Zhang Chen stayed at the Prefect's Residence for another day.
Over the past few days, listening to Li Wen's guidance and pointers, Zhang Chen felt he had benefited greatly. Wei Commandery is the largest commandery in Ji Province, governing thirteen counties. The affairs of a commandery are far more complex than those of a single county.
In the past few days, Li Wen had generously shared his knowledge, imparting everything he knew about being an official, handling affairs, governing, and managing people. Although it was only for a few short days, Zhang Chen still felt he had gained a lot.
It was precisely because of this that Zhang Chen addressed Li Wen as 'Li Wen'.
This day, it was finally time for Li Wen to depart for Liang Province to take up his new post.
Early in the morning, Zhang Chen went to the market to retrieve the treasured sword he had commissioned for Li Wen.
The sword gleamed with cold light, its blade wide and sharp. When drawn from its sheath, there was a faint ringing sound. It was indeed a fine piece of craftsmanship.
Zhang Chen came to the sword-testing stone in the courtyard, swung the sword, and immediately, a corner of the stone was sliced off.
Zhang Chen was greatly satisfied. He paid the remaining three thousand coins to the blacksmith and hurried to the West Gate.
At this time, outside the West Gate, there was a carriage, and beside it, three people on three horses.
The three people were Li Wen and his two personal guards. Inside the carriage were Li Wen's wife and children.
Apart from these, there was no one else and nothing else.
Li Wen's departure after serving as an official was so simple and light, which showed that he was an upright official who did not harm the people in the slightest.
However, as the saying goes, 'when the person leaves, the tea cools.' Upon his transfer today, only a few of his former subordinates came to see him off, with only Zhang He present.
After a few pleasantries, Li Wen called Zhang He aside and said earnestly, "Junyi, you are a young hero, and your future prospects are boundless. But to make a name for yourself in this chaotic world, you must have a good master. This is like a thousand-li horse and a Bole; without a good master, you will have nowhere to display your great abilities, no matter how great they are."
"Lord, this subordinate does not understand. As a subject of the Han, there is only one master, and that is the current Emperor..."
Li Wen smiled and said, "The chaotic world is coming, and the disintegration of the world is inevitable. You and I are both subjects of the Han, but we must also face reality. The Han Dynasty is already struggling under its weight. If we want to save the people from suffering, unless there is a great upheaval and a hero emerges to sweep across the eight directions and six harmonies, only then can the world be stabilized!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang He was deeply astonished.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang He finally said, "Lord, this subordinate will remember your words. However... thousand-li horses are common, but Boles are not. The world is vast, where should I seek a master?"
"Haha," Li Wen laughed, "Far away in the sky, yet close at hand."
Zhang He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Lord, are you referring to Zhang Chen?"
Li Wen said, "Although Zifan is young, his brows exude an air of kingship. This child will surely achieve great things in the future. If you pledge yourself to him, your name will be recorded in history, which goes without saying."
Zhang He was surprised upon hearing this.
Based on his understanding of Zhang Chen, this person was broad-minded, courageous, and resourceful.
Zhang He had witnessed Zhang Chen's military strategies several times. His ability to plan and predict the enemy's moves in advance showed that his strategic skills were extraordinary.
As for Zhang Chen's martial prowess, perhaps others hadn't noticed, but Zhang He was well aware of it. Especially the two breakthroughs he had experienced during battles, which left him in awe.
Although Zhang Chen's current martial arts level is only second-rate, with his talent, it is not impossible for him to become an unparalleled General in the future!
How terrifying would such a person be in the future?
If he didn't follow him now, when he stood proudly on the mountain peak in the future, would he still be able to see himself?
Furthermore, when he was just a small County Magistrate, he already had wise strategists like Ju Shou and skilled Generals like Gao Shun and Qu Yi by his side. In the future, when he becomes a Prefect, the talents by his side will only increase.
At that time, would there still be a place for him?
As Zhang He was secretly contemplating, Zhang Chen rushed towards the city gate.
"Li Wen! Li Wen!"
Zhang Chen hurried to the front, bowed to Li Wen, and said, "Li Wen, you are departing today. Zhang Chen has come to see you off."
Li Wen smiled and said, "I didn't see you early this morning, and I thought you weren't coming today."
Zhang Chen quickly said, "Li Wen has shown Zhang Chen immense kindness, how could Zhang Chen not come to see you off? Liang Province is cold and harsh, I hope Li Wen takes care of himself on the journey."
As Zhang Chen spoke, he took off the treasured sword and presented it with both hands.
"Li Wen is going to pacify the rebellion on the border this time. Zhang Chen has no gift to offer. This sword was specially commissioned from a skilled craftsman by Zhang Chen, made from high-quality refined iron. I now present it to Li Wen, wishing Li Wen success in suppressing the rebels and quickly bringing peace to the border rivers!"
Li Wen accepted the sword, drew it from its sheath, and heard a ringing sound. The cold light of the sword was fully revealed, gleaming brightly.
"Good sword!" Li Wen smiled, "Good, I will accept this sword."
After saying this, Li Wen returned the sword to its sheath and said to the two, "It's getting late, I should be on my way. This Wei Commandery is now entrusted to the two of you. You must work together with one heart and one mind to seek the welfare of the people."
"Zhang Chen (Zhang He) will remember!" The two responded in unison.
Li Wen looked at the two of them, smiled knowingly, turned around, and mounted his horse.
Three people on three horses, one carriage, all headed west, bound for Liang Province.
A Prefect in office, with clean sleeves, returning with nothing, truly a model for officials!
Zhang Chen looked at Li Wen's receding figure and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
After today's farewell, I wonder if there will be another chance to meet in this life...
In the history of the Three Kingdoms, there were no further records of Li Wen until Cao Pi's succession, when he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yiyang, but it was only mentioned in passing.
Zhang Chen had no way of knowing what Li Wen experienced after this.
Forget it, let everything depend on fate!
Zhang Chen sighed softly and said to Zhang He, "Junyi, let's go back."
Unexpectedly, Zhang He looked at him, his gaze fixed.
Suddenly, Zhang He knelt on one knee and bowed heavily towards Zhang Chen: "Lord above, please accept this subordinate's bow!"
"This... Junyi, what are you doing? Get up quickly!"
Zhang Chen was startled and quickly stepped forward to help Zhang He up.
Zhang He said, "This subordinate has followed Lord into battle several times and knows deeply that Lord is a dragon among men, who will surely achieve great things in the future. Zhang He is untalented, but I am willing to follow Lord from now on, holding the reins and stirrups, to serve like a dog or horse!"
"Junyi!" Zhang Chen held Zhang He's hand, his excitement evident: "With Junyi's assistance, how can great things not be achieved! Chaos is about to begin, let us work together, how about creating a great enterprise?"
"This subordinate... couldn't ask for anything more!"
...
After seeing off Li Wen, Zhang Chen and Zhang He returned to Ye City together and officially moved into the Prefect's Residence.
The order for Zhang Chen's promotion to Prefect of Wei Commandery had been delivered to the various counties of Wei Commandery by fast horse two days ago. Ju Shou and others were all overjoyed upon hearing the news.
Steward Wu quickly ordered the servants to pack their belongings. The entire Zhang Family, the whole household, moved to Ye City.
Ping'er was incredibly excited. She had never left Guangping County in her life.
She had long heard that Ye City was prosperous and wealthy, far beyond comparison with Guangping County. In the market, there were taverns, tea houses, theaters, and music halls, and in the various shops, rare and precious goods were dazzling. She never expected that Young Master would become a Prefect of a region and be stationed in Ye City. She could finally feast her eyes in a big city.
Before leaving, Steward Wu did not forget to light incense for Old Master Zhang, shedding tears as he spoke of how successful Young Master was now and how he had brought glory to the Zhang Family.
A Prefect of a region was no small official; he governed several counties under him!