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

Liu Liang forced a calm expression, feigning surprise, before letting out a long sigh: "Could it truly be the will of Heaven?"

He hesitated for a moment, then took out the family genealogy from his sleeve. "If Xuande is willing, we can verify it."

The bamboo slips are unfolded, and the ink marks are clearly visible in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Starting with Liu Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan, the names, courtesy names, official titles, and migrations of each generation are recorded in detail.

It branched out in the thirteenth generation.

The branch that migrated north to Dai County in Youzhou ended its lineage in the fourteenth generation, whose name was Liu Liang (courtesy name Zishan).

Liu Bei also took out the family genealogy to compare, and the branch in Zhuojun continued to the thirteenth generation Liu Xiong, the fourteenth generation Liu Hong, and the fifteenth generation Liu Bei.

Liu Bei's gaze darted back and forth between the two bamboo slips. When he saw the six characters "Liu Liang, courtesy name Zishan" at the end of the Dai Commandery branch, he trembled violently, abruptly looked up, and stared intently at Liu Liang's face: "Liu Liang of Dai Commandery, Liu Zishan?! Sir...you, you are Liu Zishan of Dai Commandery?!"

Liu Liang was taken aback by Liu Bei's strong reaction and subconsciously nodded, saying, "It is indeed I. Why, Xuande...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Bei knelt down as if a mountain of gold and a jade pillar had collapsed, tears streaming down his face: "When my father was alive, he often told me that years ago, while traveling in the border regions, he met a member of the local clan named Liu Liang, courtesy name Zishan! Although we met by chance, we were kindred spirits, both worried about the Han dynasty, and talked all night about the affairs of the world. So... so we burned incense and prayed to Heaven, becoming sworn brothers! My father often said that this was the happiest thing in his life, but alas, the mountains and passes separated us, and war was frequent, so we never had the chance to meet again, which he considered a lifelong regret! Before my father passed away, he still remembered me, holding my hand tightly and instructing me: 'My son, if you are fortunate enough to meet Liu Liang again in the future, you must treat him as your father, to fulfill our brotherhood and to do what I could not do for you!' I never imagined... I never imagined that Heaven would have eyes, and today it is my adoptive father who has descended! My father's spirit in heaven can be comforted!"

"Sworn brothers?! Godfather?!"

Liu Liang's mind was completely blank.

This part wasn't in the original owner's memory!

Is it a historical oversight, or a butterfly effect triggered by my time travel?

First, he went from being Liu Bei's brother to being Liu Bei's uncle.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he went from being his uncle to his father, which completely exceeded all of Liu Liang's plans.

When he forged the genealogy, he only considered the lineage, the timeline, and geographical changes. How could he have imagined that he would stumble upon the social interactions that might have existed in the real life of Liu Bei's father, Liu Hong?

Liu Liang's face drained of color instantly, mainly because he was shocked by this bizarre "coincidence".

He originally only wanted to be a strategic partner, but "Butterfly Wings" directly propelled him to the position of chairman and spiritual icon.

What's worse, you can't refuse.

Because of the refusal, it would seem like he was guilty.

Liu Liang hesitated for a moment, then had no choice but to play along, saying, "Brother Hong... Brother Hong... he is so sentimental! It feels like a lifetime has passed since we parted in Dai County! I... I often think of Brother Hong's dashing and forthright manner, of how we brothers discussed the world and drank until we were drunk... I never expected him to die so young, and even more unexpectedly... he still cares so much for me, a wanderer and a lonely soul! How could Heaven bear this!"

While saying this aloud, he couldn't help but think to himself: "Brother Liu Hong, sorry for borrowing your name. Anyway, the historical records only mention you as 'recommended as a filial and incorruptible official, and rose to the position of magistrate of Fan County in Dongjun,' so I'm enriching your life story a bit, you won't lose out..."

Zhang Fei then leaned over, staring wide-eyed at the family genealogies on both sides, then at Liu Liang, and said, "What? This scholar... is my elder brother's godfather?"

Guan Yu also stared intently at the genealogy, pondering in silence.

At this moment, Liu Liang's mind raced. As a higher-ranking official, he actually had more say!

He immediately gave a wry smile: "This... I truly did not know that Xuande was actually Brother Hong's son, and that his lineage was a generation younger than mine. Today's events are truly unexpected!"

Zhang Fei picked up the two family genealogies, scratched his head, and said, "Brother, these things aren't fake, are they?"

Guan Yu stared at Liu Liang and asked, "Since you possess such a skill book, why didn't you show it to others sooner?"

Liu Liang said, "In chaotic times, being a member of the imperial clan is not necessarily a blessing. My branch of the family has been scattered and scattered, and I am the only one left. I really do not want to attach myself to them. Secondly... if I had not seen Xuande's extraordinary demeanor and lofty ambitions today, I would not have taken out this genealogy."

Liu Bei, however, had already straightened his clothes and adopted a solemn expression. He bowed deeply to the family genealogy and Liu Liang, saying, "The family genealogy bears witness, clearly indicating our seniority. My adoptive father is above me; I accept your bow!"

After saying this, he was about to perform a grand ceremony.

Liu Liang hurriedly helped him up, saying repeatedly, "Xuande, please get up! This matter... alas, although it is according to the genealogy, and I am sworn brothers with your father, I am only in my early thirties..."

Zhang Fei said, "Indeed! Sir, you look to my elder brother, who is only two or three years older than me. How come he has become sworn brothers with my elder brother's father?"

Before Liu Liang could speak, Liu Bei began, "My descendants, the Prince of Zhongshan, have scattered among the common people. Different generations married and had children at different times, so there's often a mismatch between seniority and age within the clan. It's perfectly normal to be born a few years later than one's peers. Furthermore, when interests and sentiments align, how can age be an obstacle? Looking back at history, there are countless examples of gentlemanly friendships. Lord Xinling and Hou Ying, Yan Ying and Yue Shifu—weren't they all close friends despite a difference of more than thirty years?"

That was indeed true, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both remained silent upon hearing this.

"The proper etiquette must not be disregarded! My father's wishes must not be forgotten!" Tears welled in Liu Bei's eyes. "I have been orphaned since childhood, and today I have met a dear elder, it is Heaven's mercy upon me. Father, please do not refuse!"

Guan Yu frowned slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "I have another question, and I hope you can enlighten me, sir."

Liu Liang also cupped his hands in greeting: "Please speak, Yun Chang."

Guan Yu said, "According to your family genealogy, our ancestors migrated north to Youzhou during the Yongyuan era. Yongyuan was the reign title of Emperor He, which is nearly a hundred years ago. How could you remember the lineage so clearly over such a long period? Moreover, the Disaster of the Partisan Prohibitions began during the Yanxi era of Emperor Huan, which is several decades later than the Yongyuan era. The timeline seems... inconsistent?"

That's a tricky question.

If Liu Liang is a fraudster, it would be difficult for him to be so seamless in terms of timing.

But Liu Liang was prepared.

After all, anyone would question the sudden appearance of a "godfather" out of nowhere.

Not to mention Guan Yu, who was a martial saint.

Liu Liang, with a solemn expression, unfolded the bamboo slips and pointed to one of the lines, saying, "Yun Chang's observation is absolutely correct. However, the 'avoidance of the disaster of the Party Prohibitions' recorded in my genealogy does not refer to the Party Prohibitions during the reign of Emperor Huan, but rather to the first 'Party Prohibitions' during the Yongyuan era of Emperor He."

"The first time?" Guan Yu was taken aback.

"Exactly," Liu Liang said calmly. "In the fourth year of Yongyuan, the Dou Xian case broke out, implicating a wide range of people. At that time, the powerful Dou clan, relatives of the empress, intensified their conflict with the gentry, and many aristocratic families were purged. The 'Disaster of the Partisan Prohibitions' recorded in my genealogy actually refers to this event. The Partisan Prohibitions during the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling were the second and third such incidents."

Guan Yu's eyes flickered slightly: "Sir, could you elaborate?"

Liu Liangdao said: "In the early years of Yongyuan, Empress Dowager Dou ruled as regent, and her brother Dou Xian seized power. In the fourth year of Yongyuan, Emperor He conspired with the eunuch Zheng Zhong and others to force Dou Xian to commit suicide, and the Dou family was purged. This case implicated countless court officials, and many aristocratic families moved far away to avoid disaster. My ancestor was the chancellor of Zhongshan State at the time and had a marriage alliance with the Dou family, so he resigned his post and moved north, hiding his identity in the border region of Youzhou. This matter is also mentioned in the Records of the Emperors, but it does not elaborate on the extent of the involvement."

He pointed to another section of the genealogy and said, "Let's look at the migration route: from Lu Nu of Zhongshan State northward, through Fanyang and Gu'an, to Fangcheng of Zhuojun, and then northward to the outside of Juyong Pass. This route was the one commonly taken by the gentry who migrated north at that time. How could one know these details without experiencing it firsthand?"

This statement was presented in a clear and logical manner, with the timeline, events, and routes fitting together perfectly.

Zhang Fei was completely confused, then suddenly stood up: "Wait! I'll go fetch someone!"

Before long, Zhang Fei led a scholar who looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old into the room.

The scholar had delicate features and an air of refinement.

Zhang Fei handed over the family genealogy: "Xianhe, take a look at this genealogy!"