Chapter 010: The Crafty Liu Bei

  Guan Yu looked at Guan Yun with gratitude, smiled and said to the four of them: "Thank you for your support, brothers. With our martial arts skills, are we afraid that we can't calm down the chaotic world that is about to come? Now we have something very important to do."

  "Please give your order, Your Excellency!" The four men all bowed their fists and said in unison.

  Guan Zhen coldly said: "Recently, a man named Liu Bei will come to Zhuo County to sell straw sandals. This person is an important leader of the Yellow Turbans, with extremely long arms and very large ears. Brothers, in the next few days, you must strictly guard the four city gates. Once you see this person, kill him without pardon, don't talk to him at all, because his persuasive power is extremely strong!"

  "Yes sir!" The four of them made a fist and said in unison, then each brought their attendants to the city gates in all directions to wait.

  After the four men left, Guan Yu thought to himself: "I've seized Liu Bei's foundation and killed his people! Haha! It's really exhilarating! Once Liu Bei is dead, I'll start preparing for war against the Yellow Turbans."

  In these days of waiting, Zhang Fei began to sell off his family property because the New Year was approaching and people with some money were preparing for it. As a result, Zhang Fei's family property was sold very smoothly, taking only eight days to complete the sale, leaving only this estate for everyone to live in. Except for the voluntary guards who stayed behind, all the other servants were dismissed, and the entire estate, except for those brought by Guan Yu, had more than 300 remaining guards.

  Five days before the New Year, Dian Wei returned with his head hung low. He clasped his fists and said to Guan Yu: "Master, Liu Bei appeared near the North City Gate where I was stationed. When I discovered Liu Bei, I immediately approached him, preparing to take action. However, I was blocked by three large men. I fought desperately, but failed to take Liu Bei's life. The three large men eventually escaped."

  Guan Zhen listened to Dian Wei's words and exclaimed in surprise: "Big Brother Dian, Liu Bei ran away, that's nothing. But did you find out the names of those three big men?"

  Dian Wei said dejectedly: "One is Zhang Heng, one is Gao Lan, and the other is Pan Feng."

  At this time, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Chen Dao returned upon hearing the news. After Guan Xing let Tian Wei describe the events in detail, Zhang Fei exclaimed: "It turns out that there are so many heroes in the world! Indeed, I, Zhang Fei, underestimated the heroes of the world. Those three men can each exchange blows with Tian Wei brothers, it can be seen that their martial arts skills are not inferior to anyone's, what a pity! It's really a pity!"

  "After this incident, we brothers should also recognize our own strength. Liu Bei ran away this time and broke my foolish and naive thoughts. It seems that people can't necessarily win against heaven! Alright, everyone forget about this unpleasant matter, in a few days it will be the new year, let's spend it well together."

  "Yes sir!" The four men bowed their fists and took orders after that, each of them left, only Guan Yu stayed behind.

  "Brother, I have something to tell you," Guan Yu said to Guan Xing after the three of them had left.

  Guan Yu heard this and hastily asked Guan Yu to sit down, then said: "Brother, speak directly, you are the younger brother's greatest reliance!"

  Guan Yu smiled and said, "You want to achieve your ideal, but you still lack two things: one is prestige; the other is a military strategist. Don't look at us four - Zhang Fei, Chen Dao, and I - our martial arts skills are not bad, but in the future when we go on expedition and fight battles, without a talented military strategist who can plan and strategize to win victories, it will be absolutely impossible!"

  Guan Ding nodded and said, "Brother, what you said is not far from my own thoughts. I plan to buy an official position after defeating the Yellow Turbans next year. As for military strategists, those people are all arrogant and won't follow me since we have no achievements yet. But it's different with generals; as long as we get along well and share similar interests, they will mostly accept us. Not to mention other places, just in this Hebei province alone, there are countless unknown warriors and strategists!"

  Guan Yu nodded and said: "Since you have a plan in mind, that's good! I don't know which state you want to establish yourself in the future?"

  "Brother, I'm afraid this is beyond my control! When the time comes, try to bribe the seven eunuchs and head north as much as possible. The north is vast and boundless, far better than the south. Let's hope our wishes come true."

  Guan Yu nodded and said, "Then why don't you gather all the brothers to discuss this matter? No matter how high one's intelligence is, there are always weaknesses. Discussing together reduces errors, and it also brings all the brothers together, making each of them have a clear purpose in their actions, rather than randomly guessing your thoughts."

  "Thank you, big brother, for reminding me. I was wrong! There's still time now, let's just prepare for the new year first! We can discuss this matter after the new year. You can give our brothers a heads up and let them think about it carefully during their break. By then, we can also gather everyone's opinions." Guan Chen said seriously with his arms crossed.

  Guan Yu heard this and stood up saying: "Good, you prepare too! I'll go first!"

  Guan Xing saw Guan Yu get up and hurriedly said: "Brother, you're not young anymore, why don't I find a wife for you?"

  "What's always on your mind?!" Guan Yu hastily left after saying that.

  After Guan Yu left, Diao Chan walked out of the inner room and said softly: "Sir, I'm going shopping with Madame Yuan, do you need anything?"

  Guan Chen heard the words and shook his head, saying: "I don't need it, you two take the guards with you when you go out, be careful on the road. And in the future, if you want to go out, just go out, take the guards with you, no need to ask me for permission, I'm not restricting your freedom."

  Diao Chan heard this and happily said: "Thank you, sir, I'll leave now."

  After Diao Chan left, Guan Yu looked at her figure and said: "She is indeed one of the four great beauties. Every move she makes is so alluring! They are all so charming!"

  Guan Zhen sighed to himself after the meeting, and then thought of Liu Bei's affairs. He said in a depressed tone: "How did Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Pan Feng come together? And they even rescued Liu Bei! It seems that history will be rewritten because of me! I don't know what the future holds either... Haha! No matter what, I must change the fate of my brother and his subordinates."

  Since the three of them have saved Liu Bei, they will definitely be swayed by him! With these three people around him, it won't be so easy to move him in the future! It seems that the wheels of history have started rolling, what can I, a troublemaker, do to achieve the best results?

  There's still the Shuijing Eight Wonders, once they start to emerge, they will stir up a bloody storm, competing with each other for dominance. I estimate that it'll take at least ten years to reach the peak of Qi refinement, and now is December 183 AD, ten years later would be early 194 AD, only then can I start helping my brothers form their Dan Tian, letting them embark on the path of cultivation, allowing our brothers to gain absolute advantage in battle! But who knows how long it'll take to help one brother form his Dan Tian, what conditions need to be met? For now, I can only help my brothers heal their wounds! Alas, being anxious won't do anything! The fate of the world is not something I, Guan Chen, can change at this moment!

  After thinking clearly about the road ahead, Guan Chen also had a clear plan for the future in his heart. In the next few days, everyone was busy preparing for the New Year with joy. After four days of preparation, the New Year arrived as scheduled.

  ……

  "Report! There is a man outside the door who claims to be Liu Bei and has brought three burly men with him to pay his respects!"

  On the morning of New Year's Day, Guan Chen and the others gathered together. Just after finishing their meal, they heard the voice of the guard announcing someone's arrival. Everyone was shocked to hear this, but Guan Chen smiled and said, "Let him in!"

  "My lord, this Liu Bei is so bold! He actually dares to come here and seek death! I will go cut off his head and present it to you, my lord." Dian Wei shouted angrily.

  Guan Yu smiled and said, "General Jian, calm down! This Liu Bei is indeed cunning. On New Year's Day, he came to visit us, how could we kill him? It wouldn't be reasonable or justified. He took advantage of our psychology, that's why he dared to come and stir up trouble!"