Ju Shou, styled Gongyu, was a native of Guangping County. In the Three Kingdoms period, he served as Assistant Official of Ji Province, Cavalry Commandant, and General Fenwei, helping Yuan Shao seize Qing, You, and Bing Provinces and unify Hebei!
This was Yuan Shao's foremost advisor, a rare and great talent!
Historical records also say that he was recommended as a Talent and served twice as County Magistrate. Zhang Chen guessed that if he hadn't acted first, the position of Magistrate of Guangping would probably already belong to him.
Such a great talent was right beside me, and I completely forgot, damn it!
Zhang Chen couldn't help but curse himself for being muddled, and quickly called for an attendant, asking, "Do you know of a Sir named Ju Shou in this county?"
The attendant listened, thought for a moment, and replied, "Is the Lord speaking of that Talented Gentleman in the west of the city? The eldest Gongzi of the Ju family, Ju Shou?"
"Exactly! That's the one!" Zhang Chen's heart rejoiced, and he immediately stood up from his chair, asking eagerly, "Where does he live? Quickly take this official there!"
Seeing Zhang Chen so agitated, the attendant couldn't help but feel a little strange, saying, "This Gongzi Ju is currently a scribe in the County Government. If the Lord wishes to see him, just call him over. Why are you so agitated?"
"What? A scribe?" Zhang Chen was taken aback.
Such a great talent is actually just a small scribe, and under me?
Zhang Chen recalled carefully; it seemed historical records did say that Ju Shou had served as a provincial official, was recommended as a Talent, and only later became a County Magistrate.
It seems my arrival has already broken the original trajectory of history; the 'butterfly effect' has begun to show.
Zhang Chen slowly sat down, calculating in his mind.
Since Ju Shou is currently serving in the County Government and is under him, there's no need to appear overly eager.
Zhang Chen carefully recalled Ju Shou's life.
Looking at his life in the history of the Three Kingdoms, how could it be described as anything other than a regret!
He first served as an advisor under Han Fu. In the second year of Chuping (191 AD), Han Fu wanted to yield Ji Province to Yuan Shao, and Ju Shou strongly advised against it, but Han Fu did not listen.
After Yuan Shao seized Ji Province, knowing of his great talent, he appointed him as Supervisor of the Army and General Fenwei, ordering him to oversee the various generals.
This was the most glorious moment in Ju Shou's life. He supervised internal and external affairs, his might shook the three armies, and he single-handedly helped Yuan Shao seize Qing, You, and Bing Provinces, instantly becoming the largest Marquis in the north.
Unfortunately, good times didn't last long, and after that, Ju Shou's life took a sharp downturn.
In the second year of Xingping (195 AD), Li Jue and Guo Si fought each other, and the Emperor fled. Ju Shou proposed that Yuan Shao welcome the Emperor, but Yuan Shao did not listen.
Later, Yuan Shao wanted to divide the provinces among his sons. Ju Shou believed that dividing the power among sons was a path to disaster and advised against it, but Yuan Shao again did not listen.
After this, Ju Shou successively offered strategies: tiring Cao Cao over three years, slow and steady advance, protecting grain from the outside...
But whether it was strategy or tactics, Yuan Shao completely disregarded them all, eventually losing the Battle of Guandu, and Ju Shou also died at the hands of Cao Cao.
Such a life, how could it not be a regret?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Never mind, in your previous life you did not find your lord. Now that you have met me, I will certainly not let you have this regret again.
Zhang Chen knew that although Ju Shou was his subordinate at this moment, it was merely a subordinate relationship, far from genuine submission. To win him over would require some effort.
However, looking back at his entire life, Zhang Chen did come to a conclusion.
Ju Shou was not very good at judging people.
They say a wise minister chooses his lord, but he initially followed a mediocre lord like Han Fu, which shows that although this person was talented, he was not Gao Ming in judging people. Later, following Yuan Shao was just going with the flow because Han Fu had yielded Ji Province.
He could even fancy a mediocre lord like Han Fu, could it be that I cannot catch his eye?
Thinking of this, Zhang Chen said faintly, "Go call Ju Shou to come see me."
"Understood." The attendant responded and left as ordered.
Before long, the attendant brought a young scholar to the main hall.
The young scholar bowed and said, "Your humble subordinate, Ju Shou, pays his respects to the County Magistrate."
Zhang Chen looked over and saw that this person was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, seven chi tall, with a fair complexion and a slight beard, presenting a dignified appearance.
Zhang Chen's eyes flashed, and he quietly activated his "Insight Eye."
【Name: Ju Shou】
【Traits: Deep Planning (Gold), Overseeing Internal and External Affairs (Gold), Shaking the Three Armies (Gold)】
!!!
Impressive! A formidable person with three golden traits, even Qu Yi couldn't achieve that!
I can't believe such a talent was working as a small scribe under me, and I was completely unaware!
Zhang Chen was incredibly excited at this moment, but his face remained calm and composed.
His gaze swept towards the three golden traits.
【Deep Planning (Gold)】: Your actions are meticulous and cautious, your thoughts far-reaching, and your plans profound. (Once a strategy is adopted, success rate is greatly increased)
【Overseeing Internal and External Affairs (Gold)】: You possess both the ability to govern internally and the talent to lead armies externally. (1. When appointed as a civil official, the public order, economy, and public support of the affiliated city are greatly increased. 2. When appointed as a military general, the attack and defense of the commanded troops are greatly increased.)
【Shaking the Three Armies (Gold)】: You have outstanding military talent and can establish a formidable reputation in the army. (When appointed as a military general, the morale of the entire army is greatly increased)
This... This...!!!
Zhang Chen's mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.
"Lord, you urgently summoned your humble subordinate, may I know the reason?"
Zhang Chen hadn't fully recovered, his hands trembling slightly.
"Lord?"
"Ah! Sir Ju... *cough cough*, you... are you Ju Shou?"
Zhang Chen forcefully suppressed his excitement and asked.
Ju Shou couldn't help but feel suspicious.
Why is the Lord acting a bit strange today? I usually have no interaction with the Lord. Why did he suddenly summon me today?
Ju Shou was somewhat puzzled and replied, "Reporting to the Lord, your humble subordinate is indeed Ju Shou."
"Mm, what position do you currently hold?"
This?
Ju Shou was even more confused. Did the Lord summon him just to ask these irrelevant questions?
"Your humble subordinate... currently serves as a scribe in the County Government, responsible for recording files and drafting documents."
"Mm, I heard you were recommended as a Talent. It's too much of a pity to be just a mere minor official. The position of County Magistrate is still vacant. I have already submitted a memorial to the prefecture, recommending you as the County Magistrate for this county. Before the formal appointment comes down, you may serve as acting County Magistrate for now."
What? Ju Shou was momentarily stunned. He wants me... to be the County Magistrate?
Did I not check the almanac today? What kind of luck did I run into? I was clearly just a minor official without rank, how did I suddenly transform into an official appointed by the court with a salary of four hundred shi?
"What, are you afraid? Or are you afraid you can't do it well?"
Zhang Chen saw his hesitation and said, "I know you have talent and ambition. There's no need to worry; just go ahead and do it. Guangping County is in need of capable people right now. I intend to entrust you with important responsibilities!"
Upon hearing this, Ju Shou's body trembled slightly, and he immediately knelt down, "Your humble subordinate thanks the Lord for his discerning recognition and favor."
"Hey, what are you doing? Quickly get up." Zhang Chen suppressed the wild joy in his heart and said solemnly, "You entered officialdom by being recommended as a Talent, and you receive the court's salary. You should naturally be loyal to the monarch and assist the state, report to the Emperor above, and bring peace to the common people below. Currently, I have a matter of great importance concerning the people's livelihood that I wish to discuss with you. You must speak without reservation, say all that you know."
Ju Shou quickly said, "Your humble subordinate has received the Lord's great kindness and shall naturally do his utmost. May I know what matter the Lord is referring to?"
"Good." Zhang Chen smiled, then said, "Currently, the lives of the common people are difficult, and banditry is rampant everywhere. The reason for this is that cultivators have no land and cannot fill their bellies. This official wishes to reform the land system, converting public land to private land, so that every household has land to cultivate. In this way, with grain for the common people, their hearts will naturally settle, and the world can be at peace."
Upon hearing this, Ju Shou couldn't help but be startled. He looked up at Zhang Chen, a flash of surprise in his eyes.