Chapter 22: Slashing Seven Centurions in a Single Battle?

The man Zou Jing spoke of, Yang Fangzheng, was named Yang Qiu, the current Colonel of Sili. The Colonel of Sili, also known as the "Crouching Tiger," held the primary responsibility of supervising officials and investigating unlawful conduct—essentially the chief of the military police.

The matter Zou Jing had stumbled upon was indeed something that should be reported to Yang Qiu for investigation. If the mastermind behind the scenes was not exposed, then even if Zhang Sheng were eliminated, there would soon be a Li Sheng or a Wang Sheng to take his place. The problem, however, was that every messenger Zou Jing had previously sent had gone missing without exception. Even Zou Jing himself had been ambushed when he attempted to return to Luoyang. It was clearly a lethal undertaking; in Luoyang, such reports might never even reach the imperial court.

Yet, as Liu Bei had already saved his life, the risk was now unavoidable, regardless of whether he delivered the report or not.

"Can Master Fangzheng be trusted?" Liu Bei did not know Yang Qiu personally and needed to be certain.

"He is trustworthy. Master Fangzheng and I share an old acquaintance. Though he governs with severity, his character matches his name." Zou Jing confirmed the man’s integrity. "It was precisely because I heard he had been appointed Colonel of Sili that I intended to return to Luoyang."

Liu Bei nodded, then smiled bitterly. "I will certainly do my best. But since Master Yang is so severe... I am of low rank and humble office, a pardoned convict with a criminal record. I fear it will be difficult to meet the Colonel in person. And if I cannot deliver this report directly into his hands, I, too, shall likely meet a mysterious end."

Indeed, it was probable that most of the previous messengers had been murdered in Luoyang. This report had to be delivered personally; it could not pass through other hands. Liu Bei had once been imprisoned in Luoyang, and although he had been released due to a general amnesty, he still carried a criminal record. Given Yang Qiu’s rigorous nature, it would be no easy feat for a minor official with a tainted past to gain an audience with him.

"That is easily settled," Zou Jing said. "While I am not a commandery official, I hold the responsibility of defending against the Wuhuan and Xianbei. Since you, Xuande, formed a unit of pardoned convicts to fight the Xianbei, I shall officially commend your achievements."

Zou Jing pondered for a moment before asking, "Did you have any success in the battle against the Xianbei cavalry?"

"I did, but only seven heads, and they were not taken by my own hand," Liu Bei replied with a wry smile. "This is a meager contribution; I fear it is not enough for a formal commendation."

"If there are heads, it is a great merit! You, a pardoned convict, led a unit of fellow convicts to decisively crush the elite vanguard of the Xianbei leader Tanshihuai and cut down seven centurions... If this is not a great merit, then what is?" Zou Jing narrowed his eyes.

*What?* Crushed Tanshihuai’s main force? Cut down seven centurions? One would think a massive war had been fought... But come to think of it, aside from the rank of the enemies, everything else was the truth.

Liu Bei felt his throat go dry. "Those seven were just Xianbei cavalrymen. I did see a centurion, but there was only one in that entire troop..."

"You are truly honest... but who can distinguish the head of a centurion from that of a common cavalryman? If I say they are centurions, they are centurions. Besides, they were indeed Tanshihuai’s personal cavalry; it is perfectly reasonable to consider them centurions in any other Xianbei tribe." Zou Jing winked. "I will submit this report of your great merit! As for what rank you might receive, that will depend on the court. If you spend a little money to grease the wheels, you might even land a position of four hundred shi."

Four hundred *shi* was roughly the rank of a County Magistrate or Assistant Magistrate—the most common path for military promotion. This was already considered a mid-level official post. Of course, if one had truly crushed Tanshihuai’s main force and cut down seven centurions, such a promotion would be well-deserved—and without the need to pay for the office.

Liu Bei swallowed hard and bowed. "I thank the Commander for his support!"

Zou Jing returned the bow. "And I thank you, Xuande, for saving my life."

***

Zou Jing was reliable in his commendations. Not only did he report Liu Bei’s merits, but he also mentioned the Magistrate of Zhuo, Gongsun Zan, and specifically submitted it first to Liu Wei, the Administrator of Zhuo Commandery, requesting his joint signature. This was the proper protocol; as a "pardoned convict lieutenant," Liu Bei was a military official of the commandery, and the Administrator deserved the opportunity to take credit.

The next day, Administrator Liu Wei summoned Liu Bei, stating he would join Zou Jing in petitioning the court to commend him. Of course, Liu Wei was not doing this out of kindness to Zou Jing, but to piggyback on the glory—if his subordinate had crushed Tanshihuai’s main force, did that not prove Liu Wei was a brilliant leader and strategist?

At the same time, Gongsun Zan was also commended for his role in recommending Liu Bei and for arriving as reinforcements in time to prevent a Xianbei counterattack, while also capturing dozens of fine Xianbei horses. No one was left out, and the "inflated" merit became quite substantial.

Gongsun Zan also submitted his own petition, offering twenty white horses from the spoils of war to the Luoyang court as an offering for the Emperor’s sacrifices. Gongsun Zan was very adept at seeking advancement.

With Liu Bei’s great merit established, the pardoned convicts naturally had their sentences remitted. In order to secure the credit, Administrator Liu Wei did not disband the unit; instead, he elevated them into the commandery troops as a distinct company under his direct command. He also issued an official appointment for Liu Bei to serve as the company commander. Liu Bei’s past record was overlooked in favor of his "inherent courage," and his victory was hailed as proof of the Administrator’s eye for talent.

As the man of primary merit, Liu Bei had to travel to Luoyang to receive his reward. If he were granted an office, he would also have to undergo a court examination—a formal interview. This would provide the perfect cover for him to deliver Zou Jing’s report on the situation in Shanggu.

Originally, Liu Bei had expected Gongsun Zan to use him as cannon fodder, but that was now impossible, given that Gongsun Zan was the very one who had recommended him. The rumors and the crimes committed by the convicts had been orchestrated by Liu Bei himself to force Gongsun Zan to utilize them for counter-insurgency upon his return, a move designed to prevent Gongsun Zan from sending him to his death. But with the unexpected intervention of Zou Jing, and with the convicts now under the control of Administrator Liu Wei, Gongsun Zan had been unable to harm him.

Gongsun Zan’s offering of white horses was clearly a play for a transfer. After all, in his few months at Zhuo County, he had already gained a reputation for "the magistrate who robs on the road" and various scandals involving local women. He knew his path there was blocked, so he sought a transfer to a border commandery where he could fight.

To Liu Bei’s surprise, Gongsun Zan expressed a desire to travel to Luoyang together. It made sense; Gongsun Zan was there to present the horses, and Liu Bei was there to receive his reward, so they should travel together. Liu Bei felt a lingering sense of unease, but he had no choice; traveling alone would be inappropriate. Moreover, Zou Jing had privately advised him that Gongsun Zan’s personal guard were skilled warriors, and that he should join them to avoid being ambushed on the road.

Thus, in the fourth month of the second year of Guanghe, Liu Bei set out for the south alongside Gongsun Zan. Liu Bei brought only nine men—the squad leaders, including Nine-Feet, who were his core group and former "escapees" not listed on the official convict roster.

Gongsun Zan, however, was traveling for an imperial tribute, so he marched with banners and a full retinue of over a hundred men: a dozen clerks, sixty elite volunteers, forty-odd servants, and several young women. Do not be mistaken—these women were musicians, meant to perform during the presentation of the horses, as white horses were symbols of good fortune and required music for the ceremony. Of course, calling them "abducted local women" would also be accurate, as they had been forcibly conscripted—who on earth would voluntarily walk a thousand miles to Luoyang?