Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 170 Using Names to Control Names
Dongwu City.

Cui Yan was very flustered at this moment.

He was originally a son of a concubine in the Cui family of Ganling, not the eldest son of the main branch. He was also slow to speak from a young age and was never highly regarded.

Cui Yan loved fencing and martial arts, but was often criticized by his clan as a "dull-witted warrior," who was said to be lowly and without a future...

But now, the elders have suddenly taken a liking to him, saying that he is tall and strong and skilled in swordsmanship, and have put him in charge of the Cui clan's troops to defeat the enemy.

In fact, Cui Yan really wanted to curse, but he hadn't studied seriously over the years, and his family's inherited Analects was indeed poorly learned.

If you haven't studied the Analects well, you'll naturally have fewer ways to insult others. You can't exactly use phrases like "I'll beat you up" to insult your elders, can you?

So Cui Yan could only scold himself.

He berated himself for his foolishness all these years—why did he even bother practicing swordsmanship? He'd become the best swordsman in the clan, but it had brought him down...

Fighting one-on-one is no problem, but what does leading troops in battle have to do with fencing and martial arts?

At this time, Dongwu City was besieged by tens of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels, led by Bai Rao, the right colonel of the Yellow Turbans.

Cui Yan had heard of Bai Rao before. He was a legitimate leader of the Yellow Turbans and a notorious bandit whom the imperial court was currently searching for!

Although the clan elders all disparagingly referred to the Yellow Turbans as "moth thieves," saying they were just bandits.

Yes, they were all bandits, but these bandits were no longer the common people who could be fooled with just a few words...

When they saw tens of thousands of moth bandits besieging the city, the clan elders all stayed indoors and refused to go out, only ordering the collateral branches of the clan and the able-bodied servants to "quickly defeat the enemy"...

But... how do we defeat the enemy?

The Yellow Turbans outside the city are already building siege ladders!
Dozens of makeshift battering rams, constructed from handcarts, have already been placed outside the city!
Those Yellow Turban soldiers were even arrayed quite neatly; they looked exactly like a regular army...

How should I deal with this?

Cui Yan's mind was in turmoil. He had read some military books, but at this moment he couldn't think of any way to deal with the situation.

What should you do if your city is besieged by a large army?
Which military treatise mentions this?

forget……

If I had known this would happen, I should have listened to my family and gone to Beihai to study under Zheng Kangcheng (Zheng Xuan) two years ago... and I could have avoided this disaster.

Or, like Cui Juye of Anping, one could have mingled in society since childhood, making connections with outlaws from various mountain strongholds in Jizhou, and could easily summon thousands of heroes, thus unafraid of such thieves.

Just practicing swordsmanship and showing off won't get you anywhere...

But there's no going back in life. No matter how ignorant Cui Yan was about military affairs, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and lead his clansmen to defend the city.

To defend the city, one cannot rely solely on the Cui family's soldiers; each family must contribute its own troops.

Moreover, we cannot allow the Yellow Turbans to besiege the city; we must defeat the bandits as soon as possible.

It's February, the farming season. If we can't defeat the Yellow Turbans quickly, the farming will be delayed again this year...

Last year had already wasted a year. If they didn't fight to repel the enemy, even if the Yellow Turbans couldn't enter the city for a while, the fact that they hadn't gained anything for two consecutive years was unbearable, no matter how large and powerful the Cui family was.

The various families of Ganling have been seeking refuge in Dongwu City for almost a year. They are indeed willing to contribute manpower to defend the city, but none of them are willing to leave the city to fight. They are all only willing to hold the city.

Cui Yan knew why his clan wanted him to lead the troops... and he also knew why the various powerful clans were unwilling to leave the city to fight.

To be honest, he himself didn't dare to risk his life outside the city.

When the Yellow Turbans first arrived, the elders of the Cui family tried sending men out of the city to raid the camp.

At that time, the Yellow Turbans had just arrived and were not yet firmly established. They were building their camps, so attacking their camps at this time was in line with military strategy.

However, raiding a camp outside the city was extremely dangerous, so noble members of the clan could not go; only retainers and slave soldiers could go.

Meanwhile, the slave soldiers stormed the camp outside the city...

It did not achieve any results.

Or rather, they served to equip the Yellow Turban rebels—a large number of the slave soldiers were killed as soon as they came into contact with the Yellow Turbans, and the rest readily surrendered to them.

Their armor was immediately stripped off by the Yellow Turbans...

Then, no one dared to leave the city anymore, and all the other households in the city closed their doors and windows, leaving only their servants with Cui Yan to guard the city.

Let's hold out then, and hopefully reinforcements will arrive.

Even before the Yellow Turbans began besieging the city, the tribe had already sent people to various places to request reinforcements, but they didn't know when the reinforcements would arrive... or even if they would come at all.

Cui Yan knew that Liu Bei, the Commandant of Ganling, had troops under his command, but when Liu Bei sent people to Guangwu City to collect military supplies before, Guangwu City did not cooperate at all... Would Liu Bei come to the rescue?

Cui Yan thought it was unlikely.

As for the Cui family of Anping, it is said that they bought the land in Ganling with 100,000 bushels of grain, which belonged to various families in Ganling.

Judging from this, the Cui family of Anping probably wished that all the families in Ganling would be wiped out by the Yellow Turbans.

Besides that, we'll have to look to the Bohai region, but it's said that there are Yellow Turban rebels in Nanpi, so it seems unlikely they can come to our rescue.

As for the Qingzhou Plain, there was even less hope. Last year, Dong'e in Yanzhou was massacred, and Qingzhou was in chaos. The Yellow Turban rebels and other rioters from both places all fled to the Plain.

The plains are probably teeming with bandits now, making it even more difficult than the situation in Dongwu City—it's precisely because there are too many Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou that Cui Yan hasn't gone to Beihai to study.

There was absolutely no hope of reinforcements arriving from any direction in Dongwu City...

Cui Yan encouraged himself again and again, trying to muster the courage to leave the city and fight to the death.

But as soon as he saw the dark mass of bandits below the city, his newly mustered enthusiasm vanished—the bandits stretched as far as the eye could see.

The most terrifying thing is that the bandits neither sent anyone to negotiate nor attacked the city; they just surrounded it.

It's been surrounded for several days.

Cui Yan hasn't dared to sleep or eat for the past few days; she's developed neurasthenia.

So much so that when Cui Yan saw Liu Bei's banner appear outside the city, he was somewhat dazed and thought he was hallucinating.

"Cousin, cousin? Commandant Liu's reinforcements have arrived!"

A boy next to Cui Yan waved his hand in front of Cui Yan's eyes.

This is Cui Lin, Cui Yan's younger cousin.

"Ah? Ah! Oh...yes, I saw it. But Commandant Liu only brought such a small number of soldiers...I'm afraid..."

Cui Yan finally came to his senses and began to observe the area outside the city.

Liu Bei had already led his army to the outskirts of Dongwu City, only a few hundred paces away from the Yellow Turbans besieging the city.

The Yellow Turbans also dispatched a force to meet them.

Liu Bei's forces did indeed appear small; he brought only two thousand men to Dongwu City—one thousand combat soldiers and one thousand auxiliary soldiers. Compared to the boundless Yellow Turban Rebellion, it was merely a small patch in the distance.

The auxiliary soldiers were all pushing carts or driving horse-drawn carriages, but those carts didn't look like they were loaded with anything.

It's normal to bring extra carts; they're often useful in battle. For example, right now, Liu Bei quickly assembled a cart formation using carts and then positioned it on the flank of the Yellow Turban army.

“Brother, should we go out of the city to meet him? It would be best if we could bring Commandant Liu into the city, otherwise he might be surrounded as well.”

Cui Lin then offered another suggestion.

"This...who will go to meet them? You?"

Cui Yan turned to look at Cui Lin.

Cui Lin swallowed hard and shook his head: "I'm afraid I won't be able to break through..."

Of course he couldn't get out. Cui Lin was only sixteen years old, and he had studied literature since childhood, so he couldn't even use a sword properly.

Cui Yan sighed: "Our clan has always looked down on warriors, and no one is capable of leading an army, which is why I have to lead the army... But how can these soldiers in our clan fight against those fierce bandits below the city?"

Indeed, the Cui family currently has 600 clan soldiers and 3,000 servants, and various powerful families in the city have also gathered several thousand servants, totaling nearly 8,000 people, which is quite a large number.

But no one in the tribe is skilled in warfare...

Famous families that passed down their knowledge of classical studies did not rely on force to establish themselves; rather, their family tradition was based on their refined character and outstanding talents.

How could scholars and gentlemen do rough work like fighting?

Besides, their weapons were incomplete, and they didn't have much armor—the slave soldiers who had previously raided the camp had surrendered to the Yellow Turbans, and most of their armor had already fallen into their hands.

Moreover, these servants are clearly unreliable, and we must keep a close eye on them to prevent them from rebelling within the city.

A servant is a servant after all; it's hard to guarantee that he won't hate his master...

The Yellow Turbans below the city were all fierce warriors at the front, each with a murderous aura on their faces. Those near the city gate were indeed Yellow Turban warriors who had experienced many battles. There were only a few hundred of them, but they were all elites who had survived several major battles.

"Brother, it seems the bandits are about to lift the siege?"

Cui Lin observed the Yellow Turbans' movements below the city: "They seem to be preparing to besiege Commandant Liu first? Shouldn't we go out of the city to provide support?"

"Wait...wait a little longer."

Cui Yan also saw that some of the Yellow Turbans had lifted the siege, and that the strong and capable men among them had been transferred to Liu Bei's side.

This was indeed a perfect opportunity to launch a pincer attack from outside the city. In most cases, the arrival of reinforcements would be a combined attack from both inside and outside the city, and the reinforcements could only enter the city after the enemy was defeated.

However, Cui Yan hesitated and did not leave the city immediately. He had already mentally prepared himself, and his legs had stopped trembling.

However, he knew the fighting strength of his own family's soldiers... Going out of the city to fight might not necessarily mean attacking Liu Bei from two sides; on the contrary, it could very well mean sending another wave of hostages to the Yellow Turbans.

……

Bai Rao led his troops to see Liu Bei, but the real reason was to ask how to proceed next...

Liu Bei was also a bit confused; he hadn't expected that there would be absolutely no movement in Dongwu City.

Logically, when reinforcements arrive, the city should at least send out to meet them, right?
Could it be that the people of Dongwu City discovered the act that Bai Rao and I were putting on?
That shouldn't be the case. I gave the order in front of Zhang Jiao's tomb, and no one except Bai Rao knows about it...

Liu Bei was a little confused for a moment. He wasn't sure whether the leader in Dongwu City was too capable or too cowardly.

But no matter what, the show has to go on.

However, we need to perform it in a different way.

Fortunately, Liu Bei already had a backup plan.

Liu Bei once again deployed all his ceremonial guards and then went to the front lines to "negotiate" with the Yellow Turbans.

Bai Rao came out and negotiated with Liu Bei alone between the two armies. Afterwards, Bai Rao addressed Liu Bei as "My Lord" and returned to the Yellow Turban army.

Before long, the Yellow Turban army slowly retreated, going back several miles away.

At this point, troops finally emerged from Dongwu City.

"I, Cui Yan, thank Commandant Liu for his timely assistance. Please, Commandant, enter the city to reassure the people..."

Cui Yan, who was on the city wall, saw clearly that Liu Bei, alone on horseback, talked with the Yellow Turban leader for a while, and then the Yellow Turbans retreated.

Liu Bei had such a great reputation?

It seems the rumor that the women and children Liu Bei settled on the east bank of the Qinghe River were all Yellow Turban rebels is probably true...

Cui Yan now felt that Liu Bei was also a Yellow Turban, but in any case, he had to welcome Liu Bei into the city.

To be honest, Liu Bei and Bai Rao's acting was a bit fake, after all, the plan was changed at the last minute and there was no opportunity to rehearse beforehand.

But Liu Bei didn't care about whether it was real or not; he just wanted the people of Dongwu City to understand who was in charge here...

"Cui Jigui? I've long heard of your name... When I arrived earlier, I was right behind the bandits, a perfect opportunity to break through their defenses. Why didn't you come out and attack from both sides?"

Liu Bei looked at Cui Yan with an unfriendly expression: "If we miss such an opportunity, who will come to our aid when the Yellow Turbans make a comeback?"

"At that time, Yan was timid and his clan's troops were weak, so he dared not attack."

Cui Yan bluntly told half the truth, but the second half was quite meaningful: "Commander Liu is renowned for his bravery, single-handedly repelling the enemy. He is a peerless hero; the Yellow Turbans will surely not dare to return..."

"I don't have such a great reputation... Do you know what I said to that Bai Rao?"

Liu Bei shook his head and smiled: "I told him that I could settle them down as ordinary people and persuade him to stop being a thief."

"He was willing to pledge his life to accept the court's resettlement, but they had no food and needed the grain from each household in Dongwu City... If there was enough grain to feed 30,000 people until the autumn harvest, he would commit suicide and offer his head to the court to thank the court for its benevolence."

“Cui Jigui, go and explain this matter to each family. If there is enough grain to settle these people and save this place from war, then your reputation for retreating alone will be established.”

After saying this, Liu Bei led his army into the city, leaving Cui Yan to hesitate and ponder.

Cui Yan wasn't quick-witted, but he could tell that Liu Bei was telling the truth; he just didn't know what to do for the moment.

Instead, Cui Lin, who was beside him, reminded him again: "Brother, this matter must be done, otherwise the Cui clan will cease to exist!"

Liu Bei, with his large ears and excellent hearing, vaguely heard Cui Lin's voice. He turned around, dismounted, and returned to Cui Lin, looking him up and down: "May I ask how I should address you?"

Cui Lin was dressed simply, his hemp clothes were worn out, and his hands showed signs of labor, making him look more like a servant.

He was from a collateral branch of a family, and within the clan, he was practically no different from a servant. He lived in poverty, and only Cui Yan respected him and took care of him.

However, Cui Yan himself was not exactly someone who received much attention.

"Cui Lin, Commandant Liu, if Dongwu City provides grain for displaced people, where will these displaced people be housed?"

Cui Lin bowed and asked Liu Bei, "Furthermore, my brothers and I are of low seniority and rank within the clan, and we fear it will be difficult to persuade the elders. Could you please ask Commandant Liu to accompany my brothers to speak with them, so as to bolster our position?"

He cleverly misrepresented the Yellow Turbans as refugees.

“When Dongwu City provides grain, those people are naturally settled south of Dongwu City. The land north of the city is all your family’s land. I know that. I have no intention of encroaching on your Cui family’s land.”

Liu Bei looked at the young Cui Lin and returned the greeting with a smile: "As for your low seniority and humble position... Cui Lin, I appoint you as the Registrar of Ganling Household Affairs, responsible for settling the people. Can you do it?"

"Ah? I am not yet of age... The southern part of Dongwu City is all land owned by the families of various famous scholars from Ganling, Commandant, this is..."

Cui Lin was clearly caught off guard: "Besides, the Commandant is a military officer, how can he appoint a civil affairs clerk?"

"This matter is military affairs, and I have the final say in military affairs. If I recommend a capable person for the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister will not only be grateful to me, but may even recommend you as a candidate for the civil service examination. So, tell me if it's acceptable or not."

Liu Bei was patient with Cui Lin.

Cui Lin shook his head and said, "This position should be given to my cousin."

"Your cousin has been assigned to another post..."

Liu Bei turned to Cui Yan and said, "Cui Jigui, I appoint you as the Eastern Sima of Ganling, to lead the soldiers of your clan, and to assist the Registrar of Households in resettling displaced people. Are you willing?"

Cui Yan then realized what was happening and gritted his teeth: "What should I do?"

“I’ve already said it, settle those refugees on other lands in Dongwu City… You know what to do, right?”

Liu Bei smiled at Cui Yan and said, "If you are still timid, then I will not force you..."

Cui Lin tugged at Cui Yan's sleeve and looked at Liu Bei, saying, "My brother has already agreed and has not hesitated!"

Cui Yan then bowed and said, "I, Cui... am obeying your orders."

“Very well, then I will not enter the city. I will stay outside the city and let you two brothers achieve your goals.”

Liu Bei laughed loudly, turned around and left the city, where he set up camp outside the city.

……

A few days later, some tragedies occurred in Dongwu City.

When the powerful clans in Dongwu City heard that the Cui family wanted to seize their remaining land, they were outraged and gathered their own troops to fight against Liu Bei and Cui Yan.

At this moment, they were quite courageous, each looking like a pioneer breaking through enemy lines.

In the eyes of these families, Liu Bei and the Cui family had indeed gone too far.

First, Liu Bei sold their land on the north bank of the Qinghe River to the Cui family of Qinghe. This can be seen as them abandoning their land and fleeing. It is understandable that Liu Bei, who had just arrived, would sell off uninhabited land.

But right now, Liu Bei wants the Cui family to settle the Yellow Turbans, but he also wants to use their only remaining land in the south of the city. Isn't this forcing them to rebel?
The Cui family owns countless fields in the north of the city. Why not use the Cui family's land?

In the eyes of these families, this was not actually done by Liu Bei... it was done by the Cui family!
—Because in their view, Liu Bei did not benefit.

The Cui family provided grain, but it was distributed to the Yellow Turbans, and Liu Bei actually received nothing.

The one who truly benefited from acquiring the land was the Cui family…

As a result, various powerful clans raised troops in the city, took several elders of the Cui family hostage, and tried to force the Cui family to back down.

But the elders of the Cui family don't really have the final say...

In truth, the Cui family also had their own unspoken grievances. They knew that Liu Bei was using the Yellow Turban Rebellion as leverage, and if they did not comply, Liu Bei would surely have the Yellow Turbans wipe out their entire family.

Both Cui families lost their reputation in the literati. They did gain land, but at the same time, they gained the infamy that all the families who depended on them had their land seized by force!

This kind of infamy can never be washed away, no matter how long it lasts...

It's impossible to wash it at all—to put it another way, even Emperor Gaozu of Han wouldn't dare to do such a thing.

During the Qin and Han dynasties, only the First Emperor and Wang Mang did this. Just look at their reputation and the consequences...

The Cui family of Anping can rely on their official positions and wealth to maintain their status. Cui Lie is already the Minister of Justice. As long as they can ensure that someone in the clan continues to hold a high-ranking position, they can withstand the infamy.

But the Cui family of Ganling was different.

For a family that had passed down its tradition of being renowned scholars of classical studies, losing its reputation as a scholar meant losing everything. If it didn't want to be besieged and wiped out, its only option was to submit to Liu Bei and rely on his army and the Yellow Turbans whom he could command...

Although Cui Lin was young, he was decisive. He persuaded Cui Yan to lead the clan soldiers to kill the families that were holding the clan elders hostage.

Subsequently, the Cui family's soldiers clashed with the private armies of various powerful clans within the city, resulting in heavy casualties.

Half of the powerful clans were eliminated by Cui Yan and Cui Lin under the pretext of revenge, while the other half fled to various places—Liu Bei did not participate in the operation, nor was he even in the city, so the Cui family was indeed unable to stop their escape…

But those powerful clans also killed several elders of the Cui clan before they died...

As a result, Cui Yan and Cui Lin gained real prestige within the clan.

Although infighting between the two sides is something to be happy about, Liu Bei still became somewhat wary of Cui Lin—was this kid doing it on purpose, or was it intentional?

Regardless, Liu Bei's attempt to "control a name with a name" can be considered a success.

Prestigious family?

It's easy for a celebrity to gain fame, but it's also easy for them to gain infamy. The more popular a celebrity is, the faster their bad reputation spreads...

(End of this chapter)