Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

Qian Zhao immediately returned the greeting and said:

"Brother Xuande is courageous and righteous, with a heart full of chivalry. He is a role model for us all. From now on, I will address him as brother and consider myself his younger brother."

Liu Bei also readily agreed:

"In that case, I have no choice but to obey."

Everyone present was happy to see Liu Bei and Qian Zhao become sworn brothers after only a few words at their first meeting, and at the same time, they all felt a surge of generosity and heroism rising in their hearts.

It truly makes one feel open-minded and cheerful.

Liu Bao laughed loudly:

"That's exhilarating! Absolutely exhilarating. Life should be this carefree."

Liu Jing nodded approvingly.

"Hmm. Not bad. You two are both young men, and since you have become sworn brothers, from now on, our Liu family of Zhuo County and your Qian family of Anping should also become close friends and share our friendship."

Qian Zhao was overjoyed upon hearing this:

"Uncle, please accept my bow."

He immediately knelt down, kowtowed, and bowed twice.

Liu Jing was also extremely happy:

"Nephew, please rise. There's no need to be so polite. You are welcome to visit Dashulou Sangli often in the future. Just treat us like family."

"Yes."

Qian Zhao nodded readily.

The servants had already served tea.

Everyone took their seats and chatted over tea.

During the conversation, Liu Bei learned that Qian Zhao was not sent by her family to manage the business, but had come to Zhuojun with her teacher Yue Yin to learn and broaden her horizons. Qian Zhao's classmate Shi Lu also came with her.

At this time, Yue Yin, a great Confucian scholar from Hebei, and his disciple Shi Lu were resting in the bedroom in the backyard of the Ruijinfang silk shop.

Qian Zhao had just learned from the shopkeeper about Liu Bei's swift killing of the bandits of Baishi Mountain. He was excited and eager to meet Liu Bei. Just then, Liu Bei arrived in front of the Zhuo County government office and was spotted by the shopkeeper.

Therefore, he had his servant invite Liu Bei and his entourage to his family's business, Ruijinfang, for a discussion.

As everyone was chatting, a servant came to report: Cheng Youjiao has come to invite you, saying that the county magistrate is about to hold court to hear a case.

Liu Jing and the others immediately stood up.

Qian Zhao hurriedly asked:

"Uncle is currently one of the three elders of Renyi Township. Is he also going to be present at the trial?"

"A murder has occurred in the Wild Boar Forest east of the city, involving Xuande... If it is convenient for you, you may come to the county government office with me to hear the trial in court," Liu Jing said in a deep voice.

Qian Zhao frowned upon hearing this, looked at Liu Bei, and said:

"This matter concerns my brother Xuande, and I am determined to accompany him. I will not allow treacherous people to confuse right and wrong. In that case, I will go with my brother Xuande."

Liu Bei nodded and said:

"Alright."

The group left the Ruijinfang silk shop and headed towards the county government office.

Along the way.

As Liu Jing walked, he whispered instructions to Liu Bei:

"Lord Xue You is from Nanwuyang County, Taishan Commandery, Yanzhou. He is around forty years old, honest and refined, fond of studying the classics, and most admires the sage Confucius. He detests lying. He is a virtuous and upright official. When you arrive in court, just speak the truth and do not make things up. Lord Xue You and I are good friends and often discuss the customs and culture of Zhuojun. He likes honest people like you and will surely favor you."

"Yes, Uncle."

Compared to Liu Jing's nervousness, Liu Bei was not worried at all.

He was honest and upright, hadn't done anything wrong, and wasn't afraid of ghosts knocking on his door. Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he wouldn't be afraid; he would still eat and sleep as usual, living his life as normal.

soon.

The group arrived at the county government office.

Cheng Xiao, the patrol officer from the east, was already waiting in front of the yamen. When he saw Liu Bei arrive, he led them all the way to the main hall of the county yamen.

Liu Bei had already spotted a middle-aged scholar with a refined and scholarly appearance. He wore a scholar's cap, a blue robe, and a black official's robe over it, sitting behind a long table. His gaze was gentle yet held a hint of authority. Liu Bei knew that this must be Xue You, the magistrate of Zhuo County.

Below Xue You, the magistrate of Zhuo County, sat two subordinate officials behind a desk, presumably the county clerk and the registrar.

Below them stood Mao Wei, the northern border guard, and Zhang Jun, the western border guard.

Zhang Qian, the patriarch of the Zhang family in Zhuo County, who was the "victim," stood on the east side with several members of his clan.

Five or six officials and soldiers, each holding a long stick, stood on either side of the courtroom.

On the two corridors outside the main hall, several officials and soldiers holding long sticks stood on each side, responsible for maintaining order.

At this time, a dozen or so people from Zhuo County had gathered in the courtyard outside the hall. They were all interested in hearing the trial of Zhang Hun's murder.

As soon as Cheng Xiao, the patrolman from the east, entered the main hall, he bowed respectfully.

Following closely behind were Liu Jing, one of the three elders of Renyi Township; Liu Bao, the guerrilla leader of Nanbu Township; and Liu Ping, the head of Lousangting Pavilion. After bowing to Xue You, the magistrate of Zhuo County, the three men stood aside.

Liu Bei, Liu Yuanqi, Geng Yong, Qian Zhao, and others stood in the courtyard in front of the hall.

Cheng Xiao shouted loudly:

"Reporting to the County Magistrate, Cheng Xiao, the patrol officer from the east, has brought the suspect Liu Bei before the court!"

"Bring it in!"

Magistrate Xue You of Zhuo County spoke with an air of authority.

"Yes."

Cheng Xiao shouted loudly to Liu Bei in front of the yamen:

"Bring the suspect, Liu Bei, along!"

Liu Bei immediately stepped into the main hall of the county government office, knelt down, kowtowed, and bowed to the officials above:

"This humble subject, Liu Bei, pays his respects to Your Excellency, the County Magistrate."

Xue You looked Liu Bei over carefully and immediately said:

"Get up and speak."

"Yes."

Liu Bei stood up.

Zhang Qian, standing to the side, stared intently at Liu Bei, his expression one of wanting to devour him whole.

Xue You asked:

"Where are you from?"

Liu Bei replied:

"I am a commoner living in Lousang Village, Renyi Township."

How old are you?

"Fifteen years old."

"What do you do for a living?"

He farmed and also made mats and sold shoes.

"Do you know the deceased, Zhang Hun?"

"We have no prior contact or any past grudges."

"Did you pass through Wild Boar Forest east of the city in the early hours of this morning?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember the time?"

"It should be around 5:30 in the morning (卯时二刻).

How did you know it was 5:45 AM?

"When I left Lousangli, I heard the watchman beating a gong and drum to announce the time. It was already dawn, and it was the hour of Mao (5-7 AM). It usually takes me 1/4 of an hour to walk from Lousangli to Wild Boar Forest. So I knew that I would pass through Wild Boar Forest at the second quarter of the hour of Mao."

Why do we have to go through the Wild Boar Forest?

"This humble man carried straw sandals and a straw mat on a long pole to sell at the fifteen-mile shop. Taking the Wild Boar Forest route was considered a shortcut."

"Do you have to rush to Fifteen Mile Shop at this time every day?"

"No, it depends on whether there's a market in Shiwulipu. Usually, there's a market in Shiwulipu every five days. Only when the market is open do ordinary people go to Shiwulipu."

"So, you didn't go to Fifteen Mile Shop yesterday?"

"Yes."

"So what did you do all day yesterday?"

"In the morning, I stayed home with my mother weaving mats. In the afternoon, I went hunting pheasants with my friend Geng Yong at Wild Wolf Ridge near Lousangli."

"Only in Wolf Ridge?"

"Wild Wolf Ridge is part of Lousang Village. Hunting is only allowed within one's own territory. Each village has its own boundaries, and no one dares to cross them."

"Where were you yesterday evening?"

"After hunting the pheasant, I returned to my home in Lousangli to cook and drink with it, and I never went out again after that."

What proof do you have?

"My mother, my younger sister, and my good friend Geng Yong are all witnesses. Last night, my good friend Geng Yong stayed overnight at my home."

After interrogating Liu Bei for a while, Magistrate Xue You of Zhuo County finally paused, then looked at Liu Bei and asked:

"Are you proficient in martial arts?"

Liu Bei answered truthfully:

"I learned martial arts from my father since I was a child, and I also love to study martial arts. As a result, I am proficient in fist and foot techniques as well as various weapons."

Xue You nodded, then asked the people below:

"Where is the head of Lousang Village?"

Liu Jing immediately bowed in respect:

"Your Excellency, the three elders of Renyi Township, Liu Jing, may inquire."

Xue You asked:

What was Liu Bei's reputation like in Lousang? Did he have any past crimes?

Liu Jing immediately said:

"Your Excellency, please hear this report: Liu Bei is extremely filial to his mother, respectful to his clan, helpful to the elderly and orphans, kind and diligent, usually taciturn, and extremely friendly in his dealings with others. He has no criminal record. Moreover, Liu Bei once assisted the Commandant's Office in pursuing the bandits of Baishi Mountain and killed several of them. The Commandant's Office rewarded him handsomely. This shows his chivalrous heart."

Upon hearing this, Xue You nodded in approval:

"Hmm, not bad, he's a promising young man."

Zhang Qian, who was suffering from the same grievances, saw that the magistrate of Zhuo County did not seem to regard Liu Bei as the murderer, and became extremely anxious. He immediately stepped forward and shouted:

"I beseech Your Excellency to punish Liu Bei for murder and bring him to justice. My son, Zhang Hun, was always steady and reliable, yet he was killed by Liu Bei without cause. I implore Your Excellency to clear the name of this unjustly deceased man."

Magistrate Xue You of Zhuo County said solemnly:

"This county has already determined that the murderer is not Liu Bei!"

……

When a person dies, lying supine, blood flows down the body, causing a slight reddish tinge on the back of the neck, back, ribs, lower back, inner thighs, arms, back of the legs, calves, and the upper and lower abdomen of the feet. This is called livor mortis.

—From the "Treatise on Criminal Law" in the Book of Ji Han