Volume 1: Kyoto Winds and Clouds Chapter 43 Return to Yu Province Liu Zhang Takes Command

  Zhang Fei looked at Liu Zhang, and suddenly remembered his father Zhang Yong's words. Although Zhang Fei always found his father nagging, he rarely disobeyed him. Of course, the matter of practicing martial arts was an exception. He recalled that before Zhang Yong passed away, he didn't say anything, but only entrusted Zhang Fei to follow Liu Zhang no matter what, even if it meant being a lowly servant. Now that Liu Zhang had come to recruit him, Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment before kneeling down and saying: "Greetings, my lord!"

  "Get up! Get up!" Liu Bei hastily helped Zhang Fei up, saying: "You and I are brothers, from now on there's no need to be so formal, just call me elder brother!" Liu Bei had originally come for Zhang Fei, and now that Zhang Fei had surrendered, Liu Bei would not mistreat him. As for becoming sworn brothers with Zhang Fei, Liu Bei was not someone who hadn't thought of it, he just hadn't found the right opportunity yet.

  "Big Brother!" Zhang Fei stood up and said, "Since I've followed Big Brother, I'll have someone sell the house immediately, and we can head back to Youzhou together!"

  "Good!" Liu Zhang smiled and asked: "Yide, have you seen a man with phoenix eyes, sleeping silkworm eyebrows, a face like a ripe date, lips like painted rouge, two feet of whiskers under his forehead, and nine feet tall?"

  Zhang Fei thought for a moment and said: "I've never seen anyone like that. Has he offended our eldest brother?"

  "That's not true!" Liu Zhang smiled and said, "This man is also a hero with a strong sense of chivalry. I'd like to invite him to join us in our great endeavor. I heard he wants to come to Youzhou, so I'm asking you about it, brother. If you've seen him, that's best; if not, then we won't force the issue!"

  Zhang Fei laughed and said: "Don't worry, big brother. Since he is a hero, he will surely cherish heroes and sooner or later become your man!"

  Liu Zhang smiled and shook his head, but didn't say a word. He knew that heroes cherish other heroes, but there aren't just one or two heroes in the world. If Guan Yu can't be found now, he might become Liu Bei's man. Just now, when Liu Zhang saw Liu Bei at the market, if he hadn't been restrained by some scruples, he would have definitely taken care of Liu Bei.

  After a few more days, Zhao Lei's injury had healed to some extent. During these days, Zhang Fei entertained Liu Zhang and others while handling his family property. When Zhao Lei was able to withstand the bumps of horseback riding, Liu Zhang decided to set off back to Jizhou County. Looking at the Zhang Mansion with its signboard already removed, Zhang Fei felt a little reluctant to part with it, after all this was where he had lived for over ten years.

  Liu Bei saw Zhang Fei somewhat disheartened and couldn't help but tease: "Yide, after you've achieved success and fame, you can come back. At that time, we'll buy up all the nearby houses to expand. The peach garden in the backyard will be where brothers gather to drink and have fun!"

  "Yes! Big brother!" Zhang Fei was originally a straightforward person, and being teased by Liu Zhang made him somewhat embarrassed.

  Seven people brought a carriage from Zhuo County and left with a long sigh, but none of them saw that at the corner of the street, there was a big man with his hands in his sleeves, looking at their backs with a resentful face.

  The county governor of Zhuo was not a fool. When Liu Bei arrived in Zhuo County, he transmitted the news to Ji County through official documents. When Liu Bei left, he again sent out the news by fast horse. Not long after Liu Bei left Zhuo County, Liu Yan already knew that he would return. For this knowledgeable and tactful county governor of Zhuo, Liu Yan promoted him to be the Colonel of Breaking Bandits. It was not until the outbreak of the Yellow Turban Rebellion that Liu Bei came to know that this county governor was actually Zou Jing who had recommended Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in history!

  Liu Yan stayed in Ji County for five years, during which Huang Zhong and Yan Yan repeatedly repelled the Wuhuan, making Liu Yan somewhat admire Liu Zhang. Who would have thought that relying solely on rumors from the market, Liu Zhang would recruit two great generals. What's even more unexpected is that the military training method left by Liu Zhang actually gave the 20,000 soldiers in Ji County such combat effectiveness.

  Originally, when Han people fought against foreign tribes, the casualty rate of cavalry battles could reach 2:1, and the casualty rate of infantry battles could reach 5:1, which was already a miracle. However, after being trained by Huang Zhong and Yan Yan, their troops were able to defeat more with less, with a very low casualty rate, and sometimes even zero casualties in small-scale battles. Of course, there were also reasons for Yan Yan and Huang Zhong, but the root cause was still the training method of the soldiers.

  Finally back to Ji County, although Liu Zhang didn't stay in Ji County for a year, his parents are all in Ji County. He hasn't seen his parents for five years, and Liu Zhang's heart is a little nervous, maybe this is the feeling of being close to home.

  "Master!" At the city gate stood two robust men, and behind them a couple. Seeing Liu Zhang's group from afar, the robust men immediately waved their hands in greeting.

  "Han Sheng! Yan Yan!" The two big men's blockheads were very obvious, and the couple behind them was blocked. Liu Zhang rode over and had just finished greeting Huang Zhong and Yan Yan when he saw Liu Yan and his wife behind them. Liu Zhang hastily dismounted and knocked his head, saying: "Greetings to Father and Mother, how did you come?"

  "My son, you're so heartless! You've been gone for five whole years!" Madam Liu burst into tears as she tightly hugged Liu Zhang.

  Liu Zhang looked at Liu's wife who was crying like a tearful person, and immediately felt somewhat at a loss. It was still Liu Yan who came out to resolve the situation: "Madam, Zhang'er is back, it should be a happy event, why are you crying so sadly, isn't that ruining the festive atmosphere?"

  "Ah! It's all my fault!" Madam Liu burst into tears and then smiled, saying: "Zhuang'er seems to have brought back quite a few people, why not introduce them to us?"

  "Having met Uncle and Aunt (Old Master, Old Madam)!" Zhao Yun and the others treated Liu Zhang like a brother, and upon seeing Liu Yan's wife, they immediately paid their respects.

  "Oh, whose little girl is this? She's really lovely!" Mrs. Liu took a liking to Zhao Yun's sister at first glance and pulled over Zhao Yu: "Little girl, will you be my goddaughter?"

  Liu Zhang smiled and said: "Mother, she is the younger sister of my fellow disciple Zhao Yun, so naturally she is your daughter. Why do you need to make her a goddaughter?"

  "I gave birth to four sons, but no daughters. I want to adopt a daughter, and naturally hope she's willing." Mrs. Liu shot a glance at Liu Zhang before turning to Zhao Yu and asking: "Little girl, are you willing?"

  Zhao Yu was also a pitiful person, she lost her mother at a young age, although she had two older brothers to take care of her, but she still lacked maternal love. Seeing the gentle and elegant Mrs. Liu, the little girl's eyes turned red in an instant, she rushed into Mrs. Liu's arms and softly called out: "Mother!"

  "Good!" Mrs. Liu was greatly relieved, although she was just over 40 years old.

  Liu Zhang and Liu Yan walked and chatted, with Liu Yan learning about Liu Zhang's life over the past five years. Meanwhile, Mrs. Liu was inquiring about Zhao Yu Xiao Jie's family background. Although Mrs. Liu's actions were somewhat excessive, she was doing it for Liu Zhang's own good. Almost all women in this world hope that their husbands will only love them alone, but as mothers, they wish their sons could catch all the good girls in the world. Perhaps that's just how contradictory women are!

  When Madam Liu heard that Zhao Yu had no father or mother since childhood, her eyes immediately turned red. Originally, she adopted Zhao Yu as a foster daughter to help Liu Zhang win over the Zhao Yun brothers, but now she really liked this clever little girl. Just as the two women were hugging and crying, they suddenly heard Liu Yan scolding Liu Zhang, while Liu Zhang was secretly resenting Huang Xu's quick mouth. If it weren't for Huang Xu telling Liu Zhang about the five people who took down a bandit stronghold on a mountain, Liu Yan wouldn't have gotten angry.

  It is often said that a son of a wealthy family will not be reckless, and another saying goes: a gentleman does not stand under a precarious wall. In Liu Yan's view, Liu Zhang was both a son of a wealthy family and a gentleman, so he should not have acted so rashly. However, although Liu Zhang was lectured by Liu Yan and appeared to be obedient, in his heart he did not think so. He wanted to become the Grand General of the Han Dynasty, how could he be afraid of some danger? Of course, Liu Yan was only worried about Liu Zhang's safety, as the saying goes: "Love is deep, blame is severe".

  Back at the Youzhou Governor's mansion in Jizhou, Liu Yan had already prepared hot water and a change of clothes for Liu Zhang. After washing up, when Liu Zhang came out with Zhao Yun and others, Liu Yan's eyes lit up instantly. It wasn't that Zhang Fei's physique surprised Liu Yan so much, but rather their temperament was unlike ordinary people.

  It is worth noting that Zhang Fei was forced to study literature by his father since he was young, and with his good looks, he had a bit of the flavor of a Confucian general. Zhao Yun and Zhang Ren were even more so disciples of Tong Yuan, and although Tong Yuan was a martial artist, he also studied books and practiced martial arts since he was young, so naturally his disciples were not ordinary people. In the Han Dynasty, scholars who had no strength to bind chickens were not valued by others, but rather those who could both fight and govern were more highly regarded. To be able to both fight and govern, one must have a combination of literary and military skills. Zhao Yun and others were precisely this type of person. However, although Zhang Fei also had a combination of literary and military skills, his personality was really too rash.

  After washing up, it was time for the banquet. Looking at the full table of food, not to mention Zhao Yun and Zhao Lei, those children who had been eating bitterness since childhood, even Liu Zhang left his mouth watering. In the mountains, Liu Zhang and others often went hunting to train their marksmanship. Even if they caught some game, it was just simply cooked, nothing compared to the delicious dishes made by the special chefs of the Shi family! Liu Zhang and others ate voraciously, making Lady Liu wipe away tears, until after the banquet ended, she still kept saying: "My son has suffered!"

  After eating and drinking enough, Liu Zhang and others came to the room arranged by Liu Yan and had a good sleep. The next morning, Liu Zhang and others woke up under the influence of the biological clock. When Liu Yan got up, they had already practiced martial arts for a while in the small training ground in the backyard. After finishing breakfast, Liu Zhang took his brothers to find Liu Yan.

  Seeing his son arrive, Liu Yan smiled and asked: "My son, did you sleep well last night?"

  Liu Zhang smiled and said: "Tell father, at his own home, he naturally sleeps more comfortably."

  Liu Yan nodded and asked: "You have come to see me, what is it that you want?"

  Liu Zhang smiled and said: "Father, I want to lead troops! My brothers also want to join the army and gain experience."

  "Oh! Tell me your thoughts!" Liu Yan knew that Liu Zhang had been determined to be like Huo Qubing since he was a child, and it was normal for him to want to join the army.

  Liu Zhang smiled and said, "The 20,000 people of Jizhou are under my command, Huang Zhong is directly under me, Zhang Fei, Zhang Ren, Zhao Yun, Huang Xu, and Zhao Lei will be under Huang Zhong's command! As for Yan Yan, let him lead another 10,000 men!"

  "This... isn't quite right!" Liu Yan hesitated, not because he was afraid of Liu Zhang taking power, but because he was worried that the troops under his control exceeded the scope allowed by the imperial court.

  "Don't worry, Father!" Liu Zhang smiled and said: "The troops in Ji County have been trained by Huang Zhong for five years now! This time I'm back, not just to train in the army, but to take the initiative to attack. Once I defeat Wuhuan, the court won't say we're holding too many arms. If I lose, these 20,000 people will probably be left with very few, and the court won't say anything either!"