Chapter 1: Because I Can Recite the Counsel of Longzhong

At the end of the twelfth year of the Jian’an era, after years of misfortune, Liu Bei finally caught a stroke of luck: he was blessed with a son. These two events, however, were unrelated.

Though he held the honorable title of Governor, overseeing the county of Xinye, Liu Bei remained ambitious, firmly believing he could restore the Han dynasty. Even if he himself could not accomplish it, his son would carry on the legacy—how could he not be overjoyed?

Moreover, the recluse Zhuge Liang, whom he had visited thrice to invite, was indeed extraordinary. Upon their first meeting, Zhuge Liang presented the Longzhong Plan, illuminating Liu Bei’s path forward.

In the past, Liu Bei had controlled various provinces but lacked wise strategists by his side. Though generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were fierce warriors, they could not fully realize their potential, and Liu Bei suffered defeat time and again, from Youzhou to Jingzhou, traversing nearly half of the great Han territory.

This time, he devoted himself to winning the support of the scholars in Jingzhou, seeking talents in hopes of a different outcome.

After breakfast, Liu Bei affectionately held his newborn son, A Dou, for a while, then appeared briefly at the government office before departing again.

Outside the office, a robust man bowed and asked, “Commander, will you be inspecting the military camp next?”

Liu Bei glanced at the man—a fierce and resolute soldier who had enlisted spontaneously—and said, “Wen Chang, is it cold today?”

Wei Yan looked up at the overcast sky and the chill in the air. “Cold,” he replied.

Liu Bei nodded. “Then we won’t visit the camp today. Recently, there’s been an increase in refugees moving south. Let’s go see the refugee camp first.”

Wei Yan’s eyes brightened. “Commander, you truly are benevolent!”

...

Within the refugee camp, many had just finished breakfast. Among them, a short-haired youth stood out. He wore ill-fitting coarse linen clothes and shivered against the wooden shed’s door frame, muttering to himself, “It’s all over... it’s all over...”

Zhao Shaojie never expected that while he was eating watermelon, enjoying the air conditioning, and playing a Three Kingdoms game, he would somehow be rudely awakened by cold air!

When he tried to turn off the air conditioner, he was stunned to find himself in a desolate wilderness. Thinking it was a dream, he wandered on only to encounter a group of refugees.

With no other choice, he joined them.

After several days, he finally managed to communicate with the refugees and confirmed he was not dreaming.

Looking back, he shuddered at his rashness—storming into a band of refugees could have ended with him being torn apart and eaten.

Now, he understood his situation: he had traveled back to the late Han and Three Kingdoms period, in a place called Xinye.

He knew Xinye well—it was Liu Bei’s domain!

---

In the past, Zhao Shaojie and his friends had often speculated about traveling back to ancient times.

Of course, the dream was to become emperor!

After all, working as a common laborer was out of the question.

But now that he had truly traveled back, Zhao Shaojie decisively abandoned that grand ambition.

Hunger and cold had shattered all his lofty dreams. Now, all he wanted was to find an opportunity to sell his foresight at a good price, then live a life of comfort and plenty. Of course, if he could just wake up from this nightmare and return to his own time, that would be even better.

Just as Zhao Shaojie was lost in these wild thoughts, the crowd suddenly grew restless. Many shouted like starstruck fans, “Commander Liu is here!”

...

The crowd surged forward in a frenzy.

Zhao Shaojie immediately stood, thinking, “Liu Bei himself has come?”

Indeed, Liu Bei was his primary target. Looking at the likes of Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and Liu Yan—ordinary men who had all received high office and generous rewards simply because they had followed Liu Bei early on—he wished to sell himself for a good price, someone with high moral standards. Otherwise, with his lazy and aimless nature, he might soon be dealt with by King Cao Cao of Wei or King Sun Quan of Wu.

Zhao Shaojie rushed forward, squeezing to the front of the crowd.

A plainly dressed yet dignified middle-aged man was speaking with the camp’s steward.

Zhao Shaojie recognized him instantly—this had to be Liu Bei, for his arms nearly reached his knees.

Just as Zhao Shaojie stepped forward, a robust man blocked his path and barked, “Step back!”

Zhao Shaojie glanced at the man, then at the blade pressing against his chest. He smiled kindly and stepped back, pondering how to attract attention when Liu Bei’s voice came.

“Wen Chang, do not draw your blade!” Liu Bei approached.

Wei Yan respectfully said, “Commander, among the refugees there might be spies for the Cao bandits. We must be cautious!”

Liu Bei, no stranger to assassination attempts, shook his head. “I treat people with sincerity; they will not harm me.” He then stepped forward to the refugees and glanced at Zhao Shaojie, noting the latter’s shaved head as a mark of punishment.

Zhao Shaojie, suffering unbearable hardship in the refugee camp these days—far worse than any wilderness survival—spoke up immediately: “Toward Wanluo, out of Qinchuan, the Han can be restored! The Han can be restored!”

The refugees nearby, not catching the first six words clearly, instinctively echoed, “The Han can be restored!”

---

But Liu Bei’s gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on Zhao Shaojie. What was going on?

Had the future strategy that Zhuge Liang had just shared with him been leaked before he had a chance to implement it?

Only he and Zhuge Liang knew the plan.

How had this man learned it?

Thinking this, Liu Bei remained composed, staring intently at Zhao Shaojie before proclaiming to the crowd, “The Han will surely be restored. You all will return to your hometowns! Return to your fields!”

Noticing Liu Bei’s attention, Zhao Shaojie quieted.

After a moment, Liu Bei completed his inspection.

Wei Yan appeared before Zhao Shaojie, shouting, “The Commander wishes to see you!”

With his mission accomplished, Zhao Shaojie was pleased and joked, “Wei Yan, Wei Wen Chang? You joined Liu Bei’s ranks so early? Do you know Huang Zhong?”

Wei Yan frowned, hand on his sword hilt, and growled, “Scoundrel, how dare you be so disrespectful? Liu Commander’s name is not yours to use!”

Zhao Shaojie paled but smiled awkwardly. “Haha, sorry, I hold Commander Liu in the highest esteem. No disrespect intended! Lead the way.”

Wei Yan snorted and led Zhao Shaojie to a wooden shed, then stood guard at the door, signaling him to enter.

Just as Zhao Shaojie stepped inside, Wei Yan suddenly called out, “Wait!” and searched him thoroughly for concealed weapons.

Zhao Shaojie considered the gravity of his situation and said, “Please ensure the area is clear. No one is allowed to eavesdrop nearby.”

Wei Yan sneered at the audacity of the request but glanced inside to report.

Liu Bei ordered, “Do as he says!”

“Very well!” Wei Yan grunted and dispersed the guards.

Zhao Shaojie entered the shed, finding Liu Bei alone. Without preamble, Liu Bei asked coldly, “How do you know...?”

“There is turmoil across the land; generals advance toward Wanluo, the army marches from Qinchuan, the people offer food and drink—the Han will be restored!” Zhao Shaojie answered with a smile, “Because I can recite the Longzhong Plan!”