Han Ji

"Wait a few more days," he said. "Once the imperial court bestows its rewards, I will personally take you back to Zhuojun."

"Really?" Everyone's eyes lit up.

"Really." Liu Bei nodded. "Not only will we return, but we will return in great honor. Those who have rendered meritorious service will be granted land as they deserve, and titles as they deserve. As for those who died in battle, I will take you to send their ashes back to their hometowns."

Li Shun's eyes reddened: "General! On behalf of my brothers, I thank you, General!"

"No need to thank me." Liu Bei patted him on the shoulder. "We're from the same hometown, we're brothers."

The fire crackled, illuminating the young faces around them.

That night, Liu Bei stayed in the auxiliary troops' camp until very late, listening to them talk about their hometown, about the stewed meat his mother made, about the jujube tree at the entrance of the village, and about the reeds by the river.

It felt as if the battle was over and I could go home tomorrow.

But Liu Bei knew it wasn't that simple.

On the third day of the eleventh month, Lu Zhi ordered the troops to return to base.

Eighty thousand troops, escorting tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers, and carrying the captured weapons and provisions, marched south in a grand procession.

Zuo Feng recovered from his illness and sat in the carriage in silence the whole way.

When the army passed through Ye City, the governor of Wei Commandery came out of the city to welcome them, and the people lined the streets to cheer. Lu Zhi ordered the entire army to set up camp outside the city and rest for three days.

That evening, Liu Bei was reading in his tent when Jian Yong hurriedly entered.

"Brother, urgent news from Luoyang."

Liu Bei took it and opened it to look at it.

The letter was written by Lu Zhi's old acquaintances in the court, saying that the eunuch faction was doing its utmost to suppress the achievements in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, especially targeting Lu Zhi and Liu Bei. Zhang Rang and others demanded a reduction in rewards, citing the wasted money and resources and the prolonged delays. Zuo Feng, upon returning to the capital, would undoubtedly embellish the story.

"Does the teacher know?" Liu Bei asked.

"Lord Lu has just finished reading the letter and wants you to come over."

Liu Bei got up and went straight to the central command tent.

Lu Zhi sat behind his desk, his face calm, but his eyes revealed his exhaustion.

"Xuande, sit down."

Liu Bei sat down.

"Have you read the letter?"

"I've seen it."

What do you think?

"I believe that merits and demerits are judged by the people," Liu Bei said. "Teacher, you led your army across thousands of miles, beheaded Zhang Jiao, and pacified Hebei. These are unparalleled achievements. Even if the eunuch faction can distort the truth for a time, it cannot deceive the eyes and ears of the people."

Lu Zhi smiled and said, "You're still young. In the imperial court, merit isn't measured by how many traitors you kill, but by whether someone speaks up for you."

He paused for a moment, then said, "I may be safe returning to the capital, as my merits are undeniable. But you, I'm afraid, will have to suffer some injustice."

"The students are not afraid of being wronged," Liu Bei said, looking up. "They just don't want their teachers to suffer because of them."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Lu Zhi waved his hand. "You are my disciple, and it is only right that I protect you. However, the eunuchs are powerful, and His Majesty favors them. If they insist on suppressing us, I can only argue on the basis of reason, and I may not be able to save you."

Silence fell inside the tent.

The oil lamp crackled.

After a long silence, Lu Zhi slowly said, "Xuande, if this reward is not to your liking, do you have any plans?"

"Students will follow the teacher's instructions."

"I'm getting old." Lu Zhi looked at the flickering lamplight. "This time when I return to the capital, I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to take up the post of Commandant of the Guards."

He looked up at Liu Bei and said, "You are still young and should go out and gain experience. If you have the opportunity to be sent to a prefecture, even a remote and harsh place, it would be better than wasting your time in Luoyang."

Liu Bei was startled.

External release.

This means leaving the central authority, leaving the teacher, and facing a new world on your own.

With chaos looming, having land and troops in hand is fundamental.

He understands this principle.

"Student, I understand."

Lu Zhi nodded and took out a scroll of silk from under the table: "This is a letter I wrote to Xun Shuang. I will arrange your marriage with Miss Xun. After returning to the capital, I will go to propose marriage."

Liu Bei took the silk scroll, his hands trembling slightly.

"teacher."

"A man should marry when he comes of age." Lu Zhi smiled. "Xun Cai is a girl of both talent and virtue, a perfect match for you. Only by settling down can you establish a solid foundation for your career."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

"Go," Lu Zhi waved his hand. "Prepare well. There will be many tough battles to fight after we return to the capital, battles in the court."

Liu Bei bowed and withdrew.

Outside the tent, the moon was bright and the stars were few.

He held the scroll in his hand and looked south.

Luoyang.

When the good news reached Luoyang, it was snowing the first snow of the season.

Emperor Ling was drinking with a palace maid in the warm pavilion of the West Garden when he heard the news. His eyes still blurry with drunkenness, he slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "Excellent! Lu Zhi truly deserves to be my trusted advisor! Reward him! Reward him all!"

Zhang Rang stood by with a fawning smile: "Your Majesty is blessed, and the soldiers have fought bravely. However... this old servant has heard that there is a man named Liu Bei under Lu Zhi's command who has made great contributions this time and even detained Zuo Feng."

"Zuo Feng?" Emperor Ling frowned. "Wasn't he sent to oversee the army?"

"They say he's ill and resting in the camp," Zhang Rang said, bowing his head. "But this old servant finds it strange. Liu Bei is Lu Zhi's disciple, and he clashed with Zhao Zhong and others repeatedly in Luoyang. Perhaps this time..."

The meaning was conveyed even though the words were not finished.

Emperor Ling put down his wine cup and narrowed his eyes: "Liu Bei, I remember him. He's a member of the imperial clan and has some talent. But if he dares to become arrogant because of his achievements..."

"Your Majesty is wise." Zhang Rang pressed on while the iron was hot. "Lu Zhi's merits are too great. If we were to add another disciple whose merits overshadow the emperor, it would not be a blessing for the court. It would be better to reward them separately, which would both show the emperor's favor and serve as a check and balance."

Emperor Ling thought for a moment and said, "Draft an edict. Lu Zhi will be enfeoffed as a marquis and promoted to Commandant of the Guards for his first merit. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun will also be rewarded according to their merits. As for Liu Bei... select a commandery commandant for him and send him out to hone his skills. I am not comfortable with some important commandery governors who also hold military power."

"Your Majesty is wise."

After resting for three days in Ye City, the army continued its southward march.

The counties and prefectures along the way all came out of their cities to welcome the army, and rewarded them with wine and meat. Lu Zhi ordered that no one be disturbed by the people, and those who violated the order would be severely punished. As a result, the army was disciplined and the people praised him.

On November 15th, the army arrived at the Yellow River crossing.

Luoyang is on the other side of the river.

Lu Zhi ordered his troops to set up camp at the ferry crossing and await imperial orders.

News of the three victories had already reached the capital, but the imperial edicts of reward had yet to be issued. Rumors began to circulate in the camp that the eunuch faction was obstructing the campaign and trying to erase the soldiers' achievements.

That day, Liu Bei was inspecting his camp when he suddenly saw a rider galloping from the south bank. The rider shouted, "The imperial edict has arrived!"

The generals were summoned by beating drums in the central command tent.

The edict was delivered by a middle-aged eunuch surnamed Wang, who expressionlessly unfurled a yellow silk scroll:

"The imperial edict states: Lu Zhi, the General of the Northern Army, led troops to quell the rebellion and beheaded Zhang Jiao at Guangzong, a feat of immeasurable merit. He is now promoted to Commandant of the Guards, enfeoffed as Marquis of Fanyang, with a fief of eight thousand households, and shall return to the capital immediately to assume his post."

"Huangfu Song, the Left General of the Household, beheaded Zhang Liang at Quyang. He was then promoted to Left General of Chariots and Cavalry, enfeoffed as Marquis of Huaili, and given a fief of three thousand households."

"Zhu Jun, the Right General of the Household, beheaded Zhang Bao at Yangcheng. He was then promoted to Right General of Chariots and Cavalry, enfeoffed as Marquis of Qiantang, and granted a fief of three thousand households."

"Cao Cao, the Cavalry Commandant, offered a plan to break through the city, killed a general and made meritorious contributions. He was then promoted to Chancellor of Jinan, with a salary of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain).

"Liu Bei, Cavalry Commandant..."

The eunuch Wang paused, glanced at Liu Bei, and then continued reading:

"...He was transferred to the position of Commandant of Hanzhong Commandery, with a rank equivalent to two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure)."

The tent was completely silent.

Hanzhong Commandery was located in Yizhou, far from the Central Plains, and was a frontier region. Although the Commandant's rank was equivalent to that of a 2,000-stone official, he had no power to govern the people and was only in charge of military affairs.

This reward is ostensibly a promotion but actually a demotion.