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

Chapter 191 The Wise Man
Dusk in Shimen Gorge.

Liu Bei and Tian Yu were relocating the Zhang family members to the Xiyang mining area.

Tian Yu, familiar with the roads, led several hundred men in the vanguard, while Liu Bei led his guards to bring up the rear. Between the two were nearly ten thousand members of the Zhang family.

In fact, the real vanguard was Guan Yu, who had led his troops to Lulong Pass two days earlier.

Currently, Lulong Pass is unguarded. Liu Bei ordered Guan Yu to set up a garrison there first, at least to prevent the Hu people from entering the area again, which is also to ensure the safety of the mining area.

According to Guan Yu's report, there was no one along the way from Wuzhong to Xiyang Copper Mine, not even in the mining area.

Liu Bei and his men did not encounter anyone on their way to Shimen Gorge, and the corpses along the way had already been collected by Guan Yu.

The Xiyang Smelting Site is only a dozen miles north of Shimenxia. If all goes well, we can arrive just in time before nightfall.

However, when they reached the bend in the river in the middle of the canyon, the road suddenly stopped.

Because he needed to take tens of thousands of people to the mining area for an extended period, Liu Bei ordered the Zhang family to transport all the grain they could obtain from Yuyang, which amounted to two thousand mule carts.

With over ten thousand men, the army stretched out in a long line as they marched. Tian Yu was already almost out of the canyon, while Liu Bei had only just entered the middle of it.

The roads inside the canyon are quite narrow, so if the car stops in front, the line behind gets stuck and becomes a long queue.

With so much grain to transport, marching was already arduous, and the roads were uneven in those days, making it easy for the wheels to get stuck or tangled. It was normal for everyone to have to carry it on their shoulders and lift it by hand from time to time, and it was also normal to have to stop occasionally.

However, this time the stop lasted a long time.

Zhang Fei went ahead to greet him and inquire about the situation. A full quarter of an hour later, he returned to report: "Brother, a sudden rockfall has occurred in the middle of the valley, and the road is blocked by mud and rocks. It is feared that vehicles will be unable to proceed."

Are there any casualties? How long will it take to clear the fallen rocks?

Liu Bei wasn't too surprised. Similar minor problems often occurred during military campaigns, and building roads through mountains and bridges over rivers was the norm in those days.

The area is flanked by steep cliffs, which are constantly eroded by water, making them prone to landslides. This is precisely why the Shimen Gorge, passable by vehicles and horses, was formed.

"Only a few people sustained minor injuries, but the road was completely blocked."

Zhang Fei replied somewhat helplessly, "The boulder is heavy and piled with soil. The valley is narrow, and it is difficult for the brothers to move it together. We can only break the boulder first to clear the roadblock."

Even with modern methods, clearing fallen rocks in this environment would be very troublesome, making quick passage impossible and likely requiring work until midnight.

Fortunately, Liu Bei brought men to mine, so they didn't lack tools for chiseling stones, at least they weren't completely helpless.

Since it was inconvenient to set up camp in the canyon, Liu Bei sent his guards to order everyone to retreat and avoid areas where rocks might continue to fall, making room to clear the road.

The team had now been split in two.

When the rockfall occurred, Tian Yu had already led more than two thousand people through that area.

By the time the people behind caught up with Tian Yu and told him that falling rocks had cut off the main force, Tian Yu had already led them to the north entrance of Shimen.

The sides of the valley entrance are no longer completely sheer cliffs, but cliffs more than two zhang high, and above that, there are sloping slopes and dense forests.

Upon hearing that there were falling rocks blocking the road, Tian Yu intended to go back to help, but at that moment, a group of people suddenly appeared from the dense forest on both sides of the cliff.

"Enemy attack!"

Tian Yu, holding a crossbow, roared, "Prepare for battle!"

In fact, it is very difficult to prepare for war in this environment. The troops are on a long march and none of the brothers are wearing armor.

Moreover, at this time, Tian Yu only had four hundred soldiers by his side, the rest of whom were members of the Zhang family.

In addition, the sky was dark, the cliffs were impossible to climb, and the enemy had the forest to hide in, making it difficult for the soldiers to launch an effective counterattack in the canyon.

The line is now incredibly long, with nowhere to retreat but forward.

Tian Yu couldn't determine how many people were in the woods on either side, but regardless of the enemy's numbers, the current situation was quite troublesome.

But unexpectedly, these ambushers did not launch an attack directly.

"What military unit are you from?"

Someone was speaking loudly in the mountains and forests.

"I am Tian Yu, a clerk under the command of Cavalry Commandant Liu Xuande! Who are you? And why are you lying in ambush here?"

As Tian Yu answered, he glanced at the flag behind him—he had come under the banner of a cavalry captain, yet these ambush soldiers were still asking?

"You traitors of the Yuyang Sect... Lay down your weapons and surrender! Otherwise, kill them all!"

Upon hearing Tian Yu's words, the man in the forest immediately made a threat.

But this reaction is a bit strange.

The Zhang family members were indeed traitors, but Tian Yu didn't mention that he was leading a member of the Zhang family...

Tian Yu himself was indeed from Yongnu County, Yuyang Prefecture, while the person speaking in the mountains spoke with a Liaoxi accent. Although Yuyang and Liaoxi are adjacent, the accents of the two places are very different, and they can barely understand each other.

Tian Yu was quite quick-witted; he sensed that this might be targeting the Zhang Chun family, so he quickly shouted, "We are not traitors of the Zhang family!"

"Hmph, they're the Zhang family! Attack!"

A different sound came from another part of the forest.

Tian Yu was indeed leading members of the Zhang family. Upon hearing the enemy make their move, he knew there was no way to resolve the situation peacefully. Following the sound, Tian Yu raised his crossbow and fired.

Then a scream came from the woods dozens of paces away, followed by another shout: "Kill them!"

Judging from the look of it, the bandit leader had been hit by a crossbow bolt, but it was certainly not fatal, as his second shout of battle was still full of vigor.

The enemy on the mountain began throwing stones or shooting arrows down.

Tian Yu moved behind a flatbed cart, leaned against the cart, and started winding again.

The soldiers were well-trained; they crouched around the vehicles to cover their backs and, like Tian Yu, returned fire with crossbows.

However, the enemy was on a cliff, with trees and bushes providing cover, making it difficult for the soldiers to aim in poor visibility. Moreover, even if they did hit, the effect was minimal; the enemy would simply fall into the dense forest.

Meanwhile, the Zhang family members had not received long-term professional training. After being attacked, they were not only panicked, but also did not know how to dodge or defend themselves. Many of them were killed by stones and arrows falling from the cliff.

As their own casualties continued to rise, and the Zhang family members were in disarray, while the enemy's casualties remained unseen, morale quickly plummeted.

Tian Yu knew he couldn't continue like this. Even if he suffered more losses, he couldn't let morale collapse. So he found a piece of cart plank to protect his head and shouted "Charge forward!" in an attempt to lead his soldiers to force their way out of the canyon.

But then, just a dozen steps to the side, huge rocks and soil rolled down the hillside.

The rockfall was not large in scale, but it still caused a huge tremor and was quite frightening.

Tian Yu and his soldiers quickly stopped and crouched down, using the cart bed to protect their heads. Then they watched helplessly as the road ahead was also blocked by mud and rocks.

Actually, the road ahead wasn't completely blocked; it was just that the bottom of the cliff was covered with rocks and mud. People could pass through, but vehicles couldn't.

"Keep charging! Go find Guan Yu for reinforcements!"

Without hesitation, Tian Yu abandoned the carriages and horses behind him and led his soldiers forward.

Preserving combat strength first, then considering how to rescue those behind, Tian Yu is not the kind of person who hesitates.

Guan Yu has two thousand men at Lulong Pass, and they are all elite troops. Asking Guan Yu to return and rescue them is more appropriate than fighting them head-on.

These thieves appeared to be after the carts and horses, intending to block the grain carts in the valley.

The brothers suffered dozens of casualties in this section, but the number of stones and arrows thrown down from the mountain was not particularly large. It was just that the enemy's position prevented the soldiers from retaliating.

Tian Yu signaled his soldiers to move forward, ignoring the carts and horses behind them, and then turned around to fire blindly at the position where the enemy had previously given the order.

Actually, this arrow was just to vent his anger... Tian Yu couldn't see the enemy at all.

But after the arrow was fired, Tian Yu heard what sounded like a lot of shouting from afar.

Then, the enemies on both sides of the cliff stopped throwing stones down and started shouting things like "Brother" and "Gongsun Jun," and they emerged from the woods and ran towards him, seemingly to hunt him down.

Tian Yu then realized that the arrow he shot based on his memory must have hit the target, and it was very likely that he had killed the person!

This could be considered a case of capturing the leader first; none of the bandits or henchmen died, but the leader, who was hiding in the woods and hadn't shown himself, was shot dead.

Tian Yu crossed the muddy and rocky area blocking the road, and under the cover of the rocks, he loaded a crossbow bolt, shot another arrow at the same spot, and then ran away.

—If the enemy leader is really dead, then most of the enemies will probably surround him, and this arrow will most likely hit his target again.

Sure enough, screams came from afar, and then the enemy fell silent, seemingly reducing the number of pursuers.

Many enemies were probably terrified by such sharpshooting. Although the canyon was difficult to traverse, the soldiers could still run very fast as long as they weren't hindered by carts and horses.

The enemy, now entangled in the dense forest on the cliff, had become hesitant and found it difficult to continue their pursuit.

Of course, they wouldn't give up the carts, horses, food, and the Zhang family members for nothing. After running out of the canyon, Tian Yu stopped and sent a team of scouts to Lulong Pass to ask for help as quickly as possible, while he led the remaining three hundred or so men to guard outside the canyon.

Although the carriages and horses were sealed in the canyon and could not be taken out, the thieves would not be able to get them out anytime soon either.

The thieves were on the mountain, and Tian Yu really couldn't do anything about them. Tian Yu didn't know how these people got up the cliff.

However, if the thieves wanted to get the carts, horses, and provisions out, they would have to go down the mountain to clear the fallen rocks. There was no way up the mountain in the canyon, and of course, there was no way down.

……

Early next morning.

Tian Yu was still staring at the nearby hillside outside the canyon.

Guan Yu had already received the news and led his troops on a rapid march to the mouth of the canyon to begin searching for a way up the mountain.

But they couldn't find the way, and the thieves remained silent.

Instead, Liu Bei, who was in the middle of the canyon, noticed what was happening behind him—a large group of people had appeared behind him.

Liu Bei had already lost contact with Tian Yu last night, so he was naturally aware that the falling rocks in the canyon were not a natural phenomenon.

Because it was late at night and the road ahead was unclear, Liu Bei did not easily send anyone to cross the rockfall obstacle to find Tian Yu. Instead, he ordered his guards to keep a close watch on the area behind him and sent out scouts to search the area.

Wang Men had recently been attacked from behind by Qiu Liju at Shimen Gorge, so Liu Bei naturally had to be wary of being attacked from behind as well.

After all, there were several thousand people and thousands of vehicles blocking the way ahead, and the middle section of the canyon was flanked by vertical cliffs hundreds of feet high. All they needed to do was guard the area behind them.

Liu Bei sent out scouts far away, searching all the way outside the canyon. At the entrance of the canyon, the scouts discovered movement.

After receiving the report, Liu Bei immediately led his guards back to the entrance of the canyon to set up defenses, but after seeing this group of people, Liu Bei was reluctant to take action.

At a glance, Liu Bei knew that they were just miners.

Liu Bei led his troops to rescue miners in Guangping. When he was running a pyramid scheme, many miners also joined him. Liu Bei was familiar with miners, and most of them carried crowbars and pickaxes.

It's hard to determine the exact number of these miners; in any case, there's no end in sight.

With so many people, yet Guan Yu hadn't discovered them before, it's clear that this mountainous area has great potential for development.

"Where did you come from, and why are you blocking the road with falling rocks?!"

Liu Bei, accompanied by Zhang Fei, approached the group of miners and questioned them.

"They killed Gongsun Langjun... Let's fight them!"

Some of the miners were speaking loudly.

Are these people from the Gongsun family?
Liu Bei was somewhat dazed—yes, that's right, he had indeed killed Gongsun Zan, but the Gongsun family of Liaoxi had already been wiped out by Zhang Chun and Qiu Liju…

Why would anyone seek revenge against me?

Wait... no, these people are mine slaves... the Gongsun family...

Liu Bei suddenly realized that these people were not there to see him.

These mining slaves were probably the people Zhang Chun and Qiu Liju forcibly abducted when they attacked the Gongsun family two years ago.

After being abducted, they were made mine slaves. Gong Qichou and Liu Zheng, who later took over the copper mine, did not release them because the Gongsun family had already been identified as Yellow Turbans by the clan members.

Not long ago, Liu Zheng died in the mining area—Liu Zheng obviously did not die in battle to suppress the rebels, but was probably killed while fighting with Qiu Liju for the mine's inventory.

These mine slaves probably escaped from the mines while Liu Zheng and Qiu Liju were fighting.

No wonder Guan Yu didn't encounter a single person when he came here the day before yesterday. These people must have all deliberately avoided Guan Yu in the mountains. Guan Yu went to Lulong Pass with a light entourage, without transporting any grain, and he brought only elite troops, so of course no one stopped him.

Now Liu Bei has brought the Zhang family members with him, transporting a large amount of grain. The carts and horses are heavy and slow. These Liaoxi miners are either setting up an ambush to steal the grain or they are after the Zhang family members.

"I am Liu Xuande of Zhuojun! Who is the leader? Come out and speak!"

Liu Bei stepped forward and asked loudly.

The miners mostly looked at each other, seemingly without a leader...

After a long while, someone finally came out hesitantly.

"I am Fan Fang, Liu Xuande of Zhuojun... Am I the Chief Clerk of Guangyang?"

This person looks like someone who has been to school, but his skin is rough and cracked, and there are marks on his neck and wrists from being bound with hemp rope for a long time, indicating that he has only recently been freed from the restraints.

Fan Fang looked at Liu Bei with some suspicion: "Last year I heard that Chief Secretary Liu rescued the miners, but now you're driving so many people here to be slaves... Why is there such a contradiction?"

It seems this person has been in the mine for too long and has not received any news from the outside world, still referring to Liu Bei as Chief Secretary.

“These are all members of the Zhang clan, Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun. I, Liu, have never enslaved anyone. The Zhang family plotted a rebellion and fled north. Now that Youzhou is pacified, these people are doomed. By ordering them to mine in the mountains, I am essentially saving their lives…”

Liu Bei offered an explanation, then asked, "Are you all disciples of the Gongsun family?"

"Zhang Chun's clansmen?! Hmph... Zhang Chun's clansmen? You actually saved them?"

Upon hearing this, the man who called himself Fan Fang suddenly sneered: "The Zhang family deserves to be miners! Some people have long suspected that it was Chief Clerk Liu who instigated Zhang Chun to attack my Lingzhi County, and it turns out it's true... Liu Bei, you call yourself a righteous man of Zhuojun, yet you rescued the family of a rebel?!"

"Isn't it inappropriate to send the families of rebels to mine?"

Liu Bei countered, "The Gongsun family also rebelled in Guangyang. In fact, you are also relatives of rebels. How are you any different from the Zhang family?"

"Hmph... Then there's no need to talk. We'll fight to the death! Zhang Chun forcibly enslaved the gentry, Liu Zheng is a wicked and deceitful man, and you, Liu Bei, are nothing but a traitor... Not a single one of you is virtuous!"

Fan Fang sneered as he retreated step by step, turning to look at the miners behind him: "Let's fight them! If we can kill them and get that grain, we can still make the Zhang family mine!"

Some miners are eager to try, but most are still hesitant.

Fan Fang was clearly not the leader of the miners.

Liu Bei shook his head and sighed: "You were once enslaved, and now you want to enslave others... You clearly want to seize grain by blocking this canyon, yet you insist on making it sound like you've been wronged... When the Gongsun clan was powerful, didn't you, Fan Fang, enslave innocent miners? Was the Gongsun clan a virtuous family? And were you, Fan Fang, a virtuous person?"

After saying this, Liu Bei shouted to the miners, "Liu Bei, the Cavalry Commandant, has been ordered to oversee the city gates of Youzhou! If any of you want to be good people, you may join my ranks!"

The miners were agitated and began whispering among themselves.

"You already have nowhere to go, so what if you rob my grain? Can you stop the Xianbei or the imperial army?"

"Nowhere else can you be accommodated but me! I intend to rebuild Xiyang County outside the canyon. Are you willing to become citizens of Xiyang County with dignity? I, Liu Bei, have never enslaved anyone. Are you willing to be free citizens?"

Liu Bei continued shouting, "Those who wish to be residents of Xiyang County, lay down your weapons and step aside!"

"What official is truly benevolent? What master doesn't enslave? Don't believe him..."

Fan Fang shook his head and said.

"Lay down your weapons... I stand with you on this path!"

Liu Bei ignored Fan Fang, walked straight out of the group, and shouted to the miners, "Those who want to come with me, come to my side!"

Indeed, some miners lowered their weapons and tentatively approached Liu Bei.

Liu Bei did not retreat, allowing the miners to surround him.

They willingly allowed themselves to be surrounded, their lives were in the hands of the miners, so what's not to believe?
Gradually, more and more miners surrounded Liu Bei.

Fan Fang stared wide-eyed as if he had seen a ghost, but after pursing his lips, he ultimately said nothing more.

Zhang Fei stepped forward and grabbed Fan Fang: "Now do you know what a virtuous person is?"

Fan Fang snorted, shook his head and remained silent, but did not struggle, letting Zhang Fei grab his arm.

The battle never actually took place, and most of the miners chose to follow Liu Bei.

It was only after this that Liu Bei learned that Gongsun Fan, the last patriarch of the Gongsun clan of Liaoxi, who was also Gongsun Zan's cousin, had been killed by Tian Yu's crossbow bolt, which seemed to fly from the sky.

If Gongsun Fan hadn't died, this matter certainly wouldn't have been resolved so easily.

There are a full ten thousand miners here!

(End of this chapter)