Chapter 1: Liu Xuande endures hardship and sells straw sandals

However, there was no way to avoid it. Liu Bei had a very good relationship with the city guard of Zhuo County (Originally, their relationship was quite poor. The four city gates of Zhuo County were opened wide every day, and the city guard even mobilized everyone not to use the east gate. Liu Bei felt that this situation could not continue, so on a dark and windy night, he squatted at the city guard's door and sang the song of straw sandals all night. According to a neighbor of the city guard, Ni Haoshuai, who revealed it at the vegetable market the next day, that night, in addition to being surrounded by Liu Bei's singing, there were also faint sounds of wailing coming from the city guard's house. The city guard himself, aside from having his hair turn half white overnight, underwent another change: from then on, he became submissive to Liu Bei and secretly submitted a transfer request to his superiors.) The city guard, under the pretext of defense, usually closed the other three gates. The city guard himself, aside from having his hair turn half white overnight, underwent another change: from then on, he became submissive to Liu Bei and secretly submitted a transfer request to his superiors.) The city guard, under the pretext of defense, usually closed the other three gates.

However, just as they were approaching the East City Gate of Zhuo County, Zhang Jiao, who was riding at the forefront of the entire army, discovered that there was actually a person at the city gate. Needless to say, that person was Liu Bei

In theory, such a thing should be impossible. Firstly, could Liu Bei be like the weaver girl descended from the heavens, able to prepare so many straw sandals at home? Secondly, if he truly provoked Zhang Jiao, even if there were no masters in Zhang Jiao's army, with thousands upon thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers charging at him, how could a single Liu Bei stand a chance? He would have been killed before he could sell a single pair of shoes. Yet the reality is so strange that everyone is left puzzled, and naturally, no one dares to ask Liu Bei what kind of magical artifact he used that day, which could compel Zhang Jiao to willingly fork out a large sum of military funds to purchase Liu Bei's straw sandals as military footwear for the Yellow Turban army. This incident thus became a major unsolved mystery in the history of the Three Kingdoms. Due to the bizarre nature of this mystery, historians believed that someone must have exaggerated the facts. Therefore, if it were not for me, a writer of unofficial history, digging up this astonishing case again, perhaps no one would know that Liu Bei, in his youth, could achieve something that even Zhuge Liang would admire.

Mr. Nanhua once told me that the acupuncture points on the feet are the most profound and complex, with every inch corresponding to the meridians and vital energy of the entire body. The method of weaving these straw sandals was created by Mr. Nanhua himself. He said that this weaving technique aligns with the way of nature, and when a person wears such sandals, they become one with nature. Over time, they become as light as a swallow. I was initially skeptical, but as I continued to wear them, my lightness of movement transformed into what it is now, which is truly remarkable. Not long ago, Mr. Nanhua sent me a message, asking me to make more straw sandals for the general, so that after the general's soldiers wear them, each one would greatly enhance their mobility, enabling the general's great undertaking to be accomplished sooner.

Upon hearing the words "Nan Hua," Zhang Jiao immediately froze.

On that day, Liu Bei, with all his might, unleashed the haunting melody of his grass shoe sales pitch, causing the more than 3,000 elite Yellow Turban soldiers lined up in a single file to be utterly devastated, unable to stand firm. The soldiers at the back, initially unaware of what had transpired in front, only heard that a grass shoe vendor had come to sell his wares with the general's permission. They also heard that the brothers in front, under his persuasion, had actually spent their entire year's military pay on grass shoes. They remained skeptical and dismissive, believing that with their own resolve, they would not be swayed by a few flowery words, even with such a grand spectacle unfolding before them. Little did they know that Liu Bei, like a gust of wind, appeared right in front of them, plunging them into the ocean woven from sound and grass shoes, instantly shattering all resistance. Three of the valiant clerks following Liu Bei to record names had already collapsed, leaving Zhang Jiao no choice but to take on the role of the clerk, continuously circling the soldiers' names on the roster, noting beside them: one year, one and a half years, two years... Their faces had long turned green. Some soldiers, witnessing Liu Bei wreaking havoc on their comrades ahead, could no longer withstand it and obediently bought a pile of grass shoes before Liu Bei even spoke to them.

Zhang Jiao recalled the astonishing lightness of foot that Liu Bei had just displayed, and at this moment, upon hearing that Liu Bei had actually been disabled in both legs before encountering Nan Hua, he felt that Nan Hua had once again challenged the limits. A look of compassion involuntarily appeared on his face. Liu Bei, being disabled, had trained to reach such a state; the suffering he must have endured was certainly more severe than his own. A sense of sympathy arose spontaneously, and as fellow wanderers in misfortune, his impression of Liu Bei improved significantly.

Zhang Jiao recalled that Nan Hua indeed possessed a form of spiritual hypnosis that forcibly instilled knowledge into others' minds. Most of his military strategy knowledge came from this method, but each time it concluded, he was left with a splitting headache, suffering immensely, and ultimately developed a chronic headache condition. Considering this, he had already come to believe about eighty percent of Liu Bei's words. Moreover, even if Liu Bei were to deceive him, it seemed there would be no significant loss.

Zhang Jiao thought to himself that this was indeed the case, and his level of trust in Liu Bei increased somewhat. He asked, "How much do you need"

Liu Bei wore a bitter smile: "Master Nan Hua sees me as foolish and fears that I may not understand, so he forcibly instilled the method of weaving straw sandals into my mind in a peculiar way. Every time I weave straw sandals, my hands naturally know how to proceed, but when it comes to teaching others, I find myself at a loss as to where to begin."

A few months later, everyone began to receive the upgraded straw sandals that Liu Bei had distributed. However, no one could understand what exactly had been upgraded in these sandals, as they appeared to be the same as before. A few individuals went to ask Liu Bei about it.

If there are those who are oblivious and intend to pretend they have not heard, they will suddenly find a large head of Liu Bei appearing on their path forward. Then, Liu Bei's kind voice will spread in their ears, drowning them in a sea of sound, with wave after wave of "Selling straw sandals!" "Selling straw sandals!" crashing down upon them. It is said that if one possesses profound internal skills, they can expel this damned sound by meditating for three hours, circulating their energy through thirty-six cycles. For ordinary people, it often takes four to five days to catch their breath after being submerged in this ocean of sound, with wave after wave of "Selling straw sandals!" "Selling straw sandals!" crashing down upon them. It is said that if one possesses profound internal skills, they can expel this damned sound by meditating for three hours, circulating their energy through thirty-six cycles. For ordinary people, it often takes four to five days to catch their breath.

It is said that on that day, General Zhang Jiao led over 3,000 elite troops of the Yellow Turban Army directly towards Zhuo County. Previously, he had received reports from scouts indicating that the entire population of the small town of Zhuo County had fled, allowing the army to pass through Zhuo City smoothly. Considering the might of his army, Zhang Jiao was very pleased.

Liu Bei left on the eighteenth day of his stay. During these eighteen days, he composed a book titled "How XX is Cultivated," with annotations stating that XX specifically refers to the discerning eye for recognizing talent, the broad-mindedness that embraces all, and the demeanor that allows one to utilize talents while having them bow in submission. This book later became a secret textbook for emperors throughout the ages, but unfortunately, few with talent were able to master it.

According to common reasoning, this speculation is tenable. An ordinary vendor, after all, merely has a louder voice and more eloquence; could it be that they possess some extraordinary skill that allows one person to monopolize an entire city gate?

I see

In this era, commerce is looked down upon by the scholars; however, in the rural areas, everyone endures the same hardships in their struggle for survival. Therefore, regardless of the industry one engages in, all are common people, and there is little distinction between what is esteemed and what is not. Especially now, as the state of affairs in the world becomes increasingly chaotic and unclear, the Han dynasty's realm is far from the solid foundation it once was. Under such circumstances, on one hand, the survival of the common people has become somewhat more difficult than before; on the other hand, merchants sometimes reap considerable profits. Consequently, in recent decades, the development of commerce has accelerated rapidly, to the extent that almost every industry has established its own guilds, which serve to exchange information and, to a certain degree, protect the interests and even safety of the merchants. Under such circumstances, on one hand, the survival of the common people has become somewhat more difficult than before; on the other hand, merchants sometimes reap considerable profits. Consequently, in recent decades, the development of commerce has accelerated rapidly, to the extent that almost every industry has established its own guilds, which serve to exchange information and, to a certain degree, protect the interests and even safety of the merchants.

Liu Bei displayed a strange expression and said: "Grass sandals."

Liu Bei said: "The upgraded straw sandals are made from a blend of several types of grass, providing protection against cold and heat, repelling snakes and insects, and offering numerous benefits.

Why does Liu Bei possess lightness skills? Why would someone skilled in such abilities willingly sell straw sandals here instead of soaring over rooftops, engaging in a profession with a promising future, such as robbing thousands of households in this impending chaotic era? Those who question this have not witnessed the flourishing scene of Liu Bei selling straw sandals; otherwise, they would realize that he has elevated this profession to great heights, generating substantial wealth, far more promising than being a thief. Furthermore, Liu Bei's choice to sell straw sandals is rooted in very complex internal factors, with its necessity and rationality. As the saying goes, 'It takes ten years to sharpen a sword,' and 'One must endure hardship to achieve greatness.' Those who harbor such doubts have not seen the thriving business of Liu Bei selling straw sandals; otherwise, they would recognize that he has significantly advanced this profession, leading to a steady influx of wealth, which is infinitely more promising than thievery. Additionally, Liu Bei's decision to sell straw sandals is indeed based on intricate internal reasons, with its necessity and rationality. It is said that 'One must endure hardship to achieve greatness,' and it is difficult to explain all at once, so let us set that aside for now. Most importantly, Liu Bei truly possesses lightness skills, and not just any lightness skills, but exceptional ones. In other words, his lightness skills are remarkably proficient.

Such a pair of earlobes is extremely wasted on Liu Bei. Every day from noon until sunset, those entering and exiting through the east city gate of the county all hope to have such a pair of earplugs to block out Liu Bei's outrageous cries of selling.

The soldiers had all fled, and naturally, the residents followed suit, escaping to nearby towns, villages, and even the mountains. Only Liu Bei remained at the east gate. Due to the lack of witnesses, it is impossible to ascertain what exactly happened at that time; it is only known that when the Yellow Turban Army emerged from the west gate, everyone was wearing a pair of Liu Bei brand straw sandals and carrying a load on their backs. The expressions of the entire army, descending from Zhang Jiao, were as yellow as the headbands they wore.

Liu Bei took out a pair of straw sandals from the sack behind him and said, "This is the item."

Liu Bei was a seller of straw sandals. This type of business is mostly self-produced and self-sold, so it does not require much communication. Since there is no need to move around frequently, one's safety largely depends on the security of the city. However, many places still have shoe guilds, where everyone engages in similar work, gathering to exchange experiences in sewing and mending, which is beneficial. In larger states and counties, shoe guilds can even be divided into factions such as the straw sandal faction, cloth shoe faction, and cotton shoe faction. Each faction insists that its type of shoe is the best in the world, in line with trends and political situations, with certain officials wearing the same type of shoes. Yet, many places still have shoe guilds, where everyone engages in similar work, gathering to exchange experiences in sewing and mending, which is beneficial. In larger states and counties, shoe guilds can even be divided into factions such as the straw sandal faction, cloth shoe faction, and cotton shoe faction. Each faction insists that its type of shoe is the best in the world, in line with trends and political situations, with certain officials wearing the same type of shoes, hoping that other types of shoes will conform to history and not go against the trend, urging them to exit the historical stage as soon as possible. Thus, conflicts such as mutual insults and fights often occur between factions, creating quite a lively scene.

It simply means that Liu Bei had not left the private room on the second floor even after the seventh day. The boss, emboldened, slipped ten taels of silver to a servant to coax Liu Bei into talking. Liu Bei glared and said, "What’s wrong with staying a few more days? I still have three rooms full of straw sandals that I haven't dealt with yet. Are you..."

Zhang Jiao said nonsense, I do not know if this is a straw sandal? I can only ask again: "Is it just a straw sandal, or is there anything else you want to convey to me?"

The saying goes that those who commit multiple injustices will ultimately bring about their own demise. Liu Bei's actions have truly incited the wrath of both heaven and humanity among his fellow townsfolk. Although the people of that time were simple and honest, and Zhuo County was located in a remote area with particularly good-natured citizens, even a cornered dog will leap over a wall, let alone a human. Under the influence of various factors, Liu Bei faced assassination attempts a total of 32 times.

Zhang Jiao watched Liu Bei continuously take out straw sandals from the city, piling them up as high as a small mountain, with no sign of stopping. His mouth gradually opened wider, and he began to calculate in his mind how much military funding this would require.

However, later everyone discovered that once this thing was worn, even thunder could not be heard, yet Liu Bei's voice could not be blocked. People did not realize this was a profound internal skill and went to ask Liu Bei. Liu Bei pouted slightly and said: "This is something I sell, it has long supported my family, how could I listen to you all?"... "This is for you to use in the right way, do not attempt to engage in crooked paths or exploit loopholes."... Not long after, everyone discovered another fact: Liu Bei's selling of straw sandals with a soul-stirring voice was merely one of his methods for selling straw sandals, but certainly not the only one. Even when encountering individuals with disabilities, such as those who are deaf, Liu Bei, with his ghostly agility, rich facial expressions, and exaggerated gestures, could still achieve his goals. Simply wearing a pair of earplugs does not solve the fundamental problem.

Later, Liu Bei finally realized that everyone seemed not very accustomed to his calls for selling. Upholding the noble idea of being close to the people, loving the people, and rescuing them from peril, he began to sell a type of earplug alongside the straw sandals, and immediately, the buyers surged like a tide

Such a grand event went unnoticed by the entire Zhuo County, leaving behind countless unfounded rumors, which is truly regrettable. However, while no one in Zhuo County witnessed it, many within the Yellow Turban Army did see it, and numerous individuals have found it unforgettable for a lifetime. Yet, most of those involved are reluctant to recall their own dire circumstances at that time, often remaining tight-lipped when questioned by curious comrades who were unable to attend. The occasional snippets of information that emerge, despite their varying versions, collectively provide a general understanding of the key aspects of the entire incident that took place that day

When the people of Zhuoxian returned to the city, they found that all the Liu Bei brand straw sandals that had accumulated in their homes were gone. Just as they were puzzled, Liu Bei announced some news to everyone. He stated that he had collected all the straw sandals from the villagers' homes, processed them, and would return an upgraded version to the villagers as a token of gratitude for their years of support. However, since this was an upgraded version, everyone would need to pay a small upgrade fee. For a pair of upgraded 2.0 straw sandals, one would only need to pay for one straw sandal, which is equivalent to 10 copper coins. Thus, the villagers of Zhuoxian found themselves once again living in dire straits.

Due to Liu Bei's overwhelming reputation within the industry, his fame has even transcended the confines of the sector, to the extent that ordinary people turn pale, green, or purple at the mere mention of his name. If someone were to shout "Liu Bei is coming!" without prior warning, the timid would immediately collapse in fear. It can be sincerely stated that such descriptions attributed to Liu Bei are by no means excessive for anyone who knows his name. The existence of a figure like Liu Bei ensures that if there are shoe-selling guilds in Zhuo County or nearby towns, Liu Bei would undoubtedly hold a significant position within them. Furthermore, the number of shoe sellers in the vicinity of Zhuo County has dwindled due to Liu Bei's emergence. It can be sincerely stated that such descriptions attributed to Liu Bei are by no means excessive for anyone who knows his name. The existence of a figure like Liu Bei ensures that if there are shoe-selling guilds in Zhuo County or nearby towns, Liu Bei would undoubtedly hold a significant position within them. Additionally, the number of shoe sellers in the vicinity of Zhuo County has decreased because of Liu Bei, as they are completely unable to compete with him. Moreover, if one were to sell straw sandals, it would not only be in a different industry from Liu Bei's, but being known by friends and family would lead to disdain. More importantly, if there were indeed shoe-selling guilds, it would greatly bolster Liu Bei's arrogance, allowing his influence to extend even further, resulting in more unfortunate individuals.

To understand Zhang Jiao's martial arts skills and military strategies, all of which were taught by Nan Hua. Nan Hua is one of the few master-level experts of the present age, rumored to possess a level of cultivation akin to that of a terrestrial immortal, often appearing like a dragon whose head is seen but whose tail is not. However, Nan Hua is most famous not for his martial arts, but for his peculiar habits that manifest sporadically.

What extraordinary abilities does Liu Bei possess that provoke such divine wrath and human resentment, inciting the anger of both gods and ghosts? For those who harbor doubts and believe that I am slandering a virtuous merchant, you may take a trip to the East City Gate of Zhuo County during the day.

What truly made Liu Bei's name resound was the time when Zhang Jiao led the Yellow Turban Army to attack. In fact, they did not intend to assault this small city; it was merely a transit. However, the Yellow Turban Army was formidable and had a fearsome reputation. According to the edict issued by the court, each of them was a demon that would kill without leaving a bone behind. When an ordinary person came into contact with the Yellow Turban bandits, they would be possessed by demons, leading to the slaughter of their entire family, followed by the violation of their neighbors' wives and daughters, ultimately resulting in being struck by heavenly thunder and dying. In truth, anyone with a modicum of education and intelligence knows that this edict is nonsensical. If one is possessed upon mere proximity, then before the entire family is slaughtered, they would have already been possessed. The wives and daughters of the neighbors would also undoubtedly be possessed. Would they then kill and violate each other after being possessed? Furthermore, regarding being struck by lightning or burned by heavenly fire, why are the Yellow Turban Army still roaming around? They should have been extinct by now.

In the first year of the Zhongping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in August, when Liu Bei walked out of the eastern city gate of Zhuo County in Youzhou, a thunderous sound of gongs and drums erupted behind him. Liu Bei turned around with a charming smile and waved his hand in greeting, instantly causing the entire venue to hold its breath, falling into complete silence.

Liu Bei wore a mysterious expression and said, "General, when Master Nanhua left me, I merely regained the ability to walk, and at most, my lightness skill was just at the beginner level. The achievements of my lightness skill today are entirely due to the grass shoe weaving technique taught by Master Nanhua. A pair of grass shoes made using this method, when worn for three months, can elevate one's lightness skill to a new level. With your capabilities, General, if you were to wear them for one or two years, your lightness skill would likely surpass mine."

On weekdays, he relentlessly ravaged the local villagers, causing significant losses to the Yellow Turban Army as well. With such capabilities, it would indeed be a miracle if Liu Bei's reputation did not grow larger. Once his fame increased, not only did the villagers of Zhuo County become aware, but even the people from the surrounding dozen or so villages knew of him. If one were to pass through Zhuo County, the East Gate was absolutely to be avoided.

A year later, after wearing out more than twenty pairs of Liu Bei brand straw sandals, Zhang Jiao finally understood that he had been outsmarted by Liu Bei. However, given the pressing military situation, and the fact that the real victims were the soldiers—who had only purchased two thousand pairs—he realized that if he were not truly a master himself, he would likely not be able to catch the exceptionally agile Liu Bei. Thus, in the end, he did not seek revenge.

Of course, there are those who refuse to pay. Upon seeing Liu Bei standing at the city gate with several bags of straw sandals, they planned to charge straight through. Although Zhuo County is small, the city gate is wide enough for two horses to enter side by side. If they truly exerted their strength to rush through, could Liu Bei really stop them?

The person who came to inquire closely examined the straw sandals, but in the end, still shook their head apologetically

From then on, whenever Zhang Jiao spoke of Liu Bei, he would always sigh deeply and assert that this young man would surely become a great figure in the future. He also remarked that among the heroes of the world, only our family and Xuande are noteworthy. One time, his younger brother Zhang Bao said, "When will big brother have a drink with Liu Bei to discuss heroes?" Zhang Jiao gave him a light slap on the head and scolded, "Drink, drink, drink? What nonsense! We still have thirty pairs of straw sandals at home that haven't been worn yet. If we do that again, we'll run out of our military funds in half a year."

Nanhua's peculiarity is his eagerness to be a teacher; when he takes action, regardless of whether you are willing or not, he insists on teaching you. Nanhua never adheres to established rules in his teaching; he teaches according to his whims, and his methods are extraordinarily varied, even to the point of being inhumane. Many masters of the present day have been shaped by him, yet the number of those who have been crippled, suffered mental disorders, or met untimely deaths under his bizarre teaching methods is even greater.

No problem, Liu Bei replied without hesitation

Liu Bei was also aware that his marketing tactics were not entirely above board, so he devised a monthly ticket system. Those who purchased a monthly ticket could enter and exit the eastern gate of Zhuo County without having to buy Liu's straw sandals for an entire month. The next day, anyone needing to enter or exit Zhuo County could rest easy at night, provided they had the monthly ticket. Once the monthly ticket was introduced, sales surged, allowing Liu Bei to amass wealth daily. After two months, Liu Bei stopped selling monthly tickets and switched to annual passes. Liu Bei stated: "Times are advancing, and the monthly ticket system must also undergo reform." A month later, Liu Bei woke up one day and suddenly developed amnesia, completely forgetting about the monthly and annual tickets, and did not recognize them at all. Later, others recounted his past actions to him in detail, hoping that his amnesia would soon be resolved. However, Liu Bei remarked: "Times are advancing, and the monthly and annual ticket systems must also be reformed. The old system will ultimately be rejected by the times; the old must go for the new to come. Moreover, reform must be accompanied by growing pains. I know you are currently in great pain, but you will get used to it as you endure the pain."

Liu Bei patted the sack behind him and said: "There are still many in the city, however, these straw sandals were painstakingly woven by me. Every time I weave straw sandals, my head aches terribly. General, please at least provide some reimbursement for the materials."

Zhang Jiao ordered the entire army to halt, and he rode forward alone, eager to discover the identity of the person who dared to stand in the way of the great army.

Liu Bei smiled: "This is not an ordinary straw sandal"

However, despite being repeatedly assassinated, Liu Bei displayed the qualities of a true man, showing no fear under pressure. Furthermore, although Liu Bei's assassination attempts were met with great satisfaction by the public, the frequency of these attempts reveals how unsuccessful they were. Each time, the assassins not only left in disgrace but also returned empty-handed, burdened instead with a sack full of straw sandals. Such outcomes were, in fact, predictable. Given Liu Bei's unparalleled lightness of foot, how could he possibly be threatened unless the assassins were the elite among the elite? Moreover, those villagers, despite their audacity, could only muster so much silver to hire assassins under Liu Bei's long-term oppression. The assassins they could afford would hardly be skilled. Over time, Liu Bei became quite well-known even in the lower echelons of the assassin world, and no one dared to take on the job of assassinating him.

Although Zhang Jiao was skilled and bold, he did not dare to approach too closely. He originally planned to stop thirty paces in front of the East City Gate to ask Liu Bei a question. However, unexpectedly, there were still about forty paces to the city gate when Liu Bei, who was carrying a sack of straw sandals, suddenly moved. Zhang Jiao was already on high alert, and the sound of his great sword unsheathing echoed. Yet, by the time he had drawn it halfway, Liu Bei had already flashed to the front of the horse and said, "Master Nan Hua sends his regards to you."

Zhang Jiao recalled that in the past, Nanhua loved to stimulate people's potential by needling their acupoints. He himself had been needled numerous times, leaving him covered in holes, a sight too tragic to bear. He found himself agreeing more with Liu Bei's words. Suddenly, he remembered something and asked: "Then why not directly tell me how to weave these straw sandals? Wouldn't that be simpler?"

Fortunately, after Zhang Jiao brought the gold, Liu Bei generously rounded down the amount by nine hundred sixty-two taels. At the price of forty taels of silver for each tael of gold, he ordered the transport of seven hundred taels of gold into his residence in Zhuo County, and then the entire army swiftly passed through Zhuo County.

Zhang Jiao lowered his head and studied for half a day, comparing it with the straw sandals he was wearing, yet he still could not discern any unusual aspects of these sandals

Every household has fled, taking their valuable possessions with them, but there is one thing that no one could possibly carry away, and that is the piles of Liu Bei brand straw sandals accumulated over the years in their homes. Liu Bei went from door to door, collecting the straw sandals from each household. Some homes had a dozen pairs, while others had one or two hundred pairs. Although Zhuo County is a small town, it has several thousand households. By the time he finished collecting them all, the pile of sandals at the city gate was already taller than the gate itself.

After the above introduction, it is clear to everyone that this shoe-selling guild is a promising one, with great potential for development. However, within a radius of over 200 miles centered around Zhuo County, there is not a single shoe-selling guild among the nearly ten towns and villages. All of this is solely due to the presence of Liu Bei

Liu Bei immediately showed a sorrowful expression and said: "I am a man with the surname Liu and the given name Bei. Before I met Master Nanhua, I was originally a cripple, as my legs were inherently weak and unable to walk properly."

In the third year, two months, and four days of Liu Bei selling straw sandals at the East Gate, Liu Bei looked up to the sky and let out a long howl, saying: "I, Liu Bei, have cultivated myself to this point, having interacted with countless common people, deeply understanding their thoughts, knowing what they truly need and what they detest. The most fundamental needs of the people are now clear to me. Furthermore, after honing my skills in selling for over 6,000 hours, I have finally developed a heart that can embrace all rivers, confident that there is no one in the world I cannot handle, only friends I have yet to meet. Ha ha ha, it is time to venture out."

However, the experiences of those three years made Zhang Jiao feel as if he had been struck by lightning every time he inadvertently recalled them, leaving him numb all over. He would wake up in the middle of the night, crying out loudly in his dreams. At this moment, when Liu Bei suddenly mentioned the name of Nan Hua, he was instantly rendered immobile, tears streaming down his face.

What did your master ask you to bring me

Mixed compilation

Liu Bei revealed his signature smile, one that was honest and trustworthy: "Thirty copper coins for a pair."

The great trend of the world is such that what has long been divided must eventually unite, and what has long been united must eventually divide. By the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the situation had reached a point where division was imminent yet not yet realized. In the court and among the people, ten eunuchs wielded power over twenty hands, rendering the current emperor almost powerless; within the Nine Provinces, however, undercurrents surged, with various heroes waiting for the opportune moment to act; even in the rural areas, many were filled with anticipation for the impending changes in the world.

Zhang Jiao compared the straw sandals in his hands with the ones he was wearing, and only then did he realize that the weaving methods of the two pairs of sandals were indeed different. In fact, Zhang Jiao was not very familiar with the straw sandal industry, which is why he fell for Liu Bei's trick. It is perfectly normal for straw sandals woven in different places to have different weaving methods; even if the same method is used to weave the sandals, the subtle details will vary from person to person.

Zhang Jiao was left speechless: How many pairs could there be?

When Zhang Jiao met Nan Hua, he was still a peasant who knew no martial arts and could not even recognize a single character. He had long passed the age for practicing martial arts. Typically, at this stage, if one were to start training again, they would at most learn a few basic farming techniques, and it would be impossible to become an ordinary expert. However, Nan Hua insisted on pushing the limits, teaching Zhang Jiao for three years, and astonishingly transformed him into a top-tier expert, well-versed in military strategy and tactics, and even capable of composing a few humorous poems.

Although the edict was not well understood, its purpose of intimidating the common people had already been achieved. It was reported that the Yellow Turban bandits were approaching, and a total of 1,038 individuals, from city guards to soldiers, were involved. Among them, 280 had suddenly gotten married and taken marriage leave, 489 had requested bereavement leave due to the death of elderly parents, uncles, aunts, and other relatives, 186 had swiftly slipped away under the pretext of visiting relatives, and the final 83 robust men had taken maternity leave. In short, within a mere morning, they all scattered like birds and beasts.

Upon the announcement of Liu Bei's declaration, the entire Zhuo County was immediately immersed in a sea of joy. Liu Bei's request to the largest restaurant and inn consortium in the county, the Guan Fan Lou, to host a grand feast for three days in celebration was also readily agreed to by the owner.

"Who are you, and how do you know my master, Nanhua?" Zhang Jiao asked warily

What, can't you see it?

Zhang Jiao made an effort to recover, wiped away his tears, and said: "What did you just say?"

"So amazing?" Zhang Jiao said with a face full of skepticism, lowering his head to once again study the straw sandals in his hands

When Liu Bei had just begun to showcase his talents and started to persuade his subordinates, Zhang Jiao still regarded him as a rare talent and thought to ask him later if he would be willing to join the Yellow Turban Army. However, once Liu Bei had secured the loyalty of the entire army, Zhang Jiao's eyes turned green with envy, and he dared not even mention that matter.

Having read many books, everyone must know that whenever the phrase "according to common sense" appears, the concept of "common sense" is quickly rendered irrelevant, as if a dog has taken it away. Yet Liu Bei, who happens to possess lightness skills, stands guard at such a small city gate; would he allow ordinary people to pass through so easily?

Selling straw sandals, selling straw sandals, selling straw sandals, selling straw sandals... Oh, sir, your brow is dark, you must have encountered a calamity last night. What? No? Let me tell you, three mosquitoes targeted you yesterday, sucking away 3CC of your blood. If you do not ward off the evil soon, you will face great misfortune in the future. The solution is simple; my straw sandals have been blessed by a high monk's power and are only twenty copper coins... Oh, miss, you are walking unsteadily, something must be wrong, you must be feeling uncomfortable in everything you do. Well, you are in luck; if you buy my straw sandals and place them underneath, they can prevent leakage, and you won't have to worry no matter how you move... Oh, miss, you are walking unsteadily, something must be wrong, you must be feeling uncomfortable in everything you do. Well, you are in luck; if you buy my straw sandals and place them underneath, they can prevent leakage, and you won't have to worry no matter how you move... Oh, old man, don't run away! What? You just bought three dozen yesterday? A regular customer! Why not take four more pounds home today? You will never wear them all in this lifetime, and there are sons and grandsons to consider. I can help you wear them too... Oh, old man, don't run away! What? You just bought three dozen yesterday? A regular customer! Why not take four more pounds home today? You will never wear them all in this lifetime, and there are sons and grandsons to consider. I can help you wear them too...

Liu Bei's lightness skill is known as the Phantom Body Technique. This technique is not well-known in the martial world, but lack of fame does not equate to inferiority. Many extraordinary skills that were renowned across the world hundreds of years ago have now been lost to time, and they too were not well-known. Even the sweet, red-fleshed melons grown by the neighbor, Old Fu, do not have much fame.

This is it, a mixed compilation

It is said that later, when Liu, Guan, and Zhang first embarked on their journey, they encountered Cheng Yuanzhi and Deng Maodao, generals under Zhang Jiao. At that time, the Yellow Turban Army was already in decline, their power greatly diminished compared to before, and with the imperial court urgently dispatching troops to suppress them, their situation was extremely precarious. Liu Xuande, being a member of the Han royal family, for the sake of righteousness, despite having had business dealings with the Yellow Turban Army in the past, could not allow personal feelings to interfere. He had no choice but to adhere to the principle of righteousness over kinship, and they faced each other with swords drawn. However, Liu Bei was always very polite. Upon seeing Cheng Yuanzhi and Deng Maodao leading thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers from a distance, he greeted them, saying: "Brothers, are my straw sandals still fitting? Do you need a little more?" Upon hearing Liu Bei's words, Cheng and Deng recalled past events, remembering how their military pay had vanished in an instant over the course of a year and a half, leading to a life of unbearable hardship. They were already feeling extremely frustrated, and upon hearing Liu Bei speak in such a manner, their hearts felt as if they were about to burst, as if their defenses had been breached, causing their vital energy to surge chaotically within them. This allowed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to seize the opportunity and strike them down. In truth, although Cheng and Deng had somewhat poor psychological resilience, they were rare fierce generals, having reached a profound level in both internal and external martial arts. If it were not for Liu Bei's influence, they would not have been so easily defeated. This illustrates Liu Bei's foresight and deep strategy, as he had long laid the groundwork for his own rise and the downfall of the Yellow Turban Army, something that Zhang Jiao could not compare to.

Zhuo County is a small town in Youzhou. However, this town has become quite famous at this moment, because of one person. This person is named Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, in his twenties, with a fair and tender appearance. His ears are particularly distinctive, with large and thick earlobes that resemble yellow snot about to drip, swaying beneath the auricle. It is said that these soft and highly malleable earlobes have another function; they can be used as earplugs. When pulled up and inserted into the ear canal, they instantly block out all sounds, allowing Liu Bei to fall into a deep sleep within three minutes.

Did you see this

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Originally, Zhang Jiao thought about how many pairs Liu Bei could produce. Even if there were a few hundred or a thousand pairs, the expenditure would be within acceptable limits, allowing each captain-level officer in the army to be equipped with a pair. Even if it turned out to be a scam, it wouldn't be a significant loss, as straw sandals would always be useful. However, now the number of straw sandals Liu Bei has produced is at least in the tens of thousands. If there are ten thousand pairs, that amounts to three hundred thousand coins; if there are twenty thousand pairs, it totals six hundred thousand coins; if there are fifty thousand pairs, it reaches one million five hundred thousand coins. My heavens. If there are ten thousand pairs, that amounts to three hundred thousand coins; if there are twenty thousand pairs, it totals six hundred thousand coins; if there are fifty thousand pairs, it reaches one million five hundred thousand coins. My heavens.

Throughout history, talented individuals have emerged, and the charisma of Liu Bei was prominently displayed during his time

Zhang Jiao took it and examined it closely for a while, then asked: "What is this?"

Is Liu Bei's lightness skill good? One does not know until one looks; upon seeing, one is startled. The lightness skill is truly marvelous. According to unfortunate witnesses, it is said that Liu Bei once transformed into seven phantoms simultaneously to intercept seven customers attempting to slip away, incessantly chattering in their ears until they obediently took out double the money.

In the end, a total of 289,648 pairs of straw sandals were completely "snapped up," amounting to 8,689,440 wen. At the price of 300 wen per tael of silver at that time, this is approximately equivalent to 28,962 taels of silver. The military supply officer accompanying Zhang Jiao turned pale; even in a large prefecture like Jingzhou, a wealthy gentry's entire fortune would roughly amount to this, while the military expenses Zhang Jiao incurred last year were only a little over 60,000 taels of silver.

"How many straw sandals did you bring for me this time?" Zhang Jiao asked

As soon as the word "friend" was mentioned, all beings in the world inexplicably shuddered in unison

Mr. Nanhua entrusted me to send his regards to you and also asked me to bring something for the general

Zhang Jiao coughed heavily a few times and said to Liu Bei: "Brother Liu, it is not that I intend to take advantage of you, but I truly did not expect you to have so many straw sandals, and our military funds are limited. How about this, I will buy two thousand pairs of straw sandals from you, and for the remaining sandals, you can ask my soldiers if they wish to purchase them. If they do, the cost can be deducted from their military pay"

Zhang Jiao thought to himself, the price is not cheap, but it is also not outrageous, so he nodded and said: "You may as well bring out the straw sandals."

Liu Bei sighed, expressing his helplessness towards these ignorant people, and decided to demonstrate it himself. He reached for a straw sandal, turned it over with the sole facing up, and pointed at the purple grass pattern on the heel that read "2.0".

At this point in the story, the young man had already jumped out of the second-floor window and fled in a panic. In fact, Liu Bei had already shown considerable leniency; otherwise, with the application of the Phantom Movement technique, how could a mere young man have escaped so easily