usatvline Chapter 1 Soldier Cao Xiaoli
Chapter 1 Soldier Cao Xiaoli
The Han dynasty collapsed, and the world was plunged into darkness; the common people wept blood, hoping for someone to save them. In a dream, Emperor Zhaolie knew the past; a young man rose to power in Liaoxi.
With hearts devoted to the nation and its people, and with resolve to sweep away the flames of war and restore order, we will tread the rugged path from now on and rebuild the Han dynasty for another four hundred years.
——————《Three Kingdoms Decree》
In the first year of the Xiping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in autumn.
Yangle City, the seat of Liaoxi Commandery, is located on the eastern edge of the Yanshan Mountains, bordering the Ru River to the west. Although the city walls are not high, they guard a vital border pass.
It is the exit from Youzhou to the Liaohe Plain in the east, and also a fortress that foreign tribes could not avoid when entering Youzhou and invading the Central Plains.
This place is located on the frontier, with four distinct seasons. When the autumn wind blows, it often stirs up yellow sand from the Gobi Desert.
The arrows struck the city gate tower, producing a whistling sound, much like a warning of the approaching barbarian cavalry, often making people tense.
The prefectural government office was located in the center of the city, with a roof covered with blue tiles and a rammed earth structure, and withered yellow grass still growing in front of the steps.
Compared to the grandeur of the prefectures and counties in the Central Plains, it lacks some of the elegance and has more of the ruggedness unique to the border regions.
At this moment, a young man stood quietly under the eaves.
The boy was just over fifteen years old, dressed in a clean, dark-colored official's uniform with a leather belt around his waist, and his clothes were neat and tidy.
He was tall and slender, over seven feet five inches tall, but his arms were unusual; when he hung down, his fingertips almost reached his knees. He was clearly a promising archer.
His ears are large and unusual, making him unforgettable and inspiring a sense of approachability; he has a noble air about him.
His gaze was calm and composed, unlike the impetuousness of a boy his age, and he did not appear to be an ordinary child from a poor family.
He held several neatly bound bamboo slips in his hands, with clear small characters written on the slips: "Replacement of Garrison Soldiers, Register of Male Soldiers, and Inspection Records of Beacon Towers".
He has now been serving as a military officer in Liaoxi Prefecture for over a month, though he is only a minor, insignificant official.
However, he was in charge of miscellaneous affairs related to military matters, such as recording soldiers' registers, census of able-bodied men, checking beacon towers, and organizing border military documents.
Dealing with military affairs every day, he was more capable than ordinary clerks, and also possessed a composure that others lacked.
"Xuande, the prefect summons you inside to present the military register."
A middle-aged clerk stepped out of the hall and loudly reminded him.
This man, named Wang Jun, had worked in the prefectural government for many years and had seen many young people come and go, but he still couldn't help but think highly of Liu Bei.
This young man was extremely reliable in his work, and the military documents he handled were always flawless. He was humble and polite, and remained calm in the face of adversity. Among a group of impetuous clerks, he stood out.
Liu Bei bowed respectfully, his voice steady and amiable: "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Wang."
He carried the bamboo slips and walked steadily into the inner hall.
The room was dimly lit, and a faint scent of ink wafted through the air.
Hou Chongduan, the governor of Liaoxi, sat behind his desk. His official robes gave him a slightly dignified air. His face was square, and his brows carried the ruggedness and sharpness unique to a border governor.
Hou Chong came from the prestigious Hou clan of Shanggu County. His ancestor was Hou Ba, a famous minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was well-versed in border affairs, served in county positions at a young age, and governed Liaoxi for several years, winning the hearts of the local people.
However, the Xianbei raided the border every year, and the Wuhuan rebelled and submitted at different times. The prefecture was short of soldiers and food, and the powerful families had their own agendas. Moreover, the imperial court was far away in Luoyang. Hou Chong was often worried and could not sleep.
Upon seeing Liu Bei enter, Prefect Hou did not speak immediately. Instead, he looked up and gazed at the young man, scrutinizing him.
Seeing his tall and imposing figure and striking appearance, he was immediately struck by his appearance and felt a sense of goodwill towards him, thinking to himself that he was a promising candidate for the border army.
Liu Bei stepped forward, bowed respectfully, his movements were respectful yet not servile: "Liu Bei, the military officer, greets Your Excellency."
"The register of garrison soldiers, the register of able-bodied men in the border areas, and the records of beacon tower inspections have all been compiled. Please review them, Your Excellency."
He gently placed the bamboo slips on the table, arranging them neatly with the ropes facing inwards and the slips facing outwards, making them easy to see and demonstrating his meticulous attention to detail.
Prefect Hou casually picked up a scroll, unfolded it, and glanced at it.
The characters on the bamboo slip are vigorous, neat, and clear, showing a hint of being directly taught by Lu Zhi.
The list clearly distinguishes between able-bodied men, the elderly, and the infirm, and the rotation dates for garrison soldiers are clearly marked.
Even the details of which beacon towers were damaged, which were left idle, and which were old were clearly described and marked.
Military affairs in border regions have always been complex, and it is already quite remarkable that an ordinary clerk can copy them without error.
Liu Bei's ability to proactively identify and address shortcomings demonstrates his meticulousness and shows he is far from being a mediocre person who merely knows how to copy and write. Hou Chong couldn't help but think more highly of him.
Prefect Hou put down the bamboo slips, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and suddenly asked, "Are you from Zhuojun?"
"Yes, I am from Zhuo County, Zhuojun," Liu Bei replied, his hands hanging down.
"I was busy with border affairs a month ago and had no time to think about you, so I neglected you."
Prefect Hou's gaze fell upon him, his tone slightly somber yet tinged with inquiry: "According to Zigan's letter, you are a member of the Han imperial family, a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han?"
"Since you are a distant relative of the imperial family, why don't you stay in the central plains and find a stable civil service position, instead of coming to this harsh and cold place to suffer from wind and sand?"
Prefect Hou did not ask this question casually.
Liaoxi is a remote and dangerous border region, where life is uncertain from morning till night. People from the Central Plains are unwilling to set foot there if there is a road available.
As a member of the Han imperial family, even if his branch of the family was distant, it wouldn't have been difficult for Liu Bei to find a leisurely minor official position in any county in the Central Plains, given his status as a member of the Han imperial family.
But he chose to travel thousands of miles to western Liaoning to take on this arduous and exhausting minor military post, which is truly illogical.
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei remained calm, his tone sincere and frank.
"Your Excellency, the lineage of Prince Jing of Zhongshan has been intertwined for hundreds of years, but we have long been estranged from each other. I dare not boast of my empty title."
"Moreover, the border areas of the country are the gateways and barriers. If any manpower, soldier, or beacon tower is not handled carefully, it may lead to the invasion of the barbarian cavalry and bring disaster to the people."
He paused slightly, then met Prefect Hou's gaze frankly: "I have no other strengths, I only wish to do practical things."
"The Central Plains are at peace, and the absence of one person is no problem; the Liaoxi region is in danger, and the more people who put their hearts into it, the more peaceful it will be."
"I came here not for empty fame, but to do something practical and useful for the county and the border regions."
His words were neither humble nor arrogant, neither boastful nor weak, and every sentence was practical.
A rare hint of approval flashed across Prefect Hou's eyes. Regardless of how much of what he said was true or false, such insight was already remarkable. His gaze toward Liu Bei also softened somewhat.
He had seen too many members of the imperial family who, relying on their reputation, were arrogant and incompetent, and he had also seen too many low-ranking officials from humble backgrounds who were only interested in scheming for promotion.
He had never encountered a young man like Liu Bei before, who was not proud of his background, did not shy away from hardship, and was concerned about border affairs. After serving in office for many years, he had never met such a person before.
What's even more remarkable is that this young man has an extraordinary appearance and a composed demeanor, clearly not someone destined to remain subservient to others.
Don't think that Prefect Hou is obsessed with looks. In this era, people valued background, appearance, and character, and none of them could be lacking.
Thinking of this, Hou Chong felt a slight stirring in his heart. His youngest daughter was past marriageable age and was in need of a husband.
No rush, let's take another look!
Prefect Hou nodded slowly, his tone becoming more relaxed: "What a fine word, 'doing practical things.' The borderlands are in dire need of dedicated talents like you."
"Recently, the Xianbei have been making frequent disturbances beyond the Great Wall, and the county is about to conduct a census of able-bodied men and prepare for the garrison."
"The affairs of the military are numerous and complicated. From now on, you will also be in charge of the inspection of beacon towers and the recording of the conscription of able-bodied men."
He paused slightly before offering a genuine expectation: "Work diligently and do not slack off."
"Every year, the county has a path for recommending candidates for official positions. If you do well, I might recommend you as a candidate for the civil service examination in the future."
These words are tantamount to saying, "I have high hopes for you. Do a good job, and I'll recommend you for an official position someday."
Liu Bei was secretly pleased, but his face remained respectful. He bowed again and said, "I am deeply grateful for your high regard, Lord Liu. I will do my utmost and dare not be negligent in the slightest."
"Step down!"
"promise."
Liu Bei bowed and left the inner hall, his steps still steady, but as he walked out of the hall, his fingertips trembled slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.
The path of recommendation.
These four words carry immense weight.