Jiangling, Jingzhou.
Shi Bao stepped down from the carriage, looking rather weary.
He was bound for Jiaozhou to serve as inspector. It had been a long time since he had set out from Luoyang, yet he had only now reached Jiangling. This was not because he was reluctant to reach Jiaozhou sooner, but because he had spent the journey making preparations for what lay ahead.
Shi Bao did not dare go to Jiaozhou alone.
It was not that he feared any danger there. The main issue was that without familiar men to employ, he would likely be reduced to a figurehead by the other officials in Jiaozhou.
He had gathered some of his former trusted aides, along with young men from his own clan.
Once he brought these men to Jiaozhou, he could submit memorials to Cao Mao in his capacity as inspector, recommending them for official appointments. Cao Mao would certainly not make things difficult for him.
As soon as he reached Jiangling, Shi Bao ordered a halt.
He needed to meet the local commander, General Wang Ji.
Jiaozhou was remote and desolate, and its defenses were severely undermanned. Wen Qin had already left.
Only Huo Yi, who had just surrendered, remained.
The troops under his command were not of particularly high quality.
Moreover, Jiaozhou had long been governed by the Wu Kingdom. Although Puyang Xing's policies had left the people there deeply dissatisfied, Cao Wei lacked roots in the region, after all, and the Wu people were eyeing it like tigers watching their prey.
To govern Jiaozhou well, he had to cultivate good relations with General Wang.
When Shi Bao arrived at Wang Ji's residence with his men, Wang Ji was discussing the situation in Jiangdong with a number of generals.
Learning of Shi Bao's arrival, Wang Ji