Liu Bei's Little Thoughts

  "See the young master." Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had meritorious deeds but found it hard to get rewards because they didn't have money to bribe officials up and down. They were being delayed by eunuchs' followers who were looking for excuses. The three of them were getting impatient while waiting at the post station when suddenly some imperial guards came to invite them, saying that the young master had summoned them.

  Three people inquired with the Yu Lin army, but they couldn't find out which young master wanted to see them. However, thinking that since it was a young master, he must be of noble status and might be able to speak on their behalf before Sheng, so they came over.

  However, at this time, the young master in front of him was a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy. Although he looked extraordinary, wore luxurious clothes and had an outstanding temperament, he was far from the high-ranking official they had imagined.

  It's just that a man under the eaves of another's house cannot but lower his head. Zhang Fei, though somewhat rough, and Liu Bei and Guan Yu, however, were quite insightful, pulling Zhang Fei along with them to bow in unison to Liu Biao, shouting loudly.

  "No need for courtesy, no need for courtesy. The three of you are indeed heroes and men of great talent. Each of you has an extraordinary appearance. General Liu looks like a man of great fortune and nobility. General Guan is well-versed in poetry, books on military strategy, and extraordinary tactics. General Zhang's demeanor is majestic, as if he were a god descended from heaven. Truly, they are the fine generals and talented men of Liu Biao! Someone has arrived, serve the fragrant tea."

  Facing Liu, Guan and Zhang, Liu instead showed no fear at all, but walked forward to carefully examine the three of them, bowing his hands one by one as he spoke, with a tone that was somewhat casual yet not lacking in respect.

  "Little Master, the three brothers are all rough men and may have been impolite in some ways. Please forgive us. We have never met you before, Little Master, so we don't know what instructions you have for us by summoning us here."

  Liu Bei, being of royal descent, had received some education in etiquette since childhood. Later, he studied under Lu Zhi and was a fellow student with Gongsun Zan, so he knew the court etiquette quite well. Therefore, he hastily bowed his hands to Liu Bian and said:

  "Three generals, this matter was suddenly brought up by Liu Bei. I also heard some court officials mention that the three of you had merits in suppressing the Yellow Turban bandits, but because of the intentional obstruction by eunuchs like Ten Constant Attendants, you were not able to receive titles and rewards. It is truly a pity for the three of you. On behalf of the people of the great Han dynasty, I would like to express my gratitude for the great contributions of the three generals. Please believe that the court will surely reward you heavily."

  "Hmph, can you represent the common people of the great Han Dynasty? Who do you think you are?" Zhang Fei's temper flared up, seeing Liu Bei hesitating there, and he couldn't help but coldly sneer.

  "My third brother is being impolite." Liu Bei was shocked and hastily scolded Zhang Fei, then turned around to bow respectfully to Liu Biao: "Young Master, please don't take offense. My third brother is illiterate and doesn't know etiquette; it's my fault for not teaching him properly. If there's any blame, I'm willing to take the responsibility on his behalf."

  Zhang Fei, who was standing beside him, wanted to say something else, but Guan Yu hastily pulled him back and stopped him from continuing. However, Liu Bei did not pursue Zhang Fei's rudeness, but nodded his head and said:

  "Ignorance is no excuse, and you can forgive General Zhang's offense. However, what General Zhang said also makes sense. Now that the Ten Eunuchs are in control of the government, deceiving the Emperor, causing chaos throughout the land, the Yellow Turbans are rising up, and people are suffering - this is indeed a crime of the imperial family. Hmph, if one day I, Liu Bian, ascend to the throne, I will first eliminate the Ten Eunuchs and other eunuch factions, restore order to the court, and reappoint capable generals like General Zhang, bringing peace back to the world."

  Liu Bian's body suddenly burst out with an intangible aura, which was the result of him exerting his innate ability to exude a majestic and awe-inspiring presence. This sudden display shocked Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, not only because Liu Bian's words were extremely treasonous and required a certain status to utter, but also because the powerful aura emanating from his body made the three men feel as if they needed to look up to him like a celestial being.

  "Is the young master Liu Bian, not the son of Empress He?" Guan Yu suddenly exclaimed, while Liu Bei and Zhang Fei also stared at him with wide eyes.

  "General Guan, the two generals, I am indeed the prince, but due to some reasons, I couldn't stay in the palace. However, there are still three months left before I can return to the palace. I have great admiration for the achievements of the three generals. If you don't mind, please move into the Shi Manor and reside there. I will definitely report your merits to my father, the emperor, and reward you heavily as meritorious ministers. Of course, if I am fortunate enough to become the crown prince, I can let the three of you enter my Eastern Palace and take office, allowing you to display your talents and work towards a stable life for the people."

  "See the Crown Prince."

  Among the children of Emperor Ling today, Liu Bian is indeed the eldest, so according to the rules of the Han ancestors, he should be established as the crown prince, so his words are not empty talk, but have a great possibility.

  Liu Bei and his three men joined the army to suppress the bandits, not just to establish their merits and advance their careers, but also to secure a position in the government, so that when the chaotic times came, they could stabilize their lives and have something to achieve.

  Now they were unexpectedly favored by the Crown Prince Liu Bian, if they could follow the Crown Prince, then in the future when he became the prince, and later when he ascended to the throne, they would be meritorious officials who had accompanied the dragon. Therefore, the three of them hastily paid their respects again, and even Zhang Fei did not dare to be presumptuous and rude anymore.

  "Have the three generals agreed to stay?" Liu Bian was overjoyed.

  "As for the eldest prince's words, we three brothers are overjoyed that he can look upon us with favor. We shouldn't decline, but thinking it over, we're just common folk and fear we won't be able to bear the weight of responsibility, so please let the eldest prince reconsider, lest we unknowingly cause trouble for him in the future."

  Liu Bei had a heroic temperament, and at this time he did not immediately agree to Liu Bian's conditions. Instead, he retreated and advanced, because they saw that the eldest son Liu Bian was only thirteen or fourteen years old, and thought that he might not have any ability, who knows if he can achieve anything in the future?

  "Yes, we three brothers originally intended to make contributions to the imperial court, obtain a official position and establish ourselves, so that our family can live a good life. We remember the eldest prince's kindness and indeed as my brother said, we don't understand the etiquette of the officialdom, and have offended the ten attendants before. If we stay here, it will only create some enemies for the eldest prince in vain, which is not what we want."

  Guan Yu hastily added that his words were even more euphemistic, and there was another reason circulating among the people. That is, Emperor Ling of Han did not like Crown Prince Liu Bian very much, but rather liked Second Prince Liu Xie. He had always wanted to make Liu Xie the crown prince, but he was worried about Empress He's family, the He clan, because General-in-Chief He Jin controlled the nearby Yulin Army in the capital region, which was equivalent to controlling the surrounding areas of the capital city, making Emperor Ling somewhat apprehensive.

  "I also know that at the first meeting, the three generals must have some concerns. After all, Liu Bian is still young and inexperienced, and there are rumors in the streets that Emperor Ling favors his younger brother Liu Xie. Let's not talk about this for now, it's already noon, let's have lunch together."