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

Upon hearing the name "Xianhe," Liu Liang immediately recognized the person as Jian Yong, Jian Xianhe.

Jian Yong was Liu Bei's childhood friend and one of his earliest business partners. He was the most senior minister in the Shu Han group, known for his eloquence and diplomacy. He later rose to the rank of General Zhaode and was known as one of the "Three Attendants of Shu Han" along with Sun Qian and Mi Zhu.

Zhang Fei couldn't wait and briefly introduced Liu Liang and the family genealogy to Jian Yong, but he didn't mention Liu Bei's recognition of his relatives.

Jian Yong examined it closely by the lamplight. At first, his expression was casual, but the more he looked, the more serious he became.

His finger traced the genealogy downwards, stopping at a certain point, and he murmured, "Yongyuan's northward migration... Dou Xian's case... this route... um..."

He looked up at Liu Liang and asked, "I am afraid to ask, sir, is there any detail regarding the record in the genealogy that 'we encountered heavy snow in Fanyang and were stranded for three months'?"

Liu Liang was certain that the other party was testing whether the details could withstand scrutiny.

These details were meticulously designed by him based on climate records and geographical features of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Liu Liangdao said: "The family records state: It was November, and heavy snow blocked the roads, making it difficult for carriages and horses to travel. My ancestor and his family stayed overnight at Lijiazhuang in Fanyang. The head of the village, Li Tong, was also a scholar seeking refuge, and the two became close friends. During their stay, my ancestor taught the children of the village the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the Li family provided them with food and clothing. The following February, the snow melted, and they continued their journey north."

As Liu Liang spoke, he took out an even older scroll of silk from his bosom.

This is a replica of his "family heirloom notes," and the antiquing process took a full month.

Jian Yong took the silk scroll, carefully examined the handwriting and material, and compared it with the records on the bamboo slips. He said, "The research is meticulous and the structure is clear. Only a family with a long history could have done this. In particular, this silk scroll is definitely an old item. The ink has penetrated into the texture of the silk, and it is definitely not a new imitation."

He respectfully handed the bamboo slips back to Liu Liang and said to Liu, Guan, and Zhang, "This record should be genuine. Although I am not very learned, the time, events, and routes recorded in the record are all consistent with historical facts. Especially the section on the northward migration of Yongyuan, it would be extremely difficult to forge to this extent unless one was a descendant of someone who experienced it firsthand."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu, though still harboring doubts, did not look for any major oversights. He rose, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply to Liu Liang, saying, "I have been presumptuous; I hope you will forgive me, sir."

Liu Liang quickly helped him up: "Yun Chang's cautious actions are truly the demeanor of a great general. What crime have you committed?"

Zhang Fei laughed heartily: "Now they have nothing to say. I, Old Zhang, misjudged them!"

Guan Yu said, "Brother, I admire your loyalty and propriety. This genealogy is detailed and clear, and I find it credible. However, I, Yide, and Xuande swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, vowing to live and die together and support the Han Dynasty. This is a brotherhood alliance, not based on blood ties, but on shared ideals. Since you are Xuande's elder relative, I should treat you with respect, but this title of 'adoptive father'..."

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "I'm a rough man, I don't understand all those complicated things. I can't recognize all the characters on this bamboo slip, but since my brother believes it, I think it's mostly true. Sir is my brother's godfather, so naturally he's an honored guest. However, if I, old Zhang, am to call him godfather, this bamboo slip alone isn't enough! I need to see if, besides the books in your belly, you have any skills that can truly earn my respect! For now, I'll call you Mr. Liu, how about that?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei looked somewhat embarrassed and apologetic, and said, "Father, Yun Chang and Yi De are both men of strong character who value practical achievements over empty fame. They had no intention of being disrespectful..."

Seeing that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei did not call him godfather, Liu Liang felt relieved.

It is the hardest for newly appointed leaders to win over the public, especially those who are "connected."

It would seem superficial to readily acknowledge relatives as family.

You have to show your true skills, otherwise "Hey, Godfather" will turn into "Pah, good-for-nothing".

Liu Liang said, "Why must Xuande do this? Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are both straightforward and honest, truly heroes! I came here to plan something great, not for empty titles or honors. To be recognized as a relative by Xuande is already an unexpected joy. The fact that you two valiant men are willing to treat me with courtesy and address me as 'Sir' shows your sincerity. In the future, we will work together and prove ourselves with our talents and abilities, not with mere titles."

His words were neither humble nor arrogant; they satisfied Liu Bei's familial feelings, gave Guan Yu and Zhang Fei a way out, and demonstrated his attitude of establishing himself based on his own abilities.

Guan Yu nodded slightly.

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Sir, that's exactly what I'm like!"

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Liu Bei felt somewhat relieved and quickly said, "In that case, I will do as you two virtuous brothers say. However, in my heart, the respect due to a godfather cannot be neglected."

Knowing the situation was settled, Liu Liang said, "Very well. However, in these chaotic times, while family ties are precious, the greater cause is of paramount importance. We should work together to accomplish great things."

Jian Yong was completely bewildered, looking utterly confused: "Godfather? What godfather?"

Only then did Liu Bei formally introduce Liu Liang to Jian Yong.

Jian Yong suddenly realized what was going on, bowed deeply to Liu Liang, and the five of them sat down again, the atmosphere of which had changed.

Fresh tea was poured into the rough earthenware bowl, and Zhang Fei brought over a plate of sesame cakes. The five men sat around the table in a solemn atmosphere.

Liu Bei respectfully asked, "My godfather just said to follow the trend, but how exactly should we proceed?"

Liu Liang said, "The rebel Zhang Jiao in Julu has already spread like wildfire. The court will surely order each prefecture and county to recruit local militia, which is a good opportunity. Youzhou is located on the frontier, and its governor Liu Yu is not good at military affairs. The real commander of the army is Gongsun Zan, who is brave and skilled in battle, but also stubborn and self-willed. Xuande can use the name of the imperial clan to recruit soldiers in Zhuojun, which will not conflict with Gongsun Zan, but will also allow him to form his own force."

"Where will the money and provisions come from?" Guan Yu asked a practical question.

Liu Liang said, "Yide has considerable wealth, which can serve as the foundation for starting a rebellion..."

Before Liu Liang could finish speaking, Zhang Fei chuckled and slammed his hand on the table: "Sir, you make it sound so easy! I, Old Zhang, have done the math. Just those five hundred good-for-nothing soldiers in Zhuojun alone consume ten shi of rations a day! And that doesn't even include weapons, armor, and pay. Where will the weapons and armor come from? Where will the pay come from? I can't expect my elder brother to raise funds just by talking nonsense!"

Liu Liang said, "This is precisely where we need to rely on Yide. Yide has long-standing ties with the gentry of Zhuojun. He can step forward and, in the name of Xuande's imperial family and in reality, to protect the territory and its people, raise funds and provisions. Tell everyone that if the bandits are not eliminated, our family fortunes will be in jeopardy. Contributing funds today is to secure our livelihoods tomorrow. This is called 'protective donation'."

Then, Liu Liang asked Zhang Fei, "Yide, how many do you estimate we can raise?"

Zhang Fei thought for a moment and said, "The Li family in the south of the city and the Zhang family in the north can contribute 500 shi of grain and 300 guan of cash. If the other dozen or so local gentry pool their resources, it shouldn't be difficult to contribute another 500 shi of grain and 200 guan of cash. My own family can also contribute 300 shi and 200 guan of cash. In total... about 1,300 shi of grain and 700 guan of cash."

"That's enough!" Liu Liang said in a deep voice. "Initially, we don't need to pay the full amount of wages. We can agree on a profit-sharing arrangement for bandit suppression. Weapons can be made from the village's stockpile for now, and we can replenish them after the bandits are defeated. As for clothing and armor... cloth clothes will suffice at first, and we can replace them with other clothing as we acquire more."

Zhang Fei said, "If that's the case, it might not be difficult. Alright, I, Old Zhang, will take on this errand-running and fundraising job!"

Liu Bei showed a look of satisfaction and said, "Our goal is not merely to become a local strongman. Rather, it is to wait for the right time to act and accumulate strength. When the world changes, we will use Zhuojun as our base to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion, relieve the suffering of the people, march south to the Central Plains, and restore the Han Dynasty."

Then he turned to Liu Liang and said solemnly, "Bei, I would like to hear my godfather's detailed explanation."