I

  In mid-March, the weather in Ji Province still carried a hint of winter's stubbornness.

  Li Yan crouched beneath a crooked locust tree by the roadside, a freshly plucked stalk of grass dangling from his lips, gazing at his newly acquired old horse with a sigh.

  "Brother Horse," he patted its neck, "I think our fates must be at odds. The horse I bought in Luoyang went lame; the one in You Province started wheezing; now this one, bought in Zhongshan Kingdom... why have you taken such a fancy to eating tree bark?"

  The horse snorted and continued gnawing on the bark, ignoring him completely.

  Li Yan took some dry rations from his robe, broke off half, and stuffed it into his mouth. He offered the other half to the horse. The horse sniffed, turned away in disdain, and went back to its bark.

  "Fine, you have refined tastes." Li Yan tucked the rations back into his robe and brushed the crumbs from his hands.

  It had been half a month since he left You Province.

  Old Master Lu Zhi had seen him to the city gate, his hair and beard white, leaning on his staff: "Righteous Man Li, the road south is perilous. As for Lord Liu Yu... I will continue to urge him."

  Li Yan had clasped his hands in salute: "Master Lu need not trouble yourself. The matter of the jade tokens, I will handle in my own way."

  In truth, he had no plan.

  Seven jade tokens nestled in his robe, heavy as seven burning braziers. Liu Yu held the remaining three, but that imperial clansman clearly wanted no part in this game—in chaotic times, playing it safe was understandable.

  The problem was, Li Yan didn't want to play it safe. He wanted to bring this affair to a close.

  How? He didn't know.

  So he thought he'd first go to Yan Province to find Cui Yan—that woman had a sharp mind; she might come up with some crooked scheme.

  Besides, he still owed her a cup of tea.

  Thinking of Cui Yan, the corner of Li Yan's mouth lifted involuntarily. That woman—cold as midwinter ice on the surface, but with a fire burning deep inside. Saving her in Luoyang, protecting her in Cao's camp, parting at the pavilion... Tsk, better not dwell on it.

  He mounted his horse—well, climbed onto it. The old horse ambled reluctantly southward.

  There weren't many people on the official road. Occasionally refugees passed, clutching bundles, the old and young together, their faces etched with numbness and fear. Li Yan watched them, his heart heavy.

  Chaotic times... when would they ever end?

  As he rode, the sky suddenly darkened. Black clouds rolled in from the north, heavy as if the heavens might collapse.

  "Well," Li Yan looked up, "rain again. Brother Horse, shall we find shelter?"

  The old horse snorted its agreement.

  Not far ahead stood a dilapidated temple. Its gate was half-collapsed, its walls peeling—clearly abandoned for years. Li Yan led his horse over and tied it to a broken pillar just as the rain began.

  A torrential downpour.

  Li Yan dashed inside, shaking off the water. The temple housed a statue of the Earth God, tilted sideways, draped in cobwebs. Some dry straw lay on the floor—others had sheltered here before.

  He found a corner and sat down, pulling out a flatbread to gnaw on. The rain intensified, drumming on the broken tiles.

  As he ate, hurried footsteps and wails suddenly came from outside.

  Li Yan's ears pricked up. He set down his flatbread and crept to the door to peer out.

  About twenty common folk were running toward the temple—old and young, men and women, all in tattered clothes, soaked to the bone. Leading them was an old man leaning on a staff, his legs unsteady, supported by a young man.

  "Quick! Into the temple!" the old man shouted.

  The crowd surged inside, instantly filling the cramped space. Li Yan shrank back into his corner, saying nothing.

  "Elder, what happened?" he asked the old man.

  The old man gasped for breath, pointing outside. "Mountain... mountain bandits! Fake Yellow Turbans! They're coming!"

  Fake Yellow Turbans?

  Li Yan frowned. The Yellow Turban Rebellion had been suppressed the previous year, and some remnants remained here and there. But more often, it was local strongmen using the Yellow Turban name to plunder.

  "How many?" he asked.

  "Thirty or forty! All armed with blades!" a young man trembled. "Our village... they looted everything, killed people!"

  As he spoke, hoofbeats and shouts came from outside.

  "There! In the temple!"

  "Brothers, charge in! Grain, women—take it all!"

  Li Yan sighed, stuffed the last bit of flatbread into his mouth, clapped his hands, and stood up.

  "Everyone," he said, "move back. Squeeze together."

  The villagers stared at him dumbly. Li Yan walked to the temple entrance and looked out—

  Thirty-odd mounted men, dressed in a motley assortment. Some wore yellow scarves, some didn't. They carried swords, spears, clubs, and were charging toward the temple. Their leader was a dark-faced brute with fleshy features, wielding a executioner's broadsword.

  "Well, quite a lineup," Li Yan muttered.

  He glanced back at the temple: over twenty old and weak, huddled together, trembling. A little girl nestled in her mother's arms, staring at him with wide eyes.

  Li Yan winked at her. Then he turned and walked out of the temple.

  The rain still fell, cold on his face.

  "Hey!" he shouted at the approaching band. "Honored heroes, working in the rain—such dedication!"

  The dark-faced leader reined in and looked him up and down. "Who the hell are you?"

  "Just passing through." Li Yan grinned. "Seeing you all bristling with murderous intent, have you come to pay respects to the Earth God? What a coincidence—so have I. Shall we go together?"

  "Enough crap!" The leader waved his blade. "Get out of the way, or I'll cut you down too!"

  Li Yan sighed. "So no room for negotiation, eh?"

  He slowly drew his short knife from his belt—the one Shopkeeper Sun had left him. The blade was dark, its edge gleaming coldly.

  The leader saw it and burst out laughing. "With one broken knife, you think you can stop over thirty of us? Brothers, take him!"

  Five mounted bandits charged first. Li Yan, instead of retreating, advanced. He slid through the mud, ducked between two horses, and struck backhand—

  "Ahh!"

  A bandit screamed and fell from his horse, his leg gashed.

  The other four wheeled and charged again. Li Yan dodged left and right in the mud, slippery as an eel. Another stroke slashed a horse's hind leg; the beast reared, throwing its rider.

  "This one's tough!" someone shouted.

  The leader was enraged. "All together! Hack him to pieces!"

  Over thirty men surged forward. Li Yan groaned inwardly—two hands can't fight forty, especially forty blades.

  He fought and retreated, back to the temple entrance. Just as he was about to be overwhelmed—

  "Brigands, cease your insolence!"

  A thunderous roar split the air.

  Li Yan turned to see three horsemen burst from the rain-curtain.

  The first wore an old official robe, twin swords at his waist. His face was like jade, his eyes bright as stars. Even riding through the rain, he bore an air of composed dignity.

  The second had a ruddy face and a long beard, with elegant brows and phoenix eyes. He carried a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, nine feet long, its cold gleam fearsome. His horse was entirely crimson, like a ball of flame.

  The third had a leopard's head and circular eyes, a swallow's jowl and tiger's whiskers. His voice was like thunder, his momentum like a charging stallion. In his hand was a serpentine spear eighteen feet long, its tip dripping rain, murderous aura billowing.

  Three men on three horses, like three war gods, plunged into the fray.

  The ruddy-faced man swung his great blade; three bandits and their horses were swept aside. The leopard-headed man thrust his spear, skewering two like candied hawthorns. The man in the old official robe drew his twin swords; his blade-work was like flowing silk, and wherever it passed, bandits tumbled from their saddles.

  Li Yan was dumbfounded.

  These three... who were they?

  In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, over thirty bandits lay strewn about, dead or wounded. The dark-faced leader tried to flee, but the leopard-headed man pursued, smashing his spear shaft across the leader's back. The man spat blood and collapsed.

  The rain gradually lessened.

  The man in the old official robe dismounted and walked over to Li Yan, clasping his hands. "I am Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande. These are my sworn brothers, Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang, and Zhang Fei, Zhang Yide. May I ask your honorable name, brave sir?"

  Liu Bei? Guan Yu? Zhang Fei?

  Li Yan's mind raced—he'd heard of them. They had rendered meritorious service suppressing the Yellow Turbans, and Liu Bei had served as County Commandant of Anxi. Later... he'd supposedly flogged an inspector and abandoned his post? He hadn't expected to meet them here.

  "I am Li Yan, a wanderer of the Jianghu." Li Yan returned the salute. "My thanks to you three for the rescue."

  "A wanderer?" Zhang Fei came closer, looking him up and down. "I saw your moves—not bad! Sliding around in the mud like a loach!"

  Li Yan laughed. "Brother Zhang flatters me. The ground was slippery; I could barely stand."

  Guan Yu stroked his long beard, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. "That blade-work of yours, Righteous Man, seemed casual but was actually exquisite. Was it passed down from a famous master?"

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "Just some family tricks, not worth mentioning." Li Yan evaded, then turned to Liu Bei. "You said earlier, Lord Liu, that you are of imperial descent?"

  Liu Bei's expression grew solemn. He clasped his hands toward the sky. "I am a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a scion of Emperor Jing. Though my family has declined, I dare not forget my ancestral bloodline."

  Li Yan thought to himself: He sounds sincere, but in chaotic times, anyone with the surname Liu could claim anything. Who knows if it's true? Still, this man's bearing doesn't seem like a fraud.

  "Where are you bound, Lord Liu?" he asked.

  Liu Bei sighed. "I was serving as County Commandant of Anxi. But when an inspector demanded bribes, I flogged him in anger, abandoned my post, and fled. Now, with my sworn brothers, I travel far and wide, recruiting righteous men to pacify local banditry and restore peace to the people."

  Zhang Fei interjected, "Elder Brother is benevolent! On this journey, we've already wiped out three bandit gangs—all scum pretending to be Yellow Turbans, terrorizing the folk!"

  Guan Yu nodded. "This lot we just fought is one of them. Their leader, Zhao Wei, is a local bully who colludes with the county magistrate's clerk. He has long oppressed the countryside."

  Li Yan's interest was piqued. "You three intend to eliminate Zhao Wei?"

  "Precisely," Liu Bei said. "Righteous Man Li, if you have no pressing engagements, would you care to join us? I observed your skills—you are truly a rare talent."

  Li Yan considered.

  He was heading to Yan Province anyway; a short delay wouldn't hurt. Besides, these three seemed quite interesting—Liu Bei benevolent, Guan Yu proud, Zhang Fei hearty—all men of character.

  "Alright." He grinned. "I've got nothing better to do. I'll come along."

  Zhang Fei was overjoyed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Good! Decisive! After we fight, I'll treat you to wine!"

  The clap was forceful. Li Yan winced. "Brother Zhang... easy... my bones..."

  II

  That night, the four of them sheltered in an abandoned village.

  The village had long been looted by bandits; nine out of ten houses stood empty, only a few broken structures remaining to keep out the wind and rain. Zhang Fei, somehow, had caught a few wild rabbits and roasted them over a fire. Guan Yu fetched fresh water. Liu Bei found a cracked pot and boiled a thin porridge.

  The four sat around the fire, warming themselves and eating.

  "Brother Li," Liu Bei offered him a rabbit leg, "where have you come from, and where are you bound?"

  Li Yan took the leg and bit into it. "From You Province, heading to Yan Province."

  "Yan Province?" Guan Yu looked up. "To join Cao Cao?"

  Li Yan shook his head. "To find a friend."

  He didn't mention Cui Yan. No need.

  Zhang Fei gnawed on his meat, speaking thickly: "That Cao Cao—I've heard of him! He was with Dong Zhuo in Luoyang, then ran off. Now he's recruiting troops in Yan Province. Is he a good man or a bad one?"

  It was a difficult question.

  Li Yan considered. "In chaotic times, it's not easy to separate good from bad. Cao Cao has great talent, but also ambition. Used well, he could be a capable minister governing the age; used poorly... he'd be a second Dong Zhuo."

  Liu Bei, upon hearing this, looked thoughtful. "Righteous Man Li has uncommon insight. I have heard that Cao Cao employs men solely for their ability, without regard for virtue. Such a method may gather talent quickly, but it risks excessive leniency."

  "Lord Liu is right." Li Yan nodded. "But chaotic times call for heavy measures. Cao Cao's approach gets results fast. Ruling through benevolence is good, but by the time benevolence wins people's hearts, the realm might already be torn apart."

  His words were direct. Guan Yu frowned. "Do you mean to say, Righteous Man, that you approve of Cao Cao's methods?"

  "Not approve—understand." Li Yan took a sip of water. "It's like treating an illness. Some use gentle remedies, others drastic medicine. Gentle remedies are slow but steady; drastic medicine acts fast but harms the body. Lord Liu is a gentle remedy; Cao Cao is drastic medicine. Who's right and who's wrong? Depends on whether the patient can take it."

  Liu Bei's eyes lit up. "A brilliant analogy! I am enlightened."

  Zhang Fei was bewildered. "Gentle remedies, drastic medicine—what's all that? The best method is the one that wins battles!"

  The four laughed.

  The night deepened. The rain had completely stopped, and a few stars appeared in the sky.

  Li Yan leaned against the wall, staring at the fire, lost in thought. The seven jade tokens in his robe pressed against him. He touched them discreetly.

  "Can't sleep, Brother Li?" Liu Bei came over and sat beside him.

  "Thinking about some things," Li Yan said.

  Liu Bei also gazed at the night sky. After a long moment, he spoke slowly: "I often wonder, how did this chaos come about? When the Yellow Turbans rose, I saw with my own eyes people exchanging their children for food, and corpses frozen by the roadside. Even then, I thought: if someday I gain power, I will ensure everyone in the realm has enough to eat and wear."

  Li Yan turned to look at him.

  The firelight illuminated Liu Bei's face—gentle yet resolute.

  "Lord Liu," Li Yan asked softly, "if you truly gained control of the realm, how would you govern?"

  Liu Bei answered without hesitation: "Win people with benevolence, bind officials with law. Lighten taxes and corvée, encourage farming and sericulture. Select the worthy and capable, regardless of birth. Let the people live in peace, let scholars fulfill their potential, and let the realm be united in heart."

  The words were beautiful.

  Li Yan was silent for a moment, then asked: "And if some refuse to submit? Great clans monopolizing land, bullies oppressing the common folk, foreign tribes harassing the borders—can benevolence solve these problems?"

  Liu Bei's expression grew solemn. "Benevolence alone cannot, but law can. I am no pedant; when harsh measures are needed, I will not hesitate. Only... weapons are always a last resort. If we can transform through virtue and persuade through reason, that is the superior path."

  Li Yan nodded and said no more.

  He believed Liu Bei meant it. But good intentions are one thing, reality another. Chaos was a flood; how long could a small boat of benevolence stay afloat?

  "Brother Li seems unconvinced?" Liu Bei perceived his hesitation.

  "Not unconvinced," Li Yan chose his words carefully. "Just... unable to fully believe. In this world, good men often don't live long."

  Liu Bei smiled. "Then I must live even longer, so Brother Li can see that good men can also succeed."

  The words were spoken with such candor. Li Yan smiled too. "Then I'll be watching."

  III

  The next morning, the four set out for Zhao Wei's lair.

  On the road, Guan Yu rode beside Li Yan and suddenly asked: "There seems to be something hard pressing against your robe, Righteous Man. Is it something important?"

  Li Yan's heart tightened—this Guan Yu had sharp eyes.

  "Left by an old friend," he said vaguely. "Just some broken jade, worthless."

  Guan Yu gave him a long look but asked no further.

  Zhang Fei was more boisterous: "Broken jade? I've got a jade pendant too, left by my mother. Brother Li, after we fight, I'll show it to you!"

  Li Yan smiled and agreed.

  Zhao Wei's lair was in a mountain hollow, easy to defend and hard to attack. The stockade gate was high, and men patrolled the walls.

  The four hid in the woods and observed.

  "A direct assault won't work," Liu Bei said. "The walls are strong, and we're too few."

  Guan Yu stroked his beard. "We could lure them out."

  Zhang Fei scratched his head. "How?"

  Li Yan thought for a moment. "They're short on grain, aren't they? Let's pretend to be a grain convoy passing by. Zhao Wei is greedy; he'll surely come out to seize it."

  "Excellent idea!" Liu Bei's eyes lit up. "But... we'll need the cooperation of the villagers."

  "I'll talk to them," Li Yan said.

  He returned to the temple where the villagers still sheltered. He explained the plan. The villagers exchanged uncertain glances.

  "This... it's too dangerous," the old man hesitated.

  "Elder," Li Yan said earnestly, "if Zhao Wei isn't eliminated, you'll never go home. Now, with the help of the three heroes Liu, Guan, and Zhang, this is an opportunity."

  A young man stood up. "I'll go! Zhao Wei killed my father—I want revenge!"

  "Me too!"

  "Count me in!"

  In the end, a dozen able-bodied young men agreed to participate. Li Yan had them find empty sacks, stuff them with straw to resemble grain bags, and load them onto donkey carts.

  Everything was ready.

  At noon, the "grain convoy" slowly passed before Zhao Wei's stockade.

  Sure enough, the gate opened.

  Zhao Wei himself led the charge—over fifty men, all armed.

  "Halt! Leave the grain!" Zhao Wei roared.

  The "convoy" abandoned the carts and fled. Zhao Wei, overjoyed, ordered his men to seize the grain. After hauling a few bags and finding only straw, they realized they'd been tricked.

  "Retreat! Quick!" he shouted.

  But it was too late.

  Guan Yu and Zhang Fei charged from the flanks, straight for the stockade gate. Li Yan and Liu Bei, with the dozen young villagers, encircled them from behind.

  Zhao Wei tried to flee back to the stockade, but Guan Yu held the gate, a single man holding it against all comers. Zhang Fei was like a tiger among sheep, his serpentine spear unstoppable.

  In the chaos, Li Yan spotted Zhao Wei.

  That dark-faced brute was no weakling; his executioner's broadsword whirled ferociously. He had already cut down two villagers. Li Yan crept up silently and, taking him unawares, stabbed at his lower back.

  Zhao Wei sensed the danger and turned to parry. They clashed.

  After ten exchanges, Li Yan feigned a opening. Zhao Wei swung his blade; Li Yan sidestepped and slashed at the man's wrist.

  Clang!

  The broadsword fell. Li Yan's knife tip pressed against Zhao Wei's throat.

  "Spare me, good sir!" Zhao Wei knelt.

  The fight ended quickly. Most of Zhao Wei's men were dead or wounded; the rest surrendered.

  Liu Bei ordered the stockade opened. They freed the imprisoned villagers—men and women, all abducted. The granaries were full of stolen grain, and the storehouses held gold, silver, and cloth.

  "Distribute these goods back to the people," Liu Bei commanded.

  The villagers cheered and knelt, kowtowing. "Thank you, Lord Liu! Thank you, three heroes!"

  Li Yan stood aside, watching. He felt a surge of emotion.

  This Liu Bei was truly benevolent.

  IV

  That night, they celebrated in the stockade.

  Zhang Fei produced several jars of wine. They drank from large bowls and feasted on meat. Guan Yu drank sparingly but smiled. Liu Bei busied himself with comforting the villagers and distributing supplies, bustling about.

  Li Yan sat in a corner, sipping wine slowly.

  "Brother Li!" Zhang Fei came over with a bowl. "I toast you! That strike of yours today—beautiful!"

  Li Yan clinked bowls. "Brother Zhang was even fiercer, cutting through the enemy line single-handedly."

  Zhang Fei laughed heartily and sat beside him. "Brother Li, with such skill, why not join us! Elder Brother is benevolent, Second Brother is loyal, and I, Old Zhang, am righteous! Let's swear brotherhood, the four of us, and make a name for ourselves!"

  Li Yan smiled and shook his head. "I'm too used to the free life. I chafe under约束."

  "Constraints? What constraints!" Zhang Fei clapped his shoulder. "We'd be brothers, equals!"

  Just then, Liu Bei and Guan Yu came over.

  "Third Brother is right," Liu Bei said gently. "Righteous Man Li, you have great talent. If you would stay and help us, I would be deeply grateful."

  Guan Yu nodded. "The Righteous Man has a chivalrous heart. We share the same aspirations."

  Li Yan looked at their sincere faces and felt a touch of warmth.

  In chaotic times, to encounter such men was fate.

  But he still shook his head. "I appreciate your kindness, truly. But... I have unfinished business. I must see to it."

  "What business?" Liu Bei asked. "Perhaps I can help."

  Li Yan hesitated.

  He couldn't speak of the jade tokens. Nor of Cui Yan.

  "Personal matters," he finally said. "When they're done, if you three will still have me, I'll come back and drink with you."

  Zhang Fei wanted to urge him further, but Liu Bei stopped him.

  "Everyone has their own path," Liu Bei said. "Since Righteous Man Li has his goals, I won't press you to stay. I only hope that when we meet again in the Jianghu, we'll still be friends."

  "Certainly." Li Yan raised his bowl.

  They drank together.

  The night grew late. Li Yan lay in his assigned room, unable to sleep.

  Moonlight streamed through the window, coating the floor like frost.

  He took out the jade tokens and examined them in the moonlight. Seven pieces, each with different patterns. Assembled, they formed a partial map—the Mang Hills, Emperor Shun's tomb, the secret edict, the Martial Guard Remnant Army...

  These secrets were like a great net, ensnaring him at its center.

  And outside the net, a greater chaos.

  Dong Zhuo tyrannizing Luoyang, Cao Cao recruiting in Yan Province, Yuan Shao scheming in Ji Province, Sun Jian marshaling troops in Changsha... heroes rising across the land, beacon fires reaching the sky.

  What could he, a mere wanderer, do?

  As he pondered, footsteps approached outside.

  "Brother Li, are you awake?" Liu Bei's voice.

  Li Yan tucked away the tokens. "Not yet asleep. Please enter, Lord Liu."

  Liu Bei pushed the door open, carrying a small bundle.

  "Since you're leaving tomorrow, Righteous Man," he said, "I have nothing of value to give you, but please accept this."

  He unwrapped the bundle, revealing an old official seal.

  "This was my seal when I served as County Commandant of Anxi," Liu Bei said. "Though it's now useless, it can serve as a token. If you ever need help, show this seal to any member of the imperial clan, and they will receive you."

  Li Yan took the seal.

  It was heavy bronze, engraved with the characters: "Seal of the County Commandant of Anxi."

  "This... is too precious," he said.

  Liu Bei shook his head. "Compared to your help, it's nothing. I only hope this seal ensures your safe journey."

  Li Yan looked into Liu Bei's sincere eyes, and warmth filled his heart.

  "Lord Liu," he asked abruptly, "if someday I do something that conflicts with your principles?"

  Liu Bei paused, then smiled. "Different paths need not preclude friendship. I trust your character, Righteous Man. Whatever you do, there will be a reason."

  The words were magnanimous.

  Li Yan clasped his hands. "Thank you, Lord Liu."

  Liu Bei returned the salute and left.

  Li Yan held the seal, long silent.

  V

  Early the next morning, Li Yan took his leave.

  Zhang Fei saw him to the stockade gate, his eyes slightly red. "Brother Li, must you really go?"

  "Must go." Li Yan patted his shoulder. "Take care, Brother Zhang. Drink less, and listen to Lord Liu."

  "I know!" Zhang Fei produced a small wine flask from his robe. "Take this! Drink it on the road!"

  Guan Yu also came, handing him a short knife. "This blade is sharp. Use it for protection."

  Li Yan accepted both, expressing his thanks.

  Liu Bei came last and clasped his hand. "The mountains are high and the rivers long. Until we meet again."

  "Until we meet again."

  Li Yan mounted his horse—still the same bark-eating nag. He turned its head and rode south.

  After he had gone some distance, he looked back. The three still stood at the gate, waving.

  He raised his hand in farewell, then turned and did not look back again.

  Southward, to Yan Province.

  To find Cui Yan.

  To settle this burden.

  The horse ambled slowly. Li Yan took out the seal Liu Bei had given him, looked at it, and tucked it away. He drew the knife from Guan Yu—cold gleam, a fine blade. He uncorked Zhang Fei's flask and sniffed—strong liquor, potent stuff.

  He smiled.

  This trip to Ji Province had not been wasted.

  As he rode, dust suddenly rose on the official road ahead. A troop of cavalry galloped toward him, about twenty strong, wearing the armor of Yuan Shao's army.

  Li Yan reined in and moved to the side.

  As the cavalry passed, the leading captain suddenly halted and stared at him for a few moments.

  "You," the captain asked, "are you Li Yan?"

  Li Yan's heart lurched.

  How did he know?

  "Honored soldier mistakes me," he said with an ingratiating smile. "This humble one is called Wang Ergou."

  The captain smiled coldly and drew a portrait from his robe, unfolding it.

  The man in the portrait was unmistakably him.

  "Li Yan, wanderer, about twenty years old, seven foot five, with a small mole beside his left eyebrow." The captain recited. "My lord orders us to invite Righteous Man Li to Ye City for a chat."

  My lord? Yuan Shao?

  Li Yan's mind raced.

  What did Yuan Shao want with him? The jade tokens? Or Cui Yan?

  "Honored soldier," he kept up the pretense, "the portrait is well done, but it truly isn't me..."

  "Enough talk!" The captain waved. "Seize him!"

  Twenty-odd cavalry surrounded him.

  Li Yan sighed.

  It seemed this trip to Yan Province wouldn't be so smooth after all.