Chapter 360: Jian'an's Legacy
From the beginning to the end, both sides fought for only one core symbol of victory.

That was Guan Yu’s camp.

Guan Yu could hold out and stop the siege of Cao's elite troops; the consequences were self-evident, and the Cao army, who were waiting and watching, would make the right choice.

But now that Cao Cao has broken through Guan Yu's camp, the Cao troops who have been waiting and watching will face up to the reality and will join the siege and interception.

Each one of them worked extremely hard.

With the wolves attacking and biting him like this, Liu Bei couldn't even stand, so how could he fight?
Therefore, five days later, the battle report reached Guanzhong.

At Ganquan Mountain, Black Bear finally found time to meet Sun Quan.

The current Sun Quan is not that annoying. After shaving off his deliberately grown beard, he still has a delicate moustache, which gives Black Bear a very familiar feeling... like a Hun nobleman.

Whether it is Sun Quan's eye color, hair color, short legs and long waist, or the restrained temperament that patiently conceals his inner restlessness, they are all very similar to the Xiongnu and Hexi Qiang nobles that Black Bear has seen in recent months.

In fact, Sun Quan suffered a lot because of Cao Cao's deliberate suppression and instigation. Sun Quan only held the titles of Governor of Kuaiji County and General Suppressing the Enemy in the Xudu court.

No title, no higher official position.

He looks like a second-rate warlord, even worse than Zhang Yang.

Sun Ben, Xu Kun, Cheng Pu, and Song Qian acted quickly and ruthlessly, and basically eliminated all the powerful captains that Sun Quan had promoted in recent years.

As a result, Sun Quan now has only one life, no influential official position, and has lost his support and foundation.

Seeing Black Bear reading the newly arrived military book, Sun Quan lowered his head to look at the tea bowl, breathing steadily, looking calm.

Black Bear had just put down the military book, but couldn't help picking it up and taking another look. After confirming it again and again, he said to Sun Quan: "Liu Yuzhou in the Central Plains was defeated and retreated to Wankou. With the support of the Nanxiang soldiers, he should be able to retreat to Nanyang in an orderly manner. During this period, he instigated the rebellion of the veteran general Xu Huang, Guan Yu killed Cao Cao's important general Zhu Ling, and Li Tong of Runan was intercepted and killed by Zhao Zilong during the retreat."

Sun Quan looked puzzled when he heard this and said, "Your Majesty, based on my understanding of Liu Yuzhou, I'm afraid that he will not easily return to Nanyang after his defeat and retreat to Wankou."

"If he doesn't withdraw his troops, what else does he want to do?"

"It is intended to support Xu Huang in Chenliu and the loyal and righteous people in the Central Plains."

Sun Quan added: "Cao Cao has always been violent. He used to serve the emperor and disguised his true nature to deceive the world. Now his vicious side is exposed, and the people of the Central Plains will surely scatter. Liu Yuzhou has always been known for his kindness and love for the people. The people of Yanyu will surely rush to join him."

"You have a point."

General Black Bear threw the bamboo slips to Sun Quan, indicating that Sun Quan should read it himself, and said: "If I remember correctly, Zhou Gongjin and your family will soon arrive in Nanyang. Please go to welcome Zhou Gongjin on my behalf and comfort Liu Yuzhou."

"Yes, I accept your order."

Sun Quan stood up and saluted, but Black Bear just smiled and stretched out his arms to signal Sun Quan to read the military book.

While Sun Quan was reading, Black Bear turned his head to look out the window. The sky was gloomy and the air was noticeably damp.

For the next month, the Danshui canal transport will be suspended.

Except for messengers, large-scale water transport had to be stopped.

While thinking, Black Bear stood up and found a scroll of bamboo slips on the newly built wooden shelves behind him and opened it to read. This was sent by an envoy when Zhou Yu returned to the camp in Baqiu, southern Jingnan.

Zhou Yu proposed to join forces with Taishi Ci to seize the military power of Changsha Kingdom.

If Guanzhong agreed and authorized it, Zhou Yu would be able to persuade Taishi Ci to become the lieutenant of Changsha State.

Black Bear was somewhat tired of the blind expansion of territory and affiliated forces.

I thought that by supporting Liu Qi I would be able to gain a long-term stable Jingzhou, but instead there was Liu Biao above him, Pang Tong below him, and in between there was the influence of Huang Zu and Huang She, father and son.

As a result, Liu Qi ended up speaking well of others in front of him.

The most difficult period of food shortage in Guanzhong has passed, and the dependence on Jingzhou rice has been greatly reduced.

Another option is to continue to maintain the subordinate relationship. In the future, there will be a large-scale food shortage in Guanzhong. How could Jingzhou relax restrictions like it did this year?
Therefore, unless military threats are used in the future, it will be impossible for Jingzhou's grain to be supplied to Guanzhong through commercial means.

Since we have already resorted to military means, why maintain a superficial false friendship?
Therefore, Zhou Yu's proposal was rejected. Black Bear just hoped that Zhou Yu could mobilize as many forces as possible to garrison in Nanyang.

Since they decided to resort to military threats and place Zhou Yu and Liu Bei in Nanyang, this would be enough to give Liu Biao and his gang a headache.

The land and farmland in Nanyang are enough for Zhou Yu and Liu Bei to support another million people.

Black Bear didn’t care whether Zhou Yu and Taishi Ci were willing to come or not.

When he had his hands free, he went over to slap Liu Biao and Pang Tong, and many things went smoothly. After stuffing the bamboo slips back into the wooden rack, Black Bear returned to his chair and said to Sun Quan, who had just finished reading the military book, "Go and come back quickly. When I set out for Hexi, I hope you can accompany me."

"Yes, I dare not disappoint your Majesty's kindness."

Sun Quan bowed deeply, and when Black Bear waved his hand, Sun Quan took seven or eight steps back, turned around, stood up straight, and walked out with his head down, behaving very respectfully.

As he left, Sima Zhi came in with a plate of bamboo slips, placed it in front of the black bear table, knelt beside it and said, "Your Majesty, the title of Huainan is about to be ceded. Will the shogunate continue to use the Jian'an era name? Or will it establish a new era name?"

"As long as the world is not at peace, we should follow the late emperor's wishes and continue to use the Jian'an era name."

Black Bear flipped open the bamboo slips and saw a very long list. The first one was Zhong Yao, the Palace Attendant, the Imperial Guards, and the Marquis of Dongwu Pavilion. The next one was Ma Teng, the General Du Liao and the Marquis of Huaili. Then there were Wei Duan, the Governor of Liangzhou, Wang Yi, Duan Wei, Yang Qiu and others.

"Why are you trying to persuade me to come in again?"

Black Bear glanced at the roll from beginning to end, and seeing that there was no meaningful information, he put it aside, picked up another roll of bamboo slips and read it, and asked: "Who did not sign the petition for the promotion?"

"All officials above the rank of 1,000 stone must sign their names."

Sima Zhi told the truth: "Because the counties in the western part of Liangzhou are far away, Envoy Wei signed on behalf of the chief officials of the counties in Western Liangzhou."

"Let's stop here. If you don't bring unrest to the world, how can you call yourself the ruler of the country?"

Black Bear lowered his head to read the document in his hand, and Sima Zhi said: "Your Majesty has no intention of doing this, but if you don't have a high position, it's not easy to grant an official position or appoint a general."

"Haha, according to the ancient system, generals should not be appointed easily. Now under my command, the only ones who can be called generals are Fu Weng, Duan Wei and Xing Ba, and the rest are only lieutenants and captains. There is not even a general of the house, so what general do we need to appoint?"

As Black Bear spoke, he put down the bamboo slips in his hand and fell into deep thought, weighing the changes in people's hearts.

The title of Huainan was imminent, and the officials and the people within the party were generally very impatient.

It was as if King Huainan Liu Fu could obtain the Mandate of Heaven by first proclaiming himself the Son of Heaven.

Black Bear thought for a moment, and then said to Sima Zhi: "Spread the word to the people below. I will confer titles by February next year at the latest. All the officials and soldiers who followed me into the pass and conquered the various Hu people and made contributions will be awarded titles."

Sima Zhi listened with a slightly resentful look on his face: "Your Majesty, you should know that those people did not seek such merits and honors by persuading the emperor to ascend the throne."

"Zihua, you also know that the savings in Guanzhong are meager and cannot afford extravagance. Even the nobility will affect next year's income. How can I have so much money and land to reward the ministers who persuaded me to ascend the throne? They want more than just a good reputation and power."

Black Bear took up his pen and wrote down the official document without looking up: "I only have coarse wheat rice here. If you don't want to eat it, you might as well leave here and find another place."

Sima Zhi smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, the matter of the military chief secretary and the chief clerk, and the garrison chief secretary and chief clerk, should not be delayed any longer."

During this period, Sima Zhi served as the chief clerk. He had to manage the various departments of the shogunate and arrange Black Bear's daily life. Sima Zhi was too busy to handle everything.

It's not just that the work is busy, but Black Bear is full of energy. He can't handle it all by himself, so he needs one more person to take turns on duty with him.

The appointment of a military chief secretary naturally divided the influence of the garrison chief secretary Cui Zhouping.

Black Bear felt it was necessary, as Sima Zhi was a bit alone and unable to support the government.

After thinking for a while, he couldn't find a suitable candidate, so he asked, "Who does Zihua have to choose for the position of the chief clerk?"

"I think Yang Xiu is both virtuous and talented, and is qualified for the position."

"He is capable of doing the job, but I don't want him to be involved in confidential matters. Let's pick someone else."

"Yes, what about Hanoi Yangjun?"

Sima Zhi raised his head and looked at Black Bear. Their eyes met. Sima Zhi lowered his voice and said, "This gentleman is from my hometown. When I was an unknown person, he praised me a lot. Although there are candidates who are qualified to be the chief clerk, I can guarantee Yang Jun with my life."

Yang Jun was naturally not lacking in working ability, and it was almost entirely Yang Jun who led the effort to persuade Zhang Xiu to rebel.

After entering Guanzhong, Yang Jun did not rush to find a job, but asked for a pass and traveled to various counties in Guanzhong.

Sima Zhi vouched for Yang Jun, guaranteeing that Yang Jun would not leak secrets or collaborate with the enemy.

Black Bear thought about it and said, "Okay. Does Zihua have any candidate for the post of Chief of the March?"

"No, I don't know who can do it."

Sima Zhi further explained: "Hexi has been largely pacified, Yang Yishan is already competent, why should we look for new people?"

Black Bear just smiled and said, "Yeah, it doesn't matter whether there is a marching historian or not. There are only a few people who can take the position now, so it's better to leave it vacant for the time being."

(End of this chapter)