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

"But I once believed that as long as everyone followed the way of the sages, the world would be at peace."

"Until I saw with my own eyes the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the people were displaced and forced to eat their own children."

Seeing those aristocratic families who study the classics, yet shut themselves in to feast on wine and meat while the common people outside starve and freeze to death.

Seeing those court officials who spouted benevolence and morality yet were corrupt, levying exorbitant taxes, the people were forced to rebel.

Li Chang turned around and looked at Jia Xu and Cheng Li.

"Mr. Wenhe, Mr. Zhongde. The classics teach us how to be good people, but they cannot save people in chaotic times. In this cannibalistic world, only the knife in our hands is the most useful thing."

"If kindness and mercy can only bring about the death of the people and the destruction of the country, then I would rather be a villain."

"As long as it brings peace to the world and allows people to live a good life, I am willing to bear the infamy for all eternity."

Silence fell over the study once again.

Jia Xu and Cheng Li looked at Li Chang without saying a word for a long time.

His opinion of Li Chang changed again.

The other party was not an inherently evil person; he had simply seen through this centuries-old giant.

This has always been the case, but is that how it should be?

the next day.

Cheng Li woke up to a dream of a great sun, which made him think of the possibility that he might be infamous for eternity.

He subtly hinted to Liu Bei that he should change his name.

Liu Bei, unaware of the specifics, somehow added a sun to the character "立" (lì, meaning "to establish").

Cheng Li changed his name to Cheng Yu from then on!

……

Time slowly passed to the third year of Zhongping, on the seventh day of the first month.

The New Year celebrations in Yanmen County were more lively than in previous years.

Last year, we won a great victory over the Xianbei. Winter wheat was planted, and the people had surplus grain. As a result, there were many vendors selling spring rolls and flatbreads on the streets.

Several elementary schools had just finished their classes, and the teenagers, holding up newly written "福" (good fortune) characters, ran through the alleys, their laughter carrying all the way out of the city.

The lives of the people of Yanmen were visibly improving! They showered Liu Bei and Li Chang with praise!

With Cheng Li's help, the prisoners' lives improved! They were even able to eat meat!

Inside the governor's mansion in Yinguan City.

Liu Bei hosted a banquet to entertain the envoys who had come from Taiyuan and Shangdang to deliver New Year's gifts.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, he raised his glass and revealed the inside scoop he had received from Cheng Yu:

"Military reports from the south say that the Black Mountain Army and the Southern Xiongnu are both gathering their forces."

Although the two prefects rejected my proposal to station troops there last year, the border situation is urgent. Please convey this to Prefect Zang and Prefect Yang so that they can make preparations as soon as possible.

The magistrate of Taiyuan responded with a smile:

"General Liu, you are overthinking it. The Black Mountain Army dares not invade because of your reputation. As for the Southern Xiongnu, Chanyu Yufuluo only renewed the trade agreement with the court two years ago, so they will not easily turn against you."

The governor of Shangdang echoed this sentiment:

"General Liu is loyal to the country, and my prefect naturally understands this. The mountains and rivers of Shangdang are rugged and secure, and even if there are bandits, it will be difficult for them to penetrate deep into the territory."

"But General, you are stationed at Yanmen, facing the Xianbei cavalry alone; you should take extra care of yourself."

He spoke politely, but his face betrayed his perfunctory attitude.

Liu Bei wanted to persuade him further, but Li Changzai kicked him under the table. Liu Bei remained silent and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

After the banquet, Liu Bei stood under the eaves, gazing at the night sky to the south.

Li Chang followed him out: "Brother, those two envoys didn't take your words seriously at all! Why don't we just ignore them? Let them see how powerful the Southern Xiongnu and the Black Mountain bandits are?"

Liu Bei shook his head:

"Fourth brother, you mustn't! You can't let the people of the Han Dynasty be disregarded for the sake of temporary honor or disgrace!"

Since they don't believe it, then I will! Since they don't care, then I will!

"Pass down the order to have the soldiers prepare; we are ready to march south at any moment!"

The wind was blowing from the north, and it was bitterly cold.

Liu Bei clutched his woolen sweater, which was still prone to letting in drafts. How were the people faring?

……

Under the same cold moon.

In Jinyang City of Taiyuan Prefecture, Prefect Zang Min was warming himself by a fire in the heated pavilion.

Yangmei's messenger had just left, leaving behind a reply.

Zang Min unfolded the bamboo slips, glanced at them over the charcoal brazier, chuckled, and casually handed them to Wang Kai, the county magistrate standing beside him.

"Liu Bei sent someone to warn us again. He said that the Black Mountain Army was going to attack Shangdang and the Southern Xiongnu were going to attack Taiyuan, so we should prepare for it."

Wang Kai took the bamboo slip and glanced at it:

"The Black Mountain Army is attacking Shangdang? The Southern Xiongnu are attacking Taiyuan? What a coincidence. Both are coming at once, but why not Yanmen Pass?"

"Indeed." Zang Min picked up his wine glass and took a sip of the warmed wine.

"Last year he came to Jinyang and demanded that we station troops there, but we didn't agree. He only took 100,000 shi of grain, and he's probably still holding a grudge."

"They're putting on this show to scare us, just so I'll beg them to send troops."

"This Liu Bei, though known for his benevolence, is quite cunning." Wang Kai tossed the bamboo slip into the charcoal brazier. The flames licked at it, and the bamboo slip crackled and quickly curled up and charred.

"He doesn't even know what kind of official he is. In terms of family background and social standing, who gives him the right to boss us around?"

Zang Min did not stop him.

Liu Bei, a distant relative of the imperial clan who weaves mats and sells shoes, thinks he can issue orders in Bingzhou based on a few victories and a political marriage? How laughable!

"Last time he wanted to station troops there, and I refused. This time he wants me to beg him to station troops, and I'm even less likely to give in!"

Zang Min put down the wobbly porcelain wine cup.

Wang Kai responded and left the warm pavilion.

A gust of cold wind blew in when the curtain was lifted, and a few grains of ash from the charcoal brazier were blown up and landed on Zang Min's robe.

He casually flicked his fingers and said, "Bingzhou is bitterly cold. If I can endure this for a few more years, I'll have to make some arrangements to return to Yanzhou, or perhaps go to Luoyang."

Shangdang County, Huguan City.

The same charcoal fire, the same night.

Yang Mei and Guo Si, the Commandant of Shangdang County, were also drinking.

"What did Prefect Zang say?" Guo Si asked.

"He said he wouldn't believe it, and told me not to believe it either." Yang Mei shook her head.

"Liu Bei ran into a snag with us last year, so this year he wants to try a different tactic. He'll make up a story about the Southern Xiongnu and the Black Mountain Army coming together, so we'll ask him to send troops."

"Prefect Zang is right." Guo Si picked up his wine bowl and took a swig.

"The county soldiers are all trained by our own sons, why should we hand them over to an outsider?"

What kind of system did Liu Bei implement at Yanmen, such as distributing land and exempting rent, and assimilating the Hu people?

The poor bastards and the barbarians benefited, but who was hurt? It was the honest families with land and property who suffered. Wasn't his troublemaking in Yanmen enough? Did he want to cause trouble in Taiyuan and Shangdang now?

"Therefore, Prefect Zang is right."

Yang Mei raised her wine cup and clinked it against Guo Si's:

"Even if he comes to warn us a hundred times, I'll say the same thing: Thank you for your good intentions, but Shangdang is well-prepared. If he really brings troops, I will refuse to let him in!"

The two smiled at each other.

Outside the window, torches on the walls of Huguan City swayed in the wind, and the night watchmen huddled behind the battlements, breathing out white vapors and stamping their feet to keep warm.

Less than a month later, the previous warnings gradually faded.

What arrives before spring is not the blooming of flowers, but the thunder of hooves!

In the second month of the third year of Zhongping.

Zhang Yan's 15,000-strong Black Mountain Army set out from Fukou Pass, advancing westward along the Zhuozhang River, winding its way through the mountains, and surprisingly heading straight for Huguan City, the seat of Shangdang Prefecture.

On the same day, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu Yufuluo personally led 8,000 cavalry south, leaving Lishi in Xihe Commandery and heading straight for Jinyang City, the capital of Taiyuan Commandery.

Within an hour, the beacon towers were lit one after another. Looking north from the top of Jinyang City, the night sky was burned to a dark red.