Chapter 5: I’ll Have to Let You Catch the Thief

“Being labeled unfilial… this matter is indeed difficult to handle.”

Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then asked Jian Yong, “Who is the current magistrate of this county?”

“His surname is Le, given name Yin, from Jizhou.”

Jian Yong seemed to hold considerable respect for the county magistrate.

“Le Yin? Is he the Mr. Le from Anping?”

Liu Bei had heard the name before; this man had once taught in Anping of Jizhou. Although not as renowned as Lu Zhi, he was still a great scholar of the time.

“Exactly. Mr. Le came to this county at the beginning of the year and has an excellent reputation.”

Jian Yong’s face bore a look of reverence. “He is a benevolent elder.”

“Are you familiar with Magistrate Le?”

Liu Bei was somewhat surprised by Jian Yong’s admiration for the magistrate.

“Magistrate Le once wanted to recruit me as a clerk, but I have a reputation for unfilial conduct and thus could not respond. Seeing that I had lost my father and left my clan, becoming an orphan in the county, he took on the role of an elder to give me the courtesy name Xianhe and even allowed me to study under him.”

Jian Yong shook his head and sighed, “Magistrate Le said that although my mother and I suffered injustice and started anew under a different family name, we did not seek revenge by force but instead adhered to discipline and harmony. That does not count as unfilial.”

“In that case, Magistrate Le is indeed a wise gentleman and a true mentor… But if he is dismissed, your opportunity will vanish.”

Liu Bei reflected and understood Jian Yong’s predicament.

“Yes…”

Jian Yong nodded. “But I… sigh.”

“As long as one has determination, this matter can certainly be resolved.”

Lowering his head in thought, Liu Bei asked Jian Yong, “Xianhe, the knights you lead—all of them drink and boast, don’t they?”

…

What knights don’t drink and brag?

The next day, rumors spread in Zhuo County that the Xianbei had once again entered the county’s territory, pillaging and killing outside the city.

Jian Xianhe was once again recruiting knights on the streets, preparing to take up arms and drive out the barbarians.

To this end, he publicly offered wine to heaven and earth, kowtowed to bid farewell to his mother, saying the journey was perilous and he might not return, hoping she would forgive his apparent unfilial conduct.

Jian’s mother scolded him for drunken madness, fearing he truly would never return. She grabbed a bamboo whip and fiercely struck him in the street, telling him not to take such risks. But her beating only made Jian happier.

He said, “Mother still has the strength to whip me—this is great joy! I shall celebrate with a grand feast!”

The neighbors of Zhuo County all praised Jian Yong’s pure filial piety, unanimously urging his mother to discipline him twice as much to bring him even greater joy.

Jian Yong fled in dismay, taking refuge outside the county.

“Xianhe bowed to his mother before driving out the barbarians, took the whip and rejoiced—everyone in the county witnessed this. This is both loyalty and filial piety. Who dares still call you unfilial…”

Liu Bei smiled and praised Jian Yong’s acting.

“Brother, if it is for the sake of filial reputation, I should stand firm and endure my mother’s whipping, not run away. Why must I flee?”

Jian Yong still seemed somewhat confused.

“Your mother is weak; beating you is laborious and taxing. If she were to injure you, she would grieve and suffer…”

Liu Bei explained, “So standing and taking the beating is not filial piety; fleeing is.”

Jian Yong considered this and thought Liu Bei was right but still sighed, “Brother, your words make sense and should be included in the Classic of Filial Piety. But this approach conflicts with common etiquette…”

“That’s the problem with common etiquette.”

Liu Bei smiled. “But since Magistrate Le believes you observe discipline and harmony, this way must accord with his views.”

Having said this, he rose and went to a tavern in the county.

“…Jian Xianhe is truly a man of great filial piety. Brothers, do you all understand? Let it be so.”

Inside the tavern were a dozen youths, all knights friendly with Jian Yong.

At present, these young men were willing to follow Liu Bei’s lead.

After all, Liu Bei was helping Jian Yong build his reputation.

Moreover, these young men were mostly unruly and often disciplined by their parents. According to current etiquette, one must not flee when punished by one’s parents.

But what Liu Bei said struck a chord with them.

“Brother, rest assured, we understand!”

These knights also called Liu Bei “Brother.”

…

Before long, the county began to spread the name of Jian Xianhe as both loyal and filial, and Jian Yong was once again summoned to the official residence by Magistrate Le Yin.

The official residence was essentially a government guesthouse, also serving as the dwelling for the magistrate and his family.

During the late Han, under the Three Mutual Laws, local officials could not be natives of their own commandery; they were outsiders assigned to office and thus needed provided accommodations.

However, subordinate clerks appointed by local officials were different; they were usually recruited from the local populace because only those familiar with the area could effectively carry out duties.

“I heard Xianhe was whipped the other day and took it joyfully, even saying your mother is weak and should avoid such labor… Is this true?”

Le Yin’s expression was somewhat peculiar, perhaps recalling some other tale. “Is Xianhe imitating the story of Kong Wenju?”

This referred to the story of Kong Rong offering pears.

By now, Kong Rong’s name had spread throughout the Han Empire; he was appointed a filial and incorrupt official and became a canonical example of filial piety taught to children.

But the Han aristocracy knew this was a story deliberately promoted by the Kong family to secure Kong Rong’s appointment as a filial and incorrupt official.

Otherwise, who voluntarily brings up another family’s child’s pear-sharing story? In these times, most families could barely afford meals, let alone see pears…

“Yong has a close friend who wishes to clear his name of unfilial conduct, so they used the pretext of driving out the barbarians to gain fame for him. Yong could not refuse.”

Jian Yong spoke honestly.

He truly respected Le Yin and dared not lie.

“This is not seeking fame unjustly. After all, Xianhe changed his surname out of filial devotion to his mother, which is itself an act of supreme filial piety. Moreover, Xianhe’s filial conduct is accompanied by benevolence. I too shall promote Xianhe’s name.”

Le Yin stroked his beard and asked solemnly, “Xianhe is recruiting knights in the streets to drive out the barbarians… Is he really planning to take up arms?”

“Yes. Magistrate, is there any impropriety in this?”

Jian Yong knew well this was inappropriate—while it was courageous to want to drive out the barbarians, recruiting knights openly was forbidden.

“Recruiting warriors privately to fight barbarians is indeed improper. Our county’s security force is lacking. Since Xianhe harbors the desire to drive out the barbarians, then let him guard the homeland well.”

Le Yin narrowed his eyes slightly. “From now on, the security force will be under you, Jian Xianhe. Do not let the barbarians disrupt the county.”

The security force was a county clerk’s duty, responsible for maintaining order and catching thieves—akin to a police chief.

This post only handled public security, not military affairs. Normally, it did not require going into battle, as military matters were the county commandant’s responsibility.

But Zhuo County currently had no commandant, so the duty of homeland protection fell to the security chief.

The commandant was a formal official appointed by the imperial court, but the emperor was selling offices, and the position required paying four million coins.

Those who could afford such a sum generally looked down upon a commandant’s post…

…

From that day forward, Jian Yong, due to his supreme filial devotion and willingness to undertake responsibility, became Zhuo County’s security chief, responsible for maintaining order and catching thieves.

“Brother, the Xianbei have not yet invaded our county. Are we not falsely issuing military orders by acting this way?”

Jian Yong was still somewhat uneasy.

“We are not marshals of the commandery. We are only drinking and boasting. What false military orders?”

In the tavern, Liu Bei said to Jian Yong, “Your filial piety is genuine, and the Xianbei invasion is also true. Our taking up arms to drive out the barbarians is just a matter of time, though perhaps not today.”

“Brother, why do you scheme for me? Why not take the security chief post yourself?”

Jian Yong thought Liu Bei was quite resourceful and believed it would be easier for him to become a county official.

“Looking out for a brother is looking out for oneself!”

Liu Bei patted Jian Yong on the shoulder. “I carry a criminal charge and cannot be a proper official. I can only be a bandit… so you must be the one to catch the bandits!”