The few people exchanged smiles, and after a brief chat, County Magistrate Xu Wen and Zhen Yi left the military camp outside the city and returned to the city by carriage.
Liu Jin, on the other hand, remained with the army, continuing to handle matters after the great battle.
In the carriage returning to the county town, Zhen Yi sighed to Xu Wen, who was beside him!
"Lord Magistrate, this Liu Jin is truly a hero and an outstanding talent. At such a young age, he has already been appointed Biebu Sima."
"This time, he annihilated thousands of enemies outside the city. His achievements are not small, and his future accomplishments will certainly be extraordinary."
Xu Wen, sitting beside him, nodded, still very much agreeing with the statement, and said solemnly!
"I have heard a thing or two about this young man. Some time ago, news came from Zhuo Commandery that tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans attacked the commandery city."
"It is rumored that Liu Jin led his troops to annihilate them in one battle, killing tens of thousands. Prefect of Zhuo Commandery Wen Shu was enfeoffed as a marquis because of this battle, and even the Commander of that commandery was nominated by the imperial court to be a Prefect with a salary of two thousand shi."
When Xu Wen spoke of this, his eyes were filled with extreme envy. That was a marquis, the position of Prefect. Although he was a county magistrate with a salary of one thousand shi, and in the eyes of many, he was a high-ranking imperial official.
But in front of true aristocratic families, he was always insignificant, and he would appear cautious when facing officials with a salary of two thousand shi.
He even dreamed of only ascending to the position of two thousand shi in his life, and he would have no regrets in this life.
Zhen Yi, sitting beside him, fell into deep thought upon hearing these words.
It seems that Liu Jin is indeed a rare talent, brave and skilled in battle. If he continues like this, he is very likely to become a famous general of the Han Dynasty.
He must take advantage of the fact that the other party has not yet risen to power, to make good connections and build a good relationship with him. After he rises, he will be able to help his Zhen Family to some extent.
Although his Zhen Family is considered a prominent family in Zhongshan Commandery, with businesses spread throughout Hebei, it can be said to be as rich as a nation.
But over the past decade or so, the family has begun to decline, and no high-ranking officials have emerged from the clan, so it no longer has the glory of yesteryear.
If this continues, the Zhen Family is very likely to withdraw from the ranks of prominent families. No matter how much money the clan has, it will be useless and will be coveted by others, even facing a devastating disaster.
As the head of the Zhen Family, he must find a way to revitalize the family and continue to maintain the ranks of prominent families, and must not decline like this.
Therefore, Liu Jin is an opportunity. He must befriend him, and after he grows up, he will have an additional backer.
The sky gradually darkened!
Inside the county yamen, lights were brightly lit, and a banquet was set. Many aristocratic families and powerful figures in the city were arriving by carriage.
They all wanted to meet Liu Jin, who had quelled the Yellow Turbans, and even befriend him.
On the city streets, more than a dozen horses were galloping towards this place.
The leader was Liu Jin, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
As for Han Dang, Zhao Ergou, Wei You, and others, they continued to guard the military camp outside the city.
When everyone arrived outside the county yamen, they saw a middle-aged man in a brocade robe standing at the entrance, who was Zhen Yi.
When he saw Liu Jin arrive, he smiled and walked down the stone steps, greeting him!
"Liu Sima."
Liu Jin smiled, immediately dismounted, walked over, and said with a smile!
"I didn't expect Jing'an to be here to greet me."
Zhen Yi cupped his fists and said politely!
"I am merely a merchant, of humble status. I hope Liu Sima does not take offense."
Liu Jin laughed heartily upon hearing this!
"Oh!"
"Jing'an, don't misunderstand. The Zhen Family is a prominent local family, and you are the head of the family. Your greeting me here makes me overjoyed."
Zhen Yi smiled wryly upon hearing this.
He had already sensed Liu Jin's goodwill towards him, seemingly willing to be close to him, and even having intentions of befriending him.
This suited his intentions perfectly. Both of them wanted to befriend each other, so their relationship would naturally warm up quickly.
So the two walked towards the mansion, with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and others following closely. Their purpose was to protect their elder brother and prevent any accidents.
Soon they arrived in the main hall of the mansion, where many people were already seated on both sides. In addition to aristocratic families and powerful figures, there were also county officials, almost filling the seats completely.
Xu Wen, sitting in the main seat, saw Zhen Yi leading Liu Jin in, and quickly stood up, with a smile on his face, he greeted him!
"Wen Yi, come and take a seat."
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, then immediately walked over with Zhen Yi, and the two sat down in the lower seats.
Everyone in the hall looked at Liu Jin, occasionally showing expressions of flattery.
This young man, at such a young age, was already an official with a salary of one thousand shi. In Wuji County, only the county magistrate could compare with him to some extent.
But in this chaotic world, Liu Jin was a military commander, and his future was still quite promising.
If he performed outstandingly in quelling the Yellow Turbans, he might even be enfeoffed as a marquis and become a high-ranking noble. Even these prominent families would have to curry favor with him.
After everyone was seated, Xu Wen raised his wine cup and said loudly to those around him!
"Everyone is safe and sound, and the danger outside the city has been resolved, thanks to Liu Sima leading the army and fighting bravely."
"We should all express our gratitude."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone sitting on both sides raised their wine cups and stood up, saying politely!
"We thank Liu Sima for his assistance."
Seeing this, Liu Jin also smiled and stood up, saying humbly!
"There is no need for such politeness, everyone. In quelling the Yellow Turbans outside the city, everyone and Lord Magistrate also made great contributions, it is not my achievement alone."
Everyone around nodded with a smile upon hearing this, and approved of this young man even more.
He was neither arrogant nor impetuous, kind, and polite to others. With such a character, his future path would definitely go very far.
Everyone raised their wine cups and drank them all, showing joyful smiles!
Then they all sat down, chatting and toasting each other from time to time.
Xu Wen, sitting in the main seat, stroked his beard and said with a smile!
"Wen Yi, today I discussed with the aristocratic families and powerful figures in the city."
"They are willing to provide you with three thousand shi of grain and two hundred thousand coins, as a token of gratitude for saving the city from danger."
Liu Jin was delighted to hear this. Wuji County truly lived up to its reputation as a prosperous place, as it was even willing to donate a batch of money and grain.
This was extremely beneficial to him, as he had led his army south, and with people and horses consuming food, it would consume a lot of grain.
With this financial aid, he could at least sustain himself for a period, enough to reach Lu Zhi's command in Jizhou.
He cupped his fists and said politely!
"Thank you, Lord Magistrate, for your hospitality!"
Xu Wen smiled and waved his hand, raised his wine cup, and said softly!
"Wen Yi, there is no need to be polite. Come, let us all drink a cup together!"
Liu Jin raised his wine cup and drank it all, showing humility and politeness.
The atmosphere in the hall was very lively. Many aristocratic families, powerful figures, and county officials came over to toast him, showing respect, and many of them, in their words, expressed their willingness to befriend him.
Clearly, the protagonist of this banquet was Liu Jin.
After all, he was a Biebu Sima with a salary of one thousand shi, and he commanded a strong army. Not to mention in a single county, even in the commandery city, many people would curry favor with him.
