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

Chapter 381 The world is united as one (joint chapter)

a few days later.

Jishan.

The Great Han Military Academy was expanded here.

Jishan is located in the southwest of Linzi. The southwest gate of Linzi is Jimen, and the Jixia Academy is located outside Jimen.

The original military academy was also located at the foot of Jishan Mountain and was connected to the Jixia Academy.

For this expansion, Liu Bei planned to utilize the entire Jishan Mountain.

In addition to the standard signboard 'Great Han Military Academy', Liu Bei also specially wrote the full name, 'Great Han Royal Military Academy', which can be translated as 'Royal Military Academy of the Great Han'.

Of course, the college has not yet been re-established, because this is a matter that must be handled on a grand scale.

Some procedures can be simplified, and many useless and cumbersome steps can be reduced, but the military academy must be given a grand show of support.

Jishan is also the place where the Autumn Festival is held, since the Autumn Festival is a sacrifice to the land god and Houji.

This is also why Liu Bei ordered all his officials to return to Linzi to participate in the Autumn Festival.

It should be large in scale and solemn in ceremony, so that everyone under its jurisdiction knows the status of the Great Han Military Academy and that soldiers and commoners aspire to it.

Officials and generals from various regions have not yet returned, and Liu Bei is personally leading people to set up the altar on Mount Ji.

Zhao Yun came up the mountain to report: "My lord, Shi Ren and Guan Shen are already at the foot of the mountain."

Liu Bei did not order Shi Ren's arrest; he simply sent Zuo Yuan on horseback to deliver the order, and Shi Ren arrived on his own.

After all, they were retainers, so they were obedient.

Liu Bei glanced down the mountain and asked, "Does Junyi know his crime?"

“He has met with Sister Zuo, and then he asked Guan Shen to come with him to see the lord. It seems he knows he has done wrong.”

Zhao Yun nodded: "I will not plead for him, but Junyi has many retainers and is also in charge of horse administration..."

"Let him go up the mountain to carry stones first, because we need to build a high platform and stone steps here."

Liu Bei understood Zhao Yun's meaning: it didn't matter whether Shi Ren lived or died, but the matter of dealing with Shi Ren should not be too drastic.

Now that Shi Ren has come himself, Liu Bei will no longer publicly try him; he will have to deal with him behind closed doors.

Publicly criticizing the crimes of his retainers would damage Liu Bei's own family's image and could easily cause others to lose trust in Liu Bei's troops.

The saying goes, "Don't wash your dirty linen in public." You shouldn't damage your family's reputation in front of outsiders. If a family member gets stigmatized, outsiders will think, "That family is no good," which will damage the whole family's reputation.

It's like a meal. If you find a problem with a dish, like a worm, the best thing to do is for the chef to throw that dish away immediately and not tell anyone else.

If diners saw this, no one would want to eat any of the dishes on the table.

Just as Jian Yong said—if Jian Yong were to investigate, it would be done by outsiders like Yuan Shu, Dong Zhuo, and Sun Jian…

Shi Ren went up the mountain and was visibly nervous after meeting Liu Bei.

Guan Shen was relatively calm, but he was somewhat apprehensive in front of Zhao Yun—he had almost been killed by Zhao Yun back in Donglai, so he probably still had some lingering fear.

"Junyi, go and lift that stone..."

Liu Bei glanced at Shi Ren and pointed to a pile of huge rocks next to him.

Those are stone slabs used to build steps; each one must weigh at least two hundred pounds.

After Shi Ren lifted a large stone, Liu Bei pointed to a slope on the edge of a cliff and gestured for Shi Ren to stand there.

But Liu Bei then ignored Shi Ren and turned to Guan Shen: "You know Ying Shao?"

"Yes... I had dealings with Ying Shao when he was the magistrate of Yingling. At that time, he wanted to do maritime business, but he was always proud of his family background and looked down on us maritime merchants... so I did not cooperate with him."

Guan Shen answered honestly.

"Then why are your men involved with Ying Shao? Isn't the postmaster at the South City Post Station one of your men?"

Guan Shen was not one of Liu Bei's retainers, so Liu Bei did not make him do hard labor, but only asked him questions.

"The postmaster of Linzi South Post Station was originally a subordinate official of Ying Shao when he was in Yingling. After Ying Shao resigned, these people had nowhere to go. When General Guan pacified Yingling, they took up their lowly positions."

Before Liu Bei could ask any further questions, Guan Shen began to recount the whole story: "Ying Shao claimed he could procure fine horses, medicinal herbs, and hunting falcons in Liaodong. Although I dislike this man, there's no need to turn down money; business must go on..."

This isn't actually a particularly special conspiracy.

Initially, Ying Shao wanted to obtain an official position through Liu Xie and tried many methods, such as offering tribute.

However, Linzi lacked a Shaofu (a government office), and Ying Shao had no means of paying tribute, so he turned to Cao Song.

Cao Song believed that Ying Shao was seeking an official position. Coincidentally, Cao Song also intended to take advantage of Zuo Yuan's purge of the Qingzhou gentry to try to recommend some famous scholars to Liu Xie's side to compete with Liu Bei's system of examinations for commoners. This was a perfect match for Cao Song.

However, Ying Shao wanted more than just an official position; he sent a forged imperial edict into the palace.

This forged edict was actually a frame-up against Liu Xie. If Ying Shao had been able to serve as an official by Liu Xie's side and staged a "request to punish the traitor" incident, it would have turned into "Liu Xie issuing a blood-stained edict to punish Liu Bei."

Then Liu Bei would truly be considered a traitor to the Han dynasty.

This matter was extremely dangerous for Ying Shao, so he had to find a way to escape and a partner who could deploy manpower in Linzi.

The postmaster of Chengnan Post Station was Ying Shao's former subordinate and was currently affiliated with Guan Shen. Knowing that Shi Ren was doing business with Guan Shen, he suggested that Ying Shao go find Guan Shen and Shi Ren.

Ying Shao already knew Guan Shen, so finding Guan Shen was the most appropriate option when he was on his way out. He then found Shi Ren through Guan Shen.

Although Shi Ren spent most of his time in the plains, he had private armies in every prefecture, and he was in charge of horse administration, making him a suitable partner who could organize troops at any time.

Ying Shao fabricated a story for Shi Ren, saying that the emperor was dissatisfied with Liu Bei because of the hunting incident at Shenchi, and issued an edict in blood ordering heroes of the world to attack Liu Bei. He also said that the blood edict was issued to him and Cao Song.

Ying Shao sent many gifts to Shi Ren, saying that he and Grand Commandant Cao intended to raise an army in accordance with the imperial edict, but it would be difficult for the Cao family to leave Qingzhou. He hoped that Shi Ren could help him get some manpower so that he could send the Cao family out together with Guan Shen's men if something happened.

At the same time, Ying Shao said that if this matter were discovered, he would likely be hunted down by Liu Bei. He hoped that Shi Ren could help him survive. In return, he would give Shi Ren the Liaodong maritime trade route and all of Cao Song's property.

This is a lie, but it seems very real to outsiders, as everyone knows the outcome of the Shenchi hunt.

Shi Ren didn't need to "follow the imperial edict to suppress the rebels"; he was just doing business.

Between Qingzhou Donglai and the Liaodong Peninsula, there is a sea route known as the "Banghaidao". The voyage is short and the coastline is visible most of the time. Guan Shen is very familiar with this sea route.

The Liaodong horses, ginseng, tiger skins and other specialties could be transported to the Central Plains and generate hundreds of times the profit. Shi Ren was already engaged in maritime trade with Guan Shen and was worried about not having a channel for his own trade.

Moreover, Shi Ren needed Liaodong horses as breeding stock, and tempted by huge profits, he agreed to help Ying Shao arrange manpower.

Shi Ren was actually happy to see Liu Xie turn against Liu Bei. He didn't care about things like blood-written edicts or secret decrees. Shi Ren was just hoping that Liu Bei would lock Liu Xie in the palace and use him as a stamping machine.

It doesn't matter if Ying Shao and the Cao family leave Qingzhou to be ordered to suppress the rebels. Shi Ren actually has a lot of confidence in Liu Bei, and Shi Ren only wants to obtain the trade routes and the Cao family's wealth—once he gets the money, he can turn around and wipe out Ying Shao.

But Ying Shao's lie was exposed that very day.

Diao Chan reported Ying Shao, and Liu Bei sent Zhao Yun to arrest him. Zhao Yun's men informed their retainers to cooperate in the arrest.

Shi Ren had just met with Ying Shao and was arranging manpower when he received the news.

Upon learning that Zhao Yun was the one arresting Ying Shao, Shi Ren knew that Ying Shao would definitely not escape, so he immediately arranged for his private soldiers to kill Ying Shao and the postmaster to silence them... If Ying Shao were captured alive, Shi Ren would be considered a traitor.

After hearing the whole story, Liu Bei turned to look at Shi Ren and saw that Shi Ren was still carrying the stone, sweating profusely and swaying precariously, but still dared not put it down.

"If you want to do trade and make huge profits, why not come to me?"

Liu Bei walked up to Shi Ren and patted the stone Shi Ren was carrying: "Aren't you tired standing on a steep cliff with such a huge rock on your back?"

Shi Ren didn't dare to speak; his legs were trembling.

"Junyi, you once fought against foreign tribes for the Han Dynasty... I will not kill you."

Liu Bei patted the stone again: "Since you want Liaodong's maritime trade so much... then go to the Liaodong vassal states, pacify the Donghu and the Three Hans, and kill those foreign tribes however you like."

"My... my lord..."

Shi Ren could no longer hold on. Carrying the boulder and standing on the slope was already difficult enough, let alone being patted a few times, he couldn't even bear a light touch.

To maintain balance, one dares not move, much less let the stone fall.

Shi Ren knew in his heart that if the stone fell to the ground, his head would fall to the ground...

The two slaps Liu Bei delivered to Shi Ren were more painful than a hundred strokes of the military rod, leaving him unable to even scream.

"Put it down..." Liu Bei waved his hand: "Give the troops to Zilong, and you go to Liaodong. If you can spread your power overseas, perhaps there will be a day when you can return to the Han Dynasty."

"……only."

Shi Ren slowly lowered the stone slab and lay prostrate on the ground for a long time, unable to get up.

……

After returning to Linzi, Liu Bei issued an edict to attack Liu Chong, the Prince of Chen.

In reality, they simply fabricated a public announcement about the incident and sent it to various places, pinning the blame on Liu Chong.

The imperial edict stated that Liu Chong had sent Ying Shao to Linzi to cause trouble and attempt to assassinate the emperor, which resulted in the emperor being injured while hunting.

After the incident, Ying Shao kidnapped Cao Song and fled, massacring more than ten post station officials. Ying Shao was then shot and killed, thus bringing the perpetrators to justice.

However, Cao Song was old and frail, and unfortunately died when he was taken hostage by Ying Shao.

The imperial court expressed its regret over the death of the late Grand Commandant Cao Song, offered condolences with the highest honors, and severely condemned the heinous acts of Liu Chong and Ying Shao…

As for the official announcement, everyone understands. Liu Bei was already quite kind by not shifting the blame to the temporary workers.

Half a month later, the official announcement was sent to Qiao County, and Cao Ang returned to Qiao County to bury Cao Song.

Cao Cao slaughtered the entire Ying family of Runan, leaving no one alive.

At the same time, Liu Chong died.

Yuan Shu went to Liu Chong to borrow grain, but Liu Chong refused and even drove Yuan Shu out of Chen Commandery.

Shortly thereafter, Zhang Kai, under the pretext of seeking refuge, led a group of people to Chen County, where he suddenly launched an attack and killed Liu Chong and his chancellor Luo Jun.

This time, Zhang Kai no longer concealed his identity, because he was soon privately appointed by Yuan Shu as the Commandant of the Expeditionary Army.

Yuan Shu led his troops into Chen Commandery and looted extensively, but was immediately besieged by the soldiers and civilians of Chen Commandery and had no choice but to retreat to Huainan.

……

The third year of the Chuping era, the eighth day of the ninth month.

Jishan Autumn Festival.

All the chief officials of the counties and prefectures under Liu Bei's rule, as well as the generals above the rank of Sima in each army, returned to Linzi.

At the grand court assembly on the first day of the lunar new year, Liu Bei was appointed General of the Guards and Marquis of Changguo.

Zuo Yuan was granted the title of Lord of Changguo.

Changguo was a county under the jurisdiction of Qi Commandery. It was originally the marquisate of King Xin of Han. It was very close to Linzi, located in the southern part of Jishan.

This time, Liu Bei's title was not conferred in his hometown of Youzhou.

It was only natural for Liu Bei to transfer the General of the Guards.

Zuo Yuan quelled numerous rebellions, and it is beyond question that he was granted the title of lord for his merits.

The General of the Guards in the Han Dynasty was a very special general position. He was the commander of the imperial guards in the capital, and those who held this position were regarded as the "General Commander of the Army of the Entire Country".

This is the reason why Jia Xu spoke of "legitimate and justifiable".

Liu Bei's own retainers were all delighted, as Liu Bei's promotion was equivalent to their promotion.

But promotion was not the theme of this autumn gathering.

The theme was to enroll all military officers in the Great Han Military Academy.

As the Junior Tutor, it was only natural for Liu Bei to build an academy for the emperor, and it was also appropriate for the generals of various departments to "study" at the military academy.

It's okay if you're too busy to attend classes; we can take turns taking courses. Just register for the course first.

To be Liu Bei's student is to be a disciple of the emperor.

This is something that the military generals cannot refuse; anyone who opposes it is simply a matter of their stance.

……

The altar at Jishan serves as both the ceremonial platform for the unveiling ceremony and the platform for the academy's future command.

By this time, the altar had been built into a five-zhang-high platform, constructed of bluestone, neat and heavy.

The stone steps on both sides of the platform are also paved with bluestone.

There was a huge flag in front of the stage, not a regular vertical flagpole, but a horizontal bar hanging down from the high platform to the ground below.

This flag is over four zhang in size, far exceeding all other flags. It has only one character, "Han," surrounded by a constellation of the Twenty-Eight Mansions.

Below the platform is the drill ground, where a brand-new giant monument stands. This is a monument commemorating merits. There are currently no inscriptions on the monument, only the base is covered with military laws and regulations.

In front of the monument is a bell for capturing flags. Those who have made outstanding contributions can ring this bell, and its sound can be heard throughout Linzi City.

If a bell rings, the name will be engraved on the monument commemorating the merits.

In fact, the military academy has not been fully expanded yet. There are no main halls or buildings here, only giant drums, gongs, and countless banners around the drill ground.

But the gate was already built.

There are two huge rocks on either side of the gate.

The whetstone on the right is inscribed with the words "All who enter are comrades, forgetting their personal names."

The broken stone on the left is inscribed with the words "All people share the same blessings, and the world is of one mind".

……

Mao Shi.

The guards, wielding long swords, formed neat rows and stood around the training ground.

There was no music or rites, no noise.

The only sound was the fluttering of the banners in the wind.

The row of tall cowhide war drums on the sidelines remained silent, but some drummers had already picked up their sledgehammers.

The generals walked along the passageway to the gate, looking at the huge stone that read "Unity of the World" and the guards inside the gate, none of them daring to utter a sound.

Even generals with illustrious military achievements, such as Xu Rong, Zhang Liao, and Xu Huang, remained silent at this moment.

A dull drum beat sounded.

Liu Bei led his troops in a procession.

In fact, Liu Bei only brought eight hundred men selected from various units, while Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Tian Yu, Bian Bing, and others each brought only a little over a hundred men.

However, their equipment and movements were so well-organized that the 800 armored soldiers appeared to be more than 8,000 men.

The soldiers, clad in full black armor, marched in time with the drumbeats, their skirts striking each other with heavy thuds, their leather boots landing in perfect unison, like the heartbeat of the earth.

On the command platform, a three-zhang-tall black banner stood quietly, with a huge 'Liu' character embroidered in silver thread.

The soldiers lined up below the platform, standing motionless in a square formation, so orderly they looked like a single person, making the other generals beside them seem like a makeshift troupe.

Liu Bei walked step by step onto the high platform.

Apart from the drumbeats, there were no other sounds, and no one gave any instructions.

When Liu Bei stood in the middle of the command platform, the drumbeats stopped.

The scene became eerily quiet, the oppressive atmosphere almost palpable.

After a moment of silence on the stage, Liu Bei finally spoke: "Gentlemen... you come from different places, from different families, with different circumstances, and pursuing different futures..."

"But once you've entered this gate today... you'll be a general of the Han Dynasty!"

"Those who enter this gate are all comrades! Those who leave this gate are all brothers!"

"You will have the same identity, the same background, abide by the same military law, be judged by the same merits, obey the same orders... and hear the same voice!"

"...My voice!"

(End of this chapter)