Liu Bei and his three companions stayed briefly in Marquis Ying's Marquisate for several days before returning to Mount Tai Commandery. As Liu Bei left Luo Ying City, he recalled their conversations there and could not help repeating, "The great undertaking of restoring the Han Dynasty lies within this! How could our ancestors' grace shelter their descendants for so many years?"
Guan Yu was almost moved to tears. Mounted on his horse, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand, he sighed fervently. "Only now do I understand the loyalty and righteousness Great Han has sought for three hundred years. Only now do I understand the great loyalty and righteousness I have sought all my life!"
Seeing both his elder brothers speak, Zhang Fei thought for a moment, then cupped his fists. "Whatever you two are thinking, I'm thinking the same!"
Liu Bei raised his whip and urged his horse onward. Hooves thundered, kicking up clouds of dust. His voice rang through the haze. "Back to Mount Tai! Prepare to train our troops and march on Linzi. Call upon every subject under heaven who holds the Han Dynasty dear, and retrace Emperor Guangwu's path!"
Guan Yu and the others spurred their horses after him, their voices ringing out. "Yes!"
At Marquis Ying's Residence, Luo Qi came in and said, "Father, Mother, Prefect Liu has left."
Luo Chuan looked at his wife and asked softly, "What do you think of Liu Xuande, my dear?"
Luo Qian considered this. "His temperament isn't like Emperor Guangwu's. He resembles Emperor Gao more, though from what I've learned in this brief time, he lacks their heaven-bestowed brilliance.
"But that isn't a great problem. A ruler's personal abilities are only of great use when he is still insignificant.
"Besides, he merely lacks skill in planning and foresight.