Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1162 Liu Bei governs Jingzhou and Guan Yu recruits soldiers

Ma Chao didn't get angry. He simply placed the teacup on the table and looked at the surging waves on the river: "Zhang Zhao led the private armies of the aristocratic families to escape to Yuzhang County and then to Nanhai County. Zhou Yu is going to send troops to pursue and annihilate them. You will have to personally oversee the defenses of the Jiangdong navy." He paused and looked at Gan Ning, "You staying here and letting Gongjin control the navy is ten times more important than going to Chang'an with him."

Gan Ning stiffened his neck but didn't refute it further. He knew these principles all too well, but the thought of not being able to fight alongside Ma Chao made his heart ache.

“By the way,” Ma Chao patted his arm, “you should arrange for a fast boat to take Mr. Lu Su there first to discuss the matter of borrowing a passage. Otherwise, if a large army is pressing in, it may cause misunderstandings in Jingzhou.”

Gan Ning looked pleading, Ma Chao glared at him, and finally turned away.

Before long, the sound of a speedboat paddling came from the dock. Lu Su stood at the bow, waving to signal, followed by Liu Biao, who was being half-supported and half-carried by Kuai Yue. Liu Biao's brocade robe was still relatively neat, but the collar was askew, his sideburns were disheveled and stuck to his sweat-dampened forehead, his eyes were dark and his once meticulously groomed beard was now drooping. He had completely lost the composure of the former Governor of Jingzhou, leaving only an unconcealable weariness. He staggered onto the deck, his gaze sweeping over the people in the cabin. When it landed on Ma Chao, his lips moved, but he didn't say anything, only letting out a heavy sigh.

Gan Ning, standing to the side, explained in a low voice: "Cai Mao is recuperating in Jiangdong. Although he survived, he broke his leg and can't move for a while. Cai Zhong and Cai He are being held in the camp by Governor Zhou, but the brothers Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang have been following Liu Jingzhou."

Ma Chao smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on Liu Biao, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "Prefect Liu, there's no need to be so reserved. Back in the day, you were a powerful ruler in Jingzhou. Now that my senior brother Xuande has taken over your territory, I must seek justice for you on my way here."

Upon hearing this, Liu Biao's face turned deathly pale. His lips trembled, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes, which he forcefully suppressed. These words sounded like they were advocating for him, but in reality, they were pushing him towards Liu Bei! Now that he was living under someone else's roof, how could he possibly have the confidence to demand justice? If he were to actually stand before Liu Bei, he would be nothing more than a pawn to be manipulated.

Seeing that his lord was speechless, Kuai Yue quickly helped him take a half step forward and cupped his hands, saying, "King Liang is joking. You are now a powerful lord, and although my lord is in dire straits, he has never offended you. Why use such words to tease me? Such behavior is unbecoming of your status."

"Insolence!" Gan Ning roared from the side, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. "My lord kindly invited you aboard the ship for some fresh air and tea, and you dare to turn around and lecture us? Don't you even know your own predicament!"

Kuai Yue stiffened his neck, his face flushed: "Although my lord is in dire straits, he is still a member of the Han imperial family and a descendant of Emperor Jing! Now that he has been captured by you, if he is further neglected and this gets out, wouldn't it damage the reputation of the King of Liang?"

Seeing his blustering yet cowardly appearance, Ma Chao suddenly laughed, though the laughter didn't reach his eyes: "Mr. Kuai is right. Liu Jingzhou is a nobleman of the Han Dynasty, and Jiangdong, this tiny place, certainly can't accommodate such a person." He changed the subject, his tone somewhat playful, "Brother Xuande is also an imperial uncle recognized by the late emperor, and he's on equal footing with Liu Jingzhou. Wouldn't it be perfect if I sent you to him and let him find you a safe place to stay?"

Liu Biao felt a sinking feeling in his heart, his vision blurred, and he staggered, leaning against Kuai Yue, his face ashen. He waved his hand, his voice hoarse: "Yidu, don't say anymore... Enough, the situation is beyond our control, there's no point in saying more."

Looking at his lord's dejected appearance and then at Ma Chao's confident expression, Kuai Yue swallowed the rest of his words, his hand supporting Liu Biao trembling slightly. The cabin fell silent, save for the sound of the river wind whistling through the windowpanes. Everyone understood that for Liu Biao, this trip to Jingzhou was merely moving from one cage to an even more unpredictable place.

After Jingzhou changed hands, Liu Bei took control of Jingxiang, and his power and influence indeed grew stronger day by day. Banners fluttered on the city walls, and armored soldiers stood in rows below. The decadent atmosphere under Liu Biao's rule had long been replaced by an unstoppable force.

Surrounded by valiant generals, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Wen Pin, and Huang Zhong were known as the Five Tiger Generals, each a formidable warrior. Guan Yu, wielding his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, exuded an imposing aura with a single glance from his phoenix eyes; Zhang Fei gripped his eighteen-foot spear tightly, his voice like thunder, a single shout capable of shaking the enemy camp; Zhao Yun's silver spear gleamed like lightning, his white robes stained with blood yet unable to conceal its unstoppable sharpness; Wen Pin's iron armor gleamed, his defenses impregnable; Huang Zhong was a master of archery and horsemanship, his arrows flashing like lightning, his strength undiminished despite his age. In addition, generals such as Mi Fang, Fu Shiren, Zhou Cang, and Liao Hua, though not as renowned as the Five Tigers, each possessed their own specialties, guarding passes or protecting supply lines, all capable of leading independently.

The ranks of civil officials were even more dazzling, a far cry from the days when only Pang Tong and Jian Yong were present. Yi Ji and Wang Fu joined them, and the brothers Ma Liang and Ma Su were recommended. Moreover, Zhuge Liang was invited to come out of seclusion, and with a gentle wave of his feather fan, ingenious strategies and brilliant plans emerged one after another. When discussing matters in the tent, maps were spread out, and everyone expressed their opinions, discussing offense and defense, or supplies, their words full of sharpness and confidence.

Banners fluttered on the city walls, armored soldiers stood in neat rows, and cavalrymen rode swiftly to and fro, giving the entire city a vibrant atmosphere. This reputation had already spread throughout the surrounding prefectures and counties, and everyone had to admit that Liu Bei had established a firm foothold in Jingzhou and become a force that no one dared to underestimate.

After Liu Biao, under the protection of Huang Zu, abandoned Jiangxia and headed to Jiangdong, Liu Bei personally led a large army to pursue them to Jiangxia. However, after Liu Biao and Huang Zu left, they destroyed the Xiakou water fortress and took all the warships with them, leaving Liu Bei and his men only able to watch from across the river, unable to pursue them.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang advised Liu Bei to send a general to guard Jiangxia to secure the waterways. Liu Bei pondered for a moment and then appointed Guan Yu. Guan Yu accepted the order, with Ma Liang as his assistant, and immediately led Zhou Cang, Liao Hua, and five thousand infantrymen to Jiangxia.

After Liu Bei returned to Xiangyang, he immediately began to govern the city. Zhuge Liang managed internal affairs, surveyed and distributed land to the people, and reduced taxes. Before long, the barren fields outside the city were filled with crops, and the markets became bustling. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei recruited soldiers and trained them daily, fortifying the city's defenses and erecting beacon towers. With land to cultivate and a stable life, the people's faces showed smiles, and Xiangyang presented a picture of peace and stability.

After Guan Yu stationed his troops in Jiangxia, his first task was to have Liao Hua lead the soldiers to rebuild the water fortress. Jingzhou currently lacked a navy, and its control over the waterways was practically nonexistent. Jiangxia, situated along the Yangtze River, was home to generations of fishermen, and thus harbored many skilled swimmers. Ma Liang, observing this, advised Guan Yu: "General, these fishermen are adept at swimming. If we could recruit them and train them into an army, our waterway defenses would be greatly enhanced."

Guan Yu agreed wholeheartedly. For the past ten days or so, he had people post notices to recruit fishermen's sons while personally overseeing the naval training. Every day before dawn, he would go to the riverbank to watch the soldiers practice rowing and learn how to deploy their troops, his voice becoming hoarse from shouting.

That day, Liao Hua was directing his soldiers to apply tung oil to the newly built wooden stakes of the water fortress for preservation when he caught a glimpse of several fast boats approaching downstream, their bows bearing the Jiangdong flag. He abruptly raised his hand and shouted, "Stop! This is a heavily fortified area; no unauthorized entry is permitted!"

The man on the boat responded loudly, saying that he was Lu Su, the chief clerk under Liang King Ma Chao, and had come to pay a visit to Liu Huangshu. Liao Hua's heart skipped a beat - Ma Chao was a famous figure in Xiliang and was also a fellow disciple of his lord. He hurriedly ordered his guards to step forward and question him. After confirming his identity, he personally took Lu Su to Jiangxia. When they arrived in Jiangxia, he asked Lu Su to wait at the city lord's mansion.

Liao Hua then rode swiftly to the training ground where Guan Yu was drilling his soldiers. Seeing Guan Yu training his troops, he hurriedly shouted, "General! A ship has arrived from Jiangdong, saying that Lu Su, the chief clerk under Ma Chao, has come to visit our lord. Your subordinate dares not make a decision on his own!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu stopped what he was doing, his brows furrowing slightly. Liu Bei and Ma Chao... they hadn't crossed paths since Chang'an. Why this sudden visit, especially from Jiangdong? He wiped the water from his hands and said in a deep voice, "Understood." He then instructed Zhou Cang beside him, "Continue to oversee the training. I'm going to meet Lu Su." With that, he straightened his clothes and headed into the city, his steps steady, already pondering the intentions of this Jiangdong visitor.

Guan Yu was a man of utmost loyalty and righteousness, and recalling the past always filled him with remorse. He and Liu Bei had been misled by the late emperor, blocking Ma Chao's generals outside Chang'an, causing Ma Chao to be trapped in the city and nearly lose his life. Although they had been deceived by the late emperor, this incident remained a thorn in his side—even Liu Bei often sighed about it in private, let alone Guan Yu, who, being upright and honorable, felt even more indebted to Ma Chao.

What troubled him even more were Zhang Liao and Xu Huang. He and the two were old acquaintances, and they had helped each other in times of crisis, for which they were deeply grateful. However, due to their opposing stances, Xu Huang and Zhang Liao severed ties, with Xu Huang declaring, "From now on, we will each serve our own masters and have no further dealings with each other." Now, thinking back on those words, every single one felt like a knife cutting through his heart.

A while ago, his wife, Madam Hu, and their eldest son, Guan Ping, finally came to visit, and the family was reunited. While chatting under the lamp about the hardships of their separation, Madam Hu revealed that she and her son were only able to survive the chaos thanks to Xu Huang's help.

These words struck Guan Yu like a hammer blow. He patted Guan Ping's shoulder, looking at the peace in his wife and children's eyes, and then recalled the tense standoff outside Chang'an, and the resolute farewell he had made with Xu Huang and Zhang Liao. He felt a tightness in his throat. Now, Ma Chao had sent someone to visit, and he stood under the eaves, gazing at the drifting clouds, his knuckles white as he gripped the Green Dragon Crescent Blade—this guilt had weighed on him for too long, and he didn't know how he would face him when they met again.

After a long silence, Guan Yu finally stepped forward, lifted the curtain and entered the reception room. A smile appeared on his face as he cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Zijing, Jiangxia has just been pacified, and military affairs are numerous. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Lu Su remained calm. Upon seeing him enter, he rose and returned the greeting with a gentle smile: "Marquis Shouting is stationed in Jiangxia, and his fame has spread far and wide. I am deeply grateful that the General has taken the time to meet with me. Liu Bei has established a stronghold in Jingzhou, and the state of Jingzhou is now changing rapidly. This is truly a cause for celebration."

Guan Yu nodded and asked directly, "Weren't you in Chang'an with the King of Liang? Why did you suddenly come from Jiangdong? Could it be... that the King of Liang also went to Jiangdong?"

Lu Su nodded in agreement, “That’s right. My king went to Jiangdong specifically to investigate the cause of General Sun Ce’s death, so as to comfort the general’s spirit in heaven.”

Guan Yu bowed respectfully, his tone solemn: "King Liang's actions are truly righteous. General Sun Ce died young; with this exoneration, he will surely rest in peace in the afterlife." He then changed the subject, "But I wonder what brings you here, sir?"

Lu Su said frankly, "The matter in Jiangdong has been settled. My king will be returning to Chang'an soon and has come to pay his respects to Liu Bei, hoping to pass through Jingzhou. I just learned that you are stationed in Jiangxia, so I came here first to ask for your help."

Guan Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "This matter is of great importance. If the King of Liang comes, my elder brother will be overjoyed. Please sit down, sir, and come with me to Xiangyang to pay our respects to my brother and discuss the welcoming arrangements. What do you say?"

Seeing that he had agreed, Lu Su quickly cupped his hands and said, "I will leave it to the general's arrangements."

Guan Yu nodded slightly, immediately ordered his servants to prepare horses, and instructed them to treat Lu Su's entourage well. He then changed into a neat robe and left the mansion with Lu Su. He knew that Ma Chao's visit was not only to see an old acquaintance, but also perhaps an opportunity to resolve the old grudges.