Three Kingdoms: Ancestors of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 279 Bestowing a Sword
In 230 AD, the eighth year of Jianxing, February.

Not long after Zhuge Liang paid his respects to Liu Chan, he returned to Longyou along the Jialing Road to prepare his army for war.

However, Wang Ping stayed in Hanzhong for a few days. After handing over the Hanzhong military with Wu Yi, he would return to Longyou and join the army in the Northern Expedition.

Liao Li, who needed to go to Soochow as an envoy, also traveled southward from Yangba Road to Jiangzhou day and night, and went downstream to Jiangdong.

It was the day, by the waterside of the Western Han Dynasty, the governor of Wuxing.

After Zhuge Liang left, Liu Chan and Wang Ping, who was about to return to Longyou, went to Wudu County along the way.

However, the two wanted to part ways in Wuxing Governor. Wang Ping took the waterway Jialing Road and went west to Longyou by boat; Liu Chan took the land road to Qishan Road to inspect Wudu County.

After the Northern Expedition to Longyou, although the Han Dynasty did not vigorously repair the Qishan Road, it did dredge the waterway Jialing Road.

Jialing Road is composed of three waterways, which are the Western Han River, Yang River, and Turbid River.

Yang Xi, the prefect of Wudu, dredged the water transportation of Yangshui, and when Zhuge Liang stationed troops in Hanzhong, he repaired the waterways of the Western Han Dynasty.Zhuge Liang established a new port, Wuxing, along the West Han River (Jialing River), and turned Wuxing Governor into a port.

After restarting the Jialing Road, the Han Dynasty can use the Jialing Road to quickly transport the Hanzhong military rations to Longyou by water, instead of taking the distant Qishan Road, saving the people's corvee.

At a glance, I saw sailboats lined up in an orderly manner by the river bank, and densely packed farmers on the bank were carrying military supplies from the shore to the boats.

Walking to the bank of the river, Liu Chan stopped and asked, "Did you know your heavy responsibilities this time in the Northern Expedition?"

Liu Chan didn't say it clearly in the words, but Wang Ping also knew that Liu Chan was pointing at him to lead the army to stop Zhang He.

Behind him, Wang Ping, wearing a white scarf and sackcloth, nodded and said, "Your Majesty, the prime minister had a detailed chat with me during this battle. After the soldiers encircle the first city of Gaoping, Ping needs to lead the army to resist the attack." Zhang He went south, and stayed firmly until the Prime Minister defeated Cao Zhen's army."

If it wasn't for the imminent war, Wang Ping is Zhao Yun's disciple, and in terms of filial piety, he also needs to observe etiquette, wear hemp and filial piety for Zhao Yun, and keep filial piety for Zhao Yun.

Liu Chan looked at Wang Ping and said with a smile: "I don't know if you can have confidence, but stop Zhang He."

Wang Ping pondered for a while, and said truthfully: "If the prime minister ordered Ping to defeat Zhang He, maybe I can't guarantee it. But Zhang He is blocked, and it is not difficult to stop Zhang He."

Liu Chan nodded slightly, and said, "It's enough for Zijun to have confidence. Zhang Yun is a famous general of Cao Wei. In addition, this battle will determine the victory and loss of Liangzhou. I hope that Zijun should be careful and should not be underestimated."

"No!" Wang Ping answered with cupped hands.

Liu Chan chatted with Wang Ping again, and suddenly asked, "Zijun, how long have you known me?"

Wang Ping was half a body behind, thoughtfully replied: "Your Majesty, we met before leaving Yiling in the east. Your Majesty was still the crown prince at that time, and he specially issued an edict to promote the humble minister. It has been eight years since then."

Liu Chan couldn't help reminiscing about the past, and said with emotion: "I was a prince at the time, and I was full of enthusiasm. In order to save the defeat, I insisted on going east. My sons are all generals in the army, and they will go with me. Now eight years have passed in a blink of an eye, and I am in a daze. It’s like yesterday. The Yamen General in the past, but now he is the General of the Great Han Zhenbei, famous all over the place, and the hardships involved are unknown.”

Wang Ping also recalled the past, and said sincerely: "The minister can be what he is today, all thanks to His Majesty's promotion, and it is difficult for the minister to repay the king's kindness even if he dies."

Liu Chan patted Wang Ping's shoulder, put his arms around his shoulders again, and said very kindly: "Zi Jun is still so serious. How old is Zi Jun's eldest son, Wang Xun?"

Facing Liu Chan's affinity, Wang Ping's body stiffened, and he said: "Your Majesty, the dog's son is fourteen years old, and a rough reading of poetry and books is not a good tool."

Liu Chan seemed to feel that Wang Ping was not used to it, so he let go of his shoulders and said, "Let him enter the Wudan Academy this year to study with Mr. Qiao Yunnan (Qiao Zhou), and also let him stay in the academy for a few more years. . Wang Xun was taught by a famous teacher and accompanied by wise men, so he was influenced by his ears and eyes, and coupled with his own hard work, he can also become a tool."

Apparently Liu Chan also knew about the situation of Wang Ping's son, Wang Xun, and out of good intentions, he helped Wang Xun enter the circle of Yizhou gentry.

Wang Ping was born in a poor family. Although he is now an official in Zhenbei, it is still difficult to change the background of the Wang family, and he cannot play well with people of Bashu culture.

Now Liu Chan proposes to let Qiao Zhou accept Wang Xun as his apprentice, which is to help the Wang family enter the upper class.As long as Wang Xun succeeds a bit in the future, he will rely on the title of his father Wang Ping and the reputation of his teacher Qiao Zhou.The Wang family is based on the Yizhou gentry, not far away!
After a pause, Liu Chan exhorted: "Teaching children is a big deal, so don't refuse!"

Hearing this, Wang Ping showed joy on his face, and a touch of emotion flashed in his eyes. He quickly saluted and thanked you, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty's kindness is as important as Mount Tai, and I will keep it in my heart."

Liu Chan smiled, patted Wang Ping's shoulder again, and said, "Zijun and I have known each other for many years, and we are already old friends, so there is no need to be formal."

Wang Ping saw that the grain and grass on the riverside had basically been loaded, and the fleet was about to set off. He said respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, but the grain ship is about to set off. I hope your majesty will stop and there is no need to see you off."

Liu Chan seemed to have noticed it too, and without wasting time, he said, "Zijun is going all the way, be more careful, and I won't see you off again."

"Bring the sword here!" Liu Chan beckoned, signaling Habayashi Wei to hand over the 'Tiger Mighty Sword' Zhao Yun left behind.

Liu Chan held the ice-cold Tiger Mighty Sword, turned towards Wang Ping, and said in a deep voice: "Zi Jun, I gave you the book of war eight years ago, I hope you can understand the art of war and be the pillar of the country; today I will bestow this sword on you again, Let you admire it, I hope you will not only become the pillar of the country, but also go one step further, become the pillar of the great man, and help me to rule the world."

Wang Ping was slightly taken aback, looking at the Tiger Mighty Sword in Liu Chan's hand, he was a little at a loss.As Zhao Yun's disciple, how could he not know that this sword was given to Zhao Yun by the late emperor.

Wang Ping hesitated a little, and said a little unconfidently: "Your Majesty, this sword was worn by my predecessor, and I'm afraid it will be uncomfortable for you."

Hearing this, Liu Chan directly put the Tiger Mighty Sword in Wang Ping's hand, pretending to be displeased and said: "This sword is not only my intention, but also Zhao Gong's intention. Could it be that all sons have forgotten Zhao Gong's legacy!"

Wang Ping hesitated for a while, and said, "I will never forget the ambition of my predecessor. It's just..."

"Don't take yourself lightly. In the Han Kingdom, you are the only one who can wear this sword. I hope you can hold the sword for me, sweep the world, and rejuvenate the Han." Liu Chan said seriously.

……

In the end, Wang Ping still took the Wuwei sword with both hands, held it over his head, knelt down on one knee, with a serious face, and said in a deep voice: "I will swear to serve my life, this battle is willing to capture Liangzhou for your majesty, and prevent Zhang Yun from going south."

Liu Chan laughed loudly, helped Wang Ping up and said, "Good! I will remember what you said."

Wang Ping stood up and saluted, and said: "Your Majesty, please wait a while, Ping will be on board today!"

"Zijun, I'm waiting for your good news in Hanzhong."

"No! Please come back, Your Majesty!"

(There are two more in the evening)
(End of this chapter)