The sky was bright, and the red sun climbed high.
Zhang Jiao sat in the main tent, handling government affairs and logistics, when Zhang Liang suddenly strode in.
"Brother, Great Virtuous Teacher!"
Zhang Liang clearly understood that one should use titles while on duty. He stepped forward and said, "The Han Court has shot an order arrow toward our army, saying that an envoy wishes to leave the city to discuss an important matter with us. They ask us not to harm him."
Zhang Jiao remained perfectly calm. "The Holy Venerable knew of this long ago. He said the false emperor wishes to make peace with us."
Zhang Liang wasn't surprised by the Holy Venerable's uncanny ability to foresee events. His eyes held even greater reverence. "The false emperor is foolish and unjust, as cowardly as a rat. Seeing our great army bearing down on him, sweeping all before it, he must be terrified and eager to sue for peace to save Luoyang."
Zhang Jiao shook his head. "There's nothing to discuss. When the Holy Venerable descended into the world, he said, 'When the Yellow Heaven descends, the Blue Heaven dies.' This is divine will. The Han Court and we are like fire and water; we cannot coexist."
"Then shall I have someone shoot an arrow into the city, telling them not to send anyone and to give up on peace talks?" Zhang Liang asked.
But Zhang Jiao said, "There is no need for peace talks, but let the envoy come. The Holy Venerable has a divine pronouncement to deliver."
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Liang took his orders and left, sending someone to shoot an order arrow into Luoyang, declaring that they could talk.
Three quarters of an hour passed before four men on four horses finally emerged from Luoyang, utterly alone.
The man in front had hair and beard as white as snow, his face furrowed with deep creases and his age plain to see. It was Liu Yan. Behind him were three men. The first had arms unusually long for a man. Of his two companions, one had a beard that reached his belly and sharp eyes; the other was powerfully built, his expression stern. They were Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
The three had met in You Province and shared a deep bond, their loyalty to one another like brothers'. They had always advanced and retreated together. Now that Liu Yan was entering the Yellow Turban camp as an envoy, Liu Bei had volunteered to escort him. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei feared for Liu Bei's safety and insisted on going along. That was why their small envoy party numbered four.
As it happened, Emperor Liu Hong hadn't wanted Liu Bei to leave Luoyang and enter the enemy camp. He truly hoped Liu Bei would lead troops to protect him at a critical moment.
Only after Liu Bei said that he had a trusted friend in the army named Jian Yong, who would surely protect the emperor if Liu Bei died in the enemy camp, did Liu Hong reluctantly agree to let him accompany the mission.
As they rode out of Luoyang, a bleak, cold wind swept over them. Liu Yan, astride his horse, drew a light breath. At last, he understood the feeling behind the words, "The wind sighed by the Yi River, its waters cold; the hero went forth, never to return."
He turned to Liu Bei, riding behind him, and said with feeling, "This mission is nine chances to die and one to live. The Moth Bandits have long hated our Han Court. Now they have Luoyang surrounded and hold us in utter contempt. If we misspeak even slightly, we may well lose our lives. Xuande, there is truly no need for you to accompany me."
Liu Bei remained composed. "If not for the Clan Chief's favor and support, how could a lowly military officer like me have had the chance to behold the Son of Heaven, let alone earn His Majesty's trust? I cannot leave such great kindness unrepaid. What does it matter if I die?"
When Liu Bei was in You Province, he had been no more than the leader of a small band of local braves. Though he had earned some merit fighting the Yellow Turbans in You Province, at best he could have been appointed a county commandant.
But after coming to Luoyang, Liu Yan had taken an interest in him and introduced him to the Son of Heaven. Liu Bei's fortunes had turned completely around: he had become a colonel commanding troops. If he hadn't lacked sufficient merit and been so young, Liu Hong might even have promoted him to a general of miscellaneous rank.
Liu Yan had recognized Liu Bei's worth and given him a chance. How could Liu Bei fail to repay that kindness?
Admiration showed in Liu Yan's eyes. A man surnamed Liu, loyal, righteous, brave, and skilled in battle—this was exactly the kind of talent the imperial clan needed most!
He said no more and continued riding toward the Yellow Turban camp, though he was already thinking that he would find more opportunities to promote Liu Bei in the future.
The Yellow Turban camp was very close to Luoyang. The four of them reached its outskirts after a short ride.
The camp stood on a gentle slope, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun. Deep trenches and several rows of exceptionally sharp abatis encircled its perimeter. Tall watchtowers had been erected, and the soldiers stationed above scanned the surroundings vigilantly.
The camp gate was massive, built from thick logs nailed together. Under the guidance of a Yellow Turban soldier, Liu Yan and the others entered.
As they walked over the firm, level ground, Liu Yan and Liu Bei silently surveyed the camp.
Armored patrols bearing blades strode steadily through the camp. On a broad, open field, groups of soldiers drilled. Some practiced formations, their shouts shaking the sky; others fought in pairs, honing their skills...
Liu Bei noticed that although the soldiers' faces were dark and weathered, most were powerfully built—far more elite than the Yellow Turban soldiers he had fought in You Province.
The four reached the command tent. Their guide told them to wait outside while he went in to report. After a while, the soldier came back out and said coldly, "Go in. The Great Virtuous Teacher is waiting for you."
Liu Yan didn't mind the cold reception. He had come to negotiate peace; a humble attitude was unavoidable.
After handing over the weapons they carried, Liu Yan and the others passed through dozens of armored guards standing solemnly with spears in hand and entered the tent. Its furnishings were sparse: just a few mats and a low table. Zhang Jiao was bent over the table, handling affairs, while Zhang Liang, He Yi, Huang Shao, and several others rested their hands on the Ring-pommel Sabers at their waists and eyed the four visitors coldly.
Liu Yan was calm, Liu Bei curious, while Guan Yu and Zhang Fei answered He Yi and the others' stares with disdainful snorts.
"Liu Yan, Liu Junlang?" Zhang Jiao rose and looked at the man before him. "Please, have a seat."
Liu Yan clasped his hands in greeting, then knelt to Zhang Jiao's left. Liu Bei and the other two stood behind him without a word.
"Have you come to sue for peace?" Zhang Jiao asked bluntly, unwilling to beat around the bush.
Liu Yan replied solemnly, "Not to sue for peace, but to negotiate it!"
"There's no difference between the two."
"One sues for peace when one is truly cornered and has no choice but to make peace. Negotiation, however, means the two sides are evenly matched."
"Your army is surrounded by mine in Luoyang. How can you claim we're evenly matched?"
"Not so. Luoyang's walls are high and strong, and within the city are a hundred thousand elite soldiers and a million people loyal to the Son of Heaven. How could your army take Luoyang?"
The hundred thousand soldiers and million people were, of course, made up. It was merely a negotiating tactic.
Zhang Jiao didn't care. He shook his head. "No matter how cleverly you argue, my army will not agree to negotiate peace."
Liu Yan furrowed his brows, deciding to offer a little "flesh and fat." "If your army is willing to withdraw, the Son of Heaven can order Ji Province, You Province, and Yan Province handed over to you, so you can establish the Great Peace Yellow Heaven."
Zhang Jiao gave no answer. Liu Yan grew anxious and gritted his teeth. "Then add Qing, Xu, and Yang Provinces!"
Zhang Jiao still didn't answer. After a long silence, Liu Yan finally said, "Yu Province can be yours too. We can divide the realm between us. What do you say? Without spending a single soldier, you could gain more than half the realm. Isn't that better than fighting to the death beneath Luoyang's walls?"
At last, Zhang Jiao spoke. "What we want is for all beneath the vault of heaven to live in peace!"
"Must we fight to the death?" Liu Yan's expression turned grim.
"It need not necessarily come to that."
Zhang Jiao rose and said calmly, "The Sovereign Yellow Absolute God's divine pronouncement: If the Han Army surrenders the city, your lives will be spared. I have nothing more to say!"