Zhang Fei Breaks the Rules, Liu Bei Punishes Himself

After meeting Qin Tian, Old Liu suddenly felt as if the clouds had parted and the sun had broken through.

If Xu Shu's arrival had let him glimpse a ray of hope, then his conversation with Qin Tian had laid a broad road straight before him!

To accomplish great things, he had to have Qin Tian come out of seclusion and assist him.

And now was the perfect opportunity. Qin Tian had no intention of serving anyone else, so this was the time to recruit such a rare talent!

Liu Bei immediately rode down the mountain alongside Xu Shu, where Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were waiting.

Seeing Liu Bei come down, Guan Yu stepped forward and asked:

"Brother, how did it go? Is Qin Tian willing to come out of seclusion?"

Liu Bei merely shook his head, his face expressionless.

At the sight of this, Zhang Fei flew into a rage.

"How dare Qin Tian be so brazen? My brother personally invited him, and he still refuses to come out of seclusion! Let me fetch a rope, bind him, and bring him in to answer for his crime!"

As he spoke, he started to turn his horse around.

Seeing this, Liu Bei immediately shouted:

"How can you do such a thing, Third Brother? Have you never heard of King Wen of Zhou seeking out Jiang Ziya?"

"Sir possesses the talent to save the world. How could we treat him with such disrespect?"

"If you dare go, do not blame your elder brother for showing you no mercy!"

Hearing this, Zhang Fei's expression changed. His spirits sank as he said:

"If I won't go, then I won't go. Why must you be so harsh, Brother?"

This was the first time Guan Yu had seen Liu Bei so angry. He could not help asking in surprise:

"Brother, does this man truly possess the world-shaking talent people say he does?"

He had heard of Qin Tian, of course, but there were plenty of people in the world whose reputations exceeded their abilities. Besides, Qin Tian's fame had grown so great that he seemed almost mythical, so Guan Yu still had doubts about his abilities.

But Liu Bei had never been one to make empty gestures.

When someone truly had ability, Liu Bei treated him with the greatest respect. When someone was all talk, Liu Bei never gave him the time of day.

The fact that Liu Bei held Qin Tian in such high regard showed that his talent must be close to what the rumors claimed.

But before Guan Yu could say more, Liu Bei sighed.

"Zixuan's talent could perhaps be matched only by the great sages of antiquity. Among all the people alive today, few could hold a candle to him."

Hearing Liu Bei compare Qin Tian to the great sages of antiquity, Guan Yu was astonished.

Even after being rejected, Liu Bei praised Qin Tian so highly. It was clear that Qin Tian's ability was truly first-rate.

Qin Tian was not yet thirty. Could he really be that talented?

Seeing their reaction, Xu Shu knew the two men surely did not believe it. He smiled and said:

"You two may not know this, but before Zixuan came here, Yuan Shu learned that he had left Cao's service and spread the word far and wide: if Zixuan would join him, he would offer him the office of Chancellor!"

"Yuan Shao in the north has also been making inquiries about Zixuan from every direction!"

"If another man were treated this way, he would surely grow proud and conceited. But Zixuan is content to live in seclusion here. That shows the heart of a true recluse!"

Guan Yu had nothing to say to that.

He was proud, certainly, but not so proud that he looked down on everyone in the world.

Qin Tian's talent had already been recognized by Cao and Liu. Now even the Two Yuans were shamelessly lending him their endorsement. Clearly, the man had real ability.

At this, Zhang Fei muttered:

"Even if he has great talent, what are we supposed to do if he won't join our army?"

Before he could finish, Liu Bei said, displeased:

"Even if Sir won't join us, he has still done our army a kindness. After meeting him today, it was as if a torrent of insight had poured into me. I now understand many of our army's shortcomings!"

"If you say another bad word about Sir, do not blame your elder brother for showing you no mercy!"

Seeing this, Zhang Fei knew he had hit a sore spot. He said no more, only muttering to Guan Yu:

"Quite the gentleman. If he comes here, there won't be room for us brothers to plant our feet!"

Guan Yu shook his head.

"Yide, you should say less. If Qin Zixuan truly is a rare talent, then he deserves to be treated this way!"

Guan Yu had his flaws, but he had many virtues too.

His greatest virtue was that he kept public and private matters separate.

He knew that Qin Tian must have shown Liu Bei a way forward today.

His abilities were exactly what they needed right now.

As for Guan Yu, Qin Tian's background counted in his favor. So did his lack of interest in fame and wealth, and his resolute withdrawal from public life.

Besides, Qin Tian had not refused to meet them or made excuses. He simply did not want to come out of seclusion, which was understandable.

After all, if Qin Tian did decide to come out of seclusion, he had better choices. He had no need to waste his time with them.

All things considered, Guan Yu had a good impression of Qin Tian!

He also hoped Liu Bei really could win the support of such a talented man!

Guan Yu's words hit Zhang Fei hard. It was one thing for Liu Bei to speak up for Qin Tian, but now even Guan Yu was criticizing him?

At once, Zhang Fei said angrily:

"I suppose that now Brother has met a worthy man, he no longer needs his younger brother!"

"If that's how it is, then I'm leaving!"

With that, he swung onto his horse and galloped away.

Guan Yu hurriedly called after him:

"Yide, wait! Where are you going?"

As he spoke, he turned back to Liu Bei.

"Brother, Third Brother has a fiery temper. We can't let him run wild. I'll go after him first!"

Liu Bei watched Zhang Fei ride away, feeling reluctant too. In the end, he could only nod.

After Guan Yu left, Liu Bei sighed to Xu Shu:

"Sir's words were indeed right. Yunchang is still manageable, but my Third Brother refuses to be disciplined. It is my fault!"

In the past, when Zhang Fei acted this way, Liu Bei would likely have softened his stance.

Nothing mattered more than harmony between brothers.

But now he could see that he had spoiled Zhang Fei.

It was true. When Zhang Fei had first gone to war with him, he had not yet turned twenty. He had been no more than a callow youth.

They said an elder brother was as a father. Liu Bei had failed to guide him properly, and Zhang Fei's reckless behavior was partly his fault.

Hearing this, Xu Shu nodded and sighed.

"Only the lord can rein in the two generals."

"If our army is to enforce strict discipline, we must start with the Third General!"

"Otherwise, there will be endless trouble!"

"I hope the lord will understand Zixuan's good intentions!"

"Don't worry, Yuanzhi. I understand now!"

Liu Bei looked in the direction Zhang Fei had gone.

"Third Brother has become this way because of my failings. I must lead by example if I am to put this problem right."

With that, he stationed his escorts at the foot of the mountain to keep watch, ordered his men not to disturb Qin Tian and his family, then rode back with Xu Shu.

Upon returning to Xiaopei, the two men did not go to the county office. Instead, they went straight to the military camp and summoned the generals.

When the generals had gathered, Zhang Fei was the only one absent. Liu Bei turned to Guan Yu and asked:

"Yunchang, where is Yide?"

Guan Yu could only sigh.

"Yide was too angry to listen to advice. He went back to camp to drink!"

Everyone heard this and curled their lips. Liu Bei's army had long forbidden alcohol, but Zhang Fei repeatedly broke the rule. Everyone was already unhappy about it; they had simply been afraid to speak up.

Now they saw that Zhang Fei had once again disobeyed an order, and they all felt indignant.

Seeing their reaction, Liu Bei gritted his teeth and said:

"Alcohol has long been forbidden in our army. How could Yide break the rule?"

"Generals, follow me to Zhang Fei's camp!"

Guan Yu sensed that something was wrong. Was Liu Bei planning to make an example of Zhang Fei? He hurried forward to urge him:

"Brother, Yide drank because he was upset today. He didn't break the rule on purpose!"

"Why not let him off this once? I'll go talk to him again!"

Liu Bei shook his head, his words filled with anger.

"If I let him off once, can I let him off forever? Since we banned alcohol in the army, Yide has broken the rule again and again."

"They say military orders are as unshakable as a mountain. How can we enforce them if we don't make him change?"

"Today, I mean to tighten military discipline. Yide broke the rules—how can I spare him?"

"Come with me, everyone. He must be punished under military law today, as a warning to the rest!"

He ignored their attempts to stop him and strode toward Zhang Fei's tent.

Seeing that Liu Bei really meant to punish Zhang Fei, Guan Yu's heart sank. His mind reeled, but he had no choice but to follow.

Along the way, men such as Mi Fang and Fu Shiren tried to dissuade Liu Bei.

But Liu Bei ignored them all. When he reached Zhang Fei's tent, he saw Zhang Fei drinking and enjoying the spectacle of soldiers being whipped.

At the sight, Liu Bei's eyes reddened. He said in a voice thick with anger:

"Men, seize Zhang Fei!"

Zhang Fei was drinking. At these words, he set down his wine jar and asked in disbelief:

"Brother, what are you doing?"

"Alcohol is forbidden in our army. Yide, do you not know that? Why have you broken the rule time and again?"

Liu Bei looked at Zhang Fei as though he could not live up to his expectations.

"Have you forgotten what happened when we lost Xuzhou?"

Zhang Fei trembled at the words, then gave a self-mocking smile.

"So Brother still blames me for losing Xuzhou!"

"Fine. Since today offers the perfect opportunity, I'll let Brother do as he sees fit."

When he saw the soldiers stepping forward, his eyes widened.

"Stand back! I, Zhang Fei, broke the rules. Why should any of you seize me?"

"It's only twenty strokes of the military rod. I'll take them!"

He stood and walked toward the outside of the tent without the slightest fear.

Liu Bei watched him, his voice harsh with anger.

"Military law is paramount. How can we be lax about it? Double his punishment!"

At this, Zhang Fei's pupils widened. He looked at Liu Bei in disbelief.

"Brother, how can you be so heartless?"

Liu Bei's face was full of pain.

"It isn't heartlessness. It's a matter of military discipline. If I don't double the punishment, how will our army maintain its authority?"

Zhang Fei's heart ached. He said in a low voice:

"Fine. If Brother wants to beat me, then beat me. I deserve it!"

Guan Yu could no longer stand by. He hurried out and said:

"Brother, twenty strokes are enough. Why increase the punishment?"

"If I don't, how can we enforce military discipline?"

Liu Bei turned directly to Xu Shu.

"Military Officer Xu, where are the instruments of punishment? Bring them here!"

Hearing this, Xu Shu turned and instructed the soldiers:

"Men, bring the instruments of punishment!"

Seeing this, the generals realized that Liu Bei was serious and hurried to plead with him.

Guan Yu urged him again and again.

But Liu Bei remained unmoved. By the time the instruments of punishment arrived, Zhang Fei's heart had turned to ash.

"Second Brother, stop trying to dissuade him. Don't talk about forty strokes—even if it were eighty, I won't say a word today!"

As he spoke, he was about to lie facedown on the board.

But just then, Liu Bei stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Fei.

"Get up. Who said I was going to have you punished?"

"They say an elder brother is as a father. Yide, you have broken the rules time and again and never changed. That is because I failed to teach you properly!"

"If you are to suffer this punishment, then I should take it for you!"

With that, he turned to the others.

"From this day on, our army will enforce strict discipline. Anyone who drinks will be punished without exception!"

"Today, I, Liu Xuande, will set the example. There will be no disobedience!"

When he finished, Liu Bei lay down on the board and said in a low voice:

"Men, carry out the punishment!"

His words sent an uproar through the entire camp.

They had all thought Liu Bei meant to punish Zhang Fei severely. None of them had expected him to punish himself instead.

PS: After thinking it over, I decided I should mention this: this book will soon be going on sale.

I expect a lot of Qidian readers will complain, but let me explain: the book was first published on QY, and as far as I know, members can read it for free. It's not that the author is rushing to put it on sale to make money; this is just how the platform works.

Also, my editor reminded me today that from now on the updates will be posted at midnight. Unless something unexpected happens, they'll all go up at midnight.

As for all your comments, dear readers, I really do read them. I've only just joined this platform and I'm still getting used to it, so I don't reply very often. Thank you all for your support and corrections. I'm deeply grateful.