Three Kingdoms: Chapter 10

Chapter 10



“Mmm...” Zhang Fei rolled over under the table, drooling and dropping the morning snore. He sat up to find Guan Yu still asleep, and Liu Bei nowhere to be found.

“Huh, where did he go?” He promptly got up, walking down the white path. The sunlight, fused with the sheer brightness of peach trees, was absolutely blinding. He came to Liu Bei's house and saw Liu Bei and his mother through the casement.

“Mother, I have made my decision. To correct this disorder; to aid the people in sufferings, I've resolved to do something for the world,” Liu Bei said solemnly. He paused reluctantly and added, “Only one thing... that I have to leave you alone here...”

“No, you do not have to worry about me. Aside from that, I am glad you made that difficult decision,” she smiled and added, “It is not in vain that I raised you as an Emperor's descendant. Fight nobly for those who are suffering.”

“Yes, mother.”

Zhang Fei stood by the casement solemnly, listening to the speeches that were farewell in disguise between the mother and the son. He felt slight sweat upon his brow. ‘Though they don't show it, their hearts must be heavy laden right now,’ he thought. Turning away from the casement, he beheld a crowd of farmers waiting by the mulberry tree.

“Wha-what? Who are you people?” he stuttered, taken aback by surprise.

“We came after hearing the news that Master Liu Bei is putting together a volunteer army,” one of the farmers replied politely and they bowed.

“Please permit us to handle weapons as well. We can't stand those Huans' dirty deeds any longer.”

“Wa-wait, everyone! This is not a simple matter,” Zhang Fei said, at loss for words. Liu Bei came out of the house, having noticed the noise. All the farmers kneeled before him.

“Master Liu Bei, please permit us to go with you,” they pleaded. Liu Bei did not say anything, but a voice by the mulberry tree answered.

“Welcome, all! Come, all of you who are concerned for the future of China,” Guan Yu said in his rotund voice. As the farmers' faces lit up, Guan Yu turned his face stern and added, “One thing, however, is that we are not a callous bunch like the Huans. Accordingly, there are iron rules that you need to adhere by strictly.” Guan Yu's steely eyes, indeed, seem to look into the very hearts of men. He begun laying the rules.

“First, to obey the orders of your leader.
Second, to be not haunted by the advantages before your eyes, but to serve with a greater purpose.
Third, to put the matters of the state before the private matters.
Fourth, the punishment for plundering is beheading.
Fifth, the penalty for harassing any citizen is death.
Sixth, the penalty for disturbing the military discipline is death.”

“Everyone, could you observe such rules?” Guan Yu asked.

“Yes, sir!” they said in unison. Presently Liu Bei seemed to have another concern.

“Yunchang, it is most welcome to have more and more comrades, but what shall we do about provisions, weapons, and steeds?”

“Yes, there is a slight problem with that.” Guan Yu stroked his chin.

“You speak of horses, masters. A horse dealer just passed by,” a farmer suggested.

“No way, if we had any money to buy horses...” Zhang Fei grunted, but he seemed to have come up with a new idea. “A horse dealer, you say...? He could be profiting from his knavish tricks, hmm.” He stroked his whiskers thoughtfully. Taking off, he said, “All right. I will go see him,” but Guan Yu stopped him.

“Wait a minute, Zhang Fei. You couldn't have forgotten the rule that said the penalty for plundering is beheading,” he said sternly.

“Seriously, brother, you always make useless rules,” Zhang Fei talked back, annoyed. “Anyway, I'm going to go meet him.” He mounted the horse, and was gone as fast as his words were out.

“Giddy up!”

It wasn't long before Zhang Fei found the horse dealer. A herd of fertile steeds and two men were quietly passing through the streets of Mulberry.

“It's him, I see,” Zhang Fei drawed in the reins and shouted, “Wait just a moment, master! Hold it there!” He said as he rode towards them. The horse dealer was a man of about two and a half scores of years. He had a kind presence. His helper was a young man whose eyes shone bright and sad.

“How may I help you?” the horse dealer asked politely.

“Mmm, I would like to buy those horses,” Zhang Fei said, pointing at the rich steeds.

“We are merchants. We will sell them to you gladly,” the horse dealer bowed.

“B-but the truth is, there is no money,” Zhang Fei stuttered a bit, thinking about Guan Yu's words. “To tell you the truth, this potent master and many with the same minds rose to cure this madness in the world... but we didn't have any money or horses, so...” he paused and added, “How about that? Could you wait until we become a lord of some province?” Zhang Fei said jokingly, but the horse dealer's answer stunned him more.

“Of course, take them all, if you please,” he bowed.

“W-what!” Zhang Fei stammered in disbelief. Taken aback, he asked once more: “Take them all, you say?”

“Yes, sir.”

“This is way too simple. Anyway, let us talk to Master Liu Bei,” Zhang Fei said, drawing his brows together in confusion. They went back to Liu Bei's front lawn, where now many scores of voluntary army lounged under the mulberry tree.

“Brother Xuande!” Zhang Fei called from the saddle. Instantly dismounting, he whispered to Liu Bei. “To be frank with you, that horse dealer will give us all his horses at no charge.” Liu Bei turned to the dealer.

“I just heard what my brother said. Master would give us all your horses, even though we don't have any money to pay off?” Liu Bei asked politely.

“Yes, sir. We will gladly give them to you,” he bowed. “There is a reason why I'm doing this,” he said and added, “I am the leading merchant in Zhongsan,¹ my name is Zhang Shi-Ping.” He raised his clear eyes. “But not too long ago, after the Huans' assault, my house was burnt down. My wife and daughter were kidnapped.” Zhang Shi-Ping's clear eyes turned stern and he continued, “Presently I'm traveling around to sell horses with my nephew Xiao Shuang. But Huans have been turning up in every corner. I've been enmeshed in thinking that they will take my own life and the horses soon.” He paused and looked at Liu Bei.

“Accordingly, I had decided to give my horses to one who will set things right and govern justly, for it would be much more desirable than being robbed of them and boosting the Huans' motive power,” the dealer remarked. Looking at the shabby volunteer army, he said, “If you want to accomplish that will, you will not only need horses but also swords and provisions as well.” He took out a heavy silk purse, handing it over to Liu Bei. “You will be able to arrange some with this money.”

“Even with such reasons, it is known that a merchant pursues profits. Why do you present such kindness?” Liu Bei asked curiously, yet reluctant to accept the purse.

“That is because I am a merchant to the backbone,” he smiled and added, “A merchant knows just by looking at your face. Your eyes are very bright. Thusly, your plans will be surely achieved.” He gazed into their eyes thoughtfully. “Also, to assemble people, now is the time. That means your plan is well-timed.”

“Just as a warrior has his chivalry, and a sage has his precepts, a merchant has his gains. When you achieve a glorious exploit after unfolding your wills, I will know that my fight wasn't amiss,” he marked and continued, “Ten years, no, even if it takes thirty years, it matters not. After you have won your names and the world has regained peace, you can return them to me with interests.”

“Thank you, sir. We will gladly borrow this money,” Liu Bei received the purse with a grateful bow. He handed it over to Guan Yu.

“It's all good now; let us get weapons and provisions with this money!” Guan Yu said, cheering up the soldiers. Their faces lit up with joy yet they stood their ground with grateful solemnity. The unknown future awaited them, but Liu Bei and Zhang Shi-Ping's eyes shone with determination.

* * *

The castle of Zhouzhou was especially lively. The viceroy's recent decree had indicated that a volunteer army was to arrive soon. Men and women, young and old alike, all streams of people poured into the main street as if to herald the king's coming. Reinforcements were rare these days. The very existence of the Huan camp only within a league of the castle, was not all too appealing.

“Hey, what's going on?” Ti asked, always quite clueless.

“A volunteer army is coming from Mulberry to carry out a punitive raid,” his friend replied quite cheerfully, though another time his answer would've retained a slight tone of annoyance.

“Ooo, if they are to defeat the Huans then we must welcome them!”

“That's why we are here,” his friend rolled his eyes.

“I wish they'd come sooner,” Ti remarked.

“Be quiet, you two!” another shouted.

“There, right there!”

“They are here!”

They were coming, line upon line. Soon they came into closer view, stirring the town's people with a surprise. The volunteer army was none other than a group of farmers. “意”² was written on the head banner. Not hoes and rakes, but swords and spears in their hands, they came marching into the street of Zhouzhou. Their worn-out trousers and shabby coats were strangely but smoothly armed by tassets and mails. But that did not suffice to escape the roar of laughter from the crowd.

“Whew!”

“These people are going to defeat Huans, huh?”

“These people are the volunteer army?”

“Hahahahaha!”

“Hu-hu.”

“Hehehehehe!”

“What is this, tramps or troops?”

“I want to see what kind of fellow is their leader!”

Their wishes were soon granted, for presently three men came into view. One that rode ahead the other two seemed of knighthood. He sat upon a white steed, his right hand pulling at the reins and his left hand reaching down to his knees. The lordly eyes that shone with aspiration seemed to see through the very heart of a young child. His mouth seemed to speak the words of kindness and assurance to the fearful. A royal sword he wore, its hidden edges restless for the battle.

The tallest of the three had a long dense beard. His armor was entirely black. He had a loyal red face, and his strong brows held not only strength but wisdom. He carried a guan dao³, whose blade was deep and curved on its face. A green dragon was engraved on it. It seemed to weigh at least 80 jin.*

The last warrior was also a giant. He had a scattered beard that looked like whiskers. His unruly hair tangled in the wind, and his rough hands were ready for the day of the battle. The long scars on his face made him look more dangerous than a tiger, but his two eyes shone with bravery and certainty. He held a long spear, with a blade that had eight sharp tips arranged in pairs side by side. The metallic art resembled a serpent, ready to swallow its prey.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei. The laughters and sneers died away on the bickering lips. For these warriors were complete with overwhelming character and inaccessible dignity, more than any other generals they had seen in the past.

* * *

¹ Zhongsan, where the horse dealer's from.
² “意” is read “yi,” means will, purpose, opinion, thought... etc.
³ Guan dao, a Chinese pole weapon. It has a long handled sabre and consists of a heavy blade mounted atop a 5-6 foot long wooden or metal pole.

* 80 jin = 50 kg = 110 pounds.