Chapter 59: The Mysterious Su Gu

  After staying in Runan City for two days, Wang Can prepared to lead his six hundred soldiers on a journey to Hanzhong.

  During this time, Wang Can and Liu Cheng, who was stationed in Runan City, had a long conversation. The topic of their conversation was naturally about Dong Zhuo's dispatching troops to garrison Runan. Liu Cheng asked Wang Can about the candidate for the governor of Runan, but Wang Can could only shake his head because he didn't know who would be the governor either.

  However, Wang Cang also had a guess in his heart, could it be Liu Cheng?

  After all, when Dong Zhuo's army first arrived in Runan, they needed a puppet to balance the situation in Runan.

  Wang Can didn't think much about this matter, he was concerned about the situation after entering Hanzhong. Su Gu had been serving as the governor of Hanzhong for several years, and Wang Can's appointment as the governor of Hanzhong was undoubtedly a move to snatch power from Su Gu. The situation in Hanzhong was also not optimistic.

  Ru Nan City, West Gate.

  More than 600 soldiers under Wang Can's command stood in formation, ready for battle.

  Under the city gate, four horse-drawn carriages slowly drove out of the city gate.

  The first carriage was naturally the one ridden by Wang Can and Cai Yan, the second carriage was ridden by Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu, the third carriage was ridden by Lü Meng and his mother, and the last carriage was ridden by Wang Yue and his gate soldiers. After the four carriages drove out of the city gate, Liu Chen quickly mounted his horse and galloped out of the city gate.

  The sound of horseshoes echoed, Liu Cheng rode his horse to the side of Wang Can's carriage and said respectfully: "General, you are going to Hanzhong this time, the journey is long, I have nothing good to say, I wish you a smooth journey to Hanzhong, a bright future, and dominance over one region."

  Wang Can climbed out of the carriage and stood on the axle.

  He waved his hand and said, "Liu Cheng, you lead the troops to stay in Runan. I also give you a sentence: I hope you can work hard, work harder, and become a powerful person as soon as possible. Okay, time is almost up, I still have to rush on the road, you go back, guard Runan well, and wait for Dong Zhuo's army."

  After finishing speaking, Wang Can waved his hand and returned to the carriage.

  Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao exchanged a glance, shouted loudly, and instantly the soldiers of the army began to run quickly.

  The sound of horseshoes and rapid footsteps merged into one, groups of soldiers gradually moving further away.

  "Hurray for the General!"

  "Hurray for the General!"

  …………

  At some unknown time, a loud roar came from Ruzhou City, like thunder, the roar spread to the distance in waves.

  Wang Can rolled down the car window, stuck his head out and looked back at Ruzhou City, which was already only visible in outline. A hint of nostalgia flashed across his eyes.

  Ru Nan city has become a thing of the past.

  Ahead lies Hanzhong Prefecture.

  Shang Yong County, now 40 li southwest of Zhushan County, Hubei Province, on the north bank of the Du Shui River.

  The earliest appearance of the place name Shangyong is in "Zhanguoce", and later it appears in "Shiji". The geographical location has a particular feature, with mountains on two sides: Qinling and Micangshan to the west, and Daba Mountain to the south. In contrast, the east and north sides are relatively flat. Especially since Shangyong is located upstream of Xiangyang, if one follows the river downstream, it poses a great threat to Xiangyang, making its strategic location quite important.

  Wang Can's army had just marched to Shangyong when they stopped.

  It was not Wang Can who led the army, but rather Su Guo, the governor of Hanzhong, who stayed in Shangyong to welcome Wang Can.

  Su Guo was not very old, about forty years old, with three short mustaches under his chin.

  It is not known whether it was because Su Gu lived in Hanzhong for many years and received little sunlight, but his face was extremely white and smooth, like a woman's. His nose bridge was high and powerful, his lips were thin and slightly delicate, and the whole person exuded a gentle and elegant aura.

  When Wang Can got off the carriage, Su Gu hastily led a group of officials from Hanzhong to welcome Wang Can.

  Before Wang Chan could speak, Su Gu said: "Sir, the journey is long and arduous, it's hard on you."

  Wang Cang stood beside the crowd, cupped his hands and smiled: "Thanks to Su's adult, and all adults have been waiting for a long time. Please forgive me, and I hope you can tolerate it."

  Wang Canshen was puzzled and didn't understand why Su Gu had come to meet him in advance at Shangyang.

  Although he was unclear in his heart, Wang Can's face was smiling and said: "Wang Can is taking office as the Taishou of Hanzhong for the first time, without experience. If there are any mistakes, please forgive me, but Mr. Su is a native of Hanzhong, I think Mr. Su must be very experienced. With Mr. Su's assistance by my side, I believe that I can handle the affairs of Hanzhong well."

  Su Gu heard this and her soft cheeks twitched involuntarily twice.

  His eyes narrowed, and a cold light flashed in his dark pupils.

  Dong Zhuo issued a decree, dismissing Su Gu as the Governor of Hanzhong, and Wang Can took over as the Governor of Hanzhong. As a result, Su Gu instantly fell from being the most powerful person in Hanzhong to an ordinary citizen. Naturally, Su Gu was dissatisfied with this situation, but he did not dare openly oppose Dong Zhuo, after all, Dong Zhuo's cavalry could enter Hanzhong through Xiegu Pass and attack it.

  Su Shu was afraid of Dong Zhuo, so he listened to Wang Can's words and said: "Sir, I have set up a banquet in Xiangyang County to welcome you and wash the dust off your feet. Please come."

  Su Guoyi waved his hand and didn't give Wang Can a chance to refuse, then forcibly invited Wang Can to dinner.

  Wang Can smiled and said, "Please, Lord Su."

  Regardless of whether Su Gu's banquet is a Hongmen Banquet or not, Wang Can must attend the banquet. Because Su Gu led the main officials of Hanzhong to welcome Wang Can in Shangyong County, this was not only an invitation from Su Gu alone, but also an invitation from all officials in Hanzhong. This was already an open and aboveboard plot, and Wang Can could neither refuse nor dare to refuse.

  If it were Wang Can's first encounter with the main officials of Hanzhong, he would have lost his courage and not even dared to enter Xicheng. Perhaps before Wang Can arrived in Hanzhong, news about his cowardice had already spread throughout Hanzhong Prefecture.

  Although Wang Canshen had sensed Su Gu's thoughts in his heart, he could only grit his teeth and head to the county magistrate's mansion for the banquet.

  Su Gu and his entourage, as well as Wang Can and his entourage, slowly made their way towards the county magistrate's yamen.

  Lü Meng's mother and son, as well as Cai Yan, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, and Xun You rode in three horse-drawn carriages into the county seat of Shangyong County, where they followed Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao. Meanwhile, Wang Yue, along with his three bodyguards, stayed by Wang Can's side to protect him.

  Shangyong County, the county government office.

  The guests took their seats, with Wang Can sitting in the first seat on the left and Su Gu sitting in the first seat on the right.

  Su Guo stood up with a wine jug, and facing Wang Can, he cupped his hands and said: "Governor Wang is young and promising. At such a young age, you are already the Taishou of Hanzhong. Your future prospects are boundless! I, Su Guo, represent all officials in Hanzhong, to offer Governor Wang a toast, wishing you a bright future, a successful tenure, and bringing benefits to the people."

  After finishing speaking, Su Guo picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

  Wang Can's expression remained unchanged, and he also raised his wine jug, drinking the wine in his cup in one gulp. Only then did he say: "Lord Su's praise is something Wang Can does not deserve. It was during Lord Su's tenure as the governor of Hanzhong Prefecture that the people lived in peace and prosperity. This is what it truly means to be an official, bringing benefit to a region. There are still many things that Wang Can needs to learn from Lord Su, and he hopes that Lord Su will not hesitate to instruct him when the time comes."

  Two people are smiling at each other, you compliment me with one sentence, I compliment you with one sentence.

  The banquet ended with Wang Can and Su Gu's conversation.

  When Wang Can walked out of the county government office, he was blown by a cold wind and his confused head suddenly cleared up. "What does Su Gu mean? Is it just to welcome him and wash away the dust? But why not in Shangyong County?" Wang Can's heart rose with countless doubts, unable to understand why Su Gu chose to welcome him in Shangyong County and even set up a banquet there to welcome him.

  More importantly, the expected Feast at Hongmen did not materialize.

  All the officials were smiling and chatting, without any extreme behavior to speak out for Su Gu. What kind of conspiracy was hidden behind this, Wang Can thought hard but couldn't figure it out.