Three Kingdoms: Mistakenly Becoming Liu Bei's Adoptive Father at the Start

Liu Bei's army, prison.

The bandits captured from Laoyaling and Heifengshan were temporarily imprisoned in a makeshift shed in a corner of the military camp, guarded by a group of new recruits.

The first few days were relatively peaceful. The prisoners were spared and had food to eat, so most of them did not dare to cause trouble.

But as time went on, problems arose.

Liu Bei's army itself did not have a good supply of food. The prisoners could only be given two thin meals of mixed grain porridge a day, along with some salted vegetables, which was just enough to keep them alive and never enough to fill their stomachs.

These bandits, used to robbing and looting, drinking wine from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat, could hardly stand this.

At first, people complained in private, but later some started cursing at the soldiers who delivered the food.

The new recruits guarding the prisoners were inexperienced, and seeing their fierce and defiant nature, they were both disgusted and afraid. Naturally, their attitude was not good, and they often shouted at them, scolded them, and withheld their already meager rations.

Several former bandit leaders and key members among the prisoners took the opportunity to secretly collude and fan the flames.

"See? The government troops have no intention of letting us live! Giving us some pig feed now is just to avoid damaging our reputation if we're killed. In a few days, they'll find some excuse to just kill us and that's it, right?"

"Exactly! Back in the mountains, I had plenty of food and drink every day. Now I have to put up with this humiliation!"

"I heard they were picking and choosing, trying to categorize us as 'hopeful'?"

"Damn it! Bah! Why should they decide life and death?"

Resentment, like dry tinder, gradually builds up, just one spark away from being ignited.

That evening, the small squad of soldiers on guard were tired from the day's drills and their vigilance was slightly relaxed.

Taking advantage of a break during the guard change, several ruthless bandits suddenly attacked, using secretly sharpened wooden sticks and hidden stones to assault the two nearest guards, seizing their waist knives. They then shouted, "The government troops are going to slaughter us! Brothers, if you don't want to die, fight them!"

The already disgruntled prisoners were instantly enraged, howling as they rushed out of the barracks. Some lunged at the guards to seize weapons, while others set fire to nearby haystacks and a temporary granary containing some of the captured supplies.

As soon as the fire broke out, chaos ensued. The new recruits on guard were caught off guard and were instantly drawn into the melee, suffering heavy casualties.

The alarm suddenly sounded, causing an uproar in the military camp.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei reacted swiftly, immediately leading the left and right wings of the White Feather Camp to surround the area where the disturbance had occurred.

Although the rioting prisoners were fierce, they lacked effective organization and proper weapons. Under the long spear formations and crossbow fire of the White Feather Camp, they were quickly suppressed and divided.

Guan Yu, his face cold, ordered: "Anyone who resists with weapons or attacks the soldiers will be killed without exception!"

Zhang Fei was furious. He charged forward with his spear and personally killed several of the most clamorous bandit leaders.

The riot was completely quelled in less than an hour.

Of the nearly three hundred prisoners who participated in the rebellion, most were killed on the spot, and the rest were all re-tied up and made to kneel on the ground.

The fire at the granary was extinguished, but the damage was irreparable.

When Liu Bei arrived at the scene, he was ashen-faced and speechless for a long time when he saw the mess on the ground, the corpses of his soldiers, the charred grain, and the prisoners who had been re-tied up and whose faces showed fear or arrogance.

Guan Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute and reported in a deep voice: "Brother, the riot has been quelled. Two hundred and seventeen bandits were killed or wounded, and eighty-three were captured. Our army suffered thirty-nine dead and more than twenty wounded. About twenty percent of the grain stored in the granaries was destroyed."

Zhang Fei pointed at the prisoners and cursed, "Brother! Look at this! This is the disaster you left behind because of your kindness! You fed and drank them, and they've only raised a rebellious spirit! If only you had listened to the master earlier, none of this would have happened!"

Liu Bei's lips moved, his gaze falling on the dead soldiers, and finally he sighed, "It's my fault...it's all my fault. I regret not listening to my adoptive father's words. I've caused the lives of my soldiers and wasted military resources...I, Liu Bei, am ashamed before all my soldiers."

"Issue an order to the entire army!" Liu Bei was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly said, "This rebellion arose because of my poor judgment, lax management of my subordinates, and negligence in investigating those who surrendered. As the commander-in-chief, I cannot shirk my responsibility. From this day forward, I will cut off my hair in place of my head, wear mourning clothes and fast for three months to mourn the fallen soldiers and to repent for my mistakes."

Upon hearing this, both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were astonished.

Zhang Fei exclaimed anxiously, "Brother! How can this be? It's all those heartless scoundrels causing trouble, what does it have to do with you, brother? You've treated them with the utmost kindness and righteousness; they've brought this upon themselves!"

Guan Yu clasped his hands and advised, "Brother, although the responsibility of the commander is heavy, the incident happened suddenly, and the enemy's nature is difficult to control. It is not a fault of the battle, nor is it a fault of your benevolence. If you punish yourself too severely, it may hurt the morale of the army and damage your prestige. A generous funeral and a large sum of money have already shown your kindness. There is no need to be so harsh on yourself."

Liu Bei shook his head: "If I hadn't been so opportunistic and ignored my adoptive father's advice to keep these men, how could we have suffered this calamity? Thirty-nine soldiers have died because of my mistake, and our supplies have been damaged—these are real losses. If I am not punished, how can I face the spirits of those fallen brothers in heaven? How can I remind myself not to make similar mistakes in the future? Yide and Yunchang, there's no need to persuade me any further; my mind is made up."

Zhang Fei was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks, but he didn't know how to persuade him anymore.

Guan Yu frowned, knowing his elder brother's character well; when it came to "benevolence and righteousness" and "responsibility," he was often extremely stubborn.

The two had no choice but to look at Liu Liang.

At this moment, everyone knew that only this "godfather" could persuade the lord to stay.

Liu Liang nodded slightly and stepped forward.

He had been observing Liu Bei.

This action may have been driven by genuine feelings or political calculations, but the sense of responsibility Liu Bei displayed at that moment was truly inspiring.

Liu Liang coughed lightly and slowly said, "Xuande, self-punishment and apology are enough to show your resolve, but going too far will easily damage the prestige of a commander and shake the morale of the army. What the soldiers need is a wise ruler who can learn from their mistakes and lead them forward, not a commander who wallows in regret. Apply this understanding to future decisions, so as not to waste today's price and to best comfort the deceased."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly in agreement: "What you say makes sense, sir! Brother, you are wise and insightful; please heed your advice!"

Liu Bei remained silent for a long while before saying, "My adoptive father's teachings are correct. I almost lost the greater good again because of a small matter." He then revised his orders, "I will do as my adoptive father said. I will punish myself by reducing my salary by three months, wearing mourning clothes and fasting for three days, and personally presiding over the memorial service for the fallen soldiers, doubling the compensation. I will always remember this instruction and make prudent decisions in the future."

This compromise maintained his remorseful attitude without excessively damaging his image or the stability of the military.

Everyone agreed.

Liu Liang felt little satisfaction at this moment, thinking "if only I had known." He stepped forward to support him, saying, "Xuande, there's no need to blame yourself too much. Kindness is never wrong, but... the world is often treacherous. What should we do with these remaining villains?"

His initial suggestion to massacre the surrendered soldiers was more about accusing Liu Bei of indiscriminate killing than about genuinely having any sense of justice in eliminating a scourge for the people.

Seeing Liu Bei's genuine remorse at this moment, he felt a sense of relief, much like an elder looking at a child who has made a mistake.

Liu Bei closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his voice was cold: "The ringleader has been executed. As for the rest... since they are stubborn and unrepentant, and cannot be moved by gratitude... then... they shall be dealt with according to military law. Give the fallen soldiers a proper burial and provide compensation to their families."

This time, no one objected.

All the remaining prisoners were executed, without exception.

However, the story of Liu Bei's "utmost benevolence and righteousness" yet suffering harm in return has also spread among the people.

Recalling the whole process, a thought suddenly ignited in Liu Liang's mind that sent chills down his spine.

Isn't all of this... a bit too "natural"?