The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 122 The Three Tigers Gather in Wuzhong City, Liu Bei and Xu Wushan Visit Tian Chou (3rd Update)
However, the scenery along the way greatly impressed Liu Bei.

Thinking back to ten years ago when I sought refuge with Gongsun Zan, from Jicheng to Wuzhongcheng, there were villages scattered along the way, numbering at least 100,000 households.

What remains is a dilapidated village, sparsely populated.

Seeing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but raise his whip and sigh: "The border regions have long suffered from the invasion of the barbarians, and the flames of war have never ceased in the past ten years. Countless people have died in battle, starved to death, or been captured! When will the former prosperity be restored?"

Almost all the civil and military officials accompanying him had suffered greatly from the ravages of war.

Even the youngest Zhuge Liang was forced to flee his hometown due to the war in Xuzhou.

Seeing Liu Bei's worried expression, Zhuge Liang's eyes also showed concern.

Taking a deep breath, Zhuge Liang's eyes regained their resolve, and he vowed, "With bandits vying for supremacy and the people mired in the quagmire of war, only those who uphold benevolence and righteousness can restore order and bring peace to the people. I am willing to dedicate all my wisdom and talent to help the general quell this chaos!"

Inspired by this, Guan Yu, Chen Dao, Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, and other generals also swore in unison: "We are willing to help the general quell the chaos of the world!"

Sensing the sentiments of his civil and military officials, Liu Bei roused himself and pointed his whip forward: "To quell this chaos, we must begin in Youzhou. I have heard that the people of the border regions call Tadun brave and skilled in battle, comparable to Modu in the past! This bandit, relying on the remote and treacherous terrain, has wantonly plundered the people and civilians of the borderlands, plotting to dominate the northern frontier. Now that I, Liu Bei, have arrived, I will surely eliminate this bandit!"

Everyone shouted in unison, "We must get rid of Tadun!"

Guan Yu, standing to the side and behind, stared at Liu Bei's weathered face and silently clenched his crescent-shaped broadsword.

But in the City of No End.

Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong led their elite cavalry to the scene first.

The once bustling city is now desolate and sparsely populated, with fewer than a thousand residents, most of whom are refugees.

"Has Wuzhong City fallen into such a state of decline?"

Zhao Yun, who had been there before, was also deeply moved by the sight.

Before arriving, Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong discussed several plans for a surprise attack on Wuzhong City, but Wuzhong City turned out to be no different from a ruined city.

"We've made a mistake!" Zhao Yun frowned. "We were hoping to seize their grain reserves to supply our army. Now that Wuzhong City has fallen so low, their granaries must be empty. I'm afraid we'll run out of food and have to leave before Tadun even arrives!"

After the panicked people in the city told the two generals the truth, in order to avoid disturbing the people, Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong discussed and decided to withdraw most of the cavalry outside the city, leaving only a dozen or so riders inside to scout out the news.

Upon learning that Zhao Yun had been sent by the Left General to attack Tadun, a lame old man offered a suggestion: "In the Xuwu Mountains outside the city, there lives a recluse named Mr. Tian Chou from Wuzhong County. Mr. Tian was once an official under the prefecture and county and deeply hates the Wuhuan for harming the people. If you wish to attack Tadun, you may seek Mr. Tian's assistance."

Zhao Yun was overjoyed upon hearing this, and hurriedly thanked the old man. He then intended to send a messenger into the mountain to deliver a letter.

Before the messenger could even depart, a scout rushed in with news: "General Zuo is less than twenty li from here!"

Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong were both startled upon hearing this.

"General Zuo arrived so quickly!"

Although the two set off earlier than Liu Bei and took the shorter path from Yuyang to Wuzhong, they arrived only half a day earlier than Liu Bei!

The two generals then came to see Liu Bei.

Seeing that Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong both looked weathered and worn, Liu Bei felt sorry for them and sighed, "It is my fault that Zilong and Hansheng have to suffer like this!"

A heartfelt word is worth more than a thousand empty words. Zhao Yun's eyes welled with tears: "To be able to serve you, my lord, is truly my great fortune!"

Huang Zhong was also deeply moved.

Originally intending to seek medical help for his son, he incidentally escorted Zhuge Liang, but ended up receiving full assistance from Liu Bei, who arranged for a renowned physician to be summoned.
Under the care of the renowned physician invited by Liu Bei, Huang Xu's health, though still weak, has greatly improved, and he is now able to handle simple administrative affairs in Zhuo County.

This time, he has been entrusted with an important task and given the opportunity to make great achievements. Huang Zhong is so grateful that he would rather die than repay such kindness!

Zhao Yun then reported the current situation of Wuzhong City and that he had found Tian Chou who might be able to help.

Liu Bei recalled that on his journey back to Gaotang from Liyang, he had also seen a large number of people taking refuge in the mountains and fields. He couldn't help but sigh, "The people cannot live peacefully in the city and have to hide in the mountains to protect themselves. This is a dereliction of duty by the officials of the prefecture and county. On my journey, I also heard that a hermit named Tian had gathered people in Xuwu Mountain, and in just a few years, the number of households had grown to more than 5,000! To win the hearts of the people like this, he must be a person of great virtue and wisdom. I should go and pay him a visit!"

Subsequently, Liu Bei ordered Guan Yu to lead his generals and troops to garrison outside Wuzhong City, while he himself led Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, and more than thirty cavalrymen to Xuwu Mountain.

The scenery along the way was completely different from the desolate villages: crisscrossing paths, the sounds of chickens and dogs, men and women chatting and laughing, a scene of harmony and peace.

"This man is not only of noble character, but also possesses great talent for governing the world!" Liu Bei exclaimed with admiration.

Liu Bei had seen too many people who fled to the mountains and fields to escape chaos, and they were all living in constant fear, hunger, cold, and plunder. He had never seen anyone as peaceful and content as the people of Xuwu Mountain.

Zhuge Liang also exclaimed, "If the general has this man's assistance, the pacification of Youzhou will be just around the corner!"

As they were walking, they suddenly saw dozens of riders galloping towards them from the front, blocking their way.

The leader, gun in hand, demanded, "Who goes there and what brings you here?"

Seeing that the approaching riders were all armed and carrying bows, and looked wary, Liu Bei, fearing a misunderstanding, quickly dismounted and bowed, saying, "I, Liu Bei, the Left General, Marquis of Yicheng, and Prefect of Zhuojun, have come to request an audience with Lord Tian."

The cavalry were stunned, clearly not expecting that the person in front of them was Liu Bei, the Left General who had recently become famous in Youzhou, and even more so, they did not expect that the dignified Left General would be so humble!
The leader hurriedly dismounted and returned the greeting: "I am Di Hu, a retainer of Lord Tian. I greet General Zuo."

Seeing that Tian Chou's retainer was also well-versed in etiquette, Liu Bei felt even more respect for him. He cupped his hands again and asked, "May I ask, righteous man, is Lord Tian currently free? Could you please inform him on my behalf? To avoid disturbing the elders in the mountains, I am willing to wait here for good news."

Di Hu was also amazed.

Previously, state and county officials such as Yan Rou and Wang Song had sent envoys to invite him, and Yuan Shao had sent people with gifts or issued orders to summon him five times. However, whether it was Yan Rou, Wang Song, or Yuan Shao, they only sent envoys to invite him, and the envoys they sent did not know much about etiquette, as if it was an honor for Tian Chou to come and see him.

Di Hu did not immediately agree, but instead asked, "I heard that General Zuo is punishing the disloyal people in the six prefectures of Youzhou. Why are you here in person?"

Liu Bei calmly replied, "The rebellions in the four commanderies of Dai, Shanggu, Yuyang, and Guangyang have all been quelled, and the Wuhuan king Nanlou has been beheaded and executed. Only Tadun remains to be eliminated. Therefore, I personally led more than two thousand infantry and cavalry into Wuzhong City to annihilate Tadun. I heard from the old man of Wuzhong City that if we want to defeat Tadun, we can seek the help of Tian Gong in Xuwu Mountain. That is why I came here to visit him."

His nonchalant tone left Di Hu and the riders behind him speechless with astonishment.

Di Hu gaped open, astonished, and asked, "The Wuhuan King Nanlou... is dead?"

Liu Bei then pointed to Zhao Yun and introduced him, saying, "The one who killed Nanlou was my cavalry commander, Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong. Nanlou's four sons were also killed by Zilong."

Di Hu and the others were even more shocked.

He looks like a kind person, but he is actually a vicious god who killed the entire family of five, including the Wuhuan King Nanlou?

　Thank you all for your monthly votes! Only 9 more votes needed, here's the third update. I'll be updating 5 times a day in return.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)