use their skills.

Otherwise you may die without knowing why.

There is the art of forming alliances and making alliances in the world. If used well, it can mobilize external enemies, firmly bind Guanzhong and Jingzhou, and make Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong famous in the world.

As for Liu Qi, Cui Zhouping had no idea at all.

As long as this person is alive and well, that is the greatest contribution.

There was also the malice that Black Bear showed towards scholars and famous people... In Cui Zhouping's eyes, this malice was just a child's temper.

It's just a temporary anger. Sooner or later you have to face the real problem.

There have been many rulers who have killed famous people and exterminated three clans, but no one has been able to wipe out all the well-dressed people.

Therefore, Cui Zhouping was in a relaxed mood. He taught and gave extra lessons along the way, and unintentionally arrived at Chiyang City.

Cui Zhouping, the former governor of Xihe County, can be used by reputation. Given the close relationship between Guanzhong and Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang can also be used by reputation.

The two men and Ma Liang checked into the official residence in the city. Before Cui Zhouping could change his clothes, the guards of the residence came to see him with a name card: "Mr. Cui, the envoy of Yuan Chang, the Minister of the Central Military Commissioner, invited you."

The guard handed over the name card. Cui Zhouping saw the five characters "Yingchuan Zhong Yuanchang" written in regular script on the name card and nodded secretly. He said, "Please reply to the messenger for me. I will come on time."

"Yes."

After the guard turned and left, Cui Zhouping opened the silk book that came with the business card.

Back then, more than 20 years ago, Cui Zhouping was also a famous figure and young talent in Luodu.

Compared with Zhong Yao and Xun Yu, his two brothers are not much worse.

After Dong Zhuo entered Luo and took control of the military power of the Beijing camp, Yuan Wei, the Grand Tutor who was in charge of the Secretariat, helped Dong Zhuo, allowing him to get rid of his status as a foreign general and establish himself in the court.

Then the Cui family joined forces with the Huang family and the Ma family to push Dong Zhuo, allowing Dong Zhuo to gain absolute advantage in the court discussions. The rapidly expanding Dong Zhuo broke free from the restrictions of his identity as a former official of the Yuan family.

Yuan Wei, the Grand Tutor who was in charge of the Secretariat, was naturally knocked to the ground by Dong Zhuo, and his power was confiscated overnight by Dong Zhuo, who represented the court.

No one expected that Dong Zhuo would go so crazy all the way. However, when Dong Zhuo defeated Yuan Wei, in exchange, he let Cui Zhouping replace Yuan Shu and become the General of the Tiger Guards, responsible for the emperor's guards.

At that time, Xun Yu and Zhong Yao were merely close ministers to the emperor; while Cui Zhouping was already a rank of two thousand stones and was in charge of the emperor's guards.

There are too many young talents in the emperor's team of close ministers, but there is only one leader of the military guards, Cui Zhouping.

This is also the reason why Cui Zhouping has the confidence to show off his reputation all the way. When he first came to Chiyang, Zhong Yao did not take the initiative to distribute invitations, which meant that Zhong Yao did not know how to behave.

In Cui Zhouping's eyes, Zhong Yao, the Shizhong and Sili Xiaowei who was in charge of Guanzhong, was just so-so.

He couldn't help frowning as he read Zhong Yao's letter.

Zhuge Liang and Ma Liang came over one on the left and one on the right, carrying clay basins with charcoal fire. Cui Zhouping noticed this and stepped aside to make way for them in the corridor, then followed them into the small living room in the courtyard.

After placing the clay pot, Ma Liang took the initiative to stir the charcoal fire.

Zhuge Liang stood up and clapped his hands. Seeing Cui Zhouping frowning, he asked, "Mr. Cui?"

"Zhong Yao wants to see you, the Sleeping Dragon of Jingchu."

Cui Zhouping handed over the silk book. Zhuge Liang read the hundred-word book and immediately expressed his opinion: "The words are good, but it is hard to judge the intention."

"It's not that it's hard to judge, it's that the judgment is not good."

Cui Zhouping took the silk book, folded it again, and said to Zhuge Liang: "Zhong Yao knows what Hei Zhenbei is afraid of. Kong Ming and Ji Chang should wait for me. I will go to see him."

"Just follow Cui Gong."

Zhuge Liang bowed deeply and took a deep breath.

Before he even saw the black bear, Zhong Yao started to plot against him.

(End of this chapter)