Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 5: I need you to catch the thief.
"The name of being unfilial... this matter is indeed difficult to handle."

Liu Bei thought for a moment and asked Jian Yong, "Who is the current Ming Ting of this county?"

"His surname was Le, his given name was Yin, and he was from Jizhou."

Jian Yong seemed to have great respect for the county magistrate.

"Le Yin? Is that Mr. Le from Anping?"

Liu Bei had heard of this name. This man had once worked as a teacher in Anping, Ji Province. Although he was not as famous as Lu Zhi, he was still a great Confucian scholar of his time.

"Indeed, Mr. Le came to this county at the beginning of the year and has an excellent reputation."

Jian Yong looked at him with great respect: "He is a kind and benevolent elder."

"Are you acquainted with the Ming court?"

Liu Bei was somewhat surprised to see Jian Yong speak so highly of the county magistrate.

"The Ming court once wanted to appoint Yong as an official, but Yong had a reputation for being unfilial and could not accept the summons. Seeing that Yong had lost his father and left his clan, becoming an orphan in the county, the Ming court, as an elder, gave Yong the courtesy name Xianhe and allowed Yong to study with him."

Jian Yong shook his head and sighed: "The Ming court said that Yong and my mother suffered injustice but simply started their own family instead of seeking revenge. They are law-abiding and tolerant people, and therefore not unfilial."

"In that case, the Ming court is indeed a wise and virtuous man, and a true mentor... If he resigns, your opportunity will be gone too."

Liu Bei thought about it and understood Jian Yong's situation.

"yes……"

Jian Yong nodded: "But I...sigh."

"This matter can definitely be resolved if we are determined to do it."

After thinking for a moment, Liu Bei asked Jian Yong, "Xianhe, the wandering knights you lead must all be good at drinking and boasting, right?"

……

What chivalrous knight doesn't know how to drink and boast?

The next day, rumors spread in Zhuo County that the Xianbei people had entered the county again and were looting and killing people outside the county.

Jian Xianhe then recruited wandering knights in the street, preparing to fight the Hu.

Therefore, he publicly offered wine to heaven and earth, kowtowed to bid farewell to his mother, and said that his journey was dangerous and he might not be able to return, hoping that his mother would forgive his filial impiety.

Jian's mother scolded Jian Yong for his drunken outburst, fearing he might really never return. She took a bamboo whip and gave him a severe beating in the street, telling him not to take any risks. But this only made Jian Yong happier.

He said, "My mother still has the strength to punish me, I am overjoyed, let's drink a big cup of wine!"

The people of Zhuoxian praised Jian Yong for his filial piety and unanimously suggested that his mother give him a good beating to make the situation even better.

Jian Yong fled in panic and sought refuge outside the county.

"Xianhe bowed to his mother to drive out the barbarians, and was delighted when she flogged him. Everyone in the county witnessed this. He was both loyal and filial. Let's see who dares to say you are unfilial..."

Liu Bei smiled and praised Jian Yong for his excellent performance.

"Elder brother, if it's for the sake of filial piety, I should accept Mother's whip without hesitation. Why should I run away?"

Jian Yong still seemed a little confused.

“Your mother is frail, and beating people is hard work. Beating you up will inevitably tire her out and hurt her health. If I hurt you, she will be heartbroken and sad…”

Liu Bei explained, "So standing there and taking a beating is not filial piety; running away is."

Jian Yong thought about it and agreed with Liu Bei, but still sighed, "Brother, what you say makes sense and should be included in the Classic of Filial Piety. However, this principle does not conform to common etiquette..."

"That's a matter of common etiquette."

Liu Bei smiled and said, "But since the Ming court considers you to be law-abiding and lenient, this approach will certainly align with the Ming court's."

Having said that, he got up and went to a wine shop in the county.

"...Jian Xianhe is truly a filial son. Brothers, do you all understand? That's all."

There were a dozen or so young men in the tavern, all of whom were chivalrous knights-errant who were friends with Jian Yong.

Right now, these young people are happy to follow Liu Bei's arrangements.

After all, Liu Bei was making Jian Yong famous.

Moreover, most of these teenagers were dissolute and often disciplined by their parents. According to the etiquette of the time, they couldn't run away from being beaten by their parents. Liu Bei's words struck a chord with them.

"Brother, don't worry, we understand!"

These wandering knights also followed Jian Yong in addressing Liu Bei as their elder brother.

……

Soon after, Jian Yong's reputation for being both loyal and filial began to spread throughout the county, and he was once again summoned to the residence by the county magistrate, Yue Yin.

The guesthouse was actually an official guesthouse, which also served as the residence for the county magistrate and his family.

During the late Han Dynasty, the Three Mutuals Law was implemented, which stipulated that local officials could not be from the same prefecture. They were all from other places who had left their hometowns to serve as officials, so it was necessary to provide accommodation for the officials.

The situation is different for the subordinates appointed by local officials. These subordinates are usually recruited from the local area, since only local experts can get things done.

"I heard that Xianhe was pleased after being flogged the other day, and that your mother is weak and should avoid being beaten... Is that true?"

Le Yin's expression was somewhat strange, probably thinking of some other story: "Is Xianhe perhaps imitating the story of Kong Wenju?"

This refers to the story of Kong Rong giving away pears.

By this time, Kong Rong's name had spread throughout the entire Han Dynasty, so he was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official, and it became a topic that was always taught to children when they were first taught about filial piety.

But the Han gentry all knew that this was a deliberate publicity campaign orchestrated by the Kong family, with the aim of getting Kong Rong recommended for officialdom based on filial piety and integrity.

Otherwise, why would anyone keep bringing up other people's kids eating pears? These days, most families can't even afford to eat properly, let alone have ever seen a pear...

“Yong had a friend who wanted to absolve Yong of the name of being unfilial, so he used the matter of expelling the Hu people to gain fame for Yong, and Yong was unable to stop him.”

Jian Yong spoke honestly.

He truly respected Yue Yin and dared not lie.

"This matter is not about seeking fame. After all, Xianhe changed his surname because he felt indignant for his mother, which is a filial act. Moreover, Xianhe's filial piety is also accompanied by benevolence. I should also help Xianhe make a name for himself."

Le Yin stroked his beard and asked seriously, "Xianhe is recruiting wandering knights in the street, saying he wants to drive out the barbarians... Is he really planning to go into battle?"

"Yes. Ming Ting, is there anything wrong with this matter?"

Jian Yong knew this was inappropriate—desiring to expel the Hu was commendable, but recruiting wandering knights in the street was a forbidden act.

“It is indeed inappropriate to recruit soldiers and expel the barbarians in private. Currently, our county is still lacking a bandit officer. Since Xianhe has the intention to expel the barbarians, then we should protect our homeland properly.”

Le Yin narrowed his eyes slightly: "From now on, you, Jian Xianhe, will be in charge of this 'bandit magistrate' position. Don't let the barbarians cause chaos in this county."

The thief clerk was a local official in the county, responsible for maintaining order and apprehending thieves; he was essentially the police chief.

This position is only responsible for maintaining order and not military affairs. Under normal circumstances, it does not require the officer to fight on the front lines, since military affairs are the responsibility of the county commandant.

However, Zhuo County currently lacks a county commandant, so the responsibility of protecting the local area falls on the bandit officer.

The county lieutenant was a regular official position that could only be appointed by the imperial court, but the emperor was selling official positions, and becoming a county lieutenant required paying four million coins.

Those who can afford this fee generally look down on officials like county magistrates...

……

From that day on, Jian Yong, due to his filial piety towards his mother and his willingness to take on responsibilities, became the bandit chief of Zhuo County, in charge of maintaining order and apprehending thieves.

"Brother, the Xianbei have not yet invaded our county. Wouldn't our actions be considered a false report of military affairs?"

Jian Yong was actually still somewhat uneasy.

"You and I aren't county magistrates; we're just drinking and bragging. What's this about falsely reporting military matters?"

In the tavern, Liu Bei said to Jian Yong, "It is true that you are extremely filial to your mother, and it is also true that the Xianbei have invaded. It is only a matter of time before you and I go to war to drive out the Hu, it just may not happen today."

"Why does my elder brother plot for Yong? Why not become the treacherous official himself?"

Jian Yong felt that Liu Bei had many tricks up his sleeve, and it would be easier for him to become a county official.

"To act in the name of your brothers is to act in the name of your own brothers!"

Liu Bei patted Jian Yong on the shoulder: "I have a criminal record, so I can't be an official; I can only be a thief... Therefore, I need you to catch the thief!"

(End of this chapter)