Chapter 1: Arrival in the Three Kingdoms

  Li Yu's head has been dizzy lately, he tried to open his eyes again and again, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't do it! He didn't even know when he would wake up!

  Just when he was about to give up, he felt someone beside him helping him up, and with the help of external force, Li Yu suddenly opened his eyes, but what entered his line of sight was unfamiliar ancient furniture, and some unknown black stuff in a coarse ceramic bowl near his mouth. Li Yu wanted to turn around to see who had helped him up, wanting to ask how he was doing, where he was, and where his girlfriend Wang Xue was now, and so on, but found that he couldn't move no matter what. At this time, the person behind him, Kong Wu, had already started feeding him the bowl of herbal medicine with his powerful hands!

  It's possible that this person is a bit dim-witted and hasn't noticed that Li Yu has already woken up, still feeding him the herbal medicine at a moderate pace. The black medicine has a pungent smell, and drinking it in his mouth is unbearably bitter. Perhaps because the person feeding Li Yu the medicine was a bit too fast, Li Yu was choked and started coughing unintentionally, and the person behind him only then realized that the person in his arms had woken up! He quickly put down the bowl of medicine and gently placed Li Yu on the bed, rushing forward. At this time, Li Yu saw this person and became even more suspicious. The person feeding the medicine was dressed in ancient attire, wearing a gray robe, with a coronet on his head, about 1.8 meters tall, with a rather dignified appearance, pale skin, ears hanging down to his shoulders, and arms reaching below his knees. Li Yu was shocked and thought he had encountered a monster! But seeing that this person had no hostile intentions towards him, otherwise he wouldn't be lying here, he felt slightly at ease. This person bowed to Li Yu and said: "Brother, don't worry, I'm not a bad person. You are someone I met by chance when I was selling grass mats on my way home. At that time, I saw you and a woman fainting in the bushes, wearing strange clothes. So I carried both of you back home and invited a doctor to treat you. The doctor said that you two were just accidentally injured and had no life-threatening problems, only needing slow nursing to recover. Unexpectedly, you two have slept for five whole days!"

  Li Yu felt a surge of joy in his heart when he heard the man's words, although he didn't know where he was or what had happened to him. He thought that at most, he must be in some remote place. Moreover, he knew that the woman was definitely his girlfriend Wang Xue, and they had encountered a tornado while climbing Mount Tai, which had swept them into the air, causing them to lose consciousness. After losing consciousness, Li Yu didn't know what had happened to him, but from the man's words, it seemed that his girlfriend was probably fine too. As long as the two of them were safe, everything else would be okay, and the most important thing right now was that they were alive. Li Yu wanted to say a few words of gratitude and ask the man about his girlfriend's situation, but he found that he only had enough strength to breathe, and speaking was truly beyond his power.

  At this time, the man seemed to have seen through Li Yu's mind and said: "Brother, it has been several days since you've had a full meal. I've been feeding you some rice porridge, which should help alleviate your physical weakness. Please don't worry, just calm down and rest for a few days, and you'll be fine! If you have anything to say, we can talk about it after you recover. Come on, let me feed you some medicine first, then I'll go prepare some food to nourish your body. Don't rush things!"

  After finishing, Li Yu was helped up again to prepare for the second dose of medicine. At this time, the door was pushed open and an old lady with a cane, slightly hunched back, and white hair on her temples walked in. The old lady was dressed as a peasant and had a kind face that made people feel close to her at first sight. The old lady shouted to the person feeding the medicine: "What great news! Xuan De, that little girl has woken up, you quickly prepare food and kill our chicken to make a nourishing stew for her!"

  The man stood up and said: "Mother, this brother has also woken up. I'll go prepare the meal now!"

  The old lady said: "What a wonderful thing! Hurry up and go!"

  "Yes! Mother!"

  After finishing, the two of them went to work, and Li Yu also began to quietly recuperate at home. The days passed one by one like this, and Li Yu's injuries as well as those of his girlfriend Wang Xue had greatly improved, and they could already walk on their own!

  One evening, the man finished cooking and invited Li Yu and Wang Xue to come out for dinner. Li Yu then said to the man: "Friend, my name is Li Yu, this is my girlfriend Wang Xue. We were climbing a mountain when we encountered a tornado, unfortunately got blown away and injured. I don't know where this place is, what should I call you, kind sir?"

  "That man said: 'Brother, this place is Zhuo State, Zhuo Prefecture, Zhuo County. My humble surname is Liu, my name is Bei, and my style name is Xuande!'"

  Wang Xue listened to the side, but Li Yu understood this period of history in the Three Kingdoms. Li Yu himself was a Three Kingdoms enthusiast and naturally knew what he might have encountered - the most clichéd "time-traveling drama" in this world.

  Liu Bei hastily asked: "Brother Xuande, what year and month is it tonight?"

  Wang Xueyi was even more at a loss for words when Li Yu said that!

  "Now is the fourth year of Hanping, January 15th. Alas! I think of our great Han dynasty from the time of our ancestors' uprising against the serpent, overthrowing the cruel Qin and pacifying the warlords. Although we encountered Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han throne, Emperor Guangwu restored it and passed it down to the present day. Generation after generation has had wise rulers, and every morning has had able ministers. Who would have thought that today we would encounter a ruler who is blind to reason and deaf to advice, with eunuchs seizing power? Loyal and righteous scholars have suffered the disaster of being silenced, and innocent people have been destroyed. Now I can only wander in the wilderness!"

  Wang Xue suddenly understood and, regardless of Liu Bei's ongoing eloquence, slapped the table, stood up, and shouted: "Hubby, have we encountered a bloody time-traveling event?"

  Li Yu saw Wang Xue like this and could only silently nod his head and say: "It should be!"

  Wang Xue shook her head with tears in her eyes and said: "This can't be!"

  Li Yu looked at Wang Xue's tearful eyes: "This must be it!"

  Wang Xue crawled onto the table and cried: "I don't want to, I want to go home, I want my family, I want Daddy and Mommy!"

  Li Yu patted Wang Xue's shoulder and said, "Don't cry anymore. I'm not doing well either, but this matter has already been settled, we can't go back, there's no way! The current problem is how to survive in this chaotic world!"

  Now Liu Bei is completely dizzy in the cloudy and foggy mountains, I don't know what these two people are talking about in that cloud and fog!

  Liu Bei hastily asked the two: "Brother Li Yu, what's going on with you both?"

  Li Yu saw Liu Bei's inquiry and hastily replied to Liu Bei: "My wife and I are from the Water Curtain Cave of Mount Huaguo, where our parents settled with us. There were only two families there, and no one else. We never thought we'd be separated today, and it seems that this life is irretrievable!" Li Yu couldn't help but admire himself, and he started to bluff! He absolutely deserved the title of "Big Bluffer"!

  Wang Xueyi cried even harder when she heard this!

  Liu Bei listened to Li Yu and said, "Brother Li, don't be like this. Heaven will not cut off a man's path. From now on, you can consider this place your home. My mother is also your mother, and we two have studied literature and practiced martial arts together, just like real brothers!"

  Liu Bei heard this and said: "Brother Xuande, I just heard that the great Han dynasty is already seriously ill, people say that a big house is about to collapse and one tree cannot support it. A big disease requires a big cure, a national disease requires a big chaos, and only after a big chaos can there be a big cure! I think that apart from you, no one in the world can create mountains and rivers, and recreate the majestic spirit of China!"

  Liu Bei hastily covered Li Yu's mouth and whispered: "Brother, you mustn't speak rashly, beware of bringing calamity upon our clan!"

  Wang Xue did not believe Liu Bei's words about the disaster that would befall him. Truly, one could say that if his words did not shock people to death, he would not rest!

  "Wang Xue shouted with a sob: 'What are you afraid of, you featherbrain! In another decade or so, you'll be the emperor! Your grandfather's grandmother's~~~~'"

  Li Yuyi hastily covered Wang Xue's mouth and said: "You're a woman!"

  Wang Xue nodded!

  Li Yu said: "You are a beautiful girl and a virtuous girl!"

  Wang Xue nodded vigorously!

  Li Yu said: "Can you put down your feminine personality!"

  Wang Xue nodded helplessly!

  Li Yu said seriously to Wang Xue: "Can you not spoil the plot! Ahh!"

  Wang Xue bit Li Yu's hand and broke free, saying: "Is it a spoiler or not? Liu Bei is also the emperor!"

  Liu Bei fainted on the spot, what kind of person is this? This is a living ancestor!

  Liu Bei was about to kneel down and hastily begged Wang Xue: "Ah, my aunt, please don't say that! If the government finds out, it will be extermination of the clan!"

  Wang Xue looked at Li Yu and said: "This can't be said!"

  Li Yu and Liu Bei said in unison: "Can't say!"

  Wang Xue said: "I think it can be said!"

  Li Yu and Liu Bei said: "This really can't be said!"

  "Oh! Alright then, take me shopping tomorrow and I won't say anything!"

  Li Yu and Liu Bei nodded frantically!

  "Alright, I'm full, I'll go for a walk!"

  Li Yu and Liu Bei saw Wang Xue off at the door like sending away a plague god.

  Then the two sat down again and began to discuss the great affairs of the world!

  Liu Bei said: "Brother Li does not know what he meant by his previous words, and what my sister-in-law said is even more unheard of! Please enlighten me!"

  Li Yu really wanted to drag Wang Xue onto the bed and give him a good scolding, not stopping until he begged for mercy! How could his grandfather's grandmother's grandfather have made such a mess of things?! Li Yu had no choice but to swallow his pride and say: "Brother Liu, we heard you talking in your sleep, saying that you are a descendant of the great Han dynasty's Zhongshan Jing Wang, and a direct grandson of Emperor Jing of Han! Looking at your dignified appearance, your unyielding demeanor, one can see the aura of an emperor, surely destined to revive the great Han and reshape the world!" After finishing speaking, Li Yu was drenched in sweat.

  Liu Bei said, "Ah! I even talked about this in my dreams! However, it's not entirely false. I am indeed a descendant of Zhongshan Jingwang and a royal relative of the great Han dynasty. But what chance is there to revive the great Han and recreate the mountains and rivers? The court may be corrupt, but its foundation is solid, where is the opportunity for me, Liu Bei, to show my skills?"

  Li Yuxin thought, "What a big scam! You've finally gotten away with it!" Continuing Liu Bei's words, he said: "Not yet, not yet, brother has not seen the Yellow River water come from heaven, the time is not ripe! When the time comes, brother can unfold his ambitions like a giant bird spreading its wings!"

  Liu Bei sighed and said: "It's just unknown when this opportunity will come, in what year and month!"

  Liu Bei said: "Brother Xuande, there's no need for this. I reckon that within a month or so, the opportunity will arise!"

  Liu Bei's eyes sparkled with excitement as he exclaimed: "What a wonderful opportunity!"

  Li Yu said to Liu Bei: "I don't know what your ambitions are?"

  Liu Bei stood up and paced back and forth, saying: "Just as you said, brother and sister!"

  Li Yu knelt down on one knee and said: "Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Excellency!"

  Liu Bei hastily helped Li Yu up and said: "If what you say is true, then we should be like brothers. In the future, we will divide the world equally and share wealth and honor together! The only thing I don't know is when that time will come!"

  Li Yu said: "Within a month, the world will be in chaos. When that time comes, all heroes will rise together, and it will be the time for our lord to show his skills. But I don't know what kind of relationship our lord has with Gongsun Zan and Lu Zhi!"

  Liu Bei said: "Gongsun Zan and I are brothers under the same master, our relationship is not shallow! Lu Zhi is my teacher's friend, whatever he asks for should be done! What do you think, Brother Li?"

  "Can we borrow troops, money and grain?" Li Yu asked.

  Liu Bei nodded and said: "It's feasible, after all, it's the court's army, and we can only borrow some private money, but we need an excuse, and who knows how much to borrow!"

  Li Yu paced back and forth, although he knew that Liu Bei was able to start his army with the help of Zhang Fei and Zhang Shuping, Li Yu still wanted to try to get more troops and supplies for Liu Bei whenever possible.

  Liu Bei asked again: "How much is needed?"

  Li Yu said: "Tell the master, do not worry about the humble and unbearable sight of Lu Zhi's teacher being poor and preparing to trade in food. Then assist Lu Zhi's teacher with his own money and ask Gong Sunzhan and Lu Zhi to allocate some surplus funds and wealth! Due to the danger of the journey and the bandits, also ask the two to dispatch some troops to protect them, and they will return within two months!"

  Li Yuxin thought that if history was correct, there was still a whole month left before the Yellow Turban Rebellion began. At that time, the world would be in chaos and the imperial court would issue an edict allowing each province to recruit soldiers to quell the rebellion. By then, who would still need to repay debts? This was clearly a case of borrowing without repayment, a lucrative deal with a profit of ten thousand times!

  Liu Bei said, "Lu Zhi is a teacher of great kindness and integrity. He has lived a simple life with clean hands and a clear conscience. I don't know if he can provide us with assistance. Currently, Gongsun Zan is at the height of his power, having been appointed as Zhonglang Jiang and Duke of Duting, with great authority in his grasp. I think it's likely that we can get help from him."

  Everyone should not be surprised that Gongsun Zan was already famous outside the borders a few years before the Yellow Turban Rebellion. There are historical records showing that from 178 to 184 AD (during the Guanghe era), Bian Zhang and Han Sui rebelled, and the imperial court dispatched three thousand elite cavalrymen from Youzhou (now southwest of Beijing) and gave Gongsun Zan a symbol of authority as the commander-in-chief. When Gongsun Zan led his army to Jicheng, Zhang Chun, a man from Guyang (now southwest of Miyun, Beijing), incited the leader of the Western Liaoyuan Wuhuan, Qiu Liji, and others to rebel, occupying the cities of Youbeiping Commandery (now southeast of Fengrun, Hebei) and Liaoxi Commandery. Gongsun Zan pursued Zhang Chun and other rebels with his three thousand cavalrymen, achieved military merit, and was promoted to Cavalry Commander. At that time, the leader of the Wuhuan people, Tanwang, led his followers to surrender to Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan was again promoted to Zhonglang General and enfeoffed as Duke of Dutting, advancing to reside in the dependent states. This shows that at this time, Liu Bei's situation was already very bad!

  "Then, my lord, please quickly issue a letter of dismissal. Tomorrow morning, send someone to immediately go to Gong Sun's place and set the date for the 15th day of next month. There will certainly be a major event then, and when that time comes, the world will surely be in great chaos. The imperial court is already on its last legs, and it will not have the strength to quell the rebellion. At that time, it will inevitably let each province and prefecture raise troops to quell the rebellion on their own, which will certainly lead to chaos throughout the land. Each of the regional lords will take advantage of the situation to expand their territories. After the rebellion is put down, in just a few years, Emperor Ling's indulgence in wine and women will have taken its toll on his body, and he will surely die. When that time comes, the world will be in chaos, and it will be the perfect opportunity for my lord to spread his wings and soar!"

  Liu Bei pondered for a moment before saying, "I hope everything goes as Brother Li has predicted. When the time comes, we will work together to restore the country and recreate the universe! I will immediately write letters to Lu Zhi and Gongsun Zan to sever ties with them. I'll have someone deliver them this afternoon!"

  Liu Bei walked into the inner room and began writing divorce papers for the two of them!

  Li Yu sat alone in the living room, thinking to himself. If it weren't for the unexpected Yellow Turban Rebellion, Liu Bei would have relied on Zhang Shipei and Su Shuang from Zhongshan, who brought a thousand pieces of gold and sold horses in Zhuo County. They met with Liu Bei and provided him with financial assistance, allowing him to gather many people and form his first army. He began to fight against the Yellow Turbans. Although historical records do not mention how many soldiers Liu Bei had at the time, it can be inferred that with the support of Lu Zhi and Gongsun Zan, he would have become even stronger. At that time, the chaotic world would have given him more power to speak out.

  Lu Zhi was a great scholar who lived a tragic life. He was a student of Ma Rong and a fellow student of Zheng Xuan. He had served as the governor of Jiuzhou and Lujiang, and had put down rebellions by the Man ethnic group. Later, he worked with Ma Rong and Cai Yong to collate Confucian classics in the Eastern Observatory, and participated in the writing of "Hanji". During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he was the Northern General, leading troops against Zhang Jiao. He was later accused and imprisoned, but was rescued by Huangfu Song after the rebellion was put down. He then served as a minister again.

  However, he was dismissed from office after offending Dong Zhuo with his remonstrance. He retired to Shangyugou in Mount Du, where he was invited by Yuan Shao to serve as his military advisor. He died in 192 AD, during the third year of the Chuping era. His works include "Shangshu Zhangju" and "Sanli Jieyi", which have both been lost. Before his death, Lu Zhi instructed his son to bury him in a shallow grave without a coffin, wearing only his undergarments. This showed how frugal he was.

  Gongsun Zan, the White Horse General, and Liu Bei, who later became the Emperor of Shu Han, were both students of Lu Zhi. The Fan Yang Lu family later became a famous clan. Korean presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Roh Tae-woo were also descendants of Lu Zhi's family.

  In 207 AD, during the twelfth year of the Jian'an era, Cao Cao led his army on a northern expedition against the Wuhuan tribe, passing through Zhuo County. He issued a proclamation praising Lu Zhi's life, and sent someone to sweep his grave. His son, Lu Yu, later became a famous official, serving as the Minister of Works.

  Liu Bei finished writing the letter and asked someone to deliver it to Gongsun Zan and Lu Zhi. Then he practiced martial arts with Li, Yu, and others at night, waiting for an opportunity!