Chapter 127: Return to Youzhou

In the General-in-Chief’s mansion in Ji County, Youzhou, Ju Shou had immediately commissioned the construction of a grand residence for Liu Yao upon learning of his appointment as General of the Household of Cavalry. Here, Ju Shou, along with Xi Zhicai and Tian Feng, had been managing the administrative affairs of the region in Liu Yao’s stead.

"Gongyu! Gongyu! The Lord is back! The Lord is back!" Taishi Ci burst into the room, shouting in high spirits, though his excitement made his words somewhat garbled.

"Ziyi, have you no decorum?" Tian Feng scolded, visibly annoyed. He always felt compelled to chide Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci whenever they appeared. As for what Taishi Ci had actually said, neither he nor the others had caught it clearly.

"Ugh... here we go again," Taishi Ci thought with a wry smile, but he pressed on. "Yuanhao, never mind that. The Lord and his party are approaching Ji County; they are only about fifty li away."

"What?! The Lord is finally returning!" Ju Shou exclaimed, his own excitement bubbling over. With Liu Yao back, he would finally be relieved of his heavy administrative burden—forgetting for a moment that Liu Yao was, in fact, the most leisurely man in Youzhou.

"Gongyu, Zhicai, let us not delay. We should go to welcome the Lord. He never liked grand displays, so it would be best not to disturb the public," Tian Feng advised.

The group nodded and set out from the city. However, news of Liu Yao’s return had already spread throughout Youzhou. The people held him in such high regard for the prosperity he had brought them that, upon hearing he was near, they spontaneously set aside their work and headed toward the outskirts of the city to welcome him. Within moments, a massive sea of people gathered five li outside the northern gate.

Ju Shou and the others looked upon the scene with a mix of joy and helplessness. They were pleased to see such overwhelming support for their leader, yet they knew that seeing such a spectacle would undoubtedly draw a reprimand from Liu Yao.

"Gongyu, how do you suppose the Lord will react to this?" Tian Feng asked, gesturing to the throng.

Ju Shou offered a bitter smile. "Let us just hope he does not blame us."

Fifteen li outside Ji County, the pace of Liu Yao’s party had been slowed by their wagons, turning what could have been a shorter journey into a full month. It was now the fourth month of the second year of Zhongping—April, 185 AD.

This journey to Luoyang, which had included suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Qiang tribes, had been highly rewarding for Liu Yao. He had gained brilliant strategists and warriors like Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Ma Chao, and Zang Ba. Furthermore, he had brought back over a million displaced people, and with the constant influx of refugees, the population of Youzhou had swelled far beyond its original two and a half million, rivaling the great provinces of the Central Plains. In these chaotic times, population was the ultimate foundation for grain, soldiers, and future conquests.

"Yao’er, is this truly Youzhou?" Cai Yong asked, peering out from his carriage in disbelief. Throughout the journey into the province, he had been constantly observing the landscape. His memory of Youzhou was of a desolate, barren land with a sparse population, but the reality before him was a stark contrast. The province was peaceful, and the people were vibrant and healthy, faring significantly better than those in Jizhou, which had been ravaged by the Yellow Turban uprising.

"Haha, Master Cai! I dare say our Youzhou is now the greatest province under heaven. No other place can compare to our prosperity, and all of this is due to the Lord’s efforts!" Zhang Fei boasted, riding up to the carriage.

Liu Yao gave Zhang Fei a sidelong glance and said modestly, "Master, do not listen to Yide’s foolish talk. I have only contributed a meager effort."

Cai Yong looked at Liu Yao with immense pride, feeling that his greatest achievement in life was taking him as a disciple.

"Lord, let us pick up the pace. I have missed Youzhou so much," Zhang Fei said. This was their home, and no other place could compare.

"Haha, Yide, since when did you become so sentimental?" Guo Jia teased, riding up beside him.

"You Guo Fengxiao, how dare you mock me! Take this!" Zhang Fei roared, feigning a strike. Liu Yao laughed, and soon the remaining distance was covered in high spirits.

However, when Liu Yao reached the outskirts and saw the sea of people, he was stunned. "Good grief, what is this? Gongyu is truly unreliable; I told him not to make a grand display, yet look at this!" He cursed silently. There were at least a hundred thousand people gathered. If not for their simple civilian clothes and lack of weapons, he might have mistaken them for a Yellow Turban ambush.

"Look... it is the Provincial Governor!" someone shouted. The crowd surged, and as all eyes turned toward him, the people knelt in unison. "We welcome the Provincial Governor!"

The entire entourage was struck silent; even the arrival of the Emperor could not have commanded such a display. In the carriages, Cai Yan, Diaochan, and Liu Xin were wide-eyed with awe. Cai Yan and Diaochan felt immense pride in their future husband, while young Liu Xin was simply thrilled by the massive crowd.

"Congratulations, Lord. To have the hearts of the people like this—great things are surely ahead," Guo Jia remarked, though he too was taken aback by the extent of Liu Yao’s prestige.

Liu Yao smiled ruefully. "The support is welcome, but I never wished for such a grand display. Let us move on."

As they approached, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Cheng Yu, and Taishi Ci stepped forward to bow. "We greet the Lord."

Liu Yao dismounted and walked toward Ju Shou, frowning slightly. "Gongyu, what is the meaning of this? Why are there so many people here? Surely you did not..."

"Lord, you do me a grave injustice," Ju Shou replied with a bitter smile, as if he had expected this reaction. "You know my character; I would never orchestrate such a thing. These people came of their own accord to welcome you."