Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

Qian Zhao examined the Juque Sword for a while before handing it to Guan Yu.

"Legend has it that after Ou Yezi successfully forged the sword, King Goujian of Yue once used the sword to pierce an iron pot, leaving a gap the size of a bowl on the pot."

"Because this sword could damage iron pots, King Goujian of Yue named the sword forged by Ou Yezi 'Juque'."

"Although the iron sword looted by the Five Deer is not the real Juque Sword of the ancient Yue Kingdom, its sharpness and killing intent are in no way inferior to it."

Qian Zhao praised Liu Bei highly.

Liu Bei was skilled in swordsmanship and his swordsmanship was light and agile, but this Juque sword seemed dull and heavy like a knife, making it just right as a secondary weapon for close combat with the enemy on the battlefield.

"Indeed, a fine sword!"

Although Liu Bei knew that the sword had been stolen by the King of Wulu, he grew to like it more and more.

As for the other treasure presented by the King of Wulu—the luminous pearl—Liu Bei planned to sell it at a high price and use the proceeds as military funds to support the twenty-eight warriors he had recently recruited from Xu Wushan.

These luminous beads can sell for at least several hundred thousand dollars, and sometimes up to a million dollars.

Ordinary people naturally couldn't afford it; only high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and powerful figures could afford it.

Liu Bei wanted to sell this luminous pearl, but it was really difficult to find a buyer for the time being.

However, he wasn't in a hurry.

In a few days, the caravan led by Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, two prominent merchants from Zhongshan, will arrive at the Nanshan Hotel in Xuwu Mountain, southwest of Xuwu County, Youbeiping Prefecture.

The two men traveled to various places to do business, and they must have known those wealthy families who were willing to spend money to buy rare items.

At that time, Liu Bei will discuss in detail with Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang how to sell the luminous pearls.

Now, Liu Bei has successfully captured Xu Wushan's stronghold, quickly stabilized the people's hearts, and implemented military control.

However, he was still somewhat uneasy, so he sent Zuo Zi with Zhang Ba to patrol the five passes, check the guarding situation, and immediately replace any incompetent guards.

Afterwards, Liu Bei ordered Du Chang to lead the six wandering knights to join forces with the Five Deer King to immediately register all the people in Xu Wushan's stronghold and record them in detail.

Next, he instructed Qian Zhao and Guan Yu, along with Dongye Ban and Xinyuan Jian, to quickly inventory the houses, grain, fodder, money, cloth, weapons, horses, cattle, and sheep in the mountain stronghold, and to register them one by one, listing them in detail on bamboo slips.

Only after this process could Liu Bei have a clear understanding of the situation and make the next steps.

Everyone worked until sunset before the project was largely completed.

That night, Liu Bei and his men rested temporarily in the main hall of the mountain stronghold atop the highest peak of Xu Wushan North Mountain. They did not seize the beds of the Five Deer King and his companions.

Feeling bad about it, King Wulu brought straw mats, bedding, and other items to the main hall of the mountain stronghold.

He increasingly felt that Liu Bei was an extraordinary person, a wise ruler worthy of following, and secretly rejoiced that his decision to pledge allegiance to Liu Bei as his lord during the day was a brilliant move.

Early summer nights are naturally a bit cool.

On the summit of Xu Wushan, however, there was a rather chilly feeling.

Thanks to the bedding sent by the King of Wulu, Liu Bei and his entourage were not awakened by the cold.

Before going to sleep, Liu Bei arranged for people to take turns keeping watch.

After all, now that this mountain stronghold has been captured, we must be wary of any rebellion or counterattack.

Fortunately, nothing happened overnight.

The next morning.

The first light of dawn was just breaking in the east.

Everyone then woke up from their sleep.

The mountain air was fresh, and everyone was in a deep sleep due to exhaustion from the battle, so they all rested very well. When they woke up, they were refreshed and full of energy.

Du Chang sent several wandering knights to the Nanshan Hotel to get wine and meat, and everyone ate breakfast.

After drinking some soup and resting briefly,

Liu Bei decided to ride his horse towards the rising sun and wander around Mount Xuwu to get a general overview.

Therefore, Guan Yu, Dongye Ban, Xinyuan Jian, Zuo Zi, Zhang Ba, and others were left to guard the main hall of the mountain stronghold.

He, along with Qian Zhao, Jian Yong, King Wulu, Du Chang, and the six wandering knights, rode horses to tour Xuwu Mountain, observing the various mountain shapes and landforms to determine where suitable land could be used for cultivation.

They walked back and forth for about twenty miles.

Liu Bei had a general understanding of Xu Wushan and knew his situation well.

Looking at the vast, desolate mountains and wilderness, he couldn't help but think of the earliest days when humans ate raw meat and drank blood.

Addressing the crowd:

"In ancient times, Fuxi invented the Eight Trigrams and taught people to record events by tying knots. They satisfied their appetites through fishing, hunting, and animal husbandry, and also used the dragon as a totem. Official positions were established and titles were often named after dragons, such as the Azure Dragon Clan and the Red Dragon Clan, all of whom were called Dragon Masters."

"Suirenshi, who drilled wood to make fire, was called the Fire Emperor."

"During the time of Shaohao, officials were also named after birds, such as the Phoenix Bird Clan and the Black Bird Clan, who were all called bird officials."

"The human emperor led the tribes, governed the people's livelihood, divided the world into nine provinces, taught the people to settle down and cultivate the land, so that the common people were freed from hunger and hardship and could live a leisurely life."

"Now, looking at Xu Wushan, I can't help but think of the Dragon Master and Fire Emperor, and the Bird Official and Human Emperor from the barbaric era."

"Next, we will also vigorously develop this barren Xuwu Mountain."

"Brother Du, and all you wandering knights, you are the Dragon Master, Fire Emperor, Bird Official, and Human Emperor of Xu Wushan. I hope you can lead these two or three hundred households of refugees to live a peaceful and prosperous life, and stop plundering everywhere."

"Um."

After listening to Liu Bei's words, Du Chang felt a great sense of responsibility, and his expression gradually became solemn.

"Rest assured, Xuande, I will govern Xu Wushan step by step according to your plan. It's just that we are truly unworthy of the titles of Dragon Master, Fire Emperor, Bird Official, and Human Emperor."

Liu Bei smiled.

He looked at the western hills surrounding Xu Wushan and addressed the crowd:

"Look, the terrain around Xishan is flat, and a large amount of land can be reclaimed for farmland to grow millet, wheat, sorghum, and soybeans. Plant in spring and harvest in autumn. If you can't eat it all, store it in the warehouse."

"In the Nanshan area, there are river valleys and streams, so you can cultivate vegetable gardens on the flat land and plant some scallions, ginger, leeks, cabbage, cucumbers, etc. In this way, you won't lack food for daily meals."

"The valleys around Dongshan are lush with vegetation and have a constant flow of water, making them suitable for grazing cattle and sheep. Pigsties can also be built to raise large numbers of pigs. In this way, meat will be available all year round."

"In addition, some mulberry and hemp can be planted for weaving or pressing oil."

"As for fruit trees, they can be planted all over the mountains."

"In short, as long as you work hard, you should have enough to eat and wear. Any surplus can be taken down the mountain to sell and exchange for necessities such as salt and iron."

Everyone agreed.

After Liu Bei had laid out the general plan, the specific execution would be left to Du Chang and others.

Du Chang listened to Liu Bei's words and kept them firmly in mind.

Liu Bei looked at Du Chang with full confidence and said:

"Next, it's up to Brother Du. In short, we must mobilize the men, women, and children of the mountain village to participate in the transformation of the mountain area, determined to change the barbaric state of this place, and ultimately achieve the strategic goal of self-sufficiency."

Du Chang knew this was a rather arduous task for him.

He nodded silently, feeling a sense of pressure.

Liu Bei continued:

"Brother Du, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish; if you grasp the timing and intensity, you will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort. Don't put too much pressure on yourself; just do what you can. And don't be too hard on yourself."

He knew that in the past few years, the Five Deer King had been plundering everywhere and had already earned the village its first pot of gold, which could be used to buy farm tools, seeds, and so on.

The vast majority of the more than one thousand people on the mountain can be used as laborers.

Du Chang immediately said:

"Please rest assured, Xuande. In a year or two, Xu Wushan will be completely transformed. By then, the people will be prosperous, and there will be no more looting."

Liu Bei smiled and nodded.

After strolling around Xuwu Mountain, the group rode back to the mountain stronghold.

After a short rest.

Liu Bei then selected a house to be used as a private school, and had Du Chang first teach him the Cangjie Pian and Jijiu Pian, and then teach him the Analects, the Classic of Filial Piety, and the Erya.

They then chose a flat area as a training ground to practice military skills.

In addition to reading and farming, one can practice archery, horsemanship, and the use of swords, spears, and lances.

Only by cultivating both literary and martial skills can one possess both courage and wisdom.

King Wulu, who had always followed Liu Bei, couldn't help but say upon seeing this arrangement:

"Why didn't I think of these things? I only know how to plunder. Alas... I'm really not a good leader of this stronghold. Fortunately, our lord conquered the stronghold, which has given the entire Xu Wu Mountain a new look."

Liu Bei knew he was flattering him again, but what he said was the truth.

He couldn't help but admire the high emotional intelligence of the Five Deer King, who was able to flatter people subtly and unexpectedly.

Upon hearing what King Wulu said, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

……

Taihao clan used dragons to record events, hence he was called the Dragon Master and named after dragons.

—Zuo Zhuan