Donning the Cloak of Virtue
The drinking party ended without any major incidents. They'd wrapped things up before anyone got too plastered to stand. Dizziness from the lingering buzz had me resting in the guest room. Sleep wouldn't come yet, so I replayed the day's events in my mind.
Liu Bei, Liu Bei...
I still couldn't figure out why the Liu, Guan, and Zhang trio was here. In every Three Kingdoms story I'd encountered in my past life, Liu Bei headed to Gongsun Zan around this time. No matter how much I'd twisted history, it didn't make sense for someone bound for You Province to end up in Yuzhou.
Did I misremember something like Huang Zhong's age from the Romance? Huang Zhong's veteran status was a Romance invention. The official histories didn't record his birth year. Sure, circumstantial evidence suggested he was old, but...
What about the other works? Even the history-based Three Kingdoms tales I'd read all depicted Liu Bei going to Gongsun Zan. The rationale of visiting an old schoolmate held up—no flaws there.
Just as my fruitless thoughts dragged on too long and I decided to sleep, I heard footsteps outside the room.
"Who's there?"
"Young Master Jang, still awake?"
"Liu Bei? What brings you here?"
I recognized the voice and opened the door. Sure enough, it was Liu Bei. The thin moonlight made it hard to see, but no sign of Guan Yu or Zhang Fei.
I poked my head out and glanced both ways. Liu Bei spoke up.
"My brothers were so pleased with the party they turned in early. I'd like to talk. May I come in?"
"Of course, please enter."
I perched on the edge of the bed, and Liu Bei sat in the room's chair. Facing him across from me, that benevolent smile was firmly in place. If Jojo dominated a room with overwhelming presence, Liu Bei drew everyone in with comfortable warmth.
"So, what would you like to discuss?"
"Just some casual chat."
Liu Bei smiled kindly.
"I heard you led volunteers against the Yellow Turbans yourself. I fought them in You Province too. Shall we share stories?"
I nodded at his suggestion. My headache was creeping in from the booze, but I couldn't pass up the moment.
"Which do you prefer: my tales from battling Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan, or mopping up remnants in Xu Province?"
Liu Bei nodded and shared his own experiences. Guan Yu's bold charge decapitating the enemy leader, Zhang Fei's clever ploy turning the tide—it was thrilling stuff. But as the stories stretched on, I sensed Liu Bei's real purpose.
Something felt off.
There was no reason for him to seek me out at night just for old war tales. I tried guessing his motive, but my foggy brain wouldn't cooperate. The headache worsened, so when he finished a sentence, I cut straight to it.
"Is that all? That's not the point, is it?"
Liu Bei wouldn't visit in the dead of night for mere chit-chat. My pounding head craved rest, so I asked bluntly.
Liu Bei, sensing my state, got right to it.
"Do you truly believe the method you mentioned at the party is correct?"
"Yes. I do."
"I disagree."
His counter made my furrowed brow lift in surprise. Law and benevolence—both were essential to upholding a state. I couldn't fathom why he called mixing them properly wrong.
"Why would a man who built a sturdy house with law bother with the needless ornament of benevolence?"
I tried to retort, but words failed. Someone who knew pillars and foundations alone could weather storms—would they really go through the hassle of walls and roof just to share warmth with the people? Was Jojo truly the type to pursue benevolence like that?
As I sat speechless, Liu Bei continued.
"Benevolence is hard. It seems like a shortcut, but there is none. Yet if you cling to it steadfastly, all men will follow in time."
The premise of my perfect answer was crumbling. I wracked my aching head, but the tangled thoughts yielded nothing. After agonizing silence, I finally spoke.
"Forgive me, but this is too weighty for an answer now. I'll respond later—please excuse me."
Liu Bei left, and I lay on the bed, still turning it over.
Is benevolence truly the answer, as Liu Bei claims?
Liu Bei had demonstrated it everywhere. He sheltered thousands of refugees aiding Tao Qian in Xu Province. In Jing Province, he tried embracing the hundreds of thousands who followed him. A man with only a royal surname became Emperor of Shu Han through benevolence.
Partial credit, maybe—but never full marks.
No matter how I repeated it, the answer was no. Liu Bei fled Jojo's pursuit, clinging to Yi Province till death. He might have blocked Jojo's unification, but he never came close himself.
And he didn't uphold benevolence his whole life.
Liu Bei touted it most among the warlords, true. But incidents like attacking Liu Zhang showed he didn't stick to it forever. Unlike Gong Yong, who died unjustly prattling about benevolence while filial piety condemned him.
So what is Liu Bei's benevolence?
Pieces were missing, but a plausible picture emerged. Good questions to throw back at him. But quandaries lingered: When did he realize Jojo wasn't the type? Why did Jojo call my half-answer canon? Could Liu Bei and Jojo never walk the same path?
No need for a magpie to mimic a heron.
I sorted my thoughts and slept.
When the rooster crowed at dawn, I rose faster than usual. My heavy body tempted me back to bed, but instinct whispered to move now. Bursting out, I spotted the man I'd hoped for.
"Did you sleep well, Liu Bei?"
"Indeed. Seeing your face improved, the hangover must have eased—good."
I greeted him, and he returned it with his usual kind smile.
"Before answering your question from last night, may I ask one?"
"Of course."
I asked without hesitation.
"Do you seek to elevate benevolence, or to become one who is known for elevating it?"
A subtle difference, but worlds apart. His perpetual smile cracked slightly.
"...I see why Jojo said you read hearts."
I knew intellectually Liu Bei had virtue; our first meeting confirmed the records. It explained his wandering allegiances before settling. But a "virtuous leader" differed from a "society ruled by virtue." The Three Kingdoms wasn't a Cold War of ideologies like America vs. the Soviets.
Extending that thought revealed his intent. Liu Bei didn't aim to rule by benevolence—he'd brandish it to compete with other lords. Planting apple trees in a chaotic wildfire, yet worthwhile.
"Jojo doesn't value benevolence highly, so as you said, he'll stick to law. Thus, I'll be the lips to cover it with benevolence. If someone thinks of benevolence, different results will follow."
Considering history to my modern life, benevolence couldn't override law. But if I stayed by Jojo and remembered, we could wrap it in benevolence like packaging.
"Brother! Where are you?"
My answer barely ended when a thunderous voice rang out. Zhang Fei calling Liu Bei—we exchanged farewells and parted. Watching him go, I muttered too softly for any to hear.
"A villain can don the cloak of virtue."
Liu Bei walked back to the guest room the trio shared. With each step, his ears rang.
"Brother, you'll wake the whole house."
Turning the corner, he called Zhang Fei, who came rushing.
"Brother, where've you been?"
"Just out for air, ran into Young Master Jang and chatted."
They'd talked last night too, but he skipped that.
"Brother, something happen? Your face looks off."
Zhang Fei fretted, then growled low.
"Did that brat Jang Myeong disrespect you? If so, I'll teach him manners—"
"No, Yide."
Liu Bei grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"Nothing like that. Don't stir trouble."
Hearing his complexion was off, Liu Bei composed himself. Fine for brothers, not others.
"No issue. Yesterday's wine hit hard."
"What? That fine liquor gave you indigestion?"
"Yeah. Guess I'm no drinker."
Liu Bei brushed off Zhang Fei's worry with an excuse, replaying the talk inwardly.
How? I've never shown my true heart.
Last night, he'd revealed nothing in their brief meeting. Yet Jang Myeong seized the unseen instant, dragging out his hidden intent.
Not just intent—he pierced the ambition too.
With that question on becoming known for benevolence, he saw through using it.
Liu Bei couldn't fathom how Jang Myeong knew, so he asked Zhang Fei.
"Yide, do you know Jang Myeong?"
"That young master from the party? Nothing particular."
Liu Bei knew little beyond Jojo's words. A talent like that hiding in the wilds was astonishing.
"A tempting talent."
"Jang Myeong? Doesn't like drink, so no hero."
"Must talents all be heroes?"
Liu Bei mildly scolded him as the door opened—Guan Yu emerged. His long black beard lived up to "beautiful beard."
"As brother says, not all talents are heroes, but Jang Myeong isn't one."
Guan Yu, having overheard, agreed with Zhang Fei.
"He follows profit, not righteousness. Smooth talker, but no loyal man of duty."
"See, brother! Even Yun Chang agrees! Can't trust a teetotaler who talks big!"
Zhang Fei chimed excitedly.
"Yun Chang, I know you dislike glib scholars. But Jang Myeong seems more than that."
Liu Bei spoke calmly to his brothers. Given Jang Myeong followed Jojo from school days, serving Liu Bei was unlikely. For now, just filed away in mind.