Chapter Two: Lü Ziming

He carried three thousand coins on him. Though the journey to Lujiang was long, it would suffice for two to eat along the way. Yet Jiang Wen could not find a reason to have this little beggar accompany him.

In times of chaos, there were no naïve maidens; women looked only to talent and power.

Simply put, people of this era cared nothing for appearance. Jiang Wen was now without either talent or authority—what merit could possibly make him desirable?

“By your look, sir, you must be a scholar. May I ask which noble family you belong to?”

“House Jiang, of humble origins.” Jiang Wen entered a nearby inn and ate a simple meal. “I do not have enough provisions. If you’re seeking a good future or a safe haven, you’d best not follow me.”

“Meeting a good man is harder than finding gold. If you tell me to leave, I won’t!” The beggar rubbed his tangled hair and sat on the stone steps outside. The innkeeper would not allow beggars inside.

“I’m going to join the army. There’s no use for you to follow me,” Jiang Wen said, handing him a piece of flatbread. “I’m not a good man, just occasionally moved by charity. Perhaps next time you’ll see me kicking beggars in the street to vent my anger.”

“Next time is next time, but this time is this time! All I see is this moment. If you’re enlisting, wouldn’t it be better to have a servant by your side?”

He took the flatbread and ate ravenously, but it was so dry he choked. Jiang Wen handed him a bowl of cold water, and the beggar’s pained expression softened after drinking.

“What’s your name?” Jiang Wen paid the innkeeper three hundred coins for travel provisions.

The beggar, sitting on the steps, propped his head and watched the anxious passersby. “Taor, and you, sir?”

“Jiang Wen, courtesy name Changsu.” Jiang Wen left the inn, the beggar trailing behind.

Taor grinned. “Sir, you’re clearly of humble birth, yet you have a courtesy name. If it isn’t for vanity, you must harbor great ambitions.”

“Will you walk with me awhile?”

“Where to?”

“Not far, just to a ruined temple nearby.” Taor tiptoed, whispering in Jiang Wen’s ear, “I’ll tell you a secret—I’ve hidden all my money there!”

Jiang Wen stood still, gazing at the ragged beggar before him. “You know I am a commoner, without rank or office. All I possess is three hundred coins, enough for fifteen days’ bread and three sets of clothes. There is nothing on me that you could possibly want!”

“I don’t want your money; I have twelve hundred coins myself!” Taor tugged Jiang Wen along. Jiang Wen frowned slightly but said nothing.

Taor seemed to realize this was improper and quickly released Jiang Wen’s hand, walking ahead.

“Sir, I overheard travelers say Dong Zhuo has rebelled, and the various lords are forming an alliance to campaign against him. Will the realm be at peace once Dong Zhuo is defeated?”

Jiang Wen moved to Taor’s right. It was clear the beggar hadn’t bathed in ages, his scent unpleasant.

Jiang Wen replied, “Some things are not easy to explain.”

Taor smiled softly—a pleasant sound—yet she did not press further.

They arrived at the ruined temple. The eaves were thick with cobwebs, the building dilapidated, its mottled walls overgrown with weeds.

Taor seemed unconcerned, as if she felt at home. “Sir, please wait here!”

Jiang Wen regarded the ruined house, his thoughts elsewhere. He aimed to reach Lujiang Commandery, for Sun Jian’s campaign against Dong Zhuo would pass through there. It was quicker and easier than heading for Changsha.

Another reason: Lujiang was the hometown of Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were close friends. In this era, talent was advanced by recommendation; without it, even the greatest abilities would be swallowed by chaos.

If he could curry favor with Zhou Yu, and be recommended to Sun Ce, he would fare far better than as a mere foot soldier.

“Sir, let us go!” Taor returned, carrying a piece of tattered cloth patched with holes, within it her coins.

Jiang Wen asked, “Why follow me, when the world surely does not lack good men?”

Taor replied with a cheerful smile, “My mother says I was born clever. There may be many good men, but I think you’re the one I’ve been waiting for.”

Jiang Wen tossed his cloth bundle to Taor. “Since you honor me as your master, carry my baggage.”

After the Yellow Turban uprising, many prefects met untimely ends. The nation had yet to find peace, and now Dong Zhuo had rebelled.

The land was without a fixed ruler. With so many prefects missing, troublemakers abounded.

People on the streets looked anxious, many clutching their belongings and fleeing in panic.

Bandits had arrived!

“Sir, we should leave quickly!” Taor urged.

Outside the county gate, dust rose in the yellow earth. Bandits on a hundred horses approached.

Jiang Wen’s expression grew tense; he knew it was too late to escape.

The first ten horses charged straight into Youquan County. Those preparing to leave fled back in terror.

Jiang Wen grabbed Taor and ran the way they came. The bandits stormed in, looting money and food, slaughtering travelers, blood splashing, bodies falling.

The magistrate had fled at the first sign of bandits—there were no soldiers left!

Cries of grief filled the air. The bandits were not solely bent on killing; many who surrendered their valuables survived by luck.

A hundred bandits swept through Youquan County, seizing all wealth. Many beautiful women were taken away.

Jiang Wen and Taor hid in the temple, deaf to the chaos outside. Only when the bandits withdrew did they emerge.

The faces of the townsfolk were darker still, the streets silent, the air heavy with the reek of blood and corpses.

Outside the city, the bandits departed leisurely.

“Generals, follow me, Lü Ziming, and charge!” A thunderous cry rang out, and at the city gate, Jiang Wen’s eyes lit up.

Hooves thundered—the county gate saw the arrival of a four-hundred strong cavalry.

Each soldier wore shining armor and carried gleaming weapons; their horses were robust and glossy.

The two armies clashed at the gate. The regular troops fought fiercely, their morale surging. With superior arms and equipment, they easily outmatched the bandits.

In just a few rounds, the bandits threw down their weapons and fled.

“Yonggui, I’m sending you a hundred elite riders—pursue the remaining bandits!”

Jiang Wen stood at the gate, closely observing Lü Ziming—later known as Meng of Wu.

Lü Meng, though still youthful in appearance, bore a heroic air, stood seven feet tall, and was impressively strong.

Taor tugged at Jiang Wen’s sleeve. “Sir, now that the soldiers have routed the bandits, let’s hurry and leave!”

Jiang Wen smiled. “No, we won’t go. We have met a benefactor!”