Chapter 38: Liu Xuande's Downfall

  At the border of Wuji County and Julu Commandery, about a hundred people were rushing along quickly.

  These over a hundred people were all wearing worn-out armor, with steel knives hanging from their waists, their eyes firm and resolute, their footsteps steady, clearly veterans of the battlefield. At the very front of the soldiers, there were three men riding horses in tandem. The one on the left wore a long crown on his head, dressed in black attire, with two earlobes drooping down to his shoulders, his hands clasped over his knees, his face as smooth as jade, his lips as if painted with lipstick, and a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, giving off an impression as gentle as spring breeze. On either side of his warhorse's back hung a long sword, and his palms were also covered in calluses, clearly a seasoned martial artist.

  The second person from the left wore a green robe with a long beard of two feet, his face was like a heavy date, with vermilion phoenix eyes and sleeping silkworm eyebrows. His appearance was majestic, but the slightly upturned corners of his mouth gave off an air of aloofness that kept people at bay. Only when he looked to the left did his gaze unconsciously soften, revealing a deep respect in his eyes. He rode a cyan horse, holding a handle of a cyan dragon crescent moon knife, advancing slowly while preparing for battle, with an aura that intimidated others.

  The third person from the left was extremely robust, with a face as black as coal, leopard-like head and ringed eyes, swallow's chin and tiger whiskers, and a broad waist. Even war horses felt strained carrying him. He held a 2.7-meter-long spear in his hand, and under the sunlight, the spearhead shone like a venomous snake spitting letter, which was frightening.

  These three men were Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

  During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu fought in Zhuo County before taking to the battlefield. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion was put down, rewards were given out for military service, and Liu Bei was appointed as the Magistrate of Anxi County, commanding a county's military forces, giving him some authority.

  Originally, Liu Bei planned to show off his talents in Anxi County, but unexpectedly, the imperial court issued an order stating that those who became officials due to their military achievements during the Yellow Turban Rebellion would have to undergo evaluation and selection, and only those who passed could stay.

  The imperial inspector came to Anxi County for inspection. Poor Liu Bei had little money and found it difficult to "pay respects" to the inspector, which made the inspector think that Liu Bei was ignorant of current events. The inspector was so angry that he sent someone to spread the word that he wanted to disperse Liu Bei's troops. When Liu Bei learned of this, he went to the post station where the inspector was staying and asked to see him. The inspector, who was impatient, said that he had fallen ill and refused to see him.

  Liu Bei was furious and in a fit of rage, he had the imperial inspector seized and tied to a tree, where he received two hundred lashes before his anger subsided.

  Then Liu Bei fled with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, abandoning his official post.

  Liu Bei led his two brothers south and met the general He Jin's subordinate, Yufuli, who was recruiting soldiers in Danyang. Liu Bei seized the opportunity and joined with Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, and when they arrived at Xiapi, they encountered bandits. The three of them fought against the bandits and achieved military merit. Liu Bei was then fortunately appointed as the county magistrate of Xiaopei County, and finally had a place to settle down.

  Liu Bei worked for a period of time but found himself under pressure everywhere. He resigned and left with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, wandering around again.

  Up till now, the three of them still have no fixed abode.

  "Big brother, let's go to Youzhou and join Gongsun Zan. Will he accept us?"

  Zhang Fei advanced with his eighteen-foot snake spear, worry in his eyes.

  Guan Yu gripped the Green Dragon Crescent Blade tightly in his hand, and let out a soft sigh. He and Zhang Fei had been following Liu Bei, wandering all over the place, sometimes settling down for a while. Unfortunately, those who took Liu Bei in initially showed great enthusiasm, but as time went on, no one paid attention to him anymore, making it difficult for Liu Bei to display his talents, and he lived a very unhappy life.

  For several years, there were more than 100 people around me.

  Liu Bei's heart was filled with sorrow, but he didn't show it. With a calm and confident tone, he said: "Third brother, don't worry. In the past when I studied under Lu Zhi, Gongsun Zan and I were close friends and classmates. Once we arrive in Youzhou, Gongsun Zan will definitely welcome us. As Gongsun Zan has been fighting against foreign tribes for years, with Yunchang and Yide's abilities, we can kill the barbarians like killing chickens and sheep. We will definitely achieve military merit. When the time comes, there will be an opportunity to showcase our talents."

  In Liu Bei's eyes, there was a beautiful vision.

  In fact, his relationship with Gongsun Zan can only be said to be ordinary, but now that he has nowhere else to turn, he can only seek refuge with Gongsun Zan. Given Gongsun Zan's respect for Lu Zhi, Liu Bei says they are fellow students, and Gongsun Zan will certainly accept him.

  Guan Yu's narrow eyes were slightly closed, his expression was spirited, he stroked the long beard under his chin and said loudly: "Brother, you are right. With our three brothers' abilities, we can conquer the world. Once we arrive in Youzhou, there will definitely be a great achievement."

  Zhang Fei grasped his 18-foot snake spear tightly and nodded in agreement, "Heaven will surely entrust great responsibilities to this man. He must first be made to suffer in his heart and will. We'll just have to endure some hardships for now, it's nothing. Once we get to Youzhou, we'll make a big move."

  The three brothers continued talking as they made their way to Wuzhou County.

  Report!

  Hou Fei rode his horse to come, stopped in front of Liu Bei and said with a fist: "Sir, on the west side of Wuji County, a team of officers and soldiers were found escorting war horses to Xincheng County in the northwest of Wuji County."

  Zhang Fei's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness as he asked: "What is the specific situation?"

  "About six hundred war horses and four hundred soldiers escorting them," replied General Hou.

  A flash of joy flickered in Liu Bei's eyes, but his face remained calm and unruffled.

  Zhang Fei burst out laughing, holding the 18-foot snake spear high in the air, and said excitedly: "Big brother, this batch of war horses is a great opportunity given by heaven to big brother! Six hundred war horses, if we take them down with one effort, and also swallow up the soldiers escorting them, it will be a force that's not too big or too small. It will also be beneficial for us when we go to deal with Gongsun Zan."

  Liu Bei thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "Robbing the official stables of their warhorses and killing government soldiers is a capital offense, it won't do."

  Zhang Fei, however, did not care about that and advised: "Big brother, we only have more than a hundred old soldiers, with few people and weak momentum. If you want to stand firm under Gongsun Zan's command, you must have your own strength. We took down 600 war horses, on the one hand, to equip our own forces, and on the other hand, we can send the excess war horses to Gongsun Zan as a gift when we meet, which will help big brother surrender to Gongsun Zan."

  Liu Bei hesitated and fell into a dilemma.

  Zhang Fei saw this and hastily made eye contact with Guan Yu, signaling him to speak up and persuade.

  Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Big brother, I agree with third brother's suggestion. For us three brothers to gain a foothold under Gongsun Zan, on the one hand we need to give him benefits, and on the other hand we also need to let him see our strength. This batch of war horses and the hundreds of soldiers escorting them will be of great help to us in joining Gongsun Zan."

  Liu Bei's face turned stern as he shouted: "Second brother, third brother is being reckless, how can you also be so unreasonable?"

  Zhang Fei snorted, "What nonsense, I'm doing it for the sake of my elder brother."

  Liu Bei's expression turned serious and he said firmly: "No! We can't kill innocent people for personal reasons."

  Zhang Fei hummed and said loudly, "If big brother doesn't go, I'll take our brothers there myself. If anything goes wrong, I, Zhang Fei, will take the blame alone and won't trouble big brother."

  "Brother, I think we should go," Guan Yu advised.

  Liu Bei's gaze fell on Zhang Fei, and he let out a soft sigh. His expression was sorrowful. "I, Liu Bei, am incompetent, causing my two younger brothers to suffer with me. In the past, when we three brothers swore an oath in the Peach Garden, we said that even if we were not born on the same day, month, and year, we would die on the same day, month, and year. Yide is determined to go, and as his older brother, I cannot stand by idly. Alright, let's take down this batch of war horses."

  Guan Yu patted his palm and smiled lightly, consoling him: "Big brother doesn't need to blame himself. Today's chaos in the sky and the presence of treacherous officials in the court are all due to the times. Big brother has made up his mind to support the state, so he must use extraordinary means."

  Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Second brother is right, we are for the sake of upholding justice."

  "Save the nation!"

  Liu Bei nodded heavily, as if convincing himself.