Chapter 28

The soldier’s deep voice, intentionally lowered, was completely different from a natural mid-low tone. The voice didn’t come from the crowd of onlookers but from the place where the soldier and the others involved had emerged.

“That’s a dispute over gambling. Unacceptable. It’s not right.”

The man was young, probably in his mid-20s. In an era where malnutrition and stunted growth were common, he was unusually tall and well-built.

Standing just under 8 feet (184 cm) with a strong physique showing signs of rigorous training, he wasn’t wearing armor but carried a sword, indicating he was part of the military.

The soldiers, initially intimidated by the man’s stature, hesitated but regained their courage upon realizing he was alone.

“Who are you? Mind your own business and leave. Why stir up trouble?”

“If you had taken that man to the authorities for proper punishment, I wouldn’t have intervened. If he’s at fault, the authorities will handle it. Why take matters into your own hands?”

“Ha, this guy… he’s not making any sense.”

“Let’s take him down too!”

Three soldiers. Even though the man had a sword, the soldiers were also armed. Even master swordsmen would advise fleeing when outnumbered in such situations.

Unless it’s a battlefield where the atmosphere overwhelms the human spirit, facing multiple armed opponents is extremely difficult, especially without armor.

Yet, the soldiers knew that drawing their swords would escalate things irreversibly, so they charged at him bare-handed.

The man fearlessly closed the distance. With leopard-like agility, he struck the first soldier’s abdomen. Despite wearing armor, the soldier couldn’t withstand the blow and collapsed.

Shocked by their comrade’s fall, the other soldiers hesitated. Embarrassed by the attention, one soldier instinctively reached for his sword.

Fists and swords are entirely different matters. I immediately let go of Yeon-yi’s hand to intervene.

But the man acted faster. Already close and in a fighting stance, his expression changed the moment the soldier grabbed his sword.

If before he seemed like a martial arts instructor dealing with students, now he was like a detective apprehending a murderer.

Crack!

Unlike the previous blow to the armored abdomen, this time he mercilessly struck the soldier’s jaw. The force was so strong it seemed the soldier momentarily lifted off the ground. He finished off the remaining soldier before they could react.

In less than a minute, the man had knocked out three soldiers. The onlookers were stunned, too shocked to even cheer.

Amid the silence, the man spoke.

“You there. Stay put.”

He pointed at a man surrounded by soldiers, who had been trying to sneak away during the commotion. The man froze, burying his head in fear.

“Everyone, back off! Back off!”

Hearing the market’s disturbance, a group of soldiers rushed in. It seemed the local patrol had arrived.

Leading them was someone I recognized. I stepped forward to handle the situation. As I approached, the man who caused the commotion tried to stop me.

“My lady, I can handle the testimony. No need for you to intervene.”

“Commander Wei, it’s Chang-ran. You served under General Wei Yan, right? I witnessed the entire disturbance and will handle it.”

“Ah, Commander Wei. Understood. Should we take them all into custody?”

“First, let’s hear what he has to say.”

Revealing my identity as Commander Wei seemed to surprise the man. I addressed him.

“What do you think?”

“Ah… My lady, no, Commander Wei, didn’t you see it too?”

“You came from inside, right? Do you know why they caused this disturbance?”

The man hesitated before answering.

“It was a fight over gambling. That man is a gambler. He cheated the soldiers, and when they found out, they started the violence.”

After capturing Chengdu, Liu Bei had generously distributed wealth to his soldiers. While they had money from the war, those unfamiliar with such schemes were easy prey for gamblers.

But what he overlooked was that these soldiers had survived brutal battlefields and were extremely aggressive.

“Then why did you stop the soldiers? Wasn’t the gambler at fault?”

“Even if they were victims, taking the law into their own hands isn’t right. There are authorities, laws, and punishments for a reason. If they had taken the gambler to the authorities, I wouldn’t have stopped them.”

It was a principled argument Zhuge Liang would appreciate. Even in modern times, vigilante justice is controversial, but in this era, it was common. In chaotic times, people relied on their fists rather than distant laws.

However, after Liu Bei took Yi Province and Zhuge Liang reformed the administrative and legal systems, vigilante justice was banned. Although the Shu Kingdom wasn’t fully established, Chengdu had a proper administrative system, where the authorities handled justice.

The man’s courage against three armed soldiers, his martial prowess, and his adherence to the law marked him as a remarkable talent. Shu was gaining a valuable asset.

“By the way, I don’t even know who you are. What’s your name?”

At my question, the man saluted formally.

“I am Yu En, an intermediate commander under General Lei Dong.”

“Yu En?”

The name sounded familiar.

Since recalling my past life, I had meticulously recorded any useful memories, especially about notable figures. The name Yu En rang a bell, likely from my past life’s knowledge. Shu’s talents were particularly important.

“Your courtesy name is Xiu-ran, right?”

“Ah, do you know me?”

That’s right.

I naturally curved my lips into a smile, careful not to let my expression betray my excitement.

Why had I forgotten? I had been so focused on recruiting Wang Ping that I overlooked this.

Yu En. A veteran who served as Jiang Wei’s trusted subordinate after Zhuge Liang’s death. Among Shu’s later generals, he was one of the best.

“Would you like to serve under me?”

§

“Did such a thing happen? It’s a pity such a talent was only an intermediate commander.”

After hearing the details of the market incident, Liu Bei laughed heartily.

That day, I immediately sought Lei Dong and requested Yu En be transferred to me. Lei Dong, a surrendered general from Liu Zhang’s forces, readily agreed, likely out of deference to me.

After bringing Yu En under my command, I submitted a report to Liu Bei, recommending his promotion to commandant.

Liu Bei summoned me upon receiving the report, leading to the current conversation.

“Then…”

“Alright. I’ll grant him the commandant position. I generally approve of the personnel you want in your army. I didn’t expect you to discover new talent, but it’s a good thing.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

“Good. Now that’s settled, let’s talk as uncle and niece rather than ruler and subject.”

Despite Yu En’s rapid promotion from intermediate commander to commandant based on a minor incident, Liu Bei casually changed the subject.

Hmm, as uncle and niece, he must want to discuss family matters. I heard rumors that Liu Shan had been asking for me.

Slightly nervous, I waited for Liu Bei to speak. He noticed my tension and laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Why so nervous? Did you think I’d arrange another marriage for you? After witnessing your achievements firsthand, would I confine you to the palace? I intend to use you as a general.”

“My apologies.”

“Nothing to apologize for. I’m saying this because I want to give you a courtesy name.”

“My courtesy name, given by you, my lord?”

A courtesy name is a cultural tradition in East Asian countries. Typically, parents or grandparents bestow it, though sometimes friends do, like Zhou Yu and Zhuge Jin, who named each other’s courtesy names.

“Your father’s courtesy name, Yi De, was also given by me.”

Liu Bei and my father’s courtesy names followed that pattern. Xian De and Yi De. They were similar. Moreover, my father mentioned that he and Liu Bei had known each other since childhood, so Liu Bei might have given him a matching name to bring him into his fold.

Is that why he wants to give me a courtesy name? Am I overthinking this? Liu Bei is both my lord and my uncle. Even though they’re sworn brothers, their bond is stronger than blood brothers, making me practically his nephew.

“Do you already have someone else in mind for your courtesy name?”

“No, not at all. I’m just overwhelmed by the honor. I’m thrilled that you, my uncle, would give me one.”

“Haha, is that so? I did ask Yi De for his consent. If you had prior arrangements, it would be proper to honor them. You’re close with Fang Junshi and Sheng Ming, right?”

“Both are dear to me, but how could they compare to you, my uncle?”

Flattered by my flattery, Liu Bei looked at me fondly.

“I should thank Yi De. He gave me such a wonderful niece. Ran, do you know the story of King Wei of Qi?”

“Isn’t he Duke Huan of Qi’s son?”

“Correct. Then you must know what Chunyu Kun said to him.”

The story of King Wei of Qi is from the Records of the Grand Historian.

The Duke Huan I mentioned is different from the famous Duke Huan of the Spring and Autumn period. His son, King Wei, ascended the throne young and delegated all governance to his subordinates while indulging in leisure.

Naturally, the state fell into chaos, with corruption rampant internally and invasions frequent externally. Unable to bear it, Chunyu Kun addressed the king.

‘In this palace, there lives a great bird. Yet for three years, it has neither flown nor sung. Do you know what bird this is?’

This is the origin of the saying “a bird that does not fly or sing,” often used to describe someone biding their time. While it originally criticized King Wei for neglecting governance, it later came to describe those waiting for the right moment.

However, the latter usage isn’t entirely wrong. King Wei, humbly accepting Chunyu Kun’s advice, immediately toured the regions, rewarding and punishing officials, swiftly restoring order and eliminating internal and external threats.

Later, King Wei became a renowned ruler, ushering in Qi’s golden age. His story is well-known among fans of the Three Kingdoms, likely due to his appearance in popular Three Kingdoms games.

Having been obsessed with such games, I knew the story well. Liu Bei recited Chunyu Kun’s words again.

“Chunyu Kun said, ‘This bird, if it does not fly, will soar to the heavens when it does. If it does not sing, it will astonish all when it does.'”

That bird.

If it does not fly, it remains still.

But once it flies, it reaches the heavens.

If it does not sing, it remains silent.

But once it sings, it startles all.

“It sounds just like you, my lord.”

The comment came naturally. The difference is that the bird neither flew nor sang, but Liu Bei had been restrained.

Now, with the hands that clipped his wings and the gag that silenced him gone, the world watched as he prepared to soar.

“Indeed. I have been silent and still. But now, I am spreading my wings and beginning to fly. So, I want you to be my voice.”

“Me, my lord?”

“They say that when the phoenix sings, the chaotic times end, and peace arrives. I believe you will be the phoenix that ends this chaos. Can you fulfill my wish?”

Amid the prolonged chaos, in the night of history stained with war, death, and blood, the phoenix’s song heralding peace, even the rooster’s crow at dawn, had been absent.

Then, let me ring the bell myself. Let me become the voice that heralds the dawn.

This aligns with both my goals and Liu Bei’s vision.

I gladly accepted the courtesy name Liu Bei bestowed upon me.

Ming Jing.

The cry that will startle the world.

That is my courtesy name.