Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 3: Resigning from Office – Liu Bei's Desire for Advancement
Liu Bei was actually a hot-tempered guy at heart, but in order to make a name for himself within the rules, he also tried to improve his emotional intelligence and manners in dealing with people.

As the saying goes, an emperor's heart can encompass all the affairs of the world.

Liu Bei always aimed to reach the highest level step by step, and his role models were all emperors like the rulers of the Tang Dynasty in the Eastern Hemisphere. As long as Liu Bei's core interests were not touched, he would not care.

Originally, Liu Bei had no intention of making things difficult for Inspector Zhang Feng. He only wanted to learn about the current situation in Luoyang and the future of some famous figures through Zhang Feng, and then resign his post and leave gracefully.

The imperial edict to eliminate those who had served as officials based on military merit was issued by the emperor. Liu Bei did not intend to make things difficult for Zhang Feng, the person in charge, but he did not expect that Zhang Feng would choose to refuse to meet him!

Refusing to see him without even asking questions must mean he has something to hide, and it also shows a lack of respect for Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was already distraught over the imperial edict, so he didn't tolerate Zhang Feng's behavior and whipped him two hundred times to vent his anger.

"How could I, Liu Xuande, be greedy for a mere minor official post? I can feign illness and resign, but you cannot use your power to dismiss me. We're all in the officialdom; do you really not know the difference between resignation and dismissal?"

"I am whipping you today because you do not understand His Majesty's will and are arrogant and conceited, which has caused resentment among the county officials, who mistakenly believe that His Majesty is mistreating meritorious soldiers. Even if we go to the palace, I will confront you to determine the truth. You have a godfather, but don't I have a mentor?"

After beating Zhang Feng half to death, Liu Bei was still able to pin all the blame on Zhang Feng and even reveal his background to threaten him. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were even more impressed by Liu Bei's words.

Zhang Feng was stunned by the beating, and the words "You have a godfather, but I don't have a mentor?" made him feel even more terrified.

unlucky!

Zhang Feng felt a tightness in his chest.

If Liu Bei hadn't mentioned his mentor, Zhang Feng would definitely have gone to the Chancellor of Zhongshan to send troops to capture Liu Bei and then throw him into prison to uphold the authority of the Inspector; but as soon as Liu Bei mentioned his mentor, Zhang Feng knew that he had been beaten for nothing.

Although we don't know who Liu Bei's mentor was, the fact that he could be so brazen as to publicly berate the inspector suggests that Liu Bei's mentor must have been either a high-ranking official or a renowned scholar. Even with the support of his adoptive father Zhang Rang, Zhang Feng would not have gotten any advantage.

"County Commandant Liu, it's all a misunderstanding!"

To avoid further physical suffering, Zhang Feng had no choice but to back down. His initial arrogance in refusing to see Liu Bei vanished, replaced by a deferential attitude that was laughable.

"Now, I will ask questions, and you will answer. If you utter even a single falsehood, do not blame me for being unrighteous." Taking advantage of Zhang Feng's yielding, Liu Bei began to inquire about current events and figures.

Since Liu Bei's questions were not confidential, Zhang Feng dared not hide anything and answered whatever Liu Bei asked.

Through Zhang Feng, Liu Bei also learned about the whereabouts of his old friend Qian Zhao. Qian Zhao is now a prized student of Yue Yin, who is the chief secretary of General He Miao.

Upon hearing that Liu Bei was related to He Miao, Zhang Feng's expression instantly changed: "County Commandant Liu, it's a misunderstanding, a real misunderstanding. I was blind and didn't recognize my own people. How could I possibly smear my own people?"

Empress He once poisoned Consort Wang, enraging Liu Hong. Zhang Rang and others wanted to entrust their future to the He family, so they all wept and begged for mercy from the He family, and each of them gave a gift of ten million of their family fortune to Liu Hong to let it go.

At this time, Zhang Feng, the adopted son of Zhang Rang, found himself in a close friendship with Qian Zhao, a protégé of Le Yin, the chief secretary of General He Miao.

In Zhang Feng's mind, this was like a flood washing away the Dragon King's temple, a family member not recognizing another family member.

"Who's family to you?" Liu Bei glared at him. "I never whip my own family. Don't try to get close to me."

Seeing Liu Bei about to retrieve the willow branches again, Zhang Feng was terrified. While the wounds inflicted by willow branches weren't as severe as those from a whipping, the pain was no less intense. "Liu, wait! I have something to tell you that might help you get promoted," Zhang Feng pleaded hastily. Before Liu Bei could speak, Zhang Feng continued, "The General has already sent Guanqiu Yi to Danyang to recruit soldiers. Guanqiu Yi will depart from Luoyang, pass through Xuzhou, and head south across the river. If you, Liu, can go and assist him, you might have a chance to meet the General."

Guanqiu Yi.
Liu Bei pondered for a moment and recalled information related to Guanqiu Yi.

Historical records state that after Liu Bei angrily whipped the inspector, he joined Guanqiu Yi's team that was recruiting soldiers in Danyang. While in Xiapi, he fought bravely against bandits and made meritorious contributions. He was then appointed as the assistant magistrate of Xiami County in Beihai State. However, not long after, Liu Bei resigned from his post as assistant magistrate of Xiami County.

Now that Liu Bei understood the situation in the Beihai Kingdom, he scoffed at this idea.

The Yellow Turban Rebellion had been rampant in the Beihai Kingdom, but Liu Bei could only serve as a county magistrate in Xia Mi. Without any troops, how could he possibly pacify the Yellow Turbans?

Even a great general's magnanimity is nothing more than this!

Although Liu Bei did not want to go to Xiami to serve as the county magistrate, Zhang Feng's words, though rough, were not unreasonable. If he could go and help, he might have a chance to meet He Jin.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Bei removed the official seal of the Anxi County Magistrate and hung it on Zhang Feng, saying, "I've already beaten you and questioned you, so I won't make things difficult for you any further. Please take this seal back. I, Liu Bei, am resigning as the Anxi County Magistrate. If you wish to seek revenge, come at me!"

Zhang Fenglian said he dared not.

Revenge?

Do I think I'm dying too slowly?
Upon returning to his official residence, Liu Bei instructed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to pack their valuables and prepare to head south to Xuzhou to assist Guanqiu Yi in recruiting soldiers.

Guan Yu was puzzled: "If you want to see the General, why don't you go directly to Luoyang to find Qian Zhao? Besides, Minister Lu is also in Luoyang, why don't you go to find Minister Lu?"

Zhang Fei also looked at Liu Bei with a puzzled expression.

Both Lu Zhi and Qian Zhao could recommend Liu Bei to pay respects to General He Jin; there was no need for them to help Guanqiu Yi.

Liu Bei's face hardened, and he said, "I've told you many times, favors are one less to use each time. If they're not used in crucial moments, the connections will be severed. You two must remember this: only through mutual benefit can connections last. If I help Guanqiu Yi recruit soldiers and achieve merit, I can then have a normal audience with the General. After that, I can ask Lu Shi and Zijing for recommendations, which will be twice as effective with half the effort."

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei suddenly realized what was going on.

Liu Bei then admonished, "Understanding the ways of the world is true learning, and being adept at human relationships is true literature. You two must keep this in mind from now on. Especially you, my second brother, correct your bad habit and stop being so hostile towards scholars."

Guan Yu avoided Liu Bei's gaze and said sullenly, "Brother, I only harbor hostility towards pedantic scholars. As for Minister Lu, I can only admire him."

Liu Bei kicked Guan Yu and couldn't help but curse, "Do you think every scholar in the world has the knowledge of Lu Shi? If I tell you to change, then change it. Don't make excuses!"

Seeing Guan Yu being scolded, Zhang Fei chuckled and boasted, "Brother, I have never been hostile to scholars."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Fei was also kicked. Liu Bei scolded, "You have no hostility towards scholars, but you act like a lapdog when you see them. How shameless is that?"

Zhang Fei said weakly, "Brother, we come from a butcher's family."

Seeing Liu Bei's glare that seemed about to punch him, Zhang Fei jumped back three steps in fright: "Brother, I was wrong. 'Are kings and generals born with a special destiny? Being of humble birth is not a disgrace. Generals and ministers are not born into their positions; a man should strive for self-improvement.' I can recite that all!"

Ugh.
Liu Bei looked up to the sky and sighed. His two sworn brothers had gone to two extremes. He was exhausted!
(End of this chapter)