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

Chapter 83 Returning a Favor
Luoyang, Xiyuan.

Emperor Liu Hong sat reclining by the hot spring lake, looking at the report he had just received.

After looking at it for a while, he threw down the bamboo slips and lay down on the ground.

He immediately sat up again, picked up the bamboo slips, and looked at them for a while.

Then he threw it away again and lay down.

"Grandpa, the man I sent to Youzhou has been assassinated... What should I do?"

Liu Hong lay by the lake and asked Zhang Rang, his voice faint and as if floating.

"Your Majesty, this matter should be thoroughly investigated... but it requires careful consideration..."

Zhang Rang hesitated somewhat when answering.

"Long-term plan?"

Liu Hong rolled over: "Mother Zhao, what do you think we should do?"

"Since it was Meng Dai who sent the assassin, Meng Dai should be captured and killed. Gongsun Du, the governor of Ji Province, was negligent in his duties and should also be dismissed and investigated. Liu Wei is loyal and brave and should be promoted and transferred... Liu Yu was wounded for the country and should be given the title of Tiger Warrior to protect him as a sign of condolence."

Zhao Zhong answered smoothly, but he didn't mention a single person from the Yuan family, not even Liu Kuan.

The emperor did not receive any reports from members of the Yuan family.

"That's not what I asked!"

Liu Hong sat up irritably: "I want to know... what should we do about the border trade?"

"Your Majesty... these are just merchants vying for horses. Let them fight over them if they want. Your Majesty only needs to order the tribute collection. No matter how many horses they acquire, they will eventually have to hand them over..."

Zhang Rang said softly, "Let them fight it out... As long as the Wuhuan people can return to the Han Dynasty, and as long as His Majesty can build up a cavalry, that will be fine... If no one is fighting for it, that would be dangerous."

"Yes, they're just corrupt officials who don't care about military power but only about making money. In the end, the money they make will be handed over to His Majesty anyway, which is safer than the military leaders on the border. As for those so-called suicide soldiers, they're just rioters. There will always be thieves causing trouble in this world. Killing Meng Dai will solve everything."

Zhao Zhong nodded and added a sentence.

"Liu Yu is injured, so we should offer him some comfort... Let's kill Meng Dai and give his head to Liu Yu."

Liu Hong shook his head and stretched: "I thought Liu Bo'an could govern Youzhou, but I didn't expect him to be unable to even deal with the rioters... He only causes trouble for people."

"Your Majesty, Liu Bo'an reported this assassination attempt, presumably to seek an imperial insignia... Your Majesty should grant him the authority to act on behalf of the emperor, so that he will not hesitate to act against any rebellious people."

Zhang Rang bowed and said.

"Zou Jing was granted holiday leave before the New Year..."

Liu Hong frowned.

"It's not safe to let only the leading general hold the imperial insignia..."

Zhao Zhong offered an explanation for Zhang Rang.

"Hmm...Draft an edict granting Liu Bo'an the authority to act as an imperial envoy, to inspect Youzhou and pacify the Xianbei; dismiss Gongsun Du from his post..."

Liu Hong began to consider personnel arrangements, appearing like a wise ruler: "Improve Liu Wei to be the governor of Guangyang. Liu Wei was able to resettle refugees last year, so let him cultivate land in Guangyang. Zhuojun... who should go to Zhuojun?"

"Whom does Your Majesty desire? Someone skilled in warfare?"

Zhang Rang asked very considerately.

"No... I want someone like Liu Wei, a mediocre and stable person. I just need them to collect taxes and donations in peace... I can't let someone skilled in military affairs govern a region."

After thinking for a moment, Liu Hong stood up and said, "Go and select someone who doesn't concern himself with military affairs, and halve the palace maintenance fee."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong exchanged a glance and praised each other in unison.

……

A few days later, an envoy arrived in Zhuo County by fast horse and handed Meng Dai's head to Liu Yu, saying that the "troublesome people" had been eliminated.

At the same time, the minister informed the court of personnel changes.

Liu Kuan, the Minister of the Imperial Clan, was reappointed as Grand Commandant.

Liu Yu was granted the authority to inspect Youzhou and was tasked with pacifying the Xianbei people and engaging in diplomacy.

The term "假节" (jiǎ jié) refers to temporarily holding a military token for a specific official duty. Holding the token represents the authority granted by the emperor, which allows the execution of any commoner or low-ranking official without official rank. It can also be considered a talisman given by the emperor for protection.

Liu Wei was transferred to Guangyang as prefect, and then went to Ji County to take up his post.

Guangyang is the capital of Youzhou. The military affairs of Ji County are now under the supervision of Zou Jing. This can be seen as protecting Liu Wei so that he can do his job well.

In fact, Liu Yu did not want to deal with the Xianbei people, and he never expected that the emperor would suddenly grant him the authority to act on behalf of the emperor.

However, since the emperor granted him special privileges, he was bound to receive some compensation. The fact that Liu Yu was not required to pay for his official position was precisely because the emperor hoped that Liu Yu could bring the Xianbei under his control.

However, apart from Meng Dai's head, the emperor did nothing to punish the Yuan family; only a few officials in Ji Province were dismissed. This seemed more like an attempt to free up official positions for others.

“Xuande, there are people in the palace protecting the Yuan family. My report may have been altered.”

Liu Yu handed Liu Bei the lime box containing Meng Dai's head: "You've seen the contents of my memorial, but in the palace..."

Yes, Liu Bei knew that Liu Yu's report was accurate.

But the emperor probably had no idea that this matter was related to the Yuan family.

This is why the Yuan family dared to use suicide soldiers.

The Yuan family's abandonment of Yang Qiu and others put the palace eunuchs at ease, and they were probably reciprocating the favor.

Using Meng Dai's head, the incident was characterized as "a riot caused by rebellious people."

Liu Bei was naturally dissatisfied, but the assassin he had assigned to the assassins had indeed been given, and the pretext for revenge had been extinguished by Meng Dai's head.

This anger lingered in Liu Bei's chest, and he refused to accept the box containing the severed head.

“Xuande, I, Liu Bo’an, am not a virtuous man, and I have done things to gain fame and prestige, but I am not a man of no integrity. I said I would give you an explanation, and I will give you an explanation…”

Liu Yu knew that Liu Bei was dissatisfied, and he was now destined to stand on the same boat as Liu Bei. His words were extremely sincere: "But if we want to uproot those powerful and influential people, we cannot act rashly. You can command respect in Zhuo County, but it is not the same outside of Zhuo County. All the people under your command have families and sects to rely on... Xuande, I am not advising you to back down, but I am advising you to wait for the right time, preserve yourself first, and then look for a good opportunity."

These are indeed kind words.

In Zhuo County, under the rules, Liu Bei could have done whatever he wanted, and no one would have reported him for recruiting private soldiers; everyone in the county would have given him face.

However, if one leads a private army out of the territory of Zhuojun, that would be treason.

The Han Dynasty still exists, and the brothers all have parents and relatives. Even Yue Yin Liu Yuanqi and others will be implicated...

After a long silence, Liu Bei finally accepted Meng Dai's head and acknowledged him as the murderer.

……

Liu Yu and others went to Ji County, and then together with Liu Wei, recommended Liu Bei for an official position, intending to compensate Liu Bei.

This is their stated attitude: they must now unite as one party to face the enemy together.

This time, the place recommended by Liu Yu is very suitable for Liu Bei—the magistrate of Jundu County.

Jundu County is a small county under the jurisdiction of Guangyang. The county magistrate is not a high-ranking official, but he is still the top leader. Moreover, the place is located 20 miles south of Juyong Pass, which is a military stronghold.

For Liu Bei, this was a good place to gain both military merit and commercial benefits.

but……

Liu Bei, however, could not take up this official post.

He wanted to observe mourning for his mother.

During this time, Liu Bei's mother's breathing grew weaker and weaker.

Liu Bei mobilized all his connections in the county to find a good doctor, but the most reliable doctor was still the one who had treated Liu's mother's injuries before.

Those were physicians from the Way of Peace; their skills were indeed superior to those of ordinary people.

But in this day and age, there's really nothing that can be done when internal organs are damaged and blood is lost excessively.

Liu's mother woke up a few times, but never for long. Zuo Yuan and Liu Bei stayed by her side, managing to feed her soup and medicine when she was awake, keeping her alive.

Half a month later, Liu's mother's life force was exhausted.

Before leaving, in a moment of lucidity, Liu's mother left a few words for Liu Bei.

"My son is now capable of establishing himself, and I am content... I only hope that he will settle down and have children soon before embarking on his courageous endeavors. Ah Yuan is intelligent; do not let him go astray..."

"Your father's fate was unfortunate, your mother's fate was bitter... all because of a lack of virtue. Master Le is virtuous, my son should emulate him..."

"Your son has done good deeds in Xihe, but he has also been a villain in the county. Your mother knows all this... Your mother's injury was an accident, not due to any grudge. Your son, do not seek revenge for your mother. You are only going to see your father..."

After saying this, the mother closed her eyes.

Tears welled in Liu Bei's eyes as he kowtowed in farewell, his heart heavy with unresolved grievances.

Yes, it was indeed an accident, not a premeditated murder or revenge.

But how could it not be enmity?
Liu's mother was buried in the tomb of Liu Bei's father.

Following his mother's wishes, Liu Bei did not use Meng Dai's head as a sacrifice, but instead made a vow on the spot to perform virtuous deeds.

"I will observe three years of mourning for my mother, repair bridges and pave roads, and do good deeds to accumulate merit... Anyone who has no food or clothing will find warmth and sustenance at my place. Anyone who has no means of support will be recommended for a position at my place. Please spread this message throughout the prefecture that Liu Bei has built a hut and established a military farm in Xinting, Xihe."

To honor one's mother's last words and cultivate virtue to comfort the spirits of one's parents is the proper way to show filial piety.

However, if we want to emulate the virtue of Yue Yin, then this great Han Dynasty must be leveled and rebuilt... otherwise, it will be a place of no virtue and evil everywhere!
(End of this chapter)