Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

Looking at Cheng Youjiao's righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, Liu Bei chuckled inwardly, knowing that he was simply putting on an act in front of the officials and soldiers, using his disdain for Zhang Hun to elevate his own image as a law enforcer.

But Liu Bei knew that the power behind Zhang Hun was something that a small outpost in the eastern part of Zhuo County could not possibly contend with.

Therefore, even though Cheng Youjiao knew that Zhang Hun was the local gang leader in the Shiwulipu area, he pretended not to know and turned a blind eye when he was on patrol.

After all, one's official position is the most important thing, especially one's livelihood.

He pondered for a moment.

Liu Bei then said leisurely, "You Jiao, since Zhang Hun dares to collect the usual fees at the Fifteen Mile Inn and act as the leader of the underworld, he must have someone supporting him. After all, as the saying goes, 'If you don't have connections in the court, you can't be an official; if you have connections in the court, things will be easier.'"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Youjiao stopped in his tracks, his gaze sharp as he looked at Liu Bei, and he let out a cold laugh:

"Your words have a hidden meaning, a veiled implication. Tell me, who in the government is secretly supporting Zhang Hun? But I must remind you, don't falsely accuse others, lest you bring trouble upon your family. That would be disastrous."

Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then said:

"I don't know who is secretly supporting Zhang Hun. I only know that Shiwulipu is such a crucial location, a hub of transportation, and it's also adjacent to the military fortress of Zhuojun—Tiebiwu. Tiebiwu is garrisoned with more than four thousand soldiers. Therefore, many merchants accompanying the army rent houses in Shiwulipu to open shops and do business. Also, there is Liangxiangwu in Liangxiang County, a hundred miles away. And near Juyongguan, three hundred miles away, there is Yuyang Camp, where more than a thousand border troops of the empire are stationed."

—Tiebiwu is only two or three li away from Shiwulipu. The fortified village is occupied by a local army under the jurisdiction of the Prefect of Zhuojun, with a total number of four or five thousand men, and is commanded by a Commandant under the Prefect of Zhuojun.

Liangxiangwu was garrisoned with more than a thousand soldiers, composed of Han Chinese (recruited warriors), Hu people (volunteers), and convicts exiled for crimes. It was still under the jurisdiction of the Commandery Commandant under the Prefect of Zhuojun.

The more than 1,000 troops stationed in Yuyang Camp (around present-day Miyun County) were border defense troops under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Han Dynasty. They had higher combat effectiveness than the troops stationed at Tiebiwu and were commanded by a Zhonglang General appointed by the court. Their main responsibilities were to scout and defend against invasions by the Xianbei, Wuhuan and other Hu peoples beyond the Great Wall, to strike at the Wuhuan tribes attacking Juyong Pass nearby, and to provide support to the armies of the eastern and western counties of Youzhou.

Upon hearing Liu Bei's words, Cheng Youjiao's gaze sharpened.

"You mean Zhang Hun has people in the military protecting him?"

Liu Bei hurriedly said:

"Youjiao, I didn't say that. However, if you investigate carefully, it won't be difficult for you to find out who Zhang Hun is backing."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Youjiao's expression changed.

How could a mere border patrolman in the eastern part of Zhuo County possibly stand against the Commandant of Zhuo Commandery?

After the founding of the Eastern Han Dynasty, most of the commandery commanders located in the interior of the empire were abolished, and the troops of the prefectures and counties were unified under the command of the governors. Later, due to war, the commandery commanders were re-established, and their duties were more about training soldiers, maintaining public order, and leading troops to fight against rebellions.

However, Zhuojun was a border prefecture of the empire, and it was always at risk of military invasion by foreign tribes such as Wuhuan and Xianbei. Therefore, the Han Empire stationed border troops in Youzhou, and the commanders of the various prefectures under Youzhou were never abolished. They also set up fortified villages and garrisoned troops in each prefecture to prepare for battle at any time.

Therefore, the Commandant of Zhuojun had been immersed in the military for a longer time than the Commandant of the inland areas, had a long-standing reputation, and had more military power. He was a trusted confidant whom the Governor of Zhuojun relied on highly.

The Commandant of the Commandery held military power and could even rival the Prefect of Zhuo Commandery.

Cheng Youjiao was fully aware of this.

But Liu Bei ordered him to investigate the county commandant who was very likely involved in the criminal gang of Zhang Hun in Shiwulipu, which was clearly pushing him into a fire pit.

But due to his duty, he had to investigate thoroughly.

In fact, he didn't need to investigate. Zhang Hun's ability to monopolize the fifteen-mile shop and openly collect various "protection fees" from merchants, such as regular fees, land taxes, and tolls, must be because the captain of Tiebiwu was protecting him.

Although Liu Bei did not have any concrete evidence, he had often heard his childhood friend Geng Yong talk about Zhang Hun and knew that Zhang Hun had given most of the money he obtained from the Fifteen Mile Shop to the Commandant of Zhuojun.

To put it bluntly, Zhang Hun was just a front man for the Commandant of the Prefecture.

This was common knowledge in the Fifteen Mile Shop area, and it was a rule that everyone had to follow.

Because the power behind Zhang Hun was so great, no one dared to resist and could only obey.

He pondered for a long time.

Two breaths emerged from Cheng Youjiao's nostrils, and he silently said:

"If it is truly as you say, that Zhang Hun has a powerful backer, then it is beyond the reach of a mere patrol officer in eastern Zhuo County."

The Prefect of Zhuojun was the superior of the Magistrate of Zhuoxian.

As a military commander at the prefectural level, the Commandant of a Commandery held significant military power. He was an important subordinate official of the Prefect of Zhuo Commandery. His role was especially crucial in border regions like Youzhou, and should not be underestimated.

Even the magistrate of Zhuo County dared not easily make a move against the Commandant of the Prefecture.

Let alone a mere patrolman like him?

Seeing that Cheng Youjiao had unusually admitted defeat, Liu Bei had no choice but to comfort him again:

"You Jiao, Zhang Hun's death may not be related to the powerful figures behind him. I believe that a lucrative business like Fifteen Mile Shop, which can bring in hundreds of thousands of coins every month, must be coveted by many heroes of the martial arts world. The next person to take control of Fifteen Mile Shop is very likely the mastermind behind hiring someone to kill Zhang Hun."

Note that the Wuzhu coin was the common currency during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Several hundred thousand Wuzhu coins are roughly equivalent to several hundred thousand or even a million yuan today.

Having read "Water Margin" in modern society, he was also familiar with the story of Shi En, the Golden-Eyed Leopard, and Jiang Menshen, two men with different government backgrounds, vying for the title of underworld overlord of Happy Forest.

In Shiwulipu, it was nothing more than another story of gangs fighting for territory.

For thousands of years, this drama of vying for the cake has remained largely unchanged.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Youjiao nodded: "What you said makes some sense..."

"Furthermore," Liu Bei continued, "Zhang Hun is extorting money from merchants at Shiwulipu, and it's hard to guarantee that someone won't hire someone to kill him out of spite. Therefore, I suggest that the envoy thoroughly investigate the merchants and swordsmen who have recently been traveling through Shiwulipu, especially the long-term residents and merchants, to obtain clues and then follow the trail to find the real culprit."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Youjiao sighed, "There are many unfamiliar faces coming and going from Shiwulipu, which is beyond the scope of my investigation as an eastern patrol officer. Although the murder occurred in my jurisdiction and Zhang Hun's body was found in Wild Boar Forest, Shiwulipu is nominally under the jurisdiction of the northern patrol officers of Zhuo County."

Liu Bei suggested:

"You need not worry, just report the facts to the magistrate. I believe the magistrate will make proper arrangements."

After their conversation, Cheng Youjiao's opinion of the 15-year-old boy in front of him, who was eloquent, articulate, and knew how to conduct himself, changed considerably.

His gaze towards Liu Bei softened somewhat:

"You really didn't kill Zhang Hun?"

Knowing that his words had persuaded Cheng Youjiao, Liu Bei confidently said:

"When the real murderer is caught, the patrolmen will realize that Liu Bei has been truly wronged. With the real culprit still at large, Liu Bei has no way to defend himself. Therefore, he is willing to do everything in his power to assist the government in tracking down and capturing this murderous maniac. Firstly, to clear his name. Secondly, to protect the peace and security of the people. Thirdly, to lighten the burden on the patrolmen."

"Very good."

Cheng Youjiao nodded, his mind settling down slightly, and said, "Actually, I know that your Liu family in Zhuo County has always been peaceful. Your grandfather and father were both upright and honest officials who served as county magistrates. Coming from a family of upright and honest officials, your upbringing must be excellent. How could you possibly commit murder and robbery? I'm afraid I've misunderstood you. Let's go to the county magistrate together and explain the situation, and then work together to apprehend the real culprit and bring him to justice."

……

During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, troops were dispatched to conquer and seize this land, pushing it back to the north of the Mugu River. Fortifications were built, watchtowers and tunnels were constructed, outer cities were built, and garrisons were set up to defend it. There was a beacon tower every five li, a watchtower every ten li, a fort every thirty li, and a city every hundred li, all connected and visible to each other. Only then was the border area somewhat secure.

—From the "Biography of the Xiongnu" in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty