The imperial cause at the end of the Han Dynasty was not one of partial peace.

Chapter 8 A Loyal and Righteous Ruler Does Not Have No Loyal and Righteous Ministers

As Liu Bei was mentally assessing his wealth of talented individuals, an angry young voice suddenly came from behind him. It was the voice of someone going through puberty, and it sounded as funny as a male duck's.

But his words were firm and resolute, and his righteous spirit made everyone look back at the past.

"What's going on? Yu Fang just returned from Liangxiang, and in Zhuoxian town, he's already heard rumors and commotion!"

"Everyone says that today, in front of the west warehouse of the city, our lord drew his powerful bow in the street and fired three arrows, killing three people! Corpses lay strewn across the road, blood flowed like a river, onlookers were horrified, and the whole city was shaken! At this moment, the news is spreading like wildfire throughout the county and temple!"

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man dressed in a light blue robe, with no crown on his head and only his hair tied up with a blue cloth, walking briskly through the crowd.

He was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a face that still looked childish, but at this moment his brows were furrowed and his starry eyes were filled with anger. He was none other than Tian Yu and Tian Guorang.

Tian Yu walked straight up to Liu Bei and bowed hastily as a greeting.

His gaze then swept intently over Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the returning wandering knights, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:

"Gentlemen! You are all my lord's trusted advisors, and have been deeply trusted and favored by him! How could you, while accompanying my lord, allow him to stand in such a dangerous place in the marketplace and do this... do this thing that gives others a handle against him? To kill someone in the street, in full view of everyone, this is irrefutable evidence!"

"The Han law clearly states that the crimes of murder by thief or murder in a fight are severe. How can you not know this? Even if there is a reason for the crime, the government places the greatest emphasis on the evidence process in criminal cases."

"The crimes of Deng and Li have not yet been revealed to the authorities, yet our lord acted first. Legally, this constitutes 'unauthorized killing' and 'premeditated killing'! You gentlemen, who were by his side, failed to prevent or dissuade him beforehand, and have now failed to quell the slander and clean up the mess. Have you not failed our lord's trust and our duty as his henchmen? Are you just going to stand by and watch our lord be imprisoned and bear this enormous responsibility?"

Although he was young, he spoke quickly and urgently, clearly and logically, hitting the nail on the head and expressing deep dissatisfaction.

Clearly, he had just returned from gathering information outside. Upon hearing this, he was already extremely anxious before he could inquire about the reasons, fearing that Liu Bei would be put in a desperate situation as a result.

Zhang Fei, embarrassed by the sharp questioning he received in public from this teenager, glared with his leopard-like eyes, his bushy beard bristling, ready to erupt in anger. He was hot-tempered and utterly intolerant of such questioning, especially from a mere boy.

Guan Yu reached out and gently placed his hand on Zhang Fei's arm. There was no anger in his phoenix eyes; instead, a hint of approval flashed across them.

He had always treated his soldiers well but was arrogant towards the scholar-officials. He greatly admired those who were loyal, righteous, and outspoken. Tian Yu's advice, which disregarded his own interests and went straight to the heart of the matter, actually suited his taste.

The wandering knights Wang Kai and Li Zheng, who had returned with them, looked at each other in bewilderment. Some of them looked embarrassed and felt that they had indeed failed to provide adequate protection.

Others disagreed, thinking that the young scholar was too pedantic and out of touch with reality. With chaos on the horizon, why would he care about so many rules and regulations?

Ignoring everyone's reactions, Tian Yu abruptly turned to face Liu Bei again, lifted the hem of his robe, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and raised his head, proclaiming in a loud voice:

"My lord! I am young and lack virtue, talent and learning. I am grateful for your kindness in taking me under your wing. I have always thought of repaying your kindness with my life. Today's events may have been due to your momentary negligence or lack of foresight, which has led to your perilous situation and damaged reputation."

"However, our lord is a member of the Han imperial family, and our cause rests on his shoulders. We must not give him any leverage, allowing our enemies to exploit the situation, nor can we tarnish our reputation for benevolence!"

He paused, then his voice became even more resolute: "I, Yu, am willing to follow the ancient stories of Nie Zheng and Yu Rang, to share the burdens of my lord and uphold loyalty! I beg you, my lord, to immediately bind me and send me to the county temple, where I will confess that the murder at the west warehouse today was entirely my doing!"

"I will take full responsibility for all the crimes! This way, we can preserve our lord's reputation, avoid damaging our great cause in the slightest, and also give the government an explanation!"

Nie Zheng, an assassin from the Warring States period, killed Han Xiang Xia Lei to repay Yan Zhongzi's kindness, and then disfigured himself and died. Yu Rang, an assassin from the Spring and Autumn period, avenged his former master Zhi Bo by painting his body black with lacquer to make himself leprosy and swallowing charcoal to make himself mute. He plotted to assassinate Zhao Xiangzi several times, but failed and committed suicide by sword.

Both men are exemplars of the saying "a scholar will die for one who understands him." Tian Yu compared himself to them, which reveals his unwavering loyalty.

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

He took the blame for the Lord, and it was a grave crime of murder, yet he willingly went to his death.

This young man possesses such courage and loyalty!

Even Zhang Fei, who was usually fearless, widened his copper bell-like eyes and looked the quiet boy who usually followed Jian Yong up and down again, as if he were getting to know him for the first time.

Guan Yu paused slightly as he stroked his beard, and his gaze toward Tian Yu was no longer just one of admiration, but also carried a hint of respect.

Liu Bei also felt a surge of heat rushing to his chest.

This is Tian Yu, the historical figure who guarded the northern frontier for decades, possessed extraordinary wisdom and strategy, repeatedly defeated the Xianbei, and subdued the nomadic tribes beyond the Great Wall. Cao Pi praised him as "brave and resourceful."

His loyalty, courage, and sense of responsibility are truly innate!

At only sixteen or seventeen years old, he was able to step forward without hesitation when his lord was in danger!

But how could Liu Bei really let a young man, especially a pillar of society like Tian Yu who could support the world in the future, take the blame and die for his "risky move"?

His execution of Deng and Li in the street today was not a momentary act of reckless courage, but a well-thought-out move after weighing the pros and cons.

The intention was to seize the critical juncture when the world was on the verge of chaos, and in the most intense and swift way, to gain the greatest reputation for "suppressing the rebels before they sprouted," while simultaneously binding themselves deeply to the impending Yellow Turban Rebellion, turning crisis into opportunity.

Liu Bei stepped forward and personally helped Tian Yu, who was still kneeling, to his feet.

"Guo Rang's loyalty and righteousness have deeply pleased me, and I am filled with gratitude. Confucius once said, 'A scholar cannot but be resolute and persevering, for his burden is heavy and his journey is long.' He also said, 'A man of noble character and benevolence will not seek to live at the expense of benevolence, but will sacrifice his life to achieve benevolence.'"

He paused, his gaze sharpening and becoming frank: "A true man acts with integrity and uprightness, daring to take responsibility for his actions! Today, in the events west of the city, I, Liu Xuande, killed the man, and I, Liu Xuande, shot the arrow! How can I allow someone else to take the blame?"

"This is not the act of a true man, nor the way of a hero! If I were to do such a thing, how could I, Liu Bei, stand before this bright and clear world? How could I be qualified to recruit heroes and righteous men from all over the land to jointly support the Han Dynasty and save the common people?"

He surveyed the crowd, noticing their eyes gradually brightening, and continued loudly, "My killing of Deng Zhong and Li Shi was not out of mere bravado, nor was it a rash act. Those two gathered hundreds of people, openly armed themselves, besieged merchants, uttered the rebellious words 'Heaven shall rise,' and possessed armor and crossbows forbidden by the court. Their actions were tantamount to treason!"

"By killing him, I am nipping the rebels in the bud and protecting the people from disaster! This heart and this will are worthy of Heaven and Earth, of the law of the court, and of the voices of the people! Why should a loyal and righteous young man's blood stain the dust to cover for me?"

"As for the county magistrate..." Liu Bei calmly pressed the hilt of his double-edged sword at his waist, his tone resolute, "Guorang need not worry too much. If he doesn't come, fine; but if he does, I have my own way of dealing with it."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a lookout on the manor's watchtower suddenly raised his voice and shouted:

"My lord! We hear the sound of carriages and horses on the main road outside the manor, about ten people, rushing towards the manor gate! Judging from their flags, hats, and clothing... they seem to be county officials!"

coming!

Everyone's hearts tightened. Zhang Fei instinctively gripped the eighteen-foot-long spear beside him, while Guan Yu stroked the hilt of his ring-pommel sword, his gaze sharp as a blade. Tian Yu looked anxiously at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei remained calm, merely straightening his faded linen robe, and indifferently instructed Liu Deran beside him, "Deran, open the gates and let them in. The rest of you, return to your posts and continue your training as usual. There is no need to panic, and no one is to use weapons recklessly."

After speaking, he returned to the main hall of the manor first, his steps steady. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance, then followed closely behind, one on the left and one on the right, their hands on their swords.

The hundred or so people on the drill ground slowly dispersed as ordered, each returning to their posts.

But everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the slowly opening manor gate, and to the approaching dust and hoofbeats outside.