106 Ju Yi Stumbles Upon Grain Thieves

Ju Yi was the top commander under Yuan Shao, renowned for his disciplined approach to warfare.

Take marching, for example.

Scouts would probe the path for ten miles ahead of the main force, and a small detachment would advance three miles in front of the main troops.

Though they were deep within Yuan Shao’s territory, Ju Yi was meticulous and left nothing to chance.

About three miles ahead of Ju Yi’s main force, Xu Hong, the nephew of Xu You, was directing his household guards to clear away the stones and trees blocking the mountain path.

“Damn it! Who’s the scoundrel that piled these huge rocks on the mountain trail?”

“Hurry up, all of you! The sooner we clear this, the sooner these supplies get back. I’ll reward you handsomely!” Xu Hong barked as he directed the labor.

These household guards were notorious for bullying and harassing others, especially exploiting the Xu family’s influence to torment widows and common folk. But when it came to actual work, none of them was willing to exert themselves.

“Master, we really can’t carry on!”

“Take a break, or rest a while longer if you must!” the lead guard pleaded with Xu Hong.

Just then, as Xu Hong’s men dragged their feet, a troop of roughly a hundred soldiers approached from the opposite direction.

The leading sergeant shouted, “Who are you?”

Xu Hong, upon seeing the soldiers, felt no fear—instead, he saw a chance for free labor.

“You soldiers, move these roadblocks at once. Delay me and I’ll skin you alive!” Xu Hong scolded arrogantly.

The sergeant drew his sword with a clang, pointing it at Xu Hong. “Who are you? Where did these supplies come from?”

The sergeant recognized the grain sacks on the carts, each clearly marked “military provisions.”

These people were blatantly smuggling military grain—an unforgivable offense.

But Xu Hong tossed a badge from his waist toward the sergeant. “I’m from the Xu family. Xu You is my uncle.”

“We’ve been ordered to transport these supplies, with official documents. Move the roadblocks quickly.”

Though Xu Hong was illegally moving grain from Wuchao, he showed no fear.

This was a conspiracy involving many officials under Yuan Shao; numerous civil and military officers were complicit.

Who would dare intervene?

Anyone who did would risk offending most of Yuan Shao’s command.

Hearing that Xu Hong was from the Xu family and that Xu You was his uncle, the sergeant sheathed his sword.

He earned only a modest military wage, and crossing Xu You would make life miserable for him.

Still cautious, he sent one man to quickly report to Ju Yi, while the rest helped Xu Hong clear the path.

Ju Yi was leading the main force when a sharp shout came from afar: “Report!”

A messenger, panting heavily, rushed up to Ju Yi. “General, three miles ahead there’s a grain convoy.”

Ju Yi was momentarily puzzled.

They were on a supply route; seeing a grain convoy wasn’t unusual.

“Oh,” he said.

“Whose convoy is it? If it’s urgent, we’ll clear the way for them to pass.”

The messenger whispered, “It’s the Xu family’s convoy, carrying about three thousand shi of military grain.”

At the mention of the Xu family, Ju Yi’s face twisted with anger, almost leaping from his horse.

Ju Yi was no fool; he knew exactly what that implied.

The Xu family running a grain convoy?

They were clearly profiteering from the war, trafficking military provisions.

Without hesitation, Ju Yi spurred his steed toward the convoy three miles ahead, determined to see if the Xu family had truly lost their senses.

His horse was a fine steed, steady even on mountain trails.

Within the time it took to brew a cup of tea, he arrived at the scene.

What he saw made his nostrils flare with fury.

His anger wasn’t because the Xu family was smuggling grain—it was because his own troops were aiding the criminals.

Confronted with smugglers, his men hadn’t arrested them; instead, they were helping clear the roadblocks.

This made them accomplices.

Ju Yi dismounted swiftly and without a word kicked the lead sergeant.

The blow was fierce, sending the sergeant flying nearly ten feet before he hit the ground hard.

“G-g-general!” the sergeant stammered, bewildered but too afraid to speak further, he knelt on one knee before Ju Yi.

“Get out of my sight!” Ju Yi rebuked him, then turned to Xu Hong. “Who are you? Where did you get these supplies, and where were you planning to take them?”

Just as the roadblocks were about to be cleared, Xu Hong narrowed his eyes and sized up Ju Yi. “Who the hell are you, daring to meddle in Xu family affairs? Believe me, tomorrow I’ll have you cooking fires in the kitchen barracks!”

Before Xu Hong could finish, his lead guard quickly grabbed him, whispering in his ear, “Master, this is General Ju Yi.”

Hearing the name, Xu Hong shuddered.

Since the deaths of Yan Liang and Wen Chou, Ju Yi and Zhang He had become Yuan Shao’s foremost generals.

His uncle Xu You held high rank, but Ju Yi was no less formidable.

Xu Hong hurriedly changed his tone, smiling. “General Ju, everyone knows about this grain transport.”

“We’re just following orders, General. Why make things difficult for us?”

Indeed, much of the civil and military leadership under Yuan Shao was involved in this grain trafficking.

But Ju Yi was upright and incorruptible—he would rather starve or die in poverty than participate.

Xu Hong, however, was unaware of Ju Yi’s integrity.

He assumed Ju Yi was part of the scheme and spoke ambiguously.

“Following orders?”

“Whose orders? Do you have official documents authorizing this transport?” Ju Yi’s face was stern and unforgiving.

“I…” Xu Hong stammered, unable to answer.

Realizing Ju Yi was determined to press them, Xu Hong guessed that Ju Yi was not in on the conspiracy.

He dared not say more; he couldn’t betray his uncle.

His eyes darted, and he quickly concocted a story.

“I found these supplies at a crossroads up ahead,” he said.

“I thought so much grain shouldn’t go to waste, and I was bringing it back to the Wuchao granary. Meeting General Ju here is perfect!”

“General, this grain is yours now. We’ll be on our way.”

With that, Xu Hong summoned his household guards and tried to flee.

(End of chapter)