The sky was bright, and the red sun hung high.
Zhang Jiao sat in the main command tent attending to government and logistical matters when Zhang Liang suddenly strode inside.
"Elder Brother—Great Virtuous Teacher!"
Zhang Liang clearly understood that one should address others by their official titles when on duty. Stepping forward, he reported, "The Han court shot an arrow of command toward our army, claiming that an envoy wishes to leave the city to discuss an important matter with us. They ask that we do not harm the envoy."
Zhang Jiao remained remarkably calm. "The Holy Sovereign was already aware of this. He said the pretender emperor wishes to sue for peace."
Zhang Liang was not at all surprised by the Holy Sovereign's ability to divine the future; instead, a deeper reverence gleamed in his eyes. "The pretender emperor is benighted and devoid of the Way, as timid as a mouse. Seeing our massive army pressing upon their borders like splitting bamboo, he is naturally stricken with terror, seeking peace merely to preserve Luoyang."
Zhang Jiao shook his head. "There is nothing to discuss. When the Holy Sovereign descended into the mortal world, he declared: 'The Yellow Sky descends; the Azure Sky dies.' This is divine decree. We and the Han court are like fire and water, utterly unable to coexist."
"Shall I have our men shoot an arrow back into the city telling them not to send anyone, putting an end to their hopes of peace talks?" Zhang Liang asked.
Yet Zhang Jiao replied, "Peace talks are naturally out of the question, but let the envoy come. The Holy Sovereign has handed down a divine oracle."
"Understood!"
Zhang Liang took his orders and departed, having an arrow of command shot into Luoyang stating that talks were permitted.
Three-quarters of an hour passed, and finally four solitary figures on four horses emerged from the gates of Luoyang.
The man in the lead had hair and a beard as white as frost, his face lined with deep furrows and showing every sign of old age. This was none other than Liu Yan. Behind him rode three men. The foremost among them possessed unusually long arms that set him apart from ordinary men. Of the two accompanying him, one had a beard reaching down to his belly and eyes as sharp as blades, while the other was burly and imposing, with a stern, solemn expression. These three were none other than Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
The three had met in You Province, bound by profound affection and treating one another as brothers, always advancing and retreating together. When Liu Yan took up the role of envoy to enter the Yellow Turban camp, Liu Bei had volunteered to serve as his escort. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, worried for Liu Bei's safety, offered to accompany him as well, which was why this modest diplomatic party numbered four.
Truth be told, Emperor Liu Hong had been reluctant to let Liu Bei leave Luoyang and enter the enemy camp. He was genuinely counting on Liu Bei to lead troops to protect him at a critical juncture.
It was only after Liu Bei assured him that there was a trusted confidant in the army named Jian Yong—who would certainly ensure the emperor's safety even if Liu Bei died in the enemy camp—that Liu Hong reluctantly permitted Liu Bei to accompany the mission.
Upon leaving Luoyang, a bleak, cold wind swept over them, causing Liu Yan to draw a sharp breath on horseback. Only now did he truly understand the sentiment behind the ancient verse: *The wind sighs mournfully, the Yi River is cold; once the brave warrior departs, he shall never return.*
Turning to look back at Liu Bei following behind him, Liu Yan said with deep emotion, "On this mission, the chances of survival are one in ten. The Moth Rebels have hated our Han court for a long time. Now that they have encircled Luoyang, they hold men of our standing in utter contempt. If we make the slightest slip of the tongue, death will likely be our end. Xuande, there was truly no need for you to accompany me."
Liu Bei remained completely composed. "Had the Chamberlain for the Imperial Clan not looked upon me with favor and raised me up, how could an insignificant military officer like me ever have had the chance to behold the Son of Heaven's countenance, let alone earn His Majesty's trust? Such great kindness cannot go unrequited. Even if it costs me my life, what of it?"
Back in You Province, Liu Bei had merely been the leader of a small band of local militia. Even though he had accumulated some merits while suppressing the You Province Yellow Turbans, at most he would only have been granted the post of a county commandant.
Yet after arriving in Luoyang, he had earned Liu Yan's high regard, and Liu Yan had introduced him to the Son of Heaven. From then on, his fortunes had turned completely around, making him a colonel in the army. If not for his lack of greater accomplishments and his youth, Liu Hong would have even promoted him to a general of miscellaneous title.
Liu Yan had bestowed upon him the grace of recognizing his talents. How could Liu Bei fail to repay him in kind?
A look of genuine appreciation appeared in Liu Yan's eyes. Bearing the surname Liu, loyal, righteous, courageous, and skilled in battle—this was precisely the caliber of talent the imperial clan needed most!
Without saying more, he continued riding toward the Yellow Turban camp, resolved in his heart to promote Liu Bei whenever future opportunities arose.
The Yellow Turban camp lay very close to Luoyang, and after a short ride, the four arrived outside the perimeter.
The encampment had been established on a gentle slope, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun. Its outer perimeter was ringed by deeply excavated ditches and several rows of razor-sharp abatis. Elevated wooden watchtowers rose high into the air, where sentries vigilantly swept their gazes in all directions.
The camp gates were heavy and reinforced with thick timbers. Guided by a Yellow Turban soldier, Liu Yan and his companions stepped inside the stockade.
Walking on the firm, level ground, Liu Yan and Liu Bei quietly observed the conditions within the camp.
Patrolling soldiers clad in armor and bearing weapons marched with steady strides, crisscrossing every quarter of the encampment. On an expansive open drill field, throngs of troops were undergoing training—some practicing formation shifts with earth-shattering battle cries, while others sparred in pairs to hone their combat skills...
Liu Bei noticed that although these soldiers had dark, weather-beaten complexions, most possessed robust, powerful physiques, proving far more elite than the Yellow Turban troops he had confronted in You Province.
When the four reached the commander's tent, their guide signaled them to halt while he went inside to report. After a brief wait, the soldier emerged and announced coldly, "Go on in. The Great Virtuous Teacher is waiting for you inside."
Liu Yan paid no mind to the cold reception. He had come to negotiate peace; swallowing his pride was unavoidable.
Relinquishing their sidearms, the four passed through dozens of armored guards who stood in solemn, motionless vigilance with long spears in hand before entering the grand tent. The interior furnishings were exceedingly sparse, consisting of merely a few floor mats and a single low table. Zhang Jiao sat bent over the table attending to business, while Zhang Liang, He Yi, Huang Shao, and several others rested their hands on the pommels of their ring-pommel sabers, regarding Liu Yan's party with icy stares.
Liu Yan stayed calm, Liu Bei watched with keen curiosity, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei met the glares of He Yi and the others with disdainful snorts.
"Liu Yan, Liu Junlang?" Zhang Jiao rose and looked at Liu Yan before him. "Please be seated."
After cupping his hands in greeting, Liu Yan knelt on a mat to Zhang Jiao's lower left, while Liu Bei and the other two stood silently behind him without uttering a single word.
"Did you come here to beg for peace, sir?" Zhang Jiao said directly, disdaining to mince words.
Liu Yan assumed a solemn expression. "Not to beg for peace, but to negotiate peace!"
"There is no difference between the two."
"One who begs for peace does so out of utter desperation, having no other choice. One who negotiates peace does so when both sides are evenly matched in strength."
"Your army is already trapped by ours inside Luoyang. How dare you claim our strength is evenly matched?"
"Not so. The walls of Luoyang are tall and thick, and within the city are a hundred thousand elite troops, alongside a million gentry and commoners loyal to the Son of Heaven. How could your army hope to take Luoyang?"
A hundred thousand elite troops and a million loyal subjects were, of course, entirely fabricated—nothing more than a negotiating tactic.
Zhang Jiao did not care in the slightest. Shaking his head, he said, "No matter how cleverly you argue, sir, our army will not agree to peace talks."
Liu Yan frowned, deciding to offer some sweet bait. "If your army is willing to withdraw, the Son of Heaven can decree that Ji Province, You Province, and Yan Province be ceded to you, allowing you to establish a Yellow Sky of Great Peace."
Zhang Jiao offered no response. Growing anxious, Liu Yan gritted his teeth and added, "Along with Qing, Xu, and Yang Provinces!"
Still, Zhang Jiao remained silent. After a long pause, Liu Yan finally said, "Yu Province can be ceded to you as well. You and I can divide all under heaven between us—how about it? Without costing a single soldier or arrow, you would gain the greater part of the realm. Is that not far better than fighting to the bitter death beneath the walls of Luoyang?"
At last, Zhang Jiao spoke: "What we desire is that all beneath the canopy of heaven shall belong to Great Peace!"
"Must you truly fight to the bitter end?" Liu Yan's face darkened.
"A fight to the bitter end is not necessarily required."
Zhang Jiao rose to his feet and said calmly, "By the divine oracle of Zhonghuang Taiyi: if the Han army surrenders the city, your lives shall be spared. That is all I have to say!"
Chapter 32