Chapter 20: The Governor of Jiangdong, Lu Zijing

The next day, at noon.

In a rural village, Chu Feng wiped the sweat from his brow. He had searched for countless people before finally locating Lu Su’s residence. Lu Su was the master of the manor, his status somewhat akin to Chu Feng’s own, and the estate was managed with impressive order and discipline.

“Stop right there! Where are you from?”

Chu Feng dismounted, replying, “I am Chu Feng. May I ask if Master Lu Su is at home?”

“You’re looking for the master? What business have you with him?”

“I have long heard of Master Lu Su’s illustrious name and have come to pay my respects.”

“Come, I’ll take you to him!” The young man put away his spear and led the way.

Soon, they arrived at the Lu residence.

In the side hall, Chu Feng knelt and glanced around. At that moment, Lu Su entered with brisk steps. He was known for being sociable, though he had never heard of the visitor before. Upon seeing Chu Feng, he realized he did not recognize him.

“I am Lu Su. May I ask who you are…”

Chu Feng sized up Lu Su. He appeared approachable and scholarly, with an air of kindness.

“I am Chu Feng of the Chu family. I have long admired your reputation, Master Lu Su. Meeting you today is a stroke of fortune indeed!” Chu Feng rose and greeted him warmly.

Lu Su frowned.

Chu family? He had never heard of them.

“What brings Young Master Chu to call upon me?” Lu Su took a seat, his tone filled with curiosity.

“I wish to make friends—and to seek grain,” replied Chu Feng.

“You are most welcome as a friend, but as for grain… you must have a reason, surely?” Lu Su looked at Chu Feng, suspecting he was merely seeking food under false pretenses.

“The lands of Jianghuai are about to be struck by several months of drought. When that comes, the people will fight for food. I only wish to find a little extra grain, so I might save more people from disaster.”

Worry was etched across Chu Feng’s face, and it did not seem feigned.

“Several months of drought?” Lu Su’s eyes narrowed. Jianghuai was more prone to floods than droughts. Though it had not rained for some time, a prolonged drought seemed unlikely.

“Of course, I do not ask to borrow grain for nothing. My potatoes yield over twenty bushels per acre and are ripe for eating. Three years from now, all the grain I borrow today will be repaid with potato seeds.”

Chu Feng had planned this stratagem before arriving.

“What did you just say? Potatoes yielding over twenty bushels per acre, and they’re edible?” Lu Su was astonished. “Young Master Chu, I cannot claim mastery of ancient texts—”

“But I have never heard of a crop yielding so much. Even if you wish to borrow grain, there’s no need to lie. If such a thing exists, why should the people ever go hungry?”

“Why would I travel so far only to deceive you? By my calculation, they should be ready to harvest within two days. If you doubt me, come along and see for yourself.”

Chu Feng dangled a lure Lu Su could not resist.

In a feudal society, a nation built on agriculture, a yield of twenty bushels per acre was as astonishing as inventing a time machine today.

This was the plan Chu Feng had settled on after much deliberation last night. Lu Su was no fool, and winning him over would not be accomplished in a few words.

Since Chu Feng did not seem to be joking, Lu Su hesitated only briefly before summoning a servant. After a few instructions, he said, “Then I shall impose upon you, Young Master.”

“Call me Yunqing,” Chu Feng said with a smile. Seeing his scheme had worked, he now wondered if he could win Lu Su over with genuine talent and learning, thus securing ample time.

————

By the time they returned to Chu’s manor, the sun was setting.

Lu Su noticed as he entered the estate that the surrounding fields were crisscrossed with irrigation channels, several of which seemed designed to guard against drought.

Once at the manor, Lu Su saw the hour was late and refrained from commenting. After a warm welcome from Chu Feng, he retired to his guest room—but before he could extinguish the lamp,

Chu Feng arrived, carrying a wooden basin.

“Master Chu, what are you doing?” Lu Su asked, puzzled.

“Zijing, you are only a few years my senior. Let us treat each other as equals; from now on, call me Yunqing.” Chu Feng entered, set down the basin, and continued, “After a long day’s journey, you must be weary. I’ve prepared hot water for you to soak your feet, with a blend of medicinal herbs to soothe and invigorate.”

Lu Su was flustered.

Before he could protest further, Chu Feng moved to remove his shoes, prompting Lu Su to hastily decline and take them off himself, eager to avoid the young man’s touch.

As he soaked his feet, Lu Su watched Chu Feng.

Their eyes met, and Lu Su asked warily, “Master Chu, if I am not mistaken, you tricked me into coming here. There are no potatoes, are there?”

He had pondered this on the journey.

“Both yes and no. The potatoes exist and do yield over twenty bushels per acre. Yet I did deceive you, for I brought you here with a private motive.”

Chu Feng gazed at Lu Su with sincere eyes.

Lu Su raised an eyebrow. Was there really such a crop? It was beyond his expectations.

“Master Chu, you say you had a private motive, but I am neither renowned nor wealthy. You have truly confused me. What is this motive?”

“Zijing, the Han dynasty has endured for four centuries. Now, chaos reigns across the land; warlords rise and fall, and the people suffer bitterly.”

“With the realm divided, the wars may drag on, and countless lives will be lost. One day, the rivers and mountains of Han will be but a sea of bleached bones.”

Chu Feng spoke with passion, his pain evident.

Lu Su’s brows furrowed. It was as if he were meeting Chu Feng anew. The scope of these words was vast. While warlords fought for territory, Chu Feng thought only of the people.

“Zijing, to be frank, I seek your aid. Help me restore peace to Han, and grant the people reprieve.”

“When Han prospers, the people suffer! When Han falls, the people suffer still!”

“Though I am unworthy, I vow to give my utmost. I hope you will not turn me away, but lend me your strength!”

Chu Feng spoke with heartfelt emotion.

Lu Su was dumbfounded.

This young man possessed such ambition? His vision far surpassed Lu Su’s own wish to preserve his manor.

“Master Chu, Han cannot be revived. I am of modest talent and learning…”

“The Han is not defined by the Liu clan, but by its people. All I wish is to see the people living in peace, never hungry or cold.”

“I have already gathered three thousand elite troops, eight thousand infantry. When Yuan Shu falters, I will strike and remove him. I can defend one region or advance to contend for the realm.”

Chu Feng spoke before Lu Su could finish.

Chu Feng knew Lu Su’s strengths lay in strategy and diplomacy; he had to win his interest.

“You command ten thousand?” Lu Su could scarcely believe it.

“One day, I will command a million!” Chu Feng boasted.

“Yuan Shu is a corpse in his tomb—he has plundered and oppressed, even dared to claim the throne. Removing him would win support. But Jianghuai is devastated. What are your plans?”

Lu Su did not immediately decline, but instead pressed for details.

“In days past, Emperor Gaozu secured Guanzhong, Emperor Guangwu held Henei. Both established deep roots to seize the land, able to advance or retreat as needed. Now, only the region of Jiangdong remains.”

Chu Feng deployed official rhetoric.

“Jiangdong?” Lu Su’s eyes shone; the idea matched his own thoughts.

“Jiangdong is strong, but Sun Ce is bold and valiant, inheriting his father’s character. He is broad-minded and eager to employ talent; those who meet him give their utmost. How would you seize it?”

“Ha! Sun Ce has newly taken Jiangdong, and those he struck down were all heroes—he has alienated the locals. Moreover, he is careless and unprepared. Though he claims a million men, he is essentially alone in the heartland.”

“I can send assassins to kill him, and he will surely die! Would Jiangdong not then be within our grasp?” Chu Feng laughed heartily.

Lu Su was even more astonished.

This man’s insight was clear as day—he was well prepared.

“After taking all six counties of Yangzhou, we could look north to Jianghuai and the heartland, connect west to Jingzhou, openly ally with Liu Biao and Huang Zu, secretly with Zhang Xian of Changsha, and divide Jingzhou among us.”

“Then, holding both Jing and Yang provinces, backed by the Yangtze’s natural barrier, we could train our troops and watch for changes across the realm. This is the foundation of imperial ambition.”

Chu Feng’s words were a masterstroke.

In truth, this strategy was originally Lu Su’s own, with slight modifications to include Sun Ce and Zhang Xian, making it even more perfect.

Lu Su was stunned.

At this moment, he had only one thought: this man’s vision matched his own, and even surpassed it. Such strategic insight was unparalleled.

Perhaps assisting him could truly achieve something.

At the very least, these words had thoroughly impressed Lu Su!

Crucially, Chu Feng was barely twenty, yet possessed such vision, cared for the nation and its people, and treated Lu Su with respect. How could Lu Su refuse such a wise leader?

“I am but of modest ability, yet I pledge to serve my lord with all my strength, even unto death, to restore peace to the Han and its people!” Lu Su declared resolutely.

His reputation was limited to the local area, yet Chu Feng had sought him out personally and treated him with honor. By every measure, Chu Feng fit his standard for choosing a master.

“With your aid, Zijing, the people of the realm are truly blessed.” Chu Feng grasped Lu Su’s arm, excitement in his voice. “It grows late—rest now, Zijing!”

…………