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

Chapter 72 The Path of a Henchman
Liu Bei nodded and smiled at Guan Yu: "Yun Chang has sharp eyes. Indeed, the way Wang Men looked at me was like looking at a dead man..."

"That……"

Guan Yu narrowed his eyes, concealing his piercing gaze, as if he wanted to say something, but then remained silent.

"It doesn't matter. Whether it's murderous intent or hostility, you have to take action to kill someone."

Liu Bei was in a very good mood and didn't seem worried at all: "Tomorrow I'm going to bluff him. Yun Chang has to keep an eye on the Wang Gate for me."

"Scare him?"

Guan Yu looked at Liu Bei: "My lord, what do you require of me?"

"We must guard against him suddenly attacking and injuring people."

Liu Bei replied, "I'm not entirely confident I can intimidate him; he might draw his sword on the spot. But if you can subdue him, he might cooperate with me..."

……

The next day, Wang Men came to the Shili Pavilion for a banquet. Guan Yu guarded Liu Bei from behind, Zuo Yuan served wine as a subordinate official, and Zhang Fei was in charge of cooking.

Wang Men had originally brought quite a few people, but seeing that Liu Bei was indeed hosting a family banquet and only had a few people with him, he only led two close attendants to the banquet, while the others waited outside the pavilion.

Moreover, Wang Men didn't mind the fact that the banquet was held in the 'stable' at all, and they didn't even show any surprise at Zuo Yuan serving as Liu Bei's advisor as a woman.

Clearly, this is a man who is used to getting things done, doesn't care about pomp and circumstance, and is very confident in his martial arts skills.

"Brother Wang, I have a request to make..."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Liu Bei directly revealed his intentions: "Since I am going to Zhongshan to take up an official post, I will naturally need Zhang's help. Brother Wang has long followed Prime Minister Zhang; surely he can point me in the right direction? I am willing to provide you with some wealth and goods, and ask for your assistance..."

This is actually considered speaking too frankly with someone you don't know well. You have to be thick-skinned to offer bribes so openly when you've just met someone.

However, the fact that Wang Men could discuss horse business with Liu Wei right away clearly shows that he's not exactly shameless either, especially since he was practically coming to Liu Wei's door to promote his wares...

"Zhang Xiang is honest and upright; I, Wang, would never dare to use this connection."

Wang Men shook his head, looked around, and seeing that there were indeed no outsiders, smiled and shook his head: "County Commandant Liu, why don't you ask Prime Minister Zhang directly? I, Wang, cannot make the decision..."

"To be honest, Brother Wang, I learned from Prefect Liu that you are selling your property. Prefect Liu even borrowed money from me. Someone sent me to ask why you are selling your property to Prefect Liu. Prefect Liu is honest and has no money, yet he deliberately sought out me to do business. Could it be that he is trying to avoid trouble?"

With Zhang Chun wanting to sell his horse industry in Yuyang, and Zhongshan blocking traffic and information, Liu Bei could easily deduce that Zhang Chun's business was likely involved in trouble, and a very serious one at that.

Liu Bei was not lying; Liu Wei had indeed borrowed money from him, but not to buy property, but to hire servants.

It was indeed from Prefect Liu that Zuo Yuan learned about the transfer of property...

Wang Men was unaware that all the maids around Liu Wei were Liu Bei's people, and that Wang Men was there to make a sales pitch, so there was no need for him to deliberately avoid people.

But Liu Wei wasn't stupid. He knew that Zhang Chun's transfer of assets must have some hidden dangers; otherwise, Zhang Chun would be crazy to sell the horse market.

Moreover, Liu Wei is indeed broke right now—something Zhang Chun and Wang Men clearly hadn't anticipated…

If Liu Wei had the capital, he might have been tempted to do something, but now the deal was destined to fall through. He couldn't just transfer the business for free, so Liu Wei did put on an act of being "clean and honest with no surplus wealth" to at least gain a good reputation.

Liu Wei wasn't stupid. That seemingly incompetent demeanor was precisely what he needed to do at that moment—only by posing no threat to others could he ensure his own safety. If he were as tyrannical as Gongsun Zan, he would likely have died at the hands of the Taihang bandits...

However, the so-called "someone sent Liu Bei to inquire" was actually Liu Bei himself sending himself...

“County Commandant Liu… There are no outsiders here. Please be more specific. Who sent you to ask this question?”

Wang looked around at the 'stable' and then at the fenced-off 'horse field' outside the gate: 'It seems that County Magistrate Liu is also in the horse trading business... I wonder for whom he manages it?'

In fact, in Wang Men's eyes, the term Liu Bei could mostly be applied to those people in Luoyang.

Liu Bei actually had the same idea – the recruitment order included the name of the recommender Yang Qiu, so Liu Bei naturally wanted to use Yang Qiu as a test.

“Brother, why pretend to be confused? You know who recommended me for this official position…” Liu Bei sighed, “I was just asking on behalf of someone else. If you can tell me, then tell me; if you can’t, then don’t.”

"...Then I, Wang, will not say anything more."

Wang Men's expression changed: "I wonder if County Magistrate Liu has any further advice?"

This reaction seems to be an effect of the Yang sphere.

Is Yang Qiu dealing with Zhang Chun?
No wonder... Zhang Chun probably believes he was planted in Anxi by Yang Qiu...

Liu Bei was reassured. Since it was Yang Qiu's influence, it meant that Zhang Chun's business involved eunuchs, and Yang Qiu had caught him red-handed.

This is normal. Most officials would send gifts to the palace, sometimes not as bribes, but to guard against treacherous people.

Moreover, Liu Bei was aware of Yang Qiu's methods...

If nothing unexpected happens, Zhang Chun is likely bait for Yang Qiu, not the main target.

"...I do have one more piece of advice."

Having figured things out, Liu Bei began to bluff: "Brother, let me be frank, you know that Prime Minister Zhang is in trouble... No matter how this trouble ends, no matter who wins or loses among the nobles, Brother, you know so much, guess... whether you will survive?"

Wang Men's expression changed drastically. He suddenly stood up and placed his hand on the sword at his waist.

Guan Yu snorted coldly, his slightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open, his chilling gaze fixed on Wang Men, and he stepped forward to stand beside Liu Bei, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

With just one step, the aura and oppressive feeling emanating from him spread out as if they were tangible.

Wang Men stood still, half-rising, sweat beading on his forehead.

Liu Bei, holding his wine cup, continued slowly, "Guess who wants you dead the most? Knowing too much, getting involved too much, no matter who gets into trouble, I'm afraid my brother will be the first to go..."

Wang Men glanced at him, but dared not look directly at Guan Yu. He slowly knelt down, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty: "What does County Commandant Liu mean by this...?"

"Why ask a question you already know the answer to? However, as lowly servants like you and me, you should know how to protect ourselves, Brother Wang."

Liu Bei raised his wine cup, downed the wine in one gulp, looked at Wang Men, and smiled again: "I have said what I wanted to say... Now, Brother Wang, would you be willing to accept my financial assistance and help me put in a good word with Zhang Xiang? Or... perhaps with Lord Yuan?"

Wang Men slowly reached out and picked up the wine cup on the table, then turned to look at Liu Bei: "Liu Bei, you know quite a lot..."

"Yes, I know someone wants my life, which is why I asked Brother Wang for help... I just wonder if Brother Wang would also like to help me out, so that I can also put in a good way for you?"

Liu Bei nodded and sighed, "This... is the way for us common soldiers to protect ourselves. What do you think, Brother Wang?"

Wang Men lowered his head and pondered for a while, then said to Liu Bei, "What are your plans, County Commandant Liu?"

"Thank you for your help, Brother Wang."

Liu Bei rose, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "I am going to Anxi to take up my post. I only hope that you, my brother, will ensure my safe arrival and help me report back to the court... Once I arrive in Anxi, I will ask for leave in public to return home, and I will certainly not cause you any trouble..."

"If Brother Wang wants to get out of your predicament, he should transfer Zhang Xiang's property to Protector General Zou, and have General Zou petition the court to reopen the trade."

"This matter will become a gift from Prime Minister Zhang to the Emperor, and no one in the court dares to stop it. This disaster will turn into a merit."

"In this way, both Prime Minister Zhang and Brother Wang will be free of trouble, and Brother Wang will naturally be safe and sound... What does Brother Wang think?"

Liu Bei never mentioned the Yuan family once, yet he mentioned them in every sentence.

With the Yuan family's backing, the Wang family could be either Zhang Chun presenting wealth to the emperor, or the Yuan family presenting wealth to the emperor; it all depends on how the Wang family chooses to handle the matter...

But no matter who gave the gift, the Wang family would remain safe and sound, because as long as the matter was handed over to the Protector of the Wuhuan and reported to the court, it would not be a disaster.

If no one is guilty, then everyone is safe.

(End of this chapter)