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

Chapter 223 Both Official and Thief
"Prefect Tao went to Qingzhou, while Prefect Liu came to Xuzhou..."

Seeing through Liu Bei's words, Zang Ba seemed a little embarrassed, but he astutely grasped the key point: "What are you two lords doing..."

Halfway through his sentence, Zang Ba stopped speaking, bowed deeply to Liu Bei, and said, "I, Zang, am willing to assist you, my lord, in pacifying Xuzhou!"

The conversation shifted incredibly quickly, and the speed of the response was astonishing.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Zang Ba: "That's not what you just said..."

Zang Ba did not respond to Zhang Fei, but continued to bow to Liu Bei.

Clearly, Zang Ba had figured out Liu Bei and Tao Qian's cooperation method—if he didn't want to be silenced, he had to change his tune as soon as possible.

Liu Bei returned the greeting with a gesture of respect, somewhat admiringly: "Xuan Gao just mentioned wanting to obtain money and provisions to aid Magistrate Tao. Does he know the origin of this caravan? Who took the valuables from Tancheng?"

"It was Wang Lang who instructed his cousin Wang Song to raid Tancheng. I, Zang, originally planned to ambush them here to raise funds for a righteous army, but I never expected that you, sir, would beat me to it..."

Zang Ba was clearly a decisive person; once he made a decision, he didn't hesitate and answered questions just like Liu Bei's subordinate.

"Wang Lang actually plundered Tancheng?"

Liu Bei really didn't expect Wang Lang to be capable of such a thing.

"This isn't the first time Wang Lang's clan has been bandits... Your Excellency may not know, but many clans in Xuzhou are divided into two branches, one of scholars and the other of bandits..."

Zang Ba pointed to the mountain behind him: "This place is called Sangong Mountain. The Wang family has a camp in the mountain, and their branch, Wang Song, is a bandit in this mountain. Moreover, Wang Song and Wang Lang are already beyond the fifth degree of kinship... I believe you can understand what I mean."

Liu Bei could certainly understand this approach; it wasn't unique to Xuzhou, but similar practices existed throughout the Han Dynasty.

The main branch consists of renowned scholars, while the collateral branches are bandits. The renowned scholars protect the bandits, and the bandits support the renowned scholars.

Even if the side branches cause trouble, it doesn't matter, since they have already separated for several generations and are no longer part of the three clans, so it has no impact on the main branch.

Zang Ba seems to be very familiar with everyone in Xuzhou, which is exactly the kind of help Liu Bei needs right now.

"Xuan Gao, if you take the money and grain, what are your plans?"

Liu Bei looked up at the Three Dukes Mountain and asked Zang Ba about his original plan.

Zang Ba hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "I originally intended to take this mountain as my camp, distribute money and provisions widely, and spread the word to lure the bandits of Mount Tai here..."

"You lured the bandits from Mount Tai to rob you? Why?"

Liu Bei became interested in the plan.

"Ambush the bandit leader of Mount Tai and recruit his followers to our cause."

Zang Ba answered briefly, but without hiding anything.

"So... you have an inside man among the Taishan bandits? Xuan Gao is quite well-known in Taishan. If the Taishan bandit leader comes to rob you, it would be considered unrighteous and immoral. All you need to do is kill the unrighteous one, and you can take over and control the Taishan bandits. Then..."

Liu Bei smiled and said, "You used your military strength to serve as an official, and you controlled the bandits of Mount Tai... Just like Wang Lang's clan, you became an official, and your brother became a bandit?"

Zang Ba was stunned.

This was indeed his plan, without any deviation.

Zang Ba was momentarily at a loss for words, staring blankly at Liu Bei, and gave a bitter smile: "My lord's insight is truly remarkable, I, Zang, am no longer worthy of your attention..."

"That's a good plan, let's do it!"

Before Zang Ba could give up, Liu Bei changed the subject: "The wealth here is yours, and I will take half of the grain to appease Tancheng. If you want to be the leader of Mount Tai, then go ahead and do so. Once Qing and Xu are pacified, I will appoint you as Cavalry Commandant."

"Ah... ah?"

Zang Ba was shocked and somewhat incredulous: "My lord...why?"

Why would someone agree to this even though they knew they would be both an official and a thief at the same time?
"Because I originally intended for Yide to do this... but you are well-known in Taishan, so it is indeed easier for you than for Yide. Xuan Gao, I will first appoint you as Fengyi Congshi of Qingzhou Prefecture. I hope you will be loyal to the people and lead troops to punish the traitors. Do not disappoint me."

Liu Bei took out a ribbon from his bosom and stuffed it into Zang Ba's hand: "After this matter is settled, come to Tancheng to find me. Once you have made meritorious contributions, I will submit a memorial to recommend you to the court."

This ribbon is the official sash used for appointing officials, also known as the "sash" in "seal sash". When recruiting subordinates, the ribbon is often used as proof. Once officially appointed, the seal is tied with this ribbon.

Zang Ba truly hadn't expected this...

Which superior can allow his subordinate to be both an official and a thief?

Zang Ba had originally intended to serve the country properly, but unexpectedly, Liu Bei exposed his plan and still expressed his approval.

Looking at the ribbon in his hand, Zang Ba was at a loss for words.

"I'll leave those families in Xuzhou who are both scholars and bandits to you. I need to take grain and land to appease the starving people. Xuan Gao, do you know what to do?" Liu Bei asked again when he saw Zang Ba looking dazed.

"My subordinate understands."

Zang Ba snapped out of his reverie, carefully placed the sash into his robes, bowed, and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I will certainly not disappoint my lord... but..."

"Just what?"

A smile returned to Liu Bei's face.

“Zang has a wife and children in Huaxian County, Taishan. My son is young. Now that Zang intends to assassinate the bandit leader of Taishan, I am afraid that my family will be in danger. I wonder if my lord can protect Zang’s family?”

Zang Ba gritted his teeth, cupped his hands, bowed, and began to speak.

"If you are worried, you can send your wife and children to the plains."

Liu Bei looked at Zang Ba with admiration, but shook his head: "If your family is not in danger, there is no need for this. Children need their fathers... Xuan Gao, my comrades are all brothers who share weal and woe. I have no intention of kidnapping or threatening anyone here."

This guy was born for chaotic times; he's brave, resourceful, quick-witted, knows when to advance and retreat, and even willingly offered up hostages...

But Liu Bei did not intend to take hostages.

Having a hostage does make one feel more at ease, but can someone who willingly hands over their child really be held hostage?

Liu Bei lifted Zang Ba's hand, helping him straighten up. He didn't say anything more, just patted Zang Ba's arm, then beckoned Zhang Fei to turn and leave.

Zang Ba watched Liu Bei's retreating figure without saying a word, but bowed deeply once more.

Until Liu Bei was far away.

……

That night, Liu Bei set up camp on the official road north of Tan County.

"Why does my elder brother trust Zang Xuangao so much? Why does he want to appoint him as a cavalry captain?"

Zhang Fei was puzzled. Liu Bei had only met Zang Ba for the first time, yet he entrusted him with such an important task and even gave away the wealth he had already acquired.

"With him going to eliminate the Qingxu clan and the Yellow Turban rebels, you and I can free up our hands to do more important things."

Liu Bei shook his head at Zhang Fei: "What? Yide also wants to be a Cavalry Commandant? Then I'll submit a memorial right away..."

"No, no, no... I can't be an official in the imperial court..."

Zhang Fei quickly waved his hand: "More important things? Is there anything more important than quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion?"

"Of course there are... flood control and dike repair, famine relief, resettling people and restoring production... all these things are more important than fighting and killing people."

Zhao Yun answered for Liu Bei from the side.

Guan Yu and Zhuge Xuan nodded in agreement.

"It's also..."

Zhang Fei then asked, "So what should we do now?"

"Naturally, we'll split up and act separately."

“Brother Zhuge, assist Yide to go to Qingzhou and follow behind Prefect Tao... Wherever Prefect Tao conquers, you should go there to settle the starving people.”

"Yun Chang went to follow Zang Ba, and the same thing happened..."

“Let them handle the conquests; we only need to protect and settle the people of Qing and Xu, and provide them with support whenever needed.”

"Anyone who dares to obstruct the settlement of the Yellow Turbans shall be eliminated by Zhang Rao and Zang Ba... If any county or prefectural officials cause trouble, they shall be imprisoned with my imperial insignia, and the charges shall be chosen from obstructing military affairs and colluding with the Yellow Turbans to rebel."

"Zilong and I first provided relief to Tancheng and allocated grain and fodder..."

Liu Bei gave instructions to them one by one.

The exchange with Tao Qian for control of the powerful clans in Qing and Xu provinces was surely not merely for the purpose of recklessly launching military campaigns...

It didn't matter whether they were officials, scholars, powerful clans, or military leaders; it didn't matter whether Zang Ba and his men took Mount Tai.

What Liu Bei wanted was the hearts and minds of a million people in Qing and Xu provinces.

(End of this chapter)