The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

"Hunting is not only for training troops, but also for strengthening them. When they leave the mountains and forests, they will be very strong." Liu Chen looked up at the sky and smiled to himself.

Autumn and winter are the seasons when prey is plump and delicious.

This place is sparsely populated and has abundant game.

If the soldiers stay in the military camp outside Wangzhuang for training, although they are supplied with meat every day, it will never be as plentiful as it is in the mountains.

Add to that the physical exertion during military hunts...

"Yes!" The soldiers cheered when they heard there was wine. Then, one by one, they drew their ring-pommel swords and began to process their prey.

They didn't even have a cart, so they had to skin their prey, remove some of the internal organs and heads, and then throw them away.

Then they use manpower to move the prey. If the prey is too big, such as a huge wild boar, then they cut it up again.

Take whatever you can carry with you; don't waste anything.

By the time the soldiers finished dealing with the situation, it was already afternoon.

I only ate some dry food along the way.

"Da da da".

As the sun began to set, a column of several hundred men returned to their camp along the path they had previously cleared.

The stench of sweat and fish mingled together, creating a pungent and unpleasant smell. Yet, everyone beamed with delight, dreaming of a feast.

When they returned to the camp, they weren't greeted with a welcome. The soldiers guarding the camp had their own duties, and only after meticulously verifying their identities did the officer in charge open the camp gates with peace of mind, and the soldiers cheered to welcome the triumphant army.

The soldiers who remained behind took over the pelts and game, and processed the game further. The laborers went to fetch water.

There was a stream nearby, but Zhang Sheng forbade his soldiers from going into the water.

Showering and such can only be done inside the camp.

Liu Chen added a military order: whenever the army is on the move and there is sufficient firewood, they should boil water before drinking it.

Time passed slowly. Before nightfall, the soldiers had finished processing the prey.

The best meat is cooked on the spot, while the less desirable meat is cured with salt.

The meat should last about five days.

But they are to be transferred in three days.

The soldiers, carrying bowls and chopsticks, lined up in an orderly fashion to get their meals. Each of them received a small amount of wine, which they then enjoyed back home.

After the meal, the soldiers washed the bowls and chopsticks themselves.

Zhang Sheng began arranging the guard shifts for tonight.

They were further divided into patrols and guard duty, and the arrangements were meticulous.

Soldiers who were not currently on duty were summoned to the drill ground. Liu Chen sat in the north seat, with eunuchs standing on either side of him.

The soldiers sat around Liu Chen to the south, with two white-haired guests standing in the middle.

In addition to physical training, marching and troop deployment, and combat drills, mental fortitude should not be forgotten.

The two guests tonight will tell you short stories about Zhao Yun and Chen Dao.

Zhao Yun, courtesy name Zilong, was a native of Zhen Ding, Changshan. He was eight feet tall and had a majestic appearance. His soldiers called him "General of Tiger Might" because of his "unparalleled courage." He led troops on a northern expedition and rose to the rank of General of the Garrison Army. He was posthumously honored as "Marquis of Shunping."

Chen Dao, courtesy name Shuzhi, was a native of Runan. He rose to the rank of General Who Conquers the West and Governor of Yong'an, overseeing the Baihao troops under Liu Bei's command. His loyalty and bravery were second only to Zhao Yun.

One guest, spitting as he spoke, said, "The rise of a nation cannot be accomplished by the efforts of just one person. In the past, when Emperor Zhaolie was alive, the court was full of outstanding talents. Zhao Yun was an ever-victorious general. But his magnanimity was far greater than that of a general. Let me tell you something."

After a moment's thought, he said with great enthusiasm, "When Zhaolie (Liu Bei) captured Chengdu, some suggested that we bestow land and houses upon the officials. General Zhao objected, saying that Cao Cao had not yet been eliminated, and now was not the time to live in peace. Once Cao Cao was eliminated and the world was at peace, the officials should return to their hometowns according to their place of origin. Moreover, the people of Yizhou have suffered from the war. If we seize their land and houses now, they will resent us and will not be of one mind with us. We should return the land and houses to them to stabilize the people's hearts, so that we can launch a northern expedition to eliminate the traitor."

The guests were talking animatedly, and even the soldiers and laborers listening were captivated. It turned out that General Tiger Might had such a magnanimous heart.

He was not merely a brave general.

Liu Chen listened with a smile; of course he knew. Each of Liu Bei's generals had their flaws. Changshan Long was incredibly brave, but in reality, he was more like an upright minister.

Utensils of the imperial court.

People like Huang Zhong and Zhang Fei wouldn't have said such things.

Well said. The rise of a nation is not the result of the efforts of one person alone.

Talented individuals abound, and the stars surround the moon.

Only then could there be the reign of Zhaolie.

Because of Liu Bei's personality, most of Liu Han's officials were like-minded with him.

Benevolence, righteousness, and virtue.

The guests finished speaking quickly, but the soldiers listened with great enthusiasm, wanting more.

At Zhang Sheng's command, they obediently went back to sleep.

Liu Chen stood up with a smile, stamped his foot, and turned back to the main tent.

As planned, Liu Chen and Zhang Sheng changed camps every three days and selected a location for hunting.

During the march, the invasion was fierce.

When setting up camp, it was as stable as Mount Tai.

Hunting during the day and listening to Liu Han's short stories at night.

These hundreds of people grew stronger day by day. Time passed quickly, and soon it was deep winter.

It rarely snows on the Chengdu Plain, but this year the weather has been a bit unusual. Not only did it snow, but a thin layer of snow accumulated.

The weather is unusually cold.

But for Liu Chen's hunt, it was a joyous occasion. As the heavy snow fell, all things went into hibernation.

With fewer annoying mosquitoes and venomous snakes, there is less trouble.

This made the hunt exceptionally smooth.

That noon.

Halfway up a mountain, Liu Chen's military camp was set up. Soldiers in thick winter clothes stood guard on the outer perimeter, while soldiers patrolled the inner perimeter with spears.

Inside the large tent.

A large fire burned in the brazier, dispelling the cold.

Liu Chen sat in the main seat reading a book, with eunuchs standing on either side of him.

The two guests were old and frail, and sat by the fire pit to warm themselves.

The two guests rubbed their hands together and looked at the heavy snow outside the tent, their expressions worried.

Suddenly, someone said, "Such heavy snow is truly unusual on the Chengdu Plain. I wonder how many elderly and weak people will freeze to death."

"Yes. Sichuan is usually warm, but it's unusually warm now. I'm afraid..." The other person shook his head and sighed.

They were all gentlemen who, unable to survive in the corrupt court, retreated to the remote countryside. But that doesn't mean they were indifferent to the people's livelihood. This snow brought them worry and sorrow.

Liu Chen felt distressed as he listened to their conversation. Logically, the imperial court should take action.

He ordered all prefectures to provide relief to the poor and needy, and to distribute rice and grain to them.

But with the current bureaucratic system, that's impossible.

If the imperial court does not take action, some people will freeze or starve to death.

Even as a mere feudal lord, he was willing but powerless.

"The throne!!!! Just bear with it a little longer, just bear with it a little longer." Liu Chen took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

"Tap tap tap." A series of hurried footsteps rang out, attracting the attention of Liu Chen and the others.

A moment later, one of Liu Chen's elite guards entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the soldiers have captured a spy."

Liu Chen and the others were puzzled.

Although Zhang Sheng conducted this hunt according to the standards of warfare.

It was a quasi-military operation.

But where are the enemies? If there are no enemies, how can there be spies?

"A strange thing. Come with me to see." Liu Chen put down the bamboo slips, stood up, and beckoned everyone out of the tent.