Chapter 21: Subjugating Guan Hai

  The bandit leader gave him a cold look but didn't answer.

  Zhang Fei said on the side, "Big brother doesn't have to bother with him, this black-faced thief is just a turtle hiding in its shell. I asked him for half a day and he didn't dare say his name. He has the guts to be a thief but not the guts to leave his name."

  The bandit chief flew into a rage and shouted: "A great man does not change his name when he acts, nor does he change his surname when he sits. You listen well, I am Guan Hai of Qingzhou. In a little while, you will go down to see King Yan and report my name, Guan the Great!"

  Guan Hai! Liu Ze was overjoyed, no wonder he could fight Zhang Fei for over thirty rounds without falling behind. Unexpectedly, Guan Hai, the Yellow Turban general who besieged Beihai in the Three Kingdoms, would appear here. As someone who had fought dozens of rounds with Guan Yu, his martial arts skills were naturally impressive. If he could be captured, Liu Ze's army would gain another powerful general.

  Liu Ze said loudly: "Look at the hero's good martial arts, why not serve the imperial court, but instead fall into banditry here, robbing and plundering, isn't it a pearl falling into darkness?"

  "Serve the imperial court? Are you dreaming? If I can plunder more gold, silver and treasures here, maybe I can buy a official position. Don't waste words, if you know what's good for you, put down your belongings, and I might spare your lives. Otherwise, the 64 heads from last month will be your example." The hundred or so bandits behind him also shouted in unison to intimidate them.

  Liu Ze was not afraid, and calmly said: "Wealth is an external thing, it can't be brought with you when you're born or taken with you when you die. If I have to put it down, it's naturally very easy..."

  Guan Hai heard this and burst out laughing, saying: "You're also a clever person..."

  Liu Ze simply measured the treasure sword in his hand and said: "However, even if I agree, I'm afraid this treasure sword won't agree."

  Guan Hai's face suddenly fell, and he shouted: "It seems that you have eaten iron scales and steeled your heart. Since this is the case, don't blame Guan for being ruthless. Next year on this day will be your sacrificial day!"

  "Guān Hài, I respect you as a man of honor. If we engage in battle, it's inevitable that some innocent people will get hurt. Why don't we make a wager instead?" Liu Ze thought to himself, wanting to subdue Guān Hài, and realized he needed to use some clever tactics.

  "How to gamble?" Guan Hai was not willing to show weakness either.

  "You can choose either of us two to have a one-on-one duel, if you win, all our wealth will belong to you and you can dispose of all our people; if you lose, you must leave the Green Forest, turn over a new leaf and follow me to do legitimate business, how about it?"

  Guan Hai hesitated for a moment, Zhang Fei's martial arts he had already experienced, he himself exhausted all his strength to barely tie with him, and it would be difficult to gain an advantage if they continued fighting. As for Liu Ze, although he didn't have Zhang Fei's majestic physique, Guan Hai felt a chilling aura from his piercing gaze, that calmness, that elegance, and that intimidating presence without anger made him somewhat breathless. However, looking at his young age, only fifteen or sixteen years old, even if his martial arts were good, he wouldn't have enough energy, definitely easy to defeat.

  "Black-faced thief, I've seen through you long ago. With your appearance, you dare to come out and rob people? Haha, hurry back home and hug your wife in bed, lest you lose face here!"

  Guan Hai's anger was uncontrollable, and he said to Liu Ze, "Fine, I'll fight you one on one! If you can last thirty rounds with me, then I'll admit defeat!" With that, he raised his twin halberds and took up a fighting stance.

  Zhang Fei stretched out his hand to intercept him and said, "Wait a minute, my elder brother has already spoken. If we lose, you can deal with us as you please. But if you lose, what should be done?"

  "If I lose, from now on I will be your slave and serve you for life."

  "Good! A real man's word is as good as his bond——" Zhang Fei thundered.

  "It's hard to catch up with a team of six horses!" Guan Hai added.

  Zhang Fei retreated slowly to Liu Ze's back and said in a low voice, "Brother, this guy's martial arts may not be too pure, but his arm strength is astonishing, and his attack is very fierce. You must be careful when dealing with him."

  Liu Ze nodded, this Guan Hai in the Three Kingdoms era might not even be considered second-rate, but in recent years he had been diligent in his studies and training, and on the path of martial arts he didn't dare to slack off for a moment. Although compared to Zhang Fei he was still far behind, he was confident that he had the ability to compete with Guan Hai.

  He took another step forward, holding his sword against his chest and said: "Please!"

  Guan Hai let out a loud roar, and with one leap he was three feet high. He swung his twin halberds down towards Liu Ze's head with the force of thunder. Liu Ze took a light step back, dodged to the side, and counterattacked with a thrust of his sword. Guan Hai used his halberd to deflect it, and the two clashed in a flurry of blows.

  Guan Yu's powerful blows shook the earth, his twin halberds whirling with a loud whoosh, his moves fierce and majestic. Liu Zan's body was light and agile, his precious sword flashing like a dragon swimming in water, its movements swift and elegant. The two sides clashed for thirty or forty rounds without gaining the upper hand. Meanwhile, Zhang Fei had already begun shouting: "Black-faced thief, your boasts are all empty words! You've already fought over thirty rounds, and even if you continue fighting, you'll still end up losing. Why not surrender now?"

  Gan Hai's face turned red with rage, and he added three points of strength to his hands. The iron spear was wielded like a windmill, each move fatal, directly targeting Liu Ze's vital parts.

  Liu Zei knew he was at the end of his strength, so he deliberately revealed a weakness. Guan Hai was overjoyed and swung his halberd to strike, but unexpectedly found himself wide open. Before his halberd even fell, Liu Zei's long sword was already pressed against his neck. This sword came too quickly, Guan Hai didn't even see how Liu Zei drew it. The icy blade rested on his neck, and with just a light swipe from Liu Zei, this head would no longer belong to him.

  The outcome was clear, and Guan Yu's face turned ashen. He let out a long sigh, tossed aside the twin halberds in his hands, and with a thud, he knelt before Liu Ze, saying: "My lord is above, please accept Guan Yu's bow."

  Guan Hai, although a rustic man, understood the principle of yielding to those who spare one's life. He was grateful that Liu Ze had spared his life and from then on considered himself to be Liu Ze's servant, following him wherever he went, ready to do his bidding.

  Liu Ze was overjoyed and hastily helped him up.

  As for how to deal with those thieves, Guan Hai had to ask Liu Ze for advice. After some thought, Liu Ze believed that the thieves had been doing evil for a long time and were difficult to control. If they were all recruited, there might be future troubles. If they were allowed to continue stealing, it would only harm the people. It was better to give them money to let them return home, either to buy land and farm or do some small business. Guan Hai immediately agreed.

  Liu Ze ordered Jian Yong to take out some money as a dispersal fee. Guan Hai smiled awkwardly and said, "I have robbed many merchants here, although the gold, silver, and money are not much, but it is enough for all of you brothers to settle down, how can I let the master spend money?" Then he returned to the mountain stronghold, distributed the gold, silver, and wealth among his subordinates, dispersed them all, and finally set fire to the mountain stronghold.

  Liu Ze watched as Zhang Fei distributed all the gold and silver treasures to his subordinates, not keeping a single coin for himself. Seeing how generous and magnanimous he was, Liu Ze couldn't help but feel a great deal of admiration for him.

  After leaving Taibai Ridge, the road became increasingly rugged and difficult to travel, but there were no more bandits attacking, and it was safe and sound. After crossing Qinling Mountains, it was Hanzhong, passing through Nanzheng, Yangping, and heading straight to Jianmen Pass.

  The danger of Shu Road is no more than Jianmen, with steep cliffs and precipitous walls, rising from the ground and entering the clouds. The peaks are stacked, stretching for hundreds of miles, with a thousand feet of wall standing upright, and the mountains are undulating like dogs' teeth. It leans against the sky like a sword, and the middle section is broken, with two mountains facing each other like a gate, hence the name Sword Gate. Due to its majestic mountain scenery and treacherous roads, it has been known as the "First Pass in the World". Zhang Zai's "Jianmen Inscription" says: The only gate of Shu, built solidly and strongly, is called Jianmen. With walls standing upright for a thousand feet, it is the most dangerous place on earth and the steepest road.

  Alas! How perilous the heights are! The difficulties of Shu Road, more difficult than ascending to the blue sky. Silkworms and fish, how can they open up a country? For 48,000 years, it has not been connected with Qin's border. To the west, there is a bird path at Mount Taibai, which can be crossed horizontally. The earth collapses, the mountain crumbles, and brave warriors die; then the heavenly ladder and stone steps are linked together. Above, there are six dragons that turn back to mark the high ridge; below, there are surging waves that flow against the current. Even the yellow crane cannot fly over, and the ape wants to cross but is anxious about climbing. The green mud is so winding! A hundred paces with nine turns, circling around the rocks and peaks. I lean on a staff and look up at the sky, sighing long and deeply. When will you return from your western journey? I fear that the steep cliffs are impassable. Only the sad birds cry out in the ancient woods, while the male and female phoenixes fly together, encircling the forest. Again, I hear the cuckoo weeping under the night moon, a sorrowful sound in the empty mountains. The difficulties of Shu Road, more difficult than ascending to the blue sky! It makes people's faces turn pale upon hearing this. The continuous peaks reach up to the sky, not even an inch short; withered pines hang upside down on the precipitous wall. Flying rapids and waterfalls rush and roar loudly, while boulders roll and stones crash against each other in the ten thousand valleys. How treacherous it is! Alas, travelers from afar, why have you come here? The Sword Gate is steep and towering; one man guards the pass, and a myriad men cannot open it. Those who are guarded may not be relatives, but can become wolves and jackals. In the morning, avoid fierce tigers; in the evening, avoid long snakes. Grinding teeth and sucking blood, killing people like hemp. Although Jin City is said to be joyful, it's better to return home early. The difficulties of Shu Road, more difficult than ascending to the blue sky! I stand sideways, gazing westward, and sigh deeply.

  Zhang Fei didn't understand the poem at all, but Jian Yong exclaimed: "Good poem! Good poem! The momentum is magnificent, the tone is bold and powerful. What a great line - 'The road to Shu is difficult, harder than climbing to the blue sky!' Brother Liu's poem will surely be famous for thousands of years."

  Liu Ze wiped the sweat, chuckled and said: "No, no, this poem was not written by me. I just passed through Shu Road and had a feeling of chanting it. The majestic pass and the long road are really like iron, but now I take a step forward from the beginning!"

  Jian Yong was somewhat perplexed, after all, he had also read extensively in poetry, but this poem he had never even heard of, let alone the fact that its style was too grand, and no Han dynasty poem could compare with it. He couldn't help but ask: "Whose hand is this poem from? Even if Qu Yuan were to be reborn, he might not necessarily be able to compose such a masterpiece."

  Liu Ze felt embarrassed, he couldn't say that this was a famous work of the poet Li Bai from several hundred years later, so he vaguely said: "I once saw it in an ancient book, but I don't know who wrote it."

  "The Shu Road is difficult to return, but it's not as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Haven't we also come through this way?" Zhang Fei was nonchalant and strode forward rapidly.

  Liu Ze hastily said: "Younger brother, this plank road has been unrepaired for many years, we must proceed slowly and carefully, absolutely do not use force to tread."

  Zhang Fei burst out laughing and said: "Big brother is worrying too much, I think this plank road is still quite sturdy. ... What's going on behind?"

  The last of the mule train appeared, and a fellow came to report that one of the Qin mules might be ill and unable to move, kneeling on the ground. Due to the narrow plank road, only one person and one mule could pass through at a time, so several mules behind were blocked and unable to pass. Zhang Fei heard this and strode towards the rear team. Liu Ze and Guan Yu also followed.

  That mule was probably exhausted, foaming at the mouth, and its front legs were kneeling on the ground. When Zhang Fei walked up to it, Liu Ze was still several meters behind him. Liu Ze held a rope in his hand and said, "Brother, take this rope and pull it for me."

  "It's not that troublesome," Zhang Fei said, and with a loud slap on the mule's buttocks, the mule stood up at once, jumping around in pain. Zhang Fei burst out laughing and asked, "How is it?" Suddenly, there was a loud rumbling sound, and his feet felt soft, and he fell down.