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Spring's blossoms had given way to autumn's solid fruit. The various regional lords, having just harvested a new batch of grain and fodder, all felt—for reasons they could not quite name—a certain restlessness stirring within their hearts. It was like lying bare-skinned under the blazing sun; though it might not kill them immediately, the longer they were exposed, the more unbearable the discomfort grew, and the fiercer their craving for certain things became.
In truth, at this particular moment, just as Fei Qian had surmised, the ones busiest at work were not military forces, but the couriers racing to deliver messages, or the envoys shuttling back and forth.
They were like a swarm of hornets poked in their nest, buzzing chaotically in every direction...
From west to east, from south to north.
Nearly everyone was waiting in a state of anxiety, scheming amidst anticipation, framing others out of avarice, and dealing with one another behind a mask of hypocrisy.
Each one seemed to believe they held an enormously weighty weapon in their hands.
Many eyes were fixed upon Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Then, lowering their heads, they would look again at the bargaining chips clutched in their own palms. Their hearts felt as though they were being clawed at by a dozen kittens, consumed with the desperate desire to sit at the main table and draw a hand of cards worth betting on.
Though none of these lords would say it aloud, deep within their hearts, a certain notion was already taking shape: this Great Han Dynasty was probably, sooner or later, done for...
And so, at this very moment, it was time to start making some preparations for themselves.
Far away in Qingzhou, in the city of Pingyuan, Liu Bei also sat in the rear courtyard of his official residence, slowly sipping tea, lost in thought.
"Elder Brother, must we truly hand over all this grain and fodder? This is no tax mandated by the imperial court!" Zhang Fei paced in circles, waving his arms about. "We already delivered a batch before, and now they demand more! At this rate, we won't even make it to the end of the year, let alone spring—we'll have nothing left to eat!"
As Zhang Fei circled and grumbled, though he believed himself to be muttering quietly, the actual volume of his voice was, truth be told, still rather considerable.
Guan Yu, annoyed by the noise, frowned. Yet, he too was deeply dissatisfied with Governor Tian's renewed orders to requisition grain. Thus, he made no move to stop Zhang Fei, preferring instead to hear Liu Bei's opinion on the matter.
Liu Bei sighed and beckoned Zhang Fei to come and sit. He said, "Second Brother, Third Brother, do you still remember what it was like when we were under General Gongsun?"
Guan Yu frowned, one hand stroking his beard. His phoenix-like eyes narrowed to slits. Though he did not speak, it was easy to see that he held no fond memories of that period.
Zhang Fei, with his usual brashness, declared, "What of it? Was it any different from now? Anyone who wanted to could just walk all over us! It still makes my blood boil just thinking about it!" As he finished, he raised a hand as if to slam it on the table, but midway, under Guan Yu's icy stare, he restrained himself, scratched his head, and let it fall.
In truth, Liu Bei's time under Gongsun Zan... how to put it? He was neither truly entrusted with heavy responsibility nor outright neglected. The most fitting description would simply be the word "unremarkable."
Gongsun Zan may have given some consideration to the bond of having shared a teacher in Lu Zhi, but he absolutely did not take seriously Liu Bei's claim to be a descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan. As far as Gongsun Zan was concerned, he knew Liu Bei's true background with perfect clarity.
This could be plainly seen from his assignments of personnel. Gongsun Zan appointed Yan Gang as Inspector of Ji Province, Tian Kai as Inspector of Qing Province, and Shan Jing as Inspector of Yan Province. As for Liu Bei, he was merely appointed as the Prefect of Pingyuan.
Liu Bei said, "That is precisely why, right now, we have no choice but to comply. Besides..." If one wanted to receive the proper treatment and a higher office, one first had to produce something for others to see. But with nothing to his name, how could he possibly contend with others?
Moreover, the fact that Tian Kai had ordered the collection of grain and fodder yet again meant that...
Liu Bei paused for a moment, then continued, "General Gongsun Yue. Word just arrived two days ago: he is dead." The Gongsun clan was quite large, and Gongsun Zan had many cousins. Gongsun Yue was a junior cousin of Gongsun Zan and had previously been dispatched as an envoy to contact Yuan Shu.
Guan Yu's eyes opened a fraction wider. "How did he die? Who killed him?"
Liu Bei replied, "General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan dispatched the Inspector of Yu Province, Zhou Ang, to attack the region around Yangcheng. Sun... ah, General Sun, the General Who Smashes the Caitiffs, met him in battle, with General Gongsun assisting. Though they won the engagement, General Gongsun was unfortunate and fell in the fighting."
Zhang Fei suddenly clapped his hands together and exclaimed, "Ha! Both of them are the Inspector of Yu Province! Whoever wins the fight gets the title..."
This offhand remark, though seemingly a careless quip, struck a chord deep within both Guan Yu and Liu Bei. They exchanged a glance, and within their eyes, a certain spark seemed to ignite...
Earlier on, Kong Zhou had been the Inspector of Yu Province, but then he died.
After that, Yuan Shao appointed Zhou Ang, a man from Kuaiji, to the post. Yet even earlier, Yuan Shu had appointed Sun Jian to that very same position.
Thus, at this very moment in time, there existed two Inspectors of Yu Province simultaneously...
So, who was the real one? Which one was the legitimate Inspector of Yu Province, and which one was the fraud?
The same question applied to the Grand Administrator of Dongjun.
The former Grand Administrator of Dongjun, Qiao Mao, had been killed by Liu Dai, who then appointed Wang Gong as the new Grand Administrator.
Dong Zhuo, naturally, refused to recognize this appointment and named Hu Zhen as the Grand Administrator of Dongjun instead.
And now, it was said that Yuan Shao had gone further and appointed Cao Cao as the Grand Administrator of Dongjun...
Whether it was the position of Grand Administrator or that of Inspector, these were weighty offices of the imperial court. Yet now, they were being treated like children's playthings.
Guan Yu narrowed his eyes, stroking his long beard, and spoke slowly: "A battle between the two Yuans is inevitable..."
Liu Bei nodded and said, "Exactly so... It is just that I wonder..."
Zhang Fei might not have spoken, but the somber expression he wore indicated that he, too, understood perfectly.
The three brothers sat there in the courtyard, saying nothing, yet it seemed each of them knew exactly what the other two were thinking.
After an unknown stretch of time, Guan Yu rose to his feet, cupped his hands in a brief salute, and said, "I will go to the drill field now to oversee the training of the troops. Third Brother, are you not supposed to be making your rounds of the city walls?"
Zhang Fei let out a hearty laugh, also cupped his hands in a salute, and left together with Guan Yu.
There are certain matters that many people come to understand. Sometimes, the question of truth or falsehood is not what truly matters—just like the Inspector of Yu Province, just like the Grand Administrator of Dongjun, and even...
Just like the title of "Descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan"...
If one possesses strength, one will receive respect.
Just as under Gongsun Zan, a destitute fellow apprentice from the same master could never compare in importance to a member of a powerful Youzhou clan or a Liaodong magnate...
If one possesses strength, even a false claim can become the truth.
Just like the two Inspectors of Yu Province locked in a death struggle, just like the unresolved Grand Administrator of Dongjun, and, of course... just like himself.
Liu Bei smiled to himself.
His second and third brothers were both actually very clever, were they not?
There was no need to say anything at all. Everyone understood perfectly, and they had even started to take action...
Military power and territory—those were what mattered most, were they not?
This realm under Heaven had already reached such a state!
It was the worst of times. Imperial authority had crumbled, and all the old rules of reason and morality were utterly shattered.
It was the best of times. Even a man from the rustic countryside, of the humblest and lowliest origins, now had a chance to gaze up at the clouds.
It was the darkest of times. Bones of kin were ground against each other, blood flowed for a thousand leagues, all for the chance to touch the royal tripods.
It was the brightest of times. Strength was the supreme honor. Whitened bones lay in the tens of thousands, all for the wild ambition burning deep within the heart...
Liu Bei lifted his gaze to the heavens, his back growing straighter and straighter. Within his eyes, an indescribable, resplendent light seemed to shine and shimmer.
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