Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 112 Sharing the same destiny

“Brother Xuande is about to travel south. I, your servant, am free of duties. I will see you off.”

Lu Bu was much more enthusiastic after getting the good horse.

"Isn't Fengxian going to kill the Hu and make a name for himself? I can actually do something good for Fengxian..."

Liu Bei shook his head and gave Lü Bu a suggestion: "Fengxian already knows about Qin Yilu's conspiracy with the Hu people to kill the Du family and the plot to frame Ma Dingyuan, the military commander of Yunzhong."

"I cannot remain in Bingzhou to investigate this matter in detail. Perhaps I should ask Fengxian to deliver a letter to Commander Ding, requesting him to take precautions..."

"Although Ding Yuan is only a military commander, in Bingzhou, and with the border troubles at war, a military commander can give Fengxian far more opportunities than a governor. Fengxian must understand that..."

"I have already killed Qin Yilu in his home. Fengxian, you can easily claim that you were the one who killed him. The Qin family's private soldiers and guards are all alive and can serve as witnesses... At the same time, if Fengxian can help Ding Sima find out who is cooperating with the Qin family, then Ding Sima will definitely repay this favor to Fengxian in every way possible..."

When Liu Bei said this, Guan Yu's eyes lit up.

Lu Bu's eyes shone even brighter.

This is a blatant way of sending Lü Bu and Ding Yuan to investigate the Du family's enemies, and the two of them will definitely do their best to investigate.

It is a fact that Ding Yuan was framed by the Qin family. Liu Bei would write to Ding Yuan to inform him, proving that he and Lü Bu had investigated this matter together. The Qin family conspired with others to frame Ding Yuan; if the conspirators weren't found, Ding Yuan certainly wouldn't be able to sleep at night…

Lu Bu wanted to fight and gain military merit. He accidentally learned that the Qin family had framed Ding Yuan. He helped Ding Yuan kill Qin Yilu and investigate the accomplices. This was a great favor to Ding Yuan and could earn Lu Bu Ding Yuan's trust. If Lu Bu wanted military merit and advancement, he had to admit to killing Qin Yilu.

Having acknowledged this, Lü Bu had no choice but to continue investigating the person who had cooperated with the Qin family... because that person would see him as an enemy.

In fact, Liu Bei could roughly guess who was cooperating with the Qin family—most likely Zhang Yi, the governor of Bingzhou.

However, this person was not the mastermind; he was probably just temporarily cooperating with the Qin family after acquiring their salt fields.

The mastermind was indeed the Qin family, since it was Qin Yilu who wanted to marry Xiu Niang.

Since Qin Yilu wanted to frame Ding Yuan, then Ding Yuan should be allowed to investigate this matter. This can be considered as forming a good relationship with Ding Yuan.

Lü Bu felt "discontented" under Zhang Yi, holding a lowly position and being subjected to unsatisfactory tasks...

Liu Bei assigned this task to Lü Bu for two reasons: first, to help Guan Yu and Xiu Niang avenge themselves, and second... for Gao Shun.

It's easier to abduct people when Lü Bu isn't around...

How many steps does it take to abduct someone?
Liu Bei thought... it should be done in two steps.

First, turn.

Second, let's go.

The word "gui" is not quite appropriate. Liu Bei was a kind and good person. When he met an honest person, he would naturally advise him to reform, so as to prevent honest people from encountering wicked people and ruining their lives.

Although Gao Shun was a man of few words, as long as he could speak, there was nothing that Liu Bei could not talk about.

"Brother Gao seems quite familiar with salt affairs. Are you perhaps from the Yunzhong Salt Marsh?"

"Yes."

"Since you are a warrior from the borderlands, why not enlist in the border army?"

"Someone is guilty."

"You have a criminal record? What a coincidence! My brothers and I have also been convicted and served our sentences... I wonder what crime Brother Gao committed?"

“I am a convict.”

"Then you can't be called guilty, you're just implicated by your family... Brother Gao, where is your ancestral home? Would you like to go back and visit?"

“My father was abandoned by the clan, and I have no ancestral home.”

"Oh? I, Liu, have also been abandoned by my clan, as have two of my fellow disciples... Traveling in winter is cold, Brother Gao, would you like to find some wine to keep warm?"

"I, Gao, never drink alcohol. Please, sir, share some wine with your comrade." "Good habit. I am in mourning and do not drink alcohol. This bag contains only water... Brother Gao, your conduct is disciplined, unlike the warriors of the borderlands. May I ask why?"

“My mother was very strict with me, and she made me adhere to morality and be careful in my words and deeds.”

“Brother Gao and I share the same fate and sympathize with each other. My mother also taught me very strictly. Now that I am observing mourning, your mother’s teachings are just like my mother’s. I should present your mother with gifts…”

……

Zhang Fei sighed, remarking that his elder brother seemed to be able to 'share the same fate' with anyone…

Liu Bei used all his skills to talk to Gao Shun extensively, cultivating a close and friendly relationship with him along the way.

Gao Shun was an honest man who refused gifts and horses, and even shared food and lodging with his fellow soldiers.

Contrary to Liu Bei's expectations, Gao Shun's background was quite complicated.

Gao Shun's father was from Liuxian County, Pengcheng, Xuzhou, but Gao Shun himself was born in Bingzhou.

His father committed a serious crime while drunk when he was young. In order to avoid implicating the clan and to protect the clan's reputation, the clan expelled his father and his three generations from the clan and removed them from the clan's list. Once the three generations left the clan, they would have no connection with the clan in any matter.

His father then fled to Bingzhou, where he married a salt farmer's daughter and had a son named Gao Shun.

When Gao Shun was around ten years old, his father died because of his alcoholism. Gao Shun's mother then disciplined him strictly, which made Gao Shun abstain from alcohol and behave very properly.

Over the years, the border regions have been invaded by bandits every year, and the Qingyan Marsh in Yunzhong is a place frequently visited by barbarians and bandits. Gao Shun grew up amidst the chaos of war, and from a young age he learned that only by being fearless could one avoid death. He often fought bravely and gradually became the backbone of the poor and lowly youths near the marsh.

However, Gao Shun was the descendant of a criminal and the son of a salt farmer, a background that made it impossible for him to join the army.

Two years ago, when the Xianbei invaded the border, Gao Shun was injured and rescued by Lü Bu. He witnessed Lü Bu shooting and killing countless Xianbei people from both sides.

Later, Lü Bu formed a private army, and Gao Shun became one of Lü Bu's soldiers.

Gao Shun knew that Lü Bu was somewhat hesitant and indecisive, and also had some Hu (non-Han) habits.

But Lü Bu had saved his life.

Jiuyuan is not far from Jinyang. Although transporting salt is slow, it is only a few days' journey.

Before parting, Gao Shun asked Liu Bei, "Young Master Liu, I am but a lowly soldier, with neither merit nor fame. Why do you treat me with such kindness?"

"Because you shouldn't be a pawn, and you can't be a pawn... Brother Gao, we are both orphans who have left our clans. If we can't support each other, everything we do will be extremely difficult."

Liu Bei knew that he couldn't persuade this man to leave now, so he had to make a last-ditch effort: "Brother Gao, my two junior brothers who also left their clans are now a military commander and a county official, respectively... If you are willing, I can recommend you as the bandit officer of Zhuo County or the Protector of the Wuhuan. Would you like to give it a try?"

"I am the son of a criminal, what merit do I possess to be such a high-ranking official? I am deeply grateful for your kind offer, but I already have a master..."

Gao Shun still shook his head in refusal.

“There is no criminal here. Brother Gao is an upright man. I even asked Commander Zou and Governor of Youzhou to recommend him. Moreover, I do not want Brother Gao to be my retainer. I just want Brother Gao to give full play to his talents.”

Liu Bei bowed to Gao Shun, his words earnest and sincere.

“I am grateful for the kindness and recognition shown to me by Mr. Liu… but Mr. Lü has been kind to me, and I cannot abandon him.”

Gao Shun knew Liu Bei's sincerity, but he only bowed deeply and still refused to comply.

“Alas… Brother Gao is strict and upright, which is very different from Fengxian’s temperament… If Brother Gao is abandoned by Fengxian in the future, I hope that Brother Gao will preserve his own integrity. I consider Brother Gao a friend, and I am always ready for Brother Gao to consider me a friend.”

Seeing Gao Shun's state, Liu Bei had no choice but to bid him farewell with regret.

"Young Master Liu...take care!"

Gao Shun asked for nothing, bowed deeply, and left.

(End of this chapter)