xymnovel Chapter 13 Liu Bei's Generosity
Chapter 13 Liu Bei's Generosity
Liu Bei merely smiled faintly at the astonishment of his second and third brothers and others, showing no arrogance or domineering attitude whatsoever.
He calmly returned the greeting to Li Fu and said, "Your Excellency's kindness is deeply appreciated. Protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people, suppressing the rebels and restoring the Han dynasty, is the duty of a subject. Now that Your Excellency has summoned me, how could I dare disobey?"
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over his trusted subordinates, and calmly gave his instructions:
"Guorang, Zijing, and Xianhe, you three will be responsible for the general affairs of the estate and the reorganization of the troops."
"The raising of military funds and the trading of warhorses shall be the responsibility of Brother Zhang and Brother Su."
"Yun Chang, Yi De, gather twenty personal guards and follow me to the prefectural government."
"Yes, sir!" Everyone excitedly accepted the order, filled with a sense of eagerness and ambition to get started.
With the arrangements made, Liu Bei bowed to Li Fu and invited him to set off.
Li Fu stepped aside and led the first carriage: "Mr. Liu, please ride with me. We can talk on the way."
Traveling in the same carriage was an extremely high honor, demonstrating the prefecture's closeness to and high regard for Liu Bei.
Liu Bei did not refuse and boarded the carriage without hesitation.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei mounted their horses, while twenty elite cavalrymen—all armed with spears and swords, carrying bows and arrows, and with fierce expressions—quickly lined up behind the chariot, exuding an air of valor.
The spring breeze caresses the newly green peach branches by the roadside, where tiny red blossoms have already opened.
In the third month of the Jiazi year, chaos arrived as expected. But this time, Liu Bei was well-prepared and seized the initiative!
The carriage traveled along the rammed earth streets of the prefecture for a short while before arriving at the prefectural capital of Zhuojun.
Unexpectedly, an official wearing a hat and a black-lined inner robe was already waiting outside the main gate of the prefectural government office.
Upon seeing the convoy stop, he immediately stepped forward and bowed to Liu Bei, who had just alighted from the carriage: "I am Zhou Ping, the chief clerk of the prefecture. I have been ordered by the prefect to welcome Lord Liu here."
The chief clerk was an important subordinate official of the prefecture government, in charge of documents, handling affairs, and participating in confidential matters. He was a close attendant of the prefect.
The journey was short, but first, the clerk personally went to the manor to invite him and travel together in the same carriage. Now, the chief clerk was waiting for him at the gate of the manor. This shows how much the prefecture government valued Liu Bei.
This emphasis stemmed not only from the hundreds of brave soldiers under his command, but also from his foresight in anticipating the impending rebellion of the Taiping Dao.
In this time of sudden chaos and widespread panic, the existence of such a person with "penetrating insight" and "foresight" is itself a pillar of stability.
Liu Bei accepted the greetings without hesitation and, accompanied by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and twenty fierce guards, entered the main hall of the Zhuojun Prefecture.
The interior was now dignified, with lacquered tables and tables set up, and the air filled with the fragrance of incense; it was no longer the mess it had been before.
Prefect Liu He did not sit in the main seat, but stood in the hall to wait for him.
Upon seeing Liu Bei enter, he took two steps forward, grasped Liu Bei's hand, and said, "Xuande has finally arrived! This hasty invitation must have been arduous on your journey!"
For a high-ranking official like the Prefect of Two Thousand Stones to treat a commoner with such courtesy is truly an extraordinary honor.
Liu Bei knew very well that in the original course of history, he would never have received such treatment at the very beginning of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
It can be said that times have changed.
After the two sides finished exchanging pleasantries, Liu He invited Liu Bei to sit in the head seat among the guests, and then he himself returned to the host's seat.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stood behind Liu Bei with their hands on their swords, like door gods.
Zou Jing stood opposite Liu Bei, scrutinizing him intently.
After exchanging pleasantries and serving soup, Liu He cleared his throat and got to the point: "Xuande is loyal, brave, and quick-witted. He has long seen through the Taiping Dao's treacherous schemes and has gathered righteous troops, making him prepared for any eventuality. He is truly a pillar of the nation."
"The bandit Cheng Yuanzhi has led his troops to invade, his arrogance is outrageous. I wonder what your opinion is on this, Xuande? How should we respond to protect our territory and ensure the safety of our people?"
Liu Bei did not display arrogance, but instead cupped his hands in reassurance, saying, "You flatter me, Your Excellency. My humble opinion is nothing but a small one. Under Your Excellency's rule, Zhuojun is a peaceful and prosperous place, where the people live in harmony and prosperity."
"This rebellion is caused by the great villains Zhang Jiao and others who used heretical words to bewitch the ignorant people. It is not the fault of Your Excellency, nor is it due to any change in the hearts of the people of Zhuojun."
"These petty thieves, unaware of the might of Heaven, have gathered a mob by chance. They are nothing but a rabble. How could they possibly shake the mighty prefecture that Your Excellency is stationed here? Your Excellency, please rest assured, Zhuojun is firmly established. This is nothing more than a minor ailment."
These words first absolved Liu He of any potential blame for "mismanagement leading to chaos," and then placed all the blame on the Taiping Dao's incitement and the ignorance of the rioters.
This affirmed Liu He's achievements, and Liu He stroked his beard and nodded, overjoyed.
He secretly praised the young man for being polite and sensible, not the kind of rough and uncouth person who only knew how to be tough.
Then, Liu Bei's words revealed a hint of sharpness: "However, since there are traitors who harm the people rising up within our borders, we should swiftly suppress them to bring peace to the common people. I believe that the key to military strategy lies in speed and in the first battle."
"They have just risen up, their order is not yet established, and their commands are not unified. It is precisely the right time to use our discipline to strike their chaos. We should rally the troops and attack fiercely, striking in one fell swoop to crush their momentum, and the rest will collapse on their own. If we delay and wait, allowing them to gather as a large number of refugees and become a growing threat, we risk creating a serious problem."
Liu He nodded repeatedly. However, he still had concerns and pressed for details: "What Xuande said is very much in line with the essentials of military strategy. But the rebels still number in the thousands, like moths to a flame, their numbers are terrifying. What troops in our prefecture are capable of fighting...?"
He glanced at Zou Jing, "Colonel Zou has five hundred elite soldiers and several hundred righteous men under Xuande's command, totaling no more than a thousand. If we defend the city, we can still manage; but if we go out of the city to launch a counterattack, isn't that a bit risky? If we fail, it might damage the entire prefecture."
Liu Bei knew he had to dispel the last doubts of this conservative governor.
So he stood up from the table, chest out, and spoke eloquently:
"My lord! We have raised an army to punish the traitors of the nation, to relieve their suffering and save the people. We should strike first while they are still unstable, so as to inspire loyalty and righteousness throughout the land!"
"If we retreat and defend the city when we encounter a minor enemy, and procrastinate and wait and see, then those who follow the righteous path will become suspicious, and heroes from all directions will lose heart. At that time, morale will be lost, and it will be difficult to rally them again."
Seeing Liu He listening intently, he continued his in-depth analysis, his points clear and logical: "Does Your Excellency know why the bandits came from the north, rather than causing trouble directly in the prefectural capital?"
Liu He was taken aback: "This..."
He was unaware of this, but that was precisely why he treated Liu Bei with such courtesy!
He didn't care much about a few hundred followers; there were many powerful families in the county with over a thousand followers.
What he valued most was Liu Bei's foresight and his keen understanding of the Way of Peace!
So he decisively asked, "I would like to hear the details."
"This is because the Grand Marshal of the Taiping Road in Zhuojun has ambitions that extend far beyond the city of Zhuoxian!"
Liu Bei, confident and in control, spoke eloquently: "They must have first gathered their followers in the north of the prefecture, intending to join forces with other bandit armies in Youzhou to attack the capital of Guangyang Prefecture and seize the governorship! Those who have now sent troops to attack our prefecture must be a detachment, intended to contain, plunder, or test our strength!"
"This is a golden opportunity! The rebels rose up hastily, their generals do not know their soldiers, and their soldiers do not know their generals. Their orders are not unified, and they are like a disorganized mob."
"If I were to lead my elite troops in a swift and decisive attack, striking directly at their center and beheading their leader, their thousands would scatter in an instant! This is what is meant by 'using bravery and strength to strike a rabble is like pouring hot soup on snow!'"
He clenched his fists and palms, his voice bold and resolute: "Therefore, advancing will surely lead to victory, while defending will surely lead to danger! If Your Excellency has any doubts, I, in my humble opinion, am willing to personally lead my troops as the vanguard, to break out of the city and launch a counterattack, slaying generals and capturing flags!"
"Your Excellency and Colonel Zou can lead a large army to support us from afar, providing a show of force, and then victory will be assured! I am willing to sign a military pledge!"
These words demonstrate not only insight into the overall situation and accurate analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, but also the courage and responsibility to lead from the front.
The hall fell silent for a moment, with only Liu Bei's impassioned words echoing between the beams and pillars.
"Wow!" Finally, Zou Jing couldn't help but clap his hands and shout, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
He was a man knowledgeable in military affairs, and what Liu Bei said was exactly in line with the essence of military strategy: to break through enemy lines and defeat their strength. What was even more commendable was his courage to volunteer for battle!
Seeing that Zou Jing agreed, Liu He no longer hesitated.
Looking at this younger relative, decades younger than himself, the man's generous words and heroic spirit stirred even this seasoned widower, who had spent many years in the political arena, to great emotion.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" He rose from the table, filled with satisfaction: "Xuande is truly a unicorn of the Liu family! Loyalty and righteousness shine like the sun, wisdom and courage alike! If he were not a member of the imperial clan, how could he possess such insight and courage! I believe in you!"
The fact that he, as a member of the Liu clan, acknowledged Liu Bei, a junior, was an act of protection and praise from an elder to a younger generation.
He walked around the table to Liu Bei's seat, personally picked up a lacquered ladle, ladled wine from the wine vessel, and filled Liu Bei's cup. He said with great emotion, "Let us follow Xuande's advice! Let you be the vanguard, and strike back to defeat the enemy! This old man and Colonel Zou will support you and await good news!"
He raised his cup: "Xuande, how can the prefecture assist you? Whatever you need, the resources of the prefecture are at your disposal!"
Liu Bei returned the toast, but did not mention armor, crossbows, or other scarce items even in the prefectures and counties. The Eastern Han Dynasty lacked armories, and the prefectures and counties could not possibly possess such items in large quantities. He went straight to the point—
"Your Excellency is wise! The Yellow Turban rebels are mostly civilians and foot soldiers, their ranks are loose, and they are most vulnerable to cavalry charges and arrows."
"Our Youzhou border region is renowned for its fine horses. I request Your Excellency to order the requisition of one hundred fine horses from the prefectural and county stables and granaries, equipped with saddles and bridles. I have many skilled riders and archers under my command; with these horses, we will be like tigers with wings, and defeating the enemy will be assured!"
Upon hearing this, Liu He did not hesitate: "Granted! Li Gongcao and Zhou Zhubu, you two will oversee this matter immediately! Order all counties to select the best horses from the official stables, and even the horses used by the clerks of each department for driving, and send them to Xuande's camp as soon as possible! Anyone who shirks responsibility or conceals them will be severely punished!"
"Yes, sir!" Li Fu and Zhou Ping solemnly obeyed.
Zou Jing, who was standing to the side, was also impressed by Liu Bei's generous words. When he saw Liu Bei asking for horses to form a cavalry, he felt that great minds think alike.
He rose, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "I admire Liu Jun's magnanimity! My camp still has ten sets of standard two-armored suits, which, though not brand new, are still usable. I will give them to the brave men under Liu Jun's command to help you defeat the enemy! I will personally lead the infantry to hold the line for Liu Jun and provide support from afar!"
Liu Bei raised his cup, drank it all in one gulp, and then addressed Liu He and Zou Jing, his voice bold and resolute: "Your Excellency's trustworthiness is invaluable, and with Colonel Zou's assistance, how could I not be willing to die for you? Even if the enemy is strong and numbers in the millions, we will surely defeat them!"
After finishing his drink, Liu Bei took his leave of the prefectural government and quickly returned to the outskirts of the city. By the time he arrived back at his manor, dusk had already fallen.
The manor was far from quiet as night fell; instead, it was brightly lit, bustling with noise, and filled with a tense yet excited atmosphere.
Upon learning that their lord had returned from the prefectural government, Liu Deran, Tian Yu, Jian Yong, Qian Zhao, and others were already waiting in the main hall.
Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang also remained, clearly waiting for the final news.
As soon as Liu Bei entered the hall, without even changing his clothes, he said to Tian Yu, "Guorang, the prefectural government has promised to allocate one hundred official horses, and Colonel Zou has also gifted ten sets of armor. You must immediately take my letter and the official document from the prefectural government, and go with De Ran to the prefectural granary and stables to inspect and receive them. Make sure to transport all the horses and armor back to the manor before dawn!"
"Yes, sir!" Tian Yu and Liu Deran solemnly accepted the order, took the bamboo slips, and hurriedly left.
Liu Bei then looked at Qian Zhao and Zhang Ye: "Zijing, Mr. Zhang, once the horses arrive, you two will take charge and select those in the village who are skilled in riding and archery and understand the nature of horses. Give them priority in being assigned good horses and organize them into cavalry units. Mr. Zhang will be responsible for judging the horses and classifying them, while Zijing will assist in organizing the units. We must ensure that the men and horses are well-matched and form a fighting force as soon as possible."
"We will certainly live up to our lord's trust!" Qian Zhao and Zhang Ye replied in unison.
After arranging the supplies provided by the prefectural government, Liu Bei turned to Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, who had been waiting, and bowed, saying, "Thank you for waiting so long. The prefectural government has decided to attack, with me as the vanguard. With a major battle imminent, there are many matters to attend to. Please forgive any delays."
Zhang Shiping quickly stood up to return the greeting, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Lord Xuande, you are too kind! Business is of utmost importance! Brother Su and I are here for two reasons: first, to await good news, and second, to report to you the details of the financial assistance we just discussed."
He took out a roll of plain silk from his bosom, unfolded it, and on it were neatly written in clerical script the various supplies listed, clearly indicating that he had prepared in advance:
"Lord Xuande, you are wise enough to know that since we have decided to do our utmost to help you, we dare not hold back. After consulting with Lord Guorang, Lord Zijing, and others, the first batch of supplies that can be allocated immediately are as follows:"
"Firstly, warhorses. My family's caravan and warehouses currently have 240 fine horses, all of which are steeds raised by the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and other nomadic tribes beyond the Great Wall."
"Among them, there were 137 'superior horses' with a shoulder height of 5 feet 9 inches or more, strong teeth and a healthy body, capable of carrying armor and shooting arrows; 45 'medium horses' with a shoulder height of 5 feet 6 inches or more, suitable for riding; and the rest were 'inferior horses', which could also carry supplies or be used as spares."
During the Han Dynasty, there were strict standards for judging and using horses. The Book of Han, Annals of Emperor Jing, records that horses taller than five feet nine inches (about 1.36 meters) and with undeveloped teeth (meaning they were of moderate age) were prohibited from leaving the pass to prevent fine horses from flowing into the Xiongnu territory.
At five feet nine inches, a horse would be considered a fine steed by today's standards, which greatly helped Liu Bei build his cavalry.
"Secondly, gold and silk. We currently have 120 catties of gold ingots, 200 catties of silver ingots, 4 million coins, 50 bolts of top-quality Shu brocade, 800 bolts of fine silk, and 3,000 bolts of coarse hemp cloth available."
"Gold, silver, and currency can be used to trade for urgently needed goods or to reward merit; cloth can be used to make flags, uniforms, tents, and to reward soldiers."
Currently, gold is a valuable currency and is often cast in the shape of a disc, hence the name "gold disc".
Silver is not as widely used as gold, but it is also a hard currency.
Both cloth and money are important assets, and cloth also has both monetary and practical functions, making it an important means of payment and reward.
Liu Bei nodded slightly. With this sum of money, he could reward his soldiers generously and boost morale.
"Thirdly, grain and miscellaneous items. Currently, there are 4,000 bushels of millet, 1,000 bushels of beans, 30 shi of salt, and about 50 shi of dried meat, salted fish, and pickled vegetables. In addition, there are 2,000 jin of refined iron for repairing and forging weapons, as well as a certain amount of military supplies such as beef tendon, raw lacquer, and cinnabar."
After Zhang Shiping finished reading, he presented the silk and added, "This is the first batch. We have already dispatched trusted confidants, carrying my seal, to Zhongshan, Changshan, Bohai and other places to contact familiar merchants and prominent families to expedite the purchase of weapons, horses, and provisions."
"If there is any harvest in the future, it will be transported in continuously. However... the roads are not peaceful, the Yellow Turban Rebellion has begun, and the timeliness and quantity of subsequent supplies may not be fully guaranteed."
Su Shuang chimed in, "Lord Xuande, we have been merchants for many years and have eyes and ears in the important roads, passes, and markets of You and Ji prefectures."
"If you need anything, or if you need to find out news about a certain place, the two of us can find a way to deliver it through trade routes, which is faster than the official postal service."
This was not just about providing material support, but also about providing a valuable intelligence network.
Liu Bei took the silk, examined it carefully, and felt reassured.
With these, plus the hundred horses that the prefectural government was about to allocate, he instantly had a cavalry force of nearly two hundred riders, supplemented by several hundred elite infantrymen. Armor, weapons, and provisions would not be a problem in the short term, enough to support a medium-sized battle.
"Brothers Zhang and Su are truly righteous, offering timely help in my time of need, and their kindness will have a lasting impact. We, along with our soldiers, are deeply grateful for this kindness!" Liu Bei bowed solemnly. "After we defeat the enemy, we will repay them handsomely!"
"Lord Xuande, you flatter me!" Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang quickly stepped aside. "As fellow citizens of the Han Dynasty, it is our duty to face this national crisis together! We only hope that Lord Xuande will achieve victory soon and bring glory to our Han people!"