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

"Yanming's family is all with General Han. He wouldn't abandon his family, would he..."

Pang De advised, "Young General, we must not lose our composure."

"If Yan Xing can receive the emperor's edict, then Han Wenyue will naturally receive it as well... What should we do if Han Wenyue and Yan Yanming defect?"

Ma Chao shook his head: "Han Wenyue has raised troops several times before, and each time he has done unjust things. With Bian Zhang, Yan Zhong, Wang Guo and others setting examples, we must be wary..."

It's no wonder Ma Chao suspected Han Sui and Yan Xing. If you think about it carefully, Han Sui had indeed been trying to gain the power of his allies all along.

When Beigong Boyu and Li Wenhou rebelled, Han Yue and Bian Zhang were essentially coerced into joining them. At the time, their slogan was "to exterminate the eunuchs."

When Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo quelled the rebellion in Liangzhou, Han Sui "abandoned darkness and embraced light," eliminating Beigong Boyu and having Li Jue kill Bian Zhang.

After Li Jue killed Bian Zhang, he formed a blood feud with Bian Zhang's troops, and Han Sui took the opportunity to incorporate Bian Zhang's followers into his own army.

Li Jue realized he had been tricked and led his army to plunder Yu County. Han Sui then stepped in to play the good guy, expelling Li Jue and using this to control Yu County—that's how Li Jue and Han Sui became enemies.

Afterwards, Di Bi instigated another rebellion by the Qiang and Di tribes in Liangzhou. Han Sui then elected Wang Guo as their leader, and they once again became rebels, this time under the banner of "pleading for the people."

Huangfu Song and Dong Zhuo led a large army to attack and defeat the kingdom. Han Sui once again "abandoned darkness and turned to light," taking the kingdom's head and declaring his allegiance to the court.

However, after the imperial army withdrew, Han Sui incorporated the remaining forces of the kingdom, controlled the northern part of Hanyang, and coerced Yan Zhong to become the leader, continuing to command the various tribes as a warlord in Liangzhou.

Yan Zhong was unwilling to be controlled by Han Sui, so Han Sui secretly ordered Ma Teng to lead the Qiang and Di tribes to attack Yan Zhong. Taking advantage of Yan Xing's filial piety, Han Sui used Yan Zhong's orders to forcibly recruit Yan Xing as his son-in-law.

Only after Yan Xing married Han Sui's daughter did Han Sui allow Yan Zhong to leave.

Soon after, Yan Zhong died of illness. Because Yan Xing was Han Sui's son-in-law, everyone regarded the Yan family as Han Sui's faction, and the Qiang and Di tribes also "invaded" the Yan family's territory. In order to protect himself, Yan Xing had no choice but to join Han Sui's forces, and Han Sui used this to take control of Jincheng County in one fell swoop.

In each of the several rebellions in Liangzhou, only Han Sui ultimately benefited.

Regardless of the banner he raised, Han Sui was actually always scheming to seize the assets of his allies.

Although Han Sui's actions seemed reasonable, if we only look at the result and ignore the process, whoever partnered with Han Sui would die, and all their inheritance would fall into Han Sui's hands after their death.

This time, Han Sui and Ma Teng raised troops together, under the banner of "purging the emperor's inner circle".

Although Ma Teng and Han Sui had a long-standing friendship, Bian Zhang, Wang Guo, Yan Zhong, and others also had close relationships with Han Sui.

"What are the young general's plans?"

Pound asked.

"...Let Yan Xing kill the emperor's envoy and force him to attack Chang'an."

Ma Chao said, "If he refuses, I will have no choice but to kill him to deter others."

"To kill the emperor's envoy is no small matter... If we commit such a heinous act, it will be a national vendetta, and we will have no way out!"

Pound shook his head: "That can't be done!"

“It’s not like it’s you or me who will kill him, and there’s no need to actually kill him… As long as Yan Xing has the intention, that’s enough. If he makes a move, we will save Xu Shu. In this way, we can both thwart Yan Xing’s disloyalty and forge a good relationship with him.”

Ma Chao explained.

Pang De nodded: "That would be feasible, but I fear General Han might harbor resentment as a result. We should inform our lord first."

Ma Chao shook his head and sighed: "The angel is in the camp. Yan Xing's outing to find food won't take too long. How can we inform Father now?"

……

It was indeed too late, because Yan Xing returned that very night.

Back in Xiaohuaili, Yan Xing ordered his troops to set up camp and cook, only to be told that there was no firewood or food in the camp, as all the food and firewood had been taken to the main camp.

Yan Xing asked and learned that Ma Chao had come today and had ordered Pang De to gather the grain, providing only one meal a day and not lighting any fires in the morning or evening.

Yan Xing's troops went out to find food. Although they had eaten dry rations while out, they had not received any hot food. They had been traveling for a long time and were cold and hungry. However, when they returned to the camp, they did not even have a bowl of hot soup. Most of them were dissatisfied.

Hearing that an imperial envoy had come to this place, seemingly to wait for him, Yan Xing went to the main camp to inquire.

Upon arriving at the camp, they saw Pound waiting at the entrance. The main camp had many braziers lit, indicating that there was no shortage of firewood.

By the light of the brazier, one could see that Ma Chao's banner was also inside the camp.

Yan Xing bowed to Pang De and asked, "Lingming, why won't you let my troops fetch grain to cook?"

"Yanming went out to find food, but did he fail to find any?"

Pound countered with a question.

Yan Xing shook his head: "There is no one living around, so there is nowhere to find food. We returned empty-handed. Now the troops are starving, and their dry rations are all gone. If we don't give them a hot meal, there is a risk of unrest."

"Right now, food distribution must be controlled. If only your unit gets dinner while the other units don't, they will feel resentful... Just bear with it for now."

Pang De explained, then asked, "The Emperor's envoy is currently in the camp, saying that His Majesty has issued an edict to grant you an official position... I wonder what Yanming's plans are?"

"The Emperor has issued an edict? To appoint me to an official position?"

Yan Xing looked completely bewildered: "Is that so?"

"What? Yanming knew nothing about it?"

Pound was somewhat skeptical.

Logically speaking, if Chang'an had no prior contact with Yan Xing, it would indeed be unlikely that an imperial edict would be issued directly to appoint him to an official position.

But Yan Xing was completely unaware of this, because Liu Bei and Jia Xu had indeed never contacted Yan Xing directly.

“I truly do not know… Does Lingming suspect that I harbor disloyal intentions?”

Yan Xing was somewhat displeased with Pang De's attitude.

It's understandable that dinner wasn't provided. Although he felt uncomfortable, Yan Xing was also a commander, and he could understand Pang De's situation.

Whether they were troops stationed in the camp or on missions, they all had military duties. Pound's troops stationed here also had to patrol, cut timber, build, and transport supplies. They had a lot of work to do, which was no easier than going out to find food.

Pang De was the main vanguard general. Since the plan was to distribute rations in limited quantities, one meal a day, the entire army had to follow it.

It's understandable that Yan Xing's troops felt resentful for not getting a hot meal. However, if Yan Xing's troops were given extra dinners, Pang De's troops would feel resentful, and the one-meal-a-day ration order would become impossible to enforce.

This matter falls under military affairs and is indeed under Pang De's jurisdiction, so Yan Xing can tolerate it.

However, although Pang De was the main vanguard general, he was not qualified to manage Han Sui's people on matters outside of military matters.

When the imperial envoy came to find Yan Xing, Pang De really had no say in the matter.

"If you have no ulterior motives, Brother Yan, are you willing to swear an oath by beheading the envoy and lead the army to defeat the enemy?"

Ma Chao appeared behind Yan Xing with a group of Di soldiers.

Yan Xing turned his head, his face showing anger: "What does Meng Qi mean by this?"

Yan Xing's troops had already returned to camp. He only brought a dozen or so personal guards with him to Pang De's camp, and they were now surrounded.

Pang De had no say in matters outside of military affairs, and Ma Chao had even less say in them.

Pang De was at least a commander-in-chief of the vanguard jointly appointed by Han Sui and Ma Teng, but Ma Chao had no military rank and had no power to restrain Yan Xing.

As far as Yan Xing was concerned, Ma Chao held no official position and was merely Ma Teng's son.

"...Brother Yan, the envoy sent by Liu Bei is inside the main tent. Are you willing to kill the envoy, swear an oath, and lead the army into battle?"

Ma Chao waved his hand, and the Di soldiers, all holding spears, approached Yan Xing, asking the same question again. Yan Xing, seeing this, became even more displeased, and beckoned his personal guards to gather around him, also pointing their spears at Ma Chao.

Although outnumbered, Yan Xing was not intimidated at all: "Ma Chao, I have not yet met any envoy! Is this your way of pressuring me, General Ma?!"

"Then let's go see him now..."

Ma Chao's Di soldiers retreated, parting to create a path leading to the main tent, and gestured for Yan Xing to enter.

Seeing the fierce glint in Ma Chao's eyes and Pang De's indifferent observation, Yan Xing snorted and ordered his personal guards to blow the wooden whistle.

This is a sentry post, used to summon troops when encountering enemy activity at night.

The whistle blew sharply, and all the troops moved at the sound. Whether it was Pang De or Yan Xing's troops, they all poured out of their tents and rushed towards the main camp.

Clearly, Yan Xing was unwilling to be forced.

Ma Chao's face was grim. He wasn't very familiar with Yan Xing, only knowing that Yan Xing had been forced by Han Sui to marry Han Sui's daughter, but he didn't expect Yan Xing to be so tough.

Although Han Sui also pressured the Yan family, he did so through Yan Xing's filial piety, not by force...

Xu Shu, who was inside the camp, also heard the whistle and got up to leave the tent.

Pang De's personal guards, who remained in the tent to keep watch, attempted to stop Xu Shu.

But Chen Dao drew his sword: "Do you know the consequences of obstructing the Han envoy? And have you not heard the sirens?"

Of course, one cannot stay in the tent if there are sentries around, but it is also good that there are sentries around so that one will not be accused of obstructing the Han envoy.

Pang De's personal guards hesitated for a moment, then lifted the tent flap and came out with Xu Shu.

"But Yan Yanming is back?"

Xu Shu arrived at the camp gate and saw the tense atmosphere. He turned to Ma Chao and asked, "Ma Mengqi, what's going on? Do you not want Yanming to see me, or are you planning to force Yanming to his death?"

The situation in front of the camp was extremely clear: Yan Xing was surrounded by Ma Chao's men, while many soldiers were rushing towards the camp gate. Yan Xing's personal guards were blowing whistles. Xu Shu could tell what was going on at a glance.

Ma Chao was surprised that Yan Xing would blow his whistle even when surrounded, and he also didn't expect Xu Shu to be so bold as to come out and watch the fun at this time. He was a little embarrassed.

Although he still stared intently at Yan Xing, he didn't know what to say.

Ma Chao originally intended to force Yan Xing to "kill the emperor's envoy to prove his loyalty," while he himself intended to "save the emperor's envoy"... He couldn't very well let Yan Xing kill Xu Shu in front of Xu Shu, could he?
If that's the case, how can he "save" Xu Shu...?

"Commander Yan Yanming, His Majesty has issued an edict..."

Xu Shu raised his staff, signaling Chen Dao to unfurl the envoy's flag: "Come quickly to receive the imperial edict!"

They were about to issue the edict in public, completely ignoring the chaos in front of the camp gate.

Yan Xing was surrounded by Di soldiers, but Chen Dao stepped forward and directly separated them.

The Di soldiers were unsure whether to stop him or not. Seeing that Ma Chao remained silent, they had no choice but to let Xu Shu go.

This actually helped Yan Xing out of his predicament.

Ma Chao's face twitched a few times involuntarily.

Yan Xing glared at Ma Chao, and seeing that Xu Shu seemed to be trying to help him out, he planted his spear in the ground, bowed to Xu Shu, and said, "Your subject Yan Xing is here."

"The imperial edict reads: 'The Western Rong are currently restless, and tigers and wolves are not at peace. It is said that Yan Xingxin, the Commandant of Wuji, is renowned in the Western Lands and has been able to subdue the Qiang and Di tribes. His power and might are evident. Therefore, I have entrusted you with governing Fufeng and guarding a thousand miles. I hope that you will clearly proclaim the imperial mandate, cherish those near and far, strictly enforce rewards and punishments, and not fail the trust of the people.'"

Xu Shu was very quick-witted and issued the edict at an extremely fast pace. He then stepped forward and stuffed the edict into Yan Xing's hand.

Xu Shu moved with lightning speed, and Yan Xing almost instinctively took the imperial edict...

This edict was not a regular appointment for the Right Fufeng, but rather a decree authorizing self-governance with specific tasks.

Such appointments were usually made when suppressing rebellions. For example, appointing Lu Zhi as the governor of Jiujiang to quell a rebellion and appointing Sun Jian as the governor of Changsha to quell a rebellion were both done using this type of appointment.

In order to accomplish the task of suppressing the rebellion, Fufeng can be given autonomy—this is not about recruiting people with official positions, but about granting them authority.

Yan Xing only realized after receiving the imperial edict that if he accepted this authorization, Han Sui and Ma Teng would both kill him.

The rebellion that needed to be quelled was led by Han Sui and Ma Teng...

"Congratulations to Lord Yan... I have finished my official duties and will now take my leave."

Xu Shu immediately addressed him as "Lord," cupped his hands in greeting, and prepared to leave.

"Please wait, Your Majesty... I am young and inexperienced, and lack the ability to accept this decree..."

Yan Xing wanted to return the imperial edict.

Xu Shu smiled and said, "If Lord Yan does not accept the imperial edict, then he should come with me to Chang'an to plead his case to His Majesty."

Indeed, an imperial edict is not the same as a summons issued by the government. One can refuse a summons, but if one does not accept an imperial edict, one must go and meet the emperor in person.

Yan Xing glanced at Ma Chao's troops, who were still surrounding him, and hesitated.

Xu Shu turned to Ma Chao: "Ma Mengqi, please make way... You wouldn't be thinking of keeping me here, would you?"

Ma Chao's face was grim, but after thinking for a moment, he forced a smile and waved for the soldiers to make way: "How dare I do this? I, Ma, will see the angel off..."

"Your tribe are all Qiang and Di people, and cannot enter the territory of Xiling. How will you escort me?"

Xu Shu turned around and walked out towards the Di soldiers beside Yan Xing: "Lord Yan, since you intend to return the imperial edict, then send me back to Chang'an so that I can take you to meet His Majesty."

Yan Xing knew that Xu Shu was trying to get him out of trouble, so he turned around and walked out with Xu Shu, facing the Di soldiers' spears.

The Di soldiers, having received no orders from Ma Chao, saw groups of soldiers rushing towards them from outside the camp. They were unsure whether to stop Xu Shu and Yan Xing, as it seemed as if the groups of soldiers automatically dispersed wherever Xu Shu went.

Ma Chao frowned as he stared at the backs of Yan Xing and Xu Shu, but ultimately did not dare to give the order to make a move.

……

"Minister Xu, to force Yan like this is hardly the act of a hero..."

After leaving the main camp, Yan Xing gathered his troops and headed east with Xu Shu.

Yan Xing knew this was a divisive tactic and that he would inevitably be suspected by many, but that's how divisive tactics are; even if he knew it, there was nothing he could do.

Because you can't change other people's minds.

When Xu Shu suddenly arrived with an imperial edict, Ma Chao and Pang De naturally did not believe that Yan Xing and Liu Bei had not colluded, and it was normal for them to suspect Yan Xing.

Ma Chao forced Yan Xing to kill the envoy, and Yan Xing naturally dared not stay at the Xiaohuaili camp any longer, lest he be harmed by Ma Chao.

Furthermore, since Ma Chao did not personally kill Xu Shu, Yan Xing naturally understood that Ma Chao wanted to cut off his escape route and completely turn him into a wicked traitor—and then what?

Then, who knows, Ma Chao might transform into a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, punish the traitors, and incorporate Yan Xing's troops...

Yan Xing felt that everyone was trying to harm him... Although Xu Shu's help in getting him out of trouble was a sign of goodwill, Xu Shu was actually scheming against him as well—if he left Pang De and Ma Chao's camp, Yan Xing would be even more unable to explain himself, and no one would trust him anymore.

Who knows what other entanglements Yan Xing might have along the way while escorting Xu Shu?
"Yanming, do you have any other way out now?"

Xu Shu laughed and said, "Did you ever feel at ease under Han Wenyue's rule? Instead of living in constant fear, why not serve the court? Your uncle has a past relationship with the Duke of Wenhe, and this imperial edict you hold is not just a nominal position..."

"Besides, Ma Chao and Pang De's army has no food. How can they possibly break through Chang'an with an army that has no food?"

"Your troops also have no food to eat. If you don't surrender to the imperial court, are you just going to let your troops scatter due to hunger?" (End of this chapter)