The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 34: Retreating as a Form of Advance - Liu Bei Wants to Return to Zhuojun to Teach

Liu Bei indeed did not bring Guan Yu and Zhang Fei with him. He only had two guards.

But these two were no ordinary soldiers: one was named Chen Dao, and the other was named Huang Zhong; both were fierce and valiant warriors.

Huang Zhong, in particular, was known as a warrior who could rival Lü Bu in his prime and was ranked alongside Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao as one of the Five Tiger Generals in both historical records and fictional accounts.
Huang Zhong glanced at Che Zhou with disdain.

Like a tiger descending a mountain, he took two steps at a time and rushed to within inches of the chariot in an instant.

The sudden turn of events caught Che Zhou off guard.

Just as Che Zhou was about to draw his short sword to defend himself, Huang Zhong grabbed his collar.

Then, with a swift and decisive stroke, he stabbed Che Zhou to death.

"Che Zhou is dead!"

Huang Zhong, with his fierce brows and cold eyes, swept across the entire scene with his imposing presence.

Poor Che Zhou, he served as the governor of Xuzhou for more than half a year in frustration, accomplishing nothing.

He tried to emulate Xiang Yu by setting up a Hongmen Banquet for Liu Bei, but ended up dying and becoming the first sacrifice for Liu Bei when he raised the banner of rebellion against Cao Cao.

In this era of numerous heroes vying for power, those lacking talent and strategy could not attain high positions. For example, a great general who was both on the left and right of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao was still beheaded by eunuchs.

Che Zhou's talents were insufficient to control local warlords like Zang Ba, Chang Xi, and Chen Deng, nor could they restrain Liu Bei, a powerful figure who was passing through the region. The best way for him to save his life was to resign and return to Xuchang to serve as a minor, idle official.

However, Che Zhou coveted the high position of governor and fantasized about competing with the local tyrants and powerful figures passing through the region.

Although his death was pitiful, it was also his own fault.

Liu Bei had just given Che Zhou a chance!
However, Che Zhou believed that the situation was settled and, using the excuse that "my clansmen and brothers are all in Xuchang, so I have no choice," insisted on sharing life and death with Liu Bei.

Friends and subordinates risked their lives to follow Liu Bei, so Liu Bei naturally wouldn't be merciful; heroes who have survived on the edge of a knife only show benevolence and righteousness to their friends and subordinates, not to their enemies and adversaries.

Things change too fast.

Before Che Zhou's entourage could react, Che Zhou had already died with resentment.

When the followers tried to find Yuan Chen, he was nowhere to be seen.

After Che Zhou smashed the wine cup, Yuan Chen had already quietly left.

Che Zhou died, and Yuan Chen fled.

The followers were thrown into chaos; some knelt down to surrender, some stood frozen in place, and some drew their swords in a defensive stance.

"As I just said, I will only kill Che Zhou. You can leave safely as long as you lay down your weapons and answer a few questions for me," Liu Bei said in a gentle tone.

"really?"

Several guards, armed with swords, trembled as they asked in return.

Liu Bei smiled calmly, as if bathed in a spring breeze: "When have I, Liu Bei, ever broken my promise?"

A person's name, the shadow of a tree.

Liu Bei's past reputation caused the several guards, including Che Zhou, who were on guard with swords drawn, to lay down their weapons.

After asking a few symbolic questions, Liu Bei said, "Cao Cao listened to the slander of petty men and secretly ordered Che Zhou to hold a banquet to harm me. I had no choice but to kill Che Zhou."

“I don’t blame you for being misled by Che Zhou. I only hope that if anyone asks me in the future, you can explain things to me.”

None of the followers dared to disobey, and they all agreed.

the end.

Liu Bei then wrote a letter of resignation from his post as Minister of Works on the spot, fully expressing his "grievances".

He then selected two bold men from among his followers, gave them gold, silver, and silk, and ordered them to deliver the "Memorial of Resignation from the Minister of Works" to Xuchang.

He then dismissed the entourage and thoughtfully distributed grain to appease them.

A power struggle, a trap, was set in a short span of time, and only Che Zhou was injured in the end.

"Now that the general has killed Che Zhou, he should issue a proclamation to the counties of Xiapi, explaining the reasons and gaining moral support first."

"Then he claimed that he would return to Zhuojun to teach and no longer concern himself with the affairs of the court, taking this opportunity to cultivate his reputation and make friends with heroes."

Zhuge Liang proposed a strategy of marching north. Historical records state that after Liu Bei killed Che Zhou, he and Guan Yu guarded Xiaopei and Xiapi respectively, and launched a rebellion against Cao Cao.

Although Liu Bei gathered tens of thousands of people in Xiaopei and had the support of Chang Xi from Donghai, the hastily assembled rabble was no match for Cao Cao.

Aside from increasing casualties, the loss of wives and soldiers, it offers no other benefit.

After careful discussion with Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang decided to use the pretext of executing Che Zhou to create a false image for Liu Bei, portraying him as someone who "did not betray Cao Cao but was suspected by a petty person."

Then let Liu Bei return to his hometown of Zhuojun to teach, both to cultivate his reputation and to make friends with heroes.

In this way, they can lay a foundation of prestige for their future ambitions in Hebei.

Although Cao Cao suspected that Liu Bei was involved in the conspiracy of Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo and others, Cao Cao had no direct evidence to prove it.

As long as Liu Bei does not raise the banner of "raising troops against Cao Cao" in Xuzhou, Cao Cao will have no legitimate reason to send troops to attack Liu Bei.

Without a legitimate reason, Cao Cao would not deliberately obstruct Liu Bei's northward march, as would Zang Ba of Langya and Chang Xi of Donghai.

after all.

Liu Bei is now "not betraying Cao Cao but being suspected by petty people," which is already the wronged party. In addition, he has no deep grudges with Zang Ba, Chang Xi and others.

Disheartened, Liu Bei wanted to return to his hometown to teach, so how could Zang Ba, Chang Xi and others dare to stop him?

If they really tried to stop them, Liu Bei was not someone to be trifled with, and then Zang Ba, Chang Xi, and others would have to bear the brunt of his resentment.

Therefore.

Unless Cao Cao gives a direct order, Zang Ba, Chang Xi, and others would not be foolish enough to invite trouble upon themselves.

Liu Bei deeply agreed with Zhuge Liang's strategy.

If one wants to mediate between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao and use their strength to bolster one's own position, one cannot be too aggressive or high-profile.

The best strategy is to bide one's time, build up strength, and proceed steadily.

"The strategist is absolutely right!"

Liu Bei's eyes were resolute.

The arrow is already on the bowstring; there is no turning back.

The news quickly spread through notices in the counties of Xiapi.

The notice also included a copy of Liu Bei's "Memorial of Resignation from the Ministry of Works" to Cao Cao.

Because Liu Bei was highly respected in Xiapi, the people of Xiapi were all indignant when they heard that "Cao Sikong listened to the slander of petty men and secretly ordered Che Zhou to hold a banquet to murder the Left General. The Left General was disheartened and asked to resign and return to Zhuojun to teach."

Taking advantage of the public's support for Liu Bei, Cao Xuan sold off all his fixed assets, including farmland, houses, and workshops, in the counties of Xiapi. He also claimed that he would no longer serve as the Prefect of Xuzhou, and that the sale of his wealth was to follow Liu Bei to Zhuojun and to support Liu Bei's education.

As public opinion grew and Cao Xuan took the lead, some powerful and common people followed his example and sold their property.

Some of these powerful figures and commoners were driven by righteous indignation, while others fled to Zhuojun to escape disaster.

The standoff between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao has lasted for half a year. Regardless of who wins or loses in the end, Xiapi is not a safe place.

If affected by war, not only will family property be destroyed, but people will also lose their lives.

In just over ten days.

Tens of thousands of men, women, and children were willing to follow Liu Bei north.

One group consisted of vagrant households and conscripted laborers whom Liu Bei had pacified in Xiapi, along with their families; another group consisted of officials from various counties in Xiapi and their families; and yet another group consisted of powerful and wealthy people like Cao Xuan and their slaves.

For example, Cao Xuan's family had more than two thousand slaves.

(Note: Historical records state that after Liu Bei killed Che Zhou, he gathered tens of thousands of people. This is just speculation, please don't argue.)

All of a sudden.

Public opinion was like thunder, resounding throughout the counties.

Chen Deng of Guangling, Chang Xi of Donghai, Zang Ba of Langya, Wang Zhong of Changlu, and others were all alarmed by public opinion.

　The illustration of "Memorial to the Emperor on Resignation" is purely for amusement and is not included in the text count.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)