The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

The army marched north, traveling day and night, and arrived in Yuyang County in just over ten days.

The Yellow Turban rebels stationed in Yuyang numbered only about three thousand, and were all small groups of Yellow Turbans. Upon hearing that Liu Bei's army was approaching, their morale had already collapsed.

The Black Crow used its Heavenly Eye to see the approximate location, while scouts gathered specific intelligence, making the outcome of the battle a foregone conclusion.

Zhang Fei led the vanguard, charging straight at the Yellow Turban rebels. His eighteen-foot spear swept across the land, and no one could stop him.

Those who were the first to reach the summit felt no psychological pressure when they cut down their former comrades!

Guan Yu led his core forces to flank from the side, and blood splattered everywhere as he slashed with his Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

Within half an hour, the three thousand Yellow Turban rebels were either killed in battle or surrendered on their knees. Only a hundred or so managed to escape into the deep mountains amidst the chaos, and they could no longer pose a threat.

The army successfully relieved Yuyang and seized grain and weapons, but the Yellow Turban rebels looted even more gold and silver.

Looking at the full granary of spoils, Zhang Fei grinned from ear to ear: "That's great! So much money and grain, enough to feed us for half a year! Now we don't have to put up with that old fox Liu Yan's attitude anymore!"

Guan Yu nodded slightly. The casualties in this battle were less than a hundred, but the spoils were plentiful, making it a great victory.

But at that moment, Liu Bei frowned as he looked at the dilapidated houses and ragged people on both sides of the street.

The Yellow Turban rebels had occupied Yuyang for months, committing all sorts of atrocities, including burning, killing, and looting. The people had long since lost their homes and families, and were now emaciated and huddled in corners, watching the army with fear in their eyes.

Liu Bei took a deep breath, turned to Li Chang and said, "Fourth brother, keep 30% of the captured grain for military use, and distribute the remaining 70% to the people of Yuyang."

"Big brother!"

Zhang Fei was the first to panic, "How can this be! We worked so hard to capture these supplies, what will we eat if we give them away? We still have battles to fight!"

Guan Yu frowned slightly and advised, "Brother, Yide is right. In chaotic times, food supplies are the foundation. Although the people are suffering, if we don't have food supplies, the army will collapse, and even more people will suffer."

Li Chang opened his mouth, wanting to offer some advice as well.

He understood the importance of supplies better than anyone. In chaotic times, supplies are essential for soldiers, and soldiers are essential for having a voice. Leaving 70% of the supplies would allow them to recruit another 3,000 elite soldiers, doubling their strength.

But when he looked at Liu Bei's reddened eyes and at the people holding children, too hungry to even stand, he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

Liu Bei shook his head, his voice hoarse but unusually firm:

"Second brother, third brother, fourth brother. Why have we raised an army? It's not for gold and silver, not for high positions and generous salaries, but to restore the Han Dynasty and save the people from suffering!"

If we watch our people starve to death while we hoard granaries full of grain, how are we any different from those Yellow Turban rebels?

He paused, looked at the three of them, his eyes sincere:

"I know you're worried about supplies. But as long as we're still here and can fight, we can always get the supplies back. But these people, if they don't have food, they really won't survive."

Zhang Fei wanted to say something more, but Guan Yu pulled him back.

Li Chang looked at Liu Bei's retreating figure and was suddenly moved.

In my past life, when I read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, some people said that Liu Bei was hypocritical and that his benevolence was just an act.

But seeing it with his own eyes now, he realized that this kind of kindness etched into his bones could not be faked.

Perhaps this is why, despite his life of constant wandering, Liu Bei always had so many talented and extraordinary people who followed him wholeheartedly.

Perhaps this is why, after traveling through time for eighteen years, I chose to seek refuge with this down-on-his-luck imperial uncle?

Li Chang sighed, "Eldest brother is right. Let's do as you say. We've divided the provisions; if it's not enough, we'll just fight again. With our three brothers here, are we afraid we won't be able to seize the Yellow Turban rebels' provisions?"

Seeing that Li Chang had said so, Zhang Fei could only mutter in agreement, "Alright, alright, whatever Brother says goes. We're brothers, after all!"

That afternoon, Liu Bei ordered the granaries to be opened and the grain distributed.

When bags of gleaming white grain were delivered to the people, the entire city of Yuyang was in an uproar.

The people knelt on the ground, kowtowing in the direction of Liu Bei to express their gratitude, their cries shaking the heavens.

"Thank you so much, Magistrate Liu! Thank you so much, Magistrate Liu, for saving my life!"

"Lord Liu is truly a saint!"

Seeing this, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stopped complaining and their admiration for Liu Bei grew even stronger.

After a day of rest, the army continued westward to attack the Yellow Turban rebels in Guangyang County.

Several days later.

The Yellow Turban rebels in Guangyang outnumbered those in Yuyang, but were still easily defeated. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei took turns fighting, and within an hour they had routed the enemy, killed their leader, and recaptured Guangyang.

With a series of victories, morale of the troops was greatly boosted!

Even the vanguard battalion, which suffered the most casualties but was replenished the fastest, had no complaints.

Li Chang compiled the two battle reports and dispatched a fast horse to deliver them to Liu Yan in Zhuojun overnight.

In the battle report, he deliberately attributed all the credit to Liu Yan's "strategic planning" and Liu Bei's "leading by example," without mentioning Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, or his own plans.

Liu Yan was overjoyed upon receiving the battle report.

With a flourish of his pen, he added a few strokes to the battle report, doubling the number of enemy troops killed, and also adding his own merits of "deploying troops and commanding from the rear," while casually adding a few strokes to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's bravery and Li Chang's strategy.

Then it was sent to Luoyang by fast horse.

At the same time, Liu Bei was allocated 2,000 shi of grain and a hand order was issued, allowing Liu Bei to collect grain and fodder from various counties in Youzhou.

He desperately wanted to leave this awful place, Youzhou! He desperately wanted to advance his career!

……

Meanwhile, the Luoyang Imperial Palace presented a completely different scene.

Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, was drinking and making merry in the West Garden with several scantily clad concubines in his arms, his eyes glazed with drunkenness.

The concubine's clothes were revealing, like a few hazy pieces of cloth hanging on her body.

A faint, flickering light sways rhythmically. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Western Hemisphere, and the Eastern Hemisphere, balls collide with balls.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong rushed in, beaming, carrying Liu Yan's report of victory: "Your Majesty! Great news! Great news!"

Liu Hong, his mood dampened, waved his hand impatiently, his face full of displeasure: "What great joy? You've spoiled my fun!"

As he spoke, he instructed the concubine in front of him to step back and continue kneading and pounding.

Zhang Rang quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is a report of victory from Youzhou! Liu Yan, the governor of Youzhou, leading Liu Bei, a member of the imperial clan, has decisively defeated 100,000 Yellow Turban rebels, crushing the main force of the Yellow Turbans in Youzhou! Now, the Yellow Turban rebels within Youzhou are no longer a threat!"

"Oh?"

Liu Hong immediately perked up and sat up straight: "Really? Liu Yan has indeed lived up to my expectations! My Han imperial relatives are still the most reliable!"

He took the report of victory, glanced at it, and suddenly pointed to the name "Liu Bei" and asked, "Who is this Liu Bei? I've never heard of him before?"

Zhao Zhong hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, Liu Yan reported that Liu Bei is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. In his early years, he was down on his luck and made a living by weaving mats and selling shoes. Now he is recruiting soldiers in Zhuojun to fight bandits. He is brave in battle and has repeatedly made meritorious contributions."

"A descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan?"

Liu Hong was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Good! Good! As expected of a descendant of the Liu family! In times of crisis, family is the only reliable force!"

With a wave of his hand, he immediately ordered: "Since he is a member of the imperial family, there's no need to follow the custom of buying an official position! Issue my decree: Liu Bei is hereby appointed Colonel of the Vanquishing Army, with a reward of fifty catties of gold and one hundred bolts of brocade! All his subordinates shall be appointed military marquises! Meritorious soldiers shall be rewarded by Liu Bei himself!"

"This servant obeys the decree!"

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong quickly bowed and accepted the order, but were secretly surprised. It had to be someone from the Liu family; His Majesty was being so generous this time! Not only did he waive the fee for buying an official position, but he even offered money!

The imperial edict was delivered at breakneck speed, heading towards Youzhou.

Meanwhile, outside Guangyang City, Liu Bei's army was preparing to break camp and set off for Changshan State.