Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 2: Whipping the Inspector; Liu Bei is a hot-tempered guy.
The county magistrate and the county commandant were both senior officials.

The imperial court issued an edict stating that "all those who have made military contributions and become senior officials should be eliminated," which was actually aimed at the soldiers who had made contributions during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

In order to raise money and consolidate power, the emperor in Luoyang sold official positions on a large scale. Whether it was the highest-ranking officials or local officials, they could all buy them with money. The prices were clearly marked and the positions were sold once a year.

However, the Yellow Turban Rebellion resulted in many meritorious soldiers being appointed as county magistrates. These county magistrates were different from those who bought their positions in Xiyuan; they did not have to spend money and were not subject to the one-year term limit.

This made the county magistrate Yang Hong, along with the county assistant, clerk, and scribe, quite dislike Liu Bei.

People are not worried about scarcity but about inequality. Everyone else has paid money and has to renew their fees every year, but Liu Bei not only didn't spend any money, but he also didn't have to renew his fees.

The person who disliked Liu Bei, who rose to power through military merit, the emperor of Luoyang was the one who disliked him the most.

The emperor was naturally unhappy that many officials could not make money from their posts.

So, some clever person suggested to the emperor that if those who had made great contributions to the government were eliminated, there would be a lot of income to be made.

Despite his elation, Yang Hong dared not presume to intimidate Liu Bei. To avoid getting himself into trouble, he rushed to Liu Bei's official residence, his face full of anxiety: "County Commandant Liu, something terrible has happened!"

Ok?
Liu Bei glanced at Yang Hong, who was covered in sweat, and approached him while wiping his brow, asking, "Magistrate Yang, what's the matter? Is the Yellow Turbans attacking the city?"

Although the Yellow Turban Rebellion was suppressed, the remnants of the Yellow Turbans were not eradicated.

The more ruthlessly the emperor sold official positions, the more officials exploited the people. In addition, local powerful families took the opportunity to seize land. Over time, the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion not only did not decrease, but increased in number.

Anxi County was also frequently harassed by the Yellow Turbans.

Yang Hong shook his head, hesitated, then pretended to sigh and told Liu Bei about the imperial edict that "all those who have made military achievements and become officials should be eliminated."

"What is meant to be will be, and this day has come." A cold glint flashed in Liu Bei's eyes.

During his three years as county magistrate, Liu Bei diligently taught Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both literature and martial arts, clearly understanding that he wouldn't hold the position for long.

The emperor in Luoyang only thought about raising money to consolidate power and never considered reforming the bureaucracy. Even though Liu Bei did not harm the people in the slightest during his reign, as long as he did not buy an official position for the emperor, he was destined to be eliminated.

Seeing that Liu Bei remained silent, Yang Hong whispered and suggested, "The inspector is already at the post station. Why doesn't County Magistrate Liu go and see him in person? Perhaps there will be a chance to change things."

Liu Bei glanced at Yang Hong again and thought to himself with disdain: This Magistrate Yang is cunning; he doesn't want to offend either the Inspector or me.

Having his thoughts read, Yang Hong dared not meet Liu Bei's gaze and said, "Today I am going to the countryside to inspect the area. County Commandant Liu can make all the decisions himself."

Thirty-six strategies, walking is the best strategy.

Yang Hong wanted to eliminate Liu Bei as the inspector, but he was also afraid that Liu Bei might suddenly rise up and harm others, which would implicate him. After much thought, he decided that going to the countryside was the best course of action.

"Magistrate Yang, please take care. I won't see you off."

Watching Yang Hong's retreating figure as if fleeing, Liu Bei's smile gradually froze.

After fighting the Yellow Turbans in Zhuojun, he fought more than thirty battles, large and small, before finally being appointed as a county magistrate. In the end, the county magistrate position he had earned with his life was dismissed by the emperor with a single word. No one would be happy about that.

"Second brother, third brother, you don't need to study today."

Liu Bei's words were like heavenly music, making Guan Yu and Zhang Fei feel extremely comfortable.

"Brother, are you sure you don't need to read anymore? I feel particularly inspired by books today and can read for another two hours."

"I haven't had enough fun yet. Confucius said, 'Is it not pleasant to learn with constant perseverance and application? Is it not a mark of a gentleman to have friends coming from afar?'"

The two were overjoyed, but they kept a serious expression, appearing as if they were eager to learn.

Before the two could celebrate for long, Liu Bei sighed and said, "After today, my two brothers and I will have to move."

"Move?" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were both taken aback.

The next moment, upon learning that the imperial court had issued an edict stating that "all those who have made military achievements and become senior officials should be eliminated," Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were both shocked and furious.

"The court is full of rotten wood! My elder brother has served diligently for three years, and not only is he not promoted, but he is also being purged. This is outrageous!"

"I refuse to accept this! Why are corrupt officials who prey on the people not being eliminated, while my brother, who has never harmed the people, is being eliminated?"

Although it was tough to diligently study literature and martial arts under Liu Bei's guidance, no amount of studying could be more difficult than being constantly on the move and without a fixed abode. Three years of regular routines had long since made Guan Yu and Zhang Fei fall in love with this lifestyle.

However, once Liu Bei's county magistrate position was eliminated, he would not only be unable to maintain a regular schedule, but he would also no longer be able to eat the steamed buns personally made by Liu Bei, and his future would be bleak.

The two men racked their brains but could not come up with a solution to their current predicament. They blushed with shame and felt deeply embarrassed.

Having slept side by side for many years, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were like Liu Bei's left and right arms. Liu Bei could easily guess what the two were thinking, so he comforted them, saying, "When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it. With our elder brother here, the sky will not fall."

With Liu Bei's words, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's restless emotions gradually calmed down, and their bewildered eyes were filled with admiration and respect.

Yup!

With our elder brother here, the sky won't fall!
"Follow me to the post station and we'll first find the inspector to confirm."

With a keen eye, Liu Bei, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, headed straight for the post station to pay his respects to the inspector.

The inspector, named Zhang Feng, was the adopted son of Zhang Rang, a eunuch. Upon learning that the person seeking an audience outside the post station was Liu Bei, the county magistrate, Zhang Feng refused to see him.

As Zhang Rang's adopted son, Zhang Feng was very clear about the true nature of this purge of those who had served as officials based on military merit: the emperor needed money!

Therefore, wherever Zhang Feng went, he would conduct background checks on those who had made military achievements and were appointed as officials. Those who were willing to spend money would not be eliminated, while those who were unwilling to spend money would be eliminated.

Before coming to Anxi County, Zhang Feng had investigated Liu Bei in advance and made an evaluation of him: "A stingy rooster who cherishes his reputation, not willing to spend a single feather. This kind of county magistrate will neither bribe himself nor spend money to buy his position. He must be eliminated!"
Zhang Feng was not worried that Liu Bei would be dissatisfied or unwilling to spend money. Zhang Feng had already eliminated seven county magistrates during this period, and two of them had been thrown into prison by Zhang Feng.

With Zhang Rang as his adoptive father, which official in the prefecture, county, or city would dare to disrespect him?

However, Zhang Feng has run into a brick wall today.

For Liu Bei, the people he hated most were those who broke the rules.

He risked his life to become a county magistrate, and he was serving within the bounds of Han law. Why should someone who breaks the rules be allowed to act with impunity?

It's absolutely impossible for Liu Bei to buy an official position with money!

Before Zhang Feng could ask any questions, Liu Bei rushed into the inn and dragged him out like a chick, then tied him to a large willow tree at the entrance of the inn.

"How dare you, you thief!"

Zhang Feng was both shocked and furious, completely bewildered by the situation.

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Feng was met with a barrage of willow branches.

"what--"

Screams rang out in front of the post station. Willow branches broke and were replaced with new ones, lashing out fiercely at Zhang Feng.

"Who did this inspector have to mess with? He's got some nerve, daring to refuse to see me!"

"Hmph! If it weren't for my elder brother's mercy, I would have definitely treated this inspector like a pig."

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei simply stood to Liu Bei's left and right, and their imposing presence terrified the inspector's men, who all hesitated to approach.

(End of this chapter)