Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:

"Yun Chang... Hmm, not bad, good calligraphy!"

Qian Zhao, standing to the side, nodded and smiled.

"Brother Guan, your name is Yu, and your courtesy name is Yunchang. This name has a higher and more profound meaning than the name 'Changsheng' (meaning 'longevity'). Yun means vast and free, clear and far-reaching, while Chang means constant and enduring. Yunchang means soaring high with wings spread, flying high into the clouds, traveling far and wide, and having a lasting and great reputation."

Liu Bei looked at Guan Yu with delight:

"Overall, Yun Chang is better than Chang Sheng. From now on, we will all call you Yun Chang. What do you say, Yun Chang?"

Guan Yu laughed:

"Very well. Call me Yun Chang then."

At this moment, Geng Yong suddenly shouted:

"Since Yun Chang has changed his ways, should I change mine too?"

Liu Bei looked at Geng Yong and said in surprise:

"Your courtesy name is Xianhe, which is a perfect match for your given name 'Yong'. Why change it? In my opinion, Xianhe is fine as it is."

Geng Yong sighed:

"I don't want to change the characters in my name, I want to change my surname!"

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.

Qian Zhao was even more taken aback:

"This surname is given by one's parents and passed down from one's ancestors. How can it be changed arbitrarily? Xianhe, you'd better stop making trouble."

Higashino chuckled and said:

"That Jian Yong kid must have done something bad to be kicked out of the clan's genealogy. Or maybe he committed some serious crime and wants to change his surname to avoid trouble."

Guan Yu also said in a deep voice:

"Changing one's surname without authorization is not only disrespectful to one's parents but also a betrayal of one's clan. How can one be so hasty?"

Aragaki Ken smiled helplessly and said:

"Jian Yong, if you want to change your surname, you'll probably need the government's approval first."

Liu Bei knew that Geng Yong wanted to change his surname to "Jian," but everyone strongly opposed it, so he had no choice but to go along with their wishes and said:

"Xianhe, you can't change your surname without permission."

"It's alright."

Geng Yong said nonchalantly, "It's just a surname. It's not as serious as you all make it out to be. Besides, not only Dongye Ban and Xinyuan Jian call me Jian Yong, but almost everyone in Youzhou mispronounces my surname. Since that's the case, why should I still be surnamed Geng? I might as well just be surnamed Jian. From today onwards, I will be called Jian Yong."

Guan Yu was taken aback. He had grown up reading the Zuo Zhuan (a commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals), and he was particularly concerned about things that were "legitimate and justified." Seeing Geng Yong's reaction, he couldn't help but sigh:

"How can there be such a casual person in the world?! They've already changed their surname?"

Qian Zhao also advised:

"Xianhe, you shouldn't be so rash!"

Jian Yong smiled and said:

"I, Jian Yong, am different from you. I am naturally free and only follow my own heart. In my opinion, this name is just a label, no different from a cat, tiger, eagle, or fish."

"A fish swims freely in the water. Whether you call it a carp or a crucian carp, it hasn't changed anything as a fish; only its name has changed."

Qian Zhao shook her head helplessly:

"You're arguing about names and realities again. Confucius advocated that names should be established before realities can be corrected. Xunzi advocated that names should be created to indicate realities. The Mohists emphasized using names to represent realities. The School of Names distinguished realities by separating them from names. The Legalists followed names to hold realities accountable."

"Xianhe, your words have the air of a master."

Jian Yong calmly replied:

"I am who I am. I came first, then my name. No matter how my name changes, I remain the same."

"Gentlemen, there's no need to condemn me for being disloyal and reckless. In any case, I am still the same person, only my surname has changed. Whether it's Geng Yong or Jian Yong, it's still me."

Seeing Jian Yong's casual attitude, Guan Yu had no choice but to say:

"Such unrestrained and wild behavior has truly broadened my horizons. I just wonder how you will face your parents and relatives when you go home."

Jian Yong smiled and said:

"I'm home, and I'm still me. I'm still my parents' son. Nothing has changed."

Guan Yu stopped speaking. He glanced at the people present, as if observing who would utter some shocking or outlandish theories.

Higashino's crew immediately burst into laughter:

"We've always called him Jian Yong, and it seems we weren't wrong. Hahaha."

People in the city call him by his given name and don't care what Jian Yong's courtesy name is.

Qian Zhao looked at Liu Bei and asked:

"Xuande, what do you think?"

Liu Bei pondered for a moment and said:

"I think as long as Xianhe is happy, let him be. Anyway, we'll still call him Xianhe from now on."

Liu Bei did not want to get too involved in such matters, and he was even less willing to force Jian Yong not to change his surname.

He also hoped that everyone could be as accommodating to Jian Yong as he was.

"Alright, then let Xianhe do as he pleases."

There was nothing they could do but let things take their course.

Liu Bei looked up at Guan Yu and saw that he was with the others and no longer had the arrogance and disdain he had shown when he first arrived. He knew that Guan Yu had unconsciously integrated into the group.

So he invited everyone to sit and rest under the tree.

Everyone came to the tree and sat down casually in its shade.

A gentle breeze was blowing, making it very cool.

Liu Bei picked up the earthenware bowl beside him, took a sip of water to moisten his parched throat, and then addressed the crowd:

"Now that Brother Guan has changed his courtesy name and Xianhe has changed his surname, it's a new beginning for us all. It's not easy for us to get together like this, so let's all introduce ourselves and get to know each other."

Everyone already recognized Guan Yu.

But Guan Yu only recognized Zhangba and Dongyeban.

So, Jian Yong, Qian Zhao, Xin Yuanjian, and Zuo Zi introduced themselves to Guan Yu.

Finally, Liu Bei said:

"Brother Guan, since you are wandering in Zhuojun with no relatives or friends, why not join our White Feather Society? That way, we can take care of each other and you won't feel lonely."

Guan Yu was deeply moved and said:

"I was originally from Jie County, Hedong Commandery, Sili. I came to Zhuo County alone and made a living by helping people move goods in a warehouse here. Because I enjoy wrestling, I happened to pass by a blacksmith's shop and saw a man about my height, who was about 18 feet tall. I was itching to have a match with him and thought I would make friends with him. I never expected to meet you all. It is truly an honor."

Higashino shouted loudly:

"Guan Yu, do you now acknowledge Xuande's prowess in wrestling and cavalry combat?"

"certainly."

Guan Yu said solemnly, "A loss is a loss. Brother Xuande's wrestling and cavalry fighting are completely superior to mine. Guan Yu admires you the most."

Higashino shouted loudly:

"You haven't witnessed Xuande's dual-wielding swordsmanship yet; that's truly formidable. Even the disciple of that Liaodong swordsman Wang Yue was defeated by Xuande. And then there's Xuande's ring-pommel saber technique, bow and arrow, crossbow, military strategy..."

"Alright, alright."

Liu Bei hurriedly interrupted Dongye Ban, "I'm just a person, not a god. Your boasting is making me doubt myself. Are you really that amazing?"

Higashino laughed:

"People outside talk about you in even more fantastical terms. If you don't believe me, ask Aragaki Ken."

Xinyuan Jian also immediately said:

"Indeed, I heard someone say at the market in Shiwulipu that Xuande was a heavenly general descended to earth."

"The more it's spread, the more dubious it becomes..."

Liu Bei shook his head helplessly and said to Guan Yu, "Brother Guan, I see you really love these Hu horses on the Cuju field. If you want to ride horses again in the future, just come here and find me. You can ride any of these Hu horses you like."

Higashino's crew said in a carefree manner:

"Guan Yu, I think you should just join Xuande's White Feather Society. We can practice martial arts together, archery, horsemanship, and horsemanship—wouldn't that be great?"

Xinyuan Jian also said:

"Yes, join the White Feather Society. You're nearly nine feet tall, riding a nomadic horse and wielding a ten-foot spear—you look incredibly imposing. Dongye and I are so envious. You truly have the aura of a celestial general from folklore. Your martial arts far surpass ours; you're sure to become a great general of the nation in the future."

Guan Yu pondered for a moment and asked Liu Bei:

"What exactly is Xuande's intention in establishing this White Feather Society?"

"It was originally formed to fight against the Xianbei."

Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "However, I have a very bold idea now, and I might as well tell you. I want to recruit some like-minded and valiant warriors to go with me to the borderlands to assassinate the Xianbei Khan, Tanshihuai!"

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.

……

He was carefree and unrestrained, with a simple, proud, and unconventional nature. Even when seated at the emperor's table, he would sit with his legs spread wide and lean back, lacking any sense of decorum and indulging in his own pleasure.

—From the Biography of Jian Yong in the Shu Shu section of the Records of the Three Kingdoms