Han Ji

Chapter 124 Undercurrents

Wang Mo cautiously said, "Prefect, Xi Jian's attitude today seems biased."

"Favoritism?" Su Gu sneered. "He doesn't favor anyone. He accepts gifts from me, and he accepts gifts from Liu Bei as well. Bringing Liu Bei along on tomorrow's hunt is just for show."

"Then let's..."

"Let's go too." Su Gu stood up. "The true test will be on the hunting grounds."

On the same night, at the military camp in the west of the city.

Liu Bei summoned his core members for a meeting.

"Tomorrow's hunt will surely be something Xi Jian plans," he said. "Yun Chang, select twenty elite cavalrymen, skilled in archery and horsemanship. Yi De will stay behind to guard the camp, to guard against Su Gu's trickery."

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Fei replied.

"Xianhe, the refugee camp is approaching the 15th of August; increase security there."

"clear."

Xun Cai said softly, "Husband, Xi Jian is fond of both fame and fortune. He may accept the gift today, but he may not necessarily be on our side."

"I know," Liu Bei nodded. "He's just waiting for the right price. He'll help whoever can offer him more."

That night, undercurrents were stirring in the camp.

Hu Si's mother and sister were placed in a medical tent in the camp, and Xun Cai personally took care of them. Hu Si knelt down and kowtowed, swearing allegiance.

Qian Zhao strengthened camp patrols, with a post every two quarters of an hour. The militia among the refugees were also mobilized, with able-bodied men organized into groups and given wooden sticks.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is getting closer and closer.

The next morning, at the Nanshan hunting grounds.

Xi Jian arrived in a comfortable carriage, accompanied by a hundred horsemen. Su Gu led more than twenty officials from the prefecture, while Liu Bei led Guan Yu and twenty elite horsemen.

The autumn air is crisp and clear, the grass is yellow and the animals are plump.

Xi Jian changed into hunting attire, put on a bow and arrows, and said with a smile, "Today we will only discuss hunting, not official business. Whoever hunts the most will be rewarded by this official."

The bugle sounds, the hunt begins.

Xi Jian rode slowly, with Su Gu and Liu Bei following on either side. A herd of deer in the forest was startled and took flight. Xi Jian drew his bow and shot an arrow, hitting a deer in the neck.

"The governor is a brilliant archer!" the crowd cheered.

Xi Jian laughed loudly and spurred his horse to pursue and shoot. He was a good rider and an accurate archer, hitting three deer in a row. Su Gu flattered him from the side, while Liu Bei simply followed quietly.

We rested at noon and set up a table in a clearing in the woods.

Xi Jian took a sip of wine and looked at Liu Bei: "Commander Liu, why haven't I seen you hunting?"

"This humble official is rudimentary in archery and horsemanship, and dares not make a fool of himself."

"Hey, no need for such modesty." Xi Jian waved his hand. "Lu Ziqian's disciple is no ordinary talent. Come, try my arrow."

The waiter handed over the bow.

Liu Bei took it; it was a bow with a length of two stones. He tested the string and looked up into the forest.

A hundred paces away stands a withered tree, on which a crow perches.

Liu Bei nocked an arrow, drew it fully, and released the string.

The arrow flew like a shooting star, and the crow fell to the ground in response.

"Good!" Xi Jian slammed his hand on the table.

Su Gu's expression darkened slightly.

Liu Bei sheathed his bow: "A stroke of luck."

Xi Jian looked at him and suddenly asked, "Liu Duwei, how old are you this year?"

"Twenty-six."

"You're so young," Xi Jian remarked. "When I was your age, I was still studying at the Imperial Academy. Yet you've already fought across thousands of miles and made great contributions."

"The governor is overpraising you."

"It's no exaggeration." Xi Jian finished his wine. "I heard about the Yellow Turban Rebellion while I was in Shu. Lu Zigan led his army to pacify Hebei, and you were the vanguard, slaying generals and capturing flags. Is that true?"

"The soldiers fought bravely, and I dared not claim credit for it."

Xi Jian smiled and didn't ask any more questions.

The hunt lasted until late afternoon, and the harvest was plentiful. Xi Jian hunted five deer and three roe deer, Su Gu hunted two deer, and Liu Bei only shot some rabbits and pheasants.

On the return journey, Xi Jian summoned Liu Bei to ride with him.

The carriage curtains were drawn, isolating the outside world.

"Commander Liu," Xi Jian leaned back on the cushions, his tone casual, "is the banditry in Hanzhong really as serious as you reported?"

"Yes."

Su Gu said, "You are exaggerating in order to seize power."

Liu Bei looked up: "Does the governor believe me?"

Xi Jian looked at him and said, "I only believe what I see. Tomorrow, you will take me to the refugee camp."

"Yes."

"Furthermore," Xi Jian paused, "the matter of Zhao Lü ends here. If he is truly guilty, the case should be handed over to the prefectural government for trial. After all, you are a military officer and should not overstep your authority."

This is both a warning and a deal.

Liu Bei lowered his eyes and said, "This humble official understands."

"Good that you understand." Xi Jian closed his eyes to rest. "You're still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. Some things can't be rushed."

The carriage swayed and lurched as it headed towards Nanzheng.

Liu Bei looked out the window.

As the sun sets, the mountains are bathed in golden light.

He knew that Xi Jian was both giving him a warning and trying to win him over. This game wasn't over yet.

It was already dark when we returned to camp from the hunting grounds.

As soon as Liu Bei dismounted, Qian Zhao rushed over and said, "Brother, something has happened at the refugee camp."

"explain."

"In the afternoon, rumors circulated that the government would disperse the camps after the fifteenth of August and forcibly conscript able-bodied men to guard the border. The refugees were in turmoil, and Wang Wu and his men were unable to quell the unrest. Now, more than a thousand people have gathered and are blocking the granary."

Liu Bei untied his bow and arrows: "Where are Su Gu's men?"

"The prefectural government dispatched a troop of soldiers to guard outside the camp, ostensibly to prevent any unrest, but in reality, they were there to watch the show."

"Does Xi Jian know?"

"I don't know yet, but he's coming to inspect tomorrow..."

Liu Bei tossed his bow and arrows to his personal guard: "Yun Chang, gather two hundred soldiers and come with me to the camp. Yi De, guard the camp. Xian He, go to the prefectural government and tell them that the refugees have caused trouble due to rumors, and our army is currently pacifying them. Please ask the prefectural government not to interfere."

"yes!"

The refugee camp in the west of the city was filled with torches.

Thousands of refugees surrounded the granary, led by dozens of strong young men carrying wooden sticks and carrying poles. Wang Wu and his disciplinary team blocked the granary entrance, and the two sides faced off.

"Wang Wu! You're a refugee too, why are you helping the government?!" a scarred man roared.

Wang Wu gripped the wooden stick tightly: "Commander Liu promised to provide meals and pay, what are you all making a fuss about?!"

"Food provided? It won't be after the Mid-Autumn Festival!" another shouted. "I heard it with my own ears from the county soldiers. They'll be sending us away after autumn. Those who don't go to guard the border will be forced to work on the imperial tombs!"

"Bullshit!" Wang Wu roared. "The Commandant himself guaranteed that the land would be distributed and people resettled after the autumn harvest!"

"Can we trust what he says? What word has the government ever spoken been reliable?!"

The crowd stirred and surged forward.

Wang Wu's disciplinary squad, numbering only about a hundred men, was pushed back. Just as a conflict seemed imminent, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly approached.

Liu Bei led two hundred cavalrymen into the camp, instantly separating the crowd.

He reined in his horse and stood before the granary, the torchlight illuminating his black armor.

"I am Liu Bei."

The refugees quieted down.

The scarred man looked up: "Captain, you said you'd provide meals and pay, but some people are saying we'll be kicked out after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Is that true?!"

Liu Bei dismounted and walked up to him.

"Who sent it?"

"The county, the county soldiers..."

"Which county soldier? What is his name? When and where did he say it?"

The scarred man was speechless.

Liu Bei turned around and climbed onto the wooden platform in front of the granary.

"Gentlemen," he proclaimed, "I, Liu Bei, have been in Hanzhong for six months, suppressing bandits, pacifying the people, repairing canals, and providing relief. Have I ever broken my promise?"

The crowd whispered.

"The salt bandits robbed salt, so I sent troops to suppress them. Wangjiazhuang was attacked, so I sent troops to rescue it. You fled from Guanzhong, so I opened the city gates to let you in, set up soup kitchens to feed you, and paid you wages." Liu Bei glanced at the crowd. "If I wanted to drive you away, why would I bother with all this?"

Someone shouted, "But the county soldiers said..."

"You believe what the soldiers say?" Liu Bei interrupted. "Then let me ask you: In the past four months, has the county government provided you with food, or have I? Has the county government paid your wages, or have I?"

The crowd was silent.