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

Chapter 22: Seven Centurions Slain in Battle?
The Yang Fangzheng that Zou Jing mentioned is named Yang Qiu, and he is the current Commandant of the Capital Region.

The Commandant of the Capital Region, also known as the Crouching Tiger, was primarily responsible for supervising officials and investigating illegal activities; he was essentially the head of the military police force.

The matter that Zou Jing encountered should indeed be reported to Yang Qiu for investigation.

If the mastermind behind this isn't found out, even if Zhang Sheng is gone, there will still be Li Sheng and Wang Sheng.

The problem is that Zou Jing had sent so many letters before, but without exception, all the messengers had disappeared... Even Zou Jing himself was intercepted and killed when he tried to return to Luoyang.

Clearly, this is a critical task, especially in Luoyang, where the report might not even reach the imperial court.

But since Liu Bei had already rescued the person, the risk of whether or not to send a message was already there.

"Can Fang Zhenggong be trusted?"

Liu Bei didn't recognize Yang Qiu, so he needed to confirm it first.

"It is believable. I have a long-standing relationship with Fang Zheng Gong. Although he is strict in his administration, he is a man whose character is reflected in his name."

Zou Jing confirmed that the man was trustworthy: "I had heard that he had been promoted to Commandant of the Capital Region, which is why I planned to return to Luoyang."

Liu Bei nodded, then smiled wryly, "I will do my best in this matter. But since Lord Yang is so strict... and I am of low rank and have a criminal record, I'm afraid it will be difficult to meet Lord Yang in person. And if I cannot personally deliver this matter, I suspect I will mysteriously disappear..."

Indeed, most of the people who delivered the message before were probably killed in Luoyang, so the report could only be delivered personally and not by anyone else.

However, Liu Bei had been imprisoned in Luoyang. Although he had been released after serving his sentence due to a general amnesty, he still had a criminal record.

Since Yang Qiu was a strict person, it was indeed not easy for Liu Bei, a minor official convicted of a crime, to meet him.

“This is easy to discuss. Although I am not a county official, I am responsible for defending against the Wuhuan and Xianbei. Xuande formed the Cavalry to fight the Xianbei, so it is my turn to take credit for Xuande.”

Zou Jing thought for a moment and asked, "Did Xuande achieve any victories in the battle against the Xianbei cavalry?"

"There are some, but only seven heads, and they were not personally beheaded by Bei."

Liu Bei gave a wry smile: "This insignificant achievement is probably not enough to express my gratitude."

"Having taken heads is already a great achievement! Xuande, as a banished Rong commander leading the elite troops, directly defeated the elite forces of the Xianbei leader Tanshihuai, and killed seven centurions in battle... If this is not a great achievement, then what is?"

Zou Jing said, squinting his eyes.

clam?
To defeat Tan Shihuai's main force?

Seven centurions were killed in battle?

Anyone who didn't know better would think it was some kind of massive war...

But when you think about it, it seems like everyone except the centurion was telling the truth?

Liu Bei felt his throat go dry: "Those seven were just the heads of Xianbei cavalrymen. I did see the centurion, though; there was only one centurion in that cavalry unit..."

“You’re quite honest… but who can tell the difference between the head of a centurion and that of an ordinary cavalryman? I’m telling you, he’s a centurion… and that was indeed a cavalryman from Tanshihuai’s main force. It would be normal for him to be a centurion in another Xianbei tribe.”

Zou Jing winked: "I will submit a memorial for your great achievement! As for what official position you will get, it depends on what the court decides. If you spend money to pull some strings, you might be able to get a salary of four hundred shi (a unit of grain).

Four hundred bushels of grain was roughly equivalent to a county lieutenant or county assistant, which was also the most common situation for promotion based on military merit—promotion to assistant clerk based on military merit, and promotion to chief official based on filial piety and integrity.

This is already a mid-level official.

Of course, if he really defeated Tan Shihuai's main force and killed seven centurions in battle, then he should indeed be promoted to this level... and he wouldn't have to pay money to buy his way into the position.

Liu Bei swallowed hard, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Commander!"

Zou Jing returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Thank you, Xuande, for saving my life."

Zou Jing did a very reliable job of praising Liu Bei's achievements. He not only praised Liu Bei's contributions but also mentioned Gongsun Zan, the magistrate of Zhuojun. He even gave the document to Liu Wei, the governor of Zhuojun, and asked Liu Wei to sign it.

This was to be expected, as Liu Bei, as a military officer in the prefecture, was given a chance to prove himself.

The next day, Liu Wei, the governor of Zhuojun, summoned Liu Bei and said that he and Zou Jing would jointly submit a memorial to commend Liu Bei for his achievements.

Of course, Liu Wei did this not to give face to Zou Jing, but to take credit for his superior's achievements—his subordinate, the Jie Rongwei, defeated Tan Shihuai's main force, so wouldn't Liu Wei, the prefect, be credited for his effective leadership and command?
At the same time, Gongsun Zan was also commended for his meritorious service in recommending Liu Bei and for arriving in time as reinforcements, which prevented the Xianbei bandits from retaliating and captured dozens of fine Xianbei horses.

No one was left out, so the previously exaggerated credit was no longer exaggerated.

At the same time, Gongsun Zan also submitted a memorial stating that he had selected twenty white horses from the spoils of war to present to Luoyang for the emperor's sacrifices.

Gongsun Zan was quite adept at seeking improvement.

Liu Bei, who had been demoted to a military post, had rendered great service, and the soldiers who had been exiled were naturally spared punishment.

To ensure his merits, Prefect Liu Wei did not dismiss the exterminated soldiers, but instead promoted them directly into the county army, forming a separate unit and attaching it to the Prefect's headquarters.

The document also included a letter appointing Liu Bei as the temporary Marquis of Qu—Liu Bei had a criminal record, but was "of great courage and strength," so he was ordered to temporarily replace the Marquis of Qu with a skilled criminal. Liu Bei then indeed performed great merit, which clearly demonstrates the prefect's discerning eye for talent...

As the person who made the greatest contribution, Liu Bei should naturally go to Luoyang to receive a reward. If he were to be granted an official position as a result, he would have to undergo an examination by the imperial court, which would be equivalent to an interview.

This could also cover up the fact that Liu Bei sent Shanggu to Zou Jing to report the matter.

Originally, Liu Bei was hoping that Gongsun Zan would use him as cannon fodder, but that's no longer the case, since it was Gongsun Zan who recommended Liu Bei...

The previous rumors and the executioners' crimes were all planned to force Gongsun Zan to use them to suppress bandits and apprehend those who spread rumors when he returned. This was an opportunity Liu Bei prepared for himself to prevent Gongsun Zan from sending him to his death.

But now, with the unexpected turn of events involving Zou Jing, Gongsun Zan hadn't even had a chance to harm Liu Bei, and the executioner had been taken away by Prefect Liu Wei...

Therefore, Gongsun Zan presented the white horse under the pretext of his military achievements—clearly for the purpose of a transfer.

After all, he had already earned a reputation in Zhuo County for "robbing people while he was away" and "having affairs with women" in just a few months. This would make it even more difficult for him to do anything else. He might as well ask to be transferred to the border region to fight.

However, to Liu Bei's surprise, Gongsun Zan actually offered to go to Luoyang with him.

That's true. Gongsun Zan is going to present the horse, and I am going to receive the reward, so we should indeed go together.

Liu Bei felt somewhat uneasy...

But there was no other way; it would be too inappropriate to go alone.

Moreover, Zou Jing privately told Liu Bei that Gongsun Zan's followers were highly skilled in martial arts, and suggested that Liu Bei travel with him to avoid being ambushed on the way.

Therefore, in early April of the second year of Guanghe, Liu Bei had no choice but to set off south with Gongsun Zan.

Liu Bei only brought nine people with him, including Jiu Chi and the team leaders, who were former leaders of a small gang—they were 'escaped' and not on the list of those to be executed.

However, Gongsun Zan was presenting treasures as tribute, so he carried banners and ceremonial guards, with a procession of over a hundred people.

A dozen or so subordinate officials, sixty followers, forty or fifty servants, and several pretty girls...

Don't get me wrong, those girls are musicians, that is, singers, dancers and artists. This is used when presenting a white horse. The white horse represents good fortune, and drums and music are played when it is presented.

Of course, it wouldn't be wrong to say that she was a woman who was abducted.

After all, those musicians were forcibly conscripted—who the hell would willingly walk all the way to Luoyang...?

(End of this chapter)