PFC Chapter 109 Are you kidding me?
Chapter 109 Are you kidding me?
The Governor-General of Yijiang was the highest military and political institution established in the southern region in accordance with Zhuge Liang's policy of "pacifying the barbarians and the Yue peoples in the south".
This position was established to oversee the four prefectures in the south (later divided into seven prefectures), and to be responsible for border defense, the allocation of military supplies, and the stabilization of ethnic minority areas.
Therefore, the governor of Yijiang appointed by the imperial court not only emphasized military talent, but also required strong ability to handle ethnic relations.
Meng Huo hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, Commander Li was originally from Nanzhong. Appointing him as the Commander and Prefect of Yijiang is enough to win over the people."
Li Hui was a native of Yuyuan in Jianning, and was a fellow townsman of Meng Huo. He was the second governor of Yijiang.
"Although Li Hui is from Jianning, he is a Han Chinese, not a native of the southern region. Therefore, you are the only one who can be the prefect of Jianning."
When Liu Bei first entered Sichuan, he did not trust the locals much, so the first governor of Yijiang was Deng Fang from Nanjun in Jingzhou.
Because of his generosity, decisiveness, and high prestige, the local Yi people trusted him greatly.
After Deng Fang's death, Liu Bei's foundation in Yizhou gradually became solid, and he began to heavily rely on local people, appointing one as the governor of Yijiang.
But the fundamental principles remain unchanged, and those who bear this heavy responsibility are all Han Chinese.
Liu Shan did not intend to break this rule.
The seven prefectures in the south can provide the imperial court with salt, iron, and soldiers. Now that they are reforming agriculture, they are bound to become the imperial court's rear base.
If a local ethnic minority were to serve as governor, nepotism and favoritism would inevitably occur.
If this continues, local powers will become too powerful and will refuse to obey the imperial court's control, inevitably leading to chaos and disorder.
However, the prefect was a local, while the governor of Yijiang was a Han Chinese, so the situation was completely different.
Locals are more adept at governing because of their familiarity with the county and their own prestige.
The governor of Yijiang, as a supervisor, could prevent localism and avoid the prefect's arbitrary decision-making.
Meng Huo's eyes reddened as he looked at Liu Shan, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, I, Meng Huo, swear to Heaven that I will never betray the court or fail Your Majesty's kindness in this lifetime."
"I trust you." Liu Shan quickly helped Meng Huo up and instructed him, "Prefect Meng, this matter concerns the overall situation in Nanzhong, and the court attaches great importance to it. At that time, Chancellor Zhuge Liang and Protector-General Li Yan will discuss many details with you, so you must not be negligent."
"yes!"
"Your Majesty, I misunderstood you. I thought that if Your Majesty took me back to Chengdu, you would humiliate me in every way. I... I even set fire to the mountain... It was truly..."
Meng Huo was already choking up.
Liu Shan's face stiffened upon hearing this.
If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten that you set fire to one of my hills.
Setting fire to the mountain is a death sentence—this is an order personally given by me, and a monarch's word is law!
"Ahem, Prefect Meng, this matter of arson still needs to be handled impartially..."
Meng Huo was stunned for a moment, then regretted his actions.
With my foul mouth, I shouldn't have said anything about burning mountains.
Now that's bad, what should we do?
Liu Shan sat back down, resting his chin on his hand, his eyebrows furrowed.
This law is one that must be kept.
Many people witnessed Meng Huo setting fire to the mountain that day. If no explanation is given, it is feared that the people will not be convinced.
Meng Huo saw Liu Shan's predicament, made up his mind, patted his chest and said, "Your Majesty, I will take responsibility for my actions. Please punish me according to the law."
Liu Shan rolled his eyes at him.
I finally managed to win your sincere allegiance, and now you're imprisoned because of the burning of the mountain. Was all that work for nothing?
What do those ethnic minorities in the south think of me?
In the midst of the crisis, Wang Gui reported that Zhang Yi had entered the palace to request an audience.
"Announce!" Liu Shan immediately said.
Zhang Yi was also present at the time; who knows what he might do?
As Zhang Yi entered, before he could even bow, Liu Shan took his hand and said, "Your Majesty, you must help me this time."
"Your Majesty, what's the matter?" Zhang Yi was somewhat flattered.
Liu Shan briefly explained the situation, and Zhang Yi smiled slightly after listening.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have come to the palace for this very reason."
Upon hearing this, Meng Huo's eyes lit up, and he took Zhang Yi's hand, saying, "If you can help me this time, Jun Si, I am willing to become sworn brothers with you, sharing life and death."
"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens. It would be my honor to be able to confide in General Meng."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shan clapped his hands and said, "Good, I'll entrust this matter to you."
"yes!"
After Zhang Yi and Meng Huo left the palace, Meng Huo eagerly asked, "My lord, what plan do you have to save me?"
Zhang Yi smiled and said mysteriously, "I would like to ask General Meng to come to the fields tomorrow morning. I have a plan."
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, and Meng Huo arrived at the agreed location early.
It was the hillside he set on fire.
The area was charred black, a stark contrast to the vibrant spring scenery all around.
Meng Huo felt increasingly guilty as he looked around. Seeing that farmers had already begun working in the nearby fields, he became more and more uneasy.
Soon, Zhang Yi arrived as well.
His arrival brought together the farmers who were working in the fields.
The farmers, looking at the scorched earth behind Zhang Yi, knew exactly what was going on.
This is to give them an explanation.
"My lord, this hillside belongs to everyone! You must stand up for us!"
"I've heard the arsonist is someone of high status. Will the imperial court turn a blind eye and let it go?"
"That shouldn't be the case. The imperial laws are strict, and Lord Zhang is the chief secretary of the Prime Minister's office; he wouldn't bend the law for personal gain."
As the discussions among the surrounding farmers grew increasingly heated, Meng Huo felt more and more uneasy.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted.
"Ah, this is the man who set the fire, I remember him."
"I remember now, he threatened us with a knife, preventing us from putting out the fire. He was really fierce!"
"This man is clearly a barbarian from the south; he is indeed savage and uncouth."
Meng Huo blushed, and could only lower his head and remain silent in the face of the accusations.
"Everyone, please be quiet! Please be quiet!"
Zhang Yi spread his arms to signal for quiet.
"I apologize for disturbing everyone today."
Zhang Yi bowed to the crowd and then continued, "As you all know, I have summoned you here because of the arson case from the other day."
"The person standing next to me is the main arsonist."
Meng Huo mustered his courage and took a step forward.
Upon seeing this, everyone immediately pointed and whispered about him.
"This man is named Meng Huo. He comes from a prominent family in the south and is quite famous locally. He has come here to study in the agricultural class of the Imperial Academy."
Upon hearing "Taixuegong" (Imperial Academy), everyone reacted even more strongly.
"The agricultural science class is the place in Dahan where people are most skilled at farming. How could he do something like setting fire to the mountain?"
"That's right. Even ordinary people like us, let alone those in agricultural science programs, know that outdated farming methods like setting fire to mountains are unacceptable."
"I've heard that the people of Nanzhong are planning to oppose the imperial court. Is this person a spy, trying to burn down our land so we can't grow any crops?"
"This man is despicable; Lord Zhang must not let him off lightly."
Faced with the accusations of the crowd, Meng Huo felt ashamed, as if he were being paraded through the streets.
He was a prominent family in the south, and had never suffered such a humiliating disgrace.
They promised to help me, but now they've become the target of everyone's criticism.
Zhang Yi, are you kidding me?!