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

Chapter 203 Liu Bei Returns to Zhuojun, the People Live in Peace and the Ruler and His Ministers Enjoy Harmony (4th Update)
July of the sixth year of Jian'an.

Liu Bei led his troops back to Zhuojun.

Having been away from Zhuojun for more than half a year, Zhuojun has undergone considerable changes.

Tens of thousands of people from Xuzhou settled here, and the villages expanded, forming new settlements. The paths crisscrossed, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard everywhere. The markets were filled with the sounds of Xuzhou accents and Youzhou dialects.

The scholars who came to admire the collection of books also added to the literary atmosphere of the county. Groups of two or three could often be seen on the dirt roads, some carrying bamboo slips and reciting poems, some gathering in the pavilion to debate, and some writing calligraphy by the stream.

It was July, the harvest season, and farmers were busy harvesting. The men were bent over with their backs bent like shuttles, and the women were carrying loads and bundling things up in the fields.

In the remaining fields, the late-planted millet seedlings are just beginning to grow, lush and green under the scorching sun; the newly reclaimed dry land by immigrants from Xuzhou also shows neat rows of seedlings.

Although there are many simple thatched huts in the city and the newly reclaimed wasteland has not yet been turned into fertile fields, Zhuojun has, on the whole, become a vibrant place to settle down.

Upon hearing of Liu Bei's return, Chen Zhen, the magistrate of Zhuo County, along with Xu Shu, the chief clerk of the Left General, Mi Zhu, the agricultural officer, Cao Xuan, the financial officer, Jian Yong, the border patrol officer, Sun Qian, the guest officer, and other subordinate officials, all went out to welcome him.

Having not seen everyone for a long time, Liu Bei was also very excited, his eyes slightly moist. He quickly stepped forward and hugged and held hands with each of his subordinates.

Magistrate Chen Zhen of Zhuo County spoke first, his voice slightly choked with emotion: "General, you have traveled to many places on this journey and have suffered greatly. Although there was nothing major in Zhuo County, we have been worried about you day and night. Now that you have returned safely, it is Heaven's mercy!"

Liu Bei patted Chen Zhen on the shoulder and said with emotion, "Xiao Qi governs the county well. The new settlements and agricultural scenes in Zhuo County are largely due to Xiao Qi. I have been away from home for several months, and it feels like a lifetime has passed. Now that we are reunited, I feel at peace."

Xu Shu, Jian Yong, and others also stepped forward to greet them.

As he listened to the warm greetings from everyone, Liu Bei felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and the fatigue from months of travel seemed to dissipate considerably.

"Come on, come on! We've prepared a small feast at the manor to welcome the general and wash away the dust of his journey. Let's sit down and talk!" Sun Qian, the steward, was the most enthusiastic, gesturing to everyone.

The group escorted Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and others back to the Left General's residence.

The hall was brightly lit, and the dining table was already laden with dishes. Although they were not delicacies, they were local specialties of Zhuojun. The aroma of freshly harvested wheat cakes, stewed venison, pickled vegetables, fresh fish, and strong liquor unique to Youzhou wafted through the air, exuding a rustic and heartwarming feeling.

The people took their seats in order, with Liu Bei naturally occupying the main seat, Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu sitting on his left and right respectively, followed by Xu Shu, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, Chen Zhen, Cao Xuan and other civil and military officials.

With the wine cup filled, Liu Bei raised it first, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his voice loud and sincere: "I have been away from Zhuojun for several months, and you have all worked tirelessly day and night, whether it be governing the prefecture and bringing peace to the people, attracting scholars and establishing schools, or expanding the territory and increasing the population. I would like to thank you all for your hard work!"

After saying this, he drank the strong liquor in the bottle in one gulp.

Everyone stood up and returned the salute: "General, you've worked hard! Congratulations, General!"

As bowls and plates clinked and drinks were swallowed, the atmosphere at the table gradually warmed up, and people began to freely reminisce and chat.

Jian Yong, a man who disregarded social conventions, approached Guan Yu with a wine cup in hand, winking and asking, "I've heard that Wei Commandery is rich in fine wine and beautiful women. Did you enjoy a good drink on your trip, Yun Chang? Did you encounter any beauties?" Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes, stroked his long beard, and unusually relaxed, replied, "While there are many fine wines and beautiful women, I've been preoccupied with military affairs and have no time for anything else. But Xianhe, have you found the village girl who gave you a meal years ago?"

Jian Yong stroked his beard triumphantly: "Haha, of course I'll find them! How could I, Jian Xianhe, fail to find someone?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sun Qian, who was standing to the side, bluntly pointed out: "General Guan, don't listen to Xianhe's boasting. That country girl has already married someone else. Xianhe even drowned his sorrows in alcohol for several days because of it."

Jian Yong's smile froze, and he jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, pointing at Sun Qian and saying, "Sun Gongyou, you are also a scholar. Have you not heard of the story in the Biography of Marquis of Huaiyin: 'Han Xin was rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and a title of nobility for a meal from the washerwoman'? My search for this woman is just like Han Xin's for the washerwoman, purely to repay the kindness of a meal from the past, without the slightest intention of coveting another man's wife! As the ancients said, 'Repay kindness with kindness, and repay injustice with justice.' I wish to act with the virtue of a gentleman, how could I turn into a greedy and despicable act? Now that she has married, my heart is at peace, and I only wish her well. This repayment of kindness is in accordance with heavenly principles and human sentiment, and I have no shame!"

But these words only made Jian Yong seem more guilty.

Jian Yong was by nature a carefree person. If he truly had no interest in that country girl, he wouldn't have offered a long explanation; he would have simply said, "What a pity! What a pity!"

Now, instead of quoting classical texts, they cite "The Biography of Marquis of Huaiyin" and ancient sayings, showing that the more they try to conceal it, the more they seem to care.

Seeing Sun Qian whispering to Guan Yu again, Jian Yong directly exposed his shortcomings: "Yun Chang, don't listen to Sun Gongyou's nonsense. He's been going to the Lu family a lot lately. Lu Yu has asked me privately several times if Sun Gongyou has feelings for his sister. If he does, the disciple of Kang Chenggong and the Lu family's daughter can be considered a match made in heaven."

Sun Qian blushed instantly and stammered, "Don't talk nonsense! Don't ruin Qiong'er's reputation."

Jian Yong raised his voice: "Oh, you're calling her Qiong'er now. I've lived in Zhuojun for years and still don't know her name. You're from Beihai and have only been in Zhuojun for a year. Not only do you know what Lu Yu's elder sister's name is, but you also call her so intimately. And you still have the nerve to tell me not to ruin Lu Yu's elder sister's reputation?"

Sun Qian racked his brains for reasons and argued, "Kang Cheng Gong and Zi Gan Gong are close friends from the same school! After paying my respects to my teacher and old friend, I was simply following proper etiquette. Qiong'er is the name of my elder sister Lu Yu'er, not a sign of intimacy!"

“Hmm, that makes sense.” Jian Yong rested his chin on his hand. “I also greatly admire Zigan Gong and have a good relationship with Lu Yu. I wonder if Lu Yu will accept my betrothal gifts!”

Sun Qian immediately stood up: "Jian Xianhe, stop fooling around!"

This scene caught the attention of Liu Bei, who was chatting and catching up with Xu Shu. Liu Bei got up and walked over, asking curiously, "Gongyou, Xianhe, what has caused this dispute?"

Sun Qian awkwardly cupped his hands in apology: "General, you misunderstand. I was just joking with Xianhe."

Jian Yong quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes, I was just joking with Gongyou."

As soon as he finished speaking, Guan Yu's voice slowly rose: "Gongyou said that Xianhe's old friend, a girl from his hometown, got married, and Xianhe drowned his sorrows in wine for several days; Xianhe said that Gongyou has been going to the Lu family a lot lately, intending to ask for Lu Yu's sister in marriage."

Guan Yu's voice was neither hurried nor loud, yet it reached Liu Bei's ears clearly, causing the two to exclaim in unison, "Yun Chang, we were just joking with you!"

Liu Bei laughed upon hearing this: "The world is in chaos, and Xianhe and Gongyou have been wandering with me for a long time without being able to marry. Tomorrow I will send someone to find a good woman to marry Xianhe; since Gongyou has taken a liking to Lady Lu, I will also visit her tomorrow to inquire. If Lady Lu is interested, I can be Gongyou's matchmaker."

　Update 4 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)