My Father in Law is Lu Bu - Chapter 286

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Chapter 286

Liu Mang Defeated

“Enough! Shoot him!” Mi Fang shouted . The archers on the walls immediately fired their arrows . Guan Yu would not be able to look down on Mi Fang anymore if he managed to kill Liu Mang . The war would essentially be won . Even if Mi Fang angers Huang Zhong and gets himself killed, he would still be able to help his brother and his Lord .

“Milord! Stay back!” Huang Zhong could easily deal with Mi Fang but he could not guarantee Liu Mang’s safety . He pulled Liu Mang back and slashed away the arrows that came . Unfortunately, there were just too many arrows . In the end, Huang Zhong pushed Liu Mang away and protected him with his body .

“Milord! You must live! This is just an April Fools joke!”

(Haven’t played one in 10 years . Let me have some fun too . ) Real chapter is down there . Hah .

(And to those crying foul . Its April 1st here . This is also not ‘that’ message . )

All Units . Siege!

Guan Yu is a man with great pride . Although he was the child of an average civilian, he despised merchants . This is a common problem of the people of this era especially with its four classes social hierarchy . It has not changed for thousands of years . Everyone likes money but everyone is unwilling to be a merchant . The merchants are a class . In the eyes of the ancient people, the common people work hard but the merchants would buy from them cheap and sell expensive . This hard work and the difference in price was not seen by the ancient people . All they saw was the profit and they felt uneasy .

However, the ancients could not be blamed as the merchants were heartlessly rich . They would raise prices for profit . They would not help the people during a disaster but severely increase the prices . Such ill-gotten gains naturally have low evaluation in the eyes of the common people . Some even sell the wealth of the nation, regardless of the lives of the people . In addition, strategic commodities such as rice, iron, oil and salt are sold to foreigners . This way, the foreigners have oil and salt . They also have iron to make weapons . Originally, the foreigners have good horsemanship and archery . Now that they have weapons, there would naturally be no peace at the frontier . Guan Yu had experienced the Bingzhou era . Because of the merchants there, the war continues on . There were numerous deaths and injuries amongst the soldiers at the frontier . Naturally, Guan Yu would not have any good impression of merchants . This extends to the others . And so, what Guan Yu hated, also extended to this . The Mi Family was a wealthy merchant family in Xuzhou . Since over at Tao Qian, the Mi Family was already trying to find a way out .

Liu Bei then came to Xuzhou with the Mi Family’s help . At that time, Tao Qian was being attacked by Cao Cao . The reinforcements then were only Tian Kai of Qingzhou and Kong Rong of Beihai . None knew about the Imperial Uncle Liu . It was the Mi Family that brought Liu Bei to Xuzhou . At first, Guan Yu was someone who does not grieve over what he does not see . After all, the Mi Family was important to the great undertaking of his elder brother Liu Bei . However, the Mi Family then married their daughter to Liu Bei . This time, Guan Yu started to frown . Are you trying to connect with him with a female relative?1 The elder brother Mi Zhu was an expert at business but not resourceful . On the other hand, Mi Fang was young and could not fight . He was also not allowed to join the soldiers . Liu Bei was then chased out of Xuzhou by Lu Bu and lost all his belongings . The Mi Family were like useless people in Liu Bei’s Army . Mi Zhu was then allowed to continue doing business . Liu Bei only had three thousand White Eared soldiers . These were not even enough to divide between his brothers . How could he let Mi Fang become commander?

So, Guan Yu was always disdainful to the Mi Family . On top of that, the merchant also relied on female relatives . The proud Guan Yu does not want to have interaction with the Mi Family . However, they both served Liu Bei . How was it possible to not have any interaction with the Mi Family? Although Guan Yu tried to restrain himself, his dead person face could not hide his disdain . How could Mi Fang endure this? It was still alright for Mi Zhu as he was the head of the family . He supported the family on his own . When the world was peaceful, he travelled with the trade caravan . He has seen many people before to the extent that Guan Yu’s face was considered a smile . However, Mi Fang could not do it . It was unbearable for the vigorous young man to look at that face every day . However, he was unable to defeat Guan Yu and Guan Yu also had a high position . So, Mi Fang talked to his sister . Lady Mi then told Liu Bei at his bedside . Liu Bei promised for Guan Yu’s attitude to become better . However, Liu Bei was not alerted to the fact that Guan Yu looked down on the Mi Family even more . The merchant family not only used female relationship but even reported him as a villain . Guan Yu stopped exercising restraint and stopped acting . His disgust and disdain were overflowing in his words . This made the relationship between the Mi Family and Guan Yu very rigid . When Liu Bei went out to battle, he had Guan Yu stay and guard Runan . Mi Fang then took the opportunity to become a general at Yingshang to avoid Guan Yu .

“Haha!” Liu Mang looked at Mi Fang who was breathing heavily as though he was about to erupt . He had guessed correctly that Mi Fang and Guan Yu were not getting along . However, because of his brother’s advice and the death of Lady Mi, the Mi Family’s position was no longer a match for Guan Yu . So, Mi Fang spent many years enduring his resentment, and later fear for Guan Yu . When Guan Yu sat at Jingzhou, Mi Fang was once slow in transporting rations . As he feared Guan Yu would kill him, he rebelled, causing Guan Yu to lose his life .

“How about it? General . Just surrender! I believe General Mi understands this one’s behavior . Instead of being bullied at Liu Bei’s side, you might as well come down the walls and surrender to this one . This one uses those with talent . He would not have private sentiments with those under him!” Liu Mang intended to induce Mi Fang to capitulate . This time, Liu Mang did not want to fight if necessary so that he could save time . If Mi Fang comes down and surrenders, it would not only save time . Even though Mi Fang and Guan Yu were at odds, the Mi Family are still one of the core characters of Liu Bei’s Army .

It would be great if Mi Fang knows about the defenses of the cities in Yuzhou and has intelligence about Liu Bei . It would allow Liu Mang to be faster at capturing Yuzhou and then assist Yangzhou . Also, when Mi Fang surrenders, Liu Mang could go and obtain Mi Fang’s brother Mi Zhu .

Their sister that had been married Liu Bei would not follow . Anything could be sacrificed during these troubled times . Mi Zhu marrying his younger sister to Liu Bei was a sacrifice . Liu Bei was old enough to be Lady Mi’s father . On the other hand, Lady Mi was around the same age as Lu Liqing . If Mi Zhu dotes on his sister, he would not sacrifice her happiness . On top of that, there would be no difference as to whether Lady Mi was there according to Liu Bei wifeless careerist lifestyle . What Liu Mang wanted was Mi Zhu’s qualities as a merchant .

Liu Mang does not agree with the people’s misunderstandings and disdain for merchants in the era of the four classes . There were unscrupulous merchants that would even make money off dead people . However, there were also merchants that were good and necessary for victory . Unless there is a huge industrial and agricultural system, the merchants were indispensable . There were a few prominent merchants during the Three Kingdoms era . The Zhen Family of Hebei, the Cai Family of Jingzhou, and the Mi Family of Xuzhou . They were all commercial geniuses and crafty scoundrels . If you were to put them into modern times, they would be able to do well provided they have sufficient knowledge . It was even possible for them to become extraordinary .

“Surrender?” Mi Fang would be lying if he said he was not moved . After all, Liu Mang was the Sage King of the Han . Although Mi Fang spoke of him in disdain, the truth was that Mi Fang envied Liu Mang’s title . No matter how much they worked or how wealthy they were, they were still merchants . Why else would the Mi Family want to give away wealth and a woman as though they got no where else to throw their money? It was not this luxurious even when Sun Quan married his sister away . To some people, women of this era had to submit to fate . Lu Bu himself was just a witness to the achievements of his lord . The Mi Family had spent a lot for Liu Bei to make his comeback . All of these contributions was for their future prospects . It was for them to break away from being merchants and becoming a noble . In fact, Liu mang’s recruitment order did not only attract people from poor families . Even the merchant families were excited . This was because officials usually prioritize noblees and never took a look at talent . Even if a person is useless, they could become an important official if they came from a good family . On the other hand, talented people could stop dreaming about standing out if they do not have a good family background . If this was not during troubled times, Guan Yu would be selling dates, Zhang Fei would remain a butcher and Liu Bei would be selling shoes . On the other hand, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, Wang Lang and the others would occupy high positions in the Han Dynasty, such as being a famous general or official, instead of lying in their graves .

“Yes! Leave the city and surrender! You have already seen me capture more than a dozen counties at Anfeng . A trivial Yingshang is not worth mentioning! If you surrender to me, not only will I not break up your unit . If you are outstanding, you will even shine by my side . Even if you don’t, as long as you spare no effort, there would be a place for you at the Hall of Heroes . It would not be impossible for the Mi Family to become a noble!” Liu Mang was really tempting Mi Fang . He knew Mi Fang wanted to stop being in the merchant class and become a noble . As long as Mi Fang surrenders and follows Liu Mang, he would give Mi Fang a chance and at least make him a small noble . After all, Liu Mang was not Liu bei . Although Liu Bei was known as the Imperial Uncle, he did not have the rank to grant nobility . However, it was different for Liu Mang . Liu Mang used to be King of Shu . Now, he has the title of a Sage King . As a King, he is able capable of starting a government and grant nobility .

Although the Han had changed the system and followed the Qin Dynasty system, many things remained the same . For example, many places were called ‘So-and-so country’ instead of ‘So-and-so state’ . They were divided amongst the Liu . Although the prefecture was small and only has one city, it could still be divided to several families .

“Open the gates?”

Mi Fang was moved, especially at the Hall of Heroes mentioned by Liu Mang . Su Fei who was in it was a good example . Su Fei was just a commoner general . His Lord, Huang Zu, was only the governor of Jiangxia . Su Fei was just a military officer . However, such a military officer became a Marquis . It would naturally give people ideas .

Mi Fang hesitated but his eyebrows continued to tremble . Even his men did not want to fight and believed it was best for them to surrender . One by one, they all looked at their general .

Although Mi Fang hesitated and was tempted by Liu Mang, he still had a plan in his heart . There was a figure in his heart and that figure was in the city . On top of that, Mi Fang still has his brother . So, Mi Fang gritted his teeth, “Your Royal Highness the Sage King . You do not need to waste anymore time . Mi Fang will not surrender!”

“Pass down my orders! The whole army is to be prepared and defend the city with their lives!” Mi Fang shouted loudly .

“Milord gave you a good offer and you still refuse to surrender . You really want to die!” Saying that, Huang Zhong once again aimed at Mi Fang . Even if he could not kill Mi Fang, he could still injure him . However, he was once again stopped by Liu Mang .

“Hansheng . There is no need for anger . We have already reached our objective!” Liu Mang smiled at the equally young man on the city walls . What young people lack the least was drive and ambition . Liu Mang understood that he felt comfortable when he was around Lu Bu . However, he thought of being independent . He did not want to be helped by Lu Bu everywhere . Mi Fang was the same . He did not want to be taken care of by his brother and become a senior official by nepotism . Mi Fang wanted to use his own ability, become independent and receive the recognition of others . Liu Mang wanted to draw out Mi Fang’s ambition . This seemed to be a success . Although Mi Fang did not surrender, his tone and speech had changed significantly . Earlier, he had called Liu Mang the Slave of Four Surnames or False King but now, he called Liu Mang His Royal Highness the Sage King . His attitude had changed too much . Not surrendering would be because Mi Fang had misgivings .

“Since you did not surrender, do not blame me! Life and death are decided by the heavens . If you can survive, I can still put you in an important position . If you cannot, then your fate is simply not good!” Liu Mang quietly said to himself .

“Huang Zhong!”

“This general is here!”

“Issue my orders . Fire at Yingshang with the catapults . I want Yingshang captured by sunset . ”

“This general receives the order!” Huang Zhong was still a bit hesitant as there were common people on the walls helping the Liu Bei’s Army transport things .

“Since they are already on the walls, there are no difference between them or the soldiers . There is only one word for them in front of my, Liu Mang’s Army . ” Liu Mang did not hesitate . It was because he had wasted too much time and must now work with haste .

*Boom! Boom!* The catapults were assembled . Huge rocks were put onto the catapults . War was about to break out .

Connecting with female relative . The ‘simple’ word would be nepotism . Basically, using relationship to obtain power/influence . Except that in this case its using a female relative (females are looked down on in ancient times so its extra bad) . Pretty sure female nepotism is not a thing .

(TN: I wanted to joke around but I didn’t want to make spoilers . So here is the summary of this (and technically the previous) chapter . )