The imperial cause at the end of the Han Dynasty was not one of partial peace.

For the next few days, Liu Bei focused on both literary and martial arts, displaying a calm and unperturbed attitude, like watching the flowers bloom and fade in the courtyard, or letting the clouds drift and gather in the sky.

At his request, Guan Yu, in addition to supervising the troops' training, devoted himself to his studies, reading "Sun Tzu's Art of War" and "Wu Zi" every day. Of course, Guan Yu's favorite book was "Zuo Zhuan" (Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo), which contained stories of the rise and fall of hegemony, heroic spirit, and beautiful women. It truly attracted a hero like him who valued righteousness and integrity. Every time he opened the book, he felt his heart filled with heroic spirit.

Zhang Fei was the most lively. He couldn't settle down and took off his crimson battle robe, revealing his bare, muscular upper body. He spent his days in the craftsmen's camp, mingling with craftsmen like Guo Rong, and personally forging armor and weapons for the army.

But such peaceful years always pass in the blink of an eye. Before Liu Bei had even finished reading the "Sima Fa" (a book on military strategy), a rider arrived from outside the manor in a cloud of dust.

It was Tian Yu, who had gone out to gather information. He saw the young man, his face flushed with excitement, who, upon reaching the gate of the manor, dismounted before he could even rein in his horse, shouting excitedly:

"My lord! My lord! Just as I predicted, the court's response was almost exactly as you had predicted."

"After the Zhang brothers of Julu started their rebellion, Bo Cai of Yingchuan, Zhang Mancheng of Nanyang and others rose up, and the eight provinces of Qing, Xu, You, Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan and Yu responded, shaking the whole country."

"On the seventh day of the third month (Renzi day), the Emperor issued an edict ordering the dukes and ministers to bring out horses and crossbows, and to recommend the sons and grandsons of generals and officials and commoners who were skilled in battle tactics to come to the imperial carriage, where they would be appointed to official positions to suppress the rebels!"

"Furthermore, because the troops in each prefecture and county are insufficient to suppress the bandits, an imperial edict is issued ordering the governors, prefects, and chancellors of each prefecture and county to repair their own weapons, recruit their own volunteer troops, defend their cities, and act expediently as appropriate to launch an attack! Those who perform meritorious service in suppressing the bandits will be richly rewarded!"

After speaking, Tian Yu took a breath, looked at Liu Bei with admiration, and asserted, "Now that the imperial edict has reached Youzhou, the officials of the prefect's office should already be on their way!"

His words were undisguised, and all the soldiers training on the drill ground turned their attention to him, their spirits lifted.

Jian Yong, being witty by nature, lightly waved his feather fan and laughed, "In this way, I'm afraid the prefect is already like a fish in a pot, being boiled down by himself, and acting like a woman crying."

His description of this predicament of being unable to sit or lie down as being like a live fish being fried is vivid and extremely interesting.

Guan Yu slightly closed his phoenix eyes, stroked his long beard, and coldly snorted, "Serves him right. As the Zuo Zhuan says, 'Abandoning faith and betraying one's neighbors, who will care for one's suffering?' His past actions deserved this fate!"

As they were joking around, a commotion arose outside the manor.

Before long, a guest came to report: Clerk Li Fu and Registrar Zhou Ping, riding in a light carriage with several county officials, carrying some silk, wine and meat, had arrived in front of the manor.

However, this time, these county officials had lost their usual demeanor and the dignity of the county government, which made them quite embarrassed.

Li Fu, the chief clerk, was especially aware of how they had used a substitute when reporting the victory.

Now that they are forced to come again, they naturally have some complaints about the prefect's lack of gentlemanly conduct.

When Guan Yu heard from the guests that the prefectural government had come to visit again, his face immediately turned red with anger, and he said angrily, "Brother, this must be because Lord Liu has seen that the imperial edict has been issued and wants to ask you to come out of the mountains to help him again."

"We should expose them to the elements below, so they will know that even though we live in the countryside, we know loyalty, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame, and are not clay figures or wooden sculptures to be manipulated by others!"

"Ah~ Yun Chang, you are mistaken." Jian Yong immediately shook his head and said with a smile, "The prefectural government sent its chief clerk in person to show its respect. If we leave him standing outside the gate and let the news spread, it would only make our lord appear narrow-minded and damage his reputation for benevolence."

"In my opinion, not only should we invite him, but we should also be more courteous and make the occasion even more grand. Why don't we invite Yide to go and entertain him together?"

"But Yun Chang must remember to instruct Yi De that when receiving guests, he must restrain his temper and keep quiet. He must not be irritable or angry, and he must never draw his sword and start a fight."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu exchanged a smile with Liu Bei. Given Zhang Fei's reckless and impulsive nature, why should he be the one to receive them?

Jian Xianhe is just afraid of things not being chaotic enough!

Doesn't that mean he'll become enraged, curse, and draw his sword to fight?

While Guan Yu was calling Zhang Fei, Li Fu and Zhou Ping had already been led to the main hall by the guests. The two sat upright, with the fine wine they had brought last time laid out on the lacquered table in front of them. The wine was fragrant and mellow, but the two of them had no interest in tasting it at all.

Soon, footsteps sounded outside. Liu Bei, dressed in a dark robe, entered first, but his demeanor was dignified and he possessed a heroic spirit.

Behind him followed Jian Yong, Qian Zhao, Tian Yu, and others, all of whom were imposing and distinguished.

"I've kept you waiting." Liu Bei bowed and said in a gentle voice, "I have been preoccupied with trivial matters and have not been able to greet you from afar. I hope you will forgive me."

Li Fu and Zhou Ping hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply to the ground: "We dare not! We have come here without permission and disturbed Mr. Liu's peace and quiet, but we have something to ask of you."

"Please sit." Liu Bei sat down in the main seat, raised his hand to indicate that he was seated, and then, with great kindness and affability, asked directly, "Have you two come here regarding the newly issued imperial edict to suppress the rebels?"

Li Fu and Zhou Ping exchanged a glance, secretly surprised by Liu Bei's excellent information network, but also feeling even more embarrassed.

Li Fu steeled himself, stood up again, and bowed deeply: "Lord Liu, you are wise. It is precisely for this reason. The imperial edict has reached the prefectures and counties, allowing governors and magistrates to recruit righteous troops to suppress the rebels and achieve merit."

"Your Excellency... Your Excellency deeply feels the righteousness of punishing the rebels and wishes to strengthen the army and march north to jointly quell the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Youzhou, in order to secure the country and repay the Emperor's grace. However..."

At this point, even with his thick skin, his face flushed slightly: "However, the troops and generals in the prefecture are few and far between, and are not up to the task. Considering Liu Jun's heroic deeds in the previous campaign against the rebels, and the bravery of his generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, the Prefect is truly the only choice to quell the rebellion and stabilize the country."

"Therefore, we have been specially dispatched here to earnestly request that Lord Liu, with the people of Youzhou in mind, once again come out of seclusion, lead the county troops, and recruit heroes to join us in the great cause of suppressing the bandits."

"The Prefect promises that all funds, provisions, and military equipment will be provided by the prefectural government, and the reports of war achievements will be submitted truthfully without any ambiguity!"

Zhou Ping quickly added, "Lord Liu, there may have been a misunderstanding before. The Prefect is truly eager to recognize talent and fears that Lord Liu's long tenure as a county official is a waste of his great abilities. Therefore, he is eager to make a name for himself and hopes that the court will promote him as soon as possible."

"The method may have been flawed, but the intention was sincere. With the nation in peril, I hope Mr. Liu will set aside past grievances and prioritize the greater good!"

The two spoke earnestly, but everyone in the hall watched coldly, knowing perfectly well that they were only forced into this situation.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei remained magnanimous and easygoing, saying gently, "You two are too kind. Suppressing bandits and bringing peace to the people is the duty of a subject. As a member of the Han imperial family, I should dedicate myself to the country. I have long forgotten those minor incidents. Since you, my lord, have this intention, I…"

Before the words were finished, a furious roar suddenly came from outside the hall, causing dust to fall from the beams:

"fart!"

The curtain was suddenly flung open, and a blast of scorching heat rushed out. Zhang Fei arrived, his face contorted with rage.

He was still shirtless, sweating profusely, his muscles bulging, his eyes wide open like a leopard's, his beard and hair bristling, and he was even holding a ring-pommel sword that had just been quenched, its blade dark red and exuding a murderous aura.

"Brother! Don't listen to these two filthy bastards' nonsense!" Zhang Fei roared, slamming his sword into the lacquered table in front of the two men.

"That old Liu He, he only helps when he needs you, and then turns his back on you when he doesn't! He's a traitor who kicks you when you've served your purpose, and he embezzles credit. What's the point of sharing this 'grand event' with such a faithless and ungrateful scoundrel? Let him go and fight it out himself!"

Li Fu and Zhou Ping had never seen such a fierce and reckless general before. Overwhelmed by Zhang Fei's imposing presence, they trembled with fear and dared not refute him. They could only look to Liu Bei for help.

Just as Liu Bei was about to speak, he gently offered a few words of advice.

Zhang Fei rushed to the table and blocked his way, saying, "No! Brother, we're not going! What do they take us for? Someone they can summon and dismiss at will?!"

Liu Bei sighed at the opportune moment, "Alas, Third Brother, am I concerned only with that Lord Liu? What I care about is the common people of the world. The Yellow Turban Rebellion has broken out, causing immense suffering and death. The people are in dire straits, and the state is in grave danger."

"As a descendant of the Han dynasty and a son of Emperor Gaozu, how could I sit idly by and watch this situation unfold? My heart and my will are as clear as the sun and the moon."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei gritted his teeth, veins throbbed on his forehead, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and his chest heaved violently.

After a long while, he turned around angrily and stared at Li Fu and Zhou Ping, who were already slumped on the table, his face full of fierceness.

"You two, listen up! You want to invite my elder brother to come out of seclusion? Fine! Prepare your full entourage: a four-horse carriage, black canopies and red banners, a grand welcome! If any one of these is missing, don't even think about my elder brother stepping out of this manor!"

He then stepped forward, his massive shadow enveloping the two trembling figures. The chilling killing intent he exuded almost made Li Fu and Zhou Ping's livers and gallbladders tremble: "If you try to fool me with a few more empty words, I, Old Zhang, will recognize you, but I won't recognize the knife in my hand!"

"roll!"

The final shout was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

Li Fu and Zhou Ping dared not linger any longer. They scrambled to their feet, their crowns askew and their robes disheveled. Forgetting all etiquette, they staggered out of the hall, climbed into their carriage, and urged the driver to hurry up.

Upon returning to the prefectural government, the two practically pounced on Liu He, recounting their experiences at the manor with exaggerated details.

Li Fu was still shaken and said in a trembling voice, "My lord, that Zhang Fei... is truly a fierce and ruthless general, whose words are always kept. His mention of 'a four-horse carriage with a black canopy and red banners' was no empty threat."

Zhou Ping added, "My lord, the sounds of soldiers drilling are incessant in that manor, and the furnaces in the workshops burn day and night. It is clear that they have been prepared for a long time, with well-trained soldiers and ample provisions. Liu Bei is a kind and generous man who can win the hearts of the people, and his subordinates are all willing to fight to the death. What happened last time... what happened last time has truly chilled the hearts of everyone."

After listening, Liu He sighed deeply, "So be it! So be it! So be it! I have failed Xuande—I regret not heeding Xuande's advice!"

"If we had followed their advice earlier, strengthened our army, and united with heroes, we wouldn't be in such a passive position today."

"Now that the imperial edict has been issued, other prefectures are moving in response, while only Zhuojun remains idle! The outcome will be vastly different from what the victory reports say. If the governor investigates and finds that the actual military achievements are inconsistent, wouldn't we be guilty without merit?"

Having said that, Liu He raised his head and looked at the two men: "Things have come to this point, and we can only do our best to make amends. Xuande is a man of great talent, and ordinary etiquette is insufficient to move his heart or quell the anger of his subordinates."

"Li Fu, draft the documents immediately: First, appoint Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as military commanders, allowing them to lead their own troops under Liu Bei's command. These two are exceptionally brave and have made outstanding contributions in previous battles; they deserve to be promoted."

"Secondly, in the name of this government, we recommend Liu Bei as 'virtuous and upright, skilled in warfare,' and in accordance with His Majesty's previous decree, to go to the Imperial Carriage Office so that the court may consult him on strategies for suppressing the rebels and entrust him with the task of quelling the rebellion!"

The so-called "Yigongche" was a special category within the recommendation system. When the emperor needed something, such as a celestial warning, border troubles, or a request for honest advice, he would issue an edict specifying the subjects and requiring ministers, marquises, and prefects to recommend talents according to the subjects.

Those recommended were transported by carriage provided by the government to the Imperial Carriage Office in the capital to await the emperor's personal questioning.

Unlike the annual "recommendation" at the end of each year, which recommends candidates for filial piety and integrity or outstanding talents, this was still a proper path to officialdom based on virtue.

During the reign of Emperor Wu, Dongfang Shuo served as a court attendant, and Lu Gong, a renowned minister of the current dynasty, also served as a court attendant and was appointed magistrate of Zhongmou. This system truly provided talented individuals from humble backgrounds and local heroes with the opportunity to directly reach the emperor's ears.

However, given the urgent military situation, those who are recommended for the position of virtuous and capable will no longer need to wait for orders at the Imperial Carriage Office; they can immediately lead the local troops to participate in the suppression of the rebellion.

Upon hearing this, Li Fu knew that the governor's move was not only to employ Liu Bei, but also to give him a noble birth and pave the way for his future career.

This sincerity truly far surpasses that of before.

He quickly bowed and said, "Your humble servant understands, and will draft it immediately!"

Then Liu He instructed the chief clerk Zhou Ping: "Tomorrow morning, you will take the official seal of this prefecture and lead twenty officials from the prefecture, with a full set of ceremonial guards: a four-horse carriage with a black canopy and red banners."

"Sixteen guards with halberds led the way, accompanied by a troupe of drums and trumpets; behind them followed the officials and carriages, carrying bundles of black and red silk, lambs and geese, as well as 500,000 coins, 1,000 bushels of millet, 300 bolts of silk, and 100 shi of wine, as gifts to reward the army."

Black and red silk bundles, lambs and wild geese were all ancient gifts used to recruit virtuous men.

The governor's hospitality was so great that it would be excessive for Liu Bei to refuse again.

So the next morning, Liu Bei accepted the governor's invitation and boarded a carriage to go to the prefectural government.

At this moment, sixteen soldiers in crimson robes, each wielding a halberd, led the way, their halberd blades gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Then, a piece of music was played, including the reed pipes and flutes, and the chapter "Deer Cry" was performed, which means "I have guests, playing the zither and blowing the sheng".

Liu Bei sat in the most central position on a four-horse chariot, with four magnificent chestnut horses riding side by side, their heads adorned with golden bridles and jade pendants, their bells ringing melodiously as they moved.

The carriage is painted in black with vermilion cloud and thunder patterns, and the black silk canopy has tassels hanging down. Red banners on both sides flutter in the morning breeze.

This was originally the ceremonial procedure for a prefect with a salary of two thousand piculs of grain, but now it was being used with great ceremony to formally invite Liu Bei.

Such a spectacle is something that hasn't been seen in the countryside of Zhuojun for decades.

Farmers working along the way put down their plows and hoes, travelers stopped in their tracks, and women, children, and the elderly from the villages all flocked to the roadside, craning their necks to watch and discussing amongst themselves.

"Incredible! This is the prefect's full entourage! Look at that black-canopied carriage, the red banners and the drums—he must be going to welcome some great sage!"

"Who else could they be welcoming? It must be Lord Xuande! Didn't one of the county officials get his comeuppance yesterday? This time, the prefect is making an exceptionally grand gesture!"

"Tsk tsk, black and crimson silk ribbons, lambs and geese in pairs! This is the standard for welcoming a national hero in ancient times! Lord Liu has truly made a name for himself this time!"

"It should have been done long ago! Liu Jun is benevolent, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are brave and fierce. Last time, they pacified the southern part of the prefecture and saved countless lives. As for the prefectural government... well, let's not talk about it. Now, it is clear that Heaven's justice prevails and fairness resides in the hearts of the people!"

More and more people gathered to watch along the roadside, creating a bustling crowd.

Many elderly men with white hair leaned on their canes and murmured, "The Liu family is fortunate to have such a son, and our county is blessed!"

But most of the young and middle-aged men looked on with envy at the imposing troops and the grand reception they received.

When the carriage arrived at the prefectural government, Prefect Liu He was already there with his assistants, including the Prefectural Assistant, the Chief Clerk, and the Five Officials Clerk, to greet it.

Seeing Liu Bei calmly alight from the four-horse carriage, Liu He quickly stepped forward, grasped Liu Bei's hands, and sighed before speaking, "Xuande, I was inconsiderate last time and failed your loyalty and courage. Now the situation is urgent, what should we do?"

Liu Bei actually didn't have much hostility towards Liu He. He was just a conservative official who inevitably hesitated in his actions, but he didn't have many bad deeds in Zhuojun, and he could be considered a kind and honest person.

Moreover, since the other party is now his patron, it is proper to address him as "Lord Ming" according to etiquette. How could he not treat him with courtesy?

So Liu Bei grasped Liu He's hand and said gently, "My lord, the past is past. The most urgent task now is to deal with the current situation. Since I have been recommended by you, how could I not do my utmost?"

"The most urgent task is to quickly summon the heroes of the prefecture, recruit righteous soldiers, and train them in military affairs. Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, when they attacked cities and seized territories, the first target of their looting was the wealthy, followed by their granaries. Therefore, those powerful families who possess wealth and keep guests are the first to be targeted."

"The imperial court has issued an edict allowing local officials to recruit their own righteous troops. If Your Excellency, in the name of the prefecture, gathers prominent families and local gentry from various counties and clearly expresses your intention to suppress the bandits and protect the territory, those who join the army as guests or followers will be rewarded according to their merits, and will be allowed to provide their own troops, armor, and provisions."

"In this way, the prefectural government can save most of its expenses and gain soldiers who are willing to fight; the powerful and wealthy can protect their families and businesses and gain fame and fortune. This is a win-win situation and will surely be welcomed."

This was also a key move that Liu Bei had been planning all along. He could disregard the powerful clans and other large families in Zhuojun.

However, the Lu family of Zhuo County was the clan of his mentor Lu Zhi, and Liu Bei was determined to befriend them and recruit their clansmen into his army to achieve merit together.

Upon hearing this, Liu He felt greatly relieved and nodded repeatedly, praising with a smile, "Excellent! Xuande's arrival has resolved my dilemma. I will follow Xuande's advice to unite with powerful figures and recruit righteous soldiers!"