Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

Zhang Fei couldn't help but snort coldly:

"Zhao Zhong, the Grand Attendant, enjoys the Emperor's deep favor and wields immense power. His cronies are spread throughout the court and the countryside, and we cannot afford to offend him. We also cannot do anything about Zhao Xiang, Zhao Zhong's cousin. But can't we use the power of the government to bring these retainers of Qingxi Manor to justice?"

"It's difficult!"

Although Wutulu was a Wuhuan, he had lived in Han territory for a long time and was very familiar with the Han people. "These retainers have Zhao Xiang's protection, so the government doesn't dare to do anything to them. Even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner. Even if one of the retainers confessed to being the murderer, the government probably wouldn't be able to punish him."

Liu Bei, however, said calmly:

"What Yide said is not without reason. Nowadays, although all the officials in the prefectures and counties are afraid of the power of the eunuch Zhao Zhong, if we can make good use of the power of the government, we may not be unable to bring the murderous retainer to justice."

Wutulu sneered and asked:

How can we utilize the power of the government?

Liu Bei said in a deep voice:

"Although the Ten Attendants were in cahoots with Cao Jie, Wang Fu, and others, abusing their power and disrupting the Han court, causing everyone to fear them like tigers and daring not to speak out, not everyone in the world feared or obeyed them. At least the Qingliu Party never flattered the Ten Attendants, but instead openly and secretly opposed them."

Wutulu let out another cold laugh:

"Both of the calamities of the partisan purges were instigated by eunuchs and orchestrated by the emperor. Of those Qingliu Party members you mentioned, how many are left today—those who died, fled, or were injured?"

"The calamity of the Partisan Prohibitions indeed dealt a heavy blow to the scholars of the land. However, loyal ministers such as Qiao Xuan, Yang Biao, and Yang Qiu still stood firm in the court, continuing their struggle against the eunuchs. In addition, there were chivalrous figures such as Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, He Yong, and Zhang Miao, who were openly or covertly carrying out activities to resist the eunuchs. The students of the Imperial Academy used public opinion to criticize the eunuchs' monopoly of power and to unite the people's forces. Even in the prefectures, counties, and cities, there were many loyal, upright, and fearless individuals."

Liu Bei's gaze sharpened. "So, you must understand, we are not fighting alone. We are not alone. As long as we find irrefutable evidence that Zhao Xiang's retainers committed murder, even the emperor can only act according to the law. Not to mention the magistrate of Zhuo County."

Zhang Fei suddenly said:

"What if local officials fear the Ten Attendants and deliberately show favoritism, or even bend the law for personal gain?"

"Uphold the orthodox while employing unconventional methods!"

Liu Bei said in a deep voice.

Zhang Fei and Wutulu asked questions at the same time:

"What do you mean?"

"Uphold justice and achieve victory through unconventional means."

Liu Bei smiled faintly, "Even if the government protects the retainer who committed the murder and doesn't pursue the matter, we might as well give them a taste of their own medicine, devise a plan, and quietly eliminate the murderer to avenge Zhang Hun. Of course, this is only a last resort."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei and Wutulu exchanged a glance, neither of them speaking, but nodded in unison.

Zhang Fei's gaze toward Liu Bei was now filled with trust and respect.

Liu Bei was very familiar with that kind of gaze.

Wutulu couldn't help but look at Liu Bei in a different light.

After exchanging a few more words, the three returned to the roadside and retrieved the large iron mace. They then parted ways by the roadside, agreeing once again to meet again early the next morning at the large tree-lined shrine.

Watching Zhang Fei and Wutulu's departing figures, Liu Bei sighed inwardly at the cruel twist of fate. He then spurred his horse and rode towards the large tree-covered Lousangli.

Dashulou Sangli is a relatively large village in Renyi Township, with two to three hundred households, most of whom are members of the Liu clan.

The retainers and tenants belonging to the Liu clan mostly lived in the manor, only coming to Dashulousangli to guard and defend when there was trouble.

The inner wall of Lousangli was three zhang (seven meters) high and more than one zhang wide, and was trapezoidal. It was more than enough to defend against ordinary mountain bandits and thieves, but it was no match for regular troops.

Liu Bei rode his horse through the inner gate and galloped wildly through the streets.

The Liu clan members on the street were both surprised and delighted to see Liu Bei return.

Rumors of Liu Bei killing people had already spread throughout Dashulou Sangli.

The clansmen had watched Liu Bei grow up since he was a child, so most of them naturally didn't believe it. But now that they saw Liu Bei riding back on horseback, they knew that he was alright.

"Is Xuande well?"

"Everything is fine. Please rest assured."

"Your mother is waiting for you at home. Go back quickly."

Liu Bei rode his horse across the long street and arrived at the gate of his own courtyard.

The sound of "woof woof" had already begun to echo from the courtyard.

His pet Chinese rural dog, named Gray Wolf, had already darted out from through the fence gate.

Just then, Liu Bei dismounted.

The gray wolf howled merrily, stood upright, and kept sniffing Liu Bei's scent.

Liu Bei patted the gray wolf's head. "Did you guard the house properly while I was away?"

The gray wolf barked excitedly incessantly.

Liu Bei tied his horse to a crooked tree by the door.

"Brother, you're back!"

Liu Bei's ten-year-old sister, Liu Azi, also ran out of the fence gate, greeting him with a happy smile.

Liu Azi wore her hair in two buns, and although she was dressed in simple, plain linen clothes, her clear and lovely features were still evident.

Liu Azi asked curiously:

"Brother, Geng Yong said you killed someone in the Wild Boar Forest and were captured by the patrolmen..."

"No, that's not true. They've mistaken you for someone else."

Liu Bei said calmly, "Although your elder brother practices weapons every day, I never kill people indiscriminately."

"I knew immediately that my brother had been framed."

"Azi, where is Mother?" Liu Bei asked.

"They're weaving straw sandals inside the house."

As Liu Azi spoke, she turned and shouted loudly into the courtyard, "Mother, my brother is back!"

Liu Bei strode into the courtyard.

The courtyard was very large, even somewhat empty.

From the pigsty under the west wall, a few familiar grunts could still be heard from time to time.

The mulberry tree in the southeast corner, which was as tall as an umbrella and five zhang high, was also being blown by the wind, rustling and making a soft rustling sound.

The mother, Wu, was leaning against the doorway, smiling as she watched her son, Liu Bei, return safely.

She was not yet forty years old, dressed in simple clothes, thin and even somewhat withered, with a pale face, clearly the result of years of hard work and many hardships.

"Mother, I'm back. Thanks to the protection of our clan and the wisdom of the county magistrate, I've been cleared of suspicion. Now, I'm doing well, so you don't need to worry anymore."

Liu Bei smiled and walked up to his mother.

My mother, Wu, was also a woman of few words. She didn't like to talk much and usually just worked silently, like a robot, working tirelessly.

Seeing Liu Bei return and knowing he had escaped safely, her eyes shone with an unusual light. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and she didn't ask any more questions.

The mother and son had long been connected on a spiritual level; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other perfectly.

Mother Wu simply nodded:

"That's good."

The mother and her two children entered the three thatched huts.

The house was bare, with only four walls and a bare room, but it was kept clean and tidy.

When I first arrived in this world, the thatched hut was already quite dilapidated. It took several days of repairs before it looked somewhat decent. After moving in, it was warm in winter and cool in summer.

Mother Wu ladled a bowl of wheat porridge from the pot and placed it on the table.

"Eat wheat rice."

Then he continued weaving straw sandals on the side.

Liu Azi obediently helped from the side.

"Yes."

Liu Bei was indeed a bit hungry, so he ate a bowl of wheat rice with some pickled vegetables.

The gray wolf lay at the doorway, seemingly lost in thought.

The brother and sister were chatting idly when a rough voice suddenly rang out from outside the fence gate:

Is Liu Bei at home?

"Call Xuande..." another voice reminded him.

"I'll just call myself Liu Bei, so what? It's none of your business. You're so nosy!"

"Hey, you..."

Liu Bei, inside the thatched hut, looked towards the fence gate and saw Dongye Ban, who sold pork at Shiwulipu, and Xinyuan Jian, a vegetable vendor, pushing and shoving their way in.

Seeing this pair of clowns, he couldn't help but mutter to himself: I wonder what kind of trouble these two are up to now.

……

To live is to toil one's entire life; to die is to suffer the sorrow of exposed bones. When the harvest is poor, one is forced to wander in ditches and ravines, forced to marry off one's wife and sell one's children. The reasons why one is heartbroken and deprived of the joys of life are too numerous to recount.

— Cui Shi, "Political Commentary"