Chapter Thirty-Two: My Uncle's Difficult Life

Choosing a wise lord to follow is a matter of lifelong importance; it requires careful thought and weighing of pros and cons. There are plenty of advantages to joining my uncle, but certainly some drawbacks as well.

The greatest disadvantage lies in the fact that Liu Bei was far too weak, even serving as cannon fodder for others. Before acquiring Yi Province, he hardly had a stable foothold, his life marked by hardships rarely seen in history.

In the beginning, he led five hundred volunteers to join Liu Yan, the Inspector of Youzhou, a distant relative. Liu Yan, overjoyed, acknowledged him as his nephew, and it seemed Liu Bei had finally found a powerful patron. But then—

Astonishing! When faced with his refined nephew, the uncle’s response was this—

The original "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" records: “Someone reported that the Yellow Turban bandit leader Cheng Yuanzhi was invading Zhuojun with fifty thousand troops. Liu Yan ordered Zou Jing to lead Xuande and two others, commanding five hundred men, to confront the enemy. Xuande and the others gladly accepted and advanced…”

Five hundred against fifty thousand—what did that gladness really mean? Forced smiles, perhaps. Yet the one who laughs last laughs best; in the world of intrigue, debts must always be repaid. Years later, when the Imperial Uncle occupied Yi Province, he must have felt immeasurable pride and joy.

His career began in Hebei, after Liu Yan he sought refuge with his classmate Gongsun Zan. Brother Zan was generous, appointing him as a subordinate commander in Pingyuan.

But soon Liu Bei grew dissatisfied. How could this small place ever fulfill a man's grand ambitions or restore the glory of the Han dynasty?

Hearing of Kong Rong's troubles, the three brothers hurried to assist, only for Kong Rong to declare he could offer them no more than a pear—nothing further. So they hurried off again to help Tao Qian.

Master Tao was in dire straits as well; his men had just killed Lord Cao's father, and the blame needed to be shifted swiftly. Only after Tao Qian thrice offered Xuzhou did Liu Bei gain a brief foothold. But good fortune did not last; soon enough, the hard-won territory was seized by that fierce tiger, and his wife was captured along with it.

Having finally gained some land, Liu Bei was reluctant to leave. After all, he had gathered so many followers—who one follows matters less than simply following. Thus, the Imperial Uncle joined forces with Lü Bu, quietly building up troops for a comeback.

Lü Bu might have been unreliable as a man, but he was no fool in battle. Sensing the threat, he brought forces to crush Liu Bei's base. There was no choice but to flee, and the three brothers sought out Lord Cao.

With Lord Cao as a patron, surely Liu Bei would prosper? Alas, at this time he was still the hopeless Xuande, and even with Xiahou Dun's support, he was defeated by Lü Bu. His wife was captured yet again.

No wonder Liu Bei uttered that famous line about women being like clothes—he lost wives more often than he changed garments. Perhaps speaking so lightly could ease some of the awkwardness.

No wonder Liu Bei insisted on executing Lü Bu at White Gate Tower—after suffering so much abuse, did Lü Bu truly think he would never find a stronger patron?

Under Lord Cao, the two giants met in the pavilion, and Liu Bei’s performance during the “Green Plum and Boiled Wine” episode was masterful. That dropped chopstick was a stroke of genius, causing Cao Cao to lower his guard.

But did anyone expect Liu Bei to settle down quietly? Impossible—he immediately took part in the Imperial Edict Conspiracy, plotting to kill his benefactor Cao Cao. Seizing the chance while away, he eliminated Cao’s general and reclaimed Xuzhou. Rightfully won, no question.

Was land enough? Certainly not—he immediately allied with Yuan Shao and dared to attack Cao Cao, likely fearing Cao would retaliate. Yet Cao Cao was gracious, sending two weaklings who were promptly dispatched by the three brothers.

Soon after, the conspiracy was exposed. Cao Cao personally marched east to punish Liu Bei, who was thoroughly beaten. This time, losing everything, he abandoned his third wife, parted ways with his brothers, and fled alone to seek out Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao was generous, personally traveling two hundred li to greet him and treating Liu Bei with great respect. Sadly, the Imperial Uncle was truly inept; when he led troops into battle, he was quickly defeated, while his second brother killed two of Yuan Shao’s key generals. There was no way to stay, so he continued on to join Liu Biao.

He spent several years peacefully in Xin Ye, his fortune nearly restored. After three visits to the thatched cottage, he recruited the greatest mind, Zhuge Liang, and his enterprise finally took a turn, culminating in the founding of Shu.

Yet, looking at this string of black marks, how could one describe his life but as tragic? Defeat after defeat, never truly victorious, half a lifetime wasted, and the birth of Liu Shan becomes understandable.

Zhang Yu reviewed Liu Bei’s early years in his mind, feeling genuine pity for his unfortunate uncle…

What he faced now was not the Liu Bei of great momentum, with eyes set on Yi Province, but the Liu Bei who had not yet begun his journey around the Han, who had no title.

Though he had an edge in perceiving trends and a touch of “foresight,” making him a candidate for a modest adviser… among the three powers—Cao, Liu, Sun—his uncle was the only pitiful lord whose top strategist died unexpectedly.

“Following him, running east and west, being battered from all sides, relying on others like a homeless dog—how could a life like that suit me, a young master who only wishes for poetry and leisure?

Besides, after being defeated in Xuzhou, he lost both wife and brothers—how could he possibly look after his nephew? If caught by Lord Cao, would I surrender?

If I did, Liu Bei is my uncle, and Lord Cao, ever suspicious, can kill in his dreams—would he trust me?

If not, I know my own abilities; my intelligence and politics are nowhere near as impressive as my charisma… Second Brother has peerless martial prowess, can fight and kill—am I supposed to outshine Yan Liang and Wen Chou with mere handsomeness?”

And if I were taken as some sort of companion or pet… Zhang Yu shuddered at the thought, “I’d have to end my own life to preserve my dignity.”

Enough. He is my uncle after all, always will be. There will be opportunities in the future, but right now, absolutely not.

With his mind made up, he drank his tea much more quickly. Chewing the precious brew like a cow munching peonies, Zhang Yu finished it in one gulp and went to the side courtyard’s “gym.”

The gym was quite spacious, created by knocking through several adjoining rooms and renovating them slightly. Inside were all sorts of crude exercise equipment Zhang Yu had cobbled together, inspired by those of later generations—besides the original dumbbells and pull-up bar, he had added agility ladders, sandbags, jump ropes, and more. At a glance, it was quite an impressive setup.

As soon as it was completed, Han Long found his calling. Every day, aside from running, eating, and being forced by Zhang Yu to read and write with his sister, he spent all his remaining time inside, experimenting with and adapting to the new equipment, then practicing swordsmanship. His admiration for his young master’s ingenuity grew boundless, and his martial prowess improved by one point to reach eighty-three.

So far, six people had reached a closeness rating of ninety with Zhang Yu: aside from his parents and sworn brother Zhao Yun, there were the Han siblings and Ying’er. Han Long’s special bond was [Utter Devotion], while the two girls had [Heart’s Delight]; due to their status and roles, they didn’t have the additional effects that Zhao Yun did.

Looking further, his uncle Liu Bei’s closeness rating had suddenly climbed to eighty-two, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both at seventy-nine, growing well. But Zhang Yu dared not really get so close as to share their fate—otherwise, he’d be dragged onto that little sinking ship.

The next morning, the sky was still pale gray; overnight, another heavy snowfall had blanketed yesterday’s chaotic scene, hiding it with a layer of white. The air was crisp and fresh, the chill waking people from their slumber.

“Yu Lang, you’re up early!”

“Heh, Third Uncle, you’re up early too.” Could you please not shout so loudly when stretching outdoors?

“So, up so early—are you planning to train, just like your third uncle? You look rather frail—how about I teach you a couple of moves?”

The guidance of the peerless general Zhang Fei! It sounded good, though Zhao Yun’s guidance hadn’t done much for this blockhead, and he wasn’t another Han Long—thinking this, Zhang Yu cheerfully took Zhang Fei by the hand and headed toward the gym.