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

Chapter 223 Robbery of Powerful Figures to Relieve Starving People, Pang Tong's Plan to Gather Popular Support for Liu Bei (4th Update)
On the seventh day of the seven-day truce, the "Liu" banner fluttered outside Jiangyi City.

Liu Bei personally led generals and officers including Pang Tong, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Yuan Chen, and Xiahou Bo to oversee the transport of supplies and provisions.

The small town of Jiangyi actually gathered more than 10,000 soldiers outside the city!

The entire population of Jiangyi County, including men, women, and children, as well as those who live in seclusion in the mountains, is only about 20,000.

beat.

It's practically impossible for them to fight again.

However, Jia Kui did not choose to surrender. Instead, he fulfilled his promise to the officials and people of Jiangyi and allowed them to tie him up and take him to see Liu Bei.

Having learned about Jia Kui's character from the officials and people of Jiangyi, and with Zhang Fei's strong support, Liu Bei personally untied Jia Kui in front of them.

He added, "This dispute has nothing to do with Magistrate Jia or the officials and people of Jiangyi. I can also promise that I will only take money and grain from the government treasury."

While Liu Bei was making a promise to untie Jia Kui, Jia Kui was also sizing up Liu Bei.

Although I had heard of Liu Bei's reputation, there are many in the world who are all talk and no action.

Yuan Shao was known for his benevolence, and there were even rumors that he would approach and comfort people suffering from the cold on the road, and weep with sympathy.

However, the truth was that Yuan Shao knew many of the soldiers and civilians in Ji Province were suffering from hunger and cold, but he refused to allow them to rest and recuperate. Instead, he insisted on challenging Cao Cao to a duel.

Jia Kui dared not draw any conclusions about the credibility of Liu Bei's reputation.

Looking at the gentle and refined Liu Bei, Jia Kui spoke frankly: "The Jiangyi treasury has no surplus money or grain. If we take it, the officials and people will suffer from hunger. I beg the Left General's understanding."

Behind Jia Kui were powerful and influential officials and envoys mingling among the officials and commoners.

Upon hearing Jia Kui's words, they were all utterly shocked: What did Magistrate Jia mean by this? We had just delivered the money, grain, and goods to the treasury in Jiangyi City, how come the treasury is empty? Did Magistrate Jia not want to give the treasury's money, grain, and goods to General Zuo? If this angered General Zuo, wouldn't our estates be...
One impatient man shouted, "County Magistrate Jia, there's still money and grain in the treasury! It's the taxes collected just two days ago!"

Jia Kui's expression changed, and he retorted, "Nonsense! That was money and provisions entrusted to me by the people of Jiangyi to defend against the invading enemy, not taxes! How could I possibly put the money and provisions of the people of Jiangyi into the treasury? Now that I have failed to defend Jiangyi, this money and provisions should be returned!"

retreat?

The envoys from powerful and wealthy families were terrified and broke out in a cold sweat!
Can I get a refund?

If we withdraw, how will we protect the money and grain in our manor?
"County Magistrate Jia! You must be mistaken. That money and grain were clearly entrusted to you by us to be given to General Zuo!"

"That's right! Magistrate Jia, how could General Zuo be an invading enemy force! You must be mistaken; since he's not an invading enemy force, there's no question of you failing to defend Jiangyi. Why should the money and provisions be returned? We voluntarily offer them to General Zuo!"

“County Magistrate Jia, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you want. When did we ever consider General Zuo an invading enemy? We have always admired General Zuo, so what’s wrong with giving him some money and provisions?”

"General Zuo, please don't misunderstand. Ever since General Zhang declared a seven-day truce, we have been preparing money and provisions to welcome General Zuo. We originally intended to have County Magistrate Jia deliver them, but County Magistrate Jia has misunderstood our intentions."

Everyone chimed in, refuting Jia Kui's words in front of Liu Bei.

Seeing this, Zhang Fei promptly spoke up, "Brother, Magistrate Jia has always been upright. Although he is only the magistrate of Jiangyi, he refuses to bow to Guo Yuan for the sake of national dignity. It is understandable that he has misunderstood us as bandits. Why don't I take Magistrate Jia into the camp first to persuade him properly, and then you can discuss it with the others? If it is truly a gift from the people of Jiangyi, you must not refuse their good intentions."

Done.

Zhang Fei then brought Jia Kui into the camp, leaving Liu Bei to discuss matters with the others.

As soon as Jia Kui left, the envoys of the powerful families produced the handover orders, saying that although they had initially entrusted Jia Kui to defend against the enemy, now that Liu Bei had arrived, there would be no enemy. They all agreed to give Liu Bei the money, grain, and goods listed on the handover orders.

Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, then looked at Pang Tong on his right and asked, "If I take the people's money, provisions, and goods, it would be against my benevolence and righteousness; if I don't take them, I can't refuse their kindness. What do you think, Shi Yuan?"

Seeing everyone's gaze fixed on him, Pang Tong offered Liu Bei a suggestion: "Since it's so difficult to refuse their kindness, General, why not take from the people and use it for the people? Let them distribute the money, grain, and goods they've given you to the impoverished officials and people of Jiangyi. This way, you won't lose face as a general, nor will you have to refuse their generosity."

Liu Bei nodded in agreement, saying, "Shiyuan's words make sense; let's proceed with this plan. I appreciate the kindness of the people of Jiangyi, but in these chaotic times, we often have no choice. Since you are all from Jiangyi, we should help each other. Distribute the money, grain, and goods to the impoverished officials and people as soon as possible, and I will also commend your benevolence to the General."

After going through many twists and turns, the money and grain returned to the hands of the officials and people of Jiangyi. Liu Bei, having been through countless trials, remained untouched by any of them.

This action stunned not only the officials and people of Jiangyi, but also the envoys of powerful and wealthy families.

Some regretted it and stamped their feet in secret: If we had known this would happen, we would have just taken a token amount of money, food and goods.

However, now that there are clear written documents, even if some stingy and powerful families want to back out, they would have to consider whether they would anger Liu Bei: "I won't take a single needle or thread from you, and you can use it to help the people in your county and village. And you're telling me you want to back out? Do you think my army of over ten thousand is stationed outside Jiangyi just for a vacation?"
Liu Bei did not explain further to the others, but left Pang Tong to explain the specific rules for distributing money, grain, and goods to them.

The rules set by Pang Tong also deterred those who wanted to regret their actions from taking any chances.

The rule states that "the Left General's benevolence and righteousness must not be compromised. If anyone takes advantage of the situation to enrich themselves or mistreats officials and the people, and the Left General finds out, the entire family involved will be arrested and punished!"

Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang became close friends not only because they were cousins, but also because they were both skilled at strategizing and planning.

This time, Liu Bei came to Hedong not to conquer Hedong as a foothold, but to leave behind a reputation for benevolence and righteousness among the people of Hedong.

Therefore.

Whether it was the military order given to Zhang Fei when mobilizing troops, or the suggestion given to Liu Bei just now, it was all for the purpose of garnering popular support for Liu Bei.

Just like Liu Bei said: "In times of chaos, we have no choice in many things."

Liu Bei was ordered by Yuan Shao to raid Guanzhong, and he had no choice but to go or not; however, he could choose whether to be benevolent or cruel in the specific raid plan.

Meanwhile, inside the camp.

Upon seeing Liu Bei again, Jia Kui learned that Liu Bei had distributed the wealth and resources of powerful families to the impoverished officials and commoners of Jiangyi. His eyes filled with admiration and respect: "General Zuo's benevolent act is a blessing to the people of Jiangyi."

Liu Bei showed no pride. To Jia Kui's surprise, he apologized again, saying, "It was our troops who led the army south, causing the people of Jiangyi to suffer the ravages of war. I only hope to use this money and grain to make amends to the people of Jiangyi. I dare not presume to claim 'benevolence and righteousness'."

　Update 4 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)